IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE BENEFICENT THE MERCIFUL.
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 39TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE FEDERATION OF MUSLIM WOMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS IN NIGERIA, (FOMWAN) HELD AT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIRLS’ COLLEGE, AKURE ONDO STATE, 22ND TO 25TH AUGUST 2024 [18th – 21st Safar 1446 AH].
PREAMBLE
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) was established in October 1985 to address issues concerning Muslim Women and children through various thematic areas, including Da’wah, Education, Health, Humanitarian and Community Development, Advocacy, Good Governance, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
This initiative has significantly contributed to the holistic development of Muslim Women and children, as well as the broader Nigerian Society. The Conference was attended by the Board of Trustees of the Association led by H.E Alhaja Lateefah Okunnu OFR, National Executive Council members and two thousand delegates from twenty-nine (29) states of the country and FCT Abuja with the theme: , “WOMEN AND THE CHALLENGES OF INSECURITY” and Sub-themes:
National Security: A collective responsibility;
Tackling poverty and insecurity: The Islamic View; Security of Women: Panacea for National Development.
The Conference commenced with a Press briefing at the NUJ Press Centre,
Akure, Ondo State. The opening ceremony was attended by the Executive Governor of Ondo State, H.E Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa ably represented by the State Special Adviser on Special Duties and Strategies, Alhaji Abdul-Ganniy
Muhammed, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni ably represented by Alhaji Razaq Oladejo, President of MUSWEN and Deputy President, NSCIA, the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi CFR, Odundun III, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Abdulrauf Bolanle Babalakin, SAN, CFR was ably represented by Chief Jamiu
Ekungba, the Baba Adinni of Owo Kingdom.
At the end of the Conference, FOMWAN observed as follows;
FOMWAN notes with great concern the rising space of insecurity in the
country;
FOMWAN observes that security is the responsibility of every citizen;
The Conference is also worried about the high cost of food, goods and
services in the country and is concerned that women carry the bulk of the problems;
These challenges are as a result of our deviation from Allah’s injunction
that when community engages in corruption, Allah has promised that it
would be visited with famine and insecurity.
The gap in the political patronage and other opportunities for women
groups.
The Conference therefore recommended as follows:
That the problematic situations could be prevented or remedied by adopting a number of measures including the acquisition of optimum education, both Islamic and Western, skill acquisition in order to increase women’s chances of getting paid appointments as well as self-sustaining activities that can facilitate their family economic security;
FOMWAN urges women to key into female political education and participation to increase female access to development, funding for investment and other facilities for their family economic well-being;
FOMWAN to further collaborate closely with Local, State and Federal Government Institutions and other non-governmental organizations to facilitate active participation in agriculture and employment opportunities for women and girls;
FOMWAN should intensify its collaborations with relevant organizations to establish safe space for women and girls;
FOMWAN should ensure effective participation of women and girls in government interventions to help alleviate their worrisome poverty situation;
Government should enforce the law on criminals; FOMWAN affirms the need to ensure that women have a safe environment to carry out their activities which impact on their wellbeing.
Finally, FOMWAN appreciates the support of the Government and people of Ondo State in ensuring a successful Conference.
Hajiya Ra’afiah I. Sanni
National Amirah, (President)
Hajiya Maimuna Momodu
National PRO
