Jigawa First Lady Honoured with African Iconic Award for Girl-Child Empowerment

By Our Correspondent

The First Lady of Jigawa State, Hajiya Hadiza Umar Namadi, has been conferred with the prestigious African Iconic Woman Award for Girl-Child Empowerment 2025. The award ceremony was held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Conference Hall in Abuja and drew dignitaries from across the country, including government officials, development partners, and civil society groups.

The award, presented by the African Iconic Women Recognition Award (AIWRA), recognises the First Lady’s outstanding contribution to the empowerment and advancement of the girl-child in Jigawa State. In her acceptance speech, Hajiya Hadiza Namadi expressed deep gratitude, dedicating the award to the people of Jigawa and the state’s governor, her husband, Malam Umar A. Namadi.

“Yesterday was a momentous day, not just for me but for the entire people of Jigawa State,” she said. “This recognition is a reflection of our collective efforts and the strides we are making toward uplifting and empowering the girl-child.”

She acknowledged the unwavering support of her husband, the governor, crediting his encouragement and belief in her vision as pivotal to her success. She prayed for continued divine guidance and protection for his leadership, emphasising that their shared commitment to social progress has been the driving force behind their initiatives.

Hajiya Hadiza Namadi noted that the award is not only a celebration of past achievements but also a renewed call to action. She pledged to continue launching impactful programmes focused on education, empowerment, and inclusion for girls and vulnerable groups across Jigawa.

The event was attended by several notable personalities, including the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, members of the First Lady’s team, and other invited guests. The First Lady thanked them all for their presence and support, highlighting the significance of collective advocacy for lasting change.

Concluding her speech, she dedicated the award to every girl-child whose dreams deserve to be realised, every family striving for a better future, and every individual working to uplift society. “Together, we will continue to strive for a legacy of progress, equity, and hope for Jigawa State and beyond,” she said.