NASFAT Kaduna Zone: Commissioner Calls for Women Financial Independence

NASFAT Kaduna Zone: Commissioner Calls for Women Financial Independence

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria

The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Human Services And Social Development Hajiya Dr. Rabi Salisu has stressed on the need for women to be financially independent.

She made this call while delivering her lecture titled, “Women Empowerment from the Holy Prophet’s Example” during a zonal joint asalat held at NASFAT village, Kaduna.

The commissioner had raised concerns on the financial status of women which she said is on the low side and therefore needs to be addressed.

” We need more women to be financially independent.”
Feasibility studies she said have shown that many widows are having difficulties in taking care of their children after the death of their husbands because they are not financially sound.

Lamenting, “because of the condition they find themselves in, their children become victims. They are found hawking on the streets or engage in all manners of jobs to make ends meet.”

Islamically,  Allah she said has bestowed it on the man as the head of the family to take care of his wife and children but once he is no more, the situation changes.

“When the husband is alive, Allah has placed that duty on the man, where the man takes care of you, the wife and children. So the day the husband is no longer alive, the woman will be alive but her spirit is dead because she doesn’t have the way and capability to take care of herself and children.

“Because the woman does not have the way and capability to take care of the children, these children are exposed to all manners of ills.
“That is why most of our children we see on the streets hawking going through different conditions like hard labour, child trafficking, issue of forced marriage, issue of sexual and gender based violence. Due to hawking on the streets, they are prone to abuse anywhere they are because the woman is not financially capable”.

No woman she stated will allow her child to go in search of food except if she doesn’t have a way out.

The issue of being financially independent the commissioner explained is not that of one having much capital. One can make do with the little one has.
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“When we are talking about one being financially independent, some people think you need to have much capital. You can start a very small business to take care of yourself, your children even if your husband is alive. You can even take care of the husband if there is need because we are supposed to be helpers of one another. You are a ‘Rahama’ ( ) Allah has given to him and so also he is a ‘Rahma’ Allah has given to you. So support each other. She encouraged.

However, Rabi emphasized on the need for husbands empowering their wives while they are alive because when they are no more, most relatives do not cater for the wife and children they leave behind.

“Though, it is not bad to empower your relatives or your siblings, but empower your wife first. When you are no more, most of the relative do not look after your children if you don’t have a lot of money. They leave those children with your wife. So when you are alive, empower her so that tomorrow she will be able to empower your children.

She advised the women to make good use of what they have to develop themselves for a better tomorrow.

In her commendation, NASFAT society the commissioner acknowledged is rated first amongst Muslim organizations in Nigeria.

Its structural organization and human impacting programmes she commended.

She charged the society to seek collaboration with some development partners in order to assist their members.

“You have organization, you have coordination, you have structural system that any government will be ready to key into”.

Hajiya Rabi used the opportunity to educate members on the activities of her ministry.

The ministry she informed has programme of activities that cuts across which she said is opened to all.
Every citizen is free to apply for any suitable available opportunity, she added.

“We do capacity building, we do advocacy, we do adolescent girl child programme, skills acquisition training that our children can key into”

Hajia Rashidat Jamiu, speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Abd Rasheed Jamiu called for individual’s reflection on their deeds as they seek for Allah’s guidance.
“Let us reflect on the teachings and the exemplary leadership of the Holy Prophet SAW. Let’s strengthen our bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, renew our pledges to serve humanity.”

Hajia Rashidat also used the occasion to pray for the nation and the gathering while urging for a continuous search for spiritual growth and meaningful relationships.

“I will like to remind everyone that this gathering is not only an opportunity for spiritual growth but also a chance to welcome and build meaningful relationships .
“Let us make the most use of this blessed occasion.”

Earlier in his opening remark, the Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Saheed Popoola Gambari urged members to continue in the spirit of oneness as that will help the society to grow.

Spiritual diet was from the missionary board as Zonal Missioner, Sheikh Imam Ma’rooph Muh’d Raji together with his team led the congregation in prayers. They prayed for the commissioner and the nation at large.

It was a joint asalat/ Maulud Nabiyyi celebration comprising members from various branches of NASFAT and groups across the zone.

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