IWD: Osun Speaker appreciates women for making Nigeria great

The Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, Mr Timothy Owoeye on Monday commended women folk for their contribution towards the progress and greatness of  the state and Nigeria at large.

Owoeye, in a statement by his media aide, Kunle Afolabi, to commemorate the 2021 Internaternal Women’s Day (IWD), commended women for standing up against stereotypes and discrimination of all kinds on the basis of gender.

The speaker also praised women for remaining undaunted as they combine the onerous task of protecting their families, the state and their businesses  against  Coronavirus pandemic.

Owoeye said that a bill on Violence Against Person’s Prohibition and disability in Osun would be passed before the end of the year.

He  stated that the 7th Assembly under his watch would act in consonance with the Violence Against Persons Prohibition and Disability Law passed by the National Assembly in 2015 and 2018.

Owoeye stressed that when the laws are replicated in the state, spousal battery, forceful ejection from home, forced financial dependence or economic abuse, among others, would become punishable offences.

The speaker called on well meaning organisations and Non Governmental Organisations to work in tandem with government institutions in the implementation of the laws.

He said: “We are also going to work with various MDAs to give more priority to the issue of the girl-child and women in our society.

“Here at the 7th Assembly, we are happy to have two women in our midst; we have given them the needed support and equal opportunity and will continue to do so.

“The takeaway for me for this year’s celebration is the record broken by our own, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, to become the first African and first woman Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“It is a historic one, which I hope will spur more women into dreaming and achieving the impossible.

“To all women, I wish you a happy celebration and Godspeed in all your endeavors.”