Laraba MUREY
The National Council of Women Societies, NCWS, has inaugurated it’s 16th newly elected, National President, Edna Azura.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, on Friday in Abuja, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, urged the council to seize this opportunity to make a lasting impact.
“We must make it count. Together, we can achieve remarkable progress for women and for this nation,” she said, emphasizing the importance of empowering women to contribute more significantly to national development.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted the significant strides women have made across various sectors, stressing the need for greater involvement. “Women are leading in many sectors, if not all. There’s no reason why we cannot empower women to do more for this country,” she added.
The minister congratulated Azura on her election, describing it as a divine elevation. “Promotion comes from God, and it is only God who could have made this possible. We believe in you, Madam President, and are counting on you to lead with excellence,” she said.
She also pledged her support as a partner in progress, underscoring the need to improve access to markets, finance, and support systems for women. Additionally, she stressed the importance of family cohesion as a cornerstone of societal development. “Charity begins at home, and indeed, it does. We will develop a national strategy for family cohesion and advancement,” she noted.
The minister reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening child development and protection initiatives while ensuring care for vulnerable groups. “Our vulnerable populations will be well looked after and protected,” she affirmed, expressing her passion for the cause.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim presented cheques to National Officers and State President’s from the six geo-political zones to empower women entrepreneurs for growth and development.
She disbursed a total of N16.2 million to women nationwide, allocating N3.6 million to the North Central, N3.1 million to the Northeast, N3.1 million to the Northwest, N3.150 million to the Southeast, N2.7 million to the South South, and N2.250 million to the Southwest.
Also, presenting publicly the Late Hajiya Lami Lau’s Memorial Magazine, the Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said, Legacy is all we have and all we are. As women of Nigeria, we are the wombs of destiny.
“Today, we honor our mothers that have gone before us. We are celebrating a legacy. A woman whose life has brought us here today because in dying, she’s raising a new thing.
“A new thing that has had us challenged to emerge champions. Women who are stronger today and women who are better and not bitter. It is a testimony that NCWS today is making this presentation together and for the memory of this iconic woman, ” She said.
In her acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated National President of NCWS, Edna Azura said, “Our appreciation also goes to the Acting National President, Geraldine Ita Etuk. for her recognition of the importance of regional representation and her unwavering commitment to upholding uncommon loyalty, leadership and safeguarding principles of fairness and equity within the National Council of Women’s Societies.
“To the peaceful women of Nigeria, I am both humbled and honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of completing the tenure of our late National President, Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau. Alongside my Executive Council, I pledge to work diligently and relentlessly to empower women to continue in our collective drive, foster unity and elevate the NCWS to even greater heights.
“Today, as we gather, there are no winners or vanquished among us. Let us unite as one, fostering cooperation and collaboration among all Nigerian women. It is imperative that we stand together, united in our shared pursuit of a brighter and more prosperous future for ourselves and our nation.”
