LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed the importance of women’s inclusion in governance and national development, emphasizing that the future of Nigeria depends largely on how well women are empowered to lead.
Speaking at the opening of the 25th National Women’s Conference organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), held on Tuesday at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Sanwo-Olu said women must continue to play a defining role in nation building.
From left: Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; his wife, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun; comic/theatre actor a.k.a Papa Ajasco, Mr. Ayoyinka Abiodun; the First Lady, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; her counterpart from Nasarawa, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi A. Sule; Chairperson, 2025 National Women’s Conference, NWC, Dr. (Mrs) Olayemi Oke-Osanyintolu and wife of Osun State Governor, Chief (Mrs) Titilola Adeleke during the opening of the 25th NWC themed “25 Years of Visionary Legacy: Inspiring the Next Generation”, by Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island in Lagos, on Tuesday, 28 October, 2025.
The governor, in his goodwill message, commended COWLSO’s 25-year legacy of service and empowerment, noting that the conference theme, “25 Years of Visionary Legacy: Inspiring the Next Generation,” underscores the need to focus on the future while celebrating past achievements.
“As we reflect on this silver jubilee, we must appreciate that COWLSO’s enduring strength lies not only in its programmes but in the values it represents — compassion, collaboration, and continuity,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“The women who began this journey have handed down a vision that continues to inspire new leaders, innovators, and change agents. Inspiring the next generation means more than mentorship; it means modelling excellence, integrity, and resilience. It means empowering our daughters and young women to believe that no dream is too distant, no height too high, and no boundary too strong to break.”
Sanwo-Olu urged participants to use the two-day conference as a platform to deepen discussions on leadership, inclusivity, and women’s role in development.
“The next chapter of COWLSO’s story will not be written by history, but by the actions we take today — to nurture leadership, promote inclusivity, and ensure that women remain at the heart of progress,” he added.
Joining the event virtually, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, praised the founders of COWLSO for their foresight and enduring impact.
“We cannot celebrate 25 years of COWLSO without honouring our past,” she said. “We celebrate the legacy and vision of the founder, our mother, the late Mrs. Olufunmilayo Omobolaji Johnson, wife of the first military governor of Lagos State, who gave us the wings to fly.”
In her welcome address, the wife of the Lagos State Governor and Chairman of COWLSO, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, described the conference theme as timely and instructive, noting that it challenges women to reflect on past achievements and recommit to nurturing the next generation of leaders.
She said over the last 25 years, COWLSO has remained a formidable platform for women’s empowerment and community development through initiatives in healthcare, education, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and social welfare.
“Through this annual conference, women from all walks of life have found a rallying point to exchange ideas, build networks, and sharpen their capacity to influence positive change in society,” Dr. Sanwo-Olu added.
