The Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Jaji, has said that there is no limit to what women across the nation can accomplish if given equal opportunity.
Mrs. Jaji spoke at the second edition of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) – Lagos Sector Command – Women-In-Uniform ceremony organised to commemorate Y2022 International Women’s Day and held at the Radisson Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Admonishing the participants to remain brave and virtuous, the SSG urged women to build a better world where peace, love and justice would blossom, saying “as women, we must not stop asking for that opportunity to achieve our dreams and that of the girls in order to attain a better nation.”
Commenting on the theme “Gender Equality Today for A Sustainable Tomorrow”, Mrs. Jaji, who was represented by the Director, Administration and Human Resource, Cabinet Office, Mrs. Omotayo Gbajabiamila-Olamona, said the critical role performed by women in any given society called for their fair representation at all levels.
Her words: “Gender equality is not to compete with the men, but principally, it is to further improve the economic, social and cultural development of our nation and indeed the world”.
The SSG assured the women of the Lagos State Government’s commitment to the advancement of the cause of women as evident in the number of females at the helm of affairs in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Pointing out that women have also contributed immensely towards the attainment of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s Greater Lagos, Mrs. Jaji acknowledged the enormous contributions of the First Lady, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, to the cause of women, especially the fight against domestic violence.
Also speaking at the event, the first female Rear Admiral in Africa, Rtd. Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu and a retired Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, DCG Mulikat Adegoke, in their presentations maintained that women have the wherewithal to fill positions of authority.
Both speakers charged women to remain focused on achieving their goals, pursue their dreams without intimidation, stay disciplined and make sacrifices by working harder to outshine men in similar positions.
The SSG and other women, who have distinguished themselves in their profession, were presented plaques at the event which was attended by representatives of both military and paramilitary officers in Lagos State, including Lagos State Fire Service and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.