PRESS RELEASE
…Urges Women To Be Conscious Of Digital Dangers, Adopt Homestead Farming

The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) has called on government at all levels and the private sector to focus more on empowerment initiatives targeted at creating an enabling environment for Nigerian youth to thrive in their chosen fields.

In a communique issued at the end of the three-day National Women’s Conference (NWC) of COWLSO, the Committee recommended that the youth of today should be empowered, motivated and their interests factored into the decision-making process.

The COWLSO NWC is an annual event organized to empower women with thought-provoking discussions, incredible stories, and the opportunity to connect with extraordinary women from all walks of life.

This year’s theme was: “Unleash Your Potential.”

According to the Communique jointly signed by the Chairman of COWLSO and the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and the Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee, Professor Olufunke Adeyeye, COWLSO said: “It is also important to invest in the dreams of the youths as this is the generation of skill, talent, and dreams.”

The Committee cautioned women to be more alert to digital dangers and be equipped with practical knowledge to navigate the online world securely.

The group said in view of hostile and toxic content online, it has become imperative to advise women to carefully choose what they consume on social media.

“It is recommended that we tell good stories about ourselves. Though controversial stories pull more crowds on social media, and you could make more money from stories like that; however, we can put out better stories. Whoever we are, that’s our story.”

Besides, the Committee urged women to adopt homestead farming to enjoy some of the numerous benefits such as reduction of malnutrition, provision of employment opportunities, and improvement of the economy of the state through the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Homestead farming, according to COWLSO, also serves as a source of income for the household, just as women were encouraged to make eco-friendly choices that would have a positive multiplier effect on the planet.

“These choices include efficient use of energy, sustainable development, transportation, water conservation, and planting of trees.

“We should eat a proper diet (fruit/vegetables), take enough water (eight glasses per day), do frequent exercises, get enough rest, and do routine medical checkups.

“We should also enroll in a health insurance policy, for example, ILERA EKO. This will help to prevent out-of-pocket expenditure,” the communique read in part.

The Committee also emphasized the need for all stakeholders to renew their commitment to gender equality in education and skill empowerment, especially in supporting, training, attracting, and rewarding women at all levels.

COWLSO is a platform for wives of government officials to complement the efforts of their spouses in fast-tracking development and advancing the interest, welfare, and well-being of the people, especially women and children.

OLUBUKONLA NWONAH
DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF LAGOS STATE FIRST LADY
OCTOBER 22, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

WE ARE INTENTIONAL ABOUT MAKING LAGOS PREFERRED TOURISM DESTINATION, SAYS SANWO-OLU

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment toward making the State a tourism station in the world in line with the Entertainment and Tourism pillar of the THEMES+ developmental agenda.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said his government is intentional about making Lagos State, particularly Badagry, a preferred tourism destination.
He spoke on Monday while receiving the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa who led a delegation of Nigerians in the Diaspora for a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Ikeja.
The delegation included Dr. Julius Marcus Garvey Jnr., son of foremost civil rights leader, Marcus Garvey, and the Jogbe of Badagry kingdom, David Anderson, among others.
The delegation visited Governor Sanwo-Olu to appreciate him and the Lagos State Government for a successful celebration of this year’s edition of the Diaspora Festival, dubbed, ‘Door of Return’ in Badagry.
The Door of Return, initiated to help some Black Diasporas trace their roots to Nigeria and Africa at large, was celebrated last Saturday in the ancient city of Badagry, Lagos.
Speaking during the courtesy visit, Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration will partner with relevant stakeholders, especially the people in the Diaspora to grow and strengthen the Door of Return festival and promote the cultural heritage of Badagry, Lagos and Nigeria at large.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for the initiative of the Door of Return and her efforts in championing the interest of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Speaking earlier, Dabiri-Erewa commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his support towards the celebration of Door of Return and the actualisation of the Diaspora Festival that took place in Badagry last Saturday.
The NiDCOM boss urged the Lagos State government to support the project by building a Permanent Door of Return in Badagry to attract more people in the Diaspora willing to trace their roots to Nigeria.
Also speaking, Julius Garvey and David Anderson, hailed Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for their tremendous support for the festival and for showing keen interest in tourism.
They also expressed their joy for the success of the Door of Return Programme, which gave opportunities to many Nigerians in the Diaspora to visit Nigeria for the first time
Garvey and Anderson, who promised to partner with Lagos State on tourism, expressed their continued support to preserve African culture and heritage.

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
23 OCTOBER 2023