WAMFOI Launches Women in Grassroot Project, Excellency, Hajiya Hafsat Uba Sani Calls for Women Commitments in Politics

WAMFOI Launches Women in Grassroot Project, Excellency, Hajiya Hafsat Uba Sani Calls for Women Commitments in Politics

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna Northwest Nigeria

The wife of Kaduna state governor, Hajiya Hafsat Uba Sani has called on women to be more committed in their bid to remaining relevant in the ever challenging political space.

This call was made at a town hall meeting/ the launch of a project for the grassroot women organised by Women Mentoring And Leadership Initiative Nigeria. (WAMFOI).

The event held at Arewa Hall Kaduna was also a celebration of the 2025 democracy day with a lecture titled, “Accessing women’s Leadership Role ln Democracy: Way forward for Nigeria.

Unveiling the project, hajiya  Hafsat congratulated WAMFOI for the initiative as she offered to support the actualisation of the vision considering  the importance of grassroot participation in the political struggles.

She called on the women to give their maximum support in achieving success.

Speaking through her representative, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor Social investment, Hajiya Falmata Abacha, she appreciated the doggedness of the President WAMFOI, Rt. Hon. Florence Aya in the pursuit of educating and equipping women politicians with the necessary pre- requisite needed to attain relevance in the ever complex political scene.

She encouraged women to join hands together to ensure victory for women coming out to vie for positions as it is not an easy terrain competing with their men counterparts.

Governor Uba Sani she said is so passionate about women related issues, giving examples of women related activities brought on board.

Her Excellency also has supportive programmes for women and youth. “All her programs are directed to women and youth and we hope that all the women in Kaduna state will actualise their dreams through skill acquisition empowerment. Whatever program comes from the federal government, she will ensure that through her programme, things get down to persons at the rural areas.

Falmata challenged women to support women to get to various positions. They should look forward to occupying higher positions rather than the usual position of women leader. Kaduna state does not discriminate, everyone is equal

She informed that there is collaboration with  SMEDA through social investment which the women are going to benefit from.

In her welcome address, President, Women  Mentoring And Leadership Initiative Nigeria, WAMFOI, Rt. Hon. Florence Aya gave a brief on the activities of the organisation while calling for support to make their struggles a dream come true.

Nigeria she said has one of the lowest rates of female representation in political office, both globally and within Africa.

According to the 2025 Global Gender Gap Report Nigeria now ranks 143rd out of 144 countries for women’s political participation.

“This is a sound reminder that we have much work to do in the political field”. She said.

Lamenting the worrisome situation,

“There is only one woman in the state assembly and one woman, local government chairman which is not good enough. In the national assembly, we have two bills waiting to be passed. The equal opportunity bill and the second one is there waiting to scale through and these two bills concern the issues of women political participation.

And where there are no women to push these bills, the chances that the bills will scale through is slim.This is why women should have more representations in order to help push women related issues when need be. We are expected to have made more progress.” Hon. Florence stressed

The fact that Kaduna state has a woman deputy governor is not enough. The decline in women participation in politics and those in position of leadership, is alarming.

There is need to move beyond rethorics but work assiduously to achieve success. She challenged the women of the need to learn from countries who have made it in politics.

All hands must be on deck to change the unacceptable trend. She charged.

The purpose of the town hall meeting/ public lecture she explained is to bring together stakeholders, policy makers and citizens to discuss challenges and help proffer solutions to the challenges faced by women in politics in Kaduna state and Nigeria as a whole.

She thanked all that contributed to the success of the programme. Her Excellency, Wife of the governor, presenters, special  guests, her team and the media for their contributions with special recognition to the NUJ secretary, Gambo Santos.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, former minister of Aviation and PDP chairman, Kaduna state, Rt. Hon. Felix Hassan Hyet, enjoined the women to be dedicated to their cause.

He appreciated the President WAMFOI Rt. Hon. Florence Aya, and the likes of Hon. Florence who have been actively involved in politics. Women he said are very good mentors urging to keep the tempo high.

The PDP Chairman ably represented by Dr. Yari Everton Peter, former Kaduna state commissioner for health and PDP aspirant for Chukun/ Kajuru federal constituency. encouraged the women to stand tall and make impact in the political sphere. He charged them to develop the spirit of oneness as that will help them to reach their goals. .

Women he said are special species from God endowed with all the nitty- gritty that could make them excel in their political struggles if properly harnessed.

