The First Lady of Ondo State, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu
-Akeredolu has called on women most especially to help change the
narratives by properly educating the boy child towards breaking gender
bias.
Mrs Akeredolu made
this assertion while speaking at the International Women’s Day
Celebration organized by her office in conjunction with the State
Ministry Of Women Affairs & Social Development at the International
Event Centre, Akure.
Mrs.
Akeredolu while urging women to unite across social, religious and
political lines noted that all hands must be on deck to change the
status of women in the society.
We
all have roles to play in making sure that the status of women is
improved at all fronts. We must also not loose sight of the need to
strengthen the weak among us and the need to fortify the malleable ones
with competent compass as they navigate the murky socio-political
terrain.
Ours is an
environment where women are rarely recognised, let alone celebrated, not
even when she makes equal exploits as the male counterpart. This
reality has motivated us towards identifying deserving heroes amongst us
and placing them on the global page for the world to acknowledge.
This
forms the hub of this gathering. I congratulate you, therefore,
esteemed women, for not just witnessing another International Women’s
Day but for also partaking in this epochal event that is organised to
celebrate our heroes”, she added just as she acknowledged the delays,
and sometimes, denials, the girl child goes through in the society and
the need to change the narratives.
Giving
a keynote address, a Professor of Science and Director, Women Studies
and Development Centre, Adekunle Ajasin University, Prof. Adebukola
Osunyikanmi while exploring the reality of gender bias experienced by
women called for concerted effort most especially among women towards
ending the vice.
Prof.
Osunyikanmi who said women must begin to support themselves,
re-orientate the boy-child and stand up against actions that frustrate
women’s progress as part of efforts towards breaking the bias, further
underscored the need for more women to aspire for the top, celebrate
themselves and as well for the society to integrate justice and equity
into school curriculum among others.
In
her goodwill message, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluwaseun
Aiyedatiwa while congratulating Ondo State women, enjoined women not to
be threatened by the successes of another woman but to form a united
front to end their vice.
Also
giving her remarks, the Secretary to State Government, Princess
Oladunni Odu said women are breaking the glass ceiling and as such women
should become more focussed and strive towards achieving their goals.
The major highpoint of the event was the decoration of over 20 eminent women trailblazers among whom were two notable actresses, Sola Sobowale and Omotola Jolade- Ekeinde, the First Female Secretary to Ondo State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; a former State Lawmaker, Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji -Ohwovoriole; Comrade Bosede Daramola (former NLC Chairman in Ondo State); First female Ondo State Head of Service, Mrs Kosemani Kolawole; Justice Folasade Aguda were celebrated among the awardees at the event.
Other awardees include; Mrs Tinu Olowofela, the first female General Manager of Nigerian Television Authority, the first female Speaker of the Ondo House of Assembly, Mrs Jumoke Akindele; Mrs Funmilayo Williams, Mrs Bukola Abitoye, Ondo female entrepreneurer of the year, Erelu Titilayo Ogunnubi, Ondo state woman of substance, Justice Jumoke Osadebe, among many others.
One of the awardees, Mrs Tinu Olowofela while expressing her happiness thanked the First lady. She encouraged other women to always put in their best to positively impact lives.
Earlier in her remarks, the chairperson of the Ondo State IWD 2022 Working Committee who is also the Commissioner For Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr (Mrs) Adebunmi Osadahun while noting that the purpose of the Women’s Day is to celebrate and uphold women’s achievement, commended the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for being gender sensitive and appointing women into key positions, such as the first SSG, Female Commissioners, Chairmen and Councillors at Local Governments, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Board Members, Accountant-General among many other positions.