Women in leadership in has been called upon to use their respective positions to influence institutions and build career in public service. The commendation was made at a capacity-building and leadership empowerment retreat organized by the Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Ondo town.
The retreat attracted no less than 150 women in leadership positions across the state, including female permanent secretaries, heads of government agencies and parastatals, women political leaders and board chairpersons.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Professor Bridget Itunu Awoshika of Adeyemi Federal University of Education assessed the performance of the administration’s EASE Agenda over the past 18 months, scoring it 18 out of 20.
“Personally, I scored government 18 points over 20 because it has never been this good,” she said.
Awoshika cited investments in healthcare, education, employment generation and women’s empowerment as evidence of progress, while commending the administration’s emphasis on gender inclusion.
“It has never been this good. This governor has decided to give fair share opportunities to the feminine gender,” she added.
She urged women to continue investing in personal development, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship to strengthen their economic independence and contribute to reducing poverty in the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Oluwaseun Osamaye, mentioned that the program was designed to equip women leaders with relevant skills and knowledge, while renewing their commitment to driving development and supporting the administration’s agenda.
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According to her, the retreat focused on reviewing the impact of women in leadership, promoting collaboration and strengthening their capacity for greater effectiveness.
“This capacity-building workshop is to harness and reassess our shared commitments and unity of purpose, especially towards actualizing the agenda of the Governor,” Osamaye said.
She disclosed that 16 female permanent secretaries were currently serving in the state, describing the figure as the highest recorded under any administration.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mrs Foluke Daramola, said the retreat provided an opportunity for professional networking, mentorship and knowledge-sharing among women leaders across different sectors.
“It is a gathering of female leadership in Ondo State—top government bureaucrats, NGOs, local government representatives and even women from the political terrain,” Daramola said.
She said participants were expected to return to their respective organizations better equipped to mentor emerging female leaders and improve workplace performance.
“We are also taking away from here lessons on how we can go back to our various duty posts to mentor and coach those coming after us, so that when we leave the stage, they too can step in with minimal stress,” she said.
