COWLSO CELEBRATES 17TH NATIONAL WOMAN CONVENTION WITH THEME SHE CREATES, SHE TRANSFORMS

Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria and Mother of the Day, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo (m); Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu (4^th left); Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (5^th left) & his wife, Bolanle; Dep. Governor, Dr. (Mrs. Idiat Oluranti Adebule (3^rd left);  and wives of other Governors of States; Osun, Oyo, Abia, Enugu, Delta and Imo, during the opening ceremony of the 17^th National Women’s Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO)’s with the theme, “She Creates, She Transforms” , held in Lagos, on Tuesday, 24^th October, 2017.

By: HighCelebritySquard

… Women are key in nation building, Ambode, Fayose, Osibanjo's wife insist

It was a gathering to serenade the virtues of women at the 17^th National Women Conference organized by the Committee of Lagos State Government Officials Wives (COWLSO) headed by the erudite wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode at the Conference Hall of the prestigious Eko Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. This three days event kicked off at 10am on the morning of Tuesday 24^th October 2017. In attendance were delegates from the woman groups of all the Local Governments in Lagos as well as dignitaries from all works lives, especially woman.

Declaring the event open in her welcome address, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode traced the history of COWLSO and gave credit to the initiator and founder of COWLSO, Mrs. Obafunmilayo Mobolaji Johnson for her vision. She also gave special credit to Senator Oluremi Tinubu her had the vision to revive the Committee during her tenure as the First Lady of Lagos State. She said the choice of the theme for the 17^th edition of the National Women Conference She Creates, She Transform with a theme thrust of Creativity and Skills Acquisition depicts the upward trajectory of the Committee given the fact that the themes of the three past edition of the event has reflected the reality and demands on woman ss dictated by where we are as a people. She gave special appreciation to her husband and governor of Lagos State who was the host of the event and Patron of COWLSO for his support.

Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria and Mother of the Day, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo (2^nd right), supported by Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2^nd left), and his wife, Bolanle (3^rd left); Guest of Honour and Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Mr. Emmanuel Udom (r); and the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (L), to present the Inspirational Woman of the Year award to Engr. (Mrs.) Sandra Aguebor, MFR, aka ‘Lady Mechanic’, during the opening ceremony of the 17^th National Women’s Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO)’s with the theme, “She Creates, She Transforms” , held in Lagos, on Tuesday, 24^th October, 2017.

 Governor Ambode who was joined by Governor Emmanual Udom, of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Dickson of Bayelsa State, and Governor Godwin Obaseky of Edo State at the high table in his remarks praised the women folks for their role in nation building. He told the audience that his experience as an administrator has taught him that if you want a job done quickly and efficiently, the best person to give the job is a woman. He said it was in recognition of this that the Lagos State Government has over the last two years set aside over 1.2 billion naira aside for the women empowerment fund.

Giving his Keynote address, the Guest of Honour of the Event, Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State went biblical in eulogizing the role women play in family and nation building. He said the Bible was definite on the role of the woman as the builder of the family without which there will be no great nation.

A mild drama took place as the ever ebullient governor of Ekiti State Dr. Ayo Fayose entered the hall amidst cheers from the crowed. His entrance interrupted Udom midway as Ambode led Fayose to greet the other governors and first ladies present. Udom jokingly told Fayose to take his seat or risk impeachment as the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum amidst laughter.

The high point of this event was the soulful and inspirational key note address by Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In her well modulated and melodious voice, Mrs. Osinbajo went back history lane to regale all gathered of the achievements of the Nigerian woman right from the pre colonial era till date. She paid tribute to great woman like Dr. Abibola Awoniyi nee Akinrele, first woman medical practitioner in Nigeria, Mrs. Ransom Kuti, Klora Nwakpa to Chimamada who are all examples of what our women folk can achieve if they put their minds to it. She enjoined today generation of Nigeria women to look back to know who they are from the exploits of their forebears so as to live exemplary lives for coming generations to emulate. She also took time to give credit to Sen. Oluremi Tinubu who revived COWLSO. She went down memory lane to recall the first retreat organized by Mrs. Tinuba for the wives of Lagos State Government officials. She told the audience that it was at that event that Mrs. Tinubu encouraged her as the wife of the Anthony General of Lagos State at the time to engage in public speaking, an assignment she claimed prepared her for the role she is playing today. According to her, she prepared me and since then, I have never stopped speaking.

Mrs. Sandra Igiebor of the Woman Mechanic fame was given a special recognition award as a woman of inspiration for her contribution to woman upliftment through her Lady Mechanic initiative that has trained hundreds of woman mechanic across Nigeria over the years.

Other dignities present were the Deputy Governor of Lagos State Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, the Oba of Lagos HRH Rilwan Akiolu, the Eleko of Eko, former deputy governor of Lagos Sarah Sosan  wife of Osun State Governor, Alhaja Aregbesola, wife to Edo State,, wife of the Inspector General of Police, Mrs. Ibrahim Idris Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Hon. Funmi Tejuoso, and many others too numerous to mention.