Yahaya Idris Ahmed, Abuja.
Minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Ramatu Tijani Aliyu recently celebrated her golden jublee as she attained 50 years of age.
As part of activities to mark the celebration, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu,fete 65 orphanage homes across the six Area Councils of the territory.
A press statement signed by her Special Assistant Media, Austin Elemue, She also donated 20 wheelchairs to the physically challenged persons in Karanmajiji disable colony in Abuja Abuja Municipal Area Council, as concern for the less previleged.
The minister who was accompanied by her husband, Alhaji Tijjani Aliyu and the wife of the FCT Permanent Secretary, Lady Pamela Ohaa, said her decision to mark her 50th birthday with orphans and the less privileged in the society was to appreciate Allah’s kindness and mercies upon her life, noting that there was no better way to appreciate God than to show love to them.
Aliyu opined that children in the orphanage homes should be the collective responsibility of wealthy members of the society, even as she commended the efforts of the FCT Social Development Secretariat in ensuring that the children are groomed to face future challenges like other children in the society.
She also used the occasion to challenge the children to aspire for leadership positions in the country while praying that God would grant each and everyone of them their heart desires.
In an emotion laden voice she said; “Let me start by sincerely apologizing to you. You have been under this sun for a very long time. I had other pressing issues and I want to be physically present to make you happy. Today is my 50th birthday as you have been told. This is a surprised birthday organised by my well wishers, my indefatigable Team Ramatu who have identified with me come rain, come shine.
“I want to tell you that you will grow up to 50 years and beyond by God’s grace. You are future leaders of this nation. Among you are House of Representatives, Members, Senators, Ministers, Governors, even President of this country. I say this in the presence of God today that among you, we have president, governors and ministers of tomorrow”.
In his remarks, Alhaji Tijjani Aliyu, while thanking Allah for the life of his wife and career progression, he used the occasion to call on the men folks to encourage their wives in any chosen career.
Aliyu, also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for recognizing her contributions in nation building, just as he described Mr. President as the godfather, stressing that politics and giving to humanity has been the hallmark of the FCT Minister of State,.
“I want to use this opportunity to welcome my dear wife to the rank of those who can talk to elders in the face. We have come a very long way. Each and every person has chosen a career he or she wishes to aspire to. Politics and giving to humanity is her own aspiration and by the grace of God she has not looked back since she started.
“We thank God for what He has done for us till this date and I want to use this opportunity to send a very powerful message to my male folks that a woman you have in your house is not a piece of luggage, but a partner that must be encouraged to aspire even beyond yourself because at the end of the day, this partnership do not know who God will call first.
“So I will admonish my male folks to give their wives the best support to aspire even to be president. It is also heart-warming that you are the husband of the president. You see, I always challenge some of my friends by asking them, “is your wife also a minister”?
“I wish to thank each and every one of you who have stood by her solidly. I have noticed it starting from Mr, President. Those of you who have watched her progress from the beginning, the person of Hajia Ramatu does not have a godfather. The only one I have identified in the last 20 years is President Muhammadu Buhari. I am saying this from the position of fact,” he affirmed.
Earlier, the Vice President of Coalition of Orphanage and Children Homes in Nigeria ( COCHIN), Mr. Kuta Gabriel, thanked the FCT Minister of State for the gesture.
Items donated to the 65 orphanage homes include indoomie noodles, spaghetti, assorted drinks and beverages.
