Build peace, prevent conflict, Aisha Buhari urges gov’s wives

First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, has urged wives of state governors to play active roles in building peace and preventing conflicts in their respective states. Mrs Buhari charged the governors’ wives to mobilise and engage women and youth for the onerous task, which is essential to the sustenance of democracy. A statement […]

First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, has urged wives of state governors to play active roles in building peace and preventing conflicts in their respective states.

Mrs Buhari charged the governors’ wives to mobilise and engage women and youth for the onerous task, which is essential to the sustenance of democracy.

A statement by Aliyu Abdullahi, Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Office of the First Lady, said Mrs Buhari spoke during a seminar on Mobilization of Women and Youth for Peace Building, Community Conflict Resolution and Resilience in the Post-COVID-19 Era at the weekend.

The wife of the president, who was 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 around the world as well as violence, in which most victims are women and youths.

Mrs Buhari 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, have a duty to mobilise women and youth for peace building, community conflict resolution and resilience. This falls more appropriately upon those in positions of authority such as the first ladies,” she said.

The keynote speaker at the event, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of Ekiti State governor, highlighted the role of wives of governors 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 included Ms Ndidi Njoku, Chair, African Foundation for Development (AFFORD, UK); Helen Grant MP, UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria; and Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.