Abuja: Mr Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), has called on women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mobilise ahead of the 2027 general elections. Maikalangu made this appeal during the launch of the L.A.D.D.E.R Initiative, a women-focused empowerment program, in Abuja. The program was organized by the Office of the Special Adviser on Women Affairs to the AMAC chairman.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the L.A.D.D.E.R Initiative stands for Leadership, Advocacy, Development, Digital Access, Enterprise, and Resilience. It aims to provide women across AMAC’s 12 wards with access to finance, leadership opportunities, digital tools, and safety nets. Maikalangu praised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for its performance in the FCT, noting it as the first time an FCT representative is part of the Federal Executive Council meeting.
He highlighted that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had significantly improved road infrastructure across rural communities. Maikalangu urged women to participate actively in the upcoming elections to ensure the continuation of these developments and to support the return of Philip Aduda to the Senate. He emphasized the importance of women’s inclusion in governance, stating that his administration would not succeed without them.
Ms Loveth Izekor, Special Adviser on Women Affairs to the AMAC chairman, outlined the initiative’s design to reach women at the grassroots, emphasizing their power and courage. This gathering allowed women stakeholders in AMAC to deliberate on pressing issues and collaborate with an NGO for development and capacity building among rural women.
Dr Adaora Onyechere, Executive Director of Gender Strategy Advancement International, described the launch as historic. As a mentor to the Special Adviser, she underscored the initiative’s focus on empowerment, access, and capacity building for vulnerable women. Onyechere praised AMAC’s bottom-to-top approach to governance, highlighting the importance of grassroots involvement in sustainable development.
The L.A.D.D.E.R Initiative is seen as a long-term platform for transforming micro-entrepreneurs into sustainable business owners and community advocates into decision-makers. Izekor reiterated her support for candidates based on capacity and merit rather than gender, encouraging women to support capable leaders irrespective of gender.