The President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Princess Edna Azura, has called for the integration of women’s empowerment and development initiatives into the rehabilitation programmes of the Yakubu Gowon Centre for Unity (YAGOCU) to strengthen social reintegration, peacebuilding and national unity.
Azura made the appeal during a courtesy visit to Professor Danladi Abok Atu, Chairman of the Technical Committee of YAGOCU, where she explored areas of collaboration between the two organisations to advance women’s welfare and participation in national development.
During the engagement, the NCWS president outlined the Council’s mandate, programmes and ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting women’s welfare, empowerment and inclusion in society.
She stressed the need to incorporate women-focused interventions into rehabilitation programmes, noting that such an approach could improve social inclusion and enable women to contribute more effectively to community development and national reconciliation.
Azura urged Professor Atu to consider the proposal within YAGOCU’s broader efforts to promote peace, unity and reconciliation across the country.
In his response, Professor Atu commended the NCWS president for her leadership and the organisation’s efforts to advance women’s development.
He acknowledged the importance of inclusive rehabilitation and reconciliation strategies, noting that women’s empowerment could contribute to building peaceful and resilient communities.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both organisations to explore potential areas of partnership, particularly in integrating women’s development into rehabilitation and peacebuilding interventions.
The proposed collaboration underscores the importance of inclusive approaches to sustainable peace, social reintegration and national development, with women’s empowerment positioned as a key component of these efforts.