...seeks more active roles for women

Women leaders of Omoilu Foundation across the 20 local government areas in Ogun State and other dignitaries converged on the foundation's headquarters in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State on Wednesday, 6th April, 2016 where they encouraged women to be actively involved in its various empowerment initiatives.

Dignitaries at the occasion included the Ogun State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Bayo Dayo; the State Coordinator of Omoilu Foundation, Comrade Niyi Osoba; the Vice-Chairman of the foundation, Alhaji Bamidele Idris and the Ogun East Senatorial Chairman of the foundation, Chief Kola Akinyemi.

They also included the governorship candidate of the Mega Peoples Party of Nigeria (MPPN), Chief (Mrs) Iyabo Ogunmefun; the Chairperson of PDP in Ijebu North Local Government, Chief (Mrs) Tuke Omotara;the deputy gubernatorial candidate of labour party in Ogun State and now the political adviser to the foundation,Mrs.Bola Bonojo, Mrs.Nike Ejioye from Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Chief (Mrs ) Toyin Shonowo(Ogun East) Mrs.Oriyomi Akibu,Mrs Remi Olusoji among other prominent political and community leaders.

Welcoming participants to the meeting, the State Women Leader of the foundation, Chief (Mrs) Remi Odubote-Ogunkoya, said that the meeting was crucial for the women leaders to exchange ideas on the best way to mobilise and sensitise women to participate actively in the party-politics and other empowerment initiatives.

Mrs Odubote-Ogunkoya said economic empowerment was germane for women to gain access and opportunities and thereby realize their ambitions and goals.

She said the various empowerment initiatives of the Omoilu Foundation will go a long way in building the financial strength and capability of women to assume decision-making positions within and outside politics.

Mrs Odubote-Ogunkoya added, "As you are aware, economic empowerment is a key factor in the success of women in any field of endeavour. Omoilu Foundation is offering a rare opportunity for breakthrough of our women economically and politically in the South West and we must reciprocate the gesture by supporting the Foundation and Distinguished Senator Buruji Kashamu.

"Women must bring equal economic strength to the table if we are to gain the kind of access and opportunity we need to make our dreams a reality. The women wing of Omoilu Foundation is grateful to the Chairman of the foundation, Senator Buruji Kashamu, for his sensitivity to our plight. The women in particular had benefitted immensely from the interest-free micro loan and his other empowerment programmes."

Delivering his goodwill message, Dayo urged women to use their numerical strength to support more women in securing juicy positions in the coming congresses.

"We need to reassure this congregation that the women who constitutes over 60 per cent of the population of this country will get what is their due in our party," he said.

Osoba commended Mrs Odubote-Ogunkoya for convening the meeting and urged women to put aside all manner of bickering and unite to achieve their goals. 

Chief (Mrs) Ibiola Solaja from Ogun East Senatorial District emerged as the grand patron of the foundation while Chief (Mrs) Bisola Sodipo-Clark and Mrs. Toyin Isiaka from Ogun Central and Ogun West senatorial districts emerged as patrons for the foundation.