Obasa advocates more empowerment opportunities for women

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa, has advocated for improved access to education and empowerment opportunities for women.

Obasa made this call on Wednesday while delivering his opening remarks at the 16th Annual Hijrah Lecture held in Lagos, themed “The Muslim Woman and Societal Reformation: Balancing Between Islamic Culture and Western Civilization.”

The Speaker outlined the efforts of the Lagos Assembly to protect women and children, referencing laws enacted against domestic and sexual violence, the establishment of sexual violence response desks in all local government areas, and the domestication of the Child Rights Act.

He called for a collective return to moral values, gender equity, and Islamic teachings as tools for societal reform and the eradication of social vices.

Obasa emphasized the importance of sustaining Islam in society through education, civic responsibility, and ethical leadership, adding “The Hijrah is not just a journey from Mecca to Medina; it is a call to fulfill our social, civic, and political duties. Islam holds women in high esteem. As the Prophet (SAW) said, ‘Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers”.

Commenting on the growing erosion of moral values, he condemned social ills such as drug abuse and prostitution, cautioning against placing the blame solely on women.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Hon. Nureni Akinsanya highlighted the dual expectations Muslim women face in balancing Islamic principles with societal demands. He proposed that female civil servants be posted closer to their homes and granted maternity leave with child-support allowances to ease their responsibilities both at work and at home.

The guest lecturer, Prof. (Mrs) Jameelah Yaqub of Lagos State University, lamented the rising cases of corruption and drug addiction among youths. She emphasized the role of women in nation-building through proper parenting and moral upbringing. “When you train a woman, you train a nation,” she said, calling for more female-friendly policies in the workplace.

In a second lecture, Shaykh Prof. Abdurrazzaq Abdulmajid Alaro urged Muslims not to trade their eternal reward for worldly gain, stressing the need to focus on legacy and values. He condemned actions that hinder Muslim women’s rights, citing recent concerns over the alleged directive by JAMB for some candidates to remove their hijab during registration for the 2025 exams—despite a Supreme Court ruling in favor of hijab usage.