I joined my colleagues, The First Ladies of various states of Nigeria under the forum of the Nigerian Governors' Wives Against Gender-based Violence (NGWA-GBV) for a strategic summit on Monday, June 7, 2021 at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), Abuja.

The meeting which was part of the efforts of the forum to mitigate the issue of rape and gender-based violence, drug abuse, and other societal vices in the country, was chaired by the First Lady of Ekiti State, HE, Erelu Bisi Fayemi.

During the meeting, we highlighted the need for the continued support and partnership of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF) on the need to initiate and implement policies and laws in the various states. These laws will seek to pursue justice and find a lasting solution towards addressing the identified challenges and improving the welfare of the women, children and the youth across the country.

We had the presence of Mr. Ashishana Okaru, the DG of the NGF for a quick feedback mechanism. He intimated us on windows of partnership opportunities and ways both fora to achieve our set goals in the interest of the overall good of the nation.

Furthermore, we bemoaned the rising spate of insecurity which is inimical to the overall peace and progress of the nation, and outlined our contributions to assuaging the surge. We shall communicate same to the NGF for possible consideration.

Finally, we proceeded to the State House for a courtesy call on Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The interactive session availed us a veritable platform to intimate her on all our programmes so far. We welcomed her commendation of our sundry interventions on vices and ills bedeviling us as a people.

We resolved to continue to put our best foot forward inorder to consolidate on the feats recorded so far.

H.E. Barr. Chioma Uzodimma
First Lady, Imo State