Mrs Patience Jonathan

Muhammad Bello and Paul Obi in  Abuja

The Presidency has denied that the Federal Government has purchased 200 new “exotic” cars for the African First Ladies Summit which formally opens in Abuja tomorrow.

This was as African First Ladies from more than a dozen countries yesterday said the continent’s First Ladies Peace Centre when operational will cater for African peace, security and development.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said the report carried by a section of the media was “utterly false and misleading.”

According to the statement, the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM), which is holding its summit in Abuja is a non-governmental organisation which activities are funded by stakeholders and members of the private sector who support and identify with its objectives.

‘The AFLPM in order to meet its obligations, the statement explained, set up several committees, including a finance committee to raise funds and sponsorship for the organisation of its Abuja Summit. This effort led to the offer of some cars by Coscharis Motors Limited at no cost to the organisers or the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Under an agreement signed by the committee and Coscharis Motors, all the cars will be returned to the company after the summit,” the statement added.
Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of the centre in Abuja, Nigerian First Lady and Chairperson of the group, Mrs Patience Jonathan, said the establishment of the centre was a demonstration of their commitment to peace.

According to her, “we have kept hope alive, we have demonstrated that we are committed to peace, security and development of our continue, this, we must achieve together.”
She explained that despite several challenges, the group have been able to live up to its duty by way of initiative peace moves across the African continue, even as the task to resolve conflicts remains a top agenda.

The centre when completed will cater for issues bordering on peace, security, development and women rights. According to association, the centre will also provide avenue for the participation of women in the respective professions.
Beside providing a platform for discourse on security and development, the centre also has space for exhibition Centers, lecture rooms, restaurant and other facilities.

The First Ladies of South Africa, Sierra Leon, Cape Verde, Sudan and many more. The event opening session is slated for today as more delegates arrive for the epoch ceremony.

Further, the First Ladies likewise commiserate with the people of Ghana over the death of the country’s President, John Atta Mills. Speaking on the incident, Mrs. Jonathan said:”we received with shock and surprise