By Chuks Okocha
Wives of the 36 governors under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum have expressed concerns over the worsening security situation across the country as well as the rate of poverty among Nigerians among other social ills.
They have also pledged to work with their husbands in their respective states to tackle the challenges headlong.
The chairman of the forum and the wife of Ekiti State governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi disclosed this yesterday after a meeting they held at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum Secretariat in Abuja.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, she said: “We are concerned about the security situation and the impact it has on women and children.
“We are also concerned about the job crises in the country which is gradually consuming a whole lot of young people.
“We are also concerned about the poverty that a lot of women face especially in the rural communities.”
She promised that the members of the forum were committed to supporting their respective state governments in making sure that they work alongside their husbands to improve the quality of lives of citizens.
“We, as wives, mothers and First Ladies, will do whatever we can in support of our husbands to ensure we bridge the gap and play whatever role we can mostly behind the scene to ensure that the quality of life of our people will be much better,” she explained.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the NGF, Mr. Asishana Okauru, said the secretariat was willing to partner the governors’ wives to create enabling policy environment for improved maternal health.
“Nigeria has one of the worst maternal mortality ratios. This is unacceptable as no woman should lose her life in the course of bringing a new life to the world.
“Each maternal death should mandatorily be reported whenever and wherever they occur; reviewed as to possible causes of the death and there has to be an institutional response designed to implement appropriate measures to mitigate future occurrences.
“The secretariat has a resource centre and the requisite expertise to provide support in seeking and securing assistance to any First Lady interested in pursuing this.”
