AWC, Nasarawa Varsity to boost leadership mentorship of girls, women

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Africa Women Conference (AWC) has declared commitment towards sustaining and strengthening collaboration with Nasarawa State University in widening leadership and mentorship of women and girls in Nigeria.

This was disclosed when a high power delegation of the AWC recently paid a courtesy call on the newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Prof. Sa’adatu Liman, in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Leader of the delegation and Co-convener of the Conference, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, who congratulated Prof. Liman on her appointment and intimated her of an already existing partnership between the two organizations, urging a strengthening of ties for empowerment of women and girls in Nigeria.

Ahmadu disclosed that the partnership entailed the running of the AWC’s online programme on leadership for women and girls in the University’s Gender Department.

She noted the academic programme, which was a product of resolutions from the 2021 Rwanda edition, recently graduated its first batch of students.

She adds: “The programme is designed to empower women and girls who cannot attend higher education institutions. It offers an online learning platform where participants can gain skills and knowledge, culminating in a certificate upon completion.”

Ahmadu, who is also President of the Abuja-based NGO, Helpline Social Support Initiative, further revealed that a group of African women, during the CSW 2018 in New York, underscored the imperative for “an Africa-centered event to address the unique challenges and opportunities for African women” hence formation of the Africa Women Conference.

“Since then, the Africa Women Conference has held its annual conferences in Namibia, Morocco, Rwanda, Gambia and Addis Ababa, including a virtual edition held during the 2020 lockdown occasioned by Coronavirus pandemic”, she added.

She also disclosed that the AWC has scheduled this year’s edition, which is the 8th, for November in Zambia.

In her response, Prof. Liman expressed appreciation for the visit and lauded the AWC’s initiatives.

The Vice Chancellor emphasized the importance of sustaining such programmes, particularly in today’s political climate where women are underrepresented in leadership positions.

She therefore encouraged the AWC to continue collaborating with institutions to bring about Africa-centered change to the continent, urging the Conference to go beyond the diploma and certificate programmes, and also delve into research projects for deeper insights into African issues, and design policies to address them.

The VC also advised the AWC to, “maintain collaboration with women in leadership positions and political partners who can help push these policies through legislation”, assuring that the University, along with herself, would continue supporting the AWC programmes.