Sola POPOOLA
The deputy governor of Ogun State,Noimot Salako‑Oyedele has secured an endorsement from the Women Radio 91.7,
to run for the 2027 governorship race .
Toun Okewale Sonaiya, Chair Board of Directors Women Radio WFM 91.7 gave this endorsement at the 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) United Nations, New York held on March 12, 2026.
In her opening remarks at 2nd Edition of Nigerian Women’s Day and framing of the dialogue on 31 years of progress, resilience, impact and renewed hope, Okawale Sonaiya declared that Salako‑Oyedele remains a good candidate for Nigeria’s 1st elected female governor.
She posited that woman candidate represents more than a name on the ballot ,adding that the deputy governor had served excellently for 8 years.
Okawale Sonaiya advocated expansion of leadership space to give women the opportunity to serve at the highest level .
She argued that female leadership brings balance and social development, adding that the woman candidate represents more than a name on the ballot.
She said : “any administration that is inclusive, deliberate, intentional and Interested about women and her families and children like this administration should not just be commended, but be supported. I’m not a politician. I’m a woman. My constituency is women. In my line of duty I work with data to inform and educate. With the data before me, I believe we’re on the right track. I’m calling you to join forces to actualise these well thought out interventions. My personal advice to HMWA&SD please work with Young people to drive these interventions. Young people are doers. Young people are performers. Young people are executioners .
She hinted that Nigerian women, children, families and vulnerable people, especially in 774 rural areas, face big challenges that stop them from contributing to the country’s growth.
The Women Radio board chair.disclosed that “women in Leadership and Politics with SheRuns is targeting 5million Young and aspiring women leaders and girls.
“This is an area that I’m passionate about. SheRuns will be our biggest voting bloc strategy to penetrate. The truth be told, women needs financial muscle to play on this field. If we put the energy we all put into the Special Seats Bill Reserved for Women into SheRuns, we will galvanise and push for women to be at the table and not to be eaten like the menu.
” SheRuns will position Nigerian women to be able to take any seat we want in this Nigeria. At the moment we have 9 female deputy governors, the highest we’ve had. But we want more and I think with SheRuns we can galvanise to have Nigeria’s first elected female governor for 2027. The deputy governor of my state Ogun has served excellently for 8 years, she is a good candidate for Nigeria’s 1st elected female governor hopefully under SheRuns .
“With SheRuns a leadership academy for mentoring and funding for women, our future in governance looks hopeful. HerSafeHaven – SafeSpaces infrastructure targeting women, children, family. SGBV response mapping, psychosocial support and the last one FamilyFirst ensuring stability in families, that families are ok with family oriented and targeted programmes as part of the National agenda is welcoming”
Enumerating the various interventions by the government ,Okewale- Shonaiya said:
” Nigeria’s gender ministry has come up with 9 robust “WomanAgenda” under the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions -RH-SII with a singular aim – to help, make and empower 50 million Nigerians especially disadvantaged women to drive a change that will benefit the people and the country, and these interventions will keep working long-term with your partnership. RH-SII is already working on multiple fronts to support women and vulnerable groups and to build stronger communities. But this is a huge project that the ministry alone cannot implement. This is the jigsaw that needs you, your commitment, your support and your partnership to rebuild our Nigeria”