The Nation Newspaper

Tag: female president

  • 2019 Elections: Nigerian women campaign for Female President

    As the 2019 elections edges closer, prominent Nigerian women across various sectors of the economy are brimming with confidence and enthusiasm as they long for the emergence of the nation’s first female president.

    This hope was re-echoed by several notable guests on Thursday, last week at the MMS Hall of Famers’ Day and Charity Night organized by MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame (WoFHoF) Initiative to mark the 2018 United Nation’s International Women’s Day (IWD).

    Drawing inspiration from other African leaders like; Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma also known as ‘Mama Zuma’, first female chairman of the African Union (AU) who initiated WIMA (African Women in Maritime), and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia, most women at the MMS WoFHoF event said that a Nigerian woman can rise up to emerge President.

    Speaking with The Nation newspaper on the opportunities for women in 2019 general elections, Barr. Jean-Chiazor Anishere, Principal Counsel, Jean Chiazor & Co. (Ofianyi Chambers) said she expected more women who have the pedigree and capability to come out for the position of President and governorship candidacy.

    “I look forward to see a scenario where we have a female governor and a man as deputy. Nigerian women should also be bold enough to contest for the Presidency. We have people to look up to, like the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel; the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May and in the African continent; women like Ellen Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Mama Zuma who boldly came out to run for the Presidency in South Africa” Anishere said.

    Anishere, a 2012 MMS Plus Hall of Famer, also commended the organizers of the event for taking the initiative to promote and celebrate the female brand, even as she noted that the onus lies on the women who have been identified as leaders to discover other women, inspire and mentor them.

    Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees, Chairperson, MMS WoFHoF Initiative, Barr. (Mrs.) Margaret Orakwusi said Nigerian women should go into the next elections with a mindset to take-over because their numerical advantage.

    “Women should aspire to play a more significant role and show their capabilities. It is not going to be an election where everything would be about money. Several other factors would play crucial roles in the elections and most of these factors favour women”

    Orakwusi, who was recently appointed as a member of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Board of Directors, commended men who stood up to support women. According to her, the call for women to take up opportunities at various levels of corporate governance and public service was to complement the men and not unsolicited competition.

    “Women aren’t substandard. We aren’t second-class citizens. I don’t like being handed things to; a woman has to work because I believe she should deserve whatever is given to her. This makes you gain acceptability and respect from men”, she added.

    Another MMS WoFHoF, BoT member, Mrs. Promise Anaroke expressed confidence that 2019 general elections would roll out surprises for men because women have realized that they have been dormant for too long especially as they turn out more than men to vote.

    She said; “During elections you find that most men stay at home to relax with friends while the women actually go out to vote and remain there until their votes are counted. Yet, they vote for men who end up disappointing them. This time around women have decided that they would no longer be disappointed. We wouldn’t disappoint ourselves because we would turn out en masse to vote for women irrespective of the party you come from”

    Mrs. Promise Anaroke who is also the wife of the Founder of MMS WoFHoF Initiative, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke, was delighted at the turn out of women to support themselves at the event.

    However, expressing worry over the recurring incidents of kidnapped school girls in the North Eastern part of the country by Boko Haram insurgents, she said it was unfortunate that men should display their strength on defenseless girls.

    “As far I’m concerned, this act that the abductors see as their strength is actually a weakness because they shouldn’t display their strength by attacking helpless girls” she stated.

    On her part, Mrs. Ihuoma Onyearugha, a member of the Governing Council of MMS WoFHoF Initiative, admonished Nigerian women to take the acquisition of voter’s cards sacrosanct if they intend to maximize their numerical power at the polls.

    “Women all over the world are doing big things and I see the same happening in Nigeria. I see a woman becoming the President and the men better watch out” she said.

    Ihuoma, who is the Director, Human Resources and Medical – ‎Chevron Nigeria Limited, subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, urged women to not only vote women because of their gender but look out for those who actually have the ability and resolve to work for the nation.

    The event with the theme; “#Pressforprogress” also featured a fund raising segment for the less privileged who need about N10million. Although most of the participants supported this initiative generously, the amount raised fell short of the target and more sponsors are expected to participate.

    The convener, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke also admonished women to be keen on mentoring the younger generation as he lamented that the top women across various sectors of the nation’s economy are ageing and they barely have mentees.

