Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has urged women to be modest and not extravagant in the face of the current economic situation in the country.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu said: “At this time in our nation’s history we must be prudent and purposeful.”
Her statement comes after the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu introduced economic reforms which includes removal of fuel subsidies and floating of the naira which is still affecting Nigerians.
“As women who are the pillars of our homes and society, we must face the global and national economic reality. The era of extravagance is over. We must prioritise what really matters, adjust to the time and set the pace for our families and communities,” she said during the closing ceremony of the 24th National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials.
The event held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos with the theme “Soar Beyond Boundaries: Enriching Communities”
As the COWLSO chairperson, Ibijoke said beyond advocating for women’s leadership opportunities “we must also show the qualities that make women indispensable especially in resource management and innovative thinking”
“One key message I always preach is modesty. In this time we must be prudent with our spending and show effective resource management.
“It’s time to drop the unnecessary extravagances and focus on what really matters. This is not about cutting corners but about eliminating waste. Every naira spent must have a purpose and we as women have the power to stabilize our household’s finances by managing resources well,” she stressed.
She also advised women to take up farming as a way to cope with the rising cost of living.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu commended the ‘Every Home A Garden’ competition an initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu which has a grand prize of N20 million. She urged women to participate and said it will encourage gardening as a household practice.
“In this regard I cannot stress enough the importance of farming including home gardening. This is not only a cost effective way but also a way to reduce our dependency on buying food that can be grown and consumed by our families,” she said.
At the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the state is working towards increasing female representation in government and currently women occupy 30% of the cabinet positions in the state.
Meanwhile, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development who was also at the event told the governor that the Federal Government’s agricultural initiatives is to include women with a ratio of “30% women and 70% men.”
Follow Us
