ADDRESS DELIVERED BY
HER EXCELLENCY, MRS. BOLANLE AMBODE,
WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE,
AT A FORUM FOR WOMEN WITH THE THEME: ‘WOMAN … YOUR HEALTH, YOUR SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT’,
ORGANISED BY HER OFFICE, AT THE POLICE COLLEGE, GRA, IKEJA, ON TUESDAY, 19TH JUNE 2018.
I greet you very warmly, my dynamic and resourceful women of Lagos State.
It gladdens my heart that we come together to interact, to examine some important health and social issues, as mothers and mentors of our children and wards, as well as review our strategy for the task ahead.
As women united by the common goal of home building, it is necessary for us to spend time together, for the purpose of broad discussion on critical issues that affect us, so that together, we can find the way forward.
I use this opportunity to commend your individual and collective effort, invested in building your homes. Your efforts shall not be in vain.
Distinguished women, part of the reasons we are gathered here, is to discuss matters relating to our health, as well as examine recurring social problems of domestic violence, child abuse, rape and teenage pregnancy.
In view of the persistent recurrence of those vices, we intend to further educate ourselves, oftentimes at the receiving end.
Knowing our rights will embolden us to shun silence and be vocal voices for our own cause.
‘Health is wealth’ they say; because good health is the gateway to everything. To have good health, we need to take care of our body, mind and soul.
It is when we have good health that we can run around for business, take care of our homes, our children or engage in political activities. When we have sound health, we can better attend to all issues and concerns.
It is for this reason that free health screening, vital checks; HIV test; cancer screening, free eye glasses etc were made top priorities of this forum. It is an opportunity to get reliable health update in those areas, for remedial steps where necessary.
Remember that a healthy life, healthy body and healthy mind, breed a healthy society.
Importantly too, we would be examining the rights of women under the law, in the face of persistent social problems. When we know our rights, we can speak better and act better, to protect ourselves if and when those circumstances arise.
Similarly, we have a great role to play in combating the social evils of rape and teenage pregnancy. Our natural role as mothers and coordinators of the family unit, imposes responsibilities on us, to bring up the boy and the girl child in the most decent way, to stem the tide of rape and teenage pregnancy in our society.
Young girls who suffer abuse and become pregnant, stand the risk of medical complications. To achieve desired result therefore, their upbringing must include early enrolment in school, sound moral lessons from us and exposure to the ways and things of God.
We have to remember that, for us to be in our children’s memories tomorrow, we have to be in their lives today. We must learn to walk the parent’s talk. Let us listen to them; guide them; counsel them; be their best friend; pray with them and pray for them. Let us strive to be the parent today, that our children will remember tomorrow.
“Owun mon se mi s’omo gege, temi ye mi o, X2
Ti isu omo ba jina, k’ oma maa jo mi lenu o,
Ti aya omo ba wale, k’oma maa, I’emi sita o,
Owun mon se mi s’omo gege, temi ye mi”.
My dear women, similarly, in recent times, Nigeria has experienced a growing and disturbing trend of domestic violence against women, some resulting in deaths. If no one is alarmed at the frequency of occurrence, we are.
By publicly speaking out against domestic violence, together we can challenge attitudes that breed violence in the homes and everywhere. We must insist that domestic violence is a social crime and not acceptable in our society.
That is why we have brought seasoned speakers, to talk to us on issues of social menace, and our expected roles as mothers and home builders.
Therefore, let us remain united and focused in the pursuit of a common objective, with the hope that the cumulative effort, will drastically scale down the incidence of social crimes against women and girls.
I urge everyone to note, that preservation of health is easier than curing diseases. We must take our health seriously; go for periodic checks as at when due; guide our children properly and also speak out in the face of social violence. Let us all resolve today to be the voice for the woman.
I, Bolanle Ambode, resolve today to be the voice for: 1/ A Healthy Living, The Voice Against Rape, Teenage Pregnancy, Child Abuse and Against Domestic Violence”. What about you?
On this note, distinguished guests, I welcome you all to this women’s forum.
May God bless the women and our homes!
Itesiwaju ipinle Eko, lo je wa logun!
Her Excellency
Mrs. Bolanle Ambode
Wife of the Governor of Lagos State
Tuesday, 19th June 2018
