Amid rising economic pressure and increasing household responsibilities, stakeholders in Oyo State have pushed for a shift from symbolic empowerment to practical, women-driven support systems that prioritise shared growth and resilience.
This position emerged at the 2026 International Women’s Day 2026 programme themed “Give to Gain,” held at the House of Chiefs within the Oyo State House of Assembly complex, Ibadan, where speakers stressed that women must now rely more on structured collaboration than individual effort.
Speaking at the event, wife of the Speaker of the Oyo Assembly, Mrs. Olamidun Majekodunmi-Ogundoyin, represented by Mrs. Rebecca Oparinde, underscored the need for intentional giving that goes beyond charity to include mentorship, economic partnerships, and emotional support systems.
She urged women to balance self-care with community impact, noting that sustainable progress depends on how well women invest in one another. Similarly, Clerk of the House, Barrister Taiwo Muraina-Akinola, challenged women to expand their relevance beyond traditional domestic roles by embracing leadership and economic participation.
Also contributing, Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun, called for stronger public backing of government initiatives targeting women and vulnerable groups, while the Chairman of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Oyo Chapter, Comrade Alade Taofeek, emphasised education, mentorship, and policy mkasupport as critical tools for long-term development
. In her lecture, Dr. Edith Rahaman advocated self-investment and grassroots empowerment, particularly for the girl-child, as stakeholders collectively agreed that women’s ability to support one another is now central to building a more stable and inclusive society.
