By Fidel Njamanze
Prominent women in Delta State on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the question of national reconciliation by appointing people from other political parties.
The women, cut across ethnic cleavages in the state, appealed to President Buhari to close gender gaps in the country.
At a one –day seminar on effective democracy in Nigeria, the women charged Nigerians to look ahead with optimism for a transformed Nigeria.
They listed security, unity of the nation, diversification of the economy, job creation, and expansion of infrastructure, agricultural development, health, education and gender equality as critical areas for the new administration
“President Buhari will reform the public service, grow the economy and fight corruption” they said.
The women also eulogized the virtues of the chairman of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, commending her for upholding the mandate given to NSITF by the Employees Compensation Act (ECA).
A statement by the chairperson of Delta Political and Business Women Forum (DPBWF), Dr. Elizabeth Akpore shortly after the meeting in Asaba applauded Olejeme for her integrity and strength of character.
Giving account of NSITF under Olejeme’s watch, the statement said the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) paid N211.92 million as claims to organised private sector employees between January 2011 and February 2015.
“N37.41million was paid between June 2011 and December 2012 to 211 employees while 593 employees received N75.80 million in 2013. N80.83 million was paid to 967 employees in 2014 while 193 others got N17.84 million between January and February this year” the statement said.
“President Muhammadu Buhari knows where he is going and the people who can sail with him in the same boat without rocking it. Dr. Ngozi Olejeme is certainly one of them. Olejeme epitomizes services. She is meeting Nigerian workers’ needs” the statement added.
