Remi Tinubu Pledges to Boost Empowerment of Women

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The first Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, pledged to support the empowerment of women for greater impact in national development.

Tinubu disclosed this during the renaming of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD) and induction of first women achievers on the Nigeria Women Hall of Fame in Abuja.

According to her, the legacies left by the late former Head of State, Dr Maryam Babangida ameliorated the sufferings of Nigerian women, especially those in rural areas.

Also, Dr Asabe Vilita-Bashir, Director-General of the centre said the centre was renamed in recognition of her significant contributions and dedication to women’s development. 

The Centre will stand as a symbolic gesture that acknowledges and honours the tremendous efforts and contributions of Maryam Babangida in promoting women’s rights and empowerment in Nigeria, which forms the basis for our continuous advocacy,” she said.

She also reiterated the centre’s commitment towards supporting the first lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative, which resonates their mandate.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Mohammed Banbangida, expressed appreciation to the government and Nigerians for the recognition accorded their late mother.

Babangida, described his late mother as a visionary woman with a strong passion for the upliftment of women from all strata of life and ensuring gender equality.

He noted women’s role in the development of any country, adding that, “ this was the dream of our mother, who worked tirelessly in ensuring that  every girl child had a voice, every woman had an opportunity and in particular every rural woman had a better life.”

Speaking on behalf of all the first Ladies, Mrs Olufolake Abdulrazaq of Kwara state, highlighted the need to ensure women were given opportunities to achieve towards self and national development.

Mrs Pauline Tallen, former Minister of Women Affairs, expressed appreciation to former President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the bill on renaming of the centre before leaving the office.

“ To remember the edifice of this great woman who gave us a voice. I was part of the Better Life Programme for the Rural Woman from inception and it gave us the voice.

“May we keep celebrating all those who have left their marks on the sand of time,” she said.