Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has called on wives of government functionaries under the aegis of the Spouses of Ogun State Government Functionaries Association (SOSGFA), to come up with innovative ideas that would bring more empowerment programmes and raise the pedigree of womenfolk in the state.
Abiodun made this call in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, when he received the executive members of the association led by his wife, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, on Tuesday.
He emphasised that the association needed to come up with practicable ideas and suggestions that would benefit more women.
“Let me call on the association to evolve an improved people’s ideas that would bring more empowerment programmes which would in turn raise the pedigree of the womenfolk. The idea and suggestions expected from you must be practicable”, he said
He explained that his administration intended to further enhance the relevance of women in the socio-political and economic landscape of the state, hence, the need for the association to be the champion of its Oko’wo Empowerment programme which has just been scaled up.
The governor, who stressed the importance of the family, tasked the association to complement the efforts of their spouses by playing innovative roles through taking care of the home front.
He further charged them to encourage their husbands to live by example at all times while exhibiting quality of humanity, transparency, honesty, accountability and decorum, which are characteristic traits of good leaders.
“You must help your spouses to sustain the development process now in motion in our dear state as we approach the election year. This period calls for more demonstration of love, understanding, perseverance and lots of prayers for all our spouses.
“You must please avert lapses at the home front, most especially when your spouses are away for electioneering campaigns. Though the morale boosting is appreciated, the care of the home front lie in your hands”, he counselled.
Abiodun noted that SOSGFA has been a pillar of support for the government in the last three years, saying a lot of women look up at the members as role models, lauding them for living up to expectations.
Abiodun said though the association has recorded laudable achievements, it still has a long way to go, as the members are active partners in the ongoing collective agenda of building a strong and virile future for the State.
The governor informed that his administration had signed the Executive Order giving women 35 percent in government, while policies have been put in place to protect women and the vulnerable in the state.
Earlier, president of the association and wife of the governor, Mrs. Abiodun, commended the government for its giant stride in all sectors of the state economy, maintaining that the adoption of Nigeria For Women Programme and the Oko’wo Dapo had become a reference for women empowerment in the country.
While enumerating some of the programmes embarked upon by the association, Mrs. Abiodun said a breast cancer screening outreach had been carried out in Ijebu-Ode, commissioning of SOSGFA Centre, empowerment programmes for widows as well as a call for policy to protect the rights of women and children.
