Lagos, Ekiti govs’ wives seek support for women

Wives of governors of Ekiti and Lagos states have said enterprises in the book value-chain led by women should receive support from commercial institutions, corporate bodies and individuals.

They spoke at the opening of the 20th Nigeria International Book Fair holding in Lagos.

The theme of the fair is “Awakening the Giant in Women for the Growth of the Book Ecosystem’.

Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the First Lady of Ekiti State, noted that Nigeria features poorly on most global indicators measuring Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE).

She said to awaken the ‘giant of women in the book ecosystem,’ “we should encourage girls to read right from an early age, and not just self-empowerment books or romantic novels.”

Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Mrs. Edith Egube, wife of the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, said the role of women in helping to significantly improve reading culture, especially among the younger generation, could not be over- emphasised.