Our correspondent, ROWENA CHUKUKA graced a recent conference of the Women’s wing of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos State chapter and had a chat with the leader, whose says amongst others,My Desire Is To Bring Women To The Limelight—Comrade Oladipupo
In the interest of our readers, could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Comrade Olabisi Oladipupo, the chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Women committee Lagos Chapter. I am from Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees ( NULGE)
Can you please tell us a little about your recent programme?
The programme was great, one of its kind. We have not had it before like this last one. You saw the caliber of resources persons that were here. It was a success, with the support of our great chief Comrade Funmi Sesse and Chief TNA Korodo and our committee members.
First of all I thank almighty Allah for making the programme a reality. It was not easy at the beginning because of funds but due to the unity within the executives and with the members, we were able to do it. I personally believe in division of labour that was what made it easy for us during our preparation. Comrade Sesse, the number one in the Lagos State chapter of the NLC is a role model
This is the first programme we are doing since we came on board.
Congratulations. Now, with what happened in the first one, how frequently are you likely to hold more programmes, quarterly, monthly or what?
Our programmes are going to be quarterly. Comrade Sesse, just said we are going to do more programmes next year.
First of all We were taught on attitude issues, like backbiting, enviousness, selfishness. We were also taught on Covid 19, how to be safe and productivity.
We learnt about trade Union responsibilities, relation between the executives and the members, to enable us know our duties as committee members etc.
In our last meeting I told our women it is not going to be Aluta Aluta henceforth; we need to learn so many skills, for example, skills acquisition in the area of make-up, tie and dye, gele, soap making baking, hair dressing etc. There would be more programmes after this.
We have started celebrating our women on their birthdays. We started from July to September 2021 and we are going to be celebrating ourselves more and more.
What do you have to tell those that couldn’t attend this programme, whether from within the union or without?
Will implore women to stop fighting one another; we don’t need it.
I will advice our women to support each, other women, and to stop bringing our fellow women down.
Do you have intentions of taking your programmes outside Lagos or outside Nigeria?
Yes. You heard from our Number One of Lagos State NLC; we would be going outside Lagos state, to Dubai, South Africa and USA etc next year.
We know getting funding for some of your activities could be challenging, how did you get funds for this programme?
There was no money, we sought for funds by writing to some organisations for support, through our women and we also used our personal money.
‘Bring women back to the limelight
As the number one person in the Women Committee of Lagos State NLC, What advice do you have for women within the NLC fold ?
I tell our women to stop the habit of backbiting, jealousy or bringing ourselves down. When I see my fellow women doing something wrong, is should advice instead of gossiping about it.. it should be so even in our communities because we are mothers and we are nation builders.
You are involved in union activities and still fulfil your duties at home, how are you able to do this?
As I said I am a local government staff from National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and I want to appreciate my president, Comrade Afolabi Ajose; I give it to him my boss; he made me whom I am today and I pray, whatever he lays his hands on, the almighty Allah will make it a good one for him.
I try my best because of the position I find myself in the NLC today but my boss, everybody in my office have been showing their understanding. Even my husband understand how it is with the office and he has been an encouragement. He will always say,”put more” efforts. ”
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What is your promise for the confidence which women have reposed in you?
I am praying, my desire is to bring women to the limelight, and i want to be able to do that.
I want to achieve that with the help of these people I mentioned, and the programmes that we want to participate in.
When I do my 5times daily prayers, I always pray to Allah to bless me, my chairperson, Chief Comrade Olufunmilayo Sesse for she is my backbone. The same for my president Comrade Afolabi who also has been a pillar of support. I always pray for grace to do well in the office,help women and make these people proud.
