Paramount Ruler of Remoland commends Women Radio initiative of organizing town hall meeting on role of men in home management

The Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi has commended the management of the Nigeria’s first female radio station, WFM for the initiative of organizing first men town hall meeting in the country aimed to address role of men in protecting women and girls.

Penpushing reports that the monarch gave the commendation on Tuesday while speaking at the meeting organized by the Women radio with support from Ford Foundation and Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation held in his palace, Sagamu

The Torungbuwa II, expressed appreciation to organizers, sponsors and attendees for their presence and contributions, and equally advised men to always consider women and girl child as special creatures and weaker who should be treated with utmost care.

Penpushing further reports that the first-class traditional ruler emphasized that the Toun Okewale-Sonaiya led Nigeria’s only radio station for women and their families, is a pride of the country and encouraged the team to continue the good work.

The keynote speaker Aare Wemmy Olumide Osude in his paper pointed out the relevance to reflect on roles in protecting the very pillars that hold up homes, heritage, and humanity, that is, women and girls.

‘In our culture, men are builders. We are the foundation. But let us remember-no house stands without walls. Our women and girls are not just our walls; they are our strength, our nurturers, our continuity. When they are protected, our families thrive. When they are respected, our communities flourish. When they are empowered, our legacies endure’, he said.

Penpushing also reports that Osude noted that sadly, in many homes and communities, silence has replaced solidarity, adding that violence, both seen and unseen, eats into the soul of families, stressing that men must rise, not in dominance, but in dignity; not in force, but in fairness.

‘Change starts where love begins—at home. We must model respectful behavior for our sons and raise daughters who understand their worth. Let our homes reflect balance: in duties, in decisions, and in discipline. Whether in marriage or fatherhood, mentorship or guardianship, let our presence be peaceful and purposeful’, he stated.

Penpushing reports that he said men must become custodians of safety and not just physical safety, but emotional and psychological safety, stressing that when a girl can walk freely in our streets, when a woman can speak boldly in our gatherings, when our markets and mosques, churches and councils echo respect and equality-then we are truly men’.

‘The streets are safer-not only for women, but for everyone. We stop being bystanders and become brothers. And maybe—-just maybe— our women will stop looking at us suspiciously when we say “I’m going out for a quick meeting or have drinks with friends.”

Penpushing further reports that Osude added that men must work to ensure that laws protect, not punish, the vulnerable and that systems heal, not harm, stating that as traditional leaders, members of vigilante groups, influencers in churches, mosques, schools, and local governments, must advocate for justice and provide support for survivors of abuse.

The keynote speaker emphasized that there must be real protection for survivors and real consequences for offenders as well as real change led by real men declaring that that should start immediately

‘Change is not a tomorrow project-it is today’s promise. It begins in the way we speak to our wives, the way we teach our sons, the way we treat our daughters, and the jokes we laugh at with our peers’.

‘As role models, we must reject violence in all its forms- physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual. Cultural change is not instant, but it is possible. Let each of us be a seed of that change in our homes and spheres of influence’.

‘We must redefine masculinity, not as control, but as care. Let’s raise boys who cry without shame, men who listen without judgment, and leaders who lead with love. Positive masculinity is not weakness; it is wisdom’.

Penpushing also reports that he called on traditional rulers’ community chiefs, elders, and religious leaders for community structures and law enforcement, as well as uplift and protect, expressing need to use palaces, town halls, and shrines as centers of peace, not places where silence hides abuse.

‘Brothers, let us rise as guardians, not just of tradition, but of transformation. Let our legacies be measured not by wealth or titles, but by the safety we give, the respect we show, and the futures we protect’.

‘Let us teach our sons that strength is not in the fist, but in fairness. Let our daughters know that their dreams are not second-class. And let our wives, sisters, and mothers feel safe not only in the community, but in our presence. We are not just men, we are custodians of tomorrow.

‘If you remember nothing else after this town hall meeting today, remember this: Strong men don’t bully, strong men build, strong men don’t dominate, strong men defend strong men don’t stay silent, strong men speak up’, he emphasised.

Penpushing reports that Chairman of the occasion Oloye Jide Sosan in his remarks said the gathering was more than just a meeting, but a call to reflection and action, adding that it was a platform for men and leaders in their respective families, communities, and professions, to engage in deep conversations on how they can positively reshape the societal narrative concerning their role in fostering safe, healthy, and thriving communities.

The Chairman who commended the vision and commitment of Women Radio 91.7 FM for initiating this bold and timely intervention inn choosing to engage men directly, have demonstrated that the conversation around gender, family welfare, and communal development is not just a women’s issue – it is a shared responsibility.

‘Today’s dialogue focuses on the theme of protecting women and girls, and building stronger families and communities. This resonates deeply with our cultural values as Remo people, where men are expected to be protectors, providers, and moral compasses’, he stated.

‘We must ask ourselves some honest questions: Are we truly living up to those roles? What are we doing, individually and collectively, to ensure our wives, daughters, sisters, and neighbours feel safe, respected, and empowered? Are we raising boys with empathy and discipline, and nurturing our homes with love and integrity?’

‘This townhall is a timely reminder that gender-based violence, harmful stereotypes, and family breakdown are not distant issues. They are challenges within our homes, streets, and communities. And we, the men gathered here, must rise as allies, change-makers, and champions of a new cultural renaissance’.

Penpushing further reports that he urged participants to be open, honest, and solution-driven, and must see that that the meeting outcome be the start of a continuous movement where men actively take responsibility for creating safer, more inclusive, and more supportive environments for everyone.

Meanwhile, at the end of the session a special recognition, an award was presented to the monarch, by the management of the radio station, in recognition of his support and leadership quality for Remo people.

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