By Muhammad Gazali Garba
The wife of the Sokoto State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, has urged internally displaced mothers in the state to prioritise the proper upbringing of their children despite the challenges posed by insecurity.
Gatekeepers News reports that she also called on them to inculcate sound moral and religious values in their children to protect them from social vices and criminal tendencies.
Hajiya Fatima made the appeal during her visits to Tangaza and Binji Local Government Areas, where she interacted with internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by security challenges.
She said the visits were aimed at identifying with the affected communities, understanding their immediate needs, encouraging them and reassuring them of the state government’s commitment to addressing the challenges confronting them.
The First Lady disclosed that Governor Ahmed Aliyu had commenced the distribution of subsidised food items to residents across the state, with a portion of the commodities specifically reserved for women to be distributed free of charge.
She said the initiative reflected the governor’s commitment to cushioning the effects of economic hardship on women and other vulnerable members of society, particularly those whose livelihoods had been affected by insecurity.
Hajiya Fatima assured the communities that Governor Aliyu remained committed to tackling insecurity in the state, noting that he was working relentlessly towards restoring lasting peace and stability.
She urged residents to continue supporting the government’s efforts, expressing confidence that sustained prayers, unity and collective action by the government and the people would contribute to ending the security challenges.
She also appealed to members of the communities to assist security agencies by providing useful and credible information on suspicious activities through traditional rulers, community leaders and other recognised channels.
The First Lady placed particular emphasis on the role of women in shaping the character and future of their children, describing the home as the first and most important school where children learn values and behaviour.
She said women had a major responsibility to lay the foundation for responsible adulthood by ensuring that their children were properly guided from an early age.
According to her, the character, discipline and values instilled in children during their formative years could have a lasting influence on their behaviour, choices and decisions as they grow.
She urged the women to teach their children Islamic principles, help them distinguish between right and wrong, and protect them from negative influences that could expose them to criminal activities and other social vices.
She further stressed that children brought up with strong moral and religious values would be better equipped to resist peer pressure and attempts by criminal elements to recruit or influence them into wrongdoing.
Also speaking at the two events, the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Ahmed Shagari, commended the First Lady for her sustained humanitarian interventions and concern for women and other vulnerable people across the state.
Hajiya Hadiza described Hajiya Fatima as a compassionate and caring mother who had consistently demonstrated concern for the welfare of women, particularly those living in rural communities.
She recalled that the First Lady had earlier assisted a family in Binji following the birth of triplets, noting that the family was invited to the Government House, where relief assistance was provided.
The commissioner said the latest visits to Binji and Tangaza further demonstrated the First Lady’s commitment to standing by communities experiencing hardship and insecurity.
She appealed to residents to remain united and prayerful while supporting government efforts to restore lasting peace and security in the state.
Representing the wives of the Chairmen of Tangaza and Binji Local Government Areas, Hajiya Shafaatu Aliyu and Hajiya Amina Umar, respectively, commended Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu for the visit and her continued support for women and vulnerable members of the communities.
They said her presence had encouraged families affected by insecurity and demonstrated the state government’s concern for their welfare.
They pledged their continued support for initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of women and children in their respective communities, while urging residents to remain united and support efforts to restore lasting peace and security.
At the end of the visits, beneficiaries in each of the two local government areas received ₦3 million in cash, 250 bags of rice, 50 cartons of spaghetti and 200 pieces of Atamfa as part of the relief support provided to cushion the effects of the challenges they were facing.
