The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reconciled with ministry workers following recent protests, urging unity and pledging to prioritize staff welfare.
At a town hall meeting with staff in Abuja on Friday, the minister accepted workers’ apologies, stressing that she bore no grudges and emphasizing dialogue as the path to progress. Her gesture of forgiveness was met with loud applause, with many staff hailing her as a mother figure.
Union leaders, including Mrs. Anne Orjiobele and Comrade Success Alake, admitted the protest was misguided and promised renewed support.
In a show of goodwill, Sulaiman-Ibrahim announced the distribution of 50kg bags of rice to all staff present, a move that sparked cheers and celebrations.
“We should all be human beings first before anything else. Unity is the only way forward. I have nothing against anyone, and I believe we can solve our challenges through dialogue and mutual respect,” she said.
The minister assured that staff welfare would remain central to her leadership, while clarifying that certain administrative duties rest with the Permanent Secretary and Directors. Workers raised issues of housing, training, and inclusion, which she promised to address within available resources.
The meeting ended on a celebratory note, with staff singing and dancing in what many described as a “new beginning” for the ministry.
