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Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim: Pioneering Change in Nigeria’s Ladies Affairs Ministry, by Rahma Oladosu
Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s appointment as Minister of Ladies Affairs indicators a brand new chapter for a ministry that has struggled to meet its potential lately. With unwavering willpower, she is poised to bridge the gender hole, empower ladies, and make sure the safety of their rights.
Beneath Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s management, the Ministry is about for a major turnaround, as she prioritizes the efficient implementation of insurance policies designed to guard ladies and improve tips on youngster safety. Her imaginative and prescient features a complete effort to forestall abuse, trafficking, and exploitation.
Virtually instantly upon taking workplace, Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed deep concern concerning the detention of 119 minors who have been arrested through the EndBadGovernance protests in Kano and Kaduna States on August 3, 2024. Her proactive method included a late-night go to to the detention facility, the place she engaged immediately with the kids, demonstrating her deep care as she supplied consolation, listened to their considerations, and reassured them of her dedication to their well-being.
In her quest for swift justice and the protection of the minors, Sulaiman-Ibrahim initiated discussions with related authorities, together with the Ministry of Justice, the judiciary, and correctional establishments. Her efforts shortly bore fruit, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directing the Lawyer-Common of the Federation to expedite the assessment of the minors’ circumstances. The processes afterward have been seemless, particularly with the endorsement of the Presidency. The court docket subsequently ordered their unconditional launch.
With optimism concerning the development made, the Minister confidently said that justice would prevail in accordance with the Ministry’s dedication to the rule of regulation and youngster safety ideas.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s historical past of excellence in varied endeavors distinctly positions her for this function. Whereas nonetheless in her 20s, she earned two grasp’s levels and gained expertise on the NNPC Kaduna zonal workplace and the Abuja Geographic Data Programs (AGIS). A devoted advocate for girls’s empowerment, she co-founded the Beehive Initiative—now generally known as the BumbleeBee Civic Initiative—which focuses on nurturing and mentoring politically inclined ladies. This platform has impressed many ladies to interact in governance, equipping them with the instruments to problem societal limitations.
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The Plateau State-born politician beforehand served because the Director Common of the Nationwide Company for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Individuals (NAPTIP), Nigeria’s key company for combating human trafficking. Throughout her tenure, she established important partnerships with worldwide organizations and centered on empowering survivors. Understanding that almost all of trafficking victims are ladies and women, she advocated for insurance policies prioritizing their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Her initiatives supplied survivors with entry to counseling, vocational coaching, and monetary assist, enabling them to rebuild their lives with dignity.
In September 2019, she was appointed to the Nasarawa State Financial Advisory Council, the place she contributed to methods recognizing the important function of ladies in sustainable improvement. In June 2021, she grew to become the Federal Commissioner of the Nationwide Fee for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Individuals (NCFRMI). This humanitarian group focuses on upholding the rights of weak populations, notably ladies and youngsters.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim promoted healthcare, schooling, and financial alternatives tailor-made to their distinctive wants whereas collaborating with different governmental our bodies to maximise safety and assist. She used her place in enhancing the safety of weak teams, together with youngsters, the aged, and individuals with disabilities.
Her efforts resulted in a number of tasks empowering feminine entrepreneurs in internally displaced individuals (IDP) camps, fostering self-reliance and lowering dependence on assist. Moreover, she cast partnerships with worldwide our bodies such because the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), demonstrating her capacity to navigate advanced bureaucratic programs whereas advocating for displaced ladies.
As the primary feminine Minister of State for Police Affairs, Sulaiman-Ibrahim labored intently with regulation enforcement to determine and tackle the urgent safety challenges confronted by Nigerian ladies. She spearheaded the Renewed Hope Police Reform program, geared toward enhancing inside safety. Her tenure included supporting the fast institution of the Nationwide Felony Knowledge Fusion Middle for the Nigeria Police Pressure and launching the Younger and Safe Venture to foster relationships between the youth and the police.
The appointment of Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim brings renewed hope for addressing the challenges dealing with Nigerian ladies. Key focus areas for her anticipated impression embrace: Financial Empowerment by eveloping programme to boost ladies’s entrepreneurship, schooling, and talent improvement.
On Combating Gender-Primarily based Violence. The minister ought to work in the direction of strengthening legal guidelines and insurance policies to deal with home violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Equally on Well being and Effectively-being, the Ministry ought to enhance entry to healthcare, with a deal with reproductive and maternal well being.
She ought to function an inspiring chief and advocate to raise ladies’s voices and management roles. Ladies’s Rights Consciousness can also be important in selling schooling on gender equality and social justice by way of campaigns and outreach.
Her management is anticipated to convey transformative change, enhancing the standing and alternatives for girls throughout Nigeria.
Hon. Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s appointment as Minister of Ladies Affairs is an acknowledgment of her vital contributions by way of dedication, laborious work, and patriotism. Together with her exemplary observe document, it’s anticipated that her management will deal with the multifaceted challenges dealing with ladies in Nigeria—from gender-based violence to discrimination—whereas guaranteeing the safety and dignity of each youngster.
Rahma Oladosu writes from PRNigeria Centre Abuja
