Women from across the Lagos-West Senatorial District convened on Saturday, April 12, for the inaugural Lagos-West Women Assembly, with the theme, ‘Building a Stronger Community.’ It was aimed to inspire and empower women to fully realise their potential, as crucial catalysts for community and national development.

The Assembly spearheaded by the Senator representing Lagos-West, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, saw a significant turnout of distinguished participants. They included Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire,
wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor’s wife, Mrs. Remi Hamzat, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, represented by the National Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Alile-Idele and others.

In her keynote address, Senator Adebule emphasized the indispensable role of women as the heart and backbone of society, highlighting their inherent qualities of focus, balance,love, and purposefulness.

She acknowledged the socio-economic inequalities and customary practices that often hinder women’s progress, stating that these challenges inspired her to organise this pivotal assembly. “Collaborative engagement is the key to breaking all barriers limiting their ability to excel,” Adebule asserted, stressing the importance of intellectually, economically, and politically empowering women.

The Senator outlined a vision focused on providing women and youth with relevant social, economic, and political education, functional soft skills, and financial empowerment to energize them for leadership roles. The carefully selected participants were envisioned as representatives of the vibrant women of Lagos-West, poised to be enlightened, inspired, and motivated.

A significant highlight of the assembly was the empowerment of 250 women with resources to support their livelihoods. Participants also had the opportunity to win prizes in a raffle draw, including generating sets, 50kg bags of rice, Ovens and two mini-buses aimed at bolstering their businesses.

Adebule also took the opportunity to provide a brief report on her activities as a legislator over the past 22 months. She highlighted various initiatives aimed at delivering the dividends of democracy to her constituents, including, training of 200 youths in fisheries with start-up capital, empowerment of 1000 women and youths with vocational skills training and start-up packs, regular distribution of food items and cash gifts during major celebrations, distribution of 700 bags of fertilizer to farmers, distribution of 10,000 packs of food palliatives to the vulnerable,I Installation of 300KVA transformers in several communities,installation of approximately 1000 solar street lights across the senatorial district,execution of public water projects in six locations and training of traditional rulers and community leaders on community policing, among others.

Furthermore, Senator Adebule detailed ongoing capital projects, including the construction of market stalls, a skills acquisition center, a primary health center, an ultra-modern youth development centre, and several blocks of classrooms in primary and secondary schools across Lagos-West.

She reiterated her commitment to her primary duties as a Senator – lawmaking, oversight, and representation – noting her chairmanship of Senate Committees and the presentation of seven bills and two motions in the past 22 months. She also announced upcoming projects for 2025, including road construction, skills acquisition training, and economic empowerment programs.

The Special Guest of Honour, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the First Lady of Lagos State, lauded Senator Adebule’s initiative and emphasized the state government’s commitment to gender equity and women’s empowerment. She highlighted the importance of women’s unity, resilience, and active participation in societal progress.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu announced further empowerment initiatives by the Office of the First Lady and urged women to embrace their roles as nation builders. She assured the assembly of the Lagos State Government’s unwavering support for women’s rights and economic empowerment through various programs.

Senator Adebule expressed her profound gratitude to all the invited guests, speakers, elders, leaders, participants, and her team for their contributions to the success of the inaugural Lagos-West Women Assembly, concluding with a call for collective effort in promoting the socio-economic well-being and upliftment of women.

Convener Women in Successful Careers, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola urged women to utilize their numbers, voices, and votes to drive change, support women candidates, mentor young women, and encourage ambition and good leadership.

She also advised women to step forward with boldness, lead with clarity, build with compassion, partner with male allies and ultimately lead with purpose to build stronger communities and a better society.