Mrs. Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari has called on journalists to engage more with state first ladies with a view to giving their projects more visibility.
She made the appeal on Wednesday night, October 13, in Abuja at an event organised by the Independent Newspapers to honour state first ladies who had used their offices to impact positively on the lives of the people, especially the less privileged and vulnerable.
The event was tagged: “Independent Newspapers Nigerian FIrst Ladies Impact Awards.”
Aisha Buhari, who was the special guest of honour at the event, was represented by Mr. Aliyu Abdullahi, her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.
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“I am happy to be at this memorable event; which seeks to recognise the efforts of first ladies in spreading the dividends of democracy.
“I am particularly happy that some first ladies have been recognised as having excelled in this regard.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on media practitioners to engage more with first ladies so that their projects can get more visibility.
“The partnership will be a win-win because the media would then have discharged a part of its social responsibility,” she said.
She commended the management of Independent Newspapers for organising the event, saying it is an important milestone and a testimony that the paper understood its role as a partner and a stakeholder in development.
“It is without a doubt that the media has a pivotal role to play not just setting agenda for discourse, but also in supporting and amplifying worthy causes,” she said.
She added that first ladies provided the underbelly of any government as they provide humanitarian; compassionate; and mercy services by organising health, educational, and empowerment projects.
According to Aisha Buhari, first ladies help in the protection of the vulnerable people including women, children, youth, and the aged in society.
She said they also had the advantage of providing counsel to the governors; and had become advocates for school enrolment and retention; adult education; self-reliance; and health awareness.
She added that first ladies were also advocates against gender-based violence; drug abuse; and trafficking of persons.
“They also provide financial support in terms of scholarships; and settlement of medical bills for the underprivileged,” the First Lady said.
