First Lady Renames National Centre For Women Development

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has urged Nigerian women to identify their potential and harness it for the development of the country as exemplified by a former first lady, late Dr. Maryam Babangida.

She made the call in Abuja at the renaming ceremony of the Maryam Babangida National Center For Women Development and Induction of First Women Achievers into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu described the legacy of Late Mariyam Babangida, as one that served as a reminder of what can be achieved when society invest in Women Development.

She further reaffirmed the need to boost women advancement through the recognition of the remarkable contribution women had made in their field of endeavours.
“Her phenomenal contribution to the emancipation of women especially in commerce and and trade remains indelible in our hearts. This great icon her excellency late Dr Mariyam Babangida who redefined the scope of women’s participation in national development, through the national center for women development, mobilized support for this edifice and many other laudable projects” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the Family, the son of Late Dr Maryam Babangida, Mohammed Babangida, acknowledged that women play a vital role in the development of any country, a vision his mother stood for.

“Her commitment towards the attainment of gender equality knew no bounds, she dreamt it, she acted it and she lived it. It was that vision, passion and commitment that motivated her to commence and complete the construction of this edifice which serves as a hub of gender equality today. This is a legacy that the family is very proud of and also a legacy that Nigeran and African women are very proud of as well” he said.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Monisola Udoh explained that women were the backbone of the nation’s communities and economy, hence the need to accord them with the utmost respect.

The Director General of the Maryam Babangida National Center for Women Development, Dr. Asabe Vilit Bashir said the center would stand as a symbolic gesture that acknowledges and honours the tremendous efforts of late Dr. Maryam Babangida and other women in the advocacy of women emancipation.

Some of the women inducted into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame included the The First Female Accountant-General of the federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, the First Female Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Professor, Ongobi Etebu, the First female International Health Correspondent in Africa, Mrs Moji Makanjuola and the First Female Publisher Of Women Focus Newspaper in Nigeria, Mrs Ene Ede amongst others.

Azizatu Sani Edited By Grace Namiji