By our correspondent
Her Excellency, Hajia Amina Yahaya Bello, the wife of the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, participated in the Kogi State FIDA Week which kick started last Wednesday 13th September 2023.
In addition to a speech during the opening ceremony to kickstart the week, she visited the FIDA Maternity Ward at the Specialist Hospital, Lokoja later in the afternoon on an assessment tour which ended in a flood of philanthropic interventions for patients.
The amiable Hajia Bello emphasized in her opening remarks the importance of addressing violence against women and children, highlighting this year’s theme, ‘Combating Violence Against Women And Children (VAWC) – New Skills And Strategies.’ She conveyed the urgency of this issue, calling VAWC an ‘appalling crime (that) knows no boundaries, transcending geographical, cultural, and socio-economic divides.’
She decried it as, ‘a global crisis that calls for global unity of action, as well as locally tailored solutions’.
Mrs. Bello, who acknowledged the evolving nature of the problem also stressed the need for innovative approaches to tackle the persistent challenges faced by victims and demanded that human rights bodies develop new approaches.
She pointed out the pivotal role of technology, education, and media advocacy in empowering communities and encouraging victims to come forward. According to her, a comprehensive approach would encompass legal reforms, collaboration with law enforcement and the activities of effective support networks like FIDA to ensure that justice is served swiftly.
Her Excellency who paid tribute to her husband, Governor Yahaya Bello, for his remarkable commitment to gender equity and the welfare of children noted his administration’s achievements, including surpassing the 35% UN Affirmative Action threshold for women appointed into government and the passage of important legislation like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill.
She thanked the New Direction Administration in Kogi State led by Governor Yahaya Bello for showcasing dedication to the protection of women and children in very practical manners through support for the work of FIDA, as well as the establishment of the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens Rights Advocate, an agency set up by her husband’s administration which has been active in protecting the target group of vulnerable citizens from domestic assault, child labour and other forms of violence.
Hajia Bello visited the FIDA Maternity Ward later in the afternoon of the same Wednesday the 13th where she was received with great enthusiasm by the staff and patients.
It would be recalled that some years back FIDA, Kogi State Branch endowed the ward with the support of the Kogi State Government through the good offices of Her Excellency. At the hospital, the kind-hearted Hajia Bello was touched by the plight of some of the patients and as is customary with her during such visits, she rendered assistance to them by clearing outstanding bills and paying for different medical procedures, particularly for expectant mothers and those with newborn babies.
She also donated some equipment, including a new incubator, to the hospital. Sharing in the philosophy of Joél Leon who said: “If we are asking for the world to be kind, we must first ask what we are doing to add more kindness to the world. If we are asking for the world to be more loving, we must first ask what we are doing to add more love to the world. We are the vessels for the things we seek,”
Mrs. Bello believes that every act of kindness you show can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, and she finds great fulfillment and satisfaction in reaching out to those in need, especially women and children.
She further appealed to individuals to embrace the principle of contributing to our country, state, community and family, rather than solely expecting what these entities can provide for us.
Overjoyed staff and patients were full of praises for the wife of the Governor, commending her generosity and ready commitment to improving the lives of women and children in Kogi State.
An executive of FIDA, Kogi State who was on the entourage told our correspondent that Hajia Bello’s philanthropy and her support for this year’s FIDA Week are a testament to her commitment to social justice and gender equality, saying that her actions are an inspiration to all
