Government at all levels, corporate organisations and philanthropists have been urged to intensify support for women’s empowerment to enable them strengthen their homes and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The call was made by the wife of the Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Elizabeth Oluwatoyin Hunpe, at the 7th Annual Badagry Women Symposium organised by the Department of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) of the council.
Mrs Hunpe stressed the importance of unity among women in Badagry, noting that teamwork remains key to achieving shared economic and social goals.
Delivering the keynote address, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, urged Badagry women to rise to leadership expectations, citing ongoing efforts by governments to increase women’s inclusion.
She encouraged competent women to contest elective positions in the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking, the Lagos State All Progressives Congress Women Leader, Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, pledged to support grassroots women by sponsoring the education of children from indigent homes, describing education as an investment in future leadership.
The Council Treasurer, Gbenga Hunponu, commended the organisers and reaffirmed that women’s roles in society cannot be overemphasised.
Similarly, the Council Manager, Olusanya Mary Abosede, praised Badagry women for their commitment to child upbringing and urged beneficiaries to maximise the empowerment items received.
Earlier, the Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Babatunde Hunpe, announced that the symposium—now renamed the Badagry Women Annual Conference—would enjoy annual sponsorship by the council, adding that women’s inclusion remains a core campaign promise of his administration.
The event featured donations of empowerment items from the council and private sector, including kitchen wares, fans, clothing materials and freezers.
The highlight was the raffle draw: the third prize winner received ₦500,000 cash; the second prize winner got a double chest freezer stocked with bottled water and soft drinks to kick-start a business; while the star prize—a mini-bus (Korope)—went to the grand winner.
Reporting by Pentho Francis