The Vice-Chairperson of the Commonwealth Business Women Network (CBWN) Nigeria, Mrs Ngozi Oyewole, stated that for the first time in several years the Commonwealth day and the International Women’s Day will be observed on the same day which she believes is historic.
She made this statement in a press release on Sunday, March 7th 2021 as she emphasized that both events impact humanity and nations therefore it is important that both events be observed by all, especially in this period of the COVID-19 pandemic which has grossly affected humanity and reduced women participation and leadership in public life.
“The Commonwealth Day is observed every second Monday in the month of March annually, while the International Women’s Day is observed annually on March 8th, therefore it is no coincidence that both fall on the same day but a call for Commonwealth Nations to look inwards in developing themselves and for women world over to lend their voices in leadership by raising other women”, she stated.
She said that this year’s theme “I Choose To Challenge” is in alignment with the global support in leadership by achieving an equal future through connection, innovation and transformation”.
“It celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world and calls for women’s rights to decision making in all areas of life which include politics, local governance, social life, education, health and legal services as well as ending all forms of violence against women and girls”, she added.
She further stated that CBWN focuses on SDG Goal 5, promoting the empowerment of women and girls to be key change agents. She emphasized that gender equality will drive the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals – SDG’s
She emphasized that preparations towards the observance of these events had kicked off with an essay competition amongst female students in the university who were judged by four amiable panellists namely Dr Ibilola Amao, Dr Tonia Smart, Mrs Nkoli Obi – Ogbolu and Mrs Tobore Olumoye.
She mentioned that over 500 students participated with 10 finalists and 3 emerging as runner ups. The first being Miss Bolutife Christiana Afolabi to be awarded N100,000 cash prize, the second runner up being Miss Precious Chidinma Oparanozie to be awarded N70,000 and Miss Truth Ndubueze as the third runner up to be awarded N50,000.
She mentioned that the cash awards would be presented at the webinar tagged “I Choose To Challenge” on Monday, March 8th 2021, emphasising that the essence of the essay competition is to raise a new breed of leaders amongst the youth in a bid to catch them young.
However, she reiterated that programmes lined up in observing both events have started since Friday, March 5th with a webinar tagged “Recognizing Women’s Contribution To Ocean Science”. She added that the observance of the events would continue on Monday the 8th and to Tuesday the 9th of March.
She revealed that Mrs Blessing Enakimio who is a chartered MCIPD, a businesswoman extraordinaire, an event planner, speaker and trainer who is the Director of Events for Brevity Anderson a major player in the oil and gas industry responsible for producing global summits including the Nigeria International Summit for the Federal Government of Nigeria aimed at creating the platform to meet Nigeria’s oil and gas players, will be moderating the CBWN Nigeria event slated for today.
“Mrs Enakimio’s experience, her solution-driven approach and creativity have made it possible to leverage on her knowledge in facilitating high-level strategic events like ours”, she further stated.
Mrs Oyewole was recently made the Vice-Chairperson of the just concluded CBWN Nigeria AGM and she sits as the Group CEO of Noxie Limited.
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