The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Wednesday in Abuja laid the foundation of the permanent secretariat of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM).
In her address, Jonathan, who is the President of the AFLPM, expressed the hope that the secretariat would serve as a venue for discussions on how to promote peace, security and development in Africa.
The First Lady also used the occasion to condole with the government and people of Ghana over the death of President John Atta Mills.
Jonathan said that Mills’ death was very sad news to all African countries and members of the mission, in particular.
She particularly commiserated with the wife of the late Ghanaian President, who is also a member of the mission.
“We received with shock and sadness news of the transition of his Excellency, Prof John Atta Mills, President of Ghana and husband of our dear sister and colleague, Mrs Emesina Mills.
Jonathan called on all the First Ladies of African countries to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the secretariat project was completed within the stipulated time.
“This ceremony is a follow up to our effort to build a solid foundation for our organisation. Let me assure you that Nigeria remains proud to host the secretariat of this organisation.
“We have kept hope alive by this event; we have also demonstrated that we are committed to achieving lasting peace in our continent.
“On this foundation stone we shall build a befitting structure as the secretariat of our mission; here, we shall assemble to discuss and resolve pressing issues of peace, security and development in Africa.
“I appeal to you my dear sisters that this secretariat belongs to all of us, the First Ladies of Africa; we must, therefore, work hard to ensure its completion.
Jonathan thanked the Federal Government for providing the land for the secretariat project, while commending the efforts of the founding members of the mission.
Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Patience earlier inaugurated an interim secretariat for the AFLPM, pending the completion of the permanent secretariat.
NANalso reports that the AFLPM was established after the 1995 UN Conference on Women in Beijing, China, to promote peace and harmony in Africa.
The initiative, which was spearheaded by the First Ladies of Nigeria, Gambia, Benin, Uganda, Lesotho and Burundi, is aimed at working for peace in Africa.
Nigeria was elected as the President of the AFLPM in 2008 and it was then agreed that Nigeria should provide a permanent secretariat for the Mission.
The secretariat, which will have the shape of a dove, will be built on a 18,000 sq.-metre land. The edifice will have seven floors at the centre and three floors at the wings, with a 400-seat capacity auditorium.
It will also have an exhibition hall for African female artists, lounges, a parking space and a peace room, where issues of peace and development would be discussed, as well as dressing and restrooms.
Jonathan, who said the choice of a dove shape for the building symbolised peace, stressed that the structure would be completed within the next one year.
Dignitaries at the occasion include the First Ladies of other African countries, wives of state governors, wives of diplomats and the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Helen Mark.
The First Ladies also planted some trees in the secretariat’s premises. (NAN)