Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday said the state government will consider the possibilities of collaborating with Kebbi State to explore the economic opportunities in the production and distribution of high yield quality rice and other ventures.

The Governor spoke at the closing ceremony of the 2015 Annual National Women Conference, organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.

He recalled that his Kebbi state counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, had during the opening ceremony of the conference on Wednesday, sought the cooperation between women in Kebbi and Lagos States in the production of high quality yield rice, saying that it is one area the state will seek to explore.

“I am sure the leadership of COWLSO has taken note of this and would work towards creating the platform for this cooperation to work and further show the economic relevance of women”.

“I am sure the communiqué that has emerged at this conference will encapsulate a blueprint for the economic engagement of our womenfolk, not just in Lagos State but across Nigeria,” Governor Ambode said.

He said his administration will be keen to receive the recommendations of the conference and see how they can be implemented to improve the lives of Lagosians.

“This conference marks a new beginning for COWLSO. We will remain partners in progress and also welcome your constructive criticisms to help us improve in our duty to deliver good governance to the people of Lagos State. This administration counts on your usual support and co-operation,” he said.

Declaring the conference closed, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made case for women to be empowered, stressing that, “there is no society that shackles more than half of its population that can develop or progress”.

He also appealed to government at all levels to invigorate efforts in educating the girl child in the North and women empowerment all over the country.

The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye Tomori, said recent studies have shown that women through their various businesses have contributed immensely to the employment rate in the nation.

“In recent years, we have had a reversal of roles on the family front in some cases such that a significant number of women are now the breadwinners. Through empowerment, they have been able to sustain businesses and thereby providing for their families, educating their children and building sustainable homes and businesses”, he said.

In her closing remarks, Chairman of COWLSO, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, said the three-day conference discussed series of issues among which was the devastating consequences of divorce on the health and wellbeing of women and children, adding that 80-90 per cent of primary care visits to doctors are due to preventable illnesses, while approximately 95 per cent of them are caused by stress.

She urged all participants to keep the knowledge gained close to their hearts and deploy it appropriately in future, for maximum advantage.

The 10-point Communiqué of the Conference read by the wife of the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Professor Ibiyemi Bello, amongst other things, tasked government at all levels to pay more attention to women empowerment especially the girl-child.

High ​point of the ceremony was the presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to four individuals and corporate organisations, including former House Committee Chairman on Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mrs. Anutal Savara and Honeywell Group Nigeria Limited.