Following a 2day engagement amongst women of all walks of life, the quintessential group, Jamiyar Matan Arewa has taken off in Kebbi state for the first time. With the support of H.E Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu as Patron, a caretaker committee has been set up. The 2 day engagement was enhanced by a visit from the National president Hajiya Rabi Saulawa.

Jam’iyar Matan Arewa is a women’s social organisation that came into existence on 27th May 1963 when a group of northern women comprising of elders like Asiya Hassan Katsina, Comfort Dikko, Aishatu Joda, Helen Ali Akilu, Mari Hamman Maiduguri, Laraba Tata Askira and Inna Talib met with the then Northern Premier, Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sardaunan Sokoto who granted them not only permission but a house as an office. The organization was founded on a mission to encourage Northern Nigerian women to improve their quality of life and that of their families, through hard work, and to teach peaceful coexistence. The organisation is non-political, non-tribal and non-religious.

Speaking at the engagement, The First lady of Kebbi state, H.E Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu emphasised the original tenets are even more relevant in today’s troubling time of insecurity and economic downturn. She recalled that the JMA was one of the most influential and earliest women led organisations in the country and we owe our history to not only revive it but make it stronger. Dr Bagudu thanked all the women who have been instrumental to the revival of the organisation.

Furthermore, The First lady called on women to join the organisation as a way of uniting women regardless of religion and tribe for the good cause of promoting peace, unity and education.

To further cement her commitment, Her Excellency pledged to sponsor registration by paying the first dues for every woman that registers.

Speaking earlier, the President of the Jami’yar Matan Arewa, Haj Rabi Musa Saulawa, thanked the First lady for her support and for all she has been doing for women.

Saulawa called on Kebbi Women to unite in order to have a stronger authority to demand for better remuneration.

The secretary general JMA gave a breakdown of activities to be carried out by the state caretaking committee and the plan going forward.

The caretaker committee will be headed by Kebbi state Permanent Secretary Ministry of Higher Education, Hajiya Halima Boyi Dikko as Chairperson, Haj Habiba Musa as Secretary-General, Hon Zahrau Wali as Welfare and Mobilization Secretary, Rebecca Dudu as Assistant Secretary-General, Haj Salamatu Tafida as Financial Secretary, Hajiya Ruqayya Manga as Publicity Secretary and Hajiya Maryam kaoje as Legal Adviser.

MUKTAR A BAGUDO
SSA TO KEBBI STATE GOVERNOR
19/02/2021