IBIJOKE RAISES THE BAR AT COWLSO 2019
By Oki Samson
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (third left); his wife and Chairperson, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Dr. Ibijoke (middle); wife of Minister of Works and Housing, Dame Abimbola Fashola (second right), with winners of a Raffle Draw during a Gala night at the 19th Annual COWLSO’s National Women Conference at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, on Thursday, October 24, 2019
The innovation that Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) brings to leadership will never wane. From the days of Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Dame Abimbola Fashola, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and now, Dr. Mrs. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-olu, COWLSO has become a force to reckon with.
Trek Africa Newspaper observed that, the planning, coordination and organization of the various aspects of the event – the conference proper, symposium, networking sessions, the gala – over the course of the three-day event was top notch. The planning committee chaired by Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello was up to the task.
L-R: Chairperson, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Dr (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; wife of Minister of Works and Housing, Dame Abimbola Fashola, receiving an award from Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat and Chairman of the 2019 National Women’s Conference, Prof. (Mrs) Ibiyemi Bello during a Gala night at the 19th Annual COWLSO’s National Women Conference at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, on Thursday, October 24, 2019
Delivering her welcome address, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-olu said: ‘the theme of this year’s conference ‘Unlearn, Learn and Relearn: 21st Century Women’s T.H.E.M.E.S. Perspectives and Approach was carefully selected in line with the vision and aspiration of the present administration in Lagos state to bring about greater Lagos of our dreams’
The conference was declared open by the wife of the President, Dr. Aisha Buhari ably represented by Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Vice President. The keynote address was delivered by Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Governor of Kwara state. Goodwill messages were shared by the Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila among other dignitaries.
L-R: Mrs. Yeside Fagbohun; Wife of Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; one of the raffle draw winners of car gift at the 2019 National Women’s Conference of Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) and others during the formal presentation to star prize winners held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, 7th November, 2019.
The conference had the wives of governors of Kwara, Ekiti, Edo, Ogun, Osun, Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, Mrs. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Mrs. Besty Obaseki, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, Mrs. Oyetola, wife of Speaker of Federal House of Representatives, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, wife of Minister of Interior, Serifat Aregbesola physically present.
The 2019 annual conference which coincided with the 26th wedding anniversary of the Sanwo-olus witnessed amazing gifts splash like all-expense paid trip to Dubai, two set of 3-bedroom flat, two brand new cars, cash prizes and other consolation gifts such as electric fans, gas cylinders, food warmers etc. It would be recalled that no one could win the 3-bedroom flat presented by the Sanwo-olus until Gbenga Adeyinka prompted the Governor to come pick a winner.
Attendees who spoke with Trek Africa Newspaper were elated at the organization of the event. Mrs. Wuraola Williams, Iron Lady of Lagos Poltics said: ‘I love what COWLSO is doing empowering women. Over 5000 women are now able to cater for their children, no longer waiting for their husbands to do basic things. We are grateful to the government of Babajide Sanwo-olu and his wife, Ibijoke for appointing 12 women as commissioners. Women mobilize, women vote, women deliver the votes but when it is time to get the positions, they don’t call women. It is bad. But we appreciate the governor.’
Folashade Olabanji-Oba, National Deputy Chairman, Association of Vice Chairmen in Nigeria said: ‘The impact of COWLSO is awesome. The organization helps to strengthen family values. It is a win-win situation when you empower women. Lagos is a role model state and is living up to its name of centre of excellence with 30% women representation. The conference in particular is something that many women look forward to yearly. This year’s edition is telling us that you are never too old to learn, you have to become a better version of yourself.’
Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf representing the Nasarawa state governor who gave the closing remarks said: ‘Over the 3 days we have had over 3000 women gathered. I implore us to continue to unlearn, learn and relearn.’
Wife of Deputy Governor of Lagos state and Vice Chairman COWLSO, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat gave the vote of thanks on behalf of COWLSO to all the governors, conference speakers, dignitaries, and all attendees present.
It should be noted that Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) was founded by late Mrs. Obafunmilayo Johnson in 1974 and was revitalized in 1999 by Mrs. Oluremi Shade Tinubu. Now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Oluremi does not cease to lend her unflinching support to the women group as the Grand Matron. She was also physically present at the 2019 conference.
Civil Servant who is the Higher Assistant Education Officer, Agboyi Ketu LCDA; Mrs. Muritala Bosede got the mouth watering gifts from the excellency. Bosede who is considered the lucky one, expressed her appreciation and amusements. “I’m really grateful, this is just Gods grace that I have experienced tonight. I sincerely thank the excellency for blessing me and my family with this awesome gifts, I pray their home is forever blessed and sanctify in Jesus Name. I will never forget this kind gestures in my lifetime”, she said.
