The wife of Nigeria’s vice president said she has teamed up with the first lady to empower Nigerian women ahead of next year’s general elections.
Hajiya Amina Mohammed Namadi Sambo made the comment after participating in the Pan-African women conference here in Washington, DC.
She said the conference focused, among others, on issues relating to women’s health, empowerment, education, health and gender equality.
“We give thanks to the Almighty God and to our husbands. We know that they are behind us; we will go back and tell them what needs to be done with regards to women, and I think they will assist us all the way and we hope that (in partnership) with other international and national donors, we will get to where we are going.”
While both women were on a nationwide “women empowerment” campaign, first lady Patience Jonathan encouraged Nigerian women to use their numerical strength to seek elective positions during the upcoming elections.
“You must avoid violence and advise your children against being used as thugs during campaigns and elections…Please remember that no matter our political ambition or position, we should not neglect our roles as wives and mothers,” Mrs. Jonathan was quoted as saying.
Hajiya Sambo said she intends to fully implement the resolutions of the Pan-African women conference when she returns to Nigeria.
“One of the challenges that women have in Nigeria is empowerment…not only the woman alone (but) also the youth. But, poverty has been the major cause of so many ill vises in Nigeria. And we believe if we tackle the issue of poverty, which is one of the goals of the MDG’s (Millennium Development Goals), we (can) reduce unemployment and empower our women (to end the vises).”
Hajiya Sambo is the founder and chairperson of “I Care-Women and Youth Initiative”, a non-governmental organization aimed at improving the lives of women, youth and the less privileged members of the Nigerian society.
