The women’s wing of the APC in Kebbi State hosted its first presidential townhall meeting in Birnin Kebbi on Monday 30/01/2023.
In attendance were the Wife of the APC Presidential Candidate H.E Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Wife of Vice Presidential candidate H.E Nana Shettima, wife of Speaker Federal Republic of Nigeria Mrs Salamatu Gbajabiamilla, First Lady of Imo state Barr Chioma Uzodima, wife of Sokoto State APC Gubernatorial Candidate amongst others.
The Townhall meeting was organized to facilitate closer engagement and exchange of ideas across various sectors of women development such as entrepreneurship, health, agriculture, politics etc.
In response to questions, Her Excellency Sen. Oluremi Bola Tinubu emphasized the need for respect and unity among diverse traditions and religions. On Education she promised to put incentives in place to encourage children to go back to school. While answering a question on health, Senator Tinubu reflected back to Ilera Eko- the successful Lagos state health insurance scheme which can be replicated nation wide. On gender violence, she expressed delight the laws are now in place in all but one state. She said she will place more emphasis on advocacy to implement the laws and work to see perpetrators face the full wrath of the law.
Her Excellency Sen. Oluremi Bola Tinubu expressed her gratitude to the women present and the opportunity to chart a new course.
Speaking earlier, Her Excellency Nana Shettima, emphasized the importance of education for the growth and advancement of women and the youth. She said “A vote for Tinubu/Shettima presidency is a vote for a peaceful Nigeria”.
Wrapping up, the zonal coordinator of the North West campaign team, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu stated that the 1000 women present represent only a fraction of teeming women that support APC in Kebbi.
Haj Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris, the wife of the Kebbi APC candidate, emphasized the good works of Her Excellency Dr. Bagudu and encouraged women to vote for the APC to sustain these works.
Contributing on the economy, The commissioner for budget and economic planning Dr Umar Abba Sani Kalgo outlined the Kebbi state government interventions for women, including a program impacting 79,000 women with training on gender and life skills, saving skills, and helping children return to school. He said without support and buy in of women in leadership like Dr Bagudu, the program will not succeed.
Chairperson Kebbi state HILWA, Haj Asmau Alkali who delivered the opening remarks, acknowledged the 76 organizations represented by the women present.
Speaking on behalf of women in Politics, Hon Tsahara Bawa who served as women leader, LG Chairman, and commissioner said women must support each other to make progress. In that vein, appreciated the goodwill of the APC in Kebbi where women get appointed into the executive council and local govt councils. This is another reason to vote APC.
Dr Ganiyat Olatunji spoke about the Medical Women’s organization, dedicated to improving the health of women, with programs on oral health, cancer screening, and career guidance. With the incoming government, maternal healthcare indices are expected to improve further.
Dr Halima Muhd Bande, a lecturer, discussed the low level of girl child education and the role of HILWA in advocating for and motivating girls to return to school. With more than 25% of out-of-school students returning to school, the incoming government was encouraged to give education high priority.
Barr Sa’adatu Illo the 2020 National MSME Award Wiiner and SME Ambassador from Kebbi who currently exports cooking spices explained how SMEs are thriving with the support of Federal Govt agencies such as Nexim and NEPC and State Government interventions.
Haj Hadiza Kola, a female farmer, spoke about the support received from the state government, which has put female farmers in a better place. She encouraged women to farm even in their backyards and called on the wives of APC candidates to support such small scale farming.
Beneficiaries of the Nigeria for Women project and Market women gave testimonies of the impact of the numerous social interventions.
