By Ada Okafor
The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, has advocated collective action in the fight against the ravaging effects of inequality and gender-based violence in the society.
The DG made the call during the flag-off of the first phase of NYSC Grassroots Gender Sensitisation and Advocacy Campaign in Rural Communities, held at Government Day Secondary School, Sunkaani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, Taraba State.
In an address on behalf of the DG read by the State Coordinator, NYSC, Taraba State, Mr. Anthony Nzoka, the DG lamented what he described as “the discrimination against the female gender in some communities” and warned against “the physical harm and psychological effects of such discrimination to women and girls”.
General Shuaibu therefore called on community leaders, religious institutions, local government administrators and other stakeholders to ensure that no man, woman, girl or boy is denied the opportunity to realise their God-given potentials.
The NYSC boss reiterated the Corp’s continued support and advocacy on gender issues and thanked all stakeholders and partners for their support.
Responding on behalf of the Local Government Area, the Chairman, who was represented by the Director, General Services and Administration, Mr. Alexander Bingan, expressed appreciation to the NYSC for the sensitisation program. He assured of the support of the council in the fight against gender-based violence and discrimination, and called for the extension of the sensitisation to other communities within the LGA.
Equally present at the flag-off ceremony were the Director, PRS, of the LGA, Mr. Bappa Waturu; the Chairman, Muslim Council, in the area, Usman Abdulkarim; Gender Monitoring Officer, NYSC NDHQ, Mrs Patience Lenkat; Management staff of NYSC Taraba state secretariat, students and community members.
