NEWS
Aisha Buhari Urges Media Engagement on First Ladies’ Projects
Mrs Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari has called on journalists to engage more with state first ladies with a view to giving their projects more visibility.
She made the appeal on Wednesday night in Abuja at an event organised by the Independent Newspapers to honour state first ladies who had used their offices to impact positively on the lives of the people, especially the less privileged and vulnerable.
The event was tagged: “Independent Newspapers Nigerian First Ladies Impact Awards”.
Mrs Buhari, who was the special guest of honour at the event, was represented by Mr Aliyu Abdullahi, her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.
“I am happy to be at this memorable event, which seeks to recognise the efforts of first ladies in spreading the dividends of democracy.
“I am particularly happy that some first ladies have been recognised as having excelled in this regard.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on media practitioners to engage more with first ladies so that their projects can get more visibility.
“The partnership will be a win-win because the media would then have discharged a part of its social responsibility,” she said.
She commended the management of Independent Newspapers for organising the event, saying it is an important milestone and a testimony that the paper understood its role as a partner and a stakeholder in development.
“It is without a doubt that the media has a pivotal role to play not just setting agenda for discourse, but also in supporting and amplifying worthy causes,” she said.
She added that first ladies provided the underbelly of any government as they provide humanitarian, compassionate and mercy services by organising health, educational and empowerment projects.
According to her, first ladies help in the protection of the vulnerable people including women, children, youth and the aged in the society.
She said they also had the advantage of providing counsel to the governors and had become advocates for school enrolment and retention, adult education, self-reliance and health awareness.
She added that first ladies were also advocates against gender-based violence, drug abuse and trafficking of persons.
“They also provide financial support in terms of scholarships and settlement of medical bills for the under-privileged,” Mrs Buhari said.
She congratulated the first ladies that were recognised for the awards at the event, saying that the award will not only spur them to do more, but will equally encourage others.
According to her, the award will also open discussions with regards to more partnerships which will be in the overall interest of the country.
Mr Steve Omanufeme, the Managing Director and Editor in Chief of IndependentNewspapers, while welcoming guests to the event, said it was designed to recognise and celebrate distinguised first ladies who had consistently outperformed in spite of prevailing economic circumstances.
He noted that though the Constitution may not have spelt out responsibilities for first ladies, the outstanding ones know how influential the position could be.
“They do not just sit back and watch their husbands toil in the search of a better life for the the people.
“Some first ladies play active roles in policy making, humanitarian and charitable works, while others have focused on family and social responsibilities, they have embarked on different public projects and excelled,” he said.
He added that though first ladies do not have any constitutional responsibility, most of them were using their positions to change the narrative and shape the destinies of families, women, children, widows and the motherless in their domain, and should be celebrated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akwa Ibom First Lady, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel, Founder Family Empowerment and Youth Re-orintation Part Initiative, was given an award as the South South First Lady of the year 2021.
She thanked the Independent Newspapers for the honour and assured that she would continue to advocate for the girl child education and the inclusion of women in goverment at all levels.
“If you are educating the girl child, you are definitely educating the whole world. If you train a girl child, you are preparing that child for the future.
“I am trying to mould and mentor the young ones so that when we are no more, we would have responsible girls to take after us,” she said.
Also honoured were the first ladies of Taraba, Mrs Anna Darius Ishaku as the 2021 First Lady of the North-East, and Mrs Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, First Lady of Ekiti State for empowering women politically.
The first ladies of Cross River, Kwara, Bauchi and Osun States were also given awards for distinguising themselves and using their offices as first ladies to advance the course of the less privileged and vulnerable people in the society.
Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, First Lady of Bauchi State, in her remarks, tasked mothers to stand up and encourage their children, especially the girl child through education, saying that without education, development and peace will remain a mirage.
There were three broad awards categories covering independent first lady of the year, first lady of the year covering each of the six geopolitical zones of the country and the general categories. (NAN)
NEWS
Benue killings: Benue reps frown on incessant attacks on communities, killings of his constituents
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The member House of Representatives representing Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency, Arc. Asema Achado, Wednesday, condemned the incessant attacks on Benue communities and killing of 28 persons by suspected Fulani herdsmen militia in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
Arc. Achado who described the action of the attackers as senseless, expressed deep condolences and solemn empathy to the grieving communities of Tse-Kperyisa, Tse-Adaa, and Tse-Shiver, where innocent farmers were slaughtered by herdsmen. Achado in a statement by his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mendah Manasseh, said he joined his voice with the Gwer West people in condemnation of the senseless and unlawful attacks..The statement said “the attacks have inflicted immeasurable pain and suffering upon the peace-loving people of Gwer West.”I implored the Benue State Government to urgently intervene by enforcing the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, by ensuring that the perpetrators of these barbaric acts face swift and decisive justice.“They should also collaborate with law enforcement agencies to apprehend those responsible for these heinous crimes against humanity,” he said.”I therefore call on the people of Gwer West to remain steadfast and united in their quest to bring an end to the spate of killings.Achado assures his constituents of his unwavering support and steadfast commitment to championing their cause and advocating for lasting peace and security in the constituency.NEWS
Benue killings: Gov Alia Condemns Attack on Communities, Charge Security Agents to Rescue Those in Captive
From Attah Ede Makurdi
Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, on Wednesday, condemned in strong terms, the recent horrific attacks on different communities in Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected armed herders which resulted to the killing of several persons and scores kidnapped.
He wondered why such grossly offensive attacks continue on Benue communities despite the relentless efforts of government to arrest the ugly situation.
The governor in a statement by his Principal Special Assistant(PSA) on media and content creation, Isaac Uzaan, called on Benue people, particularly those at the frontline of the attacks to cooperate with the government and security agencies to bring perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.
The Governor however extend his deep condolences to those whose relatives were killed in the attacks and called on security agencies to expedite their search and ensure safe release of those kidnapped.
Uzaan quoted the governor as assuring Benue people that his government, in union with security chiefs and traditional rulers is committed to concerted action to ending insecurity in Benue State.
NEWS
May Day: NLC Seeks Partnership with Anambra Sports Commission
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says it is planning to hold some sporting events as part of activities marking this year’s May Day celebration.
Mr Humphrey Nwafor, Chairman of the NLC in Anambra, said this when he led members of the State May Day Planning Committee on a courtesy visit to Patrick-Estate Onyedum, Chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission, on Wednesday.
Nwafor, represented by Dr Emeka Odogwu, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Anambra, expressed satisfaction with the developmental programmes of the Sports Commission.
Odogwu, who is also the Chairman of the Planning Committee, said the Labour movement in Anambra was willing to partner the Commission to make its May Day sporting activities successful.
He said the games, planned for the day, were athletics, Football, Badminton, Nchoo and Volleyball.
“We are satisfied with what you are doing in the sports as Chairman of Sports Development Commission and we want to appreciate your doggedness and effective drive in the sector,” he said.
In his response, Onyedum commended the NLC for the innovation, saying that sports should be a habit for all to ensure healthier life.
He promised that the Sports Development Commission would take care of their technical needs to make the sporting event worthwhile.
“What you are doing is in line with the agenda of Gov. Soludo who has always been supportive of human capital development of the youth through sports.
“I encourage you not to relent in your efforts and support to the state government,” he said. (NAN)