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First Lady renames women centre after late Maryam Babangida
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday in Abuja officially immortalised the late Mrs Maryam Babangida by renaming the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) after her.
Mrs Tinubu also unveiled her official first lady portrait and a compendium of activities of the immediate past first lady and wives of state governors between 2015 and 2023.
She applauded the sterling contributions of late Mrs Babangida on the lives of ordinary Nigerians and described her as a matriarch who improved the living standard of women, particularly in Nigeria’s rural areas and in Africa as a whole.
“The late Maryam was an icon who redefined the scope of women’s participation in national development, and through her pet programme, Better Life for Rural Dwellers touched ordinary lives especially in the rural areas.
“I am happy that I was part of the ninth National Assembly Senate when the bill for the renaming of the centre was passed and assented into law,’’ she said.
Earlier in her remark, former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, during whose tenure the bill for renaming the centre after Mrs Babangida was enacted, said that she felt fulfilled as Maryam Babangida was being celebrated.
Tallen recalled that she was a pioneer official of the Better Life for Rural Women Programme founded by the deceased First Lady, and started as a Councilor in her Shendam locality in 1986, as was directed from above.
She expressed appreciation to former President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the bill for renaming the centre before leaving the office.
“We are gathered here to rename this edifice and immortalize that great woman who initiated it to give us a voice.
“May we keep celebrating all those who have left their marks on the sands of time,” she said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Monilola Udoh said the bill for the change of name was passed by the Senate on March 29, 2023, while the House of Representatives passed the same on April 5, 2023.
According to her, the renaming is in line with the amendment of the National Centre for Women Development Act, Cap. N15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Dr Asabe Vilita-Bashir, the Director-General of the centre, equally acknowledged the contributions of the late first lady, through her “Better life for Rural Women” project.
She said the renaming would serve as an inspiration to all women in leadership positions to do more for Nigerian women.
Speaking on behalf of all the wives of state governors, Mrs Olufolake Abdulrazaq, Kwara Governor’s wife, stressed the need to ensure women were given opportunities to achieve self-motivated goals and national development.
Moji Makanjuola, the Chairman, Implementing Committee for Infrastructure and Renaming of the centre, said: “Renaming of the centre is significant.
“We need to start putting history into perspective, if we don’t do that, we will lose sight of who we are as a people, country, nation and tribe,’’ she said.
Hajiya Aliyu, a beneficiary of the late Maryam Babangida’s programe, “Better life for Rural Women”, said the renaming of the centre was apt.
According to her, it will encourage other leaders particularly, first ladies to embark on policies and programmes that will impact positively on the common people.
Mr Mohammed Banbangida, son of the late Mrs Babangida, expressed appreciation to the government and Nigerians for the recognition accorded their late mother.
Babangida, described his late mother as a visionary woman with a strong passion for the upliftment of women from all strata of life and ensuring gender equality.
He noted women’s role in the development of any country, adding that, ” this was the dream of our mother, who worked tirelessly in ensuring that every girl child had a voice, every woman had an opportunity and in particular every rural woman had a better life.”
Our correspondent reports that seven women were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
They are: Dr. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sakirat-Madein (1st Female Accountant of the Federation); Dr. Muheeba Farida-Dankaka (1st Female Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission); Prof. Ongoebi Maureen-Etebu (1st Female Professor of Mechanical Engineer in the Annals of Nigerian History.
Others are: Mrs Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi (Co-Founder of African Women’s Development Fund); Mrs Moji Makanjuola (first Female “International Health Correspondent in Africa and Pioneer Member of the Centre for Diseases Control, CDC Altanta in USA)
Also inducted were, Toun Okewale -Sonaiya (1st Woman to establish a Women’s Dedicated Radio Station in Nigeria) and Ms Ene Ede (1st Female Publisher of Women’s Focus Newspaper in Nigeria).
News
Ododo’s aide escapes assassination by whiskers, allege APC youth leader, Mohammed behind attempt
Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo’s Aide, Hon. Godfrey Adekoye, Senior Special Assistant on Youths Empowerment on Tuesday escaped an assassination attempt on his life by whiskers.
The aide of the Governor said the attack on his life happened at Lounge 1, a popular hospitality joint in Lokoja, added that the attackers followed him down to his house, unfortunately they met his absence.
In a statement he made available to CAPITAL POST in Lokoja, the aide to the Governor accused the Kogi State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Mohammed U Mohammed and one Abubakar Nasara Ola as behind his attack.
He said during the attack on him, Abubakar threatened to kill him, pointed a gun at him before the intervention of onlookers who saved him by chance.
The attackers destroyed and broke the windscreen of his vehicle, that is now parked in the custody of the Quick Response Squad.
Speaking on the attack, Hon. Godfrey said he has since reported the matter to the Quick Response Squad, an arm of the Nigerian Police, in Lokoja, said his life is in danger.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Ayah, said he was making efforts to confirm the attack on the aide, could not be reached as at time of going to press.
A popular General Overseer of a new generation Church, Elijah has been arrested by the Octopus (C41) Strike Force unit of Rivers State Police Command for investigation over homosexual allegations.
It was gathered that a video of the Pastor was leaked indulging in the homosexual act to the police by a member of his church.
The member who alleged that the General Overseer attempted sleep with him against his will.
The member who revealed his name simply as Patrick now a complainant said, he wanted to play along after the General Overseer made sexual advancement and captured the nude video of pastor attempting to have carnal knowledge of him.
Armed with the intelligence report, the police traced the General Overseer who is from Rivers State to one of his relaxation spots in Port Harcourt and arrested him.
Sources revealed to our correspondent that the General Overseer has reportedly confessed to other numerous acts of homosexuality involving both male adults and minors within and outside Port Harcourt.
Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.
Against government ban on rallies and organised reception under whatever guise by Kogi State Government, constituents of the Central Senatorial District troop3d out enmasse to receive Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday in Okene.
According to the pictorials released by the Media office of Senator Natasha, creme-de-la creme could be seen waiting in a scorching sun, not minding the effect.
The massive turn out followed assurance from Senator Natasha ‘s media team that the lawmaker has arrived from overseas and would make it to Okene on Tuesday for Sallah celebrations with her constituents.
A statement obtained by CAPITAL POST in Lokoja on Tuesday, pointed out that the purported ban on rallies and the cancellation of the visit were mere rumours, hence, the embattled lawmaker would pay a visit her constituents.
Part of the statement read: “We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central senatorial district will proceed as planned.
“Despite rumours circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit.
“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.
“Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.
“We would like to assure the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a successful and joyous event. We invite all members of the community to join us in marking this special occasion.”
On Monday, CAPITAL POST reported that Kogi State Government issued a statement which was signed bybthe Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo asserting security concerns, hence, the proposed homecoming of Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District should be put off.
He stressed that there security breaches in parts of Kohi West Senatorial District, thus the security was so volatile that Government cannot guarantee peace for now and abused that the proposed reception at Okene should be cancelled.
Also, Kogi State Police Command earlier on Tuesday issued a statement banning any rally within the State, stating that intelligence reports available to it indicated that crisis may spur.
The statement which was signed by Police Public Relation Officer, SP William Ovye Aya and made available to CAPITAL POST, stressed that intelligence reports was indicative of peace and the rally which was organised by Natasha’s constituents should be cancelled.
The statement said: “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.
“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on any one who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.”
Constituents trooped out displaying placards demanding justice for Senator Natasha.
It was recalled that Natasha was suspended from the Senate for six months over breach of Senate Standing Orders.
The lawmaker also alleged that the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio was harassing her sexually.
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