Wife of Nigeria’s President, Mrs Aisha Buhari has called for cultural transformation and an end to inhuman widowhood rites imposed on Nigerian women.



Mrs Buhari said widows must henceforth not be subjected to any form of discrimination or sexual abuse.

She made the call in Lagos at the celebration of the Widow’s Day, organised by the United Nations Information Centre and Hope for Life Foundation.

She lamented the life-threatening widowhood rituals to which Nigerian women were subjected to and insisted that such must stop.

Empowerment
Mrs Buhari, who was represented by Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, equally advised widows to seek economic empowerment to live above cheap temptations.

Delivering the UN Secretary-General’s address, Director of United Nations Information Centre in Nigeria, Mr Ronald Kayanja commended Lagos State Government for providing the model to follow, regarding the welfare of women and children.

He also urged everyone to support the widows by not stigmatizing against them.

Virtues of Ramadan
In another development, Mrs Buhari, at a different event where she was represented by Mrs Ambode, called on Muslims across the country not to abandon the spirit of Ramadan even after the fasting period.

While distributing Ramadan gifts to members of Nasirul-Lahi Fathi Society of Nigeria, NASFAT, Ansar-ul-deen and the Hausa community in Lagos, Mrs Buhari noted that the call became imperative in view of the need to encourage the people to imbibe right virtues.

“Ramadan represents love, peace, forgiveness, peaceful co-existence and extending helping hand to the less privileged, hence the need for sustenance of such virtues; the holy Prophet held those tenets in high esteem and lived his whole life around them, the entire sacrifice of fasting would only achieve its purpose if Muslims continue with those principles beyond Ramadan,” she reiterated.

Love and unity
Mrs Buhari further said that Nigeria was in dire need of peaceful co-existence, unity and mutual love to strengthen the social bond and to help the country overcome all challenges.

“As Muslims, we must carry on the banner of love, peace, friendship and mutual co-existence beyond the season. It is only by doing so that we can strengthen the social bond between us and keep the country united to overcome all challenges,” she added.



Wife of Lagos State Governor & representative of Hajiya Aisha Buhari, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (2nd right), assisted by Mrs. Fatima Adeniji-Kazeem (right), presenting Ramadan gifts to members of Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria in Surulere - Alhaji Gbaye Agbomeji (left); Alhaja Sikirat Kioki (2nd left); Alhaja Nimota Bamebe (3rd left) and Alhaji Iskeel Ola Yusuf (3rd right) on Monday, June 27, 2016. by Eniola Ajayi
Wife of Lagos State Governor & representative of Hajiya Aisha Buhari, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (2nd right), assisted by Mrs. Fatima Adeniji-Kazeem (right), presenting Ramadan gifts to members of Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria in Surulere – Alhaji Gbaye Agbomeji (left); Alhaja Sikirat Kioki (2nd left); Alhaja Nimota Bamebe (3rd left) and Alhaji Iskeel Ola Yusuf (3rd right) on Monday, June 27, 2016.
by Eniola Ajayi
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chief Missioners of NASFAT, Sheik Abdullahi Akinbode thanked Mrs Buhari for her kindness and for staying connected with people at the grassroots.

He assured that the beneficiaries would use the fasting period to re-connect properly with Allah and carry the principles of the holy month beyond the period of fasting.

Confidence O.

Source:http://www.barbaric.com.ng/president-wife-advocates-rights-widows/