Nigeria’s First Lady Dr. Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has called on the First Ladies of the various states to mobilize and engage women and youth for peacebuilding, conflict prevention, management, and resolution at the grassroots level.
Dr. Aisha said this during a Seminar on the mobilization of Women and Youth for peacebuilding, community conflict resolution, and resilience in the post-COVID-19 era, on Friday 4th December 2020.
Mrs. Buhari, who was ably represented by Dr. Hajo Sani, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Women Affairs, observed that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis as evidenced in the anger, protests, and demonstrations happening around the world as well as the violence, to which most victims are women and youths.
The First Lady further observed that young people and women are particularly vulnerable to the disruptions of the pandemic as many of them are now at risk of being left behind in education, economic opportunities, as well as health, and wellbeing during a crucial stage of their life.
“We therefore must mobilize women and youth for peacebuilding, community conflict resolution, and resilience. This falls more appropriately upon those in positions of authority such as the First Ladies.” She said.
Similarly, Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, who was also represented by her Special Assistant (Technical), Princess Jummai Idonije, said women can’t be silent when all around the world, people are hurting and crying out.
She noted that women’s sense of justice will continue to drive them to advocate for a better world, noting that the Ministry, she said, will continue to provide the enabling platform for the creation of a society that is fit for all.
She called on Nigerians both individual and groups to continue to emphasize education of the girl-child and promotion of second-chance education to address societal vices.
Keynote Speaker at the event, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, First Lady of Ekiti state highlighted the role of First Ladies in the states, calling on them to take the lead in times of crisis by creating a network of allies as well as using their voices and presence to communicate with a sense of urgency. She urged them to be informed on important issues at all times, set timely targets for action, and create time to manage them.
Other speakers at the event include Ms. Ndidi Njoku, Chair, African Foundation for Development, (AFFORD, UK), Helen Grant, UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria, and Abike Dabiri-EOrewa Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
Curled from News dot Africa