Ayodele Olalere
Three governors; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke and Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, are to attend this year’s 24th National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO, holding from Tuesday, 10th to Wednesday, 11th September, 2024.
The event with the theme: “Soar Beyond Boundaries…Enrich Communities” is scheduled to take place at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
While Governor Eno will be the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State will serve as the Special Guest of Honour at the Gala Night.
The closing ceremony will have Governor of Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule as the Special Guest of Honour.
According to the Lagos State First Lady and Chairman, COWLSO, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, at a briefing to unveil activities and programmes lined up for the conference, the event will be a combination of virtual and physical participation.
Sanwo-Olu said the conference, which used to be held annually in October, was shifted backward to September to allow members to attend other conferences scheduled for October.
She added that this year, the conference will be held for two days unlike the three days it has been held since its inception because of financial constraints caused by the bad economic situation.
The First Lady further said the presence of these governors from different states would further add colour and glamour to the Conference.
“It is pertinent to note that the annual conference, which has been consistent, inspiring and improved upon over the years, has earned a remarkable reputation and assumed the status of a purpose-driven conference through which lives of thousands of women are positively impacted,” she said.
Unlike in the past where the committee focused on building physical infrastructure as part of its contribution to society, Sanwo-Olu said the committee now focuses on human capacity development.
“NWC is to frontally address various challenges facing women, empowering and supporting them in becoming independent and realising their full potentials as this will further influence their lives, families, communities and our nation as a whole.”
She said that this year’s theme aims at encouraging women to be self-confident in breaking boundaries in any chosen field, adding that 3000 participants are expected to attend physically while about 1,500 will join virtually.
“Women globally are challenging the status quo by contributing immensely to the changing work environment and influencing the world positively. In the last five years, through this gathering, COWLSO has dealt extensively with themes that have assisted women to transform from who they were, to better and more productive individuals in the society.
The highpoint of this year’s NWC, will be the presentation of the Inspirational Woman of the Year.