Newly appointed Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Paulen Tallen, has assured of moving the ministry to the next level, saying that President Mohammadu Buhari has reasons for sending her there.
Tallen gave the assurance yesterday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja after the Federal Executive Council(FEC) meeting where she was handed over portfolio as the minister.
She noted that President Buhari is aware of complains by women of not being carried along in his administration, stating however that he has better plans for Women and all citizens in general.
“This is a wholistic ministry as the woman takes care of the home, children and husband. I’m giving you all a charge that things will be done different henceforth but we must set out targets and work towards achieving it. We must make history and make undelible mark on the sands of history.
“You have severally bombarded Mr. President about the role women played in his political carrer. He is not unmindful of that and I want to assure you that he has a very good reason of sending me to this ministry,” she said.
“You will see the enormous surpoort and corporation we are going to enjoy from him. We all resolved to work as a team from our recent retreat. This ministry is multi facet and has a lot of responsibility. To touch the lives of the vulnerable.
“We have an uphill task to meet up with mandate of the ministry and demand of the president. Women do not go without the children neither can they go without the men. This is the time to give back to the society. Women are the engine of the economy and must be carried along to improve the economy. Once women are empowered, the economy changes,” she stressed.
The Minister stressed the importance of enrolling all children in school, saying the security challenges today is as a result of children not meaningfully engaged.
“Most of the security problem is because we have out of school children. If we look for ways to engage this children meaningfully, the security situation will change then we will have peace.
“I want to dwell on the girl child education because most of the vulnerable women are uneducated. If a girl is uneducated, there is nothing she can do than becomes vulnrable in the hands of men,” she said.
In her welcome remarks the Permanet Secretary Mrs. Ifeoma Anagbogu, said the ministry is suffering inadequate funds which is thwarting most of its activities, she however expressed hope that the Minister’s coming we turn a new leaf for the ministry and society at large.