Gender
How Hajiya Falmata Zulum is Rewriting the Narrative for Borno’s Women and Children
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
For Associate Professor Falmata Babagana Zulum, in the last six years has utilised the opportunity as wife of the Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, and Borno State first Lady to touch people’s life in all areas.
Not minding the emergency situations of the usual palpable environment, Associate Professor Falmata, a trained academic and expert in public health, with Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Maiduguri, deployed her passion and wealth of experience into attending to social services on women and children, in collaboration with global partners on human development and emancipation.
Under her pet project, “Multi aid and Charity initiative,” empowerment, child welfare, gender programs has been taking to the highest pedestal to the advantages of women, children of Borno State.
No doubt , the renewed call by the Nigeria’s first Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to align withe the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, her pet project at the state level activities to develop, empower women, youth in Agriculture, Health, and Education was the focus of Hajiya Falmata Babagana Zulum in the last six years, not minding the crises ridden environment.
Undaunted by the artificial and natural phenomenon, Hajiya Falmata in her wisdom has created an enabling environment through her pet project to resettle those ravaged by both natural and unforseen circumstances in the state, through attraction of grants, crisscrossing the state and local government areas, not minding the unpredictable security situations.
Falmata’s partnership with the Borno State government, corporate organization, public spirited individuals and both local and international development partners to rehabilitate women and youths through the organization seminars, symposiums, trainings, empowerment and capacity including skill development became a leeway to resolving many volatile areas problems, that is the hub of terrorists, insurgency and kidnapping.
She is inundated with attracting all sorts of relief to the women, youths and children of the state in collaboration with the state government, that had made Borno State the abode of development partners who on various occasions marked both local and international days, with empowerment, charity, and capacity building for women of the state.
Her career with international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF made the state the stable of international communities and agencies, that engaged in programs of development of women, youths and children of the state.
With her profession in epidemiology, the international communities and private sector turned the state with focus on epidemics of all sorts on women, children prone to, in some parts of the war ravaged Borno State.
She also attracted 250 Million Naira for Borno women traders, 500 Million Naira for flood victims and also the donation of 1000 bags of Rice, including the Dangote Group donation among many others.
The Associate Professor passion and flare for humanity which led to the establishment of her pet project six years ago, the “Multi-Aid and Charity Initiative,” had improved the lives of women and children in Borno State and vulnerable Nigerians.
Her active supports to the initiatives of distributing food and humanitarian aid, such as Ramadan palliatives, succor, others and educational materials to schools made her won the heart of the populace.
With Advocacies on gender equality and parity, ending gender based violence, GBV, promotion of menstrual health to avoid complications, including the rights of girls to education.
Alive to the welfare of women and children, the wife of the Governor ensured the marking exclusively and extensively the last International Women’s Day for 2026, tagged “Give to Gain” that took place on Sunday, March 8 with series of programs spanned beyond the day.
The supports of her pet project, attractions of development partners, global bodies , local spirited individuals and corporate organizations with the supports of the state government has liberated the women and children of Borno from the shackles of poverty and neglect in recent times.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has commended the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) for promoting gender inclusion and creating economic opportunities for women through the capital market.
Speaking on Tuesday at the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange Group in Lagos during activities marking the International Women’s Day, the minister said empowering women economically is key to building stronger institutions and prosperous societies.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu rang the ceremonial closing bell as part of the NGX event themed “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality – Rights, Justice, Action, For All Women and Girls.”
The event attracted several prominent women leaders from different sectors of the economy, including the wife of the Imo State Governor, Chioma Uzodimma, media entrepreneur Mo Abudu, and Nollywood actress Funke Akindele.
In her remarks, the minister said the occasion held personal significance for her because her late father-in-law, Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, served as one of the founding presidents of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
She described him as a visionary industrialist who believed strongly in enterprise, innovation and national development.
“It is both a personal honour and a historic privilege to stand here today at the Exchange, celebrating progress while renewing our commitment to a more inclusive economic future,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged stakeholders to ensure women are not only participants in the economy but also leaders shaping its direction, noting that when women thrive in sectors such as business, finance, diplomacy and governance, societies become stronger and more prosperous.
She also congratulated the NGX and its partners for sustaining the global campaign for gender equality within Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX, Temi Popoola, emphasized the need for greater female participation in the capital market.
According to him, empowering women entrepreneurs with access to finance would further boost economic growth and innovation.
Popoola noted that women already dominate sectors such as the creative industry and encouraged more women-led businesses to list on the exchange and participate actively in the capital market.
The Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Dr. Tony Nwoye, has joined leaders across the world in celebrating women as the global community marks the 2026 International Women’s Day. According to a press statement issued by the DTN Media Centre, Nwoye commended women for their invaluable contributions to family life, national development and the stability of society, noting that their roles remain indispensable in shaping responsible communities.
The senator acknowledged the sacrifices and commitment of women, particularly in the home where they play a central role in the moral upbringing of children and the stability of families. Dr. Tony Nwoye observed that women possess remarkable strength and wisdom which enable them to effectively manage homes and nurture future generations, adding that their efforts deserve recognition and appreciation at all times.
The lawmaker also highlighted the important role women play in Nigeria’s political process, pointing out that their participation during elections demonstrates their commitment to strengthening democracy. Nwoye noted that women often mobilize themselves during electoral processes to support credible leadership, stressing that their collective voice continues to influence political outcomes and national development. He maintained that the importance of women in society cannot be overstated and that their contributions across different sectors merit continuous support and encouragement.
Dr. Tony Nwoye also reflected on the theme of this years International Women’s Day, Give to Gain, which underscores the idea that empowering women through opportunities, mentorship and support ultimately leads to broader social progress and shared prosperity. He added that when individuals, organizations and communities invest in women through education, advocacy and leadership opportunities, societies become stronger and more inclusive.
International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8 to recognize the achievements of women and promote gender equality across the world. The global observance was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1975.
As the world marks International Women’s Day, the Initiative for Women’s Accelerated Development in Africa, INWOAD, has called for a significant increase in women’s participation in governance, describing the current representation as grossly inadequate for a democracy. The organisation made the call in a statement issued in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day under the theme, Give to Gain.
The President and Founder of the Initiative for Women’s Accelerated Development in Africa, INWOAD, Evelyn Onyilo, in the statement, urged individuals, government, and organisations to contribute their quota by creating more opportunities for women through donations, skills acquisition and training, advocacy and intergenerational mentorship. The statement highlighted the power of reciprocity and support in achieving gender equality and sustainable development.
Evelyn Onyilo also called on major stakeholders and partners to accelerate support in upholding women’s rights and access to justice, especially as they relate to Sexual and Gender Based Violence. She stressed that most often, women and girls suffer injustice while perpetrators of such violence go scot free.
The President of INWOAD decried the low representation of women in Nigeria’s political space and said the situation whereby women are excluded in governance and elective positions is unacceptable and negates the principle of true democratic ideals. She specifically called on the National Assembly to pass the Special Seats Bill before it so as to bridge the gender gaps in politics.
INWOAD further called on governments at all levels to appoint more women into positions of governance as a mark of justice, equity and fairness which are the hallmarks of genuine democracy. The current situation where less than five percent of women are in the National Assembly is grossly inadequate and unacceptable for a country that prides itself as the giant of Africa, Evelyn Onyilo stated.
While congratulating all women on the 2026 International Women’s Day, Evelyn Onyilo enjoined women to be supportive of one another as the 2027 Elections draw nearer to ensure that women candidates are nominated and elected into various positions of authority.