The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) on Saturday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for making the 2013 budget proposal gender-friendly.
The National President of the council, Mrs Nkechi Mba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu that the gesture had further demonstrated the president’s interest in women affairs.
“We were overwhelmed when he announced that women will head works and health ministries, he has given us 33 per cent out of 35 per cent we were asking for.
“We pledge our continued unalloyed support in attaining his transformation agenda,’’ she said.
On the flood disaster in the country, Mba said that women were the worst hit because many of them lost their lives and property in the disaster.
She, however, commended moves by the federal and affected state governments in rescuing the situation.
Mba, who inaugurated the new state executive of the council in Enugu, urged women in the country to be agents of peace to sustain national development.
She said that women had a major role to play in ensuring that peace and tranquility reigned in the country.
“As mothers, we should preach peace in our homes, families, churches and everywhere we go to reduce the high rate of violence, crisis and kidnapping in the country.
“There is no way the president can achieve the transformation agenda in an atmosphere of chaos,’’ she said.
Mba also urged the state councils of the association to partner with local governments so that they could contribute their quota in the development of the country.
The council inaugurated Dr Rita Ngwu as the President, Mrs Beatrice Chukwuonwe as Vice President, Mrs Patience Nwatu as Secretary and Mrs Blessing Aleke as the Treasurer.
Dr?Ngwu in her acceptance speech, pledged to network with governments and other stakeholders in taking women to greater height.?(NAN)