WOMEN PROMISE DELEGATES, VOTERS FOR TINUBU; SEN. ADEYEYE SAYS ‘HAPPY DAYS AHEAD FOR WOMEN’ AS WOMEN FOR SWAGA INAUGURATED
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
L-R: National Coordinator, Women for SWAGA, Hon Ayo Omidiran; Wife of the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; First Lady, Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; National Chairman, SWAGA, Sen Dayo Adeyeye during the Presentation of special Recognition Award to Lagos State First Lady.
Thousands of women stormed Lagos yesterday from different states of the federation including Osun, Ondo, Kogi, Lagos, and Rivers states and Abuja FCT.
This was for the inauguration of Women for Southwest Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) Lagos chapter. The Southwest Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) founded two years ago is using this subgroup to target the women population. Other subgroups such as those targeting youths, artisans and other professionals will also arise soon.
With the same support group due to be floated soon in other states, the aim is to ensure Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu scale through the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries as the party’s flagbearer this May as well as eventually emerge as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2023. Other activities which happened alongside the inauguration ceremony were a Special Awards Ceremony and a free medical outreach.
L-R: Representative of the Lagos State Governor/Commisioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada and National PRO, Women for SWAGA, Hon Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba
Welcoming the jubilant crowd of women at the inauguration, Hon. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) who represented the Governor of Lagos State, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu said: ‘It is a privilege to be part of SWAGA for our principal, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We have all gathered here today to inaugurate the Women for SWAGA.
This shows that we in Lagos are fully prepared and we are charging ourselves for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I don’t see anybody in Nigerian doing the job better than Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is the only one who is capable of changing the tide for this country. I will tell all women to get empowered. It is an empowered woman whose voice will be heard. Get involved in politics. 25% affirmative action should be put in place and enforced. Come 2023, all roads will lead to Aso rock. Together, we will gather again like this to celebrate the success.’
L-R: Representative of Sen Oluremi Tinubu, Mrs. Alawiye-King; Wife of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; First Lady, Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and National Coordinator, Women for SWAGA, Hon Ayo Omidiran.
On how the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has impacted women in Lagos, ‘I can tell you authoritatively that over 60,000 women in Lagos have benefited from different programs of the Sanwo-Olu administration.
We have had over 10,000 women in our short term training, over 12,000 in our long term training, and over 6,000 women in our microfinance empowerment program. We have had advocacy programs and empowerment programs as well. Lagos State Government has done so much, though 60,000 women can be minimal compared to the number of women we have in Lagos but together we can get there’, the Commissioner shared.
L-R: Wife of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; First Lady, Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Chairman, Women for SWAGA, Lagos State, Hon. Akinyemi Obe; National Coordinator, Women for SWAGA, Hon Ayo Omidiran; National Chairman, SWAGA, Sen Dayo Adeyeye and Representative of Sen Oluremi Tinubu, Mrs Alawiye-King during the Presentation of special Recognition Award to Hon. Akinyemi Obe.
The wife of the Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu said: ‘Today is a special day for women. I bring you greetings from our Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu who is ably represented by Mrs. Bolaji Dada. I want to thank Women for SWAGA for conferring on me and others the awards today for our modest efforts in women advocacy.’
‘Thank you for standing for the voiceless; these are the kind of women we want. I want to say thank you to the HeForShe’s here, I want to assure Sen. Dayo Adeyeye that our women will deliver 5 million votes in the Southwest. We need our women to come out. If you don’t come out, nobody will make it. Let’s make this move happen. This movement is very important for our baba, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’, Trek Africa Newspaper can report.
L-R: National Coordinator, Women for SWAGA, Hon Ayo Omidiran Receiving a Special Recognition Award from the Wife of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat.
The National Chairman of Southwest Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA, Senator Dayo Adeyeye affirmed the role of women in politics, ‘You cannot do anything without the support of women. I am very happy that the women folk are showing tremendous support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and with their support, I am absolutely confident that Asiwaju will prevail not only in the primaries but also in the general elections and will be elected as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
‘I want to thank our women for their tremendous support and I want to assure them that giving his antecedent, Asiwaju’s era will be when women will be at the forefront of governance in this country. They are going to be well-represented under the presidency of Asiwaju by the grace of God.
