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First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (L), with Chief Remi Tinubu (M) at the 7th National Women Conference.
First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (R), in warm handshakes with other participants at the 7th National Women Conference.Oct 31, 2007 - 7th National Women Conference
It gives me great pleasure to welcome our Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, Governor of Bauchi State to the formal opening of the 7th National Women Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO). On behalf of the organising committee and indeed the entire members of COWLSO, I want to thank Your Excellency for not only accepting our invitation but also honouring us with your personal and esteemed presence. We are indeed very grateful Sir.
I also welcome most warmly my darling husband, His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN the Governor of Lagos State. We thank you Sir, for your support and inspiration.
Let me also say a big welcome to Her Excellency, Mrs. Sarah Adebisi Sosan, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Your Excellencies, my sisters and colleagues, here present; the Honourable Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, members of the Lagos and Bauchi States Executive Council here present, the Head of Service, top ranking officials from both the public and private sectors and very importantly our distinguished participants especially our sisters who have travelled from other States of the Federation to be part of this year’s conference.
We give glory to God almighty who in His infinite mercy, has made it possible for us to witness this 7th edition of this Conference and the first that will be organised in the current dispensation. Your Excellencies, please permit me at this point to pay glowing tribute to my predecessor and our Matron, Her Excellency, Yeye Asiwaju Oluremi Tinubu, under whose tenure, this annual conference was initiated. Under her purposeful, inspiring and focussed leadership, this conference was nurtured and blossomed in status and recognition as a major platform for women to network, socialise and discuss issues relating to their development and well being.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Setting your Goals, Making it Happen”. The choice of this theme was borne out of the realisation that a lot of women are faced with the challenge of translating their dreams into reality due to a number of factors ranging from lack of or inadequate information to inability to muster enough will to overcome obstacles. Our objective at this particular conference is therefore, to put these issues into proper perspectives by sharing experiences with carefully selected professionals who will facilitate discussions on the following topics:
(i) Politics as a passion for women – by Mrs. Tolu Lewis Tamoka, of UNIFEM;
(ii) Civility, Etiquette, the Lady – Mrs. Ifeoma Idigbe, Managing Director New Bridge Final School;
(iii) Building your personal wealth – Financial Management – by Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe; (Head Private Banking, IBTC Chartered Bank)
(iv) Managing Your time is Managing your Life – by Mrs. Mobola Johnson, Managing Director ACCENTURE
(v) Discovering your potentials and living it – by Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, CEO Sokoa/Chair Centre;
(vi) General Health – Well being of the Woman between 30-60 years old – by Dr. Detoun Agbe-Davies, Director, Primary Health Care, Lagos State Ministry of Health;
(vii) Domestic Violence and Sexual harassment – by Chief (Mrs.) Joy Ezeilo, (Activist);
Apart from providing a forum to exchange ideas and knowledge on challenges facing women and how to overcome them, this conference also serves as an avenue to raise funds through conference fees and donations from individuals and corporate organisations. Proceeds from previous conferences were used for the construction of Lafiaji Community Centre, rehabilitation of Kudirat Abiola Freedom Square, construction of Sam Shonibare Recreation Centre and the Oshodi Sports Centre. We are committed to the accomplishment of the Retiree Villa which will be funded from the proceeds of last year’s conference.
In line with our tradition, a major highpoint of this opening ceremony is the presentation of the 2007 Inspirational woman award to a distinguished woman who has contributed immensely towards the realization of the ideals of COWLSO.
Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, our Inspirational Woman awardee for this year is no other person than Chief (Mrs.) Olufunmilayo Johnson, the founder of COWLSO. This award is in recognition of her vision. Our dear Mama, we are indeed very proud of you.
Apart from the Inspirational Woman award, it has also been our tradition to recognise individuals and corporate organisations that have been of tremendous support to us. In this regard, the following individuals will be presented ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ during the closing ceremony on Friday 2nd November 2007 by our Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency, Mr Gabriel Suswam, Governor of Benue State.
1. Hajia Bola Shagaya
2. Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, Director-`General, Nigeria Stock Exchange.
Before I end this address permit me to acknowledge the immense support we have received from the following corporate organisations towards ensuring the success of this year’s conference:
1. Lagos State Development and Property Corporation
2. Virgin Nigeria
3. Virgin Atlantic
4. Noble Hair Product
5. Eko Hotel & Suites
6. Lagos State Printing Corporation
7. British Airways and
8. Dangote Group.
Finally, let me at this point on behalf of the entire members of COWLSO commiserate with the Ayoku’s family on the recent demise of Chief Solomon Adebayo Ayoku, the Babalaje of Lagos. Until his death, Chief Ayoku was one of the great benefactors of COWLSO especially the annual national conference which he had consistently supported both morally and financially since 2001. May his soul continue to rest in peace.
Your Excellencies, distinguished guests and participants, I welcome you all and thank you for your kind attention. God bless you all.
Her Excellency
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State