Nigerian women express displeasure over scrapping of First Lady’s office

Nigerian women have expressed displeasure over General Muhammadu Buhari’s decision of dissolving office of the First Lady if elected into office in 2015, describing the statement as anti women.

National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Mrs. Nkechi Mba, in a statement condemned the idea, stating that Nigerian women are not happy.

 According to her since inception of this administration, many women have been empowered, and the First lady is advocating for more women in both elective and appointive positions.

She said, “NCWS Nigeria is saying no to General Buhari’s statement on the facing out of First Lady’s office, that is where women are being empowered despite the fact the office has no budget, they get support from well wishers and help the less privileged and offers especially to the widows.

“How many men can do that? It is through this office that Nigerian women have gotten 35 per cent affirmative action which before was only about six per cent. This is the 1st time, that is why Nigerian women believe in President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda,” she said.

Artistes that thrilled and entertained guests include Sound Force band, Mr Idea, Fortune, Arinze Baba, Miss J, Daniel West, Gordons, Double J, Jaywon, Wonder Boy and Harrysong.

Elated Alfred said: “I am  grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to win the competition. This is a dream come true.” She promised to use her position to touch the lives of people in the region positively during her reign.

Chief Executive Officer of Miss Niger Delta Organisation, Prince Sodin who was satisfied with the outcome of the pageant said: “The show and post event projects are centered on re-orientation of values, socio-cultural integration, peace promotion, talent and skill development, capacity building for self reliance, self employment and empowerment of female youths in the region.”

He added that the pageant show is not all about funfair of crowning beauty queens but a programme aimed at assisting female youths  from the region to play their roles as young ambassadors for peace and development in the country.

He recalled that since its inception in 1999, the show had produced 13 beauty queens and some of the titles include: Ambassador for Peace and Development, Symbol of Talent, Model for Change, Face of Beauty, Pride of Niger Delta and Miss Niger Delta in Diaspora. These beauty queens he disclosed have used their positions and offices to add values to life as well as promote change and transformation in the region as role models.

He urged both governments and its agencies, corporate organisations as well as stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to support this laudable initiative which is complementary to various projects and programmes aimed at transforming the region as expected.

A representative from Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) promised that they will continue to support the Miss Niger Delta Organisation because it is a laudable project that has brought peace in the region.

Dignitaries at the event include Bar. Turner, Special Adviser on Youths, NDDC), Solomon Diepriye from Bayelsa Tourism Board, Barr. Francis O. Francis ( Vice President (ABPON) and Prof. Efere, Rector Bayelsa Institute of Tourism and Hospitality.