Nigeria’s First lady, Aisha Buhari has charged state governors’ wives to promote change through various pet programmes projects aimed at promoting nation building.
Mrs. Buhari made the call at the opening of the governors’ spouses induction summit in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The summit was aimed at building the capacities of all wives of the governors toward fostering unity and delivering good leadership alongside their husbands.
Represented by her special adviser on Africa First Ladies Peace Mission, Mohamed Albishir, the first lady urged the incoming governors’ wives to always encourage their husbands to deliver good governance.
She said “Irrespective of our differences and experiences, our challenges should not deter our commitments to serve Nigeria better. Our ‘renewed hope’ is a vision that requires capacity building and strategies for more impactful democratic change and inclusion,”
“Our commitments to democracy as wives and leaders require collective efforts to build a strong foundation for democratic governance. This summit, therefore, provides an avenue in acquiring ideals for promoting excellence and innovation in all our processes of governance.”
She also called on the incoming governors’ wives to always play their role in serving the communities for the development of the country.
“I appreciate their support, especially to my foundation: the future assured and the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) which I served as the president.
“I therefore urge you to translate the brilliant ideals of today’s summit and utilize them to promote women’s rights and empowerment. I must emphasize that it is important to translate our gender policy into action.”
The First Lady emphasized on the vision of building a better Nigeria stressing that it should start from the States for a better foundation.
“Let us try and turn our current challenges into opportunities for creating a new Nigeria that is safe, secure and sustainable. On this note, I challenge all to remain focused, dedicated and committed to the plight of our children and the nation.
“It is through your support and dedication to helping women and the girl-child that their dreams can be actualized and potentials become realizable. It is doable and I know you can do it,” she added.
The Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, noted the incredible power that First Ladies possess to inspire and lead change throughout history, adding that they have been instrumental in shaping and influencing the course of the nation, using their unique positions and platforms to effect meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
Tambuwal, further commended the First Ladies for their effort in promoting education and health initiatives and the Empowerment of women and girls in their various States of the federation.
“These set of First Ladies have consistently demonstrated their ability to make a difference in the lives of those around them”
“Your leadership and your unwavering commitment to the NGWF have been an inspiration to us all. You have shown us the Governors that it is possible when we work together to build a brighter future for all,” he added.
On her part, the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen urged returning and incoming First Ladies to take off on a good note and ensure women are given appointments in their respective states, bearing in mind they form higher percentage of those who voted for their spouses and so must be rewarded.
She further commended the governors of Sokoto, Gombe, Lagos, Kwara, Akwa Ibom among other states for appointing women in their cabinets.
The first Lady of Kwara State and founder Ajike People Support Centre, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, commended the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for organising the event as it deepens the knowledge of first ladies on the concerns of women and girls and the need to influence policies, legislations and regulations to create a society that is safe while building systems that are effective and sustainable for collective growth and development.
“The feat achieved so far by the Nigerian Governors Wives Forum is largely dependent on working together as a collective and the enormous support enjoyed from our husbands (the Governors) and our development partners,” she said.
The Kwara state first lady explained that the drive of the Forum has seen the Nigeria Governors Wives Forum influence decisions and stoke actions to mitigate the concerns of women and girls.
She disclosed that a testament to this is evident in the declaration of State of Emergency on Sexual and Gender Based Violence by Nigeria Governors’ Forum owing to the rise in spate of incidents during the lockdown occasioned by the outbreak of COVID 19 in June 2020.
“Also is the adoption of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and other protective laws in our respective States and creating sexual assault referral centers, shelters and providing survivors funds to support victims and survivors while extending our influence to other areas of concern which include; women empowerment, eradication of drug abuse, mental health, nutrition and menstrual hygiene among others,” she explained.
Others who spoke at the induction were Mariya Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, First Lady of Kaduna and Chair Northern Governors Wives Forum, Hadiza El-Rufai and Chair, Southern Governors Wives Forum, Martha Udom.
