Zainab-Nasare Idris, wife of the Kebbi governor, has unveiled a plan for a Marriage Reconciliation Committee Bill to the state house of assembly to reduce the rate of divorce in the state.

The bill, if passed, would certainly address issues related to matrimonial altercations and pave the way for secret and harmonious reconciliation among couples.

Addressing a press briefing to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD) in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, the governor’s wife said the chief judge of the state had been intimated on the issue.

The theme of 2025 IWD is: “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality Through Women Economic Empowerment.”

On affirmative action, the governor’s wife expressed delight that Kebbi was on course to achieving the 35 per cent affirmative target.

She recalled that before the present administration boarded, the state had only three female permanent secretaries.

Mrs Idris said, ”But today, we have six. The number of women councillors was increased from 17 to 28, while two female Commissioners were appointed as against none hitherto.

“My husband is very keen on any issue concerning women; therefore, women are very dear to him, hence, his decision to direct that a woman must be elected as councillor from each local government of the state.

“May I use this medium to urge every woman to embrace self-development and endeavour to seek knowledge and explore economic opportunities available to you?”

While appreciating the first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for her pet project, “Every Home a Garden”, the governor’s wife encouraged women to take advantage of it to cultivate different crops within their matrimonial homes using modern farming techniques.

In her speech, the permanent secretary, ministry of women affairs, Suwaiba Salihu, urged women to carry forward a spirit of equity, change and inclusivity.

The permanent secretary advocated an increase in the number of women commissioners in the state from two to ten, lamenting that some women were not conscious of their rights.

She, however, lauded women for their active participation in agriculture, advising that they should not relent, urging, ” instead, they should redouble efforts to contribute their quota to national food security.”

On his part, the secretary, Technical Working Group (TWG) on gender-based violence (GBV) in Kebbi, Nasir Idris, lauded the governor’s wife for supporting the NGO in achieving its set goals and objectives.

He explained that in view of the holistic support being enjoyed, the rate of GBV had drastically reduced across the state.

Mr Idris recalled that recently, the governor’s wife had interacted with GBV survivors, which he described as the first of its kind in the history of Kebbi.

The secretary said the Kebbi first lady not only interacted with the survivors but also supported 100 of them with N50,000 each to start a business.

Idris said that the NGO had secured the convictions of 18 people to life imprisonment as against the initial 50 last year, signifying a decrease in the rate of crime.

AbdurRasheed Bala, coordinator, Nasara Women Development Foundation, a pet project of the governor’s wife, said the foundation had touched the lives of over 10,000 women.

(NAN)