NCWS - News Agency Of Nigeria

Church partners NCWS, donates food items to five states

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Fri, 2025

Gender

Church partners NCWS, donates food items to five states

89 total views today

By Dorcas Jonah

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in partnership with the National Council of Women Societies, (NCWS) Nigeria, has donated food items to vulnerable people in Adamawa, Plateau, Sokoto, Akwa Ibom and Enugu states.

Mr Isaac Morrison, a representative of the church, presented the food items to the NCWS on Thursday in Abuja.

Morrison said that the states were chosen for the donation in response to various challenges that had befalling them in recent times.

He said that between December 2024 and February 2025, Nigeria faced multiple devastating crises which include insurgent attacks in Adamawa, destroying homes and causing mass displacement.

He also listed violent assaults on Christian communities with loss of life and displacement in Plateau, and a military airstrike that hit civilian areas, causing casualties in Sokoto.

Morrison also said that in Akwa Ibom, floods affected over 33,000 people across 12 Local Government Areas, while erdsmen attacks caused fatalities and food insecurity in Enugu.

He said that the NCWS approached the church for support, requesting aid for 2,000 affected families across these states.

According to him, moved by compassion, the church mobilised resources to provide staple foods like rice, beans, garri, vegetable oil and noodles and some essential non-food supplies.

“The NCWS will oversee distribution to ensure aid reaches those in need efficiently,’’ he said.

Morrison said that each state would receive supplies for 400 households, bringing relief, dignity, and hope to families in despair.

“For communities and Nigeria as a nation, this is a powerful reminder that compassion transcends borders and faith can be a force for good.

“It is not merely aid but a message of love, telling the recipients they are loved.” he said.

Morrison said that the church was deeply committed to emergency relief and humanitarian aid worldwide.

Earlier, the National President of NCWS, Princess Edna Azura, said that the donation of foodstuffs and non-food items was more than just a gift.

Azura said that the donations were lifelines that would bring immediate relief and hope to countless women and their families across these states.

She commended the church for seeing the need and acting decisively.

“This kind gesture is a beacon of hope in these challenging times, offering direct support to the millions facing food insecurity across our nation, particularly women and children in vulnerable communities.

“This act of compassion is a powerful reflection of a partnership built on shared values.

“We have long admired your incredible humanitarian footprint, not just here in Nigeria, but across our continent,’’ she said.

Azura charged the state presidents of NCWS in Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Plateau, and Sokoto, to ensure that the donation reached the vulnerable people it was intended for.

“Let transparency and accountability be your watchwords. Please diligently record the distribution process, with pictures, videos and registers, and forward these records to the national office.

“This diligence is not just for our records; it is a testament to our partners that their trust is well-placed, and it will encourage them to do even more,’’ she said.

Speaking on behalf of the state presidents, Mrs Celina Ali, Plateau NCWS president, promised that the items would be distributed religiously to vulnerable people in communities within the five states.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the highlight of the event was the decoration of Morrison and a Ghanaian representative of the church as NCWS ambassadors.(NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahm

NCWS advocates tree planting for livelihood in Adamawa

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Tue, 2025

Metro

NCWS advocates tree planting for livelihood in Adamawa

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By Talatu Maiwada

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has intensified its campaign for environmental sustainability and women empowerment through tree planting initiatives across Adamawa.

Mr Ishaya Adamu, an environmental expert, disclosed this on Tuesday during a one-day sensitisation session, in Yola.

The programme was supported by the International Council of Women (ICW) with the theme: “Empowering Women Through Sustainable Tree Planting”.

Adamu, the lead facilitator at the event said that the project was aimed at strengthening women’s participation in climate action at grassroots level.

He said that climate change had continued to affect women the most, especially in rural communities.

According to him, with the right support women could become key agents in tackling climate-related challenges while earning income.

“The temperature is rising everywhere; droughts and floods are increasing; but every challenge presents an opportunity.

“Tree planting provides multiple benefits including environmental protection, food security and income generation.

“Women already use trees for food, firewood and herbal medicine which can be turned into a business, they can grow mangoes, guavas, moringa or seedlings for sale.

“We want women to see this as a business, not just a community service, selling fruits, seedlings and wood can support families while protecting the environment,” Adamu said.

He said that future training would cover tree nursery management, organic composting, water-saving techniques and market access for tree-based products.

Mrs Rebecca Kwabe, a participant said the training was timely and impactful, especially for women in rural communities facing the effects of climate change like flood.

“The session opened my eyes to the multiple values of trees, from health to businesses and household benefit.

