The minister of State for Education, Prof. (Mrs) Viola Onwuliri says First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has used her position to advance the course of women in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the minister and made available to newsmen, the minister described the First Lady as a selfless and passionate mother whose immeasurable contributions to nation building have continued to strengthen her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan to remain committed in delivering the dividends of his administration’s transformation agenda.
Onwuliri who described the First Lady as a matriarch, whom irrespective of mounting challenges, has used her position to secure effective women representation in government and impacted positively on the lives of the less privileged and indigent widows through the Women for Change Initiative and other forms of empowerment programmes.
She further applauded the First Lady’s initiatives to key into his husband’s unparalleled commitment to the well- being and empowerment of Nigerian women as well as ensuring the integration of women in the body-politic and governance.
According to the statement, “It is my wish to join other millions of Nigerians to facilitate with the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, a selfless and passionate mother who has not failed to use her good position to advance the cause of women representation in government and other forms of empowerment through her NGOs and Women For Change Initiative.
“Your immeasurable contributions towards nation building and other supportive roles have largely strengthened President Goodluck Jonathan, your lovely husband to continue and deliver the dividends of his administration’s transformation agenda.”
The minister further prayed God to grant Dame Jonathan more years of healthy living as she continues to render selfless services to humanity.