Janet Samuel, Abuja
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has been confered the Grand Patron of Nigeria Council of Women’s Society (NCWS).
The investiture ceremony that took place at the banquet hall of the State House on Thursday, in Abuja had in attendance female Ministers, Governor’s wives from the 36 States, military officers wives and various women group among others.
In her opening remark, the president of NCWS, Lami Adamu Lau had said that Senator Oluremi has remained examplary to other women to look unto from her several roles as an educationist, philanthropist, a Senator who served as Chairman of strategic Committees at the National Assembly, and now the first lady of the Nigeria that is committed to touching the lives of women and children in different sphere.
According to her, “the role of women in shaping the destiny of our nation cannot be overstated. Women are the backbone of families, the bedrock of communities, and the driving force behind progress. Today, we take a significant step to affirm this position by formally recognizing and entrusting the esteemed honour of Grand Patron on our first lady, Her Excellency Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“Her Excellency, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu has remained exemplary as an educationist, administrator, philanthropist, and in grass-roots politics, little wonder she was decorated an officer of the Order of the Niger.
“While at the National Assembly, she was a very inspiring politician, chairman of strategic committees and with several bills to her credit. Today as the first lady of Nigeria, we anticipate a season of accelerated growth and the advancement of the rights of women and girls.
Our dear First Lady is a model of virtue, filled with the milk of human kindness, and consumed with the desire to use her position to improve the life of women and families”.
Adamu Lau said, “the first lady has demonstrated a deep understanding of the issues facing women and is determined to address them adding that it was demonstrated recently by the urgency of her concern over the scourge of HIV Aids. “She is set to launch strategic solutions to maternal mortality and mother to child transmission’.
She said, “the Renewed Hope Initiative RHI, stands as the vehicle driving what has now gone beyond a dream, to become the central focus of her service. As a Council, HIV Aids campaign completely aligns with our strategic plan on maternal health. We are happy to volunteer as footsoldiers, taking this advocacy action to the most vulnerable, the poorest of the poor in rural communities.
”We shall deploy our numerical strength, taking full advantage of our deep grass-root networks and linkages to achieve significant change”.
The National President expressed the Council determination to give unflinching support to ensure that the thing collective dreams of a more inclusive and equitable society, where every woman has the opportunity to reach her full potential is achieved.
Accepting the role of the Grand Patron, Her Excellency, senator Oluremi shortly after her decoration noted that the NCWS has always been a beacon for advocacy addressing systemic issues that affect women in Nigeria even as the nation strive 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 that “The NCWS is not new to me as | happen to have been a state patron from 1999-2007 when my husband was the Governor of Lagos State; | 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. “As the Grand-Patron | 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”.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu who appreciated the Executives of the NCWS for their dedication to the welfare and progress of the nation through the targeted programmes of the women’s Societies, commended their efforts in championing causes that uplift women and promote Education, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship, and social welfare initiatives which resonates with the core values of the Renewed Hope Initiative, pledged to do more through the RHI to create an enabling environment for women to thrive.
