The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, joined Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III and Her Excellency Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, at the Elevate Africa Dinner held on Monday at the J.K. Randle Museum, Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Onikan, Lagos, to celebrate the pivotal contributions of women in shaping the future of Nigeria and Africa.
In her remarks, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka lauded the exceptional leadership of Olori Atuwatse III as a beacon of inspiration for women. She reaffirmed Lagos State’s unwavering commitment to empowering women through innovative policies and programmes focused on education, entrepreneurship, and leadership development, stressing the importance of mentorship, resource-sharing, and collaboration in building an inclusive society while urging stakeholders to work collectively to overcome barriers to gender equality.
“Lagos State remains a trailblazer, actively implementing initiatives that position women as vital contributors to growth and nation-building”, she stated, emphasising the state’s belief in unity and shared responsibility as cornerstones of progress.
Also speaking at the event, First Lady of Kwara State Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq shed light on the challenges young women face, such as early marriages, discrimination, and limited access to education, which have resulted in 76% of inactive out-of-school youth being female. She highlighted Kwara State’s proactive steps toward gender inclusion, including the enactment of a 35% gender inclusion law and increased representation of women in leadership roles.
Professor AbdulRazaq encouraged women to break stereotypes, build capacity, and pursue leadership opportunities, noting that women’s empowerment has a profound impact on societal and economic transformation.
The dinner brought together key stakeholders and distinguished guests, including former First Lady of Kwara State, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, Dr. Dere Awosika, and Mrs. Ibukun Awosika. It served as a rallying call to action for advancing women’s empowerment and fostering partnerships that drive sustainable growth in Africa.
The event underscored Lagos State’s shared commitment with other progressive leaders to champion gender equality and inclusion.
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