NCWS Welcomes New President, Launches Empowerment Initiative for Nigerian Women
NCWS Welcomes New President, Launches Empowerment Initiative for Nigerian Women
Mrs. Edna Azura has been inaugurated as the new National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), stepping in to complete the tenure of the late Hajiya Lami Adamu-Lau, who passed away in June 2024.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, presided over the inauguration ceremony, urging Mrs. Azura to lead with fairness and a commitment to uplifting women across Nigeria.
“Together, we can achieve so much in this country. Since women are leading in many sectors, there is no reason why we cannot make women do more for the country,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said.
She highlighted a new women empowerment initiative that will provide financial support across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to help women achieve economic independence amid current challenges. The fund allocations include:
– N3.6 million for North Central states
– N3.1 million each for North East and North West states
– N2.25 million for South East
– N3.15 million for South South
– N2.7 million for South West
Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, praised the late Adamu-Lau as a trailblazer, presenting a memorial magazine in her honor. She urged women to emulate her impactful legacy.
“In our transition, may we be front-page legacies. May the memorial we represent not just be a print on a magazine’s front page, but an indelible footprint,” she prayed.
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Mrs. Geraldine Ita-Etuk, the outgoing acting NCWS President, also expressed gratitude to First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for her steadfast support of women. She noted that the council is awarding **N150,000** to three women per state to boost their businesses and called for increased women’s participation in politics and leadership roles.
In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Azura, the 16th NCWS President, pledged to uphold the council’s mission of unity, empowerment, and progress.
“I pledge to work diligently and relentlessly to empower women, foster unity, and elevate the NCWS to greater heights. Let us unite as one, fostering cooperation among all Nigerian women for a brighter and more prosperous future for ourselves and our nation,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of women’s participation in governance, aiming to ensure a legacy of strength and unity for future generations.