For the first time, they will see that their demand for affirmativce action will be achieved. Happy days are ahead for the women’.
L-R: Wife of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat in a Celebrations Clap with the First Lady, Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.
On the political group, Senator Adeyeye stated ‘SWAGA is everywhere in Nigeria now, not only in Southwest. We are in every nook and cranny and grassroot of Nigeria. Those groups who have decided to model their structures after Asiwaju, we call them affiliates so we are happy with the success we have achieved so far. I used to say that in the Southwest, there are 14 million votes that we have put in his pocket and zipped it. In the other areas, same thing is going on as well.’
‘You can see the women’s group, we will soon launch the youths group and the artisan group and other groups not only in Southwest but throughout Nigeria. We are using the event of today to tell other aspirants that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has moved far ahead. None of them can catch up. By 31st of this month, Asiwaju will fly the flag of APC as standard bearer. It is good that the space is open and nobody is shut out. At the end of the primaries, everybody should come together so that we can achieve success for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’, he revealed to Trek Africa Newspaper.
L-R: National Coordinator, Women for SWAGA, Hon Ayo Omidiran; Coordinator, SWAGA, Hon Ayotunde Ojo and Wife of the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat.
The National Women Leader of Southwest Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), Hon. Ayo Omidiran stated that the role of women in politics, national peace, and harmony is huge. She added that in many African societies, women wield enormous power. ‘We are influential organs in determining issues of state.
In pre-independence time, we had iconic women like Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Wuraola Esan, Margaret Ekpo, Oyinkan Abayomi among others lighting the torch for women to be heard. It is gratifying that the few women gave a good account in the roles they were privileged to handle. The post-independence era has seen women activism and women in politics. For instance, since 1999 political activity have only pushed them to position of Deputy Governor, some have been appointed ministers, while a few have been elected into parliament. The need for women to be more involved in politics has become more important than before. The role of women as pacifiers and peacemakers cannot be brushed aside. The population is also an advantage. More women in leadership positions lead to greater spread of love, peace, and harmony in the society.’
L-R: Wife of the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat Decorating the First Lady, Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu with the Women for SWAGA’s Dress, while the National Coordinator, Women for SWAGA, Hon Ayo Omidiran looks on…
Also present at the inauguration was the National Secretary of Southwest Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), Hon. Bosun Oladele. Speaking to Trek Africa Newspaper about the impact of SWAGA on the presidential bid of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he remarked: ‘SWAGA has been very innovative and strategic. SWAGA is the front-running support group for Asiwaju and we are not going to rest on our oars. We started calling on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to run for presidency. He heeded our call and he stepped into the arena to contest. Now that he has picked the form, our focus is two – the delegates and what happens after the primaries. We are in touch with the delegates and a sizable number of them are women. We are also comfortable with the kind of acceptance we have received so far.’
‘Moving forward, when Asiwaju must have won the presidential primaries, then we face the electioneering process itself and you know that women have vital roles in society.
L-R: Hon. Ayotunde Ojo; Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; Sen. Dayo Adeyeye; Former Southwest Women Leader, APC, Chief Kemi Nelson; Hon. Ayo Omidiran and others during the Presentation of special Recognition Award to Chief Kemi Nelson.
They control 75% of men because we seem to pander to their wishes and opinions. They are influential and if they can influence where the votes go, who needs them more than the APC presidential candidate by the grace of GOD’, he shared.
The State Coordinator for Women for SWAGA, Lagos, Hon. Akinyemi Obe recalled that SWAGA was established 2 years ago to push Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to contest for presidency. ‘Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has brought many people to practice what they have learned. He is an encyclopedia. He is blessed. He is a motivator and an influencer. We want to make sure that women have influence to convince their husbands and some of us are national delegates’.
L-R: Kenny Saint Brown; Hajia Bola Shagaya and a guest at the Women for SWAGA.
