Women Affairs Ministry marks 2014 International Day of Families

ABUJA (Ministry of Women Affairs Report) –  As Nigeria joins the rest of the World to celebrate the 2014 International Day of Families on Thursday May 15, 2014, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina has called on Nigerian families to embark on sustained vigilance and prayers towards ending the security challenges facing the country.

In a Press statement issued to journalists in Abuja recently, the Minister said that as a result of the activities of insurgents, some Nigerian families, especially in the North – East have become homeless, while some family heads and breadwinners have been killed, thereby increasing the number of widows in that part of the country. She also indicated that women and girls have been abducted and other families are becoming refugees in their own country for fear of the unknown.

Zainab Maina further stated that the annual observance of the day was aimed at raising awareness on issues relating to the Family as the basic unit and building block of the society. Adding, it also reflects the importance which the international community attaches to families and family situations around the world.

“In view of the present situation in which we have found ourselves, we have to dedicate this year’s celebrations to finding lasting solutions to these and other problems affecting the survival and proper development of the Nigerian families,” she said.

“To this end, I call on all Nigerian families to embark on sustained vigilance and prayers towards bringing to an end the current security challenges facing our nation.  We must show greater commitment to ensuring that our girls are re-united with their families within the shortest possible time.”

She expressed appreciation for the concern and support from the international community under the “Bring Back Our Girls” movement and for being physically present in Nigeria to assist towards bringing  those girls back to their families.

According to the Minister, the ultimate goal of the Transformation Agenda of the present Administration is to improve the standard of living and enhance the quality of life of all members of the family, including children, youths, women, older persons, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable Nigerians.

The Minister intensified that the Federal Government has established 77 Skills Acquisition Centres for Women, provided credit facilities to over 3,400 women groups/cooperatives; saying 400 persons with disabilities and172 older persons were trained and empowered, while 20 disabilities – focused NGOs were offered grants to boost their activities.

She enjoined States, Local Councils and NGOs to mobilize resources and develop programmes to celebrate the day as well as educate families on the need to monitor the activities of their children and wards, so as to guard from the recruitment and use of children and youths to commit crimes against humanity.

While recalling that the United Nations General Assembly decided in its Resolution 47 237 that beginning from 1994, the 15th day of May in every year shall be observed as the International Day of Families by all its Member-States, she noted that this year’s theme for the observance of the day as declared by the UN is tagged: “Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals – International Year of the Family + 20.”