Nasarawa State Governor, Mr. Abdullahi Sule, urged women not to allow religious and cultural barriers to hinder them from achieving greatness in their various endeavors.
He noted that women not only constitute a significant segment of the nation’s population but also play a unique and indispensable role in ensuring the growth and development of the country.
Governor Sule made this statement during the closing ceremony of the 24th National Women’s Conference (COWLSO) held at EKO Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event, themed “Soar Beyond Boundaries…Enrich Communities,” highlighted the negative impact that cultural and religious considerations have had on gender equality over the years.
According to him, these considerations have led to avoidable discrimination against women, which is evident in various aspects of social life. He added, “This situation often results in inadequate access to opportunities for women to develop their innate abilities and potential, which could contribute to the economic growth of society.”
The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Aisha Rufai Ibrahim, said that the conference demonstrated a collective commitment to fostering regional integration and complementing the efforts of the Lagos State Government in fast-tracking development and improving the well-being of Lagosians.
He also described the theme of this year’s conference as timely, given the challenging social and economic conditions currently affecting Nigerians.
“It is important to recognize that women make up a significant portion of our population and play a unique and indispensable role in ensuring the growth and development of our society.
“Women are central to the reproduction, survival, and continuity of humanity and have consistently shown remarkable resilience and capacity in areas such as social, economic, and political transformation, agricultural production, food processing, and particularly in the well-being of their families and society at large.
“Unfortunately, negative cultural and religious considerations have, over the years, affected our gender, resulting in avoidable discrimination against women, which has become apparent in various aspects of social life. This situation often limits women’s access to opportunities to develop their abilities and contribute to the economic growth of society.”
“Similarly, women have, over the years, proven to be catalysts of progressive change, not only within traditional corridors of power and governance but also across various human endeavors,” Governor Sule stated.
Governor Sule expressed hope that the event would serve as an impetus for women to familiarize themselves with the policies and programs of their spouses at various levels of government, offering constructive advice, feedback, support, and contributions to facilitate good governance for the benefit of citizens.
The host Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was visibly elated, encouraged women to take their rightful positions in society, be creative, and become more productive to contribute to the economy and improve the well-being of their families.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that Lagos State, through COWLSO, was committed to training and retraining women, providing them with a platform to have their voices heard.
“You can feel the excitement in my voice and see it on my face. I know that you are the real reason governance is exciting. As women, we believe that in leadership, you cannot stay behind. At the very least, we expect you to stay by our side; you cannot take a back seat, it is unacceptable.
“We are in this leadership position together, and the moment you believe you can do it, we know you can multitask at all times. The skills are there with you, so go out and soar beyond boundaries and soar higher, so that when you return to the next conference, you will do so with renewed hope, vigor, skills, and ideas. You will say that last year at COWLSO, you improved,” Sanwo-Olu said.
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“You must be able to learn a skill, have a trade, and do something differently as a woman. There must be knowledge, innovation, and ideas that you continually bring to life, and conferences like this help you to shape your thinking and capacity.
“COWLSO has, over the years, been the sounding board that we as a government continue to support. Year after year, COWLSO challenges us, even in strategic development areas. We have seen them transform schools, renovate primary health institutions, improve learning environments in schools, build old people’s homes, and provide training and development. We want to thank them for their support; these are tasks we in government are meant to do.
“Learning is a lifelong process, and we must continue to learn. We will ensure that you remain adaptable and responsive to the needs of your family, community, and society,” he added.
Wife of the Lagos State Governor and COWLSO Chairperson, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, in her closing remarks, urged women to enter the political arena and assume decision-making positions to further strengthen their status in society.
The Lagos First Lady emphasized that women should avoid displaying affluence unnecessarily and instead focus on giving back to their communities. She stressed that the core mission of COWLSO, which focuses on making a positive impact on people’s lives, must remain relevant and effective in addressing evolving societal needs.
“Let us take this lesson home: embrace modesty, prioritize needs over wants, lead by example in your community, practice prudence in spending, mentor the next generation, and instill in your children the values of hard work, resourcefulness, and sustainability,” she urged.
