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Inset (L-R): Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Dame Abimbola Fashola, Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar (CON), and others.

Dame Abimbola Fashola (5th L), Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (3rd R), Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Princess Sarah Sosan (L) and others.

Speeches

Oct 27, 2010 - Opening Ceremony Of The 10th National Women Conference

On behalf of members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, it is with great joy that I welcome you all to the formal opening of this year's National Women Conference.

It is a special edition because today, we are celebrating 10 years of unbroken commitment to sustaining the vision and legacy of two great women who laid a solid foundation for this celebration. Namely Her Excellency, Mrs. Obafunmilayo Johnson whose vision gave birth to COWLSO and Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu OON who conceived and started this Annual Conference in 2001.

The mustard seed sown 10 years ago has continued to blossom through the increasing numbers of participants from all parts of the country and the quality of speakers and leaders that this conference has attracted in the past decade.

I am happy to welcome our Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Governor of Ondo State and his lovely wife, my sister, Her Excellency Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko. Thank you Your Excellencies for accepting our invitation to declare this historic edition of our Conference open.

We are greatly honoured to have you in our midst and also use this opportunity to congratulate Your

Excellency and the good people of the Sunshine State on the progress being recorded under your dynamic leadership. We applaud Your Excellency's effort at addressing the challenges of maternal mortality through the establishment of the Mother and Child Hospital dedicated to the care of pregnant mothers and children in Ondo State.

Our Patron and Chief Host, my friend, confidant and darling husband, His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, Governor of Lagos State, I welcome you most sincerely. Thank you sir for the unflinching support and for being there for us at all times.

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests and participants, 10 (ten) years ago, the idea of this Annual Conference was conceived with two main objectives in mind.

Firstly, to provide a platform for Nigerian women of various shades of opinion, diverse backgrounds and different socio-economic status to share ideas and deliberate on issues affecting women; and secondly to serve as a way of generating funds through sponsorship and donations for the execution of socially beneficial projects to support the efforts of our spouses who are public officers in Lagos State.

Today, as we commemorate a decade of the life of this conference, we give glory to God that we have kept faith with our objectives. From the Virtuous Woman, the theme of the maiden Conference, followed successively by "Colors of Success", "Women Succeeding Together", "Reaching out for Greater Heights", "Reflections", "Celebration", "Setting Your Goals; Making It Happen", "Woman: Who Are You", and "Rethink, Renew and Resolve Your Challenges", we have addressed salient, interesting, informative and educating topics from which our participants have received great value for their money and time.

We are also proud to say that apart from the positive effects the issues discussed have had on the personal lives of participants, ideas, suggestions and opinions generated yearly have contributed directly or indirectly to shaping the direction of gender sensitive policies and programmes.

Perhaps and understandably so, our achievements in the last ten years are visibly represented by the various recreational/sports centres in Campus Square, Lafiaji, Sam Sonibare, Ojo-Oniyun, Oshodi, Anthony Village, Oworonshoki, Orile Agege, Ebute Metta, all of which were executed from the conference fees and donations.

I will like to seize this opportunity to inform you that our Retiree Villa project at Lekki is on course at over 40% completion. This particular project is designed to be a model place of relaxation and recreation with state-of-the-art facilities for our senior citizens who in their younger years have contributed their quota to the growth and development of our state and nation. We are also in the process of rendering financial assistance to over 20 cancer patients to the tune of ten million naira to support their various stages of medical treatment.

At this 10th edition of our Conference, we are celebrating the passionate Nigerian woman who in spite of the multifaceted challenges has remained committed to upholding the ideals and time honoured values of womanhood; the Nigerian woman who sees no sacrifice too great to ensure a brighter and rewarding future for her children; the Nigerian woman who remains steadfast in the discharge of her responsibilities as wife and mother even as she pursues her dream of career fulfillment, the Nigerian woman who can truly be described as a role model for the younger generation.

This anniversary edition promises to be very exciting and more rewarding as each topic will be addressed by a panel of discussants and moderators who have been carefully selected. I need to mention that for the first time, we have invited a man to give a talk at this conference in the person of Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye. He will be sharing his views with us on "what men really want from women"

It is our expectation that this format which is different from our usual practice will make this special edition more robust as it promises to enrich our knowledge.

A total of five sessions will be held and the following topics will be discussed:

i. Ways to Healthier Lifestyle
ii. Keeping the Homefront
iii. Dress for success
iv. Being the Best of You
v. Women and Environment

Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this opening ceremony will be incomplete without an important aspect that has become a tradition.

It is the presentation of the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award. The recipient of this year's award is a woman of letters, honour and integrity, attributes that have earned her a respectable place in the Nigerian history book as the first woman to be appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukthar. She is indeed a role model who deserves to be celebrated. Congratulations Your Lordship.

This journey could not have been possible without the support of individuals and corporate organizations. We are profoundly grateful to all these women-friendly organizations and kind hearted personalities. They are indeed the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

Your Excellencies, permit me to specially acknowledge some of our sponsors who have been consistently supported us.

i. Eko Hotel & Suites
ii. Dangote Group
iii. Chi Nigeria Ltd.
iv. Emzor Pharmaceuticals Nigeria Ltd.
v. Caverton Offshore Support Group
vi. Access Bank Nigeria Plc
vii. Chevron Nigeria Ltd.
viii. Alhaji (Dr.) Arisekola Alao
ix. Chief Kessington Adebutu
x. Late Chief Solomon Ayoku

Finally, I wish to appreciate all the hardworking and committed people who have served in the Conference Planning Committees under the leadership of the following people:

Mrs. Oluseyi Antonio 2001, 2002; Mrs. Mosunmola Junaid 2003; Hon. Justice Jumoke Pedro 2004 and 2005; Mrs. Idowu Panox 2006-2008; and Mrs. Gbemi Shasore 2009 and 2010.

I cannot end this address without acknowledging with deep sense of appreciation the support and encouragement of our father in COWLSO, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our Governor Emeritus. We cannot thank you enough, sir, for being our major pillar of support for all we have achieved since 2001.

Once again, I welcome Your Excellencies, distinguished guests and participants.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Eko o ni baje o!

Dame Emmanuela Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State