Women critical to Nigeria’s survival —Govs

OYO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and his Osun and Lagos states’ counterparts, Mr Rauf Aregbesola and Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday, said women remained critical to national development.

They spoke in Ibadan at the 5th National Women Summit, organised by Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association (OYSOWA).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the three-day event, with the theme, ‘The ultimate woman at a time like this’, was attended by delegates from across the country.

The summit had in attendance, Governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and wife of the president, Mrs Aisha Buhari, represented by wife of the Zamfara State governor, Mrs Asaan 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).

Ajimobi said that the role of women in the family and the nation was no doubt the most significant in terms of care and nurturing.

“Either at home or public, women have always played profound roles. Their role is very critical to the survival of the society,” he said.

The governor added that the education of the girl-child was also important and critical to the nation-building.

Also speaking, Aregbesola said that the future of a society is determined by the quality of women in that society.

“The most resilient of the living beings are the females. They are great survivalists in the world.

“I seek a push for making women economically independent,” he said.

He said that the ultimate woman must champion the eradication of female genital mutilation, saying that the act was psychologically demeaning, unhealthy, barbaric and evil.

Aregbesola, however, urged women not to be casual in playing their roles, adding that the ultimate women must prepare their children for the future.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, on his part, said that women had always lived up to expectation and called for more support from them.

Ambode enjoined women to be more committed to the cause of bringing the nation out of austerity.

“The current economic challenge has posed more problems to everyone as it knows no class or gender.

“Men are like magicians because they make things out of nothing, while the women give the necessary care and support,” he said.

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 the Chairperson, Southern Governors’ Wives Forum, 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 would experience the desired change.