Nigeria Governors Wives’ Forum (NIGWF) has transformed to “Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum” (GSF). The change, the group said, underscores the active roles the first ladies play in advocating for increased women’s representation in leadership positions.
The forum members, after its quarterly meeting in Bauchi, endorsed the “Women Digital Upskilling programme,” in partnership with the Labour Business School and Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).
“This initiative is designed to have the first ladies sponsor girls and women from their respective states for digital training, with the goal of reducing the gender gap in the digital industry and ensuring that women can benefit from this significant sector,” the forum stated.
The chairperson of the forum and wife of Kwara State governor, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq said that first ladies have committed to intensifying their advocacy and awareness efforts regarding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.
“We will collaborate closely with primary health workers and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to ensure this comprehensive awareness campaign effectively addresses the resistance being encountered at the grassroots level”, Olufolake said.
The first ladies disclosed that they will actively participate in a workshop on sexual and gender-based violence organised by the Nigeria Governors Wives Forum (NIGWF) in partnership with UN Women on the 9th and 10th November, 2023.
She said the forum concluded its third annual retreat in Bauchi, a momentous occasion, that provided a platform for members to deliberate on the NCWF work plan for the incoming year 2024, saying it also served as an avenue for members to fraternise and gain a deeper understanding of the diverse states within our great nation.
The meeting reviewed the achievements of the Forum for 2023 to include successful and wide-reach mobilisation and engagement of the first ladies in the world breastfeeding week sensitisation, hand washing awareness, human papillomavirus vaccine sensitisation, drug eradication campaigns, sustained advocacy on sexual and gender-based violence, improved nutrition, women and girl child education, skills acquisition and empowerment of women and youths among other engagements in their various states.
