In line with Federal Government directive that serving public office holders wishing to contest for offices in the 2027 general election should resign, the Director General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir yesterday put in her resignation letter and this morning handed over the affairs of the parastatal to the Director in charge of Training Mrs Ebi Emezue.
A brief valedictory ceremony was held in her honour today 1st April 2026, at the Centre.
Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir was appointed as Director General in 2021 by the President Buhari administration and also got reappointed for a second term by President Tinubu making it a total of five years in the position.
Speaking at the event, she said as Director General of a parastatal under Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, she was able to turn around the organisation through infrastructural development and staff welfare thereby boosting their morale.
Dr. Bashir said she was leaving the Centre to contest in the forthcoming election in her home State, Borno without disclosing which office she would run for.
She expressed gratitude to all the management and staff of the Women Centre for their support during her five years tenure and appealed to them to extend same to her successor when one is appointed.
She thanked President Tinubu for giving her the opportunity to serve the country and also expressed gratitude to the Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman- Ibrahim for her cooperation and harmonious working relationship.
High point of the valedictory session tagged ‘Village Meeting’ was the DG’s induction into the Nigeria Women Hall of Fame in recognition of her distinguished services and contributions to the empowerment of Nigerian women in the past five years.
She was so recognised for being the first Director General to be reappointed for a second term in the history of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development.
The event was hosted at the foyer of the administrative block in the Centre, and it brought together senior management staff, directors, and staff of the Centre as well as friends, well-wishers of the outgoing DG and stakeholders in gender main streaming.
The Acting Director General, Mrs Ebi Emezue described the session as both symbolic and significant since it provided an opportunity to reflect on the DG’s impactful leadership and the giant strides recorded in advancing the Centre’s objectives.
She highlighted the DG’s role in repositioning the Centre with its re-naming and promoting staff welfare while enhancing Nigerian women visibility on the global stage.
In his goodwill message, the Union Chairman, Mr. Taslim Atoyebi on behalf of the staff commended Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir for her visionary leadership, open door policy and her commitment to staff welfare as well as institutional development of the Centre.
Also, Chief Mrs Moji Makanjuola a veteran journalist and broadcaster commended the DG’s emphasis on innovation and excellence within the Centre as well as her efforts in promoting Nigeria’s strategic interest in women agenda nationally and internationally.
The DG’s citation was delivered by a prominent media personality, former NAWOJ President Evelyn Onyilo which highlighted key achievements during her tenure. This included the re-naming of the Centre to Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, actualization of the 3 Rs (Rebranding, Restructuring and Repositioning) as well as significant milestone in staff welfare.
Highlight of the event was the induction of the Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame and photo sessions with staff and well wishers.
