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Tag: governor’s wife

  • Governor’s wife visits first baby of the year

    Wife of Lagos State Governor Mrs. Bolanle Ambode yesterday visited the first baby of the year in the state.

    It was delivered at 12am to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Adegbesan at Island Maternity, Lagos.

    The baby weighed 3.7Kg.

    The annual celebration of the first baby of the year was held at Shomolu General Hospital, Maternal and Child Care Centre (MCC), Gbaja, Surulere and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital.

    The governor’s wife restated her advice to expectant mothers to patronise government health facilities and also ensure that their babies are immunised after delivery.

    She said it was important for mothers to pay attention to the well-being of their children in the overall interest of the society.

    “The huge government expenditure on infant and maternal health infrastructure can only be justified by the commensurate use of the modern facilities by the women, their babies and the children,” Mrs. Ambode said.

    She noted that government’s efforts in stemming maternal and infant mortality would be nothing, if expectant mothers did not use the centres.

    Mrs. Ambode said: “I wish to note that the Lagos State Government has continued to strengthen the health sector with the provision of neonatal care units, equipment and resources at our state hospitals, to enhance the quality of maternal and child care services.

    “The workers in the Primary Health Care Centres and General Hospitals are committed and determined to provide quality care, but you have to go there and use the facilities. Mother and Child Centres are also being located in nearly every neighbourhood of the state, for excellent infant and maternal health care delivery.”

    Harping on the importance of immunisation, she said: “My passionate appeal to mothers, therefore, is to ensure they complete the full course of immunisation for their children, to prevent childhood killers such as measles, diarrhoea, pneumonia, tuberculosis, tetanus and hepatitis, to mention a few.

    “In addition, parents must avoid the use of contaminated water, as they also contribute to childhood mortality.”

  • Governor’s wife dedicates award to inmates

    WIFE of Bauchi State Governor, Aisha Mohammed Abubakar, a lawyer has dedicated the Excellent Leadership  award presented to her by the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA) Bauchi branch to the 105  former Prison inmates released under her pet project, the Brilliant  Girl Child Initiative.

    In dedicating the award, Hajia Abubakar congratulated the branch for always looking  at areas of benefit for the people of Bauchi.

    She said the Brilliant Girl Child Initiative has trained the 105 released inmates in various skills and empowered them to be on their own because she would not want them to go back to their old ways of life.  She said she had visited over 20 ex convicts and was glad that they had turned a new leaf and become good ambassadors.

    According to her, it is in pursuit of the three Rs of  her project, which is Reformation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of the freed inmates.

    She said: “The last time I visited the Prison, I saw a woman, who had just spent one day in prison. She had a four month old baby and being a mother with a child of almost that age, it touched me so much and I asked them why she was brought to prison. They told me that it was because she could not pay the option of fine for her offence. I paid the fine for her and she was released from prison.

    “ We must all work in the best interest of the society, we must strive to leave the society better than we met it because that is the only way we cam improve humanity and society,” she said.

    Also honoured at the event was the Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi T. Umar and others. Governor Abubakar was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Haruna D. Mohammed.

    The NBA Chairman Bauchi branch, Mr. M. M. Maidoki, congratulated the awardees and urged them to keep doing good for the benefit of the state and humanity.

     

     

  • Taraba governor’s wife honoured

    Tiv Women of Taraba State have honoured their daughter, Mrs Anna Ishaku, wife of Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku. They gave her a “Humanitarian Service Award.”

    Anna, a consummate lawyer, is of Tiv descent from  Vandeikya, Benue State.

    Anna was decorated in Tiv’s most revered black and white cultural regalia and bestowed the traditional title of “Msughshima u Tiv Taraba.” This means Anna Ishaku is the “comforter of the Tiv ethnic group in Taraba state.”

    There are indigenous Tiv people in Ibi, Wukari, Donga, Takum, Gassol and Bali local government areas of the 16 local councils that make up Taraba. The event, held in Sabon Gida, Gassol, was organised by the Tiv Women Association of Gassol (TWAG). Eye-witnesses described the event as a “show of love by mothers onto their daughter in whom they are well pleased.” One of her aides, Boaz Isaac, reported that what he saw at the occasion was a “torrential pour of love” on the First Lady. He added: “The Tiv Swange dance that heralded the event was something else too beautiful to watch and believe.”

