The forum of northern governors’ wives have reiterated their resolve to curb drug abuse and other social vices that are bedeviling the society, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu has said.
She stated this when the members of the forum paid courtesy visit on Kebbi state governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu on Friday.
Dr Bagudu said they were in Birnin Kebbi as part of their routine meetings to contribute to national development.
“We are here as usual, to meet and deliberate on ways to support our spouses to boost good governance.
“Our focus now is the eradication of substance and sexual abuses as well as social vices in the northern states and other parts of the country,” she said while decrying that drug menace is a major source of concern to the forum and governors.
She explained that part of the ways the forum had adopted in tackling the menace, include counseling, keeping youths occupied through sports and recreational activities to become useful members in the society.
Dr Bagudu acknowledged the sustained support of Kebbi state government in curbing the menace, adding that the Kebbi state government was routinely supporting efforts to reduce the prevalence of the problem.
Earlier, she had led her guests to visit a Drop-in Center at the motor park as well as the female rehabilitation center at the NDLEA headquarters in Birnin Kebbi.
The chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Senator Abubakar Atiku acknowledged the invaluable roles the First Ladies were playing.
He described them as tools of motivation to women in the country, individually and collectively.
“You need to be encouraged and supported as mothers and leaders.
“You are commendably mobiising women to do better and curbing the drug issue which is a national menace,” Bagudu added.
The chairperson of the Forum, Architect Hadiza Isma El-Rufai said it holds periodic meetings to discuss issues of common interests irrespective of party affiliation.
According to her, they were coming together to find plausible solutions to the common problems facing them, especially drugs.
She commended Dr. Bagudu and her peers for their efforts in their respective states.
Also, the chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Wives Forum and wife of Ekiti state governor, Mrs Bisi Adeleyi Fayemi appreciated the governors for their sustained support.
She said that sequel to such support, 31 states had signed the VAPP law as at August, 2022.
She also said the forum decided to work on gender-based violence and sought the cooperation of governors to declare state of emergency on the scourge.
Highlights of event include presentation of award to Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for assenting to the law on violence against individuals and protection of the rights of children.
Those at the courtesy call were Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu of Kebbi, Architect Hadiza Isma El-Rufai of Kaduna, Mrs Bisi Fayemi of Ekiti, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello of Niger and Barrister Anna Ishaku of Taraba.
Others were, Mariya Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Magajiya Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, Mrs Regina Lalong of Plateau, Silifiyat Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Rasheedat Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Aisha Bello Matawalle of Zamfara.
Also present were the Special Adviser to the President on Investment, Maryam Uwais; the wife of the Minister of Justice, Fatima Abubakar Malami, the wife of member House of Representatives, Shanga/Yauri/Ngaski Federal Constituency and wife of Kebbi State APC Governorship candidate, Nafisa Nasir Idris.
Top Government functionaries during the event were the State Deputy Governor, rtd Col Samaila Yombe Dabai, the Speaker Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Muhamad Sani Abubakar Lolo, the Secretary to the State Government, Babale Umar Yauri, mni, the Acting Head of Service, Safiyanu Garba Bena and the Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals Development, Hayatu Bawa.
Others were the Permanent Secretary, Higher Education, Halima Boyi Dikko, the Permanent Secretary Women Affairs and Social Development, Aishatu Maikurata as well as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Zara’u Wali.
