Oyebanji
The Ekiti State governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has extolled the virtues of a girl child, saying every girl child is a special breed meant to be cherished and nurtured with care and love.
He made the remarks during an all female Leadership Summit themed: “The light we Carry; igniting the power of Excellence”, which held on Friday at the Federal Polytethnic,Ado, Ekiti State capital.
The governor who has ensured gender balance in making his appointments by giving the women special consideration in his administration, assured that he will always heed the call of women and appreciate their contribution towards development.
The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Habibat Omolara Adubiaro, at the function, charged the female students on the campus to discover their potentials, and exhibit such potentials so that they can be useful and the society can be proud of them.
Dr. Adubiaro who expressed the hope that there will soon be a female governor and even President in Nigeria considering the current trend of women participation in politics, said: ” we practice Government of inclusion in Ekiti where our Governor has female as his Deputy governor, female as the SSG and also the first female speaker in the house of assembly, ” The Ekiti State is first state in Nigeria that occupied women in all these positions and this is to tell you that our Governor, Mr.Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji love and appreciate you in all spheres of life” .
The SSG noted that her experience as a lecturer with the Federal University Oye-Ekiti has shown that the female students now top the class and they could perform well like the male colleagues in any area.
Adubiaro also advised the female students on the choice of a life partner that shares their dreams of better future.
“Whenever you are ready to choose life partners, choose the man who will share your vision with you because getting married is not the end of one’s carreer. I got married when I was in the university and my husband has been a pillar of support for me to attain this position even as am a PhD holder today, that means you can become whatever you want with the support of a good husband that will be with you in ways to attain any position in life.”
Also, addressing the female students at the ocassion, the wife of the governor Dr. (Mrs.) Olayemi Oyebanji commended the organizers of the summit for choosing such a powerful and inspiring theme,”The light we carry ignites the power of excellence”
Her Excellency also noted that light connotes life, happiness, prosperity and in a wider sense of perfect being. She said: ” As female student in Nigeria, you are the light of the world because you carry a light that shines brightly in a society that is still grappling with issues of gender inequality, discrimination and gender based violence.The light represents the potentials, your aspirations and your determination to succeed or excel despite the many challenges you face ” she advised”
The wife of the governor who was represented by a scholar Dr.Adenike Kolawole said further that: ” to unleash the power of excellence,you must be willing to overcome the obstacles that stand in your way, you must be prepared to work hard,to stay focused and to persevere in the face of adversity and also be willing to seek opportunities for growth and development, and to embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and growth.”
The keynote speaker and the speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Bunmi Adelugba, advised the participants to get rid of distraction in all they do and be focused on their target goals in life and discover their purpose in life.
Other dignitaries at the event included former Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hon Fola Riech and others.