International Women’s Day is a global means of recognising the place of the female gender in our society. It is a period that the world remembers the resilience, strength and achievement of women in the world. Many government and non-governmental organisations use this day to remember and empower women in their immediate environment.
It is no exception in Akure, Ondo State and Benin City, Edo State aa Queen Luciano Foundation (QLF) celebrates this day by empowering women within the two respective metropolises.
Queen Luciano Foundation’s celebration of International Women’s Day in Akure and Benin City
On 8th March 2024 is a day mapped out to celebrate women all over the world This event is a global celebration which the Queen Luciano Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, deemed worthy to bring it down to its environment as a result of her love for humanity. International Women’s Day has proven to be one of her biggest events as she has women at the centre of her concern.
Thus, this day was filled with joy and great memories for many women in Benin City and Akure South, Ondo State. The venue for the Akure celebration was Royal Bird Hotels and Towers Alagbaka. That of Benin was at Evboudia Community Town Hall, Evboudia, Benin City. The respective locations have up to 100 attendees ranging from different women’s bodies like Voice of Widows.
The event began with an opening followed by a recitation of the national anthem. The two respective cities, Mr Daramola Babajide of Akure South and Mr Joseph of Benin City gave the welcome address and a brief rendition of the history and program of the foundation since its inception.
Coordination of the events was done by the Benin general manager and Miss Bridget Ologunleko respectively.
Some lectures centre on the theme of the year’s event, “Invest in women, accelerate progress.” In Akure, the first lecture was done by Mrs Adenitan Olufisoye, a media strategist, Human Development Expert and Gender rights advocate. That of Benin was Professor Adefunke Adekunle, Dean, Center for Gender Studies Benin City. Both of them focused on the rights of women and how one can invest in women for the good of the general community.
The second lecture in both cities was coincidentally done by medical practitioners, Nurse Ehichoya Omo of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure, and Dr. Ahie, of FaithMediplex Hospital, Benin City. Both discussed the importance of paying attention to women’s health. For them, this is another way of empowering them. According to them, a healthy woman who understands her body changes is bold and will be of great benefit to both herself, her immediate environment as well as the nation at large. They went further to highlight the rise in cancer in women, especially breast cancer. On this note, they practicalised how women can examine their breasts every month. According to them, this is the easiest avenue for detecting the growth of breast cancer at an early stage.
For each speaker who finished her lectures, there was room for questions and answers. Different women in attendance asked sensitive questions concerning their general well-being and that of their family. They also asked how they could boldly join the politics of the nation which the speakers addressed accordingly. The different speakers also gave out contacts of different agencies that take care of women’s issues like domestic violence.
Moreover, the main objective of the celebration was empowering women with #50,00 0 for either their business or handworks. While 5 women benefited in Akure, Benin City had 10 beneficiaries. The GM explained that the empowerment isn’t for them to solve family needs but for their businesses or handwork. On this note, they were told that QLF will always monitor their progress with financial assistance.
Furthermore, on the empowerment, Airtel Communication Network sent their representatives, Miss Goodnews and Mr David. They were more than willing to give out 3 POS terminals, tables and umbrellas to 3 women who are willing to start a POS business. Of course, Airtel and the foundation will monitor the progress of these lucky women with this business.
Aside from the monetary gifts that were given to the 15 beneficiaries, the Queen Luciano Foundation customised a T-shirt, jotter and pen for all the attendees. These items were given to them on arrival. They changed into these clothes to form uniformity in the event and the writing materials were for them to write during the lectures. They also found the writing materials useful when the speakers gave out contacts of people that they could contact in times of distress.
Every woman who came to the events went home with a smile on their face. This is because of their satisfaction with their gifts, lectures and the dinner that they had.
The event went viral as notable Television stations were in attendance to cover the event. It was the Edo State Broadcasting Station (EBS) that televised for Benin and the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC) for Akure South.
The program was a successful and fulfilling one. From the reaction of the women, it was obvious that programmes like this would go a long way to show that women should be celebrated at all times. This is because the place of women in the society is overlooked and sidelined. This causes underdevelopment which plagues many 3rd world countries, especially Nigeria.
