The Oyo State Chapter of the International Parliament for Safety, Peace and Justice of United Nations (IPSPJUN) was inaugurated in Ibadan on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration, with the theme “Transforming Oyo State Waste into a Treasure Base, “ was held at the House of Chiefs, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking at the inauguration, Amb. Juanita Nwendu, IPSPJUN Minister for Women Affairs Africa, said that for any country to develop, attention must be given to the growth and stability of women in governance.
“As we speak, IPSPJUN is currently in 15 African countries and it’s in the interest of women and the girl child. It is a selfless effort to make sure that all women are well established.
“IPSPJUN is already in 12 states in Nigeria and over time it would be in all the 36 states. IPSPJUN is ready to fund and facilitate programmes in states who are financially incapacitated to better the lifes of Nigerian women,” she said.
According to her, IPSPJUN is an international organization under the United Nations and an affiliate of Global Forum For Peace, Peace Justice and Human Rights, United States of America.
“The International Parliament is in 155 countries and has been in existence for 35 years but Africa wasn’t included until 2019,” she said.
Mr Ademola Aderinto, Senior Special Assistant on Environment to Gov. Seyi Makinde, thanked IPSPJUN for the inauguration and pledged the state’s support for their programmes.
Aderinto said the theme of the inauguration incidentally tallied with the states agenda on the environment.
“We appreciate your effort to fund programmes and projects concerning women and girl child in the state. The state will give as much support that’s needed for women.
“The state will join hands with IPSPJUN to help empower more women, we celebrate this initiative as it’s a great stride towards making lives better for the women.
“In the past Oyo State is known to be the dumping site for waste, the face of that has changed lately by the efforts of Ģov. Makinde by turning waste to wealth,” he said.
Amb. Mary Ann-Akalo, the newly-elected IPSPJUN Commissioner, Oyo State Chapter, said she would work tirelessly to promote peace and unity of women and girl child.
Ann-Akalo said that there was a need to create awareness on the effectiveness of gender equality and participation of African women in leadership to eliminate poverty.
“Iliteracy and child/aged women mortality is very important. I’ll be working to promote peace, education, empower, develop and sustain Oyo State women.
“To unite Oyo State women, encourage women political participation in all spheres of life, to eliminate discrimination all forms of social vices would be looked into.
“injustice and violence against Oyo Stage womens and girl child is an area that should be looked into,” she said.
NAN reports that 18 persons were inaugurated into the Oyo State Chapter of IPSPJUN.
Some of the members are: Mrs Olanike Ajanaku (Deputy Commissioner), Mrs Abimbola Fadimu (Ibadan Regional Director), Mrs Atinuke Smith (Director of Operations), Mrs Lola Oladele-Ojo (Dircetor of Finance), Mrs Olanike Mustapha (Director of Communications), among others.