The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) has received plaudits from the Governors of Akwa Ibom, Pastor Umo Eno, his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, among other top government functionaries for its dedication to community development and women’s empowerment.
They gave the commendation at the opening ceremony of the 24th National Women’s Conference, organised by COWLSO, at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, represented by Dr. (Mrs.) Akon Eyakenyi, the Deputy Governor, lauded the Lagos State Government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and praised the efforts of the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, for her exemplary leadership.
Eno said, “I congratulate you on the successful hosting of this conference. This platform has added immense value to the policy of women’s inclusion and other gender-friendly initiatives of the Government”.
The Governor described the theme of the conference, “Soar Beyond Boundaries; Enrich Communities”, as timely and inspiring, emphasizing that women around the world, including in Nigeria, are breaking glass ceilings and contributing to nation-building.
He noted that his Deputy Governor is the first female to hold the position in his state, and that women make up nearly 50% of Permanent Secretaries in his administration.
On his own part, Governor Sanwo-Olu, in an address which he presented at the event, commended COWLSO for its significant contributions to healthcare, education, and the economic empowerment of women and youths.
Sanwo-olu said, “Projects such as the provision of modern medical equipment to health centres, the construction of schools, and the organisation of skill acquisition programmes have directly contributed to improving the quality of life for Lagosians”.
He stressed that COWLSO’s initiatives align with his administration’s THEMES Plus Development Agenda, which focuses on enhancing human capital and promoting inclusive economic growth across the state.
On the theme of the conference, Mr. Governor described it as timely and powerful.
His words: “This conference is not just a gathering of minds; it is a call to action”, thus urging that participants should transform the knowledge gained into initiatives that will enrich the lives of others.
He challenged all attendees to “soar beyond boundaries and enrich our communities”.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his commitment to empowering women and supporting COWLSO’s mission of fostering sustainable development in Lagos and across Nigeria.
Earlier in her welcome address, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairman of COWLSO, highlighted a paradigm shift in COWLSO’s focus from infrastructural development to investing in capacity-building and creating more opportunities for women.
She underscored the significance of the conference as a platform aimed at empowering women for professional growth, leadership, and self-reliance; and called on women to break boundaries and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Her words: “Women globally are challenging the status quo, contributing immensely to the world economy, and positively influencing their communities with transformative ideas. This conference will inspire us to continue soaring beyond limitations”.
The First Lady paid tribute to COWLSO’s founding members and acknowledged the leadership of her predecessors, including the current First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, as well as former First Ladies Dame Emmanuella Fashola and Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, among others.
Highlighting COWLSO’s achievements, Dr. Sanwo-Olu reported that 13 schools had been renovated with new facilities, and various orphanages were supported with essential items and infrastructure.
Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who was specially recognized by COWLSO as the ‘Inspiration Woman of the Year’, expressed her gratitude for the honour. She reaffirmed her commitment to gender equality and the emancipation of women, urging them to remain focused and prioritise the development of children while making time to nurture their wards for tomorrow.
Speakers at the event included Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Dr. Oluwatoyin Adeyemi, Mrs. Temitope Okunnu, and Professor Rotimi Coker. They spoke on topics like the prevention of communicable diseases, social welfare strategies, and the development of the boy child.
The opening session of the conference was graced by several First Ladies, top government officials, traditional rulers, and delegates from various states across the country.
At the closing ceremony of the National Women’s Conference, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu highlighted the need for women to adopt practical approaches in navigating the present economic realities, urging them to explore innovative ways of managing resources effectively.
She emphasized the critical roles women play in nation-building, noting that their ability to balance family, work, and community engagements makes them key players in societal development.
According to her, reducing waste and focusing on purposeful spending would strengthen the financial health of households, and by extension, the nation.
She encouraged participants at the Conference to empower themselves with knowledge and skills that would enable them to make meaningful contributions to the economy, stressing the importance of financial prudence and self-reliance.
