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NWAG History

In Early 2000, the wife of the then Consul General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Mrs. Dayo Keshi convened a meeting in her home with concerned Nigerian women who wanted to make a positive impact in Nigeria. Those women were Mrs. Abby Ebodaghe, Mrs. Julie Ajayi, Mrs. Shade Arowoselu, Ms. Mfon Ufot and Mrs. Toyin Olowofoyeku. The enthusiasm among the ladies was electrifying. They left that meeting with a mandate to go back to the Nigerian community and invite as many Nigerian women as possible to attend the first meeting of the organization. At that first meeting, the women were so excited to be there, they talked about their hopes and dreams and about the potential of Nigerian women working together. They left that day with renewed passion and a clear vision —to collectively serve and empower Nigerian women and children at home and abroad.
  • 2000
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  • 2009
  • 2010
  • NWAG History 2000
    The Nigerian Women Association of Georgia (NWAG) was founded on April 26th.

    The first NWAG bazaar and family picnic was held to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence.

    NWAG members helped to organize the first Diaspora Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia and hosted by Nigerian President, His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo.
  • NWAG History 2001
    • The NWAG By-law was approved by the membership on April 28th 2001.

    • NWAG was officially/formally launched. There were 59 founding members. The first International Women’s Conference was held. Since then, NWAG has held two other International Conferences in 2003 and 2005.

    • NWAG produced thousands of exercise books that were distributed to various members’ Alma Mater (high school and elementary schools) throughout Nigeria.
  • NWAG History 2002
    • In collaboration with SIDNET, an AIDS/HIV Awareness campaign was launched in Nigeria. Information was placed on billboards and public transportation across the country.

    • NWAG recognized Dr. Osonye Tess Onwueme as the First Woman of Valor and Georgia State Rep. Barbara Mobley as the First Friend of Nigeria for their commitment in serving the people of Nigeria and Africa.
    • Awarded scholarships for the first time to 40 students from 18 states in Nigeria.

    • Launched NWAG Newsletter – the Pace Setter
    • Members attended their first annual retreat in Helen, Georgia.
    • Awarded scholarships to 4 Nigerian youth in the Atlanta area (members of the Nigerian Youth Alliance) in recognition for their community service involvement and academic excellence.
  • NWAG History 2003
    • After 3 years as the founder and visionary of NWAG, Mrs. Dayo Keshi completed her term as the Founding President.

    • Chief (Mrs) Chi Ezekwueche was the Woman of Valor and Dr. Brenda W. Cloud was the Friend of Nigeria.

    • In November, NWAG launched its BEACON 100 Campaign to raise funds to specifically support the orphanages in Nigeria.

    • NWAG joined the Alliance of Nigerian Organizations in Georgia (ANOG).
  • NWAG History 2004
    • Dr. Winfred Nweke was elected as NWAG’s second President. Her vision was to strengthen the foundation of NWAG, expand her funding bases into corporate America and increase collaboration with other organizations. Through her strong leadership, NWAG formalized its structures and programs.

    • Restructured NWAG committees

    • Instituted NWAG Monument

    • Formalized Membership Criteria in NWAG

    • Formalized Criteria for Eligibility for NWAG Orphanage program
    • Because of the success of the BEACON 100 Campaign, NWAG was able to expand the support of the orphanages from one to four.

    • Expanded its BEACON 100 Campaign by commissioning two talented artists to design the BEACON 100 cards.

    • Woman of Valor was Dr. Mercy Obieme and the Friend of Nigeria was WSB TV’s Monica Kauffman.

    • Expanded its charitable giving to include a one time donation to The Carter Centre Guinea Worm Eradication Program, Mercy Foundation, the Hurricane Katrina victims and Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, Nigeria (WOTCLEF).

