Katagum urges UNESCO to support women empowerment in Nigeria

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum has urged the United Nations Education, Scientific and Culture Organisation (UNESCO), to support Women empowerment in Nigeria especially in the area of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and vocational skills.
According to the statement signed by Ibrahim Haruna, Deputy Director Press, the Minister stated this when the Director, UNESCO Regional Office, Abuja, Mr. Yao Ydo paid a courtesy visit to her in office recently in Abuja.
She disclosed that her recent appointment was taken with utmost responsibility to see that women are empowered, so that they would be part of decision making process in the country.
She further stressed that her working experience in UNESCO would be brought into her new job, towards ensuring that Artificial Intelligence (IT) and culture create jobs for Nigerian women and youths.
Amb. Katagum also revealed that the ministry would adopt sectorial approach to issues so as to revive the moribund and ailing industries in the country.
Earlier, in his address, Mr. Yao Ydo, congratulated the Minister on her new appointment, saying UNESCO was proud of her new post.
He, however, noted that her absence from UNESCO would be felt and her departure had already created a big vacuum difficult to be replaced.
Mr. Ydo stated that the Minister would be worthy Ambassador of the UN Agency, emphasizing that while serving at UNESCO; she helped to promote not only Nigeria but also defended the interest of African Continent at that time.
“She was one of the best representatives of the African Ambassadors at the UN Agencies”. He said.
He encouraged her to ensure development of the creative industry through culture that will bring about job creation, with the assurance of UNESCO’s support that will bring about economic growth and development.
He urged the Ministry to harness the culture of creative industry which he described as another area for job creation saying, an area not much explored in Africa.
It would be recalled that Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum served in UNESCO for over 10 years before her appointment as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.