Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon. (Mrs.) Toyin Balogun, on Saturday, charged women to prioritise self-development.
She said that only when a woman can add value beyond her beauty and appearance can her voice be heard and taken seriously.
The commissioner made this passionate appeal at Dominion Halls, on Ring Road, Ibadan, the venue of the Bubu Day Hangout, organised by the Ibadan Women’s Network.
“The packaging, the beauty, and all of that can get you a foot in the door. It might get you a seat at the table, but it would not ensure that your voice is heard and respected,” she said.
Speaking further, Balogun enjoined women to channel the trickery that they are known for in a positive direction, adding that women are not weaklings but fearfully and wonderfully made by God to impact their generation.
“But you can only use it when you realise what you have and are determined to make the best of it,” she noted.
The commissioner also spoke briefly about several women’s empowerment programmes of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in the state through her ministry. The interventions, she said, included, but were not limited to, the recently approved free health insurance for 10,000 women in the state, as well as loans for small-scale businesses and many other initiatives.
Earlier in her welcome address, the founder of Ibadan Women’s Network, Alhaja Balkiz Karheem, expressed her deep gratitude to all participants for the massive turnout, particularly the special guest of honour of the day, Hon. (Mrs.) Toyin Balogun, the Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion.
Alhaja Karheem hints about Ibadan Women’s Network
According to Alhaja Karheem, the Ibadan Women’s Network is about celebrating the achievements of Ibadan women and correcting those who often underestimate women from Ibadan.
“I can say with all sense of pride that there are highly successful women in Ibadan. They are professionals, entrepreneurs, and women who excel in their chosen careers. I mean, women who are more than just housewives.”
She added that “the initiative is a community of ambitious and empowered women in Ibadan to network, to grow and to thrive.
The event’s theme, “Elevated, Womanhood, Grace, Goals And God”, reinforced the hangout’s core objective, which is to identify and celebrate excellence in women.
Some of the activities at the event included a red carpet, games, a style contest, a dance competition, networking, and a gift exchange, among others.
The colourful event had in attendance astonishingly good-looking women in their different Bubu styles and colours. They include Miss Agbede Adenike, a public health nurse; Asunde Faith Temilade of Vine Buds Private School; Mrs. Adegbile, a makeup artist and CEO of C&K Fragrance and Perfume Empire; and Adeoshun Ibiyemi.
Others are Olori Ilori Olusegun; Joyce Adeseyawe of Adesecare Skin Care and Makeup; Owoade Aanuoluwa, a foodstuff vendor; Akintan Oluwabunmi of Bhumyth Multi Ventures Limited; and Mrs Bello Motunrayo, a freight forwarder and CEO of Queenhazbell, among others, who are too numerous to mention.
He also came to support his wife, Alhaja Balkis Kareem, who was the CEO of Afia Construction & Building Engineering Consultancy Services Ltd., Engr. Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem MCIArb, MCIOB, МСАВЕ, the Turaki Adinni of Oyo State and the Mogaji Adanla compound.
