… says Ambode, COWLSO instrumental to brand’s emergence
Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu has said that the production of Lake Rice through the joint efforts of Kebbi and Lagos states has reduced the importation of the staple food by 90 per cent.
Bagudu, who commended his Lagos counterpart, Ambode, for his commitment to the production of the brand, however, said that the achieving the feat would not have been possible without the support of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the three-day 18th National Women’s Conference organised by COWLSO in Lagos, Bagudu disclosed that the partnership between Kebbi and Lagos had helped to improve the economy of Lagos, Kebbi and Nigeria in terms of local production of rice.
“Without Ambode, there would not have been Lake Rice. The significance of Lake Rice is that it has encouraged a revival of the ‘I can do it spirit,” he said.
The governor noted that the emergence of Lake Rice had help the nation to reduce the importation of rice by 90 percent, as captured by President Muhammadu Buhari recently at a meeting with the British Prime Minister, Theresa May.
“Without Ambode, we won’t have been able to do that and that was because he got the support of his wife, who is the Chairman of COWLSO. His wife supported the idea and that was why it was successful,” he
said.
Bagudu, however, said COWLSO had done tremendously well by organising the conference over the years in order to reposition women and take them to an enviable position in the society, adding that he was impressed that women in Lagos could take time off their busy schedule to gather in a place to network and educate themselves on issues affecting women and society.
In his remarks, Ambode commended COWLSO for organising the annual event, saying that his wife, Bolanle, had been able to take the committee to a higher level than she met it.
The governor said he had no doubt that the three-day programme provided opportunities for networking and education among the women, adding that the opportunity to be part of the conference was a privilege that came with responsibilities.
“You have a responsibility to share your experience with others around you. This is the only way you can deepen what you have learnt at the programme. Government will give attention to the recommendation in the communiqué,” he promised.
