Experts, leaders seek urgent action on Nigeria’s women’s safety
Women’s organisations have been encouraged to collaborate in implementing joint programmes aimed at enhancing the personal, domestic, social, economic, and communal security of women in Nigeria.
A professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Prof. Yisa Kehinde Yusuf, made this call while delivering his keynote address at the formal opening ceremony of the 39th annual national conference of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, held over the weekend.
Yusuf said the association should engage young female Muslims more robustly to pass down the noble values known for facilitating the achievement of its enlightenment mission, towards establishing a FOMWAN Radio.
He outlined the different forms of violence resulting from insecurity and some ways to address them.
He commended FOMWAN for bringing the critical and topical issue of women and insecurity to the fore.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, commended the members of the association for their contributions to humanity, noting that they have made meaningful impacts on women.
The Sultan, who was represented by the President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, emphasised the need for women to teach their children their dialects or mother tongues.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties and Strategies, AbdulGanniy Muhammed, described the conference as a good sign that the state enjoys better security of lives and property.
The Governor noted that the theme “Women and the Challenges of Insecurity” highlighted the circumstances in Nigeria, praising FOMWAN for the timely intervention with the recent #EndBadGovernance protests in some parts of the country.
He assured the state government’s commitment to sustaining the security of lives and property currently being enjoyed in the state.
“Education is the largest export in Ondo State, and this is one of your key projects. We seek further collaboration in engaging more closely with the government to familiarise us with your programmes for additional support,” the Governor said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Bolanle Babalakin, who was represented by the Baba Adinni of Owo Kingdom, Chief Jamiu Ekungba, commended FOMWAN’s efforts in positively impacting female Muslims.
In her remarks, the mother of the occasion, Alhaja Zikhra Akanbi, described the event as a call to reality, noting that violence or attacks on young girls have been at an alarming rate.
She highlighted the urgent steps needed for education, awareness, and empowerment, among others, to improve the lives of women and girls and contribute to building peaceful homes in society.
According to Akanbi, statistics show over 7.5 million out-of-school students, and she called for urgent attention, noting that these students represent the future of the country.
She expressed the need to create awareness and called for government intervention at all levels to address insecurity in the country.
She also re-emphasised the importance of empowering women through training, which she believed is essential for building peaceful homes that society will be proud of.
Earlier, at a press conference held before the commencement of the annual conference, the national Amirah of the association, Alhaja Rofiat Idowu Sanni, called for urgent action on insecurity and the secure release of abducted medical doctor Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola and others who were abducted.
Sanni observed that poor implementation of policies in the education sector, a high rate of poverty, and lack of empowerment are significant contributors to the security challenges facing the nation.
She said the federal government should redouble its efforts in tackling poverty to help the country rid itself of insecurity, while women and girls should be empowered to ensure their security and enhance peace.
