A WELCOME ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER(CEO) OF MMS WOFHOF INITIATIVE, MR KINGSLEY ANAROKE AT THE 2024 MMS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION AND INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT HOLDING AT NICON LUXURY HOTEL,ABUJA ON NOVEMBER 6,2024.
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On behalf of the MMS Hall of Fame family, I welcome you all to this August occasion being the 2024 edition of the MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame induction and International Women’s Leadership Summit, with the theme: “GENDER EQUALITY-Influencing Policies and Upscaling Capacity in a Digital Economy”, and featuring for the second time in twelve years, Life-Impact Awards.
The relevance of this theme in the light of strings of developments today in Nigeria and Africa at large cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, I am personally hopeful that with the array of technocrats and experts in different fields waiting to share perspectives on this subject, solutions to challenges will emerge.
The theme was carefully selected to attempt a review of the place of women in leadership; x-raying workable strategies to influence gender related policies; how to leverage policies and technology for capacity scaling in a fast-paced digital era to enable women remain competitive in work and market places in diverse economy.
There are two expressions in the choice of the theme that underscore the meeting of today. These are; Influencing Policies and Upscaling Leadership Capacity for gender inclusivity. For me, this is a strategy laid bare. But how to move from this point is for the participants to conclude.
Permit me to observe at this point that the phrase “Women support women” is largely abandoned by women in the face of reality. Why are women showing so much indifference when a fellow woman is facing challenges, especially when that situation has huge potential of changing the face of policies or conventions in a country or work place? Instances abound.
The intervention of professional women groups or associations by asking and raising relevant questions on the developments will enhance chances of inclusivity and diversity in gender equation.
MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame(WoFHoF)Initiative, is a non-governmental concern that accord women special attention and status to build leadership ,managerial and entrepreneurial capacity amongst women.
Today, 15 women of distinguished personalities will be inducted into the MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame, a family of leaders and mentors determined to give back to the society.
MMS Hall of Famers is a set of phenomenal women who have seen it all in their chosen career trajectory by redefining standards and are giving back to the society as role-models and mentors in different capacities. Essentially, these attributes resonate with the spirit of goal 5 of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which seeks women empowerment and by extension poverty reduction.
Also, MMS WoFHoF Initiative has the tradition of always choosing a day to mark the international Women’s Day while promoting charity within the month of March or April to reemphasize the place of women in human creation with the opportunity to discover The Amazons. This is another class of special women in the family. They are jewels of special creation ornamented with excellent features in their cuddled endeavors as change agents.
The event of today is special to the family, thanks to our mother and our outstanding Board of Trustees member, Chief Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, who advised and insisted this edition must hold in Abuja, which we all see as a step to include our mothers and sisters in the North.
It is not happenstance that we are here today; there is a place of divinity, I am convinced. I became even more conscious of my conviction when told that the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons(NAPTIP),Hajia Lami Adamu Bello would grace the occasion. I want to thank you for this honour and do hope that MMS Hall Fame could strike a working collaboration with NAPTIP on reducing the incidence of girl-child and women trafficking in the country.
As a He4She, I am always elated when I see other men who support the cause of women, genuinely. I appreciate the presence of Dr. Suleyman Ndanusa,former DG, Security and Exchange Commission. I thank you for being here for us.
The reception for this event, I must say, is amazingly thunderous. The Chairman of today’s occasion, one of the pioneer MMS Hall of Famers and vision bearers, Hajia Lami Tumaka, a phenomenal woman and PR colossus, also demonstrated that she is never tired in intellect and professionalism despite being on retirement. She told me, ‘We Can pull through” in spite of the early challenges encountered. She mobilized, she prayed, and cuddled us to success. Another mother and pioneer MMS Hall of Famer and governing council member, who pulled the trigger of mobilization is Hajia Aisha Ali Ibrahim,(A transport professional of international repute) then followed Hajia Rabi Musa and covertly, Hajia Aisha Mahmud. In the course of engagements and visits, many others left striking impressions on me in particular. I appreciate you, Her Excellency, Hajia Aisha Atiku Bagudu. I thank you all but not leaving out Barr. Hassan Bello, for always being there for the MMS Hall of Fame family even now that he is retired from public office. He called to ask how we were preparing when I made a son’s usual demand that a father never refuses to oblige. And he said yes. Thank you sir.
Regrettably, the MMS Hall of Fame family in the last two years lost three key members. The most recent is the late music Icon, Onyeka Onwenu. Earlier, we lost Lady Margaret Orakwusi, another Icon and Queen of the maritime industry who incidentally was our Board of Trustees Chairperson. And painfully again, we lost Iyalode Alaba Lawson, an astute educationist and serial entrepreneur, who also happened to be a member of the Governing Council of the MMS Hall of Fame. These were painful losses but Heaven gained. Shall we in their honour observe a minute silence!
I sincerely appreciate the support all our sponsors, corporate and individuals and in particular, all the MMS Hall of Famers, especially the Governing Council members led by Amb. Dr. Kema Chikwe , her vice-chairperson, Mrs, Mfon Usoro and Mrs. Ihuoma Onyearugha for their sterling support and faith in the project. The Amazons, too, have been amazingly supportive and I appreciate them all.
For want of time, on behalf of the Board, Council and Management, I congratulate the Class of 2024 MMS Hall of Fame inductees for having been found exceptionally worthy of being part of the MMS Hall of Fame community.
Once again, we welcome you all to this gathering of unlearning and learning.
Thank you for listening.
