By Uche Onyeali
National Council of Women Socities, NCWS, on Monday commissioned a named after its late national president, Hajya Lami Adamu Lau, in Abuja.
Speaking at the commission, national president of NCWS, Princess Edna D.D. Azura said the Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau Centre would be a place of enduring impact for all who walk through its doors.
Azura added that the beautiful structure “is more than just concrete and glass, but also it is a powerful symbol of dedication, legacy, and the enduring strength of Nigerian womanhood.”
She expressed appreciation to the first lady and grand patron of the council, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was also special guest of honour at the event, for her commitment to the welfare and empowerment of Nigerian women through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
“Your continuous support for education, health, and economic upliftment inspires us all. Thank you for being a champion for the women and girls of this nation,” Azurah told the first lady.
She also extended gratitude to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his support and commitment to the development of the nation’s capital and its residents, particularly through enabling projects like this one, is highly appreciated and will leave a lasting impact on our community.
“The naming of this edifice, the Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau Centre, ensures that the remarkable contributions of this great woman will never be forgotten.
“Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau was a true trailblazer and her legacy of service, dedication, and leadership is now permanently etched into the very fabric of the National Council of Women Societies.
“This centre is a living tribute to her enduring spirit and commitment to community transformation.
“The successful completion of this Centre is the result of collective vision and tireless effort across generations.
“First, we pay tribute to our Founding Mothers—those visionaries who first secured the land and laid the foundational dream for a permanent home for the NCWS in the FCT. Your foresight paved the way for this reality,” she said.
The NCWS national president also praised past presidents of the council, as well state presidents for their contributions which she said were vital blocks to the structure.
“A special thank you goes to the Board of Trustees for their guidance, oversight, and unwavering belief in this project’s importance.
“We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs in the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, for her tireless efforts and invaluable support in making this project a resounding success. Your partnership has been crucial,” Azura expressed, as she equally expressed gratitude to the director-general of Women Affairs, whose commitment and administrative guidance she said helped in steering the project to its successful completion.
In her own address, FCT president of NCWS, Hajiya Hadiza Abdullahi noted the milestone represented a significant achievement in collective pursuit of empowering women and promoting gender equality in the federal capital territory and Nigeria at large.
“As the president of NCWS FC chapter, I am proud to represent an umbrella body of women’s organisation and associations within the fct. Our council has branches in the six area councils of the FCT and registered affiliate organisatioons.
“As a non-governmental organisation, we are non-religions, non-ethnic, and non-partisan, but we are always at the forefront of supporting the government of the day, particularly on issues affecting women, the girl child, and people living with disability (PWD’s).
“We work in line with the vision and mission of our national body, NCWS Nigeria. The NCWS FCT chapter has been privileged to partner with several organisations, including the Social Development Secretariat, National Orientation Agency, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative,
WRAPA, Emerald and Elderly Care Foundation, and Women Housing Development Plan Initiative, among others,” she disclosed.
Hajiya Abdullahi pointed out achievements of the council so farvto include skills acquisition, training and empowerment of women in the FCT, in collaboration with the Abuja Enterprise Agency, care for the elderly ones by Emerald and Elderly Care Foundation, as well as empowerment of women and the girl-child in the FCT through the Renewed Hope Programme initiative, in collaboration with the Women Affairs Secretariat.
Other guests of honour at the event included Senators Ireti Kingibe, Philip Aduda, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, the Onah of Abaji and chairman of FCT Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Adamy Baba Yunusa; Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, Hon. Joshua Chinedu Obika; Chief Kate Nowhomange, Amb Esther J. Audu, Chief Chinwe Ekpuobi; Hajiya Binta Ibrahim, Mrs. Nancy Godwin Bulus, and many past presidents of NCWS.
