By Our Correspondent
Wife of the President, Dr. Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari advised government at various level to invest more in women development especially in the areas of sports, swimming, as well as rural empowerment .
Mrs Buhari made the remarks in Abuja at the official unveiling and trophy presentation for the international women swimming championship and rural empowerment in her honour, reaffirmed her commitment to defend the plights of African women and children
The first lady, who was represented by her Special Assistant on African First Ladies Peace Mission, Dr Mairo Al- Makura noted that the mission was committed to the plight of vulnerable women as well as girl child development.
She noted that it was on that note that the mission endorsed the international women swimming championship and rural Empowerment.
Aisha who commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the active roles he has given women in his administration, said it has enhanced women participation in governance, decision making process and effective service delivery.
She expressed optimism that the women swimming competition will not only discover and develop thousands of talents amongst young girls, but will also promote effective participation of women in the economic development of the continent.
Aisha Buhari further noted that the championship and empowerment programme initiative be encouraged and supported, adding that it creates opportunity to create hope and sustainable economic empowerment for women as well as promote socio- cultural integration which according to her enhance peace and Unity in many communities.
It was, therefore, in line with Her Excellency’s policy interest and commitment to matters of women and girl-child development and empowerment, particularly our vulnerable and less-privileged young girls and women in rural communities that the African First Ladies Peace Mission endorsed the International Women Swimming Championship and Rural Empowerment in Honour of Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Governors’ Wives.
“I must, at this point sincerely, thank the Nigeria Aquatics Federation and. the International Planning and Implementation Committee of this project, led by the Awards Championship International, and other collaborating partners for your effort to see to the success of this important project. Her Excellency is deeply impressed with your consistency and commitment to ensure Nigeria hosts this first ever championship and empowerment programme for Africa.
According to her, “This championship and empowerment programe is one initiative one that should be encouraged and supported by every Nigerian and all African. It presents us with the opportunity to create hope and sustainable economic empowerment for our women and promote the ultimate socio cultural integration required to enhance peace and Unity in our communities
” I am particularly optimistic that this project will not only discover and develop thousand of latent talents among our young girls, but will also promote effective participation of our rural and less privileged women in the economic development of the African continent”
In his remarks, the Director, Planning/Implementation of the initiative, Dr. Godwin Nbiene said the project was specially designed to empower the young girls with requisite skills training, talent discovery, promoting sustainable economic empowerment for vulnerable and less-privileged women in our rural communities.
According to him, “I must, particularly, thank our dear mother and First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the African First Ladies Peace Mission and Nigeria Aquatics Federation for the prompt response, endorsement and approvals given to the Women Awards Championship International to coordinate and organize this first ever International Women Swimming Championship and Rural Empowerment in Honour of our own dear First Lady of the Federal of Nigeria, Dr. Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari and Governors’ Wives.
“I must, also, thank all the wonderful men and women, officials, institutions and establishments for your acceptance and commitment towards a successful championship and empowerment; the first of its kind across the African continent, to be hosted in Lagos Nigeria.
“Today, we are gathered here to officially mark the beginning of the main activities of this elaborate project, which is the Official Unveiling/Trophy Presentation of the Championship and Rural Empowerment.
“We look forward to turning the next phase of this project, which will witness moments of massive deployment of various institutional structures, plans and implementation strategies that will climax at the grand finale of the Championship and Empowerment Programme, as designed.
More energies and resources will be put to work towards actualizing the maximum end-results, and the post-project sustainability plans.
“This is indeed a great opportunity for African young girls and women to witness concerted resource-pull and required attention on matters of Peace & Unity, Girl- child Protection, Skills Acquisition, Talent Development and Strategic Rural Women Empowerment, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and other meaningful projects targeted at improving the welfare of African Women.
“We, indeed, have so much on our hands to deliver, which calls for the responses and commitment of our prospective sponsors, to enable us drive this project to its expected conclusion. “