‘It’s for widows and divorcees’ — Bauchi defends appointment of SA on unmarried women

Bauchi state government says the appointment of a special assistant on unmarried women affairs is to address the needs of widows and divorcees in the state.

Bala Mohammed, the state governor, on August 4, appointed Balaraba Ibrahim as the SSA on unmarried women affairs.

But in a statement on Saturday, Mukhtar Gidado, senior special assistant to the governor on media, said the word “unmarried” was mistakenly added in the letter.

He said widows and divorcees constitute a significant segment of the state’s population.

Gidado said owing to the unending petitions by representatives of this group, the governor decided to “establish a channel of communication whereby their plight can be addressed like those of other groups in the state”.

“After due consideration and in keeping with his campaign pledge not to leave anybody behind, the governor graciously acceded to their request hence the appointment of a special assistant on women affairs, with the specific responsibility of handling matters related to widows and divorcees, not “unmarried” women,” he said.

“Unfortunately, while producing it, the word “unmarried” was inadvertently introduced into the letter. This is a clear mistake of the head; not of the heart which the Government sincerely regrets.

“Governor Bala Mohammed is sincerely pained that this error could have caused the women of Bauchi state and elsewhere, considerable distress and embarrassment.

“He has therefore directed that his personal apologies be conveyed to all women of Bauchi State, particularly the widows and divorcees whose interests he has vowed to protect and advance, always.

“Finally, governor Bala Mohammed enjoins the good people of Bauchi state to put this matter behind us so that, together, we can sustain the achievements that have been recorded, so far, in diverse areas such as youth empowerment, infrastructural development, rehabilitation of schools and primary healthcare centres, amelioration of the plight of senior citizens and retirees and the harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislature.”