The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stressed the need to strengthen inclusivity in the nation’s governance structure, saying this must be done to ensure that women remain an integral part of nation-building.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the call on Tuesday in his goodwill message at the 25th National Women’s Conference, organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Civil Servants (COWLSO), which held at Eko Hotels and Suites.
The governor, while noting that the theme of this year’s conference, which is “25 years of visionary legacy: inspiring the next generation”, reminded everyone that legacy is not about the past but about the future, and said that the women who began this journey had conveyed a vision that continued to inspire new leaders, innovators and changemakers.
He emphasized that inspiring the next generation meant more than mentoring: it meant modeling excellence, integrity and resilience.
Furthermore, the governor said it meant empowering young women to believe that no dream was too distant, “no height too high and no limit too strong to break”, and declared that the future of Lagos and indeed the nation depended on the boldness with which the nation equips its women to lead with courage and conviction.
“As we reflect on this silver jubilee, we must appreciate that COWLSO’s enduring strength lies not only in its programs but also in the values it represents: compassion, collaboration and continuity. The women who began this journey have passed on a vision that continues to inspire new leaders, innovators and agents of change.
“In fact, ‘Inspiring the Next Generation’ means more than mentoring; it means modeling excellence, integrity and resilience. It means empowering our daughters and young women to believe that no dream is too distant, no height too high and no limit too strong to break.
“The future of Lagos and indeed our nation depends on how boldly we equip our women to lead with courage and conviction,” she said.
“As we engage in the sessions and discussions over the next two days, let us remember that the next chapter of COWLSO’s story will not be written by history, but by the actions we take today: to foster leadership, promote inclusion and ensure that women remain at the center of development and progress,” she added.
Also speaking was the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who joined the online conference, highlighting the need to continue nourishing families, strengthening communities across Lagos State and inspiring a generation of women across the country.
The First Lady noted that it was not possible to celebrate 25 years of COWLSO without honoring its past, adding that the event also celebrated “the legacy and vision of the founder of COWLSO, our mother, the late Mrs. Olufunmilayo Omobolaji Johnson, wife of the first military governor of Lagos State, who gave us the wings to fly.”
“We cannot celebrate 25 years of COWLSO without honoring our past. We celebrate the legacy and vision of the founder of COWLSO, our mother, the late Mrs. Olufunmilayo Omobolaji Johnson, wife of the first military governor of Lagos State, who gave us the wings to fly,” he said.
Earlier, the wife of the Lagos State Governor and President of COWLSO, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the theme of the conference was carefully chosen, describing it as timely and instructive.
According to her, she challenges participants to reflect on the journey of the last two and a half decades, saying that it was also to “appreciate our collective achievements and recommit ourselves to nurturing the next generation of women leaders, professionals and agents of change.”
“Over the past 25 years, COWLSO has continued to be a formidable platform to empower women, promote family values and support government initiatives through carefully designed programs in healthcare, education, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability and social welfare.
“Through this annual conference, women from all walks of life have found a meeting point to exchange ideas, build networks and enhance their ability to influence positive change in society,” said Dr Sanwo-Olu.
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