Osamaye charges women on greater impact in governance, development

By Tolulope Eniola

Women leaders in Ondo State have been urged to assess their contributions to the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and identify areas requiring improvement to enable them to make a greater impact in governance and development.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Bosede Osamaye, made the call during a one-day capacity-building workshop and retreat organised for female leaders across the state.

The retreat, held at Nibanola Motherland, Ondo State, brought together female permanent secretaries, elected and appointed political office holders, heads of government agencies and parastatals, chairmen and members of boards, heads of non-governmental organisations and political support groups, among others.

Osamaye said the retreat was approved by Governor Aiyedatiwa to provide women occupying strategic positions with an opportunity to evaluate their performance and strengthen collaboration towards achieving the administration’s agenda for women.

She said the programme was designed to assess how much women leaders had contributed to the governor’s efforts towards improving the lives of women in the state.

According to her, women occupying various strategic positions must examine whether they had effectively discharged the responsibilities entrusted to them.

“The objective of this capacity-building workshop is simple. First, it is to assess how far we have assisted the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to achieve his agenda towards our women.

“We are all occupying different positions that are strategic to the development and empowerment of women. How have we succeeded in achieving or actualising the responsibilities that have been given to us? That is the first objective,” she said.

The commissioner added that the retreat would enable the participants to identify gaps, share experiences and develop strategies for supporting women facing challenges in their respective positions.

She stressed that the gathering was not merely for networking or entertainment but an avenue for participants to learn from one another and improve their contributions to the development of the state.

Osamaye said every woman occupying a position of authority had an important role to play in helping the governor achieve his objectives for women.

“As commissioner, I cannot do everything. I can only play my role as commissioner. Every one of you in this room has a great role and responsibility to assist the Governor of Ondo State to achieve his desire and his will for women in Ondo State,” she added.

The commissioner appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for approving the retreat, saying the gathering of female leaders from different sectors demonstrated the administration’s commitment to women’s development and empowerment.

In her keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Prof. Ebunoluwa Aderonke, urged women leaders to embrace transformational leadership and use their positions to create lasting positive changes in society.

Speaking on the theme, “Transformational Leadership and Women’s Empowerment,” Aderonke said meaningful development could only be achieved when women were empowered not only to participate in governance but also to lead, influence and transform society.

She noted that leadership was not determined by gender but by vision, courage, competence, integrity and the ability to mobilise people towards a common goal.

The don cited prominent women, including Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, the late Prof. Dora Akunyili, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, as examples of women who had broken barriers and demonstrated the impact of purposeful leadership.

Aderonke urged women leaders in the state to support and mentor one another, stressing that the success of one woman should not be regarded as a threat to another.

She said women who attained leadership positions should create opportunities for others to rise, adding that the true test of leadership was the ability to raise people who could eventually surpass their mentors.

“Positions are not trophies; they are platforms to deliver results,” she said.

The Vice-Chancellor urged the participants to focus on improving institutions, strengthening public services and mentoring younger women.

She also encouraged women leaders to combine empathy with firmness, humility with confidence, and competence with integrity.

Aderonke warned against transactional leadership driven by personal gain, saying transformational leaders should be more concerned about the positive changes they could bring to the lives of people and the institutions under their care.

Also speaking, the guest lecturer, Prof. Awosika Afued, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for recognising the capacity of women and bringing female leaders from different sectors together for the workshop.

Afued recalled that the previous workshop focused on “Unity of Purpose”, saying the latest gathering provided an opportunity to assess how well the lessons had been implemented and the contributions of women to the success of the administration’s EASE Agenda.

She urged women leaders to work together, avoid unnecessary conflicts and support one another in their workplaces.

According to her, the achievements of the government should not be attributed to one person, as the collective efforts of women and other public servants had contributed to the administration’s progress.

Afued also advised women in leadership positions not to become oppressive or see themselves as superior to their subordinates but to mentor and empower younger colleagues.

She urged the participants to identify their successes and shortcomings and address areas she described as “grey areas” to enable them to make greater contributions to the development of the state.

The State President of the National Council for Women’s Societies, Oluseyi Odusola, urged women and non-governmental organisations to take greater responsibility for mobilising resources and supporting development rather than relying solely on government.

Odusola said the NCWS belonged to all women, irrespective of their professions, backgrounds or positions in society.

She noted that judges, magistrates, lawyers, professionals and women from other walks of life were members of the organisation, stressing the need for women to prepare for the future.

She said, “As women, we must look beyond our immediate roles and understand what is happening around us. We must prepare for the future and not rely solely on government. Government alone cannot do everything.

“That is why NCWS belongs to all of us, and we must come together to support the government of today, especially because of the support and empowerment we have received from government.”

Odusola called on women’s organisations to leave their comfort zones and mobilise support and resources for their various programmes.

She also appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa, Southwest leaders and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development for their support for women-focused initiatives in the state.

The owner of Nibanola Motherland, Hon. Jibayo Adeyeye, urged public servants and political office holders to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture, noting that the law permits public servants to own and manage farms within the provisions of the law.

Adeyeye said while public servants were restricted from engaging in certain private businesses while in office, agriculture remained an area permitted under the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Code of Conduct.

He said the agricultural sector offered enormous opportunities that public servants could explore within the limits of the law.

Adeyeye thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for choosing Nibanola Motherland as the venue for the retreat and commended Osamaye for initiating the programme.

He also appreciated the participating women leaders for their commitment and active participation.

In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Kolawole Kayode, appreciated the participants for their active involvement in the retreat.

Kayode urged the women leaders to put into practice the knowledge and lessons acquired during the programme and use them to make a positive impact in their homes, workplaces and communities.

He also commended the guest speakers and lecturers for sharing valuable knowledge and delivering insightful presentations.

The Permanent Secretary praised the planning committee and members of staff of the ministry for their efforts towards the success of the programme.

Among those in attendance were female permanent secretaries, elected and appointed female officials, female heads of government agencies and parastatals, female heads of NGOs and political support groups, as well as the President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Ondo State chapter, Mrs Bolanle Olafunmiloye.