By Zainab Faruk
The Bauchi State First Lady, Hajiya Aishatu Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has called on women leaders and coordinators across the state to embrace responsible leadership, unity, patience and self-development as critical tools for sustaining peace, good governance and societal growth.
She made the call while hosting women leaders and coordinators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the twenty local government areas of Bauchi State at her office, where she expressed gratitude to God for bringing them together and for the opportunity to interact, share experiences and deepen mutual understanding.
Hajiya Aishatu noted that leadership is rooted in the fear of God, discipline and service, stressing that women play a central role in shaping society as mothers, wives and mentors. She explained that Islam and other faiths recognise the leadership capacity of women, particularly through their influence in nurturing responsible leaders from the home. According to her, when the home is well managed, society and public leadership also thrive.
The First Lady emphasised that women are not barred from leadership in governance, citing the inclusion of women as deputy chairpersons, chairpersons, commissioners, advisers, councillors and senior civil servants under the current administration. She urged women to uphold dignity, self-respect and moral discipline, adding that respect from society begins with self-respect.
She also encouraged women to balance public service with family responsibilities, warning against neglecting the home in pursuit of external engagements. “If the home is stable, the work outside will also be successful,” she said, while urging women to seek knowledge continuously, strengthen their relationship with God and embrace forgiveness as a virtue in politics and daily life.
On economic empowerment, Hajiya Aishatu advised women to invest little resources into small businesses rather than waste them on non-productive expenses, stressing that sustainable livelihoods and self-reliance are key to reducing poverty. She noted that government alone cannot provide jobs for everyone, but can create a peaceful environment that attracts investment and employment opportunities.
Addressing concerns over the recent Hajj seats, the First Lady clarified that allocations were made to the party based on prevailing policies and circumstances, and not directly to coordinators. She encouraged patience, faith in God’s will and prudent use of any financial support received, assuring that opportunities would still come in the future.
Earlier, the Bauchi State PDP Women Leader, Hajiya Hauwa Fulani, commended the First Lady for her consistent commitment to women’s welfare, describing her as a mother who has prioritised the empowerment of women, the vulnerable and persons with disabilities. She noted that women across the twenty local government areas benefited from the recent Hajj allocation, a development she attributed to the First Lady’s dedication and advocacy.
Also speaking, the Bauchi State PDP Coordinator and Adviser on NGOs and Domestic Affairs, Hajiya Zainab A. D. Rufa’i, praised the First Lady for her tireless efforts and steadfast support for women leaders and coordinators, describing her as a dependable partner whose commitment to women’s development has remained unwavering.
The meeting ended with prayers for peace, unity and continued progress in Bauchi State, as participants pledged to apply the lessons from the engagement in strengthening leadership, party cohesion and community development.
