COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 1ST FOWOSO SUMMIT
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 1STFOWOSO SUMMIT HELD AT AKURE, ONDO STATE FROM WEDNESDAY, 5TH TO THURSDAY, 6THDECEMBER, 2018.

The Forum for Wives of Ondo State Officials (FOWOSO) organised a two-day Summit to mark its one year anniversary of driving gender equality and improving family well being through women and youth empowerment projects and health awareness activities.
Summit Day One, which was Wednesday, 5th December, 2018 featured lectures, panel discussions and poster presentation by wives of former Local Government Caretaker Chairmen, took place at the International Culture and Events Centre, Akure, while Day Two, Thursday, 6th December, 2018 which featured Parade, Exhibition, launching of FOWOSO Calendar, Raffle draw and Couple’s Tie and Gele competition was held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom arcade, Akure.
The theme for the 1st FOWOSO Summit was “Unlocking Hidden Potentials in Women: A Task for All.”
The Chairman, Day One, was His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Ekiti State. The occasion was also graced by the Governor of Ondo State Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu and his wife, the founder, FOWOSO, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu; the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi; wife of Ogun State Governor, Her Excellency Dr. Olufunso Amosun; the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun; Members of the State Executive Council; the Head of Service; top Government Officials, the Special Guests of Honour, the Alani of Ido-Ani and his Olori, the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko and his Olori; the Keynote Speaker, Dr.(Mrs.) Munirat Ogunlayi, of the World Bank and her husband Dr. Suraj Ogunlayi, Consultant to the World Bank.
Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, in her welcome address, decried the negative perception of the womenfolk by the society. She recalled the exploits of notable women including Queen Amina, Oprah Winifrey, and President Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia and reaffirmed her resolve to drive gender equality and women self-actualisation because according to her, “it is to no one’s benefit to suppress the abilities of women”.
The Chairman, Summit Day One, Governor Fayemi, in his remarks commended the Founder of FOWOSO for the laudable initiative and appreciated Governor Akeredolu for his massive support towards FOWOSO. He then called for a representative inclusion of women in government.
The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mrs. Munirat Ogunlayi, delved extensively on factors responsible for hidden potentials in women and girls to include poverty; limiting socio-cultural norms; abuse and violence against women and girls; educational institutions; religion; wrong marriage; poor gender inclusion in policies and governance; and poor representation in position of authority.
She reiterated that the ingredients for unlocking the hidden potentials in women were right marriage – i.e., making the right choice of spouse; girl-child education; enabling environment and equal opportunities for both male and female; gender inclusion and equality in governance and policy making; leadership, development and mentoring of women and girls; hard work, resoluteness and networking by women.
In her remarks, the Ogun State First Lady, Dr. Olufunso Amosun, urged women not to relegate themselves to the background, but to believe in themselves, set goals and take proactive steps towards actualizing their goals.
From the panel discussion by three supportive husbands, comprising Dr, Suraj Ogunlayi, Oba Adebori Adeleye, the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the following lessons were learnt.
A man should set criteria on whom to marry and make a resolve to unlock the potentials in her. Also a couple should support each other to attain their goals, and the man should not feel insecure about his wife’s success.
A husband should discover the abilities in his wife, and support her. Marriage should be built on complete trust by both spouses, and they should imbibe good communication and proper planning skills so as to cope in their busy schedules.
Certain factors affect the choice of a marriage partner. A man should be sure of what he wanted in a woman before venturing into marriage; i.e. overall compatibility. Men should discourage the belief in the suppression of women but instead support their wives to unlock their hidden potentials.
The following points featured prominently in the poster presentation by wives of the former Caretaker Chairmen of Idanre, Akoko North East and Irele Local Governments
FOWOSO is a laudable initiative
FOWOSO is making great impact in the lives of the grassroots; especially women and youth.
Over 2,000 women and youth were empowered with skills and start-up kits.
Over 20,000 people are now breast health aware.
FOWOSO outreaches should continue.
Community enlightenment of FOWOSO’s mission is necessary.
More beneficiaries should be included in the FOWOSO empowerment programmes.
Government should support FOWOSO
While commending FOWOSO on the journey so far, Governor Akeredolu urged beneficiaries to utilize their start-up kits judiciously and multiply themselves by training others.
Day Two of the Summit was chaired by a business mogul, Mr. Segun Olugboyegun, Chairman/CEO, JOF Nig. Ltd. The occasion featured March Parade, Exhibition, Raffle Draw, and launching of FOWOSO Calendar. The ceremony also had in attendance the Wife of Governor of Ekiti State, Her Excellency Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Wife of Governor of Lagos State, Her Excellency Mrs. AbimbolaAmbode ably represented by Traditional Rulers and their Oloris in large numbers, the Governor of Ondo State ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, Members of the State Executive Council, Mr. Yaw Nsarkorthe Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria and Ghana; women from all the 18 Local Government Areas, NGOs, Civil Society Organisations, market women, FOWOSO Members, delegates from Lagos and Ekiti States and women groups.
In his remarks, Mr. Olugboyegun noted that man-made factors were responsible for limiting the realization of the God-given potentials in men and women alike. He used the occasion to announce that he would leverage on his contact with the Managing Director, Unilever, Nigeria and Ghana to grow a team of Traders and Distributors in no distant future. He disclosed that women had been instrumental in making men become successful in life. He promised to support FOWOSO in its programmes. He noted that government support, mentoring, encouraging women empowerment schemes like FOWOSO, dismantling obsolete cultural practices, and girl-child education are sine qua non in making women achieve their potentials.
In her address, Mrs. Akeredolu appreciated FOWOSO members and all who had toiled in ensuring the Summit’s success. She added that FOWOSO would continue to impact on all regardless of socio-political bias. She reaffirmed her resolve to fight against breast cancer. Parades were carried out by women from the 18 local government areas, ethnic groups, BRECAN, and BEMORE girls.
In his closing remarks, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, speaking through Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde stressed that his administration would continue to do the needful in encouraging women to contribute their quota in the development of Ondo State.
The lucky winner of the Raffle Draw Star Prize went home with a set of exquisite furniture.

Titi Adeyemi
Senior Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor On women affairs and
Chairperson planning committee, First FOWOSO Summit.


http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/0c654403-10b0-4fc2-bfd5-1618997f5007