Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and his Edo State counterpart, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomole have made case for a female Nigerian president, saying such could be what the nation needed to witness a change of fortune.
They spoke Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the thirteenth National Women Conference organised by Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) held in Lagos.
The Conference (NWC) with the theme: “See beyond Today; Enhance the quality of Life”, was attended by prominent women in the country including senator representing Lagos Central, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Wife of the former Governor Alhaja Abimbola Jakande, Wife of Oyo State Governor Florence Ajimobi, women in business amongst others.
Oshiomole who declared the conference open, said if Nigeria since independence has had only male presidents and was still battling with economic and social issues, the female gender could be one solution the nation has failed to see.
According to him, “When women begin to organize conferences with a theme like: ‘enhance the quality of life’, it is an indication that men leadership in the country is confused”, adding that since the men are not doing it right, the country should try female leadership using British, Germany and India experience as case studies.
“We should create a level playing ground where both men and women will thrive”, he said.
He said it was sad that the country was still talking about basic amenities such as power and basic healthcare 53 years after she gained independence from colonial master.
“We should stop lamenting that many people are out of work and let us start doing something to engage them. Not many people are happy concerning the issues in the country today, unless those benefiting from the pathetic situation.
The governor said there was need to follow the vision of the founding fathers of the country adding “our founding fathers had a vision on how they wanted Nigeria to be. “There were economic competition those days when days when our fathers founded the country. What happened? What did the military leaders and successive leaders did wrong that we must not do. I just see Nigeria going in circles”, he said.
He also tasked the women to focus on raising morally stable children, stressing that most of the crimes committed in the country are committed by the privileged in the society.
“If we stop stealing and other vices that have retrogressed the country not can happen. As mothers, we should not neglect our responsibility to teach the young ones. If we fail in this, we might not have any future”, he said.
Oshiomole who lamented a situation where young ones are no longer satisfied doing what they are do, said in both the formal and informal; government and private, the most privilege are still the most corrupt in the country.
Speaking further on the current leadership challenges plaguing the country, he said even the church and important sectors were also going through shortage of quality leadership.
He said a situation where no credible leader, both past and present cannot rise and stand in the gap to settle the current dispute between the Federal Government and ASUU was becoming increasingly worrisome.
In his remark, Governor Fashola who cited the Lagos State example stressed those women in his cabinet have helped to bring about some of the development in the state, expressing optimism that they would perform if giving a higher calling.
“I am waiting for women to take over; I think that our world will be a better place led by women. The best economy in Europe today is led by a woman and if you are still looking for women success stories look no further than Lagos.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who presented a publication on the presentation at COWLSO event since 2001 to the last edition, said in the thirteen years of the organisation, it has impacted positively on the well being of women in the state.
According to her, “Lagos state is setting the pace with appointment of women in key positions .We need courage, we need God. COWLSO is about encouraging women. Those who are leaders should be just and fear God.”
The chairman of COWLSO and wife of the Lagos state governor, Mrs Dame Fashola, said the choice of the theme was a clarion call on them to see the need to prepare for future challenges.
“For us to achieve this conference objective, we have identified some key issues that needs to be adequately understood and also assembled well experienced professionals who will share with us their wealth of knowledge in the next two days.
“Our expectation at the end of this conference, therefore is for all of us to be sufficiently enlightened to be able to carry out objective assessment of ourselves and identify areas we need to work on to ensure a happy and joyful tomorrow”, she added.
Some of the papers presentation include, Personal Management; lifestyle (Nutrition and Diet); Values and Culture(Inspiring the next generation); Women and Insurance; Violence Against Women and Girls among others.