    • Participated in the Fourth of July Parade together with the Atlanta Metro community

    • Awarded 26 one-time scholarships and 22 runner-up scholarships to female students in Nigerian universities and six one-time scholarships to Nigerian youth going from high school to college and Inducted three new members
  • NWAG History 2005
    • Launched current NWAG uniform with our name inscribed on it
    • Established At-Large Membership for Nigerian women in other cities in Georgia
    • Established NWAG Sunshine Account
    • Attained permanent Tax-Exempt status
    • Established NWAG Board of Directors and appointed the first director, Dr. Oladele
    • NWAG convened the Biennial International Conference and Awards Banquet in Atlanta.
    • NWAG increased the number of charitable organization it supports in the USA to ten organizations to include MedShare International and Mercy Foundation
    • Added a new orphanage in Edo state and St Anthony’s Destitute Center in Uyo
    • In collaboration with other groups in the Atlanta area, Tennessee and other parts of the United States, some NWAG members embarked on a medical mission to Ogun State, Nigeria.
    • Raised the value of NWAG scholarship award and awarded 25 one-time scholarships to female university students in Nigeria
    • In pursuit of its goal of collaboration, NWAG participated in Multicultural Program at Egleston Children’s Hospital, International Women’s Educational Workshop, Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) annual series on Ethnic Diversity in Metro Atlanta, Waffle House Martin L. King Black History Month lectures, Caribbean Multicultural and Business Event and McKinney International Day Visits
    • Expanded funding sources and sponsorships to include corporate sources such as Waffle House, and grant writing
    • Woman of Valor was Chief (Mrs.) Eki Igbenedion, First Lady of Edo State and the Friend of Nigeria was Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.
    • Chief (Mrs.) Eki Egbinedion was the Guest of Honor and Co-sponsor of the Annual NWAG scholarship awards ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria.
  • NWAG History 2006
    • Ms. Mfon Ufot was elected the third NWAG president. Her vision was to enhance and expand NWAG’s programs and projects by collaborating with groups with similar vision.
    • Launched NWAG Health Initiative to specifically target and support hospitals and clinics with maternity and children’s wards.
    • Launched the MORNINGSTAR Campaign to allow donors to designate their funds to support the NWAG programs of their interest.
    • First Sponsor Appreciation Dinner to recognize all the sponsors who supported NWAG for the year was held.
    • As a part of restructuring and formalizing our system, NWAG instituted the Quarterly New Members Orientation to educate prospective members about the history, vision and mission of our organization and also held its first Annual Leadership Retreat to prepare new leaders for the job they have been assigned to do for the organization and provide the opportunity for both old and new leaders to dialogue and brainstorm on how to move the organization forward.
    • Held a special Valentine event to thank our husbands for the many sacrifices they have made to support the work and vision of NWAG.
    • NWAG received its first government grant from Fulton County Arts Council to support the WAZOBIA Initiative.
    • Awarded scholarships to 29 female Nigerian University students from 29 states
    • Added one new orphanage in Anambra State to bring the total orphanages that NWAG sponsors to seven.
    • Outreach efforts included hosting the staff of Nigerian Stock Exchange (Sponsored by Kirkpatrick Stockton LLC) and NWAG members participating in the Four Seasons Run/Walk event to raise funds for various charities in the Atlanta community.
    • Professor Dora Akinyuli (OFR) was the Woman of Valor.
    • Professor Dora Akunyili was the Guest of Honor and co-sponsor at the annual scholarship awards ceremony in Nigeria.
  • NWAG History 2007
    • Received a grant from SUNTRUST BANK to support the WAZOBIA Initiative.
    • NWAG donated personal care items and supplies to Sokoto State.
    • In collaboration with Medshare International and sponsored by Western Union, the first container of medical supplies worth $250,000 was shipped to Imo, Kaduna and Kwara States. Other sponsors included WEMA Bank, Sterling Bank and IBTC Bank.
    • The staff of Emory Healthcare sponsored the second container of medical supplies to Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu and St. Margaret’s Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State. Other sponsors included the Cross River State government, Efik National Association, USA, UNTH Hospital Enugu and ESUTH, Enugu.
    • As part of NWAG Health Initiative, blood pressure cuffs were distributed to 15 states in Nigeria.
    • Mrs. Inna Maryam Chiroma was the Woman of Valor and Mrs. Nell Diallo was the Friend of Nigeria.
