21st September, 2014
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, on Saturday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for adhering to the 35 per cent policy of affirmative action.
Maina gave the commendation at a rally on peace building organised by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) for the North East Zone in Gombe.
She said the president had empowered a lot of women within and outside his government. She noted that Jonathan is a gender-friendly president who has done a lot in the education of the girl-child as well as empowerment of women, children and youths.
Maina, however called on women to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise, saying “your cards are your rights; women have the largest number of voters and you should prove yourselves”.
She also called on Nigerians to pray for peace and security in the North East Zone.
Also speaking, the member representing Bogoro Constituency in the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Miss Rifkatu Danna, thanked the president for appointing women in various capacities.
She appealed to women in the region to support the president so as to consolidate on his achievements.
The occasion was attended by Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe, Acting Gov. Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa and his Taraba counterpart, Garba Umar.
Also present were the deputy governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Sagir Saleh, ministers as well as federal and state lawmakers from the zone.