…as COWLSO members visit LASUTH, embark on walk

 Benjamin Omoike

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, at the weekend, defied heavy downpour to lead other wives of Lagos State Government officials for a clean- up exercise as part of activities marking the 19th edition of the annual conference of Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).

The Lagos first lady also led other COWLSO members to create awareness via an Awareness Walk from Ikeja Local Government back to Lagos House, Alausa; while as part of COWLSO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, she, along with her team, paid a courtesy visit to the Children and Post Natal Wards of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, to identify with the babies on admission.  

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu, who earlier spoke at a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, in Alausa, Ikeja, said the environmental sanitation of some streets within Ikeja would help to rid the neighbourhood of filth and spread of diseases.

She restated the commitment of COWLSO in the area of continuous advocacy of cleaner environment initiative and support for the government to achieve its vision on better environment, adding that it was important to ensure that the environment is clean as,  “women are ready to support our husbands to ensure that the ideal Lagos is delivered.”

She maintained that COWLSO supports the current campaign on proper waste disposal by the government, stressing that it was very important to educate the populace – right from kindergarten to University and community leaders, that cleanliness is close to Godliness.

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu said the theme of this year’s conference: “Unlearn, Learn And Relearn: 21st Century Women’s T.H.E.M.E.S Perspectives/Approach”, was carefully selected after rigorous brainstorming sessions. She added that it was designed to empower women with skills to key into emerging opportunities being provided by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the state.

She said, “As it is the tradition of the Conference to strategically empower women to contribute positively to the development of the state and Nigeria at large, this year’s theme was carefully selected in line with the vision and aspiration of the present administration in Lagos State to bring about the greater Lagos of our dreams.

“We have lined up very eminent Nigerians and outstanding professionals to help our women come to terms with how best they can key into the emerging opportunities being provided by the government of the day in Lagos State,” she said.

Giving details of the dignitaries billed to attend the conference, Dr Sanwo-Olu said the First Lady of Nigeria, Hajiya Aisha Buhari would declare the Conference Open, alongside Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, while his counterpart from Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule would serve as Special Guest of Honour at the closing ceremony.

She said aside the main theme, other sub-themes includes: “The 21st Century Woman – Build Not Born To Influence The Society; Entertainment And Tourism: Prism Of Possibilities – Tourism and Entertainment; The Total Woman; Entrepreneurship: Making Money And More Money – Agric Entrepreneurship, Financing and General Trading; Mould A Child And Build A Greater Generation; Healthy Woman – A Healthier Nation: Maternal & Child Mortality; Development And A Healthy City – Creating A Balance – Waste To Wealth, and Obey Traffic Laws,” among others.

She added that as part of efforts to give more women the opportunity to participate, the conference would be live-streamed on various media platforms, while participants can collect conference materials at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja from 17 to 19 October, 2019.

She added that there would be a raffle draw at the gala night of the conference, with opportunities for women to win mouth-watering prizes including a house, brand new cars, first class return ticket, deep freezers, among others, while buses would be available to convey particpants from the venue to Lekki-Ajah, Oshodi-Mile 2, Agege-Iyana Ipaja, Ojodu Berger, Yaba, and Ojota/Ketu.   

Special awards, according to her, would be presented to the Inspirational Woman Of the Year, as well as Certificates Of Appreciation to individuals and Corporate Sponsors who have constistently supported COWLSO, adding that all necessary arrangements have been firmed up in terms of logistics, security, welfare, among others. 

She seized the opportunity to celebrate the International Day of the Girl-Child which is marked across the globe every October 11, assuring that the present administration in the state would spare no effort to frontally address all issues affecting the girl-child with the required vigour, zest and determination.

On her plans for women in the state, the First Lady said concerted efforts would be geared towards medical assistance, financial assistance to students, especially through the ‘Adopt A Student Project,’.