The newly elected National Council of Women's Societies, NCWS, President, Edna Azura has pledged to tackle pressing gender and climate change issues in Nigeria.
Edna Azura made this commitment, speaking to journalists shortly after her inauguration,emphasizing the need to run an inclusive governance and equal opportunities for Nigerian women.
According to Azura, "Our focus is on promoting gender equality, empowering women, and addressing the impacts of climate change on Nigerian women and girls." She highlighted the importance of climate action, stating that "climate change is a real and present danger, and Nigerian women are disproportionately affected."
“She said my commitment is to run an inclusive government for all Nigerian women and youth, and even men. Inclusive government, and as the Honorable Minister for Women Affairs said, it's about gender matters and climate change. And other issues can come in, but these are what we are going to critically look at.
“You see with what you've seen here today, women are virtually getting united. And fortunately for us, we have this setting right to the ward level.
“We have the best at ward level. We have local governments presidents, and all the executives that are in the national. We have them all at the state level, including FCT.
“And that is how you see, when we just dial one call, everyone will hear, and they will gather as you see us gathered here today. It is just to pilot, we have a roadmap, and we send it down to the grassroots, and we implement whatever it is. And then we have strategies.
“We have strategic plans that we are looking at. So as you just heard, the Honorable Minister for Women, this is my Honorable Commissioner for Women Affairs in Adamawa State. We work all together in unity, and so we are going to deliver in that regard.
“The executives, even before we had the inauguration this morning, we were in a NEC meeting. The NEC meeting was all about how we move Nigerian women forward. And we came up with strategies that after this, we are going to go on Plan A and B, and exactly that is what we are going to do.
This time around, we are going to increase our force, because as you just heard, after maybe more than 10 years, we've been outside the budget of the country.
But in this season, we've been recognized within the budget, and so we've moved in that phase. So also, we are going to make sure that Nigerian women are in the affairs of Nigeria and in the decision-making space, we have voices with that, there will be inclusion.
On her part, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adamawa State
Honorable Nnedo Jofri Kofuto, speaking on the Inauguration of Edna Azura, said, “this is not just for Adamawa State. It's not only for the Northeast as well.
“This is a win-win for Nigeria. As you all know what happened, it is because the former president was deceased, and they decided in the spirit of oneness, in the spirit of unity, in the spirit of a woman to a woman, they decided to take back the presidency to the Northeast, and that is how Adamawa State emerged.
“ And I feel this is a win-win for the women, because that shows that the Nigerian women are united.
“That also shows that they have the spirit of sportsmanship, that we can come together as one for the benefit of Nigeria, for the benefit of the woman, for the benefit of that young girl that's coming up.
“So I think it's a very good thing the Nigerian Council for Women's Societies could put their heads together. We didn't hear them fighting each other for no reason, but instead, this is a very good way to say that, yes, women are ready to take the lead, and women are ready for Nigerians to know that the woman cannot be put back anymore,” She said.
FULL TEXT : ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN SOCIETIES (NCWS) NIGERIA PRINCESS EDNA D.D. AZURA AT THE NOWS HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA ON 17 JANUARY, 2025
Protocol
First, let's appreciate God Almighty for ushering us into a new year, 2025, and for granting us the grace to witness this momentous occasion.
May I crave your indulgence to stand up and observe a moment of silence to honor the memories of our departed National Presidents:
1. Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau-2022-2024
2. Hon. Dr. Bolero E. Ketebu, JP-2001-2006
3. Hajiya Laila Dogonyaro-1993-1995
4. Justice L.C. Nzeako-1980-1984
5. Lady K. Ademola-1958-1964
May their souls rest in eternal peace, Amen.
I humbly call upon the Executive Council Officers at the National, State, and Local Government levels, as well as our esteemed affiliates, to join me in expressing our sincere gratitude to our Grand Patron, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, for her unwavering and consistent support in advancing the empowerment of Nigerian women. Her dedication to uplifting women toward a better and greater Nigeria is truly inspiring and worthy of commendation.
We also extend our profound appreciation to the State and Local Government Patrons for their invaluable contributions and for actively engaging women in the affairs of governance.
We salute the Honorable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Iman Suleiman Ibrahim, FSI, under whose leadership, we aspire to motivate and advance the cause of Nigerian women across the nation.
We equally recognize and appreciate the efforts of the Director General of Mariam Babangida Centre for Women Development, Dr. Villata Bashir, for her tireless work in championing the cause of women.
To our revered past National Presidents, both living and departed, the Board of Trustees, our legal advisors and staff of the NCWS Secretariat, your wisdom, dedication, and tireless service to humanity remain invaluable. Your frequent
counsel and steadfast support have greatly contributed to the success of this organization. We are deeply grateful for your efforts in enabling us to deliberate on critical issues and work toward lasting solutions for Council matters, culminating in today's gathering.
Our appreciation also goes to the Acting National President, Geraldine Ita Etuk. for her recognition of the importance of regional representation and her unwavering commitment to upholding uncommon loyalty, leadership and safeguarding principles of fairness and equity within the National Council of Women's Societies (NCWS)
To the Peaceful Women of Nigeria, I am both humbled and honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of completing the tenure of our late National President, Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau. Alongside my Executive Council, I pledge to work diligently and relentlessly to empower women to continue in our collective drive, foster unity and elevate the NCWS to even greater heights.
Today, as we gather, there are no winners or vanquished among us. Let us unite as one, fostering cooperation and collaboration among all Nigerian women. It is imperative that we stand together, united in our shared pursuit of a brighter and more prosperous future for ourselves and our nation
Finally, 1 call upon all women in Nigeria to join hands in this noble endeavor. Let us work together to uphold the dignity, welfare, and empowerment of women as well as improving women's participation in governance, ensuring that we leave a legacy of strength and unity for generations to come.
WE DO IT BETTER AND FASTER WHEN WE STAND TOGETHER!
Thank you all for your presence and support.
God bless the great Nigerian Women and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I wish you all journey mercies back home.