By Moses Adeniyi
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has acknowledged how the support of women in Lagos played a critical role in returning him to power for a second term, as well as the role played by women to secure victory for President Bola Tinubu at the February 25 presidential election.
Sanwo-Olu who promised that the support would not go unrewarded, spoke at the opening of the 23rd National Women’s Conference (NWC), organised by the Committee Of Wives Of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), where he assured his government would invest in programmes that would empower women, providing them with the resources, education, and opportunities necessary for them to thrive in their chosen endeavours.
“Your overwhelming support was critical to our return to office for a 2nd term. I recall that, at the 22nd edition of this Annual Conference, which was the last in the first term of our Administration, I strongly solicited your support for our party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the General Election was approaching.
“I asked for your support not only for our return to office, but also for the victory of our Leader, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“You answered our call, and by the grace of God and the benevolence of your goodwill and that of other Nigerians, he was sworn in as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29 May this year,” he said.
Appreciating the women, he called on them to sustain their “support for the ongoing reforms which are aimed at strengthening the economy for sustainable and inclusive growth that will serve the interests of all Nigerians, and not that of a privileged few.”
Speaking on the 23rd edition of the Annual Conference, he said “Few conferences have such a rich pedigree and even fewer last this long.”
“The theme for this 23rd edition, “Unleash Your Potential,” has followed the inspiring pattern of the last two Conferences which have been a clarion call to women. In 2021, our women were called to “Awake” from their slumber and, in 2022, they were charged to “Spring Forth and Stand Out,” to make themselves ready to take their rightful place in National development,” he said.
According to him, the theme is very apt in view of the current challenges that Nigeria is facing, “and the need for us to be more intentional and determined in our efforts to harness the innate ability and capacity of women to drive the Renewed Hope agenda at the national level, and similar initiatives being implemented at the sub-national levels.”
He said the Lagos State Government, under his leadership, “stands firmly committed to the vision set forth by COWLSO, because we recognise the pivotal role that empowered women play in the development and progress of every society. Through collaborative efforts, we are dedicated to creating an environment that nurtures and supports the realization of every individual’s potential.
“At every conference in the past four years, I am always happy to express the pride and joy I have in COWLSO and their achievements, especially in the way that the leadership and members have stood by our Administration and have continued to contribute to the promotion of the ideals and objectives that are transforming our State and the lives of our citizens. The many interventions of COWLSO in critical sectors such as Health, Education, Environment, and Youth development are impacting positively on the lives of Lagosians,” he added.
He appreciated Nigeria’s first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu the initiator of the group, for the idea, his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairman of COWLSO, just as he showed gratitude to other women who were represented at the Conference.
At the conference was Sanwo-Olu’s counterpart, Oluseyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State who was a Special Guest of Honour.
At the opening, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Tinubu, said “when women are empowered, society thrives,” just as she charged women that their potentials are not “just about personal success; it is about uplifting our families, communities, and our great nation as a whole.”
On the theme of the conference, she told the women that, “The potential that lies within each and every one of us knows no bounds, it has the capacity to transform not only our individual lives but also the broader landscape of our nation and the world.”
On her part, Lagos First Lady who is Chairman of COWLSO, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu thanked Lagos Women and the good people of Lagos State for the successful “re-election into office of my husband, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.”
On the conference she said, “This year marks the 23rd edition of the NWC organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), and it is inspiring that the Conference keeps getting better and recording landmark interventions in the overall interests of women.
“Unleashing one’s potential is a step one has to take with courage; one has to dare to take that step. When you have to do it, dare to do it! You plan to rob the world of its treasures if you decide to die with your potential undeveloped and unutilized! Therefore, my sisters, release yourselves and explore the world. Be the best version of yourself, and unleash your potential!,” she asserted.
She appreciated her husband, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Sanwo-Olu for “his support, ceaseless counsel, loving patience, and steadfast commitment to women causes and all the initiatives of COWLSO.”
“Words cannot quantify your support for COWLSO activities and initiatives. I would like to publicly acknowledge your strategic leadership, counsel, and commitment to the welfare and interests of women in our dear State,” she said.
She appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who was a special guest at the opening of the conference.
She also acknowledged the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and his wife, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, who is Vice Chairman of COWLSO.