Aisha Buhari Inaugurates Africa First Ladies Peace Mission HQ In Abuja

The headquarters of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) has been inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday.

The president of the mission, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, performed the inauguration of the newly constructed headquarters of the mission built on about 2.7 hectares of land acquired by the President while construction work began on Nov. 2021.

The First Lady who was speaking shortly after the inauguration said, the Headquarters provides befitting office accommodations to ensure a conducive working condition for members of staff of the mission, adding that it also serves as an institution for promoting research on peace and security in Africa.

”Today’s location is another testimony to helping to bring about positive peace in Africa by establishing institutions and structures that will help to provide peace, and security research as well as impart the right knowledge, attitudes and values for sustainable peace and harmony across Africa.

”Because most countries on the continent are going through trying times characterised by conflicts that tend to reverse the gains of our independence and development.

”Recent examples in Mozambique, Kenya and Sudan crisis, shows how fragile nations can exploit in our faces which we fail to act on the warning signals.

”Sadly, as a result of these conflicts our sisters first ladies in Mali and Chad have become widows by the direct and indirect consequences of these conflicts,” she said.

She urged leaders across the continent to make efforts towards strengthening mechanisms that guarantee peace.

”Our leaders in peacebuilding, mediation, conflict resolution, and post-conflict reconstruction.

”I am happy to report that we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa Union to enable us to collaborate on our mission to promote peace in Africa.

She said the edifice has six meeting rooms that were named after notable African leaders and a two hundred and fifty (250) seater capacity auditorium.

The former first lady of Malawi, Joyce Banda, urged African leaders to create jobs for the youths to reduce youth restiveness which in most times results in armed conflicts on the continent.

Banda therefore called on African leaders to be pragmatic in reviving their state economy to avoid the exodus of Africans into Europe searching for greener pasture.

Former and serving African first ladies as well as the wife of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the wife of President-Elect Sen. Oluremi Tinubu attended the event.