“Trees give us shade, fruits, clean air and firewood, I encourage women to see the economic and health value in planting and preserving trees,” she said.(NAN)

Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Tosin Kolade

NCWS elects new President, unveils empowerment Initiative

Tosin Kolade
Jan, Sat, 2025

Gender

NCWS elects new President, unveils empowerment Initiative

729 total views today

By Justina Auta

Mrs Edna Azura has emerged as the new National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Azura will complete the late Hajiya Lami Adamu-Lau’s two-year tenure, following her passing on June 5, 2024.

During the inauguration, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, urged Azura to lead with fairness and dedication for the benefit of women across the country.

“Together, we can achieve so much. Women are already leading in many sectors, and there is no reason we cannot do even more for this nation.

“We will contribute to the progress and development of Nigeria by providing access to markets and finance, protecting our women and children, and giving them the support they need.

“We will also strengthen our response to child development and protection, ensuring that the vulnerable are well looked after,” she said.

On the new women empowerment initiative, Sulaiman-Ibrahim announced that it would provide financial support to women in the six geo-political zones.

This, she said will help them achieve economic independence amidst the current economic challenges.

According to her, N3.6m will be given to the North Central states; N3.1m to the Northeast; N3.1 Northwest states; N2.250m to Southeast.

”The South South will get N3.150m

while N2.7m will go to the South West states as part of the women empowerment initiative, ”she said.

Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, called the late Adamu-Lau an icon with a legacy of excellence.

While presenting a memorial magazine in honour of the late president, Benjamins-Laniyi urged women to emulate Adamu-Lau’s legacy and contribute to national development.

“In our transition, may we create legacies that are not just printed in magazines but etched as indelible footprints,” she said.

Mrs Geraldine Ita-Etuk, NCWS First Vice President and Acting President, thanked First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, NCWS Grand Patron, for her steadfast support for women.

Ita-Etuk highlighted the council’s efforts, saying: “We are giving three women per state N150,000 each to support and grow their businesses.

“We also want to see more women in politics and positions of authority”.

In her acceptance speech, Azura, the 16th NCWS President, pledged to uphold her predecessor’s legacy and champion women’s empowerment.

“I commit to working diligently to empower women, foster unity, and elevate NCWS to greater heights.

“Let us unite as one, fostering cooperation and collaboration among Nigerian women for a brighter and more prosperous future for ourselves and the nation,” she said.

Azura urged women to prioritise dignity, welfare, and empowerment while increasing their participation in governance.

She emphasised the importance of creating a legacy of strength and unity for future generations. (NAN)

www.nannews.ng

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Kadiri Abdulrahman

Women Council advocates urgency in efforts to eliminate FGM

isaac aregbesola
Dec, Fri, 2024

Health

Women Council advocates urgency in efforts to eliminate FGM

557 total views today

By Anita Uzoagba

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) says there is an urgent need to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country.

The National President of NCWS, Mrs Geraldine Etuk, spoke on this need at a one-day sensitisation workshop in Abuja on FGM laws, surveillance, reporting and prosecution of GBV cases.

Etuk noted that FGM was a serious human rights violation, and it has been recognised as a form of torture and violation of the rights to health, dignity and equality.

She stated that more than 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM, with Nigeria having one of the highest numbers.

“In spite of being outlawed by the Federal Government, FGM is still practised in many Nigerian communities.”

Etuk said FGM was a major obstacle to achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls, adding that as a violation of human rights it is a major public health concern.

The NCWS president recalled that the Nigerian government passed the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act in 2015, which prohibits FGM and provides penalties for those who engage in the practice.

“In addition to the national law, many Nigerian states have enacted laws prohibiting FGM.”

Etuk expressed gratitude to NCWS state presidents, affiliate organisations, partners and sponsors for their support in eliminating FGM and promoting gender equality.

Mrs Yewande Gbol-Awopetu, a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, noted that FGM was sometimes seen as a rite of passage.

”It is also often seen as a prerequisite for marriage or a means to control female sexuality,” she said.

The deputy director pointed out that FGM was prohibited under Section 6 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, and those who performed or engaged in it were liable to imprisonment.

Gbol-Awopetu, who is also Head of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Response Unit, urged everyone to educate girls in their respective neighbourhoods about the dangers of FGM.

Mr Stephen Nwankwo, an official from the Federal Ministry of Health, thanked NCWS and its sponsor, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), for the sensitisation programme.

He encouraged the participants to cooperate and ensure the event’s purpose was achieved, adding that the ministry was committed to eradicating FGM from Nigeria.(NAN)

AU/DE/AMM

(Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Abiemwense Moru)