..as FOMWAN holds 39th Annual conference in Akure

Women’s organizations across Nigeria have been encouraged to collaborate in implementing joint programs aimed at improving the personal, domestic, social, economic, and communal security of women. This call was made by Prof. Yisa Kehinde Yusuf of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, during the 39th Annual National Conference of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), held over the weekend.

In his keynote address, Prof. Yusuf emphasized the importance of engaging young Muslim women to pass down the noble values that align with FOMWAN’s mission of enlightenment. He proposed the establishment of a FOMWAN Radio as a platform to further this engagement. Prof. Yusuf also discussed the various forms of violence linked to insecurity and suggested strategies to address them. He commended FOMWAN for prioritizing the critical issue of women’s security in Nigeria.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, lauded FOMWAN for its significant contributions to society. Represented by the President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, the Sultan emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage by teaching children their dialects or mother tongues.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties and Strategies, AbdulGanniy Muhammed, commended the conference’s focus on “Women and the Challenges of Insecurity.” He noted that the theme reflects the current challenges facing Nigeria and praised FOMWAN’s timely intervention, particularly in light of the recent #EndBadGovernance protests. The Governor assured the association of the state government’s commitment to maintaining security and expressed a desire for further collaboration with FOMWAN on educational initiatives.

Dr. Bolanle Babalakin, Chairman of the occasion, represented by the Baba Adinni of Owo Kingdom, Chief Jamiu Ekungba, praised FOMWAN’s efforts in positively impacting Muslim women across the country. Similarly, Alhaja Zikhra Akanbi, the mother of the occasion, described the event as a wake-up call to the realities of violence and insecurity affecting young girls. She emphasized the need for urgent actions in education, awareness, and empowerment to improve the lives of women and girls, thereby contributing to the development of peaceful communities.

Akanbi highlighted alarming statistics, noting that over 7.5 million students are currently out of school, which poses a significant risk to the future of the country. She called for immediate government intervention to address these issues and stressed the importance of empowering women through training as a means to foster peaceful homes and a stable society.

Earlier, at a press briefing preceding the conference, FOMWAN’s National Amirah, Alhaja Rofiat Idowu Sanni, called for urgent action to address insecurity and demanded the secure release of abducted medical doctor Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola and other kidnapping victims. Sanni pointed out that poor policy implementation in the education sector, widespread poverty, and lack of empowerment are major contributors to the nation’s security challenges. She urged the federal government to intensify its efforts in combating poverty, which she identified as a key factor in the fight against insecurity. Empowering women and girls, she stressed, is crucial to ensuring their safety and fostering peace.

A highlight of the event was the free malaria testing and drug distribution to delegates, courtesy of Sam Pharmaceutical.