Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has pledged the continued support of his administration to the Northern Governors’ Wives Forum, particularly in initiatives aimed at driving impactful development at the grassroots.
Governor Fintiri made the commitment when he received members of the forum, led by its Chairperson and wife of the Gombe State Governor, Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Yola.
The Governor commended the wives of Northern governors for their various interventions and development projects across their respective states, noting that their efforts provide an important avenue for reaching communities and vulnerable groups that government may not always be able to reach directly.
Fintiri stressed the importance of collective efforts in addressing the challenges confronting Northern Nigeria, saying the vision of building a Nigeria that can serve as a model for other countries requires the support and contribution of all stakeholders.
He also highlighted the important role played by governors’ wives in supporting their husbands and contributing ideas and advice on governance, describing their offices as significant to the success of administrations.
While wishing the forum a successful deliberation, Governor Fintiri urged members to give priority to issues affecting women and children in Northern Nigeria, particularly poverty, empowerment and access to opportunities, with a view to improving their welfare and helping them become productive citizens.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Northern Governors’ Wives Forum, Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, explained that the delegation was in Yola for the forum’s second tri-annual meeting and had visited the Governor to express their solidarity with and support for his administration.
She said the forum, in its capacity as a group of mothers and partners in development, had undertaken various interventions across Northern states, including the provision of boreholes, business grants for women and the distribution of relief materials to vulnerable communities.
Asma’u commended Governor Fintiri for his administration’s development efforts in Adamawa State and emphasized that the primary responsibility of governors’ wives remains supporting their husbands while also contributing to initiatives that improve the lives of citizens.
She also praised the Adamawa State First Lady, Lami Umaru Fintiri, for her impactful initiatives, particularly the renovation of the labour and neonatal complex at the Specialist Hospital, Yola.
In recognition of the International Day of Charity, the forum presented a token of support for mothers in Adamawa State as part of its activities during the visit.
The Chairperson further sought the partnership of the Adamawa State Government in key areas including women empowerment, youth empowerment, agriculture and healthcare, assuring Governor Fintiri of the forum’s continued prayers and cooperation for the development of the state.
She also extended the forum’s condolences to Governor Fintiri and the people of Adamawa State over the death of former Governor of the defunct Gongola State and elder statesman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.