Sierra Leone Now Heads Africa First Lady Development Association

* First Time Ever In Nation’s History

* ⁠The Office Was Created By Maryam Abacha 

Abubakar Hashim

Since the office of Organisation of African First Ladies for Development, OSFLAD, was created by Maryam Abacha in Nigeria and its first President, Sierra Leone had never occupied the position.

For the first time, the country was elected to the position that, today, is important to promote women’s empowerment, healthcare and education across Africa.

The announcement came out at the 29th Organisation of African First Ladies for Development OSFLAD, at the ongoing AU General Assembly at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Several African countries have held the position in the past.

Fatima Bio’s election to the position, is due mainly to her pet program, “ Hands off our girls”, that has received tremendous impacts across Africa.

When Nigeria’s current First Lady , Senator Remi Tinubu, visited Sierra Leone recently, she showered praises on her for her dedicated role in girls’ education and her role in sustaining employment opportunities for women in both the public and private sectors in the country.

*Abubakar Hashim is the West Africa Bureau Chief of TheNEWS Magazine published in Nigeria. He is based in Sierra Leone and currently writes from Liberia