•Mrs. Osinbajo, Mrs. Okorocha, Mrs. Yari, Mrs. Fayemi, others in attendance
By Bianca Iboma – Emefu
For two days, May 22 and 23, 2023, women who could rightly be described as Nigeria’s finest, assembled in large numbers in Abuja to brainstorm on the way forward for the average Nigerian woman. From far and near, they gathered to deliberate on the best approach to inspire the Nigerian woman to attain a sense of fulfilment in every aspect of her life.
The theme of the summit was, “Inspired to be the complete woman” and it was organized by Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI), a non-governmental organization founded by the former First Lady of lmo State, Mrs. Nneoma Nkechi Rochas Okorocha.
The summit was declared open by the wife of the former Vice President, Mrs. Oludolapo Osinbajo. In attendance were wives of governors, past and present, including Mario T. Almakura (Nasarawa), Hajiya Asma’u Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Mrs. Adeleye- Fayemi (Ekiti), Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello (Niger), representatives of Eunice Ortom (Benue), Mrs. Betsy Obaseki (Edo), Mrs. Binta Masari (Kastina), Hajiya Maryam Tambuwal (Sokoto), Prof. Hafsat Ganduje (Kano), Yemisi Suswam (Benue), Dr. Racheal Dickson (Bayelsa), Chief Eunice Ukamaka Egwu (Ebonyi), Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, founder, Love of Christ Generation Church, Cherubim and Seraphim, Dame Pauline Tallen, former minister of women affairs and social development, and Mrs. Helen Mark, wife of former Senate President.
Also present were representatives of Nkechi lkpeazu (Abia), Mrs. Florence Ajimobi (Oyo) and Mrs. Rashida Yahaya Bello (Kogi), as well as Mr. Abdulie Hydara of Gambia High Commission; Hajia Lami Adamu Lau, president, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS); Ms. Mariam Garnett from Liberian Embassy; Pastor (Mrs.) Bipiminafieye Opuaya Agha, founder of When Women Pray; Dr. Nuheeba Dankaka, executive chairman, Federal Character Commission; Deaconess Bola Ihesiulor, president, Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN); Hajia Rofiah Sanni Idowu, president, Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) and representatives from Women in Politics. Indeed, women from all walks of life were in attendance. It was a full house.
Declaring the summit open, Mrs. Osinbajo expressed her astonishment at witnessing such an impressive gathering of Nigerian women, united in their determination to collaborate and engage in fruitful discussions. She acknowledged the inherent challenge faced by every woman: striving for success in all the various aspects of their lives.
Mrs. Osinbajo said: “Women should endeavor to leave their footprints in the sand of time. l have never seen a football match without a goal post. Even when children play, they must have goal posts. Women should, therefore, have goal post and aspire to make it to the goal post to achieve their goals.
“They must choose to succeed: to win, either as wives, mothers, grandmothers, professionals, politicians and business women. A complete woman should not involve in child trafficking and in anything criminal.”
She commended Mrs Okorocha for coming up with the great idea of bringing together such caliber of women for a mega summit of that nature. She noted that Nigerian women would be expected to be more inspired at the end of the summit for results.
ln her address, the convener of the summit, Mrs Okorocha, noted that the theme, ‘Inspired to be the complete woman’, was chosen to really identify the challenges facing women, especially when the who is who, of our nation’s mothers were present.
Mrs Okorocha said: “l have no doubt that there will be light at the dark end of the tunnel. l am asking every woman sitting here today, what do you want to be remembered for? What are the legacies you want to leave behind? Remember, we are women, we are an undeniable force. We are unbroken,
“We are built to be nurturers and bridges of change. lt is time for us to rise up and embrace the challenges of nation building as we walk in the spirit which prides itself beyond human construct.
The summit is organized for the love of our country. lt is for the admiration of patriotic devotion to build a better society for our generation and generations of Nigerians yet unborn. l am confident that this our generation of women will get it right.”
The summit, which took place in Abuja, featured plenary sessions, roundtable discussions and experience – sharing. The speakers and participants brainstormed on diverse issues of interest.
lt was quite an exciting moment such that the women agreed that summit of such nature and magnitude should be done annually. Most of the speakers commended Mrs Okorocha for the wonderful initiative.
The summit was concluded with awards presented to some of the participants, especially the special guests. Mrs. Okorocha told the awardees that “the awards represent more than just recognition for individual achievements but are symbols of the collective efforts and hard work that would spur them into making positive impact on the world.”