Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has charged women in Lagos State to embrace gender equality and empowerment programmes as a strategy to achieve self-reliance in making Lagos a continental hub.
Speaking during the commemoration of the year 2024 International Women’s Day, themed: “Invest in Women: Accelerate progress #Inspire inclusion#”, held at the Onikan Stadium, the Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat urged Lagos Women to join the crusade for gender equality as an investment in the sustainable progress for a #Greater Lagos.
He called on stakeholders to partner with the Lagos State Government by ensuring that Women and girls are given the necessary skills needed to accelerate the political and socio-economic development of the State.
While commending women on International Women’s Day, Hamzat admonished women to utilise the empowerment programmes in the THEMES Plus Agenda for social inclusion and gender equality as a tool for involvement in decision-making processes in the State.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to advancing gender equality and working conscientiously to remove barriers that prevent women from realising their universal rights.
He added that the Lagos State Government remains steadfast in promoting inclusive policies, ensuring access to comprehensive healthcare, and fostering education to empower women to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
The Deputy Governor said that the State Government will not relent in its efforts to provide palliatives to cushion and ameliorate the effect of fuel subsidy removal in Lagos State.
In her keynote address the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu-Olu appreciated Lagos women as they celebrated the year 2024 International Women’s Day which is marked on the 8th of March every year.
She commended the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) for their consistency in organising the annual event for women. She stated that the event has created an avenue for Lagos women to express their views about issues affecting their well-being, especially the limitations they face in occupying their rightful places at the helms of Affairs.
The First Lady averred that the theme for the year 2024 International Women’s Day: “Invest in Women: Accelerate progress # Inspire Inclusion#”, is quite apt considering the economic challenges ravaging Nations in the world.
She noted that her Office as the First Lady of Lagos State complements and supports Lagos Women in ensuring that they are empowered through some of her programmes similar to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for financial sustainability.
Also speaking, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, Commissioner for WAPA, acknowledged the hard work and dedication of Lagos women in working tirelessly and achieving results in different fields of endeavour, from those sacrificing daily in the markets and farms to training the next generation of leaders to those breaking limits in education, sports, medical field, arts, entertainment and even in politics, where they are still largely under-represented.
Dada applauded the Governor of Lagos State for his unwavering commitment to ensuring that women can express their ideas in the all-inclusive THEMES Plus Agenda initiative towards the drive for making Lagos a 21stCenturyy Economy
The event was well attended and graced by dignitaries such as the Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Her Excellency, Princess Serah Sosan; the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Hon Princess Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon and the APC Lagos Women Leader, Hon. Jumoke OkoyaThomas amongst others.
The highlight of the programme was the presentation of awards to the Yaba Local Council Development Area with the Best Concept of Social Inclusion; Ojo Local Government as the Best Crowd Pulling Local Government of 200 participants and the Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area as the Best Adorned group during the Match-Past, just as all the Badagry Communities getting a special award of credence from the Honourable Commissioner for WAPA.
