Abuja — For improving the lives of Nigerian children and women, First lady, Hajia Turai Yar'adua, is to be honoured with a 'Tozali Big Heart' award from the publishers of Tozali Magazine.

The award ceremony, which is billed for November 13, at the International Conference Centre Abuja, is part of the activities lined up for the Tozali Henna Ball 2009.

A letter to the first lady notifying her of her nomination, states that the award is as a result of her pet projects, the International Cancer Centre Abuja (ICCA), Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation and other actions in initiating and supporting empowerment schemes geared towards bringing succor to the masses.

Publisher of the magazine, Maimuna Abubakar, said the ceremony would showcase the best of northern culture and tradition, while drawing attention to the issue of girl child education in Nigeria.

He lamented that the persistent social change in northern Nigeria and indeed Nigeria as a whole, especially in dearth of girl child education, has posed a major threat to the advancement of women folk in the north.

Other nominees for awards are Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Maitama Sule, Dooshima Suswam, Hajia Zainab Murtala Nyako, Governors Isa Yuguda and Danjuma Goje, among others.