The 2026 International Women’s Day celebration in the Office of Cabinet and Special Services, Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti State was a robust session of sensitization, interaction and advocacy for women self-development and advancement. It was a platform to push for a renewed commitment to self-care, empowerment, and intentional development among women in both public and private spheres.
The high-level engagement designed for all female officers in the department and other offices under the supervision of the Secretary to the State Government stressed the need to invest in women in every sphere of human endeavour for collective gain to the family, community and for overall national development.
Welcoming participants at the program, the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet and Special Services Department, Governor’s Office, Dr. Oyeyemi Kayode-Ojo, reflected on the enormous sacrifices women make daily, as wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and as the backbone of many homes and institutions, demanded that the society should support the women for empowerment and equal opportunities with men.
Dr. Kayode-Ojo further noted that empowering women goes beyond economic inclusion or political participation, adding that true empowerment must include access to healthcare, education, and opportunities for continuous personal development that enable women to grow in all facets of life.
Also in her Remarks, the Secretary to the State Government Prof. Habibat Adubiaro maintained that when women are healthy and well-developed, they are better positioned to make informed decisions, nurture their families more effectively, and contribute meaningfully to national growth and stability.
In her words, women must begin to shift their mindset from sacrificing their potentials and aspirations to embracing balance in work and family life, where caring for others does not come at the expense of their own well-being and future. She lauded the Cabinet Office under the leadership of the Permanent secretary for the frequent training, seminars and workshops meant for personal development and optimal performance of personnel.
The SSG stressed that self-care should not be viewed as indulgence, but rather as a critical practice that enables women to recharge, refocus, and maintain the resilience required to navigate their multiple responsibilities.
Also in his keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, Governor’s Office, mentioned that the place of women in socio-cultural and economic development of the society was significant and essential. He then encouraged female civil servants to prioritize self-development for a successful career which would attract gains to the society.
During the first session of the lecture, Mrs. Olayemi Falana, Director of Nursing Services at the Hospital Management Board, stressed preventive healthcare as a vital component of women’s well-being, warning that many life-threatening conditions can be avoided or managed if detected early.
Falana observed that many women seek medical attention only after conditions worsen, a trend she attributed to lack of awareness, financial limitations, and the prioritization of family needs over personal health.
She urged women to make routine medical check-ups a regularly practice, noting that proactive engagement in health care can drastically reduce salient killer diseases and enhance longevity. The Director also highlighted the need for awareness around common health challenges faced by women, including reproductive health, hormonal imbalances, and menopausal challenges, emphasizing that knowledge was a powerful tool for prevention and timely intervention.
Beyond physical health, discussions at the event also touched on the importance of self-identification and self-actualization as Dr. Olabisi Ogunmodede, Director, Special Services stressed the need for all round development and emotional resilience to enhance gender parity and empowerment. She stated further that the campaign slogan for 2026 IWD; Give to Gain was apt for individual empowerment that will translate to all over benefit of the society.
Also, the Director of Legal Drafting at the Ministry of Justice, Barrister Yetunde Kolawole, brought attention to the importance of assertiveness and legal awareness among women, urging them to understand their rights and seek justice whenever necessary. She pointed out that many women continue to suffer in silence due to lack of awareness or fear of societal backlash, a situation she described as detrimental to both individual dignity and societal progress.
Kolawole stressed that empowering women also involves equipping them with the confidence and knowledge to challenge injustice, whether in the workplace, within the family, or in the wider society. She then encouraged women to actively engage in self-reflection, noting that personal development requires continuous evaluation of one’s goals, values, and responsibilities in order to achieve meaningful growth. According to her, women must strike a balance between fulfilling societal expectations and pursuing their own ambitions, ensuring that their voices are heard and their contributions recognized.
Stakeholders at the event collectively agreed that achieving that balance required a supportive environment, including policies that promote gender equality, access to healthcare, and opportunities for education and skill acquisition. They also called for increased collaboration between government agencies, civil society organisations, and the private sector to create programmes that specifically address the unique challenges faced by women. They stressed that the theme of the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration should not remain a symbolic gesture, but must translate into tangible actions that improve the lives of women at all levels of society.
Participants were reminded that to achieve the campaign theme of 2026 IWD; Give to Gain, women must be ready to partner with men in the advocacy against gender inequality to foster a better society for all. The peak of the discussion was that a healthy and empowered woman would not only be an asset to her family but also a vital contributor to community development and national progress.