Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged women in the country to lean on each other whenever the odds are stacked against them, saying there is a need for them to work together to unleash their potential.
This was underscored as Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reiterated the need for people, especially women, given the current challenges Nigeria is facing, to make determined efforts by harnessing their innate ability and capacity to drive the “Renewed Hope agenda” at the national level.
The duo made these calls on Tuesday while declaring open a three-day conference of the annual Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) at the Eko Hotel, Lagos, attended by other dignitaries from across the country.
These dignitaries included Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, represented by the Deputy Governor, Adebayo Lawal; the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio; and the wife of Kwara State Governor, Olufolake Abdulrazak, among others.
Speaking on the theme for the 23rd edition, “Unleash Your Potential,” the First Lady, Senator Tinubu, stressed that women should seek help from others who have had similar experiences to what they are going through.
According to her, women must work together, collaborate, and support one another to ensure that every woman in Nigeria has the tools and opportunities to reach her full potential.
She recalled that she had the privilege of meeting many remarkable women who had overcome challenges, broken barriers, and achieved remarkable success in various fields.
“Some of these women have served as sources of inspiration to me, and some as mentors and role models from whom I learned the ropes that have helped me through my journey in life.
“One of the things that set them apart and brought them to the point of success in their various endeavours is their strong faith, courage, and determination to go the extra mile,” Tinubu said.
“Purpose-driven women are leaders using different skills and traits than men. In their careers, women rely on empathy, calculated risk-taking, collaboration, a bias towards action, and a strong need to achieve.
Women are driven by a passion for their work and the desire to do right by the people who surround them.
“The potential that lies within each and every one of us knows no bounds; it has the capacity to transform not only our individual lives but also the broader landscape of our nation and the world.
“Gradually, we are seeing a shift in the way the world looks at and appreciates women. When it feels like the odds are stacked against you and other women, lean on each other and seek help from others who have had similar experiences,” she added.
Tinubu consistently sought encouragement and support from both her predecessors and other trusted mentors, dating back to her “tenure as First Lady of Lagos State, three-term Senator, and now the First Lady of the Nation.”
“Our diversity is our strength, and it is within this diversity that we find the wellspring of our potential.
As women, we have the power to shape the future, to be leaders, to be innovators, to be carers, and to be agents of positive change.
“But to unleash our potential fully, we must continue to break down barriers that limit our progress, challenge stereotypes, and foster an environment of equal opportunity for all.
“Education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and gender equity are essential pillars that will enable us to unleash our potential.
We must work together, collaborate, and support one another to ensure that every woman in Nigeria has the tools and opportunities to reach her full potential,” she argued.
“Let us remember that our potential is not just about personal success; it is about uplifting our families, communities, and our great nation as a whole. When women are empowered, society thrives.
“I call upon each and every one of you to embrace the theme of this conference, ‘Unleash Your Potential,’ not only for your benefit but for your individual states and the benefit of our beloved nation.
Let us continue to strive towards a nation where every woman can truly contribute to the prosperity and progress of our country,” she added.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his remarks, recalled the historical background of the annual conference, which marked its 23rd edition, pointing out that few conferences have “such a rich pedigree and even fewer last this long.”
The governor appreciated all the past leaders of COWLSO, “starting with our Mother who is here with us today, Her Excellency, The First Lady of the Federal Republic, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, OON,” who has kept the body going for 23 straight years.
“Your vision was clear: to create a platform that will bring our women together to discuss and develop ideas and solutions that will help to place our women at the centre of national development.
Your vision has stood the test of time, and your baby has grown from strength to strength. For this, we are very grateful.
“The mantle was passed, through the years, to Her Excellency, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, and Her Excellency, Mrs Patience Bolanle Ambode.
They kept the fire burning and the flag flying, leaving behind legacies that my dear wife, Dr (Mrs) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has been building on in conjunction with other leaders of the body.
We owe them a huge debt of gratitude,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu said, going by the theme of this year’s conference, that Nigerian women were being called to “unleash their potential,” be more productive, and positively influence society.
According to him, the theme is very apt given the current challenges that Nigeria is facing and the need to be more intentional and determined in efforts to harness the innate ability and capacity of women to drive the “renewed hope agenda” at the national level, with similar initiatives being implemented at the sub-national levels.
“This gathering represents an invaluable opportunity to exploit the collective power and potential of individuals, particularly women, in our quest to build a Greater Lagos.
The theme aptly captures the essence of what we believe in—the boundless reservoir of talent, creativity, and strength that resides within each and every one of us and the need to put these to effective use for national growth and development,” the Governor said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu assured COWLSO of his administration’s firm support for the vision set forth by the body “because we recognise the pivotal role that empowered women play in the development and progress of every society.”
Sanwo-Olu assured that his administration’s commitment extends beyond rhetoric to tangible action, adding, “We pledge to invest in programmes that empower women, providing them with the resources, education, and opportunities necessary for them to thrive in their chosen endeavours.”
This was just as Governor Sanwo-Olu recalled the latest of such interventions, which was the three-floor classroom building constructed by COWLSO in partnership with the Lagos State Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS) for the Ogombo Junior High School in Ogombo, Ajah.
He said that the building, which he gladly commissioned a few weeks ago, had now equipped the first secondary school in the area with 15 ultra-modern classrooms, 30 restrooms, a library, laboratories, an ICT centre, offices for teaching and management staff, and a well-equipped Sick Bay, noting that this intervention had raised the bar of quality education in the state.
The First Lady of Lagos, who is the Chairman of COWLSO, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, pointed out in her welcome address that unleashing one’s potential is a step one has to take with courage, saying that it amounted to a plan to rob the world of its treasures should one decide to die with his or her potential undeveloped and unutilised.
“Unleashing one’s potential is a step one has to take with courage; one has to dare to take that step. When you have to do it, dare to do it!
You plan to rob the world of its treasures if you decide to die with your potential undeveloped and unutilized.” Dr Sanwo-Olu said
“Therefore, my sisters, release yourselves and explore the world. Be the best version of yourself and unleash your potential!” she charged.
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