The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has drawn a line under recent staff protests by embracing reconciliation, pledging improved welfare, and distributing food items as a gesture of goodwill.
Speaking at a town hall meeting with staff in Abuja on Friday, the minister declared that she bore no grudges over the demonstrations that rocked the ministry in recent weeks. Instead, she urged workers to focus on unity, dialogue, and mutual respect as the foundation for progress.
“We should all be human beings first before anything else. Unity is the only way forward. I have nothing against anyone, and I believe we can solve our challenges through dialogue and respect,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said, stressing her commitment to strengthening staff morale and rebuilding trust.
Her Media Adviser, Jonathan Eze, explained that the minister sees the welfare of staff as central to the ministry’s mission, even though some decisions often come from other senior officials. She reminded the gathering that the Ministry of Women Affairs plays a critical role in defending the rights of women, children, families, and vulnerable groups, and that harmony within the ministry was essential to achieving those goals.
As a practical sign of reconciliation, the minister announced that every employee at the meeting would receive a 50kg bag of rice. The announcement drew applause from workers, many of whom had demanded greater attention to their welfare during the protests.
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In response, the Union Chairperson, Mrs. Anne Orjiobele, and Comrade Success Alake admitted that the demonstrations may not have been channeled properly but emphasized that staff concerns were genuine. They pledged loyalty to the minister while urging that welfare issues such as housing, training, and inclusivity be addressed going forward.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim assured the workers that she would push for solutions within available resources, promising that dialogue would remain open and constructive.
The conciliatory move is being seen as a reset for the Ministry of Women Affairs, signaling a fresh start between management and staff after weeks of tension.
