Asiwaj Dapo Wahab
Chairman of Ifedara Opeji Area CDC in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Alhaji (Asiwaju) Dapo Wahab has called on women to take cognizance of the present harsh economic realities in the country and do everything within their power to discourage despondency in the family while adjusting to the new realities and challenges.
In his keynote address at a Women Development Forum, organized by Ifedara Opeji Area CDC Women Development Project in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, Asiwaju Wahab, implored women to unite their families and refuse to be swayed by any societal influence.
Asiwaju Wahab, an acclaimed philanthropist who is also the Chairman of Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation, a non governmental organization (NGO) for compassion which specialises on matters of drug abuse stressed the need for women to adjust with the current economic reality in the country.
He reassured the women in his community of his leadership’s determination to continue to see to the development and empowerment of women in the community.
He noted that, primarily, women are caregiver to the children and husbands in every home, hence it is imperative for women in community to unite their families.
“It is important to note that no tangible development can happen where there is no unity, Peace, love and support,” he emphasized.
“In addition, let me admonish all the women in Ifedara-Opeji ACDC to let their activities in their various communities impact positively on our communities and they should not be swayed by opinions detrimental to community development”.
In her own speech, Professor Helen Bodunde, the Guest Speaker at the forum also emphasized the important role women play in family integration and community development.
Professor Helen Bodunde, a Professor of Communication and Teaching English as Second Language at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta advocated for more empowerment for women, as well as cooperative as part of steps to mitigate against set backs for women as a whole.
Professor Bodunde, who is also the President of Education, Gender Youth and Family Network, EDUGUF-N, while speaking on the theme, “The Roles of Women In Family Integration and Community Development”, said women play significant role in every area of human development, hence the need to ensure access to opportunities that would further harness their potentials for the development of family, community, society, state and nation.
Prof Bodunde called on women to be open in their marriages, stressed the need to accommodate more women so that they can give in their best in family, workforce and the society in general.
She said, “Women are mothers of the home and they play critical roles in education and socialization of the children, home management, family integration and community development”.
“No limit should be placed on what they can collectively constitute to community development because women constitute a powerful social class”.
“In our society, the factors militating against the role of women in community development, has caused a lot of economic, social and political set backs and for there to be integration in the family and Community, there must be cordial relationship at the home front”.
“Women are influencer and key factor to grow a society and as family is the first place children can relate with people, parents, especially women should ensure that they are good role model to their children”, she added.
Also present at the event are; Mrs Wonuola Kazeem: Director: women empowerment (Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs), Mrs Ogundimu (National orientation Agency), Chief Lamidi Ibrahim Akinkunmi (Baale Asubiaro township), Chief kuforiji, Alhaja Rabiu (Women Rep – BODE- Olude Area CDC), Mrs ojuolape Adeogun: Women Rep Fadage ACDC and Alhaji Ibrahim Ojewale, among others.
