..women aren’t second class citizens but vital for sure, sustainable devt- Gov. Wike
..as FOWOSO Members join counterparts across Nigeria for national women’s conference
Members of the Foundation for Wives of Ondo State Officials, FOWOSO, join fellow women across Nigeria to participate in the ongoing 22nd National Women’s Conference in Lagos State.
The conference which was organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO, holding at Eko Convention centre , Eko hotels and suites, has in attendance, thousands of women in politics, government and businesses across the 36 states of the federation to brainstorm on improving the welfare of women in a male-dominated society and to complement government’s efforts.
In her goodwill message, the Wife of the President of Nigeria, Hajia Aisha Buhari, described the event as a source of pride institutionalised to develop women capacity.
Speaking to the theme of the conference, ‘Spring Forth and Stand out’, she charged Nigerian women to wake up to the task of active participation in politics and register to partake in the coming election, saying she was convinced that women would be heard loud in the coming election.
Mrs. Buhari who participated in the conference virtually, commended Lagos State First Ladies for sustaining the conference since inception.
In his goodwill message, the Governor of Lagos state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, noted that the theme of the conference was a clarion call for women to reinvent themselves.
According to him, the success recorded by the conference since inception was an example of how an individual with a vision, and leadership can create change and transform a system positively.
“I must express how much I am proud of the achievements of COWLSO especially in the way that they have stood by us and contributed to promoting the ideas and objectives of our administration”. He said.
The Special Guest of honour and Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, CON, said sure and sustainable development would be impossible where women, that constituted larger population, were denied opportunities to explore their prowess in politics and governance.
He affirmed that women aren’t second class citizens but very important in building an inclusive and equitable government.
He added that peace, prosperity and stronger economy were certain when women were equipped with skills and empowered.
Earlier in her welcome address, the First Lady of Lagos, Dr. Claudiana Sanwo-Olu,
hinted that COWLSO, founded in 1974 by the Late Dame Obafunmiloye Johnson, was an avenue through which wives of Lagos state’s officials complement the efforts of government to promote child healthcare and education, empower women to discover their hidden potential.
She added that the annual COWLSO’s conference, which was first convened in the year 2000 by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu who was the First Lady of Lagos then, was aimed at inspiring ideas and robust intellectual conversations on issues affecting women and girls.
Highlights of the opening ceremony included lectures on ‘Utilising Tech to manage business and market changes: The role of social media for business expansion& visibility’; ‘A call for Genotype compatibility ‘, Understanding and coping with the reality of menopause, and ‘Health: A challenge and call to reference.
The Ondo delegates, led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Gender Research and Documentation, Mrs. Temitope Daniyan, include the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Administration, Mrs. Lizzy Akpan, Senior Special Assistant on women Affairs, Mrs. Omolara Adeniran, female Commissioners in OSOPADEC, Mrs Mosun Odukale, and Mrs Ronke Akindolire, Special Assistant on Gender Research and Documentation, Mrs. Ngozi-Igbo Okoro, Special Assistant on Special duties, Mrs. Ronke Adeyemi amongst others.
Other dignitaries in attendance included the two terms governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, the national woman leader of the All Progressive Congress, Dr. Betta Edu, wife of the Governor of Ogun state, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun and women in politics across Nigeria.
e-signed:
Mary Agidi
Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor on Media (Office of the First Lady)
Oct. 18th, 2022
Photos: Saidu Abdulrahman
JATS Online News 