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Women have been charged to cash in on the opportunities offered by the diversification of the economy and the fast growing agricultural industry by improving their entrepreneurial skills without being afraid to be more successful than their husbands.
The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), on Thursday, gave the charge as it concluded its three-day National Women Conference as part of the 22-point communiqué reached.
The theme of the Conference was“She Creates, She Transforms,” held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos with the communique read by the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello.
“Women were charged to step up and not be afraid of being more successful than their spouses and they must be willing to invest more to expand their pool of income,” the communiqué read in part.
The Conference specifically tasked women to get more involved in animal husbandry in order to increase daily production in the country, while government should also provide lands and conducive environment for women farmers.
They were also encouraged to network with organisations that could avail them funds such as the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN) and Bank of Industry (BOI) among others.
“Women should be solution providers that are purpose-driven rather than looking for immediate financial profits. These give opportunities to contribute towards improving the society.
“The Conference reiterated that women must be empowered in order to take care of the family, community and the nation.
“The conference also stressed the fact that women should be positively aggressive and assertive in order to contribute to the development of the nation,” the communiqué also read.
In her closing remarks, COWLSO Chairman and Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, said it was important for Nigerian women to understand that they are in a unique situation at this point in time, and must see the current reality in the country not as a hopeless situation but an opportunity for entrepreneurial ambition to make a positive impact in a challenging situation.
While making reference to one of the sessions at the conference which focused on agriculture, Mrs. Ambode said women should have good mentors, be consistent and persist in doing the right things, noting that challenges should be seen as mere stepping stones that do not kill.
She said: “I urge all participants to make the best use of all they learnt at the conference for their personal benefits. You should also please endeavour to pass on the knowledge acquired.”
Declaring the conference closed, Adamawa State Governor, Senator Jubrilla Bindow, who was the Special Guest of Honour, lauded the sterling performance of his counterpart in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in office so far, describing his infrastructural renewal efforts as unprecedented and revolutionary.
Bindow said governor Ambode, through his brilliant works, had confirmed to Nigerians that the All Progressives Congress (APC), was committed to bringing about positive change in the country.
Bindow, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Martins Babale, said despite the complexities of governing a State with unique peculiarities such as Lagos, governor Ambode had performed creditably well in key sectors, adding that he was indeed proud to associate himself with the achievements, and described his counterpart as a worthy leader.
He said: “Let me end this short address by very sincerely commending my dear brother, His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his sterling performance as the governor of Lagos State. I know the complexities of governance especially in a highly urban and sophisticated setting like Lagos, but I also acknowledge that my brother has done wonderfully.
“I must say with Ambode’s performance here in Lagos and our achievements in transforming Adamawa State, our party, the APC has glaring signpost of positive change to showcase to Nigerians any day anytime.”
