Aisha Buhari, govs emphasise women empowerment for national development

WOMEN’S unparalleled resilience and the imperativeness of their empowerment for the desired national development was emphasised at the 5th National Women’s Summit of Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association, held in Ibadan, on Wednesday.

The summit themed, “The Ultimate Woman at a Time Like This” had in attendance, Governor Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) and Governor Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, represented by wife of Zamfara governor, Mrs Asma’u Yari.

Also present were wives of governors: Mrs Florence Ajimobi (Oyo), Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola (Osun), Mrs Bolanle Ambode (Lagos), Mrs Omolewa Ahmed (Kwara), Mrs Nkechinyere Okorocha (Imo), Mrs Nana Kashim Shettima (Borno).

Speaking, Aisha Buhari assured of the continuation of programmes that elevate the status of women in Nigeria.

She urged women to maximally support their husband and homes to sufficiently contribute to nation building.

Host, Mrs Florence Ajimobi prayed for the emergence of women that are influential and could break barriers in the society.

Specially making reference to recent Violence Against Women Law 2016 in Oyo State, she harped on the need for women to have their rights protected and given the opportunity to launch themselves into limelight.

Mrs Nkechinyere Okorocha who is Chairperson Southern Governors’ Wives Forum, especially noted the critical role of women in bringing about national development.

She consequently expressed optimism that the effects of recession will subside and that Nigerians will experience the desired change.

In his remarks, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode noted that the resilience and ability of women to rise up to the challenges of difficult times, like current time of recession, was invaluable.

“Women are like magicians because they always make something out of nothing. Even when there is no increase in the money for family upkeep, women are expected to make things happen notwithstanding the inflationary trend that has jerked prices above and beyond the level that we could have all imagined,” Ambode said.

Senator Abiola Ajimobi saluted the determination and profound roles of women whether at the home front or in public life.

He advocated the education of the girl-child and empowerment of the womenfolk for them to be at the core of policy formulation and execution in the country.

“At this time of wide socio-cultural dysfunction, education of the girl-child has become one of the most effective tools for rescuing our world from imminent decay. The family unit is the building block of every society, therefore, so the psychological and physical health of every member of the family is critical to that of the nation. This is why the socioeconomic health of our women folk must take the centre stage of policy formulation and execution,” Ajimobi said.

Saluting the resilience of women, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, called for the empowerment of women to face societal challenges and be economically independent.

Aregbesola decried that the South West geopolitical zone continued to record high rate of female genital mutilation (FGM), calling on government at all levels to bring up programmes that would eliminate FGM and hugely empower women.

“Government must develop capacity for empowerment of women. Women must be empowered to be strong economically. I therefore demand that all governments to have huge programme for the empowerment of our women.

“Women must not be casual in playing the role that God has assigned to them. We need to empower women to face any challenge, especially women in the social economic class. I seek for a push for women to be independent economically.

“The ultimate woman must be a champion for the eradication of female genital mutilation in our land, discard any practice that reduce the dignity of women. Women control the world, they are resilient.

“The ultimate woman must prepare their women when we will not have as much money as we do now. Women must prepare their children for a digitised world where there will be no drivers anymore, where manual labour will be greatly reduced, where men and women will live by intellect. Our women must prepare for this future,” Aregbesola said.

The two-day programme continues on Wednesday with speeches on varied topics to be delivered by Mrs Nimi Akinkugbe, Mrs Nike Adeyemi, Mrs Foluke Abdul-rasaq and Mrs Tara Fela-Durotoye.