Leadership Roles: Mrs Makinde urges women to leave lasting legacy in respective positions

From Ogundele Olanrewaju

Wife of Oyo State Governor, Engr. (Mrs.) Tamunominini Makinde has called on notable women from different walks of life to leave a lasting legacy in their respective positions so that more women can be allowed to take up key leadership positions in the world especially in areas such as education, medical, business, economic and political sectors.

Mrs. Makinde made this call today during Women’s History Month Dinner 2022 organized by Initiative for Information Arts & Culture Development in Nigeria (IACD) and American Corner Ibadan (ACI) with the theme “Gender Equality Today for A Sustainable Tomorrow” held at Manhattan Hall, Jericho, Ibadan.

According to her, women globally occupied different key leadership positions such as CEOs, Founders, Managers, Directors in various establishment including NGOs to proactively nurture, guide, foster, and mentor the girl child to promote gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow.

Mrs. Makinde said women globally are amazing and awesome that is why the month of March is dedicated to celebrate women achievement throughout the world, noting that, to promote gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow in our society girl child education, women empowerment and women participating in governance should be prioritized, so that the girl child would be given an equal opportunity to explore their potential.

She therefore implored notable organizations and NGOs to support Office of the First Lady to carry out more empowerment programmes for women and girls, as the Office has been embarking on various empowerment initiatives for women, and girl in the State.

Mrs. Makinde however, encouraged women to be beacons of light in their respective offices, to keep shinning and endeavour to guide the next generation of women wherever they find themselves in leadership positions by promoting gender equality for a sustainable future.

Earlier in her welcome address, Executive Director of Initiative for Information Arts & Culture Development in Nigeria (IACD), Mrs. Adefemi Bucknor-Arigbede, said the event was organized to celebrate the achievements of women, reassure them of the immense value and worth they hold in the society, adding that, the program is to uphold women’s achievements, recognize challenges and focus greater attention on women’s rights and gender equality.

Mrs. Adefemi stressed further that the dinner was an intergenerational gathering of women to work hard, stay focused and break the bias.

In her address, Professor of Computer Science and keynote speaker, Prof. Adenike Osofisan said that gender equality is a fundamental human right and it should be in every sectors.

Saying “Gender equality is when we all have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities. We all need gender equality to prevent violence against women and girls, it is essential for economic prosperity to promote healthier society and we need gender equality in politics, education, health, social and economic sectors”.

“Women and girls everywhere must have equal rights and opportunities to be able to leave free of violence and discrimination”.

Highpoints of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving women for their exemplary contribution, leadership roles and support to the women folks.