The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has stressed the importance of family to nation-building, reassuring that his government will continue to prioritize policies to strengthen the family unit, ensuring that they are provided with the right infrastructure and environment to succeed and contribute to the growth and development of the state and nation.
Obaseki said this in commemoration of the 2023 International Day of Families, celebrated by the United Nations and its sister agencies with the theme, “Demographic Trends and Families.”
The governor, who described as indispensable the role of the family in nation-building and social development, noted that building strong families with solid moral values was crucial in achieving sustainable growth and development in society.
According to the governor, “Today, we join the global community in celebrating the 2023 International Family Day, an occasion that highlights the significance of families in our society.
“Families are the foundation upon which our society is built, and their strength and well-being are essential for the progress and prosperity of any society, which is why we have in the past six years placed families at the forefront of our government’s agenda, prioritizing reforms and policies to create an enabling environment to support their well-being and growth.”
He added, “We understand that families face diverse challenges, and are committed to sustaining our programmes and policies in education, healthcare, agriculture, technology, and economy, among other sectors to ensure that families are provided with the right infrastructure and environment to realize their fullest potentials and contribute adequately to societal advancement.”
Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, Obaseki reiterated the need for increased collaboration among stakeholders to urgently harness and maximize the advantages of the country’s changing demographic trends.
He charged, “While harnessing the immense potential of our expanding population, we must acknowledge the collective responsibility that rests upon the government, citizens, and other stakeholders. Together, we must establish comprehensive systems, build resilient infrastructure, and implement dynamic socio-economic policies that not only address the immediate needs of our people but also lay a strong foundation for a secure and inclusive society.”
The International Day of Families, according to the United Nations, provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic, and demographic processes affecting them.
