Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Wednesday advocated economic empowerment of women, saying that this would enhance the achievement of gender equality and pro-poor economic growth.

The governor stated this while declaring open the 2nd National Women Summit of the Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association (OYSOWA) held in Ibadan.

``Africa’s growth will be enhanced if we invest in women, as such investment is smart economics. Indeed, investment in girls is even smarter economics,’’ he said.

Governor Ajimobi expressed the regret that today, many African women face social inequalities and lack of opportunities, purely because of their sex.

``One major barrier against their advancement is poor access to basic health care. This is a serious issue as it exacerbates an already bad situation. Maternal mortality rates continue to be extremely high with 47 percent of global maternal mortality occurring in Africa.

``Although progress has been made in Nigeria in this regard, we continue to have one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world,’’ he said.

The governor identified poor or lack of access to quality education as another impediment to women and girls’ empowerment.

``A correlation has long been established between the education of girls and women and such indices as better early childhood and nutritional outcomes, more efficient labour markets and higher economic growth rates.

``Indeed, Mandela also called education “the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Yet, in many African countries, the gender gap in educational attainment at all levels remains very high, while the primary education of female children is at 67 per cent,’’ he noted.

Governor Ajimobi also called for increased women participation in politics, saying this was of strategic importance, not only for women’s empowerment but because it had broader benefits and impacts.

``The evidence suggests that budgetary allocation is more effective and efficient, and ultimately produces superior human development outcomes, in countries where women are more broadly represented,’’ he stated.

In her address, Wife of former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Oluremi Tinubu acknowledged women’s contributions in the areas of finance, technology, law, media and other areas of the corporate world, adding that women had been acquainting themselves meritoriously in high positions.

She commended Mrs. Ajimobi and all members of OYSOWA for setting out on a mission to effect positive change in the physical, emotion, social and economic well-being of families and communities in the state.

Also speaking, the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan said that women should be more involved in decision making at very high level in the positive transformation of the society.

``Nigerian women must be given equal chance as their male counterpart to contribute to the needed desire for a better Nigeria,’’ Mrs. Jonathan, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Women Affairs, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mrs. Uche Nwafor.

In her welcome address, Mrs. Ajimobi said that the summit was aimed at creating a platform for women from different walks of life to come together to bare their minds on salient issues affecting them and to come up with practical solutions and recommendations.