By Yusuf Abubakar.
Women in Nigeria have congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for on his victories at the last Presidential election and the recent judgement delivered by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).
All Progressive Congress (APC) National Woman leader, Hajiya Salamatu Baiwa Umar-Eluma, who led top women of the party to the Presidential Villa, described the President’s victories as undisputable.
‘Dear father of our nation, on behalf of the teaming and vibrant women of our great party and indeed our nation, I heartily congratulate you not only on your re-election through a landslide victory at the 2019 Presidential elections, but also, your victory at the just concluded Presidential Elections Tribunal.
‘This indeed has gone to show that your victory is undisputable as it was the loud and ardent cry of the people reaffirming their belief in your vision and outlook for a bright and secure future. It also showed their willingness to have you lead them to the next level of greatness,’ she said.
Hajiya Baiwa commended President Buhari on his numerous social investment programs targeted at the welfare of women and their self sustenance, particularly at the grassroots. She noted that this ia an indication of his desire to create an enabling environment for self sustenance to the women folk in Nigeria, before and after his re-election in February
‘We note the Social Investment Programs which your administration has continued to devote time, energy and resources to in its desire to uplift the people at the grassroots, especially the women and youths who (we are happy to note), are by and large, the greatest beneficiaries of these programs such as the TraderMoni, MarketMoni, FarmerMoni and Npower, to mention a few.’
Mrs Umar-Eluma re-assured President Buhari of the unalloyed support of women in the country in his desire to transform the lives of ordinary Nigerians, both at home and the diaspora, stating that his track records of performance and achievements had been the bane of the success recorded by his administration
‘It is worthy of mention here that our resounding victory at the polls would not also have been possible were it not for your laudable antecedents which gave your supporters and loyalists the vital leverage during the campaigns’.
She used the opportunity to thank Mr President over the recent appointment and re-appointement of seven female ministers, with deployment to head key ministries like transportation, finance, FCT and humanitarian services, saying he has fulfilled his electoral promises of running an all inclusive government, that will guarantee more female participation as well as confidence repose in them.
She applauded President Buhari for his support to women programs, through the co-operation of Nigerian first lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari and her program, Aisha Buhari Foundation (ABF), to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
The APC National Women Leader,appealed to President Buhari to include more women who are technocrats and experts in their various field, in the area of agency headship, board leadership and appointments, as well as more participation in agricultural programs and SMEs of the federal government, saying it will give an opportunity for more women engagements in government businesses.
‘Your Excellency, now that the campaigns are over, the Election has been contested and won, permit me to highlight another salient reason for this visit which is to discuss the way forward for the APC women leaders.
‘Our party has been richly blessed with highly resourceful, committed and loyal party women. My fellow women and I (without sounding immodest), are what I consider the women gladiators of our great party.
‘Recall your Excellency, that during and beyond the election periods, we the women wholeheartedly and unflinchingly rallied behind you and we fearlessly fought off every opposition for you. It is our duty and honour to serve our party, its leaders and members.
‘Now that our party is victorious, it is important that our relevance should not be seen to have come to an end. In this regard, we would appreciate that we are effectively utilised beyond election periods, as this would make our contributions to this administration more significant.
‘Your Excellency, amongst us here are technocrats who have headed Agencies and Parastatals and other businesses. We are all capable women with varying degrees of experience in different sectors of the economy and having built businesses and held positions of leadership at various points, we therefore have the unique ability to lead at different levels in Agencies of government.
‘Mr. President, you have consistently shown you are an advocate for women, and you support women who aim for greater heights. Each of us here have the desire to someday to achieve higher levels of responsibility in governance and to contribute our quota in helping drive and achieving your vision. As such, it would be highly appreciated if we are given the opportunity to be involved in activities that help push forward the agenda of this administration so we can gain the necessary experience to do better in our own time.
‘Our humble prayer is that we be given Executive positions, headship and membership of Boards and Committees Agencies and Parastatals of Government where we will be able to display our leadership qualities and offer our professional assistance on issues that matter in this next level of governance.
‘We at this point, crave your Fatherly understanding in this matter as we hope you will give us the necessary enablement and capacity to ensure that our support is more effective’.
Mrs Baiwa Umar-Eluma appealed to all Nigerians to show more support to the leadership of President Buhari, with a view to attracting more transparent and robust leadership in Nigeria.
Baiwa described President Buhari as a detribalised and upright leader, whose testament span home and the global community, saying his disposition in leadership will take Nigeria to the pedestal of good leadership and followership traits.
‘Let me start by first expressing our profound gratitude to His Excellency, for approving this courtesy visit and for accepting to receive us at such very short notice. This as it were, has highlighted Mr. President’s commitment to a more inclusive and effective governance system where the voices of all stakeholders, irrespective of demographic disparity, are heard’.
