N4BN FIRST LADIES’ HOUSE: DAME JONATHAN BEGS NASS

The First Lady, Mrs. Patience Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday appealed to the National Assembly to pass the N4 billion budgeted for the African First Ladies Peace Mission House.

Speaking at the launch of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, women calendar, Mrs. Jonathan said on completion, the project would generate employment for Nigerian youths.

She said when the late Mrs. Mariam Babangida and Mrs. Miriam Abacha built the Women Centre and the National Hospital, they did not take possession of the buildings when they left government, adding that she would not convert the Peace Mission building to her personal use when her husband’s tenure ended.

The First Lady added that the project was initiated by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, adding that other African leaders lobbied for the mission to be located in their countries, but was given to Nigeria on a platter of gold.

She noted that the United Nations and ECOWAS buildings were being maintained by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

Mrs. Jonathan cautioned women to resist being used to kick against the project, as some women recently demonstrated against the project.

She added that if the project was for men, the budget would have long been passed.

Source: National Mirror