By Celine-Damilola Oyewole

First Ladies globally have agreed to collaborate and leverage their influence to promote economic advancement, particularly for women and vulnerable populations.

This is contained in a statement issued on Friday by First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu’s Media Aide, Busola Kukoyi as the 3rd Global First Ladies Alliance Academy ended in New York.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 3rd Edition of the Annual Global First Ladies Alliance which started on Tuesday, ended in New York with 18 participants including the Nigeria First Lady, Tinubu and former First Ladies.

At the concluding session of the programme, various speakers acknowledged that there is a strong need for improved collaboration and ties between countries for enhanced economic development.

The participants described the Alliances’ Academy as a movement tasked, due to roles they play as spouses of Heads of Governments around the globe.

The global heads of governments spouses also agreed to foster their leadership positions to drive change across health, development, education and equity.

According to the Co-Founder of the Academy, Nicole Field, the Alliance, which has been in existence for 16 years, offers the First Ladies space to build skills, deepen impacts, and share challenges and victories.

“We need to be innovative and inventive in getting resources for nations. We acknowledge that as First Ladies and indeed individuals, life is not an easy ride. But we are aware that life is full of purpose and promise.

The third day of the Academy also featured talks by the wife of former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Sarah on enhancing the early child education, maternal health among others.

She said there must be a global resolve to shape the future now by promoting initiatives that support the youth and their aspirations.

“Across continents, we face a common challenge of a rapidly evolving global landscape. Whether in Lagos, London, or Los Angeles, the future is being shaped by technology, innovation, climate change, migration, and new economic paradigms.

“As first partners, we occupy a unique space: we are non-partisan influencers, public advocates, and maternal figures in our national and global communities. With this role comes an opportunity and a moral obligation to lead.

“I have seen first-hand how building mental capacity, reshaping mind-sets, and nurturing self-belief can transform lives.

“As a lifelong educator, my experience has made me realise that our youth are creative, innovative, hardworking and resilient.

“We just need to engage them positively, believe in them and create a conducive environment for them to thrive,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza