The maiden Lagos West Women Assembly, organized by Senator Idiat Adebule, brought together influential women, including Lagos First Lady Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat.
The event held at an expansive hall along Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, was also witnessed by former Lagos State Deputy Governor, now Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs) Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, now member of the Federal Civil Service Commission Princess Sarah Sosan; former deputy speakers of Lagos State House of Assembly Adefunmilayo Tejuoso and Bola Badmus-Olujobi; National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Mary Alile-Idele; APC Lagos Women Leader Jumoke Okoya-Thomas; House of Representatives member, Ganiyu Ayuba and Secretary of Conference of 57 Local Councils in Lagos State Rasaq Ajala among others.
Dr Sanwo-Olu commended Senator Adebule for coming up with the initiative.
She described the Lagos West Women Assembly as an inspiring and visionary platform designed to unite, uplift, and empower women across the district.
She said: “Let me begin by appreciating the thoughtful leadership of Senator Adebule. This initiative is a testament to her enduring passion for women development and grassroots impact.“Indeed, the strength of every thriving society is anchored on the unity, resilience, and active participation of its women. When women are given the opportunity to rise, they become unstoppable forces of change—in homes, communities, markets, boardrooms, and government institutions.
“Here in Lagos State, we are proud to witness a dynamic wave of female leadership and collaboration, driving transformation from the grassroots to the corridors of power. The Lagos-West Women Assembly is both timely and strategic—it provides an inclusive platform for connection, capacity building, and citizen-government synergy.”
Dr. Sanwo-Olu added: “We are here today in recognition and celebration of the strength and resilience of women as well as the powerful force they represent in shaping the future of our communities, our state, and our nation.
“As women, we are the heart and backbone of our society. From our homes to our workplaces, from our local markets to our schools, our influence on every facet of life cannot be ignored because without women, the world will be a boring and dangerous place to live. Wherever there are women, there is focus, balance, love, compassion, happiness, nourishment and purposefulness. It presupposes that the inherent qualities and virtues of women are indispensable and cannot be outsourced because they come with nature.”
The event aimed to unite, uplift, and empower women across the district.
The Convener, Senator Idiat Adebule emphasized the importance of women’s roles in shaping communities, stating that their influence is indispensable in every facet of life.
Senator Adebule said the Lagos West Women Assembly was meant to bring women together and inspire them to realise their potentials.
She said: “We are here today in recognition and celebration of the strength and resilience of women as well as the powerful force they represent in shaping the future of our communities, our state, and our nation.“As women, we are the heart and backbone of our society. From our homes to our workplaces, from our local markets to our schools, our influence on every facet of life cannot be ignored because without women, the world will be a boring and dangerous place to live. Wherever there are women, there is focus, balance, love, compassion, happiness, nourishment and purposefulness. It presupposes that the inherent qualities and virtues of women are indispensable and cannot be outsourced because they come with nature.”According to her, the theme of the assembly – ‘Building a Stronger Community’ – “calls upon women to recognise that collaborative engagement is the key to breaking all barriers limiting their ability to excel and be counted among the leading lights of our communities. If indeed we must build resilient communities with women being indispensable in the matrix, then empowering them intellectually, economically and politically to improve their capacity to engage at the community level is of utmost importance. These are the issues that are at the heart of this assembly.”
The assembly’s theme, “Building a Stronger Community,” highlighted the importance of collaborative engagement and empowering women to excel.
She thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; leaders of the APC, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy Dr Kadri Hamzat, Dr Sanwo-Olu; Mrs Hamzat; Chief Tinubu-Ojo; Mrs Orelope-Adefulire; Mrs Sosan, Ajala and her constituents for their supports.
Convener of Women in Successful Careers Amina Oyagbola stressed the need for women in leadership at every level, citing examples of inspiring women who have made a difference in their communities.
According to her, “This assembly is not just a conversation, it is a movement. A rallying call for women to rise, lead with intention, and shape the communities we live in. It is an opportunity to reaffirm a truth we know too well: that when women lead, communities flourish.”
The highlight of the event was the empowerment of 250 women with resources to support their livelihoods, with opportunities to win prizes in a raffle draw, including generators, rice, ovens, and mini-buses.
The event showcased the growing wave of female leadership and collaboration in Lagos State, driving transformation from grassroots to corridors of power.
