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Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (R), Governor Babatunde Fashola SAN (2nd R) and other look on as Governor Jonah Jang (L) presents Award Mrs Priscilla Kuye.


Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (R), Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (2nd R), Mrs. Priscilla Olabori Kuye (2nd L), Chief Omowale Kuye (L) at the Conference.

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Oct 28, 2009 - Mrs. Fashola Calls For Re-Awakening, Commitment Among Nigerian Women

As the three-day National Women Conference of the Committee of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) kicked off in Lagos Wednesday, the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, has called for re-awakening and commitment among Nigerian women in order to accelerate the wheel of development in the country.

The Conference, which is the 9th edition and the brain-child of COWLSO, was initiated in 1974 by the First Lady and wife of the first (Military) Governor of the State, Mrs. Funmilayo Johnson. Its theme is “Rethink, Renew and Resolve Your Challenges”.

In her welcome address at the occasion held at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Mrs. Abimbola said given the critical role which women play in the society as mothers and wives, they are best positioned to pilot the train of development in the country.

According to the First Lady, “An assessment in critical areas such as political leadership, healthy living, economic power and commitment in promoting leadership, among others, do support the view that there is urgent need for re-awakening and commitment on our part as women”.

Mrs. Fashola said in order to educate, enlighten and empower women for this onerous role, topics of past conferences have been tailored towards addressing issues peculiar to women for positive change both within themselves and the larger society in which they live.

“This anticipated and highly desired goal is premised on the widely shared belief in the capacity of women to accelerate the wheel through the very critical role that they perform as mothers and wives”, the First Lady said, adding that at each conference, resource persons have always been chosen carefully based on vast knowledge and experience that would meet the ideals and objectives of the Conference.

The First Lady said since 2001 when the maiden edition of the annual conference was held with the theme,” The Virtuous Woman”, a total of 38 topics on pressing national issues have been discussed listing such issues to include healthy living, nation building, investment opportunities, home management and politics, among several others.

She said the topic for this year’s conference, “Managing Public Life”, was chosen in order to address issues with utmost sincerity and objectivity adding that the Guest Speaker, who is founder and chairman of the Chair Centre, Lagos, was particularly chosen for that reason.

 

The First Lady said in addition to providing a platform for exchange of ideas on issues peculiar to women, the annual National Women Conference is also used as an avenue to raise funds for the execution of COWLSO’s humanitarian and social projects, adding that the proceeds from the 2007 and 2008 conferences were used in constructing standard recreation centres in Oworonsoki and Orile Agege which have since been commissioned and handed over to the communities where they are located.

According to Mrs. Fashola, part of the proceeds was also used to give financial assistance to 12 cancer patients currently receiving treatment in various hospitals in the State in fulfillment of the promise made to them by the Committee.

She expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who is a patron of the Committee, for his “kind support, inspiration and encouragement, all of which have assisted us to sustain the ideals and visions of COWLSO”.

The First Lady also thanked all those who have supported the Committee in achieving its objectives, adding that the Committee has now gone beyond holding annual conferences and will soon engage in other worthy ventures that will promote the cause of women in the country.

In order to enhance this new vision, Mrs. Fashola said the Committee has launched its own website through which all those who wish to participate in the Committee’s programs or to sponsor its projects could reach out to the Committee online.

Also present at the occasion which featured participants from all over the country, included the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan, former NBA President, Chief (Mrs.) Pricilla Olabori Kuye who was recipient of the Committee’s prestigious Inspirational Woman of the Year Award, her husband, Chief Olawale Kuye and the Governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang, who declared the Conference open, among other top government functionaries.