The Nigerian Women Association of Georgia (NWAG) has lauded the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, for her worthy causes in supporting Nigerian women, girls and children.

The U.S.-based women group, who presented the “Woman of Valour” award to Mrs Buhari during the 18th Annual Awards Banquet at Atlanta, applauded her efforts at protecting the poor and vulnerable in the society.

Founded in 2000, NWAG is a group of accomplished Nigerian women, residing in the State of Georgia that combines efforts to impact on the lives of Nigerians at the home and in the diaspora.

President of the association, Dr Stella Etta, said Buhari has used her position as the First Lady to bring global attention to and campaign for laws that protect women, girls and children.

The association also noted Mrs Buhari’s advocacy for equal rights, respect and access to education for women and girls, adding that she advocates against child marriage before the age of 17.

In her acceptance speech, Mrs Buhari in a recorded video message to the event said the recognition would spur her to do more for the less-privileged. She commended NWAG for promoting Nigeria’s image internationally.

Other award recipients included an African-American, Dr Gloria Herndon; a gender advocate, Dr Elisha Attai; and a philanthropist, Dr Mohammed Ladan. Herndon, the first female black official at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, who also taught Economics at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was presented with ‘Friend of Nigeria’ award. Attai, President of African Women in Leadership Conference, won the ‘Vanguard Award’ while Ladan, a philanthropist who promotes education among indigent students in Northern Nigeria, won the ‘Unsung Hero’ award.

Mrs Florence Okafor, a dedicated member of the association also emerged the 2018 Member of the Year Award.

Consul-General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Mr Kayode Laro, commended the organisation for living up to its vision and mission.

He remarked that the activities of the association since its establishment “are highly commendable’’.

Laro lauded the group’s contributions to Nigeria, particularly, in the areas of support to orphanages, scholarship scheme, annual medical missions and shipment of medical supplies to hospitals in Nigeria.

He also commended the association for promoting Nigerian culture in Metro Atlanta Schools and its milestone million-dollar project – Nigeria Centre for Arts, Culture and Empowerment in Georgia.

“Our culture is part of what defines us as Nigerians and the more our American friends know about it the better they will know and understand us.

“NWAG’s collaboration with other non-profit organisations involved in charity work for the benefit of the needy is highly commendable,’’Laro said in his speech read by Mr Innocent Iwejuo, Consul, Information and Economics.

The event was attended by officials from the Nigerian Missions in New York, Atlanta and non-profit organisations from across the U.S.