Nigerian women urged to be pacesetters in national development

An NGO, the Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), has charged Nigerian women to rise up to the challenge of becoming pacesetters in national development.

The Executive Director of LAPO, Mrs Sabina Idowu-Osehobo, gave the charge while speaking at the 2017 International Women’s Day Ceremony, organised by LAPO Lagos 2 Region.

The International Women’s Day is marked every March 8, to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world.

The 2017 International Women’s Day had the theme “Be Bold for Change”, while LAPO’s celebration had the sub-theme, “Women as Pacesetters in National Development”.

The executive director, who was represented by Mrs Sandra Asowata, Regional Officer, LAPO Lagos 2 Region, said the importance of women in the society cannot be over-emphasised.

“The International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by women who have played extraordinary roles in the history of their families, communities and society at large.

“On this special day, we are asking you to be bold for change, call on yourself to help forge a better working and gender-equal world. ”

Idowu-Osehobo said LAPO provided free health screening and referrals for 2,554 men and 36,234 women in 2016. The tests included screening for Malaria, Diabetes, Blood Pressure and Hepatitis, adding that sensitisation programmes were also carried out on cervical cancer, hand washing, breastfeeding, among others.

According to her, women were sensitised on topics ranging from son preference, teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, self-esteem, leadership in governance, as well as marriage and separation.

In her lecture, Dr Chika Okangbe of the School of Medicine, Babcock University, Ogun, said gender-based gaps existed across the globe which could only be closed with the support of all.

Okangbe said Nigerian women were still faced with issues such as domestic violence and lack of equal participation in politics.

“Women can be great leaders and pacesetters in national development. This has been demonstrated in the past by Princess Moremi and the Biblical Queen Esther.

“Women such as late Dr Dora Akinyuli excelled very well in her position as NAFDAC boss.  Dr Oby Ezekwesili has been in the forefront of the campaign to bring back our girls who were kidnapped in Chibok.

“So there are many women out there, including you and I, who are ready to perform if given the opportunity, but we as women need to be supportive of each other,” she added.