BY JUMOKE OWOOLA
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| Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule Lagos State Deputy Governor |
The need to continually promote women and support programmes aimed at development of talented women to contribute to the growth of the state and the country at large will be a priority to the Lagos state government.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule made the call during the 8th Annual Mentoring and Leadership event organised by the Women In Successful Careers (WISCAR), with the theme – ‘Women Rising: Transforming Leadership’ held in Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria.
Adebule who got to the venue of the event on time was impressed about the good turn out and the vision of the founder in mentoring women
“I am assuring you all that Lagos State will not just support programmes that can lift up women, the government will continue to encourage and allow equal access to opportunities by women in leadership positions”.
Adebule who charged the National Assembly (NASS) to enact laws that would provide enabling environment for women professionals to participate in politics, went further to declare that such legislation will provide credible means of assuming political leadership in a democratic society.
“Women’s inherent leadership qualities can provoke the real and desirable change in the society”.
The Deputy Governor noted that the rise of women professionals and their quality leadership style in corporate organisations especially in the financial sector has helped to promote healthy corporate culture in the country and keep the sector very stable despite the economic recession.
“If the socio- economic sectors are taking advantage of the professionalism of women to develop, it behooves on the lawmakers and other policy makers to make appropriate legislations and formulate policies that will encourage more women participation in politics so as to let them contribute to the discussions on the socio economic development of the country.
“Any society that promotes the dignity of women and give them opportunity to thrive will experience rapid development because women are family-centric which the foremost frontier for national development is.
“I therefore urge women to be more proactive and continue to develop themselves and be prepared for leadership position any time they are called”.
She then called on women to rise to the emerging challenges of leadership now that the nation is at a crossroad in our national socio-economic development and the decline in the value system.
Adebule opined that Lagos state government is currently working on a new set of laws that would further protect women against various forms of abuses, adding that the recently established Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team by the state government is aimed at ensuring that prompt attention is given to issues of abuse of women in the state, so as to give them confidence to thrive without any hindrance.
Mrs Amina Oyagbola, the founder of WISCAR , in her remarks, thanked the Deputy Governor for having time to grace the occasion that promotes the development of career women despite her tight schedule. She revealed that there was the need to promote inspiration, mentorship, advocacy on women empowerment and gender issues to spur women into taking up leadership positions in their endeavours.
“Women have the capabilities to create a difference in leadership effectiveness. Our aim is to help build the next generation of women leaders in Nigeria through intelligent planning and focused effort. WISCAR’s motto is “Developing Women to build a better nation”
Other guests at the event includes (Rtd.) rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu, the first female naval officer to get to such a rank in Africa. Mrs. Bolanle Austin Peters of Terra Culture; Mrs. Hajara Adeola, the Managing Director of Lotus Capital Limited; Mrs. Biola Alabi of Biola Alabi Media et al.
WISCAR is a non-governmental organization set up in 2008 to assist professional career women achieve their full potential by the provision of a structured, practical mentoring program conducted by a group of successful and experienced professionals, selected using the strictest criteria. WISCAR thus provides a framework for strategic guidance to engender in women the essential elements of success, to make informed career choices and to tackle professional challenges in a constructive manner designed to add value to their organizations and society at large.