By Ahmed Ubandoma
The President, Africa First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM), Aisha Buhari of Nigeria, on Wednesday visited the site of the ongoing construction of the new Permanent Secretariat of the Misson in Abuja.
The first lady, who was accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, expressed happiness with the progress of work done so far.
Mrs Buhari commended the construction firm handling the construction of the project for working assiduously to deliver the project within the timeframe.
”I thank the Almighty Allah for giving me the opportunity to construct the Secretariat of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission during my tenure as the first lady of Nigeria which will be inaugurated in few weeks time.”
While commending the contribution of the federal government towards the execution of the project, the first lady expressed the need for the minister of women affairs to expedite action towards the release of funds donated by the Nigerian government to ensure the completion of the project.
”I will like to thank the Nigerian government for their intervention. We also understood that some funds amounting to N500 million was allegedly received by the Honourable Minister of women affairs on behalf of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission.
”We therefore appeal to her to immediately credit the account of the peace Misson for us to adequate compilation, auditing and handing over process” she said.
The first lady therefore expressed gratitude to other stakeholders for their contributions towards the successful construction of the new Permanent Secretariat.
On her part, the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, commended the courage and tenancy of the first lady in delivering the multi-million naira project.
Ahmed expressed optimism that the project will add value to the efforts of African women in peace building across the continent.
”We are very pleased with the progress of work that has been done here. This project started a year ago and it is within the time frame and is going to be commissioned very soon.
“And it is really a credit to our First Lady, that this project has been pushed so fast, and the quality of work here is very much.
”It is good that Nigeria is actually showing leadership and we see this mission as our own and it’s a representation of peace in Africa,” she said.
(NAN)
