WAWA names Adewuyi grand patron as ex-BOI MD

By Lukman Olabiyi

The West Africa Women Association (WAWA), operating under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has appointed frontline businessman, Chief Moyosore Adewuyi, as its Grand Patron.

The honour was bestowed at an award ceremony where the association also recognised several distinguished individuals for their contributions to women development and regional integration across West Africa.

Among those honoured were Mrs. Oluyomi Ajayi, appointed Matron of the WAWA Nigeria Chapter; Hajia Mairo Bello, named Matron and Northern Coordinator; Ms Shade Bemtatoum-Young, Special Adviser on Women Integration; Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamot, Special Adviser on Media Services; and Ambassador Abdulakeem Majemu, who was named WAWA Ambassador.

Speaking at the event, Chief Adewuyi commended WAWA for its sustained commitment to women-focused development initiatives in the sub-region. He urged the association to intensify efforts at projecting women into leadership positions in business, politics and other critical sectors of national life.

He pledged his continued support for the association, assuring members of his readiness to back programmes aimed at increasing women’s participation, visibility and relevance in national development.

“I will continue to support WAWA in the pursuit of its agenda and in ensuring that more women are brought to the limelight and actively involved in national development,” Adewuyi said.

Also speaking on the sidelines of the event, former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Mrs. Evelyn Oputu, challenged women to be more vocal about their achievements and to project themselves with confidence.

According to her, women must learn to tell their own stories and highlight their contributions, particularly in economic development, in order to gain recognition and visibility.

“Women do a lot, but we are not sufficiently vocal about it. When you contribute meaningfully to society, you will be seen. It is also your responsibility to talk about women when we do well.”

Oputu urged women to invest in personal development, capacity building and self-confidence, noting that empowerment begins with inner growth and balance.

“Women must understand that they have the capacity to be something. We raise families and children; if we don’t raise good sons, there are no men. Supporting a woman is supporting posterity.”

Oputu warned that societies that fail to adequately empower women risk stagnation, stressing that women’s empowerment should go beyond symbolism to active participation in shaping national development.

“Empowering women is the smart thing to do. When women are empowered, families thrive and nations progress,” she said.