Osamaye urges women to support one another

By Tolulope Eniola

The Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Bosede Osamaye, has urged women leaders to use their positions and influence to support other women rather than expose, ridicule or gossip about them.

Osamaye made the call during a cocktail dinner organised as part of a one-day capacity-building workshop and retreat for female leaders in the state at Nibanola Resorts and Golf, Ondo City.

She urged women to identify and support those facing challenges, stressing that leadership should be used to lift others and create opportunities for them to succeed.

“The power that God has given us should be used to support our fellow women and sisters. We should cover up for one another when necessary. If you know someone who has a weakness or is going through a difficult situation, support her. Do not expose her, gossip about her or mock her,” she said.

The commissioner noted that everyone had challenges but maintained that women had the strength and capacity to overcome difficulties if they remained determined and supported one another.

She said the ministry had introduced various programmes and initiatives designed to improve the lives of women, while opportunities were also available through cooperative societies and other channels to enable women to access financial assistance.

Osamaye also encouraged women to develop a strong savings culture, noting that consistent savings, irrespective of the amount, could provide financial support when needed.

She urged beneficiaries of government grants and other interventions to make judicious use of the opportunities, adding that the state government had created several initiatives for women, children, elderly people and other vulnerable groups.

The commissioner, however, challenged women leaders to examine how effectively they were utilising the opportunities available to them.

She said, “The question we must ask ourselves is: what are we doing with the opportunities we have been given?”

Osamaye further advised women not to abandon their businesses or dreams because of discouraging comments from others.

According to her, women running small businesses should remain committed to their ventures and work towards improving them, regardless of their current income.

She also emphasised the importance of humility in leadership, saying leadership was fundamentally about service.

“Leadership is about service. If you cannot serve, you cannot lead effectively. Many people who have become great leaders started by serving others,” she stated.

The commissioner cautioned women leaders against allowing positions or titles to change their character, urging them to remain accessible and remember those who supported them before attaining positions of authority.

She said women should “lift others as we rise” by creating opportunities for other women to grow and succeed.

Osamaye also encouraged women to pursue further education and acquire relevant skills, particularly digital skills, noting that society was increasingly becoming technology-driven.

She urged the participants to use the retreat as an opportunity for self-assessment and to identify areas where they needed improvement.

According to her, achieving greatness requires hard work, commitment and determination, adding that women must take responsibility for their lives and remain committed to becoming better versions of themselves.

She concluded by urging women leaders to ensure that their success extended beyond personal achievements by helping other women rise with them.