Don’t Be Afraid Of Being More Successful Than Your Husbands, COWLSO Urge Women

The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) on Thursday concluded its three-day National Women Conference, with a charge on women to step up their entrepreneurial skills and not be afraid of being more successful than their spouses.

The Committee also urged women to take full advantage of the paradigm shift from Nigeria’s dependence on oil and explore the many opportunities available in the fast growing agricultural industry.

This was part of the 22-point communiqué reached at the conclusion of the Conference with the theme, “She Creates, She Transforms”, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and read by the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello.

“Women were charged to step up and not be afraid of being more successful than their spouses and they must be willing to invest more to expand their pool of income,” the communiqué read in part.

The Conference also tasked women to embrace entrepreneurial disposition and also get more involved in animal husbandry because of their prudence and passion, in order to increase daily production in the country, while government should also provide lands and conducive environment for women farmers.

Besides, women were encouraged to help one another by introducing themselves to organizations where funds could be accessed such as Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN), Bank of Industry, among others.

“Women should be solution providers that are purpose-driven rather than looking for immediate financial profits. These give opportunities to contribute towards improving the society.

“The Conference reiterated that women must be empowered in order to take care of the family, community and the nation.

The COWLSO also stressed the fact that women should be positively aggressive and assertive in order to contribute to the development of the nation,” the communiqué also read.

The Conference also appreciated the Lagos State Government for empowering women through its skill acquisition programme.
In her closing remarks, COWLSO Chairman and Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode said it was important for Nigerian women to understand that they are in a unique situation at this point in time and must see the current reality in the country not as a hopeless situation but an opportunity for entrepreneurial ambition to make a positive impact in a challenging situation.

While making reference to one of the sessions at the conference which focused on agriculture, Mrs. Ambode said women should have good mentors, be consistent and persist in doing the right things, noting that challenges should be seen as mere stepping stones that do not kill.

She said: “I urge all participants to make the best use of all they learnt at the conference for their personal benefits. You should also please endeavour to pass on the knowledge acquired.”