22nd September, 2014
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos and his Ogun counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Monday called for the institutionalisation of policies that will protect women and children.
The duo spoke at the National Women Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) in Lagos.
They said women and children were integral parts of the society and it was only fair to protect their rights and welfare.
Fashola said the state government would not relent in promoting policies that would ensure the protection of the rights of women and children.
The governor said his administration had designed some policies geared toward protecting the rights of women and empowering them.
Fashola cited the recent review of maternity leave for female officers in the employ of the state government from three months to six months as his government’s commitment to the welfare of women.
He said that the upward review of the leave was in recognition of the challenge women went through in the process of trying to manage the home front as well as support the family.
On his part, Amosun urged women to be at the forefront of efforts to make the country better.
He said that the theme of the conference, “Embracing and Managing Change” was very apt considering the current challenges facing the country.
The governor commended COWLSO for its various interventions, cutting across education, health and youth empowerment.
Amosun called on all political office holders in leadership positions to evaluate the impact of their activities on the country.
“The three key questions that we must as political office holders and members of the wider family constantly ask ourselves are as follows; is what I am doing still working? Is it relevant?
“Am I expanding my post and sphere of influence? If one can answer positively to these questions, then we have passed life’s most important examination,” Amosun said.
Chairperson of COWLSO, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, said the organisation would continue to sustain its life-changing projects for the youth, the less privileged and the elderly in the state.
She said that COWSLO would continue to support the welfare of children, senior citizens as well as efforts in the fight against cancer.
According to her, this will be done through sponsorship of awareness and sensitisation campaigns and payment for surgery and treatment of women and children living with cancer.