The National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) says it has mobilised more than eight million women to support peace-building, intelligence sharing and trauma healing initiatives nationwide.
The National President of NCWS, Princess Edna Azura, said this on Monday in Abuja during the council’s nationwide prayer convocation on national issues.
Azura said the council would encourage its members across the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to play more active roles in promoting peace and supporting affected families.
“As NCWS, we pledge to mobilise our eight million members across the 774 local government areas to intercede daily for seven days.
“We will support intelligence gathering by encouraging women to see something and say something to the appropriate authorities,” she said.
According to her, the council will also provide emotional support to victims and families affected by violence, displacement and other consequences of insecurity.
She said NCWS would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to promote trauma healing, particularly among women and children affected by violent conflicts across communities.
“We will counsel and support families of victims and partner with government on trauma healing for women and children.
“We will also keep our homes as the first school of peace by teaching our children love for God and love for country,” she said.
Azura commended the efforts of the Federal Government, state governments and security agencies in addressing insecurity and restoring peace in different parts of Nigeria.
She described the nationwide prayer initiative as a complementary effort aimed at supporting ongoing security operations and promoting national healing and reconciliation.
“We are holding the hands of government in prayer while carrying our own part of the burden on our knees.
“We see the sacrifices of our military, police and other security services and we do not take them for granted,” she said.
The NCWS president urged women, youths and community leaders to actively contribute to efforts aimed at restoring peace, security and stability across the country.
She also appealed to the media to amplify messages of peace, unity and national healing, emphasising that sustainable peace required collective responsibility.
According to her, citizens, institutions and communities all have critical roles to play in building a safer and more peaceful nation.
The seven-day prayer and fasting programme is being observed simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Also speaking, Hajiya Aisha Baba-Ringa, President of the NCWS FCT Chapter, said women were united in seeking lasting peace and national stability.
According to her, the initiative is also aimed at supporting families affected by insecurity and advocating the safe return of abducted persons.
“It is not easy for a parent who carried a child for nine months, dressed that child for school and expected the child back home, only for the child not to return.
“We are praying for the children, for their parents and for peace to return to our country,” she said.
Also, Mrs Shadrack Mildred, Spiritual Leader of the COCIN Women Fellowship, Regional Church Council Nigeria, urged parents to pay greater attention to child upbringing.
“It is our responsibility as parents to train our children in a good way so that they will grow up to become people who will stand for what is right.
“We pray that God will open our eyes as parents so that we can rise to our responsibilities and train our children properly,” she said.
