Whither Pet Projects By Former First Ladies?

Several pet projects which were enthusiastically embarked upon by some former first ladies of Nigeria, were renowned for their contributions to the Nigerian society through various developments that progressed while their initiators were still in office. However, many of these pet projects die with the exit of their founders. In this piece, Bukola Ogunsina looks at those that have gone into oblivion as well as those that have stood the test of time

These pet projects of former first ladies rooted in brilliant ideas are usually met with mixed feelings, some sweet and some sour. While some have accused the initiators of these projects of actually using them as facades or means of showing the importance of their offices, many have congratulated and applauded the efforts that have been put into them and their continued good impact on the lives of their benefactors, mainly the less privileged of the society.

The current first lady Dame Patience Jonathan has an initiative running at the moment called, WOMEN FOR CHANGE INITIATIVE, which reports say has contributed to more women participating at a higher level in Government. The question asked along, in regards to other pet projects by former first ladies, what would become of the project when she leaves office? Would it go on to impact lives as a Non-Governmental Agency like some have, or would it be mildly neglected as a few others are?

Some Nigerians are not aware that these pet projects by Nigerian former first ladies are still in existence. Folake Sina, a Health Practitioner with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) told LEADERSHIP Weekend, “I did not know that most of these pet projects by former Nigerian first ladies still exist. I think Non-Governmental Organisations have taken over most of them like WRAPA and so on,” she said.

There has also been the question as to how strong their impacts are. “Also, I have not met anyone that personally benefited from any of these pet projects. But I have met some benefactors of YouWin, and when they are funded, they set up businesses for themselves. I saw some SURE-P benefactors on TV as well,” Sina told LEADERSHIP Weekend.

In another interview, Aina Gbadebo, a retiree teacher indicated, “In the case of Better Life for Rural Women by the former first lady late Maryam Babangida, It created awareness for women in the north, making them aware of their basic rights and knowledge of their capabilities and that they can contribute to Nation building.It created a platform for women to go into politics and to be self-sufficient, empowering women in rural and urban areas.”

Nansel Audu, political analyst told LEADERSHIP Weekend, “Regarding these pet projects by former first ladies, that of the late Maryam Babangida, Better Life for Rural Women, also gave credence and popularised the opinion of women like Gambo Sawaba, Margaret Ekpo, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Madam Tinubu of Lagos and other prominent women who first rose to bring women to politics,” he said.

Regarding the continuity of such projects, Audu asserted, “There cannot be continuity because first lady roles are not voted in roles. It’s very unlike a project established by the office of the President. The President holds a voted in role. It’s also not like a government office where continuity is expected. So no one expects these first ladies to continue with the pet projects of their predecessors. They are not mandated to continue with the project. They came up with the fund raising and initiative to establish these pet projects,” he explained. This explanation also gives emphasis to why the initiatives are labelled pet projects.

A lecturer in the Mass Communications Department of Bingham University, Moses Akurega told LEADERSHIP Weekend, “I think people still remember the Better Life for Rural Women Programme by the late former First Lady, Maryam Babangida. It made more impact than any of the others. For instance the Better Life for Rural Women went into the rural areas to help women. The people in my Local Government Area, Vandikya in Benue benefitted from these programmes. They still wear the uniforms with the project’s name written on it and they still hold meetings.

“If you go further into the hinterlands, you will find some of these rural women making soda soap. They have also been given fertiliser. This month I went home to the village, women were still selling the soaps they made and making a living for themselves. Also WOTCLEF is another effective initiative. It was founded by the former Vice president’s wife, Titi Abubakar. WOTCLEF has fought for the rights of women, and that has made another impact and touched the core problems of our society.”

In regards to the continuity of pet projects by former first ladies, LEADERSHIP Weekend spoke to CEO of Nigeria Women’s Trust Fund Ayisha Osori who said, “It depends on what state they find the projects and if the projects have been executed by the state or Ministry of Women Affairs, or by the first ladies non-profit organisation.”

She further adds that if project have been executed by NGO’s how then does the rirst lady in office continues? “Ideally first ladies should work through the relevant ministries based on their interests and then there will be continuity,” she indicated.

Such initiatives by Nigeria’s former first ladies is certainly not restricted to Africa as it seems the tradition for several other first ladies around the world to take on pet projects to positively impact their societies in their capacity as first lady. Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta, the wife of the Kenyan President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta reportedly runs a campaign nicknamed, ‘Beyond Zero’ to reduce child maternal mortality rates. Also, according to Bluenationreview.com, Michelle Obama America’s first lady and wife of President Barack Obama, has been commended for her initiative LetsMove.gov, supporting eating better and exercising more, and also putting an end to homelessness for American veterans. She is also known to have initiated in 2012 healthy eating in schools.

Insights into Pet Projects of former first ladies

Better Life For Rural Women

Now known as Better Life Program For The African Rural Woman (BLPARW), the project goes on with Hajiya Aisha Babangida the daughter of the late founder as its Chairperson. Its focus basically remains the same, except that it is more on a wider scale and its mission is not only to cater for rural women in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole.

This initiative was originally founded by the late wife of former President Ibrahim Babangida, Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Maryam Ibrahim Babangida. It was established in September 1986, inspired by challenging matters facing women worldwide according to the United Nations Decade for Women, 1976 & 1985 Conference. The initiative empowers rural women socially, economically and politically, creating awareness of challenges facing Nigerian women.

The Better Life Programme opened up and sponsored the launch of several cooperatives, cottage industries, farms and gardens, shops and markets, women development centres and social programs. Also important was its support and endorsement of adult education, primary health care, agriculture, crafts and food processing. The National Centre for Women Development which has become a symbol for women empowerment was built during the era of Maryam Babangida.

