First Lady Tasks Muslim Women On National Development

The first lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, has charged Muslim women across the country to remain steadfast in faith, demonstrate resilience and uphold their responsibilities to their families, communities and the nation.

She gave the charge while declaring open the 41st national conference of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) in Umuahia, Abia State at the weekend.

Speaking on: “Faith, Resilience and Responsibility: Muslim Women Responding to Challenges,” Mrs.  Tinubu described the theme as timely and a call to action, stressing that faith gives women strength and keeps hope alive in the face of challenges.

Represented by wife of the vice president,  Hajiya Nana Shettima, the first lady commended FOMWAN for over four decades of dedicated service to women and families across Nigeria.

In a statement by the special assistant to the president on media and ICT (office of the vice president) Kwapchi Bata Hamman, she urged  Muslim women to continue to contribute to the development of peaceful families, stronger communities and a better Nigeria, noting their important roles as mothers, wives, educators, mentors and community leaders.

She encouraged women to lead by example through love, compassion, patience and mutual support while ensuring that sound moral, ethical and religious values are inculcated in children.

“As women, our faith strengthens us, gives us courage and keeps hope alive, even in the face of challenges. Through faith, resilience and a strong sense of responsibility, we can continue to make meaningful contributions to our families, communities and our nation,” she said.

Mrs.  Tinubu also encouraged participants to use the conference as an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from one another, strengthen partnerships and develop practical responses to the challenges confronting women, families and communities.

She expressed the hope that the deliberations and resolutions of the conference would translate into meaningful actions that would advance the welfare of women and contribute to peace, unity and national development.

Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti in his remarks said faith gives the moral compass to navigate a changing world.

“Resilience gives us the courage to stand firm when circumstances test us but responsibility gives us purposeful direction calling us to live meaningful lives at home in our communities and in nation building,” he said.

Represented by his wife, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma, Governor Otti described the relationship between all religions in the state as remarkable.

“In Abia, we understand that religious diversity is not a weakness, it is part of the richness of our shared humanity, as such, the Abia State government remains committed to religious tolerance, inclusion and peaceful coexistence”.

The national Amirah of FOMWAN, Dr Sumaye Fadimatu Hamza, in her remarks, said for over four decades, FOMWAN had remained a beacon of faith-inspired service advancing education, health, women empowerment, humanitarian response, peacebuilding, and community development across Nigeria.

The association’s journey according to the Amirah reflects the commitment of generations of Muslim women who have dedicated themselves to serving Allah through service to humanity.