Nigeria’s First Lady Aisha Buhari has told governors’ wives to advise their husbands on leaving lasting legacies at the end of their tenures in office, saying it is the first ladies’ duty to raise patriotic and productive leaders for Nigeria.

She stated this while receiving the governors’ wives, who paid her a courtesy visit at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

“You are an embodiment of love and compassion of motherhood and humanitarian support, especially to those who are underprivileged,” said Nigeria’s first lady.

Apart from urging the first ladies to advise their spouses to leave lasting legacies, Mrs Buhari noted, “As mothers, we have a duty to raise citizens for this country, both leaders and followers who are patriotic, conscientious, and productive.”

Mrs Buhari also commended the efforts of governors’ wives in strengthening the advocacy against gender-based violence and other forms of abuse against women and children in Nigeria.

Expressing worries over the increasing cases of GBV, especially rape against minors, she called for all hands to be on deck to protect the rights and privileges of the victims.

The first lady also called on the governors’ wives to continue to promote the welfare and wellbeing of women and children.

In her address, Yemisi Fayemi, the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum chair, told Mrs Buhari they visited to update her on their activities regarding their advocacy against GBV in their various states.

Mrs Fayemi added that GBV was a major concern during the COVID-19 lockdown, emphasising that rape cases increased during the period.

She, however, assured the first lady of their determination to strengthen their fight against abuse targeted at women and children in the country.

The wife of Borno Governor, Falmata Zulum, representing the Northern Governors’ Wives Forum, said the group inaugurated a Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) centre in Minna to respond to medical emergencies of women.

Mrs Zulum explained that the group also distributed various items as palliatives to over 2,000 underprivileged families in their various communities to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Meanwhile, Besty Obaseki, the Southern Governors’ Wives Forum chair, commended Mrs Buhari for her concern for the well-being of women and children.

(NAN)