By Meletus EZE
Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, on Tuesday urged women to learn to come together, support each other and discard unproductive habits.
Ambode made the appeal at the three-day 18th National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) in Lagos.
The conference has the theme: “Strengthening our Collective Impact”.
Ambode, who noted that there was advantage in numerical strength, said that when women come together and collaborate, they tend to achieve significant and lasting social change that would be beneficial to all.
“We have the unique ability of looking at problems and coming up with solutions, that will transform lives and make the world a better place,” she said.
She described women as pillars of growth and development of their countries.
Ambode said they had continued to play roles that demonstrated how important they were to the progress of their countries economically, politically, socially and in all other areas that matter.
She said the quest to continually improve on the welfare of women and sustain the “vintage” position of Lagos State in the federation were key objectives behind COWLSO coming together annually, to discuss the way forward.
Ambode said the founding objective of COWLSO was to actively assist the government in improving the welfare of women in the state.
According to her, the committee has executed many health-related projects which have recorded impressive impact on the health of babies, children, youths, women and the aged.
She said topics to be examined at the conference included the “Role of Perseverance and Things to Consider When Getting Married”, “Hazards of Teenage Pregnancy”, as well as “Life Threatening Challenges and Solutions”.
Gov.Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, described this year’s theme as apt and lauded the achievements of COWLSO, particularly in the areas of giving hope and succour to the less privileged through donations in cash and kind.
Ambode said the committee had worked ceaselessly to complement the efforts of their spouses in government.
Declaring the conference open, Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, said that COWLSO was a powerful network to get appropriate feedback from the people and an inspiration which other states should emulate.
“It is a fantastic idea because it builds on family connection; it connects the family with the government,” Obaseki said.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of 2018 COWLSO Inspirational Woman of the Year Award to a renowned female photographer and musician, Toyin Bello, popularly known as TY Bello.
The event was attended by wives of governors of Ogun, Oyo, Edo and wives of former Lagos State governors and former deputy governors among others.
