Abuja — The African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) has donated 16 plane-load of relief materials to victims of violent conflict in Mali.
A statement signed by Mr Ayo Osinlu, the Special Assistant (Media) to the First Lady, stated that the aid, which included food items, clothing, drugs, beddings and other essential items, were received at a brief ceremony in the Malian capital, Bamako.
The President of the AFLPM, Dame Patience Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, presented the aid to the First Lady of Mali, Madame Mintou Traore.
Jonathan said: "In fulfilment of the resolve of First Ladies of Africa to contribute their quota to checking the wind of violence spreading across Africa, the Mission has taken its peace advocacy to Mali where several insurgent groups have been fighting the Malian government for independence or greater autonomy.
"We reiterate our appeal for all countries to embrace a peaceful means of resolving differences in our various societies, and work more to prevent violence and war."
The wife of the President, stressed the urgent need to change the image of wars and violence portrayed by Africa to that of a peaceful, stable and developing continent who settles scores by dialogue.
"I express the commitment of African First Ladies to contributing to peace efforts in the areas of advocacy, capacity building, negotiation, reconciliation, provision of relief materials and involvement in the rehabilitation of victims of conflicts," she said.
The ceremony, according to the statement, was also witnessed by the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Mrs Sia Koroma. (NAN)