When Women Groups Endorsed Aregbesola For Second Term

Staff January 8, 2014

No fewer than 100 women groups in Osun State have endorsed the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for second term in office, saying he remained the best governor in the history of the state.
The women groups, including the market women association, artisans, women professional bodies, the 31 local governments and 332 wards women leaders of All Progressive Congress (APC) among others endorsed the governor at a public lecture and sensitisation rally on Women Participation in Politics held at the Freedom Park now named after late former South African President, Nelson Mandela in Osogbo.
The APC women leaders assured the governor of the continuous support of the women groups before and after the 2014 governorship election. They said the Aregbesola administration had brought women to prominence in political participation.
On behalf of the women groups, the APC state interim women leader, Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde, said the women across the state gathered to throw their weight behind the second term ambition of the governor in recognition of his brilliant performance.
She noted that women have benefited immensely on many platforms from the Aregbesola administration, including the Osun School Feeding and Health Programme, O Meals, OYES and welfare package for the elderly in the state tagged “Agba Osun” which she noted was unprecedented.
According to her, the women through a qualitative health programme can now successfully give birth, noting that Osun State has the lowest maternal death rate in Nigeria.
The first lady, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola expressed gratitude to women for throwing their weight behind the second term bid of her husband, saying their prayers have been very helpful. She also thanked God for allowing the governor to carry out various life touching programmes.
Mrs. Aregbesola advised women to take the issue of cleanliness of their body and environment seriously so as stay healthy and be free from diseases. She also appealed to women to always create time to go for medical checkup for them to be able detect and guide against ailments, especially breast cancer that may not be noticed on time.
Also, at the programme which drew a large crowd of APC supporters, the deputy governor, Otunba Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, said Ogbeni Aregbesola was the best governor, whom she said had taken the political rights and privileges of women seriously.
According to her, Aregbesola is the only governor in the history of the state that has appointed the largest number of women into the state Executive Council and other parastatals and agencies. A member of the House of Representatives, representing Irewole/Ayedaade/Isokan Federal Constituency, Hon. (Mrs.) Ayo Omidiran, said the women decided to endorse the governor for a second term because of his performance, especially his administration’s programmes on women and children.
Responding, an elated Governor Aregbesola, expressed appreciation for the recognition, assuring them of his commitment to issues of women and children. He said women play very critical roles in the society, particularly their role in the socialisation of the children and sustainability of the family. He said: ”In politics two categories of people are very important, women and young children, if they are with you, you can continue and if they are not with you, it is better to reconsider your position. Women’s support for us during and after electioneering process was responsible for our victory.”
Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Mofolake Adetoun Adegboyega, who was the coordinator of the event, explained that the programme was to sensitise the women on the need to participate actively in politics. She said most programmes of the administration have touched the lives of women and children.
Apart from local drummers and praise singers, Shola Allyson of Eji Owuro’s fame was on hand to render different inspirational and beautiful tunes about women’s virtues from her albums.
THE NATION