TheCable

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, has launched ‘Lagos city’s inform women, transform lives’ campaign to enhance social and gender inclusion in the state.

In a statement signed by Gboyega Akosile, chief press secretary to the governor, Sanwo-Olu said the campaign was launched as part of activities to mark the International Day of Universal Access to Information.

The competition is an initiative of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, and Rosalyn Carter, his wife.

The Carter Centre is a non-governmental organisation focused on alleviating poverty and improving the lives of people across the world.

During a press conference to launch the initiative on Thursday, the governor said the aim of the campaign is to relieve the plight of women in society, particularly those living in rural areas.

He said the campaign would be carried out in line with the THEMES+ agenda of his administration, which includes social inclusion, gender equality and youth development.

The governor, who was represented by Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, secretary to the state government, said the campaign will also “provide a platform for women to seek and receive information from all tiers of governments irrespective of their status, tribe and religion”.

“It would raise awareness on where and how women can easily get information about city services that would benefit them as his administration had upgraded its developmental agenda from THEMES to THEMES+,” the statement reads.

“Two months ago, Lagos state participated in the Carter Centre competition with other 300 cities across the globe and was among the few that got selected for the “Inform Women, Transform Lives” programme.

“The driving force behind our success at the competition was made possible through contributions by the ministries of women affairs and poverty alleviation, information and strategy, youths and social development, commerce, cooperative, trade and investment as well as special adviser to the governor on legal matters.

“It is my absolute delight to highlight the fact that governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu upgraded the agenda of his first administration’s development agenda from THEMES agenda to THEMES PLUS. The PLUS represents social inclusion, gender equality and youth engagement.”

Gbenga Omotoso, commissioner for information and strategy, said the inclusive campaign would focus on sharing information with women and girls to positively transform their lives.