A veteran journalist, Hajia Biliqis Modupe Oladimeji, has emerged as the new Amirah of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Kwara State chapter.
She emerged via a consensus arrangement during the 40th Anniversary and Stepdown of the National Conference of FOMWAN held in Offa, Kwara State.
Hajia Biliqis will work with Hajia Rukayat Adegboyega Adeagbo as the Secretary of the Association.
Other executive members include Alhaja Shifau Bint Saruq (Naibah Amirah); Hajia Fatimah Muhammed (Assistant Secretary I); Barakat Tomori (Assistant Secretary II); Dr. Saadat Abdulkadri (Public Relations Officer), while Ramat Ayo Ismail will serve as Assistant Public Relations Officer of the Association.
Others are Hajia Fatimah Abolore Jimih (Treasurer); Hajia Biliqis Mahmud (Financial Secretary); Hajia Silifat Ishola (Auditor); Hajia Raliat Abdullah (Dawah Officer I); Hajia Lateefah Aromaradu (Dawah Officer II); Barr. Ruqayyah Abdulaziz (Legal Officer); Hajia Nimat Labaika (Ex-Officer I) and Hajia Aminat Abdulkadir (Ex-Officer II).
Inaugurating the new executive at FOMWAN Hall, Offa, a member of the Board of National Trustees, Hajia Raliat Sanni, advised them on transparency and good governance as well as unity and cooperation.
She also urged the newly inaugurated executive to always carry all women groups and the local government areas along in their various activities so as to meet the goals and expectations of the Association.
She charged them to maintain qualities of good leadership, which include transparency, implementing the principles of the Qur’an and Hadith, effecting cross-cultural communication, and awareness creation, while prioritizing confidence in themselves.
According to her, peaceful coexistence could be achieved through mutual respect and sovereignty, being justifiable, reaching out to all, and avoiding any form of backbiting.
In her goodwill message, Kwara South Zonal Coordinator, Hajia Kuburah Bello, warned the newly inaugurated executive against hypocrisy and urged them not to be traitor leaders but to work towards sustaining the legacies of the founding members.
Bello also advised members to be united and work together with all and sundry in order to achieve the desired goals and expectations.
She charged them to sustain all FOMWAN programmes and always seek advice from past leaders for excellence.
Earlier, in her opening remark, the outgoing Amirah, Hajia Nimat Oluwatoyin Laibaka, appreciated members for sustaining the Association since its inception.
She explained that the outgoing executive served diligently with sincerity of purpose, dedication, commitment, and regular consultation that promoted love and unity among members.
“The support and cooperation enjoyed from members have led to the tremendous success and achievements recorded with new ideas and innovations,” she said.
“In my four years as the State Amirah, the Association witnessed tremendous achievements in different segments including education, health, humanitarian services, women empowerment, among others. We also collaborated with relevant civil society organizations for the betterment of our Association.”
She urged the new executive to expand and strengthen the Association’s sources of internal revenue generation, noting that there is need to set up a resource mobilization committee to move the Association to a greater level.
She therefore appreciated the National Board of Trustees members, Hajia Raliat Sanni, Alhaja Musilimat Kamaldeen Al-Adabiyi, the Kwara-Kogi Zonal Coordinator, Hajia Kuburah Bello, Hajia Memunat Oniyangi, and Hajia Rahmat Yahaya Madawaki, for their support, guidance, and for providing an enabling environment to serve the Association for four years.
In her acceptance speech, the State Amirah, Hajia Biliqis Modupe Oladimeji, appreciated the FOMWAN Board of Advisers and members, including the local government areas.
Hajia Biliqis Modupe Oladimeji, who is a retired Head of Centre at the Federal Ministry of Information, Kwara State, and the immediate past Naibah Amirah of the Association, pledged to work with other executives and members across the three senatorial districts of the state to improve the organisation and touch more lives locally and at the national level.
“We are honoured to lead this great organisation at this critical juncture and pledge to build on the foundations laid by our predecessors and work towards achieving FOMWAN’s vision of leadership of Muslim women and promoting their welfare.”
She appealed for their continuous support and cooperation to turn the worthy legacy of the Association into a sustainable heritage to further strengthen its mission, aims, and objectives.