For their outstanding performance to the growth and development of Nigeria, the Indian High Commission to Nigeria honoured five Nigerian women at a ceremony to mark the 2024 International Women Day (IWD).
The women honoured over the weekend in Abuja include Aisha Rimi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); Prof Fatima Waziri-Azi, the Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC); Hajiya Bola Shagaya, a businesswoman and fashion enthusiast and Ms. Rahama Sadau, Nigerian Actress.
Speaking on the IWD, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gangandharan Balasubramanian said it was an important day for more than 50 percent of the population of the world are females (women), and they have to be celebrated for the contributions to the development of the world.
He noted that in every field, women have made their marks, noting that there is no limit to how far a woman can climb in their chosen field in India, calling on other countries which still have gender discrimination to take a leaf.
The envoy said the award was given in recognition of some of the leading women in Nigeria and to motivate others to follow in their footsteps.
One of the awards, the DG, NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi described the award as a pleasant surprise to her.
She said: “A lot of time when you do your job, you don’t know many are watching, you don’t know that people are appreciative of what you do. I would say it is an honour and NAPTIP and Indian High Commission have had long collaboration.”
The DG said the award would add to motivate her to do more and spur her agency to feel appreciated and go after human traffickers.
Waziri-Azu who said much more should be expected to be achieved by the agency in 2024 disclosed that NAPTIP performed immensely well last year than it did in previous years.
