Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has received the President of the Arab Women Association of Nigeria Heritage, Hajiya Hauwa Grema Mohammed, and members of the association during a courtesy visit.
The delegation was also received by the Minister’s wife, Her Excellency Ashe Bello Matawalle.
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Hajiya Hauwa expressed appreciation to the Minister and his wife for receiving the delegation, explaining that the association was established to connect, correct, empower and represent Arab women by bringing them together to support and empower one another.
She said the association recognised the importance of engaging leaders for guidance and support, noting that it had made progress in its registration, appointed Hajiya Maryam Sani Abacha as Grand Patron and officially launched at the Arts and Culture Centre, Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
She also presented the association’s inaugural magazine and briefed the Minister on its planned Town Hall engagements across various states.
Dr. Matawalle commended the initiative and urged members to remain united, support one another and speak with one voice.
The Minister advised the leadership to embrace collective decision-making, leverage its numbers and reach out to Arab leaders in politics and other sectors.
He also called for accessible registration for members and pledged to explore ways of ensuring the association’s representation in a leadership network that would enhance its visibility and recognition by successive administrations.
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Matawalle encouraged the association to work closely with his wife and assured the delegation that his doors would remain open to them.
In her remarks, Ashe Bello Matawalle thanked the association for the visit and encouraged members to build a stronger and larger community.
She described the Shuwa Arabs as a closely connected people who value one another and urged members to use their numerical strength positively.
She further encouraged members to support the current administration and participate peacefully in the democratic process.
Ashe Matawalle pledged 500 pieces of unity wrappers to the association and officially launched the initiative by presenting one of the wrappers to Hajiya Hauwa Grema.
The association’s Vice President, Fatima Abdullahi Hashim, Esq., and other members expressed appreciation to the Minister and his wife and offered prayers for their continued success.
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The visit comes as the association prepares for a series of Town Hall and community engagement programmes across the country aimed at strengthening its grassroots structure, empowering women and fostering stronger relationships with communities and leaders.
The association said its activities would continue to focus on Unity, Development, Empowerment and Representation.