President, African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) and Nigeria`s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has underscored the significant role women in Africa played toward peace building and conflicts resolution on the continent.
Buhari made this known in Abuja on Tuesday at a reception to bid farewell to the visiting African first ladies at the 9th session of the General Assembly meeting of the African First Ladies Peace Mission.
“The role of African women in peace building on the continent cannot be over-emphasised; there is no doubt that African women are agents of stability and a formidable force in peaceful coexistence in the region,” she said.
She therefore said the participation of women in decision making with regards to conflicts resolution remained crucial.
She however, said the decision to situate the Headquarters of the African First Ladies Peace Mission in Nigeria was taken in 2006 during the 5th General Assembly of the Mission.
According to her, during the summit, the first ladies unanimously agreed to build a befitting edifice of the peace mission in Abuja, Nigeria.
“The Peace Mission has been in existence for 26 years now, but lacks a befitting functional structure as its secretariat and there is no doubt that it has significantly challenged the mission`s performance and determination to achieve its goals.
She therefore solicited for support of all stakeholders including lovers of peace on the continent to support the development of the new permanent secretariat of the mission.
Buhari also used the event to expressed appreciation to the founder of the African First Ladies Peace Mission Mrs Maryam Sani Abacha, who attended the event alongside former first lady, Mrs Patience Goodluck Jonathan.