    Many others described the honour accorded Anna as well deserved. Through her NGO -Hope Afresh Foundation (HAF), Mrs Ishaku has empowered many youths in her Skills Acquisition Training (SAT) programme with startup packages such as sewing machines, computers, hair dryers, make-up kits and welding machines, among others.

    In healthcare delivery, she runs free dental and optometrical services. She has also done distinctively well in the fight against HIV/Aids, poliomyelitis, maternal/child mortality and drug abuse.

    The governor’s wife had once organised a Cultural Festival for the state’s over 100 heterogeneous ethnic groups to showcase their ancestral ways of life. The festival healed the wounds of perennial ethno-religious skirmishes in the state. She is the discoverer of the people of Ndola who are Tarabans inhabiting the Cameroon mountains. Upon her return, the governor integrated the hitherto forgotten people into the Taraba community to feel the presence of government. The people, happy, bestowed on Anna their traditional title of Na’a Ndola, meaning: “Mother of Ndola People.” Governor Ishaku became the Ta’a Ndola (father of Ndola people).

    Tiv in Taraba, predominantly farmers, are being confronted with multifaceted challenges, including attacks and killings by herdsmen. They need a comforter and helper to regain their feet, repatriate to their homes. TWAG said Anna is doing a lot for them in this regard.

    Born August 24, 1957, the First Lady still looks every inch beautiful, despite having five children with her husband. The children are all graduates -two have bagged PhD, three have Masters. The second child, David, got married recently.

    Anna and Darius Dickson Ishaku, born on July 30, 1954, attended the same college. They also went to the same university -ABU Zaria. They married in the early 80s, a long time when Anna had no inkling that Ishaku will one day become a minister and later governor. But through Ishaku’s hard work and struggles, with her as “a helper,” today, the husband, an architect, is governor and she is one of the most respectful First Ladies in the country. Yet, she remains a humble woman. God-fearing mother. Her concept is not about frequenting Dubai malls for luxury shopping, wallowing in the latest fashion, keeping up with expensive jewellery and all make-up accessory trends, and strutting catwalks during public functions.

    Anna’s story, in a nutshell, is that of a role model in power who remembers her less privileged community, who radiates maternal concern -a true mother and wife who cares for her family and children. Her Tiv mothers and sisters are pleased with her.

     

  • Enugu governor’s wife harps on children’s wellbeing 

    The wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, has appealed to parents and guardians to intensify efforts in taking proper care of their children/wards as future leaders and  precious gift from God.

    Mrs. Ugwuanyi added that “the children deserve to be treated right”, look “healthy, neat and cheerful” and have access to basic education in spite of the nation’s economic challenges.

    She spoke at Itchi in Igbo-eze South Local Government Area during the free medical outreach programme of her pet project, Ugo-Touch of Life (U-TOLF), which focuses on the wellbeing of under-privileged women, children and youths in the rural areas.

    She reiterated her commitment to rapid development in the rural areas, where the greater number of women, children and youths reside.

    Mrs. Ugwuanyi advised the people against self medication and urged them to always go for proper medical checkup whenever they notice any symptom of illness, saying: “This is a wake-up call”.

    She emphasized the need for consumption of organic food for healthy living, stressing that we need to go back to our natural ways of feeding.

    Mrs. Ugwuanyi added that her empowerment programme was designed to make people self-reliant to ameliorate their suffering, disclosing that the first round of the free medical exercise has been successfully carried out in the 17 local government areas of the state.

    “We have covered all the local government areas of the state with our free medical exercise since May this year. This is the second round and within the period of this assignment, we have discovered that most of the ailments afflicting our people are caused by poor eating habit.

    “Our people prefer canned food bought at supermarkets instead of our local delicacies. That is why we invite experts that educate us on balanced diet. These fruits and vegetable are with us, and our empowerment scheme is based on what is obtainable within the locality. So, our people should try and avail themselves of every opportunity”, she stated.

     

  • Ikpeazu’s wife challenges women on home-building

    Ikpeazu’s wife challenges women on home-building

    Abia State Governor’s wife Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has urged women to see their place in the home and the society as a divine call leading to a better home and a better society.

    She challenged them to build their homes as well as the church by complementing their husbands, adding that the only way they may succeed in executing this responsibility is seeing it as a divine call.

    Mrs Ikpeazu told The Nation in Umuahia, the state capital, that she gave the charge at Babcock University, Ilesan-Remo, Ogun State during the Seventh Day Adventist Church Women’s Ministries National Convention 2017.

