The Nigerian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to obtaining the freedom of all Nigerians in captivity and has assured its citizens that all efforts are being made to secure their safe return.
Senator George Akume (CON), Secretary to the Government of the Federation, gave the assurance on Friday when he hosted the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), led by its National Amirah, Dr. Sumaye Fadimatu Hamza.
He underlined the vital role of faith-based organisations in resolving the myriad of difficulties facing the country, and called on them to continue praying for President Bola Tinubu and his administration.
Akume, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, also reiterated the government’s commitment to bolstering national security, saying that protection of the lives and property of Nigerians is a top priority.
The SGF is optimistic that the continuous security operations and collaborative initiatives would produce significant results in the battle against abduction and other illegal activities.Our mission on earth, our goal on earth is to promote, protect and lengthen life. It’s not to make it shorter. “The government is trying everything to get all those who are captured released,” he said.
The SGF applauded the FOMWAN for its unwavering support to national development, calling the association as a critical partner in the promotion of peace, unity and social growth.
He said the group, made up of mothers, sisters and wives, is strategically placed in the society and has always supplemented the work of government through lobbying, humanitarian services and moral guidance.
Akume noted the endorsement of the Tinubu government by the association, adding that governance is always difficult irrespective of the level of development of a country.
But he highlighted that good leadership is judged by how well it can respond decisively to the issues that are unfolding.
He said the Federal Government attaches significant importance to the role of faith-based groups in promoting national cohesion, addressing insecurity and promoting development, adding that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda lays considerable focus on women’s empowerment.
Earlier, the FOMWAN National Amirah, Dr. Sumaye Fadimatu Hamza said the association was committed to promoting the values of Islam through Da’awah as well as advancing the socio-economic development of women, youths and children through quality education, healthcare, humanitarian services, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and advocacy.
She commended the Federal Government for its efforts in nation-building especially in the areas of security, education, humanitarian response, social protection and women development.
He said while recognising the sacrifices of security agencies in addressing insecurity, the government should further strengthen the country’s security architecture through improvement in intelligence gathering, more community engagement, better protection of vulnerable communities and measures to address the socio-economic factors fuelling insecurity.
FOMWAN chief reiterated the pledge of the organization to promote peace building, family strengthening, youth development and civic responsibility throughout the nation.
She said the group has contributed to national development for over four decades through women empowerment, education, literacy programmes, health interventions, humanitarian services and social welfare activities.
Hamza also called for more institutional coordination with the Federal Government to increase the reach of FOMWAN.
She appealed for assistance to renovate the association’s national secretariat, establish more skills acquisition and women empowerment centers, provide an official operational vehicle, strengthen operations at the state level and assist with its forthcoming National Annual Conference coming up in August in Abia State.
She also advocated a durable collaboration framework between the government and the group in areas like as women’s empowerment, education, literacy, youth development, humanitarian response, peacebuilding, community development and family welfare schemes.
The engagement, she said, will build on the association’s wide network of grassroots to support government efforts at providing sustainable development across the country.
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