BOLANLE AMBODE, 11 OTHERS FOR MOST IMPACFUL GOVERNORS WIVES POLL

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Amazons Watch Magazine, a leading voice for women in developing nations, has nominated 12 First Ladies for the magazine’s Most-Impactful Governors Wives Poll, designed to gauge the impact of the various pet projects and noble activities of the Wives of Governors of Nigeria’s 36 States.

The magazine used Popularity, Impact and Sustainability as the criteria for selection. The poll is part of the magazine’s efforts to spur and encourage a more aggressive commitment and efforts on the part of the Wives of Nigerian State Governors towards improving the social, economic and political status of Nigerian women and the society at large.

The “First Lady” is an informal and unconstitutional, but accepted title in Nigeria, held by the wife of the President and State Governors of Nigeria. They are the exemplification of grace, magnificence and influence, renowned as true partners of their spouses- the Governors’ visions, and role model of excellence for women in their respective states and in the nation.

Over the years, the activities of Wives of Nigerian State Governors have remarkably turned from the traditionally ceremonial role into a potent force for women and grass root development, promoting and protecting the rights of women, eliminating all forms of repugnant practices as well as violence against women and the enhancement of their living standards.

However, there has been an array of criticisms and queries on the relevance of these programmes and individual projects of the First Ladies.

With the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria on 29 May, 2015, the Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, desirous of making a positive impact on the lives of women, children and the less privileged, restructured the operations of the Governors Wives Forum, highlighting key challenges faced by women that should be addressed: widowhood rites, female inheritance rights, female genital mutilation, early marriages, violence against women and children, high maternal mortality as well as women economic empowerment, among others.

The poll is therefore being organized, against this backdrop, with the aim of examining and shining the spotlight on various impactful activities of the Wives of Governors of Nigeria’s 36 states.

The nominees for the poll are: Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano of Anambra State; Mrs. Bolanle Ambode of Lagos State; Mrs. Olufunso Amosun of Ogun State; Mrs. Rashida Bello of Kogi State; Dr. Zainab Bagudu of Kebbi State; and Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State.

Others on the list for voting are: Hajiya Ummi El Rufai of Kaduna State; Hajiya Mariya Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Dr Lynda Ayade of Cross River State; Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Wike of Rivers State; Mrs. Florence Ajimobi of Oyo State; and Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha of Imo State.

The Governor’s Wife to emerge winner in the poll will be featured in an exclusive and extensive interview to be included in a special edition that will be published and showcased at the margins of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly New York by September 2017 during the First Ladies on a Mission Forum.

In the same vein, the winner will be further celebrated with a Global Impact Award, in recognition of the visible impact and significant contributions to the well-being of women, as well as her selfless service to humanity: while others to emerge among the Top 3, as well as the other nominees for the poll will also receive a commendation award.

The poll will begin on Monday, 16 May 2017.Who will emerge winners? Please click to vote: https://goo.gl/3JlHsC