The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy, has lauded the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) for its gender inclusivity.
Kennedy gave the commendation on Wednesday during an official visit to the NDA headquarters, Afaka-Kaduna.
She explained that her visit to the NDA was aimed at motivating and inspiring female cadets, as well as encouraging them to break glass ceilings and push beyond societal boundaries.
She emphasised the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment, urging the cadets to embrace their unique strengths and abilities.
She commended the cadets for their bravery and resilience, reminding them that they were pioneers in a male-dominated field.
”they are here as mothers and feature mothers of the armed forces actively participating in the defence territorial integrity of Nigeria,” the minister said..
Kennedy pledged her support and commitment to ensuring that women’s voices were heard and valued in the military and beyond, inspiring the cadets to become future leaders and change-makers.
She added that the visit to the NDA was not the beginning of their partnership with the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
This, Kennedy said, was because she had visited places like Adamawa, Jos, Kano, Jigawa, Anambra, and other states and planted 500 hectares of rice farms in partnership with the Nigerian armed forces to support women in farming.
The minister lamented that in this ever-evolving world, women were losing their self-confidence due to gender-based violence, and many other maltreatments.
She, therefore, called on women to be strong, stand firm and fear nobody while respecting people so as to protect their children and future.
Kennedy also urged women to be productive in the society and ensure being part of the inclusivity through acquiring education for a better future.
