African first ladies begin summit amidst controversy, drama
Nigeria’s
First Lady and President, African First Ladies Peace Mission, Patience
Jonathan (3rd left), with other country’s first ladies during the
inauguration of the interim secretariat of the mission in Abuja ... on
Wednesday
| credits: NAN
It is expected to be an edifice for peace and conflict resolution in 12 months when it is projected to be completed.
However, the foundation for the African
First Ladies Peace Centre was laid in the midst of intense security
measures and controversy in Abuja on Wednesday by President Goodluck
Jonathan’s wife, Patience.
The atmosphere was enlivened by songs in
praise of the President’s wife by scores of women dressed in
resplendent white as well as traditional dancers from different parts of
the country.
The venue of the foundation laying
ceremony was the prime land situated between the Federal Secretariat
and Izon Wari, the Bayelsa State House, which had originally been
allocated to non-governmental organisation, the Women and Youth
Empowerment Foundation, belonging to former First Lady, Hajia Turai
Yar’Adua.
The Board of Trustees of WYEF had
approached an Abuja court to challenge the revocation of the 18,000
square metre land and reallocation of the same to African First Ladies
Peace Mission chaired by Mrs. Jonathan.
Although, the Attorney General of the
Federation and Minister of Justice had requested for out-of-court
settlement of the dispute, the conflict was yet to be settled before the
foundation for the seven-storey edifice was laid on Wednesday.
As the first ladies approached the venue
of the programme, Abuja Market Women led by Chief Felicia Sani, burst
into Igbo songs in praise of the First Lady: Ahia oma n’ere onwe ya; Mama Patience, Ahia oma n’ere onwe ya; Anaghi ekwe ya onu (meaning:
Good product that sells itself; Mother Patience, good product that
sells itself; The price is not subject to negotiation).
As Patience made her way to the podium, the market women greeted her with two more songs: Patience, na you we know; Patience, na you we know; any other president, na them sabi; any other president, na them sabi.
In her short speech, the Nigeria’s First
Lady said African ladies received with shock and sadness the death of
the President of Ghana and the husband of one of their colleagues (Mrs.
Ernestina Mills), Mr. John Mills.
She thanked the government and people of
Nigeria for their generosity in allocating the land for the
construction of the headquarters of the African First Ladies Peace
Mission.
She said, “This foundation laying ceremony is a follow up to our commitment to lay solid foundation for our organisation.
“We have demonstrated that we are
committed to achieving lasting peace in our continent. We shall build a
befitting structure for our mission.”