    Mr. Anaroke stressed that this knowledge and experience gap was what gave birth to the MMS WoFHoF mentorship initiative “Women In Leadership and Career Empowerment Programme (WILCEP)” which subsequently led to the production of a book; “MENTORSHIP: The Link to Effective Leadership”. The book is a collection of the presentations of talented women who have stories to tell, with a guide to effective leadership across various sectors.

  • Rotary Club gets woman president 34 years after

    Rotary Club gets woman president 34 years after

    HISTORY was made in Rotary International District 9110 at the weekend when its club in Gbagada  installed its first female president, Mrs Adefowope Williamson. The club was chartered on February 27, 1984.

    The installation, which held at Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos, was spectacular in many ways. While the tables wore creamy cloths, the chairs were all in red, giving the hall a distinctive lookw. But many of the men of the club, wore white agbada with green caps to match, looked gorgeous in the outfit.

    At the kick off, there was a roll call of all the club’s past presidents, whose names and works were displayed on a screen. As they were called out, they filled out one by one with their spouses. Mr Lanre Kazeem, a veteran journalist, who was the 27th president, also matched in amid applause. There was also Mr Adenuga Taiwo. But some were either absent or not in during the kick off. For example, both Prof Kayode Taiwo and Yomi Adewunmi, a former District governor (DG), were not seen during the procession.

    It was at the end of this that Mrs Williamson called. Her procession was also spectacular. She was accompanied by four female ushers, who led the way and some women at the rear. They danced to the music supplied by the DJ as the new president and her husband made their way to the front.

    Kazeem said the past presidents deserved applause because it indicated that they had been in the club in the past 43 years.

    There was a ‘service of songs’ by pupils of Dobris Nursery Primary Schools, Lagos, who brought a band.  They sang and danced their hearts out as if they were the celebrators. ‘’Theirs was a spice to the event. I never said this last year,’’a guest quipped.

    Outgoing president Olanrewaju Akintilo gave a brief account of his tenure, thanking his colleagues for their support. This done, he handed over to Mrs Williamson by passing the gavel to her. Kazeem, who was the MC, joked that by that event, Akintilo had joined the list of ex-presidents in the association. The gavel like Moses’ staff, Akintilo added, is symbol of power and authority for her to control the club members.

    Akintilo told The Nation: ‘’My tenure was fulfilling, challenging and inspiring. We came in at a time of recession in the country. This affected donations. But with the support of our dedicated members, we were able to pull through, especially our star project, which was the renovation of Ifako Primary School, Gbagada.’’ To his successor, he prayed: ‘’May your tenure be fruitful.’’

    DG 9100 Wale Ogunbadejo praised the club, made up mainly of men, ‘’for being bold’’ to elect a woman to led them. This is no mean achievement, he said. He advised Mrs Williamson: ‘’You must be patient. The men will be judging you by their standards.’’ He urged the members to support the president and the non-members to join the club, noting that it is humanitarian organisation. ‘’Please join us in Rotary. We are to serve humanity. Let’s remember this,’’ he said.

    In her response, Mrs Williamson thanked the club for giving her the mantle of leadership. She also thanked her husband for her support. She listed all her projects, including one worth over N4million at the Carrena Public Health Post as perhaps, as her star project, during her one year administration, enjoining all to donate generously to enable her prosecute them.

    Before the installation, the new president had hit the ground running with the donation of some hospital equipment worth thousands of naira at the Ikorodu General Hospital.

    Former DG Dr. Mike Omotosho, a man of timber and calibre, according to his citation, gave an inspiring and exciting lecture.

    At the ceremony were important personalities. They included the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Kamal Salau-Bashau.

     

  • Rotary Club installs female president

    The Rotary Club of Ilupeju Central District has held its 5th handover and the investiture of its president.

    The event, which held at the Banquet Hall K-one Hotel and Suites, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja witnessed the inauguration of Eniola Afolabi as the first female president of the Rotary Club of Ilupeju Central District. She joined the Club in June, 2013.

    In his speech, the outgone President, Otunba Douglas Ishiodu paid tribute to his successor.

    ‘‘In her years, she served as Assistant Secretary/member Strategic Planning Committee and has held various positions which helped in taking the club to greater heights. Give her your supports.

    “Today, we induct her as President of the Rotary of Club of Ilupeju Central District,’’ he said.

