The Women of Valor
| Meet The NWAG Women Of Valor |
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Every year, the Nigerian Women Association recognizes a Nigerian Woman who through their selfless service, have made a difference in other people's lives. The honoree is recognized as the “Woman Of Valor” during the Annual Fundraising and Awards Banquet |
First Lady of Lagos State, Nigeria
Her Excellency, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, has been working diligently behind the scenes to complement the efforts of the Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), and add value to governance in Lagos State. She is committed to “grooming tomorrow’s leaders to be confident, self-sufficient and socially responsive through education, vocational skills acquisition and recreation”, Her Excellency has established a unique Non-Governmental Organization, the Lagos Empowerment And Resource Network (L.E.A.R.N). As Chairman of the NGO, she has been overseeing the systematic implementation of its strategic vision of establishing resource centers in the five Administrative Divisions of Lagos State as a basis for exporting the L.E.A.R.N. model to other jurisdictions. Within its very short period of existence, L.E.A.R.N. has begun to positively impact the lives of tomorrow’s leaders through various creative programs targeted at students
Apart from her work among students and youths, Her Excellency is passionate about environmental cleanliness. She has been at the forefront of the campaign for Lagosians, particularly women, to embrace environmental cleanliness and keep the surroundings of their homes and markets clean. She actively participates in the monthly sanitation and weekly market sanitation days showing by personal example the pivotal role of women in maintaining a healthy environment.
As the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Fashola is the Chairman of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), a community based gender organization established by the wife of the First Military Governor of Lagos State to complement the efforts of the State Government in improving the socio-economic conditions of the people.
A woman of quiet dignity. She is a model of calm composure. She is a symbol of genuine humility. She has an uncommon capacity for hard work and a burning passion to motivate youths to actualize their potentials.
Mrs. Fashola is married to His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), the Honorable Governor of Lagos State of Nigeria.
NWAG is proud to award Her Excellency Mrs. Abimbola Fashola as our 2009 Woman of Valor.
The honorable First lady of Kwara State Nigeria
A Woman of Humility and Compassion
Her Excellency Oluwatoyin Saraki was chosen as our 2008 Woman of Valor for her quiet contributions to the plight of homeless children, and the physically challenged Nigerians.
Mrs Saraki’s early years was influenced by the writings of two authors; The Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel, a writer and philosopher, and the renowned Lebanese philosopher Khalil Gibran.
As a student in England, she noticed the plight of the aged and volunteered her time to provide comfort and love to those who were oftentimes forgotten. Upon returning back to Nigeria, she continued her selfless service while pursuing her banking career at Ecobank Nigeria Plc, a prestigious pan-African financial institution. She later on went into private business.
By the early 1990’s however, Mrs. Saraki, in collaboration with other civic-minded individuals established The Lifestream Charity. The vision of this organization is to provide resources for children with heart deformities and to sponsor corrective surgeries abroad.
With the election of her husband Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki as Executive Governor of Kwara State, Nigeria, Mrs. Saraki continued her selfless work to make a difference in the lives of the people of Kwara state by establishing The Kwara WellBeing Trust “Alaafia Kwara”, under the auspices of The WellBeing Foundation
At present, The WellBeing Foundation is pioneering an innovation in the delivery of public health care, the Health-for-All-Children-Nigeria © program through the introduction of the Personal Child Health Record © which has been presented for nationwide adoption to the Federal Ministry of Health with favorable feedback.
Mrs. Saraki has completed the Herculean task of raising funds privately for the in depth renovation of the state government owned Children’s Specialist Hospital, Center Igboro, Ilorin. She has also helped to establish the Indigent Medical Fund for people who are not able to afford medical treatment.
Mrs. Saraki is convinced that the most meaningful life is that which impacts positively on other people, whether they are privileged or not!
Mrs. Inna Maryam Chiroma Honorable Federal Minister of Women Affairs and Development—Woman of Passion and Humility
Mrs. Chiroma was appointed the Minister of Women Affairs in 2005 by the Nigerian Federal Government. Before then, Inna as she is fondly referred to by her friends had spent many yeas working to improve the lives of women and children in Nigeria.
Her contributions include the establishment of the Islammiya School in Kenken Ward in Bui Local Government of Bornu State. The vision of the school is to create opportunity for self and educational development for women and youth.
She has also helped to register 11 cooperative societies in her local government to enhance their economic empowerment.
