The Lagos State First Lady and Chairman of COWLSO, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has urged women in the state to turn vision into positive and meaningful impacts.
She gave the charge at a press briefing announcing the 26th edition of the National Women Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) where 3,000 participants are expected to attend the physical sessions.
Sanwo-Olu’s wife said the three-day event, with the theme, ‘Anchored for Purpose: Be the Blueprint,’ would hold at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to her, the conference, which is the eighth edition under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is designed to provide a platform for learning, empowerment, networking and discussions on issues affecting women, families and communities.
Sanwo-Olu’s wife said the theme challenges women to look beyond personal achievements and consider the footprints they are leaving in their families, workplaces, communities and society.
“It is a call to live with purpose, make meaningful contributions and ensure that our presence creates value that can outlive us,” she said.
She disclosed that the conference would be conducted in a hybrid format, with physical participation costing N150,000 and virtual participation N50,000.
She said registration, which commenced on September 15, would close on October 15, while late physical registration would begin on October 24 at an additional fee of N15,000.
The First Lady said only five participants would be accommodated from each ministry, department and agency (MDA) because of limited physical capacity, while virtual participation would remain unlimited.
She added that Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, had been invited as Special Guests of Honour for the opening and closing ceremonies, respectively.
Sanwo-Olu also announced a series of activities designed to extend the conference beyond the main venue, including a pre-conference walk themed “Blueprint in Motion: From Vision to Action.”
She said the walk would take participants through significant locations on Lagos Island, including Tafawa Balewa Square, the National Museum, the Central Mosque, the JK Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Tinubu Square, the MUSON Centre, Eko Atlantic, Water House, Kakawa and the Palace of the Oba of Lagos.
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According to her, the activity is intended to connect conversations about purpose and legacy with the history, culture, institutions and development of Lagos.
“This is a journey through the past, present and future of Lagos. It reminds us that every generation inherits a blueprint and has a responsibility to build upon it and add something meaningful for the generations coming behind us,” she said.
She also disclosed that COWLSO would visit some prominent senior Lagos women, including Mrs A.Y. Oyediran Kakawa, Erelu Dosumu and Mrs Bintu Tinubu, as part of activities preceding the conference.
The First Lady said an awareness walk would also take place on Saturday, October 10, to take the conference’s message into the wider community.
She said the programme would feature an opening ceremony and keynote lectures on the first day, additional lectures and presentations on the second day, as well as the traditional COWLSO Gala Night.
The final day, she added, would be devoted to the closing ceremony and reflection on the lessons and commitments emerging from the conference.
Sanwo-Olu said women from various sectors, including government, policymaking, business, academia, development, diplomacy and civil society, as well as traditional and community leaders and young women, were expected to participate.
She emphasised that the conference was not merely about bringing women together but about translating ideas and relationships developed at the event into action.
“The National Women Conference has never been merely about gathering women in one place. It has always been about what happens after the gathering: the ideas we take home, the relationships we build, the knowledge we share, the lives we touch and the actions we take,” she said.
She urged participants to use the conference to reflect on the examples they were setting and the values and impact they were passing on to future generations.
Sanwo-Olu also appealed to the media to highlight the stories emerging from the conference beyond its opening and closing ceremonies.
She said the stories should include the experiences of women whose lives had been touched, ideas emerging from the discussions, networking opportunities and the cultural activities planned around Lagos Island.
The First Lady invited women across Lagos, Nigeria and beyond to participate in the conference, urging them to “move from vision to action, from intention to impact, and from simply occupying spaces to leaving them better than we found them.”
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