By: Rafiu Jossa
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| Babatunde Hunpe and Elizabeth Hunpe |
BADAGRY, LAGOS – The Badagry Local Government Area successfully celebrated its Seventh Annual Badagry Women Symposium, now rebranded as the Badagry Women Annual Conference (BWAC) 2025, giving out cash prizes, essential household supplies and equipment amd a Car.
The upgraded event, held from December 15-17 at the Badagry Grammar School, shifted from a one-day lecture to a three-day extravaganza of empowerment, advocacy, and substantial material support.
Marking a significant evolution, the 2025 conference witnessed an unprecedented turnout, distributing essential household supplies, life-changing cash prizes, and a powerful message of political inclusion to thousands of local women.
The climax of the event on Wednesday, December 17, was nothing short of transformative for beneficiaries. Beyond the distribution of essential household items, hundreds of lucky women won dazzling prizes through an extensive raffle draw.
Winners received cash grants ranging from ₦10,000 to ₦500,000, alongside 55-inch smart televisions, chest freezers, gas cookers, vehicles, and bundles of clothing.
Chief (Mrs.) Elizabeth Hunpe, the Chairperson and chief host, expressed profound joy, assuring Badagry women of sustained inclusiveness in the administration’s agenda. “We appreciate them as we know their worth,” she stated, highlighting the program’s unifying power across party and ethnic lines.
Central to the Badagry Women Annual Conference 2025 was a dual focus on economic and political empowerment. A keynote lecture educated attendees on becoming more resourceful and impactful community members. Simultaneously, the platform was used to vigorously advocate for increased women’s inclusion in political power, from grassroots to national levels.
Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, explained the rationale behind expanding the event: “We decided we have to continue the program… We also thought it shouldn’t be all academic… encouraging women to be in politics.” He noted that women already comprise significant portions of local councils and committees.
The sentiment of appreciation and future ambition was echoed by other local government officials. Mrs. Mary Olusanya, Council Manager, emphasized the value placed on women as “the first teachers of the children,” while confirming the new conference format was met with overwhelming happiness.
Council Treasurer Gbanga Hunponu-Wusu advised beneficiaries to convert their gains into community benefits, stressing the importance of a strong relationship between the chairman’s wife and the women of Badagry. This holistic approach combining tangible goods, financial seed capital, and leadership training aims to create a lasting socio-economic impact.
Badagry Women Symposium 2025, under the new banner of BWAC, sets a new benchmark for local government-led gender empowerment programs in Lagos State. By transforming into a multi-day conference with substantial prizes and a clear political advocacy agenda, the event has firmly established itself as a pivotal annual gathering for women in the Badagry community. Organizers have pledged to continue innovating and expanding the initiative, ensuring that the empowerment of women remains a central pillar of local governance and development in the region.