    The Abia governor’s wife who spoke with The Nation on her return from the Seventh Day Adventist women conference said that women must always complement their husbands for them to have a solid home that would produce quality and well-trained children.

    She said that the theme of the convention for this year was ‘Revived for Service’, which she described as apt as well as an avenue for women to renew their strength and services in the vineyard of God.

    The governor’s wife said that she told the participants at the convention that they need to learn skills in addition to whatever professional career they have chosen in order for them to be economically empowered.

    Mrs Ikpeazu said, “I told them that when they are economically empowered that they could contribute in the growth and provision of employment opportunities in the society as well as help in increasing revenue base of the homes”.

    She said that a society where women are economically empowered is always in an advantage as they are not only good managers but also good employers of labour and urged women to always partner their husbands in whatever they are doing.

    In his sermon the Western Nigeria Union conference president, Pastor Oyeleke Alabi Owolabi said that God always gives His people testimonies whenever they gather to seek his face, stressing that nothing is impossible with God.

    Pastor Owolabi charged the women at the convention to always seek the face of God in whatever they are doing as doing such will always give them the courage to overcome any challenge that may come their way.

    Welcoming the participants, the director of women ministries, western Nigeria Union conference, Mrs Heather-Dawn Small, thanked them for assembling at the convention which she said had about 5000 women from across the country.

    Mrs Small said that God is aware of their presence at the convention, “As we spend time with each other let us also spend time praying for each other, since we face many challenges and storms in our lives, as God will always be with us”.

    In his address at the convention the Vice Chancellor of Babcock University Prof Ademola Tayo said that the convention will provide them a platform for spiritual and social networking for the work in God’s vineyard.

    Prof Tayo said, “I encourage you as women of faith and value to remain steadfast in your unique roles as mothers, faith builders, meaning maker and co-laborers in the Lord’s vineyard”.

  • Honour for governor’s wife in Ebonyi

    Honour for governor’s wife in Ebonyi

    For championing the cause of women, Ebonyi State governor’s wife, Mrs Rachel Umahi has been conferred with the chieftaincy title of Ikedina Nne by the council of Traditional rulers. OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE reports

    For hours on December 19, guests from far and wide, joined the Chairman of Ebonyi State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Charles Mkpuma, who led his colleagues to confer the chieftaincy title of Ikedina Nne on the governor’s wife, Mrs. Rachel Umahi.

    The carnival-like event was held at Osborn La Palm Hotels Limited forecourt in Abakaliki, the state capital. The ceremony was the climax of a one-day sensitisation and gender mainstreaming during which women honoured Mrs Umahi.

    As early as 8:00 a.m., women from all parts of the state and beyond had gathered at the arena which was filled to the brim. They came to pay homage to the woman they described as the greatest champion of women development.

    The women, dressed in colourful traditional attires and uniforms thronged the arena with various cultural troupes from their areas.

    They danced to melodious songs eulogising the efforts of the governor’s wife towards emancipation of women through her pet project, Family Succour and Upliftment Programme.

    It was not only women that converged on the beautiful Osborn La Palm Hotels Limited forecourt, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Kelechi Igwe was also present as well as members of the state executive council.

    The women praised the governor’s wife for using her good offices to champion the cause of women.

    Wife of first civilian governor of Ebonyi State, Mrs Eunice Ukamaka Egwu, who was the Chairman of the occasion, commended Governor Umahi for championing the cause of women, adding that by so doing, the development of the whole family will be assured.

    She said: “When you remember women, you have saved the whole family, when you empower women like Mrs Umahi is doing, you elevate the whole family.”

    She also commended Governor David Umahi for his support to the wife that has enabled her put smiles on the face of the women.

    Ebonyi State traditional rulers at the event conferred the Chieftaincy title of Ikedina Nne on Mrs. Umahi.

    The conferment was part of a sensitisation programme on Gender Mainstreaming, organised by Ebonyi women and facilitated by the Focal Person of SDG, Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Women leader, Mrs. Amaka Igboke.

    Deaconess Umahi appreciated the women for their support for the government and their love for her family, promising to do more for the women.

    She urged them to support the government led by her husband, David Umahi stating that “this government have shown that it gives priority attention to women and will continue to do, it has a lot in stock for women.

    Also speaking, Governor Umahi, represented by His Deputy, Dr. Igwe, assured the women of continued partnership. Dr. Igwe recalled the support the women gave them during campaigns and urged them not to relent.

