Democracy Day: First Lady Distributes ‘Aso-Ebi’ To Women Groups For Celebrations

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Saturday in Abuja, distributed wrappers to
women groups for the Democracy Day
celebration.
The wrappers are expected be sown and worn as general ceremonial wears 'aso-ebi' by various women groups that would partake in the May 29 celebrations. The federal government has already declared the day a public holiday in Nigeria.
Some of the women groups that benefitted from
the 'aso-ebi' largesse, whose source of funding
was not stated, include Market Women and Men
Association, National Association of Women
Journalists, and Network of People Living with
HIV/AIDS.
Represented by Kema Chikwe, the National
Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party,
PDP, Mrs. Jonathan also used the opportunity to
encourage women to promote peace in Nigeria
saying Nigeria has grown to become one of the
most promising democracies in the world.
"The celebration of Democracy Day is significant
to Nigerians because it has restored dignity to
the people," the first lady said.
"Democracy has also given Nigerians a strong
voice in decision making within the context of
governance of our nation whereby our desires
and opinion are reckoned with in the process of
development.
"It is therefore a thing of joy that the country
has grown as one of the most promising
democracies of the World," she added.
Mrs. Jonathan said the government is making
efforts to ensure that Nigeria is peaceful, united
and an independent nation, in spite of the many
challenges facing the country. She urged women
to be engaged in activities that would promote
the unity of the country, and to contribute their
quota, "no matter how little", to make Nigeria a
better place.
Also, Jake Epelle of the Albino Foundation
presented a world report on Albinism to the First
Lady.
Chioma Joseph, an albino, who presented a
portrait to the first lady, said the presentation
was in recognition of Mrs. Jonathan's love for
albinos.
Samuel Kehinde, who spoke on behalf of people
'Living with Disabilities', appealed to the first
lady to 'discuss' with President Goodluck
Jonathan to ascent to the bill on people living
with disabilities.
In her vote of thanks, the president of the
Nigerian federation of women lawyers, Hauwa
Shekarau, described the president's wife as a
"motivator who constantly encourages and
carries all women along in everything she does."
"But like all humans, we want more. We have
more women in power, we want more. We have
more women in governance, we want more; we
will continue to seek for more," she said.