By Henry UMORU, Abuja
BUSINESS activities were yesterday paralyzed in the nation’s capital City following the official launch of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT ) chapter of Dame Patience Jonathan’s  pet project , “Women for Change Initiatives(WCI)”.

Meanwhile, the first lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan while launching the FCT Chapter of Women for Change initiative programme yesterday condemned the October 1st Abuja bomb explosions, describing the incident as wicked and unfortunate, just as she called on women to be vigilant and report all suspicious moves.

Mrs. Jonathan who expressed hope that the political fortunes of women will  improve in the forthcoming 2011 elections, however called on women to offer themselves for elective and appointive positions, adding that there was no need for them to take the backseat in government while decrying the pull-her-down syndrome through which women aspiring for political positions were often antagonized by their fellow women.

The event, which took place at the Eagle square amidst tight security affected vehicular movement especially around the Federal Secretariat, office of the Head of Service, HOS, Secretary to the government of the Federation, SGF, Housing Ministry of Education, Special Duties, Health, Aviation, Police Affairs, and Science and Technology .

Other affected ministries were Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Petroleum, Niger Delta, Women Affairs, and Youth Development, among others, just as about 15,000 federal civil servants  working at the various offices located within the zone had a swell day as they could not effectively carry out their duties.

Though not located around the vicinity of the event, the office complex of the FCT administration was also affected as top officials of the administration left their offices for the event crippling official matters.

Security operatives also closed Shehu Shagari way, Central Business Area and the roads were manned by stern looking security operatives team, which include the State Security Services (SSS) , Police, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) ,VIO, and others as early as 7am..

Speaking further, Mrs Jonathan said, “when the women are assisted to move up in the social and political ladder, the progress of the nation is assured. “In order for us to effectively promote the Nigerian woman, we must take a comprehensive look at some of the obstacles that impede their progress.

“All negative traditional practices that debase the dignity of the Nigerian woman must be done away with. Women should never serve as tools of injustice or oppression against their fellow women.”

In his goodwill message, the FCTA Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed who urged women not to allow anybody to deceive them ahead of the 2011 elections with ethnic or regional card, however admonished them to work for a new Nigeria by casting their votes for detribalized and selfless leaders adding that this is a new era devoid of divide-and-rule tactics.

Senator Bala Mohammed who noted that Nigerian women have a great role to play by being in the vanguard for the emergence of a new Nigeria, said, “for Nigeria to fulfill her vast potentials and take her rightful leadership position in the comity of nations”, we need serious attitudinal change through re-orientation.

“As the nation moves closer to the next round of elections, our women leaders and patriots have a lot to do in sensitizing and mobilizing the people to exercise their franchise by voting for peaceful, credible and detribalized leaders. As pacesetters that you are, I urge you to shine your eyes and fasten your wrappers to ensure that our nation does not relapse into another orgy of corruption and wild goose chase through insincere and corrupt leadership or recycled leadership”.