Spurred by the need to cushion the impact of the economic hardship biting most families in Nigeria, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Lagos State Chapter, has undertaken empowerment of womenfolk across the country.
Manifested in the FOMWAN week, the engagement drew thousands of women coming together to create awareness through visitations to public places, lectures, prayers and vocational training.
Speaking at the media briefing which kicked off the event, the National Chairperson of Community Development and Humanitarian Services, Alhaja Khairat Sodique traced the evolution of the group, which according to her, began as a Welfare Community (on October 12, 1985) with the aim of developing the community and later metamorphosed to FOMWAN.
She said this year’s edition was designed to enhance the productivity of women in addition to assisting in the transformation of innovative ideas to reality.
The State Amirah, FOMWAN Lagos State Chapter, Alhaja Sherifat Oluwatoyin Ajagbe, praised the impact of the one-week yearly programme on the lives of Nigerian women equipping them with skills to deliver their religious and socio-economic function perfectly.
Expatiating on the theme (Achieving self-sustenance improved family well-being for sustainable socio-economic development, the role of every individual) of the programme, she said, “Globally, the present economic situation has turned most families upside down which has deprived a man of fulfilling his obligations to his family. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the family is maintained and sustained to stabilise the nation’s economy. Allah enjoins us to work for a living. The Prophet (SAW) said Allah loves craftsmanship, no one has ever eaten better than what he earned.”
She seized the occasion to seek the support of the Lagos State Government for the clinic (primary health care centre) project at Etiosa FOMWAN is building, noting that the centre would be of benefit to the entire community. She also prayed for a successful and more impactful tenure in the second term of Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration of Lagos State.
The Secretary, Alhaja Saliu Sanusi, said women can work outside the home but the work should not affect the home.
She also advised the local councils to ensure the participation of every member of the association with thorough supervision.
FOMWAN Lagos State Chapter Secretary, Alhaja Bilquees Adekoya, stated that one of the association’s projects last year was ‘War against open defecation” which is yet to be fully eradicated. She thus, solicited the assistance of the Lagos Government stating that Jibowu under the bridge down to Mushin has become an eyesore as people defecate openly and if not curbed is detrimental to the health of the residents and students.
