• Tinubu returns NEMA, Hajj Commission to Office of Vice President
Federal Government has immortalised the late Mrs. Maryam Babangida by renaming the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) after her, in recognition of the impact of her projects on women, especially those in rural areas.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Monilola Udoh, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.

Udoh said Senate passed a bill for the change on March 29, 2023, while House of Representatives did same on April 5, 2023.

She said the renaming is in line with amendment of the National Centre for Women Development Act, Cap. N15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to enhance functions of the centre.

She said: “The government, under the last administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, approved the bill by assenting to it in May 2023. By this information, we want our esteemed partners, the general public, and media personnel to take note of the change and help publicise it to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria and beyond.”

Director General of the centre, Dr. Asabe Vilita-Bashir, noted the huge contribution of the late First Lady, especially her Better Life for Rural Women project, which impacted the lives of women nationwide.

She said: “Maryam Babangida is someone Nigerian women will not forget, and we are doing this to encourage other women leaders to emulate her virtues, commitment and support to women. This will serve as inspiration to all women in leadership positions to do more for Nigerian women and be recorded by history.”

Chairman, Implementing Committee for Infrastructure and Renaming, Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, said: “Renaming of the centre is significant for women. There is something that should remind us about yesterday, to enable us to handle our today better.

“We need to start putting history into perspective. If we don’t do that, we will lose sight of who we are as a people, country, nation and tribe.

“What has been achieved here is that, collectively, Nigerian women spoke with one voice that we want a change that will give us a focus of what we are doing as women in development.”

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has approved return of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to the Office of the Vice President, in compliance with their establishment Acts.

A statement signed by Olusola Abiola, a Director of Information in the Presidency, yesterday, explained that Tinubu also approved a formal structure for the Office of the Vice President, as well as a number of technical and administrative aides that would work with the Vice President in the discharge of his responsibilities.