From Celestine Ihejirika, Jalingo
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has reiterated his administration’s continued support initiative and partnership that promotes dignity, opportunity and social protection for the people.
He also stated that the State Government was ready to work with the Federal Government and all stakeholders to ensure collective national development.
The governor who stated this at the opening of the 26th Regular National Council on Women Affairs and Child Development in Jalingo, encouraged participants to use the council to exchange ideas, share experiences and develop practical and sustainable recommendations that will be implemented across the states.
Kefas who was represented at the event by the state’s Head of Servicer (HOS), Dr. Ahmed Kara, commended the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development and her team for choosing Taraba as the Host of this Year’s Council.
“We are particularly honoured to host this important national gathering at a time when strengthening families, protecting our children, and empowering women are critical to the development of our nation. The theme of this Council.
“Strengthening Families and Advancing the Care Economy for Inclusive Development: Operationalising Nigeria’s Renewed Social Protection Architecture,” is both timely and relevant. A strong nation begins with strong families, and we must continue to create systems that support women, children, and vulnerable members of our society.
“As a government, we remain committed to investing in education, healthcare, skills development, women empowerment, child protection, and social inclusion as key pillars of our human capital development agenda. We recognise that the government cannot do this alone. Sustainable progress requires collaboration among the Federal Government, State Governments, civil society, development partners, communities, and the private sector.”
“I therefore encourage all participants to use this Council to exchange ideas, share experiences, and develop practical and sustainable recommendations that can be implemented across our various states. Let our deliberations go beyond resolutions and translate into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerian women, children, families, and vulnerable persons,” e stated.
In her remarks, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim said the National Council is the highest policy advisory platform for women, children and families, and must be treated as a binding commitment, not an annual photo-op.
She emphasized that the 26th National Council on Women Affairs, Child Advancement and Social Development must produce results that can be seen in communities.
“This Council is not a ceremony. It is not an annual gathering at which we exchange courtesies, take photographs and disperse. What we resolve here must be found next year in State budgets, in State work plans and in the lives of the people we serve,” she stated.
She appreciated Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas and the people of Taraba State for hosting, and also commended Governor Sen. Monday Okpebholo and Edo State for hosting the 25th Council in Benin City in November 2025.
Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman said President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has declared 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development, placing the family at the centre of national transformation.
She described the care economy as national infrastructure, noting that unpaid care work done mostly by women sustains households but keeps many women out of the formal workforce
