A former national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Mu’azu, has called for a robust social protection scheme to empower women, particularly in Northern Nigeria, stressing that their inclusion is vital for national growth.
Mu’azu made the appeal in Bauchi during a Qur’anic graduation, where he noted that women deserve special empowerment initiatives that would make them self-reliant and less dependent on their husbands.
To him, women have consistently demonstrated resilience and hard work, despite facing multiple social and economic challenges.
He said Nigeria cannot afford to sideline its “industrious women,” whose contributions, he argued, remain critical to the nation’s development.
“Our women need a strong social net that will uplift them, make them useful members of society and reduce over reliance on their husbands. Their resilience is commendable, and Nigeria stands to gain more from their valuable input,” Mu’azu said.
Also speaking, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Yayale Ahmed, cautioned against the reckless use of social media, particularly by Islamic clerics.
He described the growing trend of clerics using online platforms to attack each other with counter-ideologies as one of the greatest challenges confronting unity within the Muslim community.
Ahmed urged religious leaders to exercise restraint and embrace constructive dialogue, warning that divisive rhetoric on social media could mislead followers and fuel disunity.
