At the LAPO Exceptional Women Leadership Award on Tuesday in Benin, four exceptional women were recognized for their achievements in many spheres of human endeavor.
Helen Mathias, the proprietor of Anchor International School in Kogi, was chosen as the winner in the professional category. Gladys Okoro won in the business category, Mary Jackson won in farming, and Elizabeth Ehigiamusoe received the lifetime achievement award. Every winner, excluding Ehigiamusoe, received N300,000.
Dr. Osaren Omokpae, chairman of the LAPO Board of Directors, said the honorees had overcome challenges to succeed in a variety of human undertakings through pure willpower, perseverance, and remarkable commitment.
He said that with the 2023 award recipients, there would be 37 women who have received awards since the program was established in 2013.
He said, “A lot of progress has been made in the struggle to free women from the clutches of discrimination and abuse, this day reminds us that much work lies ahead to achieve true gender rights and equity in Nigeria in particular, and Africa in general.