All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Governorship Candidate in Enugu, Frank Nweke Jr, has pledged to prioritise women’s needs, if elected as governor.

Nweke gave the pledged in a statement issued on Wednesday in Enugu to mark the 2023 International Women’s Day.

While congratulating the women in the state on the occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day, Nweke said that he honoured and appreciated the gifts possessed by them.

According to him, the theme for this year’s Day is apt, as it captures his thoughts on how to approach issues of women’s empowerment in the state.

“We must meet everyone at her level and provide the specific opportunities and requirements they need for success.

“Our administration will be committed to affirmative action that improves the participation of women in government, civil service and provide the necessary training and support to improve entrepreneurial ventures and businesses,” he said.

The APGA governorship candidate said that he had begun with the choice of Dr Mrs Edith Ugwuanyi as his deputy governorship candidate.

“With our combined experience and efforts, we are determined to deploy policies that will serve the interests of our women across family life, educational aspirations, technological literacy, business, politics and generally, as agents of societal change.

“In my tours across the state, I have found women to be the most vulnerable to the dangers of poverty and economic regression.

“Young girls and women are exposed to abuse and vices beyond their control, and our mothers work under the most unfavourable conditions in the corporate world, markets and farms,” he said.

Nweke said that his administration would work with all key stakeholders to ensure that women were protected and respected.

He further stated that he was particularly interested in the welfare, wellbeing and empowerment of women in the state.

“My administration will be committed to immediately improving the lives of mothers by addressing basic infrastructure needs, including water, healthcare services, schools and sanitation at the local level.

“We will also channel resources toward extension services to the farmers, provide succour through a family support programme and our Strategic Food Reserve initiative.

“Mothers are the custodians of our future, as they mostly determine how the lives of children will go. They are the primary determinants of their state of health, education, values and beliefs.

“Therefore, they require the right training, education and empowerment to effectively shape the society and the future in very profound and fundamental ways,” he said.

Nweke recalled that as a Minister for Information and National Orientation, he initiated a project called ‘Mothers United and Mobilised’ where issues of values, ethical and moral reorientation were addressed.

He pledged that his administration would reintroduce the initiative as a channel for education, empowerment and equipping mothers for action in the state.

“This will form a critical aspect of our human development plans for education, healthcare and overall social equity.

“I want to assure our women that Enugu will be referenced for the protection of women’s rights, empowerment for economic advancement and political participation.

“The number of women who will become local government chairpersons and commissioners will be unprecedented, because we will intentionally create policies that will make this possible,” the governorship candidate said. (NAN)