The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has called on governments at all levels, stakeholders and individuals to urgently tackle the challenges of climate change, drug abuse and insecurity in the country.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its Annual National Conference and 40th Anniversary celebration held in Kaduna, with the theme “Empowering Muslim Women in the Face of Climate Change – Building Resilience, Sustainability and Community Development while showcasing FOMWAN’s achievements.”
The conference, which drew over 1,550 delegates from across Nigeria and international sister organisations from the UK, Ghana and Niger Republic, was declared open by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaibah Ahmed. In attendance were the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, represented by Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir, Director-General of the National Women Development Centre, and the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe.
The opening ceremony was chaired by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Prof. Abdul Jalal Abdullah Dan Baba, while the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu Bamali, represented the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.
A goodwill message was delivered virtually by the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, who commended FOMWAN’s four decades of impactful contributions and described the theme of the conference as timely and contemporary.
The communiqué noted that climate change is already manifesting in Nigeria through flooded farmlands, drought-stricken communities, desertification, rising food prices and displaced families. It stressed that Islam attaches great importance to environmental protection and highlighted women’s unique vulnerabilities in the face of climate-related crises.
Delegates expressed worry over the growing menace of drug abuse among youths, moral decline and the shortage of professional school counsellors, even as they applauded the partnership between the Ministry of Education and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in combating the scourge.
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The association resolved to empower Muslim women to build resilience against climate change, cultivate tree planting campaigns across communities, establish Green Ambassadors Clubs in FOMWAN schools, promote alternative local energy sources and encourage the positive use of social media by youths as eco ambassadors.
The conference also witnessed a change in leadership, with Dr. Fadimatu Sumaye Hamza emerging as the new National Amirah, succeeding Hajiya Rafiah Idowu Sanni. Others elected into the national executive include Hajiya Zeenat Isiemekhan as Vice President, Hajiya Hawau Abdullah as PRO, Khadijah Olahan as Da’wah Officer and Dr. Halima Egberongbe as Assistant Secretary.
FOMWAN reaffirmed its commitment to promoting community development, empowering Muslim women and championing climate resilience, while urging members nationwide to sustain the unity that has kept the association thriving for 40 years.
