As the three-day National Women’s Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) commenced in Victoria Island, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described women as the centre of national development who must be empowered, celebrated, and honoured.
Speaking at the opening ceremony marking COWLSO’s 25th anniversary, themed “25 Years of Visionary Leadership: Inspiring the Next Generation,” the Governor paid glowing tributes to the vision and resilience of Lagos women whose dedication has sustained the organisation for a quarter of a century.
He urged them to remain innovators, changemakers, and community leaders committed to shaping the next generation through leadership and compassion.
In a goodwill message delivered virtually, the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu — who revived COWLSO in 2000 — paid tribute to the late Mrs. Funmilayo Johnson, wife of the first Military Governor of Lagos State and founder of COWLSO in 1967. She called on women to uphold the values of compassion, collaboration, and continuity in transforming lives and society.
Also speaking on Marriage and Women’s Wellness, the Guest Speaker, Reverend Funke Felix-Adejumo, urged widows and single mothers not to feel rejected or diminished by marital circumstances, but to channel their energy into purposeful ventures that would restore their confidence and dignity as women.
In her welcome address, Wife of the Governor and COWLSO Chairperson, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the conference theme reflects the organisation’s enduring commitment to advancing the welfare, leadership, and economic empowerment of women in Lagos and across Nigeria.
A major highlight of the event was the announcement of a ₦200 million donation from the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who was the Special Guest of Honour but was unavoidably absent.
Other key moments included the presentation of the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award to Mrs. Grace Boluwajoko of Grace Orphanage, and the Friends of COWLSO Award to Senator Ganiyu Solomon.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included the First Ladies of Ogun, Osun, and Nasarawa States, as well as Senators Idiat Adebule and Wasiu Eshilokun, alongside delegates from across the federation.