    In her acceptance speech, Afolabi said: ‘‘I sincerely appreciate the significant contributions of our past presidents who have supported the club through thick and thin these five years to ensure that the club remains afloat, moving members beyond the club level to serve at district in various capacities through persistence and shear resolve to keep the torch burning no matter the situation.

    ‘‘I recognise the significant efforts of the state government, Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area and the community, stakeholders who had made our community a better place to live in.

    ‘‘As Rotarians, our cause and destiny lie in serving humanity and as change agents we have resolved to make the world a better place. We have various projects outlined for this year such as donation of school library centre, donation to old people’s home, supporting health-based programme, micro-credit for unemployed youths and market women, among others.

    ‘‘I enjoin you to support our initiatives and donate generously to ensure our quest to serve humanity is achieved,’’ she said.

    The new president will be assisted by the Vice-President Segun Awonuga ,Secretary, Folorunsho Ashecroft, Treasurer, Olamide Oguntayo, Chairman Club Administration Fitgerald Oleah, Chairman Membership Drive, Bridget Jaga-Creppy, Chairman Service Projects, Tope Kuyoro, Chairman Foundation, Ayo Ojo, Chairman PR, Debo-Luwaji, Chairman History and Archives, Gbenga Eleshin, Chairman Youth Activity, Biodun Adepoju, We Care Committee, Mercy Odoom and Babatunde Airoje SAA.

  • Lions Club gets female president

    Lions Club gets female president

    It was a joyous moment at Bezer Hall and Hotel, Sango-Ota, Ogun State penultimate weekend when family members, friends and well-wishers gathered to witness the induction of Lion Sandra Adesola Gbadebo as the 16th President and second female office holder of Ota Diamond Lions Club.

    She will pilot the affairs of the club for the 2016-2017 Lions Year.

    Royal fathers, captains of industry, politicians and members of Lions Club came from far and near to felicitate with the new president and members of her executive.

    The carnival-like event was also a platform for the induction of new members and to raise funds for execution of various community projects.

    The ceremony commenced with a call to order by the outgone President, Lion Jamiu Abayomi Etiko.

    Lion Etiko highlighted some of the Clubs’ achievements for the year 2015-2016 as blood donation/save a life programme. He said the club carried out the programme in collaboration with Cadbury Plc and Lagos State Ministry of Health, in which over 30 members of the Club voluntarily donated blood just to help patients in times of need, retreat and training, diabetics awareness campaign, screening and treatment of ailments for members of the communities.

    Lion Etiko said the club also distributed foods, clothing and other relief materials to members of some communities on Christmas Day, last year.

    Other projects were environmental protection programme, engaging in youth projects where books and other writing materials were given out to students, sharing the vision; the club participated in the sight preservation and screening exercise to prevent members of the communities from contacting eye-related diseases, among others.

    Lion Etiko appealed to members to support the new president to enable her to have a successful tenure.

    Giving her acceptance speech shortly after her installation and decoration as the new president, Lion Gbadebo said she accepted to serve the club with humility, transparency and accountability.

    She solicited support of members of the club, well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations to support the club’s vision of humanitarian services.

    She said supports would enable her to complete the ongoing construction of the entrepreneurship development centre.

    She pledged to sustain the spirit of the club and maintain high level of integrity and good conscience in conducting its affairs.

  • Dept gets female president

    Dept gets female president

    There was a spontaneous jubilation by female students in the department of Political Science of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) last week following the suspension of the president of the department and immediate ascension of one of them, Shakirat Adesina, as the acting president of the National Association of Political Science Students, (NAPSS).

    The president, Charles Aiyedun, who is in 400-Level, was allegedly suspended indefinitely for failing to honour invitations by legislative arms of the association. The Speaker of the parliament, Adeniyi Adediran, 300-Level student, said the suspended president was invited three times by the parliament to ascertain the state of the association but Charles did not honour the invitations.

    “In view of that, the honourable members, after due deliberations, found it expedient to suspend the president because we believe in accountability,” Adeniyi said.

    He added: “The Vice President has been asked to take over in acting capacity in order to continue the administration pending the time the suspended president will present himself before the parliament of NAPSS.”

    He advised the students and outsiders to refrain from relating to Charles as president as such relationship would be at their own risk. Shakirat said she accepted the offer because of the department’s constitution and not in act of betrayal.