PROF. DORA NKEM AKUNYILI (OFR)
Dr (Mrs.) Dora Nkem Akunyili is the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Dr. Dora (as she is fondly called) has single handedly revived the Nigerian Ministry of Health and consequently instilled the people's confidence in a Ministry that once lacked credibility. She is a renowned Pharmacist, Pharmacologist, Seasoned Administrator, and a visionary leader. It is no
surprise then that one of her major focus is to rid Nigeria of sub-standard pharmaceuticals and unsanitary food items. In March 2006, her agency signed an Agreement with some countries, including Republic of China and Sweden , to curb the importation of fake medications through their various ports. This joint partnership with these countries ensures that all drugs, edibles, and chemicals being imported into the country are pre-inspected. Under her dynamic leadership, NAFDAC has implemented a “Pharmacovigilance” campaign which carries out random inspection of market places, pharmacies, and hospitals, to carry out sample checks. For her industry and commitment to the values of honesty and transparency, Dr. Dora has received over 260 Awards and Recognitions both locally and internationally. NWAG is proud to recognize her as a Woman of Valor on June 24, 2006.
Chief Mrs Eki Igbenedion
Chief Mrs Eki Igbenedion is a social activist in the forefront of fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS through education in Nigeria . She founded the IDIA RENAISSANCE in 2000. Chief Igbenedion, through the IDIA RENAISSANCE organization has championed the campaign against the dest4ructive trade of prostitution by Edo State girls within and outside the country. Having identified the perculiar problem of her people, Mrs. Igbenedion's effort has recorded some considerable amount of success. Through IDIA RENAISSANCE, she has been able to sensitize her people and young girls to the evils of prostitution.. She is the brain behind the IDIA RENAISSANCE Skills Acquisition Center, Benin City, Edo State where young girls can learn life saving skills and get their education. The belief is that when the girls are given marketable skills , this will prevent them from the desperation and devastation of prostitution.
In 2004, when NWAG through its scholarship program asked young University students to identify the role of the Nigerian Woman in the 21 st century, Mrs. Igbenedion's name came up over and over again as a shinning example of what is good about a Nigerian Woman. They acknowledged her energy, her passion and her deep commitment to making a difference in other people's lives.
In January 2004, Mercy Obeime delivered about $800,000 of donated medicine and supplies to her homeland, Nigeria . That was during her ”spare time“ as director of the Mercy Foundation, a non–profit healthcare organization she and several classmates from medical school started in 2001 to help fight HIV—AIDS in Nigeria, which she confides is “a big, silent problem, with lots more out there.” Since 2004, Dr. Obeime, in collaboration with a group of volunteers have embarked on embarked on numerous medical missions to Nigeria where free medical services are being provided for thousands of Nigerians.
Dr. Obeime has served as the Medical Director of the Neighborhood Health Center at Garfield Park , since 1996. She was nominated a Local Legend by Representative Julia Carson [D–IN–7]. In prior recognition of her dedication and commitment to the inner–city residents of Indianapolis , Obeime was chosen as a National Winner of the 2003 Spirit of Women Awards in the Healthcare category. She is committed to treating the whole person, regardless of ability to pay.
The Health Center is a family practice providing primary and preventive care to families who cannot afford health insurance and who are charged only what they can pay without compromising their financial integrity. During the past five years, the number of patients served has ballooned three times to 2,500, with almost 70 percent being uninsured
Mrs. Ezekwueche received her B. Sc degree in pharmacy from Saint Johns ' University in New York . She also obtained her B.A. degree in Studio Arts from Wesleyan College , Macon Georgia . During her term as the Board chair of the world renowned Tubman African-American Museum in Macon , Georgia , Chi initiated the Tubman American –American Museum Nigerian Christmas Design, All That Jazz week, She founded and chaired Pan African Festival of Georgia which showcases Nigerian culture through arts, cuisine and dance.
She founded Otu Umunne in 1996 to provide networking opportunities and support for Igbo Women. She is a member of Jack and Jill of America which provides guidance and leadership opportunities for young people. She supports and encourages young people to volunteer on medical missions to Nigeria .
In recognition of her contribution to the arts, Chi was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Tubman Museum in 2001, Celebrity Chief by the Macon Arts & Red Cross; Tribute to Women Award , by the YWCA; International Artist Award by the Georgia , Cherry Blossom Festival.
To crown it all, her community in Nigeria installed on her the chieftancy title of Iyom, Odi Uko Na Mba of Abagana
Dr. Osonye Tess Onwueme –2002 NWAG WOMAN OF VALORNigerian Women Association of Georgia, Inc.
P.O. Box 14532 , Atlanta , GA 30324
Phone: 770 –496-4380
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