AKWA-IBOM GOVT URGES NAFDAC TO GIVE WOMEN CONCESSION ON PRODUCT REGISTRATION

The Akwa-Ibom State government has called on the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to as a matter of urgency give concession to women in the state on product registration.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs in the state, Dr Ini Adiakpan, made the call on Thursday in Uyo ati the opening ceremony/ministerial session of the 21st regular national council meeting on women affairs.

The Commissioner said that the idea would encouraged women who are producers of various product as well as liberate them in the runnings of the country economy.

She also called on women council to consider the establishment of special intervention package for women at all levels, establishment of functional literacy, skill acquisition and micro credit programmes.

Adiakpan added that women also needs the floating of an interest free loan or at most one per cent revolving, as well as inclusion of rural women in the yearly budgetary provision for empowerment.

She however commended the Federal ministry of women affairs for initiating various empowerment programmes for women, disabled and other vulnerable persons especially the support given to 800 orphans in orphanages.

She commended Gov. Udom Emmanuel for showing commitment in the promotion and protection of the right of every citizens, particularly children through the implementation of the Child Rights Law.

The Commissioner said that the governor had put up a project where children from 0-5 to five years were giving free medical care, and free compulsory education for children in all public schools from primary to secondary.

Adiakpan also commended the wife of the governor, Mrs Martha Emmanuel, for giving her unrelenting support, advice and advocacy on issues affecting the women, girl child and other vulnerable person in the state.

She said that the governor wife had recorded success through her pet project with numerous life transforming achievements, ranges from shelters for widows and interest floating loans for women.

In his goodwill message, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, recognised the contribution of women to the Nigeria economy, saying that, women had contributed 41 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product of the economy.

He however called for the creation of conducive atmosphere for women to flourish, adding that, gender equality was one of the issues that is been promoted at the ministry of youth and sports.

Dare said that gender equality would create room for emarcipation of women and youth in all sphere, noting that, women takes essential place in the economic, and they must begin to see themselves as leaders.

The Minister however urged everyone to join in the army for women liberation.

Mrs Comfort Lamptey, called for more economic empowerment of women to eradicate poverty totally in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other ministers who were at the functions and also gave their goodwill messages are Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior.

The rest are Clem Agba, Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning and Chukwuemeka Uwajiuba, Minister of State for education.

(NAN)