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By Bimbola Oyesola
Zonal chairperson of Women in PENGASSAN, Nikki Duru, has charged the rich in Nigeria to give back to society by giving more support to the less privileged.
Speaking at the Imo State Towns Development Association, Lagos (ISTDAL), where she was honoured for her contributions to the society, she noted that, when God blesses someone, the person is expected to give back to the less privileged.
She was awarded “Ada Eji Eje Mba” for her role and contributions to the association and the society at large at the annual programme of the association called “August Meeting”.
The ISTDAL is the apex socio-cultural umbrella organisation comprising of all Imo state Autonomous Town union in Lagos with 500 Towns registered member organisation.
Further in her remarks, Duru said the award was a recognition of her contribution to the society.
“Whatever you are doing, you have to start from your base and your base is where you were born. This award means I have to do more, achieve more and touch more lives” she stated.
She added that been recognized means she needs to extend it beyond Lagos zone down to her native community and into every part of Nigeria.
She averred, “the country is not getting better, the schools are reopening and most parents don’t have the means to pay fees, there are homes that can’t feed, there are people who are sick instead of buying cars and houses such funds should be channeled in meeting people’s needs.”
She revealed that her passion for the society endeared her to create an initiative called “Cradle to Career”
This initiative, she said is responsible in training a child from primary school down to university and help such child get something doing either getting a job or doing business after graduation.
The Zonal Chairperson said giving back to the society gives her joy and she will continue do it anywhere she finds herself.
In his contribution at the annual event with the theme “Harnessing the potentials of women”, the President of ISTDAL, Chief Chris Ekeocha said the August meeting is an annual event which brings the whole Imo state women together to showcase their potentials.
He explained that, the event started from the home town then ended up in Lagos, as the meeting also helps in solving some issues affecting the community.
Ekeocha said, the primary purpose of the event is to empower women with resources in order for them to start their small scale businesses.
Reacting to insinuations that women are relegated to the background and not having voices like their male counterpart, he said the impact of women cannot be over emphasised as many of them are working harder more than their male counterpart.
“I agree that there is this African mentality that says women should be relegated to the background but for me those days are gone as women are doing well in their respective fields and even shattering ceilings” he stated.
He emphasised that the major support given to the girl child by the society is education in reverse to what is obtainable before now where the girl child is denied education.
“When the girl child is trained she will add value and reasonable development to the society and the country at large,” he said.
