CITIZENS COMPASS— The Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Blue Economy, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, yesterday, reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to promoting an inclusive and sustainable Blue Economy through increased engagement with grassroots stakeholders, particularly women in riverine and coastal communities,
Mr. Emmanuel gave this assurance at the inaugural Riverine Women Leaders’ Dialogue 2026, organised by the Blue Lagos Sustainability Initiative at the Ijegun Egba Ferry Terminal, Satellite Town, Oriade LCDA, Lagos. The dialogue, themed “Women’s Participation, Leadership and Inclusion in the Blue Economy,” brought together women leaders from riverine communities across Lagos State to discuss community challenges, explore development opportunities, and strengthen their participation in decisions affecting their livelihoods and well-being.
The engagement provided a platform for women leaders to present their concerns and recommendations directly to the Special Adviser. Responding to the issues raised, Mr. Emmanuel assured participants that their submissions would be documented and communicated to the relevant government agencies for appropriate consideration and action. He added that matters requiring urgent attention would be prioritised, while others would be channelled through the appropriate institutions for follow-up.
The engagement underscored the importance of direct communication between government and community stakeholders in identifying challenges and developing responsive interventions, particularly in communities where waterways remain central to transportation, trade, livelihoods, and social interaction.
Speaking at the event, the Woman Leader of Blue Lagos, Olori Ololade Asani, explained that the dialogue was organised to give women leaders direct access to the Special Adviser, enabling them to communicate their concerns and make recommendations on issues affecting their communities without intermediaries. She emphasised that women must have a meaningful voice in governance discussions and decisions concerning their welfare, economic opportunities, and community development.
Similarly, the Team Lead of Blue Lagos, Mr. Saheed Adesanya, highlighted the initiative’s ongoing efforts to improve living conditions in riverine communities through healthcare outreach, access to essential services, livelihood support, water infrastructure, safety interventions, and community engagement. He noted that additional programmes were in the pipeline and expressed confidence that continued collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser would enable Blue Lagos to extend its reach to more underserved communities.
Mr. Adesanya reaffirmed the initiative’s commitment to its guiding principle, “No Community Is Left Behind,” emphasising its focus on practical, people-centred interventions that advance social inclusion and sustainable development.
As part of the programme, Blue Lagos distributed foodstuffs, life jackets, branded T-shirts, caps, solar torchlights, and stipends to participating women leaders. The gesture reflected the initiative’s commitment to community support and welfare, while the distribution of life jackets reinforced the importance of water safety in communities where waterways serve as essential connections to workplaces, markets, schools, and other destinations.
Speaking on behalf of the participating women, Olori Shittu Rashidat of Ibasa-Ijegun Egba Kingdom expressed appreciation to Blue Lagos for bringing women leaders together and providing them with an opportunity to engage directly with the Special Adviser. She described the dialogue as a welcome development, commending the initiative for recognising women’s contributions to community development and calling for sustained engagement to ensure that the concerns raised translate into tangible interventions.
The inaugural Riverine Women Leaders’ Dialogue 2026 marks another step towards strengthening collaboration among government, community leaders, and development stakeholders in Lagos State. By establishing a direct channel of communication between women leaders and the Office of the Special Adviser on Blue Economy, Blue Lagos is advancing participatory governance and creating opportunities for women to contribute actively to decisions shaping their communities.
The initiative reaffirmed that women should be recognised not merely as beneficiaries of development programmes but as active participants and leaders in building a more inclusive and sustainable Blue Economy.
Blue Lagos appreciates the Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy, participating women leaders, community stakeholders, and everyone who contributed to the success of the programme.
