By Rabilu Abubakar, Gombe
The Gombe State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Asma’u Muhammad Iganus, has called on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the state to collaborate with the ministry to enhance education, particularly for the girl child.
The Commissioner made this appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting with representatives of CSOs, where she urged them to align their activities with the ministry and report any gaps observed in rural communities.
She emphasized that CSOs, due to their direct interaction with rural areas, are often better positioned to identify issues that the ministry may not be aware of promptly.
Asma’u noted that working together would ensure the ministry is informed about the needs and challenges on the ground, and both the ministry and the CSOs would benefit from the government’s support.
She stressed that much of what the ministry achieves is due to the assistance of CSOs, as they play a vital role in providing information about critical issues.
In her remarks, Ms. Adaline Waye Patari, the Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Gombe State, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to encouraging women’s participation in various activities.
She expressed the NOA’s readiness to continue partnering with the ministry to promote girl child education.
Dr. Isiyaku Adamu, the Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), praised the ministry for including people with disabilities in its initiatives.
He acknowledged the ministry’s efforts and expressed the association’s ongoing support, noting that they, too, are beneficiaries of the ministry’s programs.
Dr. Adamu also commended Commissioner Asma’u for her role in passing the Child Rights Act while she was a member of the State House of Assembly.
He urged her to push further by advocating for the passage of the Disability Bill during the state executive meetings, with the goal of securing more rights and support for persons with disabilities