Women groups laud Lagos Speaker, seek action for women’s rights

Over 350 women’s rights organisations under the auspice of Womanifesto, yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Lasbat Mojisola Meranda.

A delegation led by the convener, Womanifesto, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi congratulated the speaker for her emergence as the first female Speaker in Lagos State, recognising this as a landmark and historical win for women’s participation in governance.

Dr Akiyode-Afolabi also applauded members of the House of Assembly for abiding by the constitutional process in the election of the new Speaker. She emphasised the need to strengthen collaborations with other state and non-state actors to contribute to the development of a Lagos where women and girls thrive.

Executive Director, Enough is Enough Nigeria, Yemi Adamolekun, and Executive Director of She Forum Africa, Ini Etuk, described Womanifesto’s solidarity as apolitical, solely representing the interests of Nigerian women and girls. They called on all stakeholders to support the Speaker in alliance with the agitation of women across Nigeria for gender equity and representation. Adamolekun charged the House members to focus on working for the good of Lagos in the two years left before the next election cycle.

The delegation offered Womanifesto’s technical support to the Speaker, towards ensuring her successful tenure in Lagos. The delegation was received by the Speaker as well as prominent members of the House including the Deputy Chief Whip Hon Sani Ganiu Okanlawon and Hon Ajayi Oladele.

Speaking on behalf of the House members, Hon Okanlawon re-emphasised the vote of confidence in Hon Meranda, and noted the need to support the Speaker’s successful tenure.

In her response, the Speaker thanked Womanifesto for the solidarity, and the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for the confidence reposed in her. She highlighted the low representation of women in the legislature, with four female and 36 male lawmakers in the House. She promised to work for the good of Lagos and uphold the highest standards of excellence as a representative of Nigerian women.