Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Muslim women across the country to remain steadfast in their faith, demonstrate resilience and uphold their responsibilities to their families, communities and the nation.
Tinubu made the call while declaring open the 41st National Conference of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, FOMWAN, in Umuahia, Abia State, where she was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima.
The conference, themed “Faith, Resilience and Responsibility: Muslim Women Responding to Challenges,” brought together Muslim women from different parts of the country to deliberate on issues affecting women, families and communities.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by Kwapchi Hamman, Special Assistant to the President on Media and ICT, Office of the Vice President, the First Lady described the theme of the conference as timely and a strong call to action.
She said faith provides women with strength, courage and hope, particularly when confronted with difficult circumstances.
Tinubu encouraged Muslim women to draw inspiration from their faith while remaining committed to building stronger families, peaceful communities and a better Nigeria.
She also commended FOMWAN for more than four decades of service to women, families and communities across the country.
According to her, the association has continued to contribute to the welfare and development of women through various programmes and initiatives focused on education, healthcare, empowerment, humanitarian assistance and community development.
The First Lady noted that Muslim women occupy important positions within their families and communities, serving as mothers, wives, educators, mentors and community leaders.
She therefore urged them to lead by example by demonstrating love, compassion, patience and mutual support in their homes and communities.
Tinubu also stressed the importance of raising children with strong moral, ethical and religious values, saying such values were necessary for preparing them to become responsible adults and productive members of society.
She said women could make significant contributions to national development when they combined faith with resilience and a strong sense of responsibility.
The First Lady further urged participants to use the conference as an opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and develop practical solutions to challenges affecting women and families.
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She expressed hope that the discussions and resolutions reached during the conference would translate into concrete actions capable of improving the welfare of women and strengthening communities.
Tinubu also expressed confidence that FOMWAN’s continued efforts would contribute to peace, unity and sustainable development across Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, who was represented by his wife, Mrs Chidinma Otti, stressed the importance of faith, resilience and responsibility in navigating the challenges of modern society.
Otti described faith as an important moral compass that could guide people through a rapidly changing world.
He also commended the relationship among followers of different religions in Abia State, stressing the need to preserve religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
According to him, resilience gives people the strength to remain firm when faced with difficult circumstances, while responsibility provides direction for meaningful contributions to families, communities and the nation.
The governor assured participants that the Abia State Government remained committed to religious tolerance, inclusion and peaceful coexistence.
He described religious diversity as an important part of humanity and urged citizens to continue promoting mutual respect and understanding.
The National Amirah of FOMWAN, Dr Sumaye Hamza, said the organization had remained a platform for faith-inspired service and community development in Nigeria for more than four decades.
Hamza highlighted the association’s contributions to education, healthcare, women empowerment, humanitarian response, peacebuilding and community development.
She said FOMWAN’s history reflected the commitment of successive generations of Muslim women who had dedicated themselves to serving humanity through their faith.
The 41st National Conference provided a platform for Muslim women from across Nigeria to examine the challenges facing women, families and communities while exploring practical ways to strengthen their contributions to national development.
The conference also underscored the importance of faith, resilience, responsibility, unity and collaboration in addressing social challenges and promoting peaceful and sustainable communities.
NAN
