The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has pledged to advocate initiatives that support women’s health and economic empowerment, as well as work towards eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination against women.
A press release issued by the Special Assistant Media to the First Lady, Busola Kukoyi, said Mrs Tinubu was speaking when she was decorated as the Grand Patron of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) at an impressive ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.
At the event, Senator Tinubu noted that the NCWS has always been a beacon for advocacy, addressing systemic issues that affect women in Nigeria even as the nation strives to create a more equitable and empowered society, where women are not just beneficiaries but integral contributors to the nation’s progress and prosperity.
She said: “The NCWS is not new to me as I happen to have been a state patron from 1999-2007 when my husband was the Governor of Lagos State; I identify with you in fostering unity, promoting equality and amplifying the voices of women across every sector of our society including creating a more inclusive and equitable nation which echoes the ideals that we all aspire to achieve”.
The First Lady affirmed her unwavering support as the Grand Patron of the NCWS, saying, “As the Grand Patron, I am aware of the challenges being faced by women in our society, women continue to face discrimination, violence, and limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
“It is our collective responsibility to address these issues and work towards creating a society where every woman can thrive and fulfill her potential.”
Tinubu appreciated the executives of the association for their dedication to the welfare and progress of the nation through the targeted programmes of the women’s societies.
She also commended their efforts in championing causes that uplift women and promote education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and social welfare initiatives which she said resonates with the core values of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
The Grand Patron pledged to do more through the RHI to create an enabling environment for women to thrive.
“I will advocate for initiatives that support women’s health and economic empowerment, and work towards eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination against women,” she said.
Earlier, the National President of the NCWS, Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau, extolled the virtues of the First Lady and commended her RHI.
She pledged the support of the council and its established machinery in achieving the objectives of RHI.
The event had in attendance wives of state governors, wives of members of the National Assembly, Wlwives of ministers, the president of DEPOWA, and wives of other service chiefs, and members of the NCWS, among others.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu (r) and Hajiya Lami Adams Lau at the investiture
