Pray to have enemies
The 2014 Class of MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame has come and gone, with the usual fun-fare and glitz it is associated with. The concept of purple carpet with the dress code of purple and gold, brought razzmatazz to the colour uniformity. It was a riveting union of royalty and elegance. Participants were intellectually nourished and satisfied with the fun-filling moments it provided.
People defied the rains and traffic jam to be part of the event which attracted participants from different parts of the country.
As usual, it left pockets of lessons and betrayals, which can be described as “salt” of life because one needs it to survive in the struggle of survival. Not all promises are worth believing as much as not all deemed to be friends are indeed friends.
If nothing, this year’s event taught a lesson of life that “one should always watch one’s back” not minding the overt acclaimed support of any friend.
As expected the NAN Media Centre with the capacity of over 500 guests was breaming with guests that it was over stretched.
It was not a surprise because the theme, “Building Capacity for Transformative Leadership” is a life-changing topic, and very timely, considering the capacity gap in the maritime, aviation, finance oil and gas sectors.
The fact that the 2015 elections are just by the door, re-enforced its relevance at least to separate visionary leaders from rulers and bounty-hunters in both elective and appointive positions. The fact that it was also gender main streaming – minded was not forgotten, that explains why Amb. Dr. Kema Chikwe, National woman Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); Mr. Jimi Agbaje, the chairman of the occasion and PDP gubernatorial candidate in Lagos state come 2015; Otunba Kunle Folarin; Rear Admiral Tony Amauche; Dr. (Ms) Yemisi Ramsome-Kute; Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, took turn in speaking about the programme and the place of woman in national development. Late Prof. Dora Akunyili was honoured.
“One of the points I want to make is, today, they are killing two birds with one stone. They are not only giving the usual award to deserving women, they are remembering Dora. Dora has been institutionlised in the nation. She had a very short time to live in this world. It was as if she had a premonition of what was coming and she parked all her achievements within the years before her death”, Chikwe stated.
“It is very easy to start a project but it is not easy to sustain it. What goes for Anaroke and his wife is that they target what they want and they will not sleep until they get it. And that is a quality for transformation and also success. So, I am very happy to be here after receiving the award in 2012 and being appointed the chairperson of the governing council. If you have been following their events, you will know that they have been very consistent. I receive MMS Plus’ Weekly Newspaper every Monday on my desk. I am really happy for their resilience, commitment and their progressive vision for the country”, Chikwe added.
However, there were companies and institutions that made the event possible. Nigerian Breweries Plc; National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF); Starzs Investments Company Limited; Women in Aviation; Ayomide Rentals; Rivers Port Complex; Ecomarine Terminals Limited; Odic Wire and Cable Limited; Ports and Terminals Operators Limited; Federal Ministry of Transport; Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development; Alpha Vessels and Offshore Services. To all these supporters and partners, may your roads never be rough. For those who wanted us to fail at all cost, thanks for being used to bring out the best in us.
We thank all the participants, friends and well-wishers but give God Almighty the praise for being faithful as always.
