The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has assured women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of her unwavering commitment to protecting their interests and supporting initiatives that advance their participation in governance and development.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim gave the assurance in Abuja when she received APC women political leaders and stakeholders from the six Area Councils and 62 wards, led by the FCT APC Woman Leader, Hajiya Farida Odangi Suleiman.
Commending women holding political and public offices, the Minister urged them to strengthen their institutions and make them more effective, stressing that their performance would inspire other women to aspire to leadership.
She said they represented hope and could serve as pathways for others, charging them to ensure that “their offices are not only functional but strong.”
The Minister also lauded the women “as representing shining examples that will make way for many.”
READ ALSO: Women Affairs Minister Receives Presidential Leadership Award
The FCT APC Woman Leader, Hajiya Farida Odangi Suleiman, said the delegation had come to appreciate the Minister for her interventions on issues affecting women and children in the FCT.
“It is not about the timing but the person that occupies the office. She carries the crown well as a proud Nigerian Woman and a mother,” she said.
In appreciation, she said: “Thank you for the love you have shown the women of the FCT, thank you for the care you have shown the women and children of FCT. May God keep you for us; please LEAD US, WE WILL FOLLOW.”
Suleiman, while appealing for greater consideration of FCT women in empowerment initiatives, said the six Area Councils and 62 wards were ready to mobilise support for the President in 2027.
While appealing to the Minister to convey their concerns to the President and First Lady, she stressed that women needed adequate empowerment to effectively mobilise voters, noting that the FCT’s unique political status required sustained attention.
“We don’t have a governor, the President is our governor, the First Lady is our first lady, please take our message to them that we need adequate empowerment so that we can go out.” she appealed.
Suleiman also highlighted infrastructure and human capital development initiatives under the Tinubu administration, arguing that the gains should translate into electoral support in 2027.
“The president has done so much, is it the roads, is it the drainage, is it the light, the human capital development, for us to lose elections again come 2027 in the FCT?”
She said the women were seeking practical mobilisation support rather than political fanfare.
On behalf of the six Area Councils and 62 wards, the FCT APC Woman Leader conferred on Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim an award of honour as “Grand Matron of FCT Women.”
The meeting provided a platform for the women to seek greater inclusion in government empowerment programmes as they mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
