TheCable

BY AHMAD SAHABI AND PRECIOUS OGBUENYI

FAME foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which advocates for the girl child and women’s rights, on Friday organised a football competition for women to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day in Abuja.

Nana Shettima, wife of the vice-president, was represented by Bilikisu Kyari, wife of Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food security, at the competition.

David Greene, USA deputy chief of mission to Nigeria, and Gill Lever, the deputy British high commissioner to Nigeria, also attended the event.

Ten teams participated in the football competition.

Speaking with reporters, Aderonke Bello, founder of FAME Foundation, said the football competition was intentionally chosen as soccer is among what unites Nigerians.

“We are gathered here for the FAME International Womens Day football tournament, and this is its sixth edition. Every year on March 8, we celebrate women, we bring women form different parts of the society, from the lowest to the highest cadre to come together to celebrate,” Bello said.

“As you know, Nigeria is heterogenous in nature, and the major thing that unifies Nigeria is sports.

“Whenever sports, especially football, the most popular game in Nigeria is being played, you know how it is. Nobody cares about where you are from, nobody cares about the language you speak, we all just embrace ourselves and we are happy with one another.

“This is why FAME Foundation is intentional about using sports that unifies Nigeria to bring people together to chat a way forward to see how together we can support women.

“Every year, we do this. And while this is going on, we have hepatitis test, HIV test, scanning women for cervical cancer and also giving out free female condoms to women and showing them how to use it to prevent STIs.

“Why we are doing this is to bring women together. We are going to have side talks on how to empower women as well. At the same time, there are some girls that will be given scholarships as well. Ten girls have been selected from across the FCT.

“They are brilliant girls with potential, but they are from low- or middle-income homes. We are here to give them full scholarships today. So, today is a day we will do everything together to support women, embrace inclusion, empower women and give out scholarships.”

Photos by Precious Ogbuenyi

David Greene, Charge d’Affaires of the US embassy in Nigeria

Aderonke Bello, founder of FAME Foundation with Greene

Photos by Precious Ogbuenyi