Bauchi First Lady Seeks Collective Action Against Drug Abuse, Insecurity

First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, has called for stronger collaboration among religious and community organisations to tackle drug abuse, insecurity and other social challenges.

She made the call when she received a delegation of the Girls’ Brigade Nigeria, Bauchi State Chapter, which presented her with an award recognising her contributions to women’s empowerment and girl-child development.

Aisha, founder of the Almuhibba Foundation, said collaboration was essential to promoting education, healthcare, moral values and peaceful coexistence.

She said her foundation shared the Girls’ Brigade’s commitment to supporting vulnerable people, empowering women and children, and encouraging cooperation across religious divides.

According to her, Islam and Christianity promote peace, compassion and support for the less privileged, adding that religion should unite rather than divide communities.

The First Lady urged women, girls and young people to participate actively in campaigns against drug abuse, warning that the menace threatened social stability and could contribute to criminal activities.

She also stressed the importance of public enlightenment, collective responsibility and prayers in building a peaceful society.

Aisha explained that the Almuhibba Foundation, initially established to rehabilitate and beautify cemeteries, had expanded its activities to include education, healthcare and empowerment programmes for vulnerable groups.

She urged non-governmental organisations to operate transparently, work within available resources and establish sustainable partnerships to improve the impact of their interventions.

Earlier, the Bauchi State Commissioner of the Girls’ Brigade, Dr. Lucy Yaldam Yalmis, said the delegation visited to appreciate the First Lady’s support and recognise her contributions to the girl child.

Yalmis commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for supporting initiatives in education, healthcare and peacebuilding.

She also acknowledged the state government’s assistance to the organisation, including support for its National Annual General Meeting hosted in Bauchi in August 2023 and continued annual assistance through the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

She described the Girls’ Brigade as an international, interdenominational non-governmental organisation focused on discipline, character building, spiritual growth and girl-child development.

According to her, its programmes cover spiritual development, education, service and physical activities.

Yalmis said the organisation supported needy and elderly people, assisted hospital patients and produced reusable sanitary pads to help girls remain in school during menstruation.

She added that members received training in producing liquid soap, shampoo, hair cream, body lotion and other household products to promote self-reliance and entrepreneurship.

The commissioner said the organisation would strengthen its advocacy through drama, songs, marches and other public enlightenment activities.

She pledged continued community service and support for peace and development in Bauchi State