By Stephen Adeleye.
A community based organisation, Vanguard of Okun Women Initiative (VOW), has urged women to unite, develop competences and contest for elective positions towards the 2023 general elections.
The VOW President, Mrs Bolanle Bola-Olorunsaiye, gave the advice on Saturday in Kabba, at women’s empowerment programme organised to celebrate VOW’s One Year Anniversary and as part of activities to mark the International Women’s Day 2022.
The group also distributed food items to over 200 women across five local government areas in western senatorial district of Kogi State.
The international women’s day is celebrated every March 8, and this year’s theme is, ”Gender Equity Today For A Sustainable Tomorrow”.
She described VOW as a community based, non political-partisan, and non-religious, formed by formidable Okun women leaders on March 8, 2021, across the five local government areas of Kogi West including Oworo community in Lokoja LGA.ย
According to her, they are women leaders committed to giving women in Okunland push and encouragement towards participation in leadership and political roles, for sustainable development, peace and security.
She explained that the organisation’s vision is to strive to create a future in which all Okun woman/girl would be viewed, valued by her community, and equipped to fulfill her unique purpose.
“Its mission is to empower women in achieving their ambitions, create an equal world, fulfill their potentials and be resilience in the face of adversity,” she said.
She emphasised that Okun women are in need of activities that would provide the needed tools to help build the future of their children and generations yet unborn.
“It is our believe that no change can be effected folding hands and complaining.
“One of VOW objectives is to create group of resource persons that can be inspirations to our future leaders, influence our youths and build Okun land of our dreams.
“Together, we will protect women’s rights in all circumstances, foster their capabilities in every field of endeavour, and make their voice heard in decision making.
“We will promote and nurture women and girl’ child for position of leadership, and help make generations of successful leaders,” Bola-Olorunsaiye said.
In her lecture, Mrs Funke Eseyin, who spoke on ”Women and Mentorship In Commemoration of Women’s Day 2022”, urged women folks to be united and believe in one another.
She encouraged the women to develop competences, prove and convince that they are capable and could be trusted.
She stressed the commitment of VOW through mentorship to promote gender equally, empower women and girl child and remove any barrier that prevent full participation of women and girls in the public and political life.
“Let us work together to promote ourselves as women, let us support our fellow women to become better and rise above limitations,” she said.
Also speaking, the President of Okun Market Women, Hajia Aishat Isa, thanked the VOW president for the initiative towards advancing the course of women in Okunland.
She urged the women to be productive and not stay idle, but engage in petty businesses for their own benefits, and that of their children for a better society at large.
Food items distributed include rice and food ingredients.
