Aisha Buhari urges wives of public officer holders to be agents of change

The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, ‎on Tuesday, urged wives of public office holders in the country to be agents of change at all levels.

She made the call at the opening of a four-day national workshop organised by the Centre for Gender Studies International (CGSI) for wives of top public office holders‎ in Abuja.

Represented by Mrs Mairo Al-Makura, wife of Nasarawa State Governor, the president’s wife said the workshop would respond to most of the questions women in governance asked, including constitutional provisions for wives of political office holders.

She said “the workshop will address the place of Nigerian women in leadership and how to establish sustainable empowerment projects for them.

“To change, you must resolve to change yourself before changing others and we are the paradigm for today’s success in governance to common platforms.

“We must appreciate our roles and responsibilities toward our people in being agents of change through friendly activities as peace agents and home builders.

“I, therefore, encourage us to ensure that we carry everybody along in our various constituencies, irrespective of religion, tribe or political party and we should remember that the fate of all Nigerians and even the next generations are in our hands.’’

Mrs Buhari said it was important for women to understand the policy thrust of the Federal Government and urged state governments to lend their support for the success of those policies.

Mr Linus Okorie,‎ the host of “Kakaaki’’ programme on African Independent Television (AIT), in a keynote address, said women in leadership required global mindset, stressing that thoughts were powerful for progre‎ss.

He said that for women to achieve their role in leadership,they needed to recognise a dignified personality, innovate ideas, have passion to meet targets, contribute to public development and have value for their time.

Mrs Florence Ajimobi, wife of Oyo State Governor ‎urged participants to invest in the lives of vulnerable women at their state level, adding that they were helping to develop the nation.

Ajimobi, who was represented by Mrs Bolanle Ali, said “women have the obligation to give their husbands wise counselling in all matters where they have the privilege to do so.

“‎It is our responsibility to encourage our husbands to govern with the fear of God and in line with the law guiding the office they hold.’’

Mrs Falilat Obasa, wife of Lagos State House of ‎Assembly Speaker, said for women in public offices to succeed, it was necessary to strengthen their capacity for leadership.

Obasa said it would enable women to bring about wider social change and end inequality.

Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, the National President, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), encouraged women to do more at their levels of disposition.