Dec 28, 2007 - Luncheon For Women In Lagos State
I feel most delighted to welcome everyone present particularly Her Excellency, Mrs. Sarah Sosan, Deputy Governor of Lagos State and our mummy, Her Excellency Chief (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu, the Yeye Asiwaju of Lagos and President, New Era Foundation to Government House, Ikeja. I want to thank you all for honouring the invitation to be part of this luncheon.
The last time I had the opportunity and privilege of being in the midst of an assemblage of women of Lagos State of diverse calling was at this same venue during a thank you luncheon hosted by Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu. Today, this luncheon has been organised to felicitate with the women of Lagos State in the spirit of the festive season and more importantly to say a big thank you to all of you including those that are not opportuned to be here for your individual and collective efforts which contributed to the victory achieved at the last elections.
I want to thank you most profoundly for the tremendous goodwill and affection which this administration under the able leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN has continued to enjoy even after the conclusion of the elections. It was indeed a collective success to which the women of Lagos State both old and young contributed most significantly.
While once again placing on record my heartfelt appreciation, I also want to use this opportunity to seek your continued support and cooperation to ensure that this administration which you have laboured so hard to put in place achieve a resounding success. I can assure you that this administration is determined and committed towards achieving our collective dream of a new Lagos through the implementation of all the people oriented promises made during the campaigns as well as build on the very solid foundation laid by the past administration under the able and dynamic leadership of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
As women, there is no doubt about the fact that we are faced with challenges arising from our responsibilities both as homemakers and working mothers as well as those that are peculiar to our gender. Although these challenges have been with us for a while, it is very heart-warming that they are now receiving global attention through the Millennium Development Goals expected to be achieved by 2015. As you are aware, these issues have also been captured in the 10-point agenda of the State Government which is being implemented currently.
For those laudable objectives to be achieved, we need to come together and give total support to the government in the implementation of policies and programmes especially those that are geared towards improving the socio-economic conditions of women as well as safeguarding the health, survival and future of our children.
We will also be assisting the government through constructive criticisms and suggestions which I can assure you will always receive due consideration.
Distinguished ladies, once again, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart especially for the love, friendship and goodwill which I personally have received from you all since my husband assumed office. I promise to do my best in making good use of this God given position to promote and support initiatives that will bring happiness and joy to the lives of everyone particularly the vulnerable and less privileged in our society.
I pray that the New Year will usher into our lives great prosperity and divine fulfilment.
You are most welcome. God bless you all.
Her Excellency
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State