The Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion has honoured the lawmaker representing Ibadan South East/North East federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep. Abass Adigun Agboworin, for his outstanding contributions to women empowerment in the state.
Agboworin, who is a two-term lawmaker, received the 2024 special recognition award as the ‘Pillar of Women Empowerment in Oyo State’, on Tuesday, during an event commemorating the International Women’s Day.
The event put together by the Oyo State government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, in collaboration with the Office of the Wife of the Governor, had dignitaries, captains of industries among others in attendance.
Speaking at the event, which held at Dayplan Event Centre along Eleyele road, Ibadan, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon. Mrs. Toyin Balogun, commended Agboworin’s exemplary leadership qualities, and tireless efforts, describing him as a bridge-builder.
She categorically noted that Agboworin has, through his numerous initiatives and projects, has touched lives of countless individuals not only in his constituency but also the state through various empowerment programmes for youth and women.
According to her, Rep. Agboworin was recognised, among few others, as the only lawmaker in Oyo State, who has been very supportive to the business growth and development of women in the state.
Speaking further, while urging women to always support themselves to build bridges and break boundaries, she tasked them to create networks of support that foster growth, confidence, and success.
She further explained that adequate arrangements have been made to capture the concerns of women and the vulnerable in the society in the State 2025 proposed budget.
A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party and former lawmaker, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, who was also at the event, commended the role of women in the society, noting that “women can do better what men can do.”
While acknowledging various challenges women are facing, she called on government at levels to invest in women and girls in order to unlock their full potential and create a brighter future for the female gender.
In her address, the Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Tamunomini Makinde, charged women to keep breaking barriers and creating a world where women are empowered in every sense of the word.
She noted that when women support one another, they form an unbreakable bond that can weather any storm.
The highlights of the event were raffle draw in which some of the women present went home with valuable gifts such as shops at the new Gbagi Market Ibadan, garri processing machines, 12kg gas cylinders and also presentation of awards to women and men who have done exceptional things for women in the state.
Other participants at the event invlude the wife of the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Mrs Olamidun Ogundoyin; the Chief judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Justice Olusola Adetujoye and a Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Chief Bose Adedibu, who appreciated the unwavering support and empowerment women are enjoying under Seyi Makinde’s administration.
