By Habibu Muhammad
Sokoto, March 5, 2024 The Community Dialogue Committee (CDC), a grassroot group supported by Global Rights and Kukah Center has engaged 100 faith leaders on preaching religious tolerance, women empowerment among faithfuls.
Speaking at the occasion, CDC Chairman, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi, said effort was aimed at strengthening leaders understanding on the importance of religious tolerance, women empowerment and peaceful relationship among faithfuls.
Umar-Jabbi said the two days exercise was to train faith leaders and strengthen thier capacity on civic participation and women’s inclusion in peace building processes.
He said the training was part of the committee’s initiative to encourage adherents to live in peace and supports women in the society.
In a lecture, Prof. Mustapha Namakka, underscored the importance of women education and empowerment as best ways to strengthen societal challenges noting that women were firstline trainers in the family settings.
Nakamakka, a Professor of Animal Science from Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto, traced the intellectual contributions of Nana Asama’u Danfodio and urged present women to emulate her as role model.
He said Nana Asama’u have contributed to the development of Sokoto Caliphate in all areas and her legacies still remain relevant in the contemporary period.
He explained that the Scholar being a woman had incorporated entrepreneurship trainings, besides educating women on reading and writing skills as well as Islamic studies during her life
According to him, she served as a councillor during the reign of her brother Muhammad Bello and executed admistrative duties along with school activities.
He stressed that her lineage had produced no fewer than 10 professors and various intellectuals at present being the highest family with intellectuals in the present Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Namakka added that women should be contributing in decision making and become industrious in thier surroundings as Nana Asama’u engaged herself and become role model to all women in the country.
Rev. Iliya Ibrahim, described the event as fruitful in recognition of the present day challenges faced by women and enjoined husbands to live up to the expectations on familial responsibilities.
Ibrahim urged leaders to preach coexistence and tolerance and shun activities capable of instigating violence stressing the need for parental guide which is instrumental to harmony in the society.
CDC Secretary, Ms Sadiya Bello, emphasized the need for women inclusion for sustainable development and resilient and called husbands, community leaders and others to understand women conditions and facilitate thier economic empowerments.
Bello said women in many circumstances becomes breadwinners in their respective families especially when husbands died or incapacitated, so the viable ventures assist them on reducing the livelihood challenges.
Ms Magret Amadu from Global Rights, an NGO, assured more support on enhancing community engagements and commended CDC as well as other stakeholders in their commitment in Sokoto state.
Newmen reports that other lectures were delivered by different personalities and the event witnessed questions and answers on different ways to address challenges.
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