Ojikutu Urges Women to Support One Another, Champion Education at Inner Wheel IWD Celebration

Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, has appealed to women to stop antagonising one another and instead support themselves in order to break barriers and rise to the top in both public and private sectors.

She also charged women and the girl child to acquire quality education so they can compete for leadership positions, adding that their conduct must command respect and reflect a high level of integrity.

The country’s first female deputy governor gave the charge in a message to the Inner Wheel District 911 celebration of the 2026 International Women’s Day and Empowerment Programme with the theme, “Give To Gain,” held at the Rotary Centre in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

Ojikutu, who was represented by Dr. Maria Gomez, stressed that leadership is not reserved for any gender but for those ready to serve, noting however that attaining leadership positions requires dedication and hard work.

She also urged women to intensify advocacy against war, child abuse, abusive relationships and corruption, pointing out that women are often the major victims of these societal challenges.

The former deputy governor, who was the Special Guest at the event, noted that there has been a shift in the narrative compared to earlier times when the female child was not valued or appreciated.

In her presentation, the Guest Speaker, Mrs. Olufunke Fowler-Amba, expressed concern that Nigeria currently has only four women out of the 109 seats in the Senate, a situation she said shows that women are still underrepresented in the corridors of power.

She therefore called on women to empower one another and remain committed to the vision and mission of the Inner Wheel District 911 Club.

According to her, women must always be ready to give—not only financially but also through mentoring, teaching and volunteering in their communities.

“Service from the heart has a lasting impact on society,” she said, urging women not to look down on anyone.

Earlier, the Chairman of Inner Wheel District 911, Omolola Fakeye, said the organisation was delighted to join millions of women across the world to celebrate the strength, resilience, passion and achievements of women.

She described International Women’s Day as a call to action and a collective responsibility to accelerate gender equality and women empowerment globally, noting that Inner Wheel is one of the largest humanitarian service organisations in the world.

Fakeye added that although women are breaking barriers across various sectors, many still face obstacles that limit their growth, particularly in education.

She therefore called for sustained support for vulnerable women and policies that promote the welfare of women and the girl child, stressing the need for community-based initiatives that support widows and young girls.

During a panel session coordinated by the immediate past Chairman of District 911, Mrs. Adenike Sodipo, a university lecturer, Prof. Oyenike Adeola Adeosun, lamented that competition rather than collaboration has characterised relationships among women over the years.

She, however, noted that the environment is gradually changing and acknowledged that many women played significant roles in her academic advancement.

Also speaking, entrepreneur Ms. Temitope Kayode-Ojo stressed the need for women to position themselves strategically to make meaningful impact in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

Similarly, the Head of Finance at Heirs Thermocool, Mrs. Mary Obadina, said she has survived in a male-dominated field through resilience, passion and strong relationships with colleagues.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of empowerment support to seven widows, referred to as the “Women of Grace,” to help boost their businesses.

The Inner Wheel Club, founded in 1924, operates in 105 countries around the world and focuses on promoting friendship and selfless service to vulnerable groups, especially women in society.