In 2004, Better Life for Rural Women was renamed Better Life Program for the African Rural Woman (BLPARW).

Women Trafficking And Child Labour Eradication Foundation (Wotclef)

This project was put in place by Chief Mrs Amina Titi Abubakar, wife of the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar in 1999. It is also said that it is the first project to be successfully carried out by the wife of a Vice President. Other factors that contributed to its popularity was the once popular Nigerian soap it partly sponsored on trafficking of women, ‘IZOZO.’

The aim of WOTCLEF is to eradicate trafficking in persons, child labour and violent abuses of the rights of women and society. It also looks to eradicate HIV/AIDS. The project aims to ultimately place victims back in society by ensuring they are economically self-sufficient and psychologically well adjusted. WOTCLEF provides support to young women, boys and girls who are victims of trafficking and child labour.

For deported victims, psychosocial counselling and medical treatment, clothing, legal assistance and shelter is provided. On every occasion possible, victims are brought back together with their families and provided with vocational training assistance.

In general it looks to create an international coalition to restore human dignity through empowerment, education and advocacy.

It is reportedly now a non-governmental organisation. The organisation’s works goes beyond the Nigerian borders as it also works hand in hand with some European countries regarded as recipients of young women and children trafficked from Nigeria.

It has organised campaigns in countries such as Italy, the Netherlands, the United States and the United Kingdom and others. With the international cooperation it got, WOTCLEF expanded in 2005 across borders to open an office in Florida.

The establishment of WOTCLEF pushed for the enactment of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act in 2003 and the consequent establishment of the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) by the Government.

Women And Youth Empowerment Foundation

The Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation (WYEF), is a project established by the wife of the former President late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Turai Yar’ Adua.

It is said to be an umbrella for various activities which touch on societal ills. Examples of some of the projects are; VISION which targets the reduction of cataract and childhood blindness. The Maternal and New Born Health Improvement Programme, Screening programme for breast and cervical cancer, HIV/AIDS and STDs intervention programme, the Diabetes awareness and education programme.

This initiative has also begun to direct its efforts at reducing poverty, preventing drug abuse and lifelong education.

Reports state that the former first lady’s initiative, WYEF, reformed Katsina’s Vesico Vaginal Vistula Centre, it contributed a bus to Yangoji Leprosy Village in Kwali and armed the Suleja Prison workshop with tools to make inmates dexterous and independent when they have served their jail time and left prison.

She is also the brains behind the Cancer Research Centre which is located along the airport road. According to media reports, it is still a work in progress as it is being arranged for equipment to be brought to the building. Also the centre would be recruiting Nigerian Professionals in the field from abroad to come back home and contribute their valuable knowledge in finding a cure to cancer and its treatment. Further reports have indicated that the centre would emphasise on four types of cancer that result in most deaths in Nigeria, such as; cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and throat cancer. Efforts are being made to make it the number one referral centre for cancer in Africa. The former first lady said in a statement that what inspired her to establish the centre was to give standard healthcare to the vulnerable in Nigeria, targeting women and children, particularly the rural and urban poor.

Family Support Programme

The Family Support Programme (FSP) initiated by Maryam Abacha, former first lady and wife of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, was inaugurated in September 1994, after the United Nation’s declaration of 1994 as the international year of the family. It was known as a branch of what was known as Family Economic Advancement Programme. The FSP is a private initiative headed at the national, state and local government stages by Maryam Abacha and the wives of the state governors and local government chairmen, individually.

It is said that Maryam Abacha influenced the upgrade of the National Commission for Women into a full-fledged Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development through the FSP project.

Reports state that it was through the money realised from the FSP Fund, the former first lady built the National Women and Children Hospital, today known as National Hospital, in Abuja. The hospital was established in May 22, 1999 by the administration of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Its emphasis is on the needs of the family and its interests.

Child Care Trust

The late wife of the former President, Rtd Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Stella Obasanjo is the founder of the Child Care Trust (CCT) which was established in May 2000, shortly after her husband became the president. Reports state that her love for life inspired her to care for the less privileged. The project is aimed at supporting children, especially the physically challenged children. A media report pointed out that the late first lady’s guiding philosophy has always been that children are a special gift from God, and they need to be appreciated and loved, no matter their physical or mental circumstances.

The Trust believes that when the necessary care and support are given to disabled children, such support could secure for the children a happy and productive adult life, as the late first lady believed that there is ability in disability, particularly when the educational, healthcare and emotional needs of challenged children are provided for in their early vital years.

The Trust is not for profit, and a non- governmental organisation, its offices are in Bwari. The centre is reported to provide vocational training schemes for children and women from less privileged backgrounds, and also has a specialist clinic that offers occupational therapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy. It caters primary health care services to children and women.

Women’s Rights Advancement And Protection Alternative (Wrapa)

Initiated by Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, former first lady and wife of the former Head of State, Rtd Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, WRAPA was established in 1999. The foundation is still functioning and developing even after she left office as First Lady. Its offices are located at Plot 792 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II. WRAPA is registered as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Non-Political and Non-Profit making charitable organisation. It works for the advocacy and promotion and the protection of women’s rights, creating awareness. It also fights against the harmful practices against women, looking at improving their living standards.

WRAPA is reported to have 10 legal aid centres in 10 states, 11 vocational training centres in nine states, and 22 adult literacy centres in 12 states. It also played an important role in saving the lives of two women, Safiya Hussaini and Amina Lawal who were both sentenced to death by stoning for adultery in 2005.

The project WRAPA, works to uphold and safeguard the rights of Nigerian women within three systems known as customary, common, and Sharia law. It aims to improve the lives of individual women.