“You must grab the opportunity. Politics is not for the feeble hearted. The fact that  you are a woman is not a disadvantage if you want to be celebrated in politics . In fact, it is an advantage because women are more honest, they are more consistence, they are more truthful.”

Dr. Yari prayed for the women and for improvement in the next coming elections.

The Kaduna state Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu who was also represented by Senior Special Assistant Hajiya Maryam Muhammed called on women not to relent in their pursuits even though the road seems rough. She tasked them to be all out to chart a wayforward.

Appreciating the women, the commissioner called on organizations to key into the ministry ‘s programmes which she said have a lot to offer.

Some of the activities of the ministry mentioned includes, the gender protection policy, social inclusion policy, empowerment, including platform for women participation in politics. She is seeking collaboration with women organizations to chart way forward.

The state government she said is committed to improving the lots of women.

“This initiative is aligned with the commitment of our amiable governor Senator Uba Sani in the areas of policy framework. We want to advise that we work together to ensure that women are in leadership positions. We are looking forward to a more productive interactive session in enhancing leadership growth in Nigeria democracy. Together we can create more inclusiveness and move the nation forward.”

The first paper presenter,  Prof. Hauwa Evelyn Yusuf from Kaduna State’s University, ably represented, speaking on the theme, ” Understanding  the Dividends of Democracy and How it Serves Every Citizen called on the women to keep pushing and seek for more participation of women in politics in order to ensure inclusiveness.

The presenter speaking to the paper, gave a brief definition of democracy. That is, “government of the people by the people and for the people.” And a system whereby power is vested in elected representatives who are expected to be accountable to those who elected them. Not only are the elected members  expected to represent the interest of their people, but should ensure transparency, protection of individual rights and freedom. In terms of freedom of speech, the law however ensures some level of cautioned.

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Explaining further, democracy is supposed to provide an enabling environment, encourage economic growth and development including social services and infrastructure. Providing basic needs for the people is paramount. He added. Also, citizens are expected to be carried along in any aspect of governance.

In a democratic government, nobody is above the law.

The representative of the professor speaking on the role of democracy in empowering women stated that if only the women understand the power they have in any community, then women will rule every community.

“Democracy should protect women from discrimination and violence. The fact that we are living in a parochial society whereby men dominate makes the

story about women in politics sad.  Women are being discriminated against and disrespected”. He called  on women to stand with their shoulders high to get what they want. Saying politics is never for men but for everybody.

Democracy should provide platform for women to flourish. Women by nature are home makers and that makes them  better problem solvers, capable of finding solutions to the nation’s problems.

The women must wake from their sleep. He called.

“It is a call to action. It is a call to wake up. it is a call to act, saying,  democracy is not just a system  of government but a way of life. Let us join hands to work together and strengthen democracy in Nigeria.” He ended.

In her own presentation, titled, “Women, Youth and PLWD’s,  the former Ag. APC Woman Leader, Kaduna state, Barr. Francisca Naymarie Musa -Akande took  a critical look at the challenges and how to chart a way forward.

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Good will messages were delivered by different organisations present. They all stressed on the need to work towards  the realization of the 35% affirmative push by ensuring that women occupy leadership positions in the forth coming election

President, Women and Youth Awareness Dr. Shonekan appreciating the president WAMFOI, Rt. Honourable  ( Mrs)  Florence Aya, her mentor, for her relentless efforts in mentoring the women called for the support of the women in making the mentoring program achievable.

Representative of people with disabilities was also there to express their appreciation. The inclusiveness and love shown towards them by the movement while promising their participation in politics if given favourable conditions. She emphasised on doing away with barriers that militate against effective participation in politics. For example, structures not designed to suit their conditions. Like not being able to climb some places.

Contributing, the President, Jama’atu Matan Arewa, Hajiya  Rabi Salawa pointed out the stereotype attitude of the women towards their fellow women vying for political position as militating against them. She cited a one time  presidential candidate, Serah Jibril who had just her vote  in the mist of multitude of Nigerian women. Only her vote counted.

This is not a healthy situation for women if they must excel in politics. Many argued. And the idea of women stuck to the position of women leader should be eliminated. Women should learn to aim at higher and Juicy positions. The fora posited.

In as much as women are blamed for being enemies of themselves, it was equally noted that women in the corridors of power  hardly assist their fellow women who assisted them to get there. Rather, they assist the men. This attitude needs to change if women must get it right and compete favourably with the men. The fora stressed. Of

Chairman planning committee, Mall. Garba Muhammed gave the vote of thanks.

Hajiya Zainab Tanimu, publisher Newsreservoir was on ground at the venue of the event.