The wife of Kebbi Governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu has commended the leadership of Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) for the concern they have on the education of their children.
Dr.Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu flanked by Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu made the commendation when she hosted members of Nigeria Army Officers Association ( NAOWA) who were in Government House, Birnin Kebbi for a courtesy visit.
While speaking, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu and founder, MedicAid Cancer Foundation (MCF) said that she was happy to interact with the army officers’ wives describing them as very important group to work with particularly in the area of education, which she sees as important focus for NAOWA.
Dr. Zainab Bagudu noted that education is very important as a great pillar of life and that it can help a society to develop. “People see me as a health person, which is true but I always add that without improving our educational sector, it will be difficult to improve the health sector. Education forms the basis of development of any nation; so I commend your efforts and thank you for bringing your issues to me this morning,” she said.
The wife of the governor who is also the board member of Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) said they have some collaboration with the Nigerian army in education and lots more in health care delivery. She reiterated her commitment in ensuring the best for the health sector because the north, according to her has one of the highest rates of infant mortality and maternal mortality, which can be preventable if our women are attending ante-natal care.
She called on the army officers’ wives to encourage all women who are pregnant to be visiting hospitals to check themselves, according to her, pregnancy may come with some unforeseen complications, and going to the hospital can help in saving deaths of mothers as well as the infants.
Dr. Zainab called on the group to continue creating awareness about cancer, on the need for women to be checking themselves from time to time to ascertain when there is abnormality, “In Medicaid Cancer Foundation, we create awareness more especially for women in the barracks and talk to them on breast cancer that is commonest cancer in Africa and in Nigeria. The only way we can reduce both breast and cervical cancer is by increasing awareness, check the food we eat,regular excercises among others”.
Dr. Zainab expressed her desire to partner with the leadership of NAOWA by introducing her team, so that they can work together on various issues especially health issues of their members.
Earlier, in welcoming the NAOWA officers to Kebbi State, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has said that everyone has a role to play in security management .The governor says his administration will support families of soldiers in education, healthcare delivery and empowerment.
He commended contribution of the army towards ensuring the peaceful coexistence in the state and thanked the Nigerian army officers’ wives for the visit to Kebbi State government house. He said: “I am sure Her Excellency have listened to you very well and I am sure you know how much we appreciated the Nigerian army officers’ wives association is in Kebbi State “.
The NAOWA chairperson and wife of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Nigeria Army Sokoto, Hajiya Fatima Aminu-Bande, said the visit was to register their appreciation for the support and care of soldiers and their families by the incumbent administration. “We solicit for more support and assistance to enable the association set-up education centres to cater for the children of widows and soldiers,” she said.
The chairperson of NAOWA also expressed gratitude to the government on behalf of the National President and Wife of the Chief of Army Staff, for providing scholarships, Sallah and Christmas gifts to widows and soldiers.
The NAOWA scribe presented a souvenir to Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu in appreciation of her support and contribution to the welfare of members of NAOWA in the state.
Signed :
YAHYA SARKI
SA Media to Kebbi State Governor
23/2/2020
