By DADA AYOKHAI
Edo State First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Betsy Obaseki today, March 8, gave a heads up to women from all facets of life as she interfaced with them at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), Benin City, the Edo state capital, during the conference organized to mark this year’s , International Women’s Day, (IWD).
The conference meant to put women on the same page to seamlessly interact and chart a means forward had the First Lady state, “Everyone has something to put on the table, everyone is useful and important.”
She avowed, “The celebration of the IWD will not end until women are empowered in all endeavours. The female gender is needed and valuable as much as we need the male. As women we have good examples to put out to the male folks that we are better at bringing development across all borders.
“We need to build capacity for us to give our best. Acquire competence that will make you have value.”
Keynote speaker, Prof. Mrs. Yinka Omorogbe, while delivering her lecture, “Empowering Women through Inclusion: Female Leadership in Public Service,” emphasized the need for female inclusion in politics, noting that inclusion is about everyone being respected and having a voice.
“Inclusion is about everyone being at the table, being respected for who they are and having a voice, it’s not tokenism.”
The DG JOOPSA, Ms. Precious Imuwahen Ajoonu earlier in her welcome address said, “Embracing inclusive leadership is crucial for dismantling systemic barriers and fostering an environment that encourages equality.”
She stressed that the collective effort of women can inspire a new era of leadership while noting,
“Inspiring inclusion and empowering women can pave way for women’s leadership to be recognized and celebrated,” she added.
