COWLSO seeks national emergency on maternal mortality

The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) yesterday implored the Federal Government and indeed all the states to see maternal mortality as a national emergency that must be seriously addressed to bring down the high figures.

The committee, in a communique at the end of its 19th yearly national women conference, said government at all levels should empower women, as there was strong need to invest effectively in maximising the capacity of women.

According to COWLSO, “maternal mortality is abysmally high; the death of a woman is more grievous than the death of a man. Maternal mortality is taken for granted in Nigeria and this must be seen as a national emergency.

“An empowered and educated woman would raise empowered children, as a nation, we need to invest effectively in maximising the capacity of women.”

“Government at all levels must continue to partner with the private sector to develop and implement strategies that will showcase the nation’s potential in entertainment and tourism to the world.

“Every society must seek to evolve its own legal instrument through the culture of voluntary compliance to the laws of waste and traffic management.

“Also, well-being is a satisfactory condition of existence and wellness is more than being free from illness but a dynamic process of change and growth,” the committee said.

It, therefore, urged women to strive to be a total woman.

In her opening remarks, Chairman of COWLSO and First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said it was indeed gratifying that the conference had been positively impactful, and urged participants to make good use of the lessons learnt.

Also, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented at the closing ceremony by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, commended the COWLSO executives and members for putting a brilliantly impactful conference together, and urged women to be the ambassadors of his administration.

On his part, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State urged women to ensure that the knowledge and skill-sets acquired at the conference are put to good use.