First Lady, 30,000 Women Ground Abuja

Nigeria's Federal Capital, Abuja, was literally grounded, yesterday, as about 30,000 women drawn from 36 states of the Federation, led by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, held a rally to sensitise women in the country on the gains recorded so far in enhancing peace and women empowerment.

The event, which was held at the Eagles Square, effectively cut off workers from the imposing Federal Secretariat on both Shehu Shagari Way and Ibrahim Babangida Road, forcing them to trek to the office.

Surprise for Abuja workers, residents
The event, which took workers and residents by surprise, also prevented commercial and government drivers from dropping their passengers, mostly workers in their designated bus stops around the secretariat.
Instead, hordes of stern-looking and gun-totting security men, who had descended on the venue before dawn, ordered them to stop some 200 metres away from the Square, which is surrounded by the Federal Secretariat.


As vehicular and human traffic was effectively cut off from all the routes leading to the venue of the rally, tagged, "Nigerian Women Rally for Peace and Empowerment", frustrated motorists were directed to any available route. This led to a traffic snarl in most part of the day.

Consequently, all major streets in the business district of Abuja were blocked by traffic, giving traffic wardens a hectic day. While the traffic chaos lasted, armed soldiers and battle-ready policemen took positions on strategic road intersections, frisking commuters and pedestrians.

The armed men on the streets were given aerial support by military helicopters, which hovered over the venue of the rally, making occasional displays, as they flew past.

At the rally,Dame Jonathan, backed by Vice President Namadi Sambo and some ministers and their spouses, relished the show as thousands of women danced and marched past them.

The First Lady smiled and waved at the women groups, as the floats ferrying them drove past.
Women in various military and paramilitary agencies in the country and women organisations gave goodwill messages to the President's w