    • Mrs. Chiroma was the Special Guest and co-sponsor at the Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony in Abuja.
  • NWAG History 2008
    • Dr. Eugenia Busola George was elected NWAG’s fourth president. Her vision was to publicize NWAG’s mission, increase membership and fundraising capacity to strengthen NWAG’s programs.
    • NWAG donated books on Nigeria/African culture to schools in metropolitan Atlanta to enhance the Social studies curriculum.
    • Established partnership with the Youth and Global Mission Ministries of The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia to foster Nigerian culture encourage youth participation in the WAZOBIA Sunfest, a cultural enrichment program.
    • Awarded 29 scholarships to female students in Nigerian universities bringing the total awards to 200.
    • Woman of Valor was Her Excellency, Oluwatoyoin Saraki, First Lady of Kwara State and the Friend of Nigeria was Dr. Gloria Johnson Rodgers.
    • Her Excellency, Oluwatoyin Saraki was guest of honor at the NWAG Scholarship Award ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria.
    • Donated syringes and thermometers to Boltless Hospital, Ilupeju, Lagos.
    • NWAG added two more orphanages in Kogi State and Oyo State.
    • Launched the Angel Tree Campaign to provide holiday gifts to children in our ten orphanages
    • NWAG featured in the media: Nigerian Sunday Punch (July 27, 2008,) The Nations Newspaper, July 13, 2008, Nigerian radio, AIT Television, July13, 2008
    • Instituted the office of Parliamentarian and Historian to preserve NWAG history for posterity.
    • NWAG membership increased. Record numbers of 9 prospective members were inducted into NWAG membership in 2008
    • Fundraising capacity increased tremendously to $90,000.
    • NWAG volunteered at Sister To Sister Health Fair in partnership with St. Joseph Hospital, Atlanta Georgia
  • NWAG History 2009
    • Volunteered at Medshare International for the first time sorting and packaging medical supplies for shipment to Nigeria and other countries in need and at the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) Health Fair.
    • Honor Award to honor women who epitomize the image of NWAG and accomplished men who have contributed to building our communities: Woman of Valor, Her Excellency, First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, Friend of Nigeria: Ms. Elizabeth Louise Gadsby, Unsung Hero Award, Dr. Martha Okafor, Vanguard Award, Chief, Lady Addy Lazz-Onyenobi, Award of Excellence: High Chief Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and Professor, Chief Austin Esogbue, Ms. Michelle Bernadette Miller and Major James Sellers.
    • Partnered with Nigerian Bottling Company and Prime City Construct to Co-sponsor the 7th Annual Award Ceremony in Lagos State , Nigeria.
    • Awarded 36 scholarships (making a total of 236) to female students in Nigerian Universities; awarded ten orphanages nutritional support funds through the Beacon 100 Project and presented the first Angel Tree Project check to the orphanages.
    • Added one more orphanage in Ebonyi State making a total of ten.
    • 3 local scholarships were awarded to college-bound high school students in Georgia
    • Her Excellency, Mrs. Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola was guest of honor at the 7th Annual Scholarship and Orphanage Support Award Ceremony and co sponsor of the event.
    • Participated in the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, Georgia for the first time showcasing Nigerian/African Culture. Over 700 children were served at the Children’s Village of the festival
    • NWAG membership continues to increase. Ten new members were inducted into NWAG membership for a total of 19 new members in two years!
    • With a grant from Southeastern Primary Care Consortium (SPCC), Atlanta Health Education Center (AHEC), NWAG incorporated health career opportunities session into the WAZOBIA Sunfest Program to promote awareness of health careers to school age children.
    • Fundraising capacity remained steady in the $90,000.00 range in spite of the prevailing economic catastrophe due to strategic fundraising action plan
    • NWAG was featured in various Nigerian newspapers: Business Day Nov27-29, 2009, Daily Independent Nov 26, 2009, Punch Nov. 26, Dec 19, 2009, This Day Dec. 2, 2009, Vanguard Nov. 26, Dec 2, 2009
  • NWAG History 2010
    • Dr. Eugenia Busola George was elected for a 2nd term as president of NWAG
    • NWAG volunteered for the second year at Medshare to sort out Medical supplies to be shipped to Nigeria and other developing countries
    • NWAG Membership Retreat was held March @ Hilton Head South Carolina in March 19-21, 2010
    • NWAG 10th Anniversary Thankgiving Service was held at Redeemed Christian Church , Mount Zion Parish , Lake City Georgia on April 25, 2010
    • NWAG will celebrate 10 years of service on June 26th 2010