Celebrated crime fighter, DCP Abba Kyari, has been honoured by the wife of the Nigerian President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, for uncommon dedication to duty.
Kyari was honoured at the 3rd year anniversary of the First Lady’s project – Future Assured Programme alongside two journalists – Ruona Meyer, who received an award for producing a documentary on Codeine, leading to its ban, and Tobore Ovuorie, for her report on human trafficking.
Corporate organizations including FlexiSAF Foundation were also honoured for innovation and social service.
During the event at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Mrs Buhari pledged to continue championing the cause of women and children.
According to Suleiman Haruna, the Director of Information to Mrs Buhari, she also expressed joy that the programme has made giant strides in such a short time, as she thanked partners that made it possible.
Mrs Buhari spoke of the programme’s engagement in addressing the deteriorating health status of women, youth and children, working to reduce the rate of maternal, neonatal and child mortality. She quoted nutrition, lack of health education, lack of clean drinking water and poverty as the culprits leading the programme to provide clean drinking water, nutrition supplements and health screening exercises against killer diseases like breast and cervical cancer, diabetes, kidney disease and hypertension in many parts of the country. She also spoke of interventions in deworming children.
Speaking on the programme’s involvement in empowerment, Mrs Buhari said poverty had to be tackled through deliberate programmes to develop entrepreneurial skills and provide women and youth with working tools. She mentioned rice mills, fish dryers, and groundnut extruders as well as grinding mills, sewing machines, rickshaws and spaghetti makers.
She spoke on the effort of the programme in the protection of human rights of women and children against abuse, violence and rape as well as supporting surgeries and advocacy on conditions like intersex and hydrocephalus.
Mrs Buhari said the event recognized that many Nigerians “are working to change lives like the programme is doing and need to be emulated”.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Federal Ministry of Health, UNFPA and Friesland Campina.
Highlights of the event were the cutting of the birthday cake and unveiling of the Future Assured Magazine, as well as a platform to promote youth creativity.
The event was attended by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, government officials, wives of state governors and members of the Diplomatic Corp.
