Oluyemi Ibiloye, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo State, has advocated for greater involvement of women in fostering peace and reconciliation efforts for the advancement of society.
Ibiloye articulated this message during the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration, orchestrated by the Ondo State Civil Defence Officers Wives Association (CDOWA), held on Friday in Akure.
The theme of the programme is “Invest In Women Accelerate Progress”
The commandant, who said that women were change agents in the society, appealed to mothers and good women across the country to replicate what they were doing in the life of their children, especially the girl-child.
According to him, when you find a child is wayward by his or her development of some negative vices, you need to check as there might not be a woman in that house.
“”Our girl-child is another area we need to work at and replicate what we have been doing in their lives because we must raise these children in such a way that they take over from us.
“It is so sad to see some female children picking up negative vices and getting involved in security issues, especially cybercrime.
“And we know that women build homes and we want to enjoin women to also help us to build these children and not just to build a girl-child, but also build a male-child as well,” he said.
He, therefore, said that civil defence would continue to be an advocate of peace, and sensitised members of the public to shun human trafficking.
Earlier, in her address, CDOWA Chairperson, Adesola Ibiloye, said that the programme was aimed to celebrate the women folks for their impact in the home and economic building.
She described women as a special breed who could turn things around when given the chance.
The chairperson also said that women needed to be inspired to be included in all the good things, especially in politics, governance, well being and where decisions were being taken.
According to her, women are multipliers and any investment in a woman is an opportunity for multiplication, that is how the creator designed us; we give life, we nurture, and we incubate.
“One cannot even imagine a world without women. Gone were those days that the place of a woman was in the kitchen.
“Today, women are doing exploits in various fields of endeavors and competing healthily with their male counterparts.
“So, the time has come for women to strive for higher achievements, be encouraged to work harder, to push beyond perceived barriers, and even strive to be their best,” she said.