First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Aisha Buhari has unveiled the trophy for the maiden International Women Swimming Championship organized by Women Awards Championship International and Nigeria Aquatics Federation, in collaboration with the African First Ladies Peace Mission to honor the First Lady and wives of governors of the 36 states.

She unveiled the trophy at the Conference Hall of the African First Ladies Peace Mission in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on Thursday, 26th November 2020.

She said that the 2021 Swimming Championship will be a great one , as the championship is geared towards empowering women and the under privileged across the country’s 774 local government. “This will ensure women and girl-child inclusion in the country and the world at large,” she added.

The First Lady who was represented by Hajiya Mairo Al-makura, Senior Special Adviser to the First Lady on African First Ladies Peace Mission, commended the giant stride of President Muhamadu Buhari in his support towards ending all forms of domestic violence against women and girl child in the country.

Hajiya Mairo Al-makura, Senior Special Adviser to the First Lady on African First Ladies Peace Mission

Aisha Buhari noted her desire to transform the women and girl-child, most especially the less priviledged to ensure that they are adequately empowered and protected for efficiency to better the next generation.

The first lady maintained that the aim is to break the existing social barrier against rural women thereby given a girl child sense of belonging in line with Sustainable Development Goals(SDG) as one of her core mission to all women across all strata.

Speaking, the International Women Project Ambassador,  Ambassador Lucy Adewuyi eulogized women for their critical role in the economic and social development of the world.

Ambassador Lucy appealed for support of a girl child education in the society for productivity in the nation';;s development.

In view of the success recorded by the First Lady’s humanitarian activities, Amb. Lucy said the 2021 Swimming Championship is aimed at building swimming and sporting capacity for girl child.

Amb. Mrs. Lucy Adewuyi

Dr. Godwin Nbiene, Executive director Planning & Implementation, in his opening remarks said the first ever swimming championship in honor of the First Lady  is a great opportunity for African young girls and women to witness such a great epoch event which required attention on matters of peace and unity of girl child protection, skill acquisition, talent development and strategic women empowerment in line with the SDG and other meaningful projects targeted and improving the welfare on African women. “This calls for repulsive and commitment of our prospective sponsors to enable us drive this project to its expanded conclusion.”

He further reiterated that the International women Project Ambassador had indicated vital and important issues that would be done to women and girls during the proper event cone next year.

On her part, Chief Mrs. Anita Nana Okuribido, the President of the Women in Renewable Energy Association in Nigeria, who also doubles as the Chief Coordinator of the Championship stated in an interview with CEOAFRICA at the event that the maiden edition of the International Women Swimming Championship and Rural Empowerment was designed to boost the support base needed to provide requisite economic skills, among others, to young girls and vulnerable women in rural communities.

“For us to achieve our goals as far as the championship is concern, we need collaborations, partnerships from all strata.” She, however, stressed that partnership remain key towards promoting social developmental goals of human sustainability for better livelihood among women.

According to her, the championship is to honor the achievements of the President’s wife in championing the cause of vulnerable women in the country through various socioeconomic development and empowerment programs.

Chief Mrs. Anita Nana Okuribido, the President of the Women in Renewable Energy Association in Nigeria

In a goodwill message, President of the Aquatic Federation of Nigeria Babatunde Williams commended all women for such a great achievement looking at the efforts put together to fight a common syndrome against women and girl child particularly in equal opportunity and freedom to education which he says  is key to support the growth of the country.

Also at the event, the former Commissioner of Youths and Sport in Niger State, Hon. Dusa Emmanuel, in an interview with CEOAFRICA noted that the championship is an avenue to train the girl child in other to represent the country in an international competition. “Many organizations, if they want to employ people, most especially in the oil industry, they don’t like employing women at some point because when you are working in oil industry, they ask if you have the techniques of how to swim. But Nigeria, we hardly find women going into swimming.”

“So for me today, it is a step forward that has happened in this nation and by the special grace of God, the main event that we are planning will be bigger than this. By this , it is an awareness to the world and Africa at large to see that great things is happening in this country for women empowerment,” he said.

Former Commissioner of Youths and Sport in Niger State, Hon. Dusa Emmanuel