SANWO-OLU PROMISES SUPPORT FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has promised to give full support to women-owned/women-led businesses to move them “to the next level where they can also compete favourably and secure public contracts which would ultimately foster economic equality”.

The Governor made the pledge while speaking at a high-level policy dialogue on affirmative procurement, organised by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency in collaboration with UN Women,  held recently at Protea Hotel, CBD, Ikeja, Lagos. 

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Finance in the State, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi, noted that the theme of the event: “Advancing Affirmative Procurement for Women-owned/Women-led Businesses in Lagos State”, aligned with his administration’s policy on women empowerment, socio-economic emancipation, gender equality and social inclusion, which formed part of the T.H.E.M.E. Plus Agenda.

The Governor also pointed out that encouraging and supporting women entrepreneurs would lead to environmentally sustainable business models and a more resilient and ethical business environment because women are known as “drivers of sustainable practices and social responsibility”.

Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro stated that women-owned/women-led businesses, not only in Lagos State but in Nigeria as a whole have not been adequately benefiting from public procurement opportunities.

The Head of Service, who was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, Office of  Sustainable Development Goals in the State, Mrs. Bose George, expressed delight that the policy dialogue would bring about a new course of action that would serve as an impetus for the economic empowerment of women-owned/women-led businesses, particularly about ensuring increased access to the various opportunities in public procurement in the State.

Welcoming participants to the occasion, the Director-General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, commended the UN Women for its efforts in collaborating with the State Government on the economic empowerment of women in the State through support for affirmative procurement.

Mr. Onafowote briefed participants on the series of programmes on affirmative procurement for women-owned/women-led businesses, aimed at the economic empowerment of women that had been jointly organised by the UN Women and the Agency.

The Director-General pointed out that even though affirmative procurement for women-owned/women-led businesses is desirable, the fact that the Lagos State Public Law is gender-neutral poses a challenge, noting that the law demands that the public procurement is practised without prejudice to any gender.

He, however, opined that since the Law is made for man, an avenue for granting special concessions to women-owned/women-led businesses to enable them to benefit more from available procurement opportunities from the State Government must be found.

Mr. Onafowote further stated that the high-level policy dialogue was, therefore, organised to enable policymakers and senior Government officials in the State to help in proffering solutions and strategies towards advancing affirmative procurement for women-owned/women-led businesses in Lagos State.

In his goodwill message at the event, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, stated that the House was very passionate and concerned about issues that affect the economic empowerment and welfare of residents of the State.

The Speaker, who was represented at the occasion by the Chairman, House Committee on Procurement, Hon. Samuel Olufemi Apata, assured that the House was ready to give necessary legislative backing to support affirmative procurement for women-owned/women-led businesses in the State, stating that the age when women were relegated to the background is gone.

Speaking on behalf of the UN Women, the Programme Coordinator for Lagos Affirmative Procurement, Mrs. Patience Ekechukwu, stated that the organisation was focused on how to support women to get more than they are currently getting from economic opportunities in Government.

She also listed the various challenges confronting women-owned/women-led businesses in the State, including lack of access to information, lack of capital, and cultural barriers among others.

Mrs. Ekechukwu also commended the Lagos State Government for its collaboration with her organisation on the empowerment of women through affirmative procurement for women-owned/women-led businesses in the State.