By Uche Onyeali
National Council of Women Societies, NCWS, has Inaugurated Princess Edna Azura as its new national president.
Princess Azura, who was the first national assistant secretary of the council, took over from Dr. Geraldine Etuk, who served as acting national president of the NCWS following the death of Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau in June 2024.
Speaking at the inauguration, which took place at the NCWS headquarters in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim urfed the national president to be just and fair in discharging her responsibilities for the benefits of women nationwide.
According to the minister, “Together we can achieve so much in this country, as women are leading in many sectors, so there is no reason why we cannot make women do more for the country.
“We will contribute to the progress and the development of this country. We will provide access to markets, finance, protect our women and our children and all sorts of supports. And we will strengthen our response to child development and protection, the minister added.
“We will contribute to the progress and the development of this country. We will provide access to markets, finance, protect our women and our children and all sorts of supports. And we will strengthen our response to child development and protection.”
Also speaking, the mandate secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi described the late Hajiya Lau as an icon who left a legacy, especially for the Nigerian women.
Presenting a memorial magazine in honour of the late national president, Benjamins-Laniyi urged women to emulate the legacies of the former NCWS national president by working towards the development of women and the nation.
In her acceptance speech, Princess Azura vowed to prioritise women’s rights and ensure inclusive leadership focused on unity and growth.
She also reiterated her commitment towards continuing with the legacies of her predecessor. “I pledge to work diligently and relentlessly to empower women to continue in our collective drive, foster unity and elevate the NCWS to even greater heights.
The event featured the launch of a magazine in honour of the late Lau and the disbursement of over N17 million to various council zones for women empowerment projects.
Following her emergence as the new national president, Hon. Halima Kyari Joda took over from Princess Azura as the new national assistant secretary of the NCWS.
