The leadership of the Amirah Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has commended the peace in the Southeast.
Dr. Sumaye Fadimatu Hamza spoke at a briefing in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, ahead of its 11th national conference taking place at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia.
She said, contrary to reports on social and mainstream media, the Southeast, especially Abia State, the host state of the national conference, was peaceful.
Hamza, who disclosed that members from all 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), would be arriving in Abia State for the three-day event, thanked Governor Alex Otti and the people of the state for their support, hospitality and commitment to the successful hosting of the conference.
She said the theme for this year’s conference, ‘Faith, Resilience and Responsibility: Muslim Women Responding to Challenges,’ was carefully chosen because it reflects the realities of the time in the country.
According to her, the theme also reflects the urgent need for individuals, families, communities and institutions to respond positively to the challenges confronting the nation.
The FOMWAN national leader said the conference would provide an opportunity for Muslim women to dialogue, reflect, learn and network, adding that they also aimed to design an action plan that would strengthen families, communities and institutions.
The Muslim women’s leader, who highlighted some of the achievements and interventions the organisation had made in the past, disclosed that its interventions cut across education, politics, the economy and other sectors of the Nigerian state.
She reminded Nigerians that government alone could not address the challenges facing the country, emphasising that nation-building was a collective responsibility.
This is even as they called on the government and wealthy individuals in the country to massively invest in education and skills development, mental health and psychological support for communities, women’s employment and leadership, youth mentorship and responsible citizenship, among others.
They also prayed for peace, security, justice and a prosperous Nigeria where the government and citizens would work collaboratively.