Aisha Buhari appreciates diplomatic community for Support
The first lady, Aisha Buhari, has expressed gratitude to members of the diplomatic community for their support towards the actualisation of her dreams of supporting children, women and youths of Nigeria through her Aisha Buhari Foundation (ABF).
Buhari disclosed this on Tuesday when she hosted Female Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Wives of Ambassadors to Nigeria to an Eid-el-Fitr dinner at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The First Lady used the opportunity to appreciate the support rendered to her foundation in bridging the gap in health and economic well-being of women and youths, especially the education of the girl-child.
“I must say, with your support, we have recorded a tremendous success through our strategic intervention in areas of health, education and economic empowerment of our women and youths,” she said.
She also used the opportunity as the President of African First Ladies Peace Mission(AFLPM)to remind the gathering of their resolve to renew their commitment towards Peace building in Africa.
“In my capacity as President of AFLPM, I want to use this medium to appeal for more support towards building bridges to help in promoting peace in conflict areas in our regions.”
She also urged the female heads of diplomatic Missions and spouses of foreign Ambassadors to Nigeria to use their influence and promote women participation in politics.
“I believe that, women participation and empowerment is directly proportional to national development and we must all take responsibility for it,” she appealed.
She therefore expressed her determination to collaborate with development partners toward providing succour to the less privileged persons in the society.
Members of the diplomatic community took time to express their views on their experiences in Nigeria and the contribution of the Aisha Buhari Foundation in the lives of women and children.
The Country Representative of ECOWAS/UN Women to Nigeria, Beatrice Ayong, assured the first lady that, the UN agencies would continue to support her initiatives toward the advancement of women, especially in addressing gender barriers.
Ayong expressed the need for more women participation in governance.
On her part, the British Ambassador to Nigeria, Caterina Lain, said the diplomatic communities have a greater role to play in strengthening cordial working relationship with Nigerians.
“As diplomats, we have a role to play in this terrible time to strengthen the ties and promote peace,” she said.
Lain however, used the opportunity to appreciate the government and people of Nigeria for a cordial working relationship.
In his welcome address, the Senior Special Assistant to President Public Affairs and Strategy in the office of the first lady, Sani Zorro, stressed the need for diplomats to always promote peace in their host countries.
According to him, diplomats are challenged to always promote peace building as well as strengthen mechanism aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence across the world.
