‘Victims of crisis hardly accept peace message’
Weekend Magazine: Who is Maryam Abdullahi? Maryam Abdullahi: Maryam is an easygoing person with a special desire to make a difference in the lives of humanity. She hates to see women crying. And she is happily married to Malam Abdullahi Umar Iliyasu and blessed with five children – a girl and four boys. How did […]
Weekend Magazine: Who is Maryam Abdullahi?
Maryam Abdullahi: Maryam is an easygoing person with a special desire to make a difference in the lives of humanity. She hates to see women crying. And she is happily married to Malam Abdullahi Umar Iliyasu and blessed with five children – a girl and four boys.
How did the whole idea of WOPIN start?
Women for Peace in Nigeria (WOPIN) came into existence in 1998 as a result of the multiplication of the violence experienced in Nigeria, especially in northern states with particular reference to Kaduna’s ethno-religious crises. Nigeria at that time was engulfed in many other crises in different states. Lives and properties worth billions of naira were lost; women and children bore the brunt of the crises as many of them became widows and orphans.
As an individual who has the burning desire for service to humanity, I was moved by the situation to call on some women and men to join me in seeing how we could in any way contribute and improve on lives by way of assisting victims of conflicts. We started this initiative in my house first as Peaceful Women Association of Nigeria (PWAN) by embarking on a house-to-house visitation to families that lost their breadwinners during the crises.
The Association was later renamed Women for Peace in Nigeria to widen its activities and spread. Since then, the organisation has been involved in so many humanitarian activities including peace programmes, HIV/AIDS counselling, care for orphans and the vulnerable, especially those orphaned by HIV/AIDS. We also introduced skills acquisition scheme to empower widows, youth and women, etc.
As a child, did you have any trait that would have suggested that you would do what you enjoy doing now?
Yes, as a child, I always felt bad whenever I saw people in misery. There was always this urge to try and bring smiles to their faces, so I would say this has been in me for a long time to always try to bring peace and succour to the people in need.
What is usually your reaction whenever you read or hear of conflicts where women and children are always the victims?
It makes me shed tears as well as challenge me to work harder. I also feel very sad that women and children become widows and orphans at the end of it all.
What where you doing before WOPIN?
Service to humanity has been part of my life. I went into WOPIN fully after my NYSC programme. I was a fulltime housewife before then.
How do you source for funds?
We do that through membership fees and philanthropy.
What role does your husband play in trying to see that the aim of establishing your project is achieved?
He is a motivator and a supporter who has greatly contributed financially and morally towards WOPIN. I thank God for the type of understanding husband he gave me, because without him, I would not have gone this far. For every successful woman, there is always a man and he definitely is the man behind my every achievement.
What else would you have done if you did not start WOPIN?
Well, I am happy that God made it possible for me to be in WOPIN. I sincerely do not know what I would have done if not giving service to humanity.
What are the challenges you have faced so far in trying to bring peace to the society?
It has not been easy, because one has to consider that both religions – Islam and Christianity – preach peace. So, where the issue of religion arises, one has to be unbiased. Another challenge is that most people affected by crises, find it difficult to accept our message of peace and forgiveness when we embark on our house-to-house visit to victims. But we hope that gradually we shall overcome these challenges.
What would you consider your highest and lowest moments in WOPIN?
My lowest or sad moment is when I see orphans and women crying for food. And my highest or happiest moment is when I can make a change or add something meaningful to other people’s lives.
What is your driving force?
When God has placed a desire in an individual to touch the lives of people from childhood, it’s obvious that one will always want to work that gift from God. I will say God almighty is my motivating factor.
How has the organisation being faring so far in terms of achievements?
The organisation has achieved so much over the years. To God be the glory. Like I said earlier, the organisation started in Kaduna, but today, we a have membership in all the states of Nigeria, U.K., Thailand, Malawi, Tanzania and Ethiopia. We are proud that what we started in Nigeria has an outreach in the countries mentioned above.
Indeed, our achievements in terms of service to humanity are numerous. Therefore, to mention them will take a whole day, but suffice it to say that we have achieved a lot in the areas of peace-building, conflict management and prevention, capacity building, HIV counselling, care for orphans, widows and vulnerable children, youth and women empowerment. All these are intended to build a peaceful and virile society
As a mother, wife and leader, how have you been able to juggle up all tasks?
It is a matter of proper planning, house and work management. One has to make out time for work and for the home; none has to suffer at the expense of the other.
What is your idea of a complete woman?
A complete woman is someone who fears God, has respect for her husband, cares for her children and extends her tender love and care to all not minding the ethnicity, religion and economic status of individuals.
What hope do you see for the Nigerian woman?
I see a great hope for Nigerian women. Nigeria is blessed with wonderful and hardworking women with potentials in all fields of human endeavours. Even women in the remote areas are not left out; they are hardworking and industrious. If given the chance, we have great input to make in the country and the world as a whole.
What is the one thing you have learnt with age?
I have learnt to be a mother to all and to accept people no matter how bad they are. For in every bad person, there is always an element of goodness.
If you had one wish for the country, what will it be?
A country free of corrupt leaders.
How do you feel knowing that Nigeria is the first country to host the 1st International Women for Peace Conference?
Well, I feel very privileged and happy to be a part of history as an individual who has contributed immensely to women development as well as a vehicle for the convergence of a conference of such magnitude that will bring all stakeholders together for the purpose of discussing the way forward to reduce the incessant crises such as war, conflicts, hunger, diseases, human and natural disasters and nuclear build-up around the world.
You see, Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources both human and natural. Nigerians are hardworking and wonderful people with a unique cultural diversity. We are endowed with a lot of beautiful tourist sites and tourism destinations. From what I mentioned, you can see that we have the facilities to host the world. The concept of the Nigerian Project would be promoted during the conference.
Therefore, I must state that the conference will help to address global crises, conflicts and war and proffer solutions to such problems. So it’s indeed wonderful for Nigeria to host such international conference.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done in the past that you might have handled differently if given the chance again?
Yes. If I had the opportunity, I would have started this cause of making peace as a child maybe by now the virtue of forgiveness and taking others as our own would have been part of us.
What would you like to be remembered for?
God using me to touch the lives of people, particularly women and children.
Do you see a world free of conflict and war where we can hand over a banner without stain to our kids and many more generations to come?
Yes, it is a matter of reorientation and a collective responsibility. We must learn how to love, tolerate and respect one another, as doing so will go a long way to solving global conflicts and wars. Furthermore, our leaders should be sensitive to the plights of the masses.
What advice do you have for the general public, especially women?
Women should be strong. They should hold themselves in high esteem and dignity. Women should use their God-given virtues to make the much-needed difference in Nigeria.
What is your philosophy about life?
My philosophy about life is to continue to be helpful to my society and humanity positively.