Kunle ADELABU
-As thousands of women across 57 LGs, LCDAs gathered to endorse Ambode for another term
Thousands of women across the 20 Local Governments (LGs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State on Monday, March 26, 2018, gathered to further the endorsement of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, for another term in office.
The women, at the mega rally, appreciated the governor for giving women more recognition in his cabinet and asked him to vie for a second term.
At the rally, which was held at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, were the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State and now Senior Special Assitant to the President of Nigeria on Millennium Development Goal, Mrs Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, APC Southwest Women Leader, Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson, Barr (Mrs) Olayinka Oladunjoye, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Mrs Aramide Giwanson, Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts & Culture, and Chief (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu-Ojo, Iyaloja- General of Lagos among others.
Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson, in her welcome address, stated that the gathering was about supporting Ambode whom she said has made immense contributions to the emancipation of women socially, economically and politically.
“Today is not a day to ask for votes, but rather to evaluate how women have fared thus far in the development of Lagos State”, she stated.
“It is a day to look at the man who has driven the engine of development in Lagos State since May 2015, viz-a-viz how he has engaged us (the women) so that in the end, we would take a stand for yet greater Lagos in 2019.”
She also acknowledged the contributions of the past Governors to the development of Lagos State, especially womanhood, while adding that Ambode stands tall among others in the area of woman emancipation and political development.
“This man; our won Governor, His Excellency, Akinwunmi Ambode, today stands very tall among these great men for the extra giant strides he has taken to enable us (the women) get to where we are today ”, Mrs Nelson stated.
She listed the appointments which the governor has given to women in the state which she described as unprecedented.
“Five women in the State Executive Council, which is the highest ever in the highest policy organ of government; two women in succession as Head of Service; 21 women in the body of 48 Permanent Secretaries, and 2 women Directors General, out of the 6 in Lagos State; this represents the highest number women have ever had in that position.
She added, “A woman as the Chairman, Lagos State Public Service Commission, the State’s highest employment organ; a woman as the Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
“On the economic front, Governor Ambode has, through economic policies, taken Lagos State economy to the no.5 position in Africa. He is poised to advancing the State further to no.3 position.”
Mrs Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, in her goodwill message at the mega rally, stated that the women had gathered to appreciate Gov. Ambode for engaging more women in state matters.
“All women from the 57 LGs and LCDAs are gathered here to appreciate the good work of the governor and our party, APC.
“We thank God for the governor for giving women voices in the affairs of the state. There are more women in the cabinet of Lagos State, Body of Permanent Secretaries, Directors General among others.
“We want more slots for women because we are passionate and committed. We want you to continue with your good work”, she declared on behalf of the women in the state.
Her Excellency, Dr (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule, in her reaction thanked the women for their support for the presence administration in Lagos State and pledged that the government would continue to serve them.
“This is a great gathering and we cannot thank you enough for your supports.
“We are assuring all the women that we shall do whatever it takes for this administration to continue to serve you. We will not stop at anything to give women their pride of place”, she said while assuring thousands of women who gathered at the rally.
“Continue to support our administration and we would equally, as your representatives, provide you with enabling environment to achieve your desired dreams”, she stated.
Hon. (Princess) Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government and Chairman (PR/Media), Lagos Women Endorse Akinwunmi Ambode for Second Term, while speaking with THE IMPACT, stated that the mega rally was organised to appreciate Gov. Ambode’s support for women emancipation and support him for another term because of the positive and laudable impacts he has made on the social, economic and political sectors of Lagos State.
After the match past event during which leaders of each of the group that represented each of the 57 LGs and LCDAs presented letters asking the governor to run for a second term, Ikeja Local Government, Surulere Local Government and Ifako-Ijaiye LCDA claimed the first, second and third positions respectively in the march past event.
