The Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, was yesterday agog when First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, visited Ibadan on a one-day tour of the Oyo State capital. While inaugurating the Women for Change and Development Initiative (WCDI), she urged the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to encourage greater women participation in the forthcoming election, saying that the initiative was committed to achieving improvement in the economic well-being of the nation’s urban and rural women, including the less-privileged in the society.

Her words: “I did promise that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan would allocate more political space to the women. This he has faithfully done. Today, I’m glad to announce that in the history of Nigeria, it is the first time that a total of 13 women are serving in the cabinet as ministers and special assistants.

“One way we have tried to impact on the lives of women is by championing the representation of women, especially the ‘35 per cent affirmation action’ in respect of women representation in governance. It will interest you to know that the Women for Change and Development Initiative has collaborated with many organisations and public spirited individuals in the discharge of its role in line with the transformation agenda of the current administration.”

The First Lady had also appealed to Nigerians not to lose hope on the Chibok girls, assuring that the Federal Government is still making efforts to ensure their safe release.

In her speech, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, wife of the Oyo State Governor, commended the First Lady for her love and commitment to the political emancipation of women.

Among those present at the event were wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko; wife of the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Janet Adeyemo; Mrs Abiodun Arapaja; Iyalode of Ibadanland Alhaja Aminat Abiodun; Alhaja Bose Adedibu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs; Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, and wife of former Oyo State Governor, Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja.

•Photo shows Dame Patience Jonathan.