By Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hassan

At a grand ceremony held at the Gombe International Conference Center, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Gombe State, Mrs. Adaline Waye Patari, was honored with the Outstanding Woman Award for her exceptional leadership, resilience, and dedication to empowering women and transforming communities.

The award was presented during the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration in Gombe State, organized by the Motherhen Development Foundation in collaboration with the Jewel Care Foundation, Crystal Justice, Santana Care Foundation, and the Bala Waja Development Initiative.

In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Adaline Waye Patari dedicated the recognition to her entire team at NOA, acknowledging their tireless efforts in promoting awareness, inclusivity, and empowerment, particularly among women.

> “This award is not just for me; it belongs to every hardworking individual at NOA who is committed to driving change. We will continue to work tirelessly to create a society where women and girls can thrive, free from discrimination and marginalization,” she stated.

She further encouraged women to believe in their potential, emphasizing that their voices matter, their contributions count, and their dreams are valid.

> “Keep pushing boundaries, challenging stereotypes, and inspiring others to do the same,” she urged.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Motherhen Development Foundation, Dr. Erisa Danladi, highlighted the importance of recognizing women who have significantly contributed to community development, leadership, and empowerment.

She explained that the awards were designed to motivate, celebrate, and inspire more women to take active roles in society.

The recognition categories included the Grassroots Women Award, Community Women Award, Outstanding Women Award, He for She Award, and the Royal He for She Award for traditional leaders championing women’s development.

Among the recipients of the Outstanding Woman Award were Hon. Aishatu Jibir Dukku, Dr. Aishatu Umar Maigari, and *Justice Zainab Bulkaciwa (Rtd). *Meanwhile, the He for She Award was presented to Barr. Sani Ahmad Haruna (Executive Chairman, Gombe Local Government), Comrade Faruq Muazu Gombe (Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ), and Amb. Ibrahim Yusuf (Chairman, Gombe Network of Civil Society).

Additionally, traditional rulers such as Mai Kaltungo HRH Engr. Saleh Muhammad, Bala Waja HRH Alh. Mohammed Danjuma, and Lamido Gona HRH Alh. Umar Abdulkadir Abdulsalam received the Royal He for She Award for their advocacy in promoting women’s empowerment.

The 2025 International Women’s Day celebration in Gombe was not only a moment of recognition but also a powerful call to action for gender inclusivity, leadership, and societal progress.

As the event concluded, the resounding message was clear: Women’s contributions are invaluable, and their role in shaping a better society must be amplified and supported.

By Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hassan

In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2025, the Motherhen Development Foundation organized a grand event to honor distinguished women in Gombe State for their outstanding contributions to society across various fields.

The ceremony also recognized traditional rulers and other influential personalities for their unwavering support of women’s development.

Held at the Gombe International Conference Center, Mai Kaltungo, the event featured a keynote address by His Royal Highness, Engr. Saleh Muhammad, the Mai Kaltungo, who was also one of the award recipients.

The royal father commended the women of Gombe for utilizing opportunities to drive significant progress in the state. He urged them to be more proactive in politics and called for increased inclusivity, emphasizing that women should be given platforms to contribute meaningfully to national development.

In her remarks, the Executive Director of Motherhen Development Foundation, Dr. Erisa Danladi, highlighted that the event aimed to celebrate exceptional women for their impact, encourage them to continue their efforts, and inspire others to emulate their dedication to community service.

She explained that the awards were categorized into:

Grassroots Women Award

Community Women Award

Outstanding Women Award

He for She Award

Royal He for She Award (recognizing traditional leaders championing women’s advancement)

Notable recipients of the Outstanding Woman Award included Aishatu Jibir Dukku, Dr. Aishatu Umar Maigari, and retired Justice Zainab Bulkaciwa, among others.

The He for She Award was presented to prominent personalities, including:

Barr. Sani Ahmad Haruna, Executive Chairman, Gombe Local Government

Comrade Faruq Muazu Gombe, Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gombe State

Amb. Ibrahim Yusuf, Chairman, Gombe Network of Civil Society (GONET)

The Royal He for She Award honored esteemed traditional leaders, including:

HRH Engr. Saleh Muhammad, the Mai Kaltungo

HRH Alh. Mohammed Danjuma, the Bala Waja

HRH Alh. Umar Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, the Lamido Gona

for their outstanding advocacy for women’s empowerment.

Speaking on behalf of the award recipients, Barr. Sani Ahmad Haruna expressed gratitude to the Motherhen Development Foundation and its partners, stating that such recognition would further encourage and motivate them to continue supporting women and contributing to societal progress.

The event was organized in collaboration with the Jewel Care Foundation, Crystal Justice, Santana Care Foundation, and Bala Waja Development Initiative, demonstrating a shared commitment to uplifting women and promoting gender equality.

International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, celebrates women’s achievements, advocates for their rights, and fosters gender equity worldwide.

By Our Correspondent

The Executive Chairperson of Shongom Local Government Council, Hajiya Dr. Fatima Binta Bello, has been honored as the Birth Registration Ambassador by the National Population Commission (NPC), Gombe State Office.

The recognition was awarded in appreciation of her support and contributions toward improving birth and death registration processes in Gombe State.

The award was presented by the Federal Commissioner of the NPC, Gombe State Office, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Danburam, during a special ceremony held at the Boh Headquarters of Shongom Local Government Area.

Speaking at the event, Alhaji Danburam commended Dr. Fatima Binta Bello for her commitment to ensuring accurate documentation of births and deaths, which is essential for effective governance, planning, and resource allocation.

He emphasized the importance of birth registration in securing children’s rights and ensuring access to essential services such as education and healthcare.

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Fatima Binta Bello expressed gratitude to the National Population Commission for the recognition, reaffirming her administration’s commitment to enhancing civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems within Shongom LGA.

She highlighted the need for community sensitization to ensure that every child is registered at birth, thereby granting them legal identity and access to government benefits.

The event was attended by local government officials, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders, all of whom lauded the efforts of the Shongom Council Chairperson in championing developmental initiatives.

The National Population Commission has been at the forefront of improving birth and death registration nationwide, with local government partnerships playing a crucial role in ensuring comprehensive data collection and national development planning.

With this latest recognition, Dr. Fatima Binta Bello joins a distinguished list of individuals actively working to promote accurate demographic records, a key factor in policy formulation and sustainable development in Nigeria.