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Poor policy implementation responsible for Nigeria’s insecurity — FOMWAN

The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) said on Thursday that poor implementation of policies and reforms is responsible for the insecurity in the country.

The National Amirah of the association, Hajia Rafiah Sani, said this at a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Akure.

He said Nigeria’s problems, including poverty, insecurity, and banditry in the country, needed to be confronted with a new approach.

Sani, while speaking at the FOMWAN’s 39th Annual National Conference to be held today (Friday) at the International Culture and Event Centre (The Dome), Akure, said the theme “Women and the Challenges of Insecurity” will feature a keynote address by Prof. Y. K. Yusuf of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The Amirah lamented the extent of the damage that insecurity has done to the country and maintained that poor implementation of policies in the education sector, a high rate of poverty, and a lack of empowerment are significant contributors to the security challenges facing the nation.

According to her, Nigeria will be a better place if all the contributing factors are addressed, saying it’s high time the security agencies changed the strategy used in tackling the current insecurity in the country.

She suggested that 25 per cent of the fiscal Appropriation Bill for security should be earmarked for empowerment in terms of training and skill acquisition, which she said would reduce poverty in the country

Given the current global challenges, especially regarding security, Sani said FOMWAN believes it is crucial for members to gather and learn from scholars about what Islam teaches them on these issues and how they can align their lives with the guidance of Allah.

She said since the establishment of FOMWAN in 1985, the Muslim group has served as a voice for women and children, with its efforts centred on key areas such as Da’wah (calling to the way of Allah), education, health, women and youth empowerment, humanitarian services, and community development.

The National BOT of the Federation, Prof. Saadiyaa Umar, frowned over the abduction of a medical doctor, Ganiyat Popoola, who is a nursing mother, and her mother, who is also a member of FOMWAN.

She appealed to the abductors of the doctor to release her so that she could go home and take care of her baby, calling on well-meaning Nigerians and security agencies to take all necessary measures to ensure the release of the two women.

She said, “She’s nursing a baby. She’s one of our daughters. They should, please, release her. We appeal to the people behind these kidnappings to please desist from this and make Nigeria a peaceful place to live in

“This kind of incident should stop. We appeal to the people who are into these nefarious activities to desist.

“The Catholic students should be released. Let’s live in a peaceful society.”

Also speaking, former National Amirah and Chairperson of the National Organising Committee for the conference, Prof. Lateefa Durosemi, called on the federal government to redouble its efforts in tackling poverty.

According to her, it will help to rid the country of insecurity, noting that empowering women and girls and ensuring their security would enhance peace, as they are often the major victims of kidnapping and insecurity.

She said FOMWAN has been an advocate for education at every level, encouraging almajiri children who are out of school to return to school.

She noted that the lack of education has been a contributing factor to insecurity in the country, which is why the association has been involved in a retreat and has submitted a bill to the National Assembly to eradicate the almajiri system in Northern Nigeria.

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