    In their separate speeches, Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu and Mrs. Amaka Igboke said the event was aimed at appreciating the role Deaconess Umahi has been playing to mainstream women in the decision-making process.

    “It is also to recognise women for their doggedness in socio-economic and political engineering”.

    High points of the event were conferment of chieftaincy title on Mrs Umahi, presentation of wheel chairs to some physically-challenged persons and gift items by women from the three senatorial zones where Mrs Umahi hails from.

    Various dancing troupes namely the Nkwa Umu Agbogho of Afikpo dance troupe entertained the women and other guests at the event.

    High points of the event were conferment of chieftaincy title on Mrs Umahi, presentation of wheel chairs to some physically-challenged persons and gift items by the women from the three senatorial zones.

  • Governor’s wife urges residents on healthy lifestyle

    Governor’s wife urges residents on healthy lifestyle

    The wife of Rivers State Governor Ezenwo Nyesom-Wike, Justice Eberechi  Nyesom-Wike, has urged the people to adopt a healthy lifestyle that would promote their physical and mental well-being.

    She spoke in Port Harcourt while opening the 2016 week of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Rivers State chapter.

    Nyesom-Wike said non-communicable diseases would be prevented if people adopted positive lifestyles.

    A statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, the special assistant to the governor on Electronic Media, quoted the governor’s wife as saying that the government prioritised the healthcare of the masses.

    She said the present administration was working to ensure quality healthcare and improve life expectancy.

    “We must regulate what we eat, so that we will live healthily and prolong our lives. I hail MWAN for focusing on the health of the people as part of their 2016 week.

    “We will partner female doctors to improve people’s health,” the statement quoted Nyesom-Wike as saying.

    Deputy Governor Dr. Ipalibo Banigo noted that development in the health sector had been sustained since Governor Wike took over.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Theophilus Odagme said the government was expanding the Brathwaithe Memorial Hospital to create access to tertiary healthcare.

  • 1000 women get Niger governor’s wife’s N12m grant

    1000 women get Niger governor’s wife’s N12m grant

    The wife of Niger State governor, Dr. Amina Sani-Bello has given out cheques totalling over N12m in grants to 1000 women from 18 local government areas of the state.

    Giving out the cheques to the beneficiaries in Minna, the state capital, Dr. Sani-Bello said she hoped the grant will reposition their businesses.

    According to her, 60 women cooperatives with a membership of between 15 and 20 women from 18 local government areas will get between N200,000 and N300,000 to improve their businesses, adding that the other local government areas will be captured in the next programme.

    The governor’s wife stated that the grant disbursement which is the maiden edition from her non-governmental organisation is aimed at complimenting government’s effort in fighting poverty and empowering women and youths in the state.

    She also expressed her determination in reducing maternal mortality rate in the state, lamenting that the state has the highest mortality rate in North-Central area of the country.

    She added that her NGO is working at ensuring free treatment and medication for women in the state.

    Dr Sani-Bello urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity and not use the money for other trivial things.

    Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Roseline Abara commended the governor’s wife and advised the beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the monies given to them as there will be proper monitoring and supervision.

    She, however, urged women to form and or join cooperative societies because it will easily pave way for support from the government and organisations.

    The state Coordinator, Niger State FADAMA Coordination Office, Mr Aliyu Usman Kutigi, an engineer, said that now is the time that all hands need to be on deck nationally to tackle the issue of unemployment and creation of wealth particularly for women and youths.

    He commended the effort of the governor’s wife in not only empowering the women but giving them the finances to enable them calling on other NGOs, institutions and organisations in the state to partner in the noble venture of job creation of youths and women to minimise youth restiveness in the state and the nation.

    Kutigi assured the governor’s wife of his agency’s continuous support to enable her achieve her goal and objectives of her foundation.

    The beneficiaries in turns appreciated the grant given to them by Dr. Bello as they promised to give back to the foundation to enable other people benefit.

  • Benue governor’s wife to promote literacy

    Life of the Benue State Governor, Mrs Eunice Ortom, has said her pet project known as Eunice Spring of Life Foundation (ESLF) is poised to advance the intellectual development of the average Benue child.

    Mrs Ortom stated this at a two-day literacy development and talent show competition organised by ESLF in Makurdi.

    According to Ortom,there is need to reawaken the reading culture among children to reduce the time they spend on frivolities.

    “This programme is intended to highlight the importance of literacy and promote commitment to lifelong reading among Benue children,” she said.

    She described as impressive, the enthusiasm shown by the children in various activities including timed reading, spelling, art, impromptu speaking and writing composition.

    She noted that the programme targets children across the 23 councils of the state who fall within the primary and secondary school category. She also promised to hold similar competition in years ahead.

    “I am happy with the talents displayed by the children which are an indication that you are indeed tomorrow’s leaders. With you, I am proud to say that our tomorrow is bright, “Ortom said.

    Twenty-three public and private schools participated in the two-day event that showed winners go home with star prizes and other items.

     

  • Governor’s wife, others discuss violence against the girl-child

    Governor’s wife, others discuss violence against the girl-child

    Girls from 52 secondary schools in Kwars State converged on Ilorin, the state capital penultimate Wednesday to commemorate the 2015 International Day of the Girl-child” and inauguration of LEAH Cancer School Club.

    The event, organised by the Office of Wife of Kwara State Governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, was attended by Nollywood actress, Bimbo Oshin, Deputy National President, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Bliqees Oladimeji and Mr. Abiola Adimula, among others.

    During the event, Mrs. Ahmed encouraged girls who might be victims of sexual molestation to expose the perpetrators of the heinous act.

    She also urged the girls not to allow their social and cultural backgrounds or circumstances of life prevent them from attaining their goals.

    She said: “The fact that you have been sexually molested does not mean that is the end of your life. There are people who have gone through worst things but they are standing. Every one of us you see on the high table has a story to tell. We were not all born with silver spoons. I was raised by a mother in a divorced home.

    “The circumstances of your birth should not make you to resign to fate. I didn’t have it all rosy. I started fellowship when I was in form two because my aunt was yearning for something; that I needed to get close to the Lord. But before I was fortunate to  get close to the Lord, a lot had happened. Yet, I am standing.

    “Why am I standing? I am standing because I believed in myself. If somebody had told me even 10 years down the line that the man I am married to is going to rule a state, I will tell the person to forget it. It is not about my husband, but about who I am.

    “So, don’t be carried away by the challenges you are going through. I want to say to you children that the devil in both Christianity and Islam is the same concept. He constantly makes us pity ourselves when something has gone wrong. The Holy Book permits us to pick up our pieces, learn from our mistakes and make sure they don’t happen again. There are some mistakes we make in life and they live with us for the rest of our lives.

    “If you don’t condemn yourself, nobody has the right to condemn you. If somebody has raped you, talk about it. I tell you, people will laugh but it is only for a moment. And the stigmatisation you are trying to avoid by not speaking out, gives you more trauma by keeping quiet.

    “It is a new day for you in Kwara State. The Ministry of Women Affairs is saddled with the responsibility of making sure our children are up to the task. We are going to maximise this opportunity. I want to tell you girls that there is somebody to talk to and we are working on it. The law will protect you. Kwara State is going to domesticate violence against persons very soon.

    “When you talk about violence against girls, you are not only helping to free yourselves, you are helping other girls from becoming victims of men’s brutality.

    “To my girls, I want to say to you to believe in yourselves. This is a great opportunity you have. I don’t want your coming to be in vain.”

    While inaugurating the Cancer School Club, Mrs. Ahmed, who is the founder of LEAH Foundation, said early detection of cancer, can help to cure the disease before it becomes deadly.

    She added that apart from the 25 cancer centres in the state, the foundation is proposing a clinic for the treatment of cancer patients.

    Mrs. Adimula, who is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) reeled off some of the children’s rights. They include right to life, right to identity, right to freedom of association, right to freedom of expression, right to privacy, right to leisure and recreation, right to education and right to health and health services.

    Others are right to protection against inhuman treatment and exploitation and right to be free from every form of discrimination.

    She disclosed that “under the Child Rights Act, 2003 and Child Rights Law of Kwara State 2006, there is provision for the establishment of family court where all matters that arise from Child Rights Act/Law are to be heard and determined in the ‘best interest’ of the child.

    “To ensure that family court was put in place in the state, two members of National Children’s Parliament representing the state advocated for the establishment of family court in June, 2009. In July, 2009, the family court was established by the state judiciary with magistrates and area court judges sworn in to determine cases in the court.

    “In January, 2013, the family court was reconstituted to be manned by two Magistrates trained on Child Justice Administration by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, United Kingdom.

    “The family court deals with issues of child rights and adoption of children and juvenile cases,”  She said.