Opinion: Ambode's wife and the burden of service

Editor's note: Dr Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef, commissioner, Lagos state ministry of home affairs, in this piece, acknowledges the personality and humanitarian services being carried out by Mrs Bolanle Ambode, wife of Lagos state governor. Lateef claims the first lady is a woman who has brought sunshine into many lives through numerous caring heart projects.

I grew up knowing that the first step to greatness is to admire greatness. Finding my way to the spotlight of public life however taught me that we owe our society the duty of celebrating greatness in a world where negativity has greater audience. This is the conviction with which I tell the world about the greatness I see in Mrs Bolanle Ambode.

Indeed, Nigerians have had many First Ladies both at the federal and state levels. But the current First Lady of Lagos state, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, is one with a difference. She is not only an epitome of humility but she is also a paragon of modesty with deep love and affection for the underprivileged people, particularly the rural dwellers who are the primary targets of her humanitarian initiatives.

Right at the Central Primary School, Oba Akinjobi Way Ikeja on February 17, 2017, the First Lady flagged off distribution of 175,000 school shoes and socks, to children in Lagos State public primary school 1-3. The distribution of these items was never by mistake or accident. It was a conscious act and promise that was faithfully fulfilled in spite of the number of pupils and resources involved.

The essence of school shoes must not be lost on us so soon if we can recall its devastating implications in our political misadventure of recent. This generous and motherly gift of shoes and socks are important and symbolic in a system where the shoe has become a mark of status while uniform has become a leveller.

The provision of uniform shoes to all children of different backgrounds and status is indeed a creative strategy for the attainment of “Project Bright Steps” of the First Lady. One, disadvantaged parents are relieved of the cost of shoes as their children and wards return to school. Two, the pupils too are purged of envy, unnecessary show off, rivalry and segregation on the basis of foot wears. With a uniform clothe and shoe, the children are left to face their studies squarely with a high sense of equality.

The far-reaching and thoughtful projects of the Lagos state first lady are a clear testimony of her being a gift to humanity. The empowerment of widows in a system where women are overburdened with family upkeep in addition to child upbringing can only place her on the same pedestal with Melinda Gate, the wife of the world’s richest man, who is widely regarded as a thoughtful campaigner and works methodically to drive change without seeking the limelight.

However, the uniqueness and effectiveness of the project of Mrs. Ambode on the widow lie in its extensive research leading to distinct categorization that determines and specifies appropriate needs of each group.

After a careful analysis, the first lady said at the occasion of her widow empowerment programme that “we realized that though all the widows need support, but the same type of assistance cannot work for everyone because of age differences and circumstances around them,” And working in line with the analysis, beneficiaries of her largesse were divided into three categories, one of them being those that require skill acquisition, these are relatively young widows. The second category comprises those that require equipment support to stabilize their businesses. The last category has widows that require financial assistance to expand their businesses.

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I am more than convinced that Lagosians haven’t seen anything yet from the amiable First Lady of Lagos State. She has just begun like her husband just started the work of changing the face of Lagos. Mrs. Ambode too is currently changing the orientation of women, young children and the underprivileged.

This opinion piece was written by Dr Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of NAIJ.com.

Watch this clip of woman speaking on Governor Ambode's administration.