A Kano-based businesswoman, Hajia Asabe Gamawa has called for socio-economic empowerment programmes that could prepare women for any emergency situation in the country.
The public affairs analyst and philanthropist made the call in a statement she made available to newsmen from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where she performed Umrah (lesser Hajj) at the Masjid Haram (the Grand Mosque) in Makkah.
Hajia Asabe who is known to be a devout Muslim added that if women were empowered it would increase their commitment and ability to nurture their wards and make them responsible citizens with the necessary zest to add values to the larger society.
She further stressed that it is high time Nigeria produced women who would set new records in leadership positions across the board without entertaining fear to tread new paths.
According to her, “When we say women empowerment, this should go beyond lips service, stakeholders across the board must be intentional about it and women too, must thrive to take ownership. Quite a large number of our women need to be given a springboard from which they can launch themselves into the limelight. This is what we should focus on and with the support, cooperation, push and inputs from our men who are the head of the house, I strongly believe such well thought out empowerment is achievable.
“On my own, I am trying my best in my little way to impact lives positively. However, as a collective whole, or as a nation, we owe ourselves the responsibility to literally create women who would entertain no fear to go where there is no path and leave a trail. Women must be determined to amongst a variety of objectives, effect positive change in the physical, emotional, social and economic well-being of families and communities through the empowerment which would be largely championed by Local Government, State, and Federal Government, Faith organizations, NGOs, corporate bodies, influential people in the nation, support groups etc must not be left out in this laudable campaign.
“Women must be inspired to reach beyond existing boundaries and attain great achievements by providing them with the right knowledge and resources, as well as to restore grace, dignity and hope to them, this will ultimately turn the society around for greater glory and purpose-driven transformation.”
Hajia equally emphasized that for the country’s growth, stability and development to be sustained, governments at all levels should introduce programmes capable of enhancing the economic independence of women.
“At this time of uncertainty, we need to pause and look at the interests of our mothers, our wives, sisters and daughters whenever issues of development arise.
“It is not just to ponder on the interest of our women but to also celebrate the heroines of our individual homes and the nation in general. We need to elevate women beyond the present level because of their strategic positions in nation building.
“Whatever success any man achieves in his earthly sojourn this could be attributable to the positive roles of his mother and wife. It is therefore important for the fathers and leaders to acknowledge the role of our mothers and wives in nurturing and caring for us from our childhood to our old age. For many people whether male or female, whatever little success they have achieved in life in their professional career, and every other endeavor, they largely owe it to their mothers. Good women help in molding perfect, successful and productive societies.”
Asabe also charged the government to do more in propelling the interest of the womenfolk towards their dream in making the country great through the home front efforts.
“Government must develop great capacities for the development of women because at times of trials and tribulations, men, oftentimes, get weary. It is women that stand to face the situation and neutralize it. We should learn from the experience of troubled countries of the world. The reality is that no religion was against women’s freedom and economic viability, women must be empowered and cherished.“ she stated.