Seun Shotunde, Abeokuta
The First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has been honored with an award of Excellence as the ‘Mother of Modern Ogun State’.
The award was given by Women in Association of Senior Civil Servants (WASCN), during the International Women’s Day celebration, at Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, themed: ‘Right, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls.
Accepting the honour, Mrs. Abiodun, said the honour was not a personal accolade, but belonged to all women of the State as a symbol of their collective power.
“This recognition belongs to every woman in this State, who continues to break barriers and uplift others, saying that the ‘Mother of Modern Ogun State’ is not just a title for one, but a reflection of the collective strength and economic sovereignty of every woman in our great State,” she said.
Issuing a strategic mandate to the senior female civil servants in attendance, Mrs. Abiodun emphasised that empowerment is a relay race, not a solo sprint, urging the State’s top female leaders to intentionally mentor younger generations for sustainable development.
Speaking, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, who is also an awardee, charged women to seek leveled playing grounds in their fields, rather than seeking hands outs in any situation they find themselves in.
She emphasised the need for women to believe in themselves and vie for public positions so as to be able to contribute their quota to the development of their society.
While inaugurating Comrade Areo Williams, as the first Chairman of WASCSN, the Chairperson of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Comrade Isa Olude, appreciated the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for giving an enabling environment for all groups and associations to thrive without rancor in the State, emphasising that the Ogun Branch was the first in the nation.
In her welcome address, the pioneer Chairman, WASCSN, Comrade Williams, charged women to build inclusive systems in whatever capacities they found themselves, saying women in service were not bystanders to policies, but policy-makers themselves.
Other awardees included, Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Establishments and Training, Mrs. Lydia Fajounbo and former Secretary of the ASCSN, Comrade Omolara Sansa.
