NCWS PARTICIPATION IN THE 2026 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PROGRAMME
The National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), Nigeria, led by its 16th National President, Princess Edna D.D. Azura (Kwatam Mutaku), accompanied by ten (10) Council members, participated in the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2026 programme held on 13 August 2026 at the United Nations House, Diplomatic Drive, Abuja. The programme brought together distinguished stakeholders, including the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa; representatives of UNESCO, including Dr. Ifeanyi Ajaegbo and other dignitaries. The program with the sub-national theme “Root of Our Future: Heritage, Innovation and National Identity,” the programme focused on protecting indigenous knowledge, cultural heritage, traditions, languages and the environment.
In her goodwill message, Princess Edna D.D. Azura commended the organisers for their commitment to conserving Nigeria’s heritage, particularly through environmental protection and tree-planting initiatives. She expressed delight at seeing women helping to champion the preservation of culture and the environment, noting that this aligns strongly with the mandate of NCWS.
The National President highlighted NCWS’s previous environmental initiatives, including a tree-planting campaign in Adamawa State, where they planted trees have grown, as well as a briquette-making initiative for women that promotes alternatives to firewood while helping women save the time and energy spent searching for firewood in unsafe forests and bushes. She further stated that NCWS is looking forward to another tree-planting campaign in Abuja in September 2026, calling for stronger collaboration among government, women’s organisations, communities and other stakeholders to achieve a sustainable culture and preserve Nigeria’s heritage. The participation of NCWS reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to placing women at the centre of cultural preservation, environmental conservation and sustainable development, while supporting efforts to ensure that Nigeria’s rich indigenous heritage is documented, protected and passed on to future generations.
As well, the honorable minister Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa acknowledged the good deeds of the organizers commending them on the heritage preservation they are pushing.
In conclusion the program had different panel discussions, tree planting session and goodwill messages from other dignitaries.
Princess Edna DD Azura (Kwatam Mutaku)
National President
National Council of Women’s Societies(NCWS), Nigeria