On the great influence of Asiwaju on her life, the former Council chairman of Coker-Aguda LCDA said: ‘I never knew I will be a member of a board, I am an educationist but Asiwaju will look at you and your CV and see what you can do. I was part of the board with Mrs. Sosan and look at what we achieved. We introduced nursery education into our schools so that it will be a feeder for primary education. Lo and behold, it has been copied by the rest of the federation. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu encouraged us to do that.’
The welfare officer of Women in SWAGA, Lagos, Yeye Yinka Olaiya stated that everybody is gathered here from all over the country to celebrate with us that we are laying a foundation for Asiwaju presidency. ‘We embarked on this journey a long time ago and we have been going to every LGA and other parts of the country to get women to support. We have made up our minds that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is our man. We want a man who will support women. We had a medical outreach to address issues that many women usually leave unattended to. This is part of giving back to the society.’
The well-attended event also had in attendance First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Senator Oluremi Tinubu OON represented by Mrs. Alawiye King; former Southwest Women Leader APC, Chief Kemi Nelson; the wife of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; the National Treasurer, SWAGA, Hon. Oloruntoba Oke; Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Lagos, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke; Lagos State Coordinator, SWAGA, Hon. Monsuru Alao; and many COWLSO officials.
L-R: Representative of the Lagos State Governor/Commisioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Cecilia Bolaji Dada and National Coordinator, Women for SWAGA, Hon Ayo Omidiran
L-R: Coordinator, SWAGA, Hon Ayotunde Ojo and Executive Chairman, Coker-Aguda LCDA, Hon Rasaq Ibrahim Olamilekan
L-R: National PRO, Women for SWAGA, Hon Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba; Executive Chairman, Coker-Aguda LCDA, Hon Rasaq Ibrahim Olamilekan and National Coordinator, Women for SWAGA, Hon Ayo Omidiran.
Mrs Alawiye-King (4th right) Receiving a Special Recognition Award on behalf of Sen Oluremi Tinubu from the National Chairman, SWAGA, Sen Dayo Adeyeye
L-R: First Lady, Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Coordinator, Women for SWAGA, Lagos State, Chief Hajia Fatima Bello and Publicity Secretary, Women for SWAGA
L-R: Treasurer, Women for SWAGA, Lagos State, Hon Nkem Sofela; Wife of the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; Coordinator, Women for SWAGA, Lagos State, Hajia Fatima Bello and Publicity Secretary, Women for SWAGA
Honorable Commisioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Cecilia Bolaji Dada at the Women for SWAGA event.
L-R: Popular Nollywood Actor, Saheed Balogun; National Coordinator, Women for SWAGA, Hon Ayo Omidiran and National PRO, Women for SWAGA, Hon Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba
L-R: Former Southwest Women Leader, APC, Chief Kemi Nelson and Wife of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat
L-R: Chairman, Women for SWAGA, Lagos State, Hon Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe; APC Chieftain and Immediate Past Women Leader, APC Lagos Central Senatorial District, Chief Fadekemi Otitonaiye
Treasurer, Women for SWAGA, Hon Nkem Sofela Receiving a Special Birthday Cake from the Chairman, Women for SWAGA, Lagos State, Hon Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe; Mrs Adetoro Baiyewu and others
L-R: Olori Aderonke Erinle; Member of Women for SWAGA and Welfare Officer, Women for SWAGA, Lagos State, Yeye Yinka Olaiya
R-L: Coordinator, Women for SWAGA, Lagos State, Chief Hajia Fatima Bello Receiving a Special Recognition Award from Hon Toba Oke
L-R: Treasurer, Women for SWAGA, Hon Nkem Sofela Receiving a Special Birthday Cake from the Chairman, Women for SWAGA, Lagos State, Hon Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe; Mrs Adetoro Baiyewu and others
L-R: Commisioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Cecilia Bolaji Dada with Wife of the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat
L-R: Treasurer, Women for SWAGA, Lagos State, Hon Nkem Sofela; Hajia Raliat Abdulsalam; National PRO, Women for SWAGA, Hon Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba and Mrs Adetoro Baiyewu
Hajia Raliat Abdulsalam
L-R: Hon Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba with Chief Vivian Obi
