The Senate is set to rename the National Women Centre after former first lady, Maryam Babangida, 13 years after her demise.
Maryam died aged 61 from ovarian cancer on 27 December 2009 in a Los Angeles, California hospital. Her husband, former military president, Gen Ibrahim Babangida was at her side as she died.
Maryam Babangida initiated the building of the Centre in 1992 as initiator of the women – development driven centre but changed to National Centre for Women Development ( NCWD) in 1994 during the military regime of late head of state, General Sani Abacha.
Speaking during a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, the daughter of the late first lady, Aisha Babangida noted that the original goals of the centre included enhancing women’s role in education, culture, law, politics, agriculture, cooperatives and rural development .
She added that the centre should be used to recognise and champion those women who are making a difference and setting an example to others.
“I would like to see a fund that can issue grants to women who are excelling in these areas to enable them to go further and to lead the way for others,” she said.
“When women have the power, they will use it to the benefit of the family, the community and the nation. The naming of the building is a very significant thing,” she said.
“As first lady, she brought glamour and she is a woman of character and helps women to believe in themselves, ” Aisha Babangida said adding that her mother inspired a lot of people.
“When her name was removed from the building, a lot of women in Nigeria were angry. It is sad when an incoming government refuses to follow the good achievements of the previous government.
“When she died in 2009, the Senate moved for her name to be reinstated. 13 years later, the senators and representatives members want the women centre to be renamed after her. That is commendable.
“I am so grateful for both chambers of the National Assembly and many Nigerians who still remember my mother for her contribution to the nation. Let us take this opportunity to affirm our commitment to the development of youth and women, ” Aisha said.
Also, the minister of women affairs, Mrs Paulen Tallen, the president of National Council for Women Societies ( NCWS) , Hajia Lami Adamu Lau, the president of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Ladi Bala and many other speakers at the public hearing threw their weights behind legislative move of reverting the name of the centre back to Dr Maryam Babangida Centre for Women Development.
First to make presentation to that effect was the chairman of Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Batty Apiafi who in her welcome address at the public hearing and sponsor of the bill, said renaming the centre after late Maryam Babangida, will be in appreciation of outstanding contributions the deceased made to the upliftment of Nigerian women and national development.
“The National Centre for Women Development Act ( Amendment ) Bill 2022 , seeks among others , to rename the Centre after Late Dr Maryam Babangida , changing the designation of head of the centre from Executive Secretary to Director General and upgrading it to global standard.
“Renaming NCWD as the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development , will serve as fitting monument to Nigerian women and practical manifestation of goals of its founder for women empowerment through education , self – achievement and mobilization,” she said.
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