She is one woman that needs no introduction, especially for her accomplishments in the health sector. The very virtuous, amiable and quintessential First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, is a woman to be admired by all and sundry, and of course, celebrated as well.
Dr Ibijoke, who is the first Medical Practitioner to become the First Lady of Lagos State, is a combination of beauty and intellect, and has put in so much passionate effort to make her part of the world, a better place.
Born on January 8, 1967 to the family of Paulinus Olusegun Carren of Popoaguda, Brazilian descendant area of Lagos Island, Ibijoke holds a bachelor of medicine, Bachelor of surgery (M.B.B.S), from the prestigious University of Lagos, Akoka. She also holds a post graduate diploma in hospital and health management (PGDHM); Diploma in Anesthesia (DA); Masters of Public Health (MPH) and Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
Dr Ibijoke, a very brilliant mind, is also an active member of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Lagos Anesthetic Association (LAA), Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), and Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), where she is currently serving as the Chairman.
Before she became the First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke served Lagos State Government on merit for 25 years, and rose through the ranks to become the Chief Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of Harvey Road Comprehensive Health Centre, Yaba; and later General Hospital, Somolu.
She had sworn when she became the new Chairman of COWLSO, that she would do her best and move COWLSO to the next level. And she has not stopped doing that. She has zestfully and passionately promoted the ideals of COWLSO, and the activities of the organization through her, has complemented the efforts of the Lagos State
Government into making the welfare of Lagos State residents much better.
She has introduced initiatives like the Senior Citizens Visit, through the activities of COWLSO. The visit was aimed at appreciating senior citizens and identify with them, in whatever they are going through. The visit impacted the lives of over 42 senior citizens and counting and brought a reciprocation from the senior citizens as well.
Dr Ibijoke, has consistently lived her passion of being a voice for women and children, by advocating against all forms of sexual abuse and domestic violence against women and children. And this she did even in the health and environmental sectors, augmenting the developmental agenda of the present administration for greater Lagos, otherwise known as T.H.E.M.E.S talks about Health and Environment.
Dr Ibijoke, was an active participant in the Free Health Mission of the then Sanwo-Olu election campaign train that impacted all parts of Lagos State, particularly the rural and riverine communities. And even after her emergence as the First Lady of the state, she is still actively involved in the Lagos State Healthy Bee Project, a free health initiative carried out by the State Government in partnership with Babajide Olusola Sanwo- Olu/Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (BOSKOH), Health Care Mission International, an offspring of Sanwo Cares and Independent Campaign Group (ICG).
The program helped the present administration to revamp, rejuvenate and reposition healthcare delivery in the State, especially in the areas of, Pediatric Eye Surgery, Dental Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Adult Eye Surgery, at General Hospitals in Lagos State.
She has also worked with several non-governmental organizations, to administer health interventions for free, for various ailments such as Lipomas, Breast Lumps, Hernia and Fibroid, with additional Free Consultation and Free Dental Check etc. she has also raised a lot of awareness about the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme.
Dr Ibijoke, has also advocated for the environmental sector, by encouraging women to embrace the Blue Box Program of the Lagos State Government. This is one of her other initiatives to engender clean, healthier, livable and sustainable environment for Lagosians, and encourages waste sorting through the services of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).
Dr Ibijoke also created the ‘Adopt a Student Project,’ which creates more awareness to women, building more youth centres, and a lot of health interventions, through COWLSO.
The positive impacts of the 2019 COWLSO Conference, with the theme: “Unlearn, Learn and Relearn: 21st Century Women’s THEMES Approach / Perspectives”, are still being felt across the state. The over 3,000 participants of the conference, went through three days of mind shifting trainings and brainstorming on how to equip women, and position them to key into the emerging opportunities in Lagos State.
Did you know that Dr Ibijoke is also athletic? Well, she made records as the first First Lady to finish an athletic road race in the 2019 edition of the annual
Lagos Women Run. She flagged off the race at the Tafawa Balewa Square, and also ran the whole course of the 10km race to the finish point, at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
Other projects she has championed including the annual Children’s Party and Christmas Party, with collaborations with relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies. And she made dramatic improvements in the annual first baby of the year celebration, by paying special visit for the first time to some general hospitals that have never benefited from the initiative since it started 18 years ago.
Needless to say, that Dr Ibijoke’s life is that of service, passion and empathy to women and children and she has impacted the lives of these individuals immensely.
