Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, has reiterated the readiness of the FCT Administration to advance the course of women under the leadership of the minister, Nyesom Wike.
The minister said this during an interactive session with women drawn from the six area councils of Abuja on the need to be economically empowered to be self-reliant.
The women were brought together under the programme tagged: “Abuja Accelerators, Unifying Women for Global Impact.”
The programme was projected virtually for the women at the UN House Abuja, to celebrate the UN Commission on the Status of Women, @ 68, in New York, U.S.A.
Mahmoud noted that the Abuja Accelerator programme would serve as a platform for women to come together, share their experiences and amplify their voices for meaningful change, through collaboration and solidarity among women worldwide.
She said: “The strength of the Abuja accelerator lies in its ability to foster collaboration among women, by bringing together individuals with different perspectives and expertise.
“The accelerator creates a fertile ground for innovation and collective action, through workshops, seminars, and networking. Under the programme, participants are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to carry out positive change in their communities and beyond.
“It provides a space where women from various backgrounds can converge, exchange ideas, and strategies on how to address pressing issues facing women globally”.
During the occasion, Mandate Secretary Women Affairs Secretariat, FCT Administration, Dr Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi who organized the programme also pledged accelerated economic progress for women in the territory.
She urged the women to stir up their visions and showcase their pilot projects to see how the Secretariat can come in, adding that the platform serves as a catalyst for advocacy in shaping a more inclusive society.
“The Abuja Accelerator is our offering for collaboration. Invest your pilot project in Abuja, whatever it is, we are ready.”
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Adedayo who noted that the Abuja Accelerator programme was designed by her office in line with the vision of the FCT Minister and the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu, hinted that women in the FCT would be empowered through effective collaboration and cooperation.
While noting that the convergence in New York was to mobilize all to amplify the voices of FCT women and champion their course, the mandate secretary said the goal is to create a future where every woman will realize her full potential without anyone being left behind.
She said: “The programme represents a platform for proffering solutions to global challenges – from climate change to sustainable development, solutions born out of our unique perspectives and gender experiences.”
On her part, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, lauded the Minister of State and the Mandate Secretary, FCTA Women Affairs Secretariat’s initiative of unifying women from all walks of life for a positive impact.