First Lady Fatima Bio Withdraws from UK Event.

First Lady, Fatima Bio, has announced her withdrawal from a scheduled appearance at a UK-based event, citing concerns over misrepresentation, anti-Female Genital Mutilation, and external pressure (FGM) and questions surrounding the credibility of the organisers.

In a video statement posted online, the First Lady explained that her office had earlier publicised her participation as a keynote speaker at the Global Women’s Forum, reportedly scheduled on June 8-9 at Cambridge University. However, she said, subsequent findings revealed that the event was not officially organised by the university but rather by a private individual, Dr Ebufori Kengiami, who had only secured a venue at Cambridge.

According to Mrs Bio, her engagement with Dr Kengiami dates back to September last year, when she was invited to New York to receive an award recognising her work in Sierra Leone, across Africa, and globally, particularly her advocacy for girls. She said she attended the event and shared the platform with other First Ladies, including leaders of African, Caribbean and South American First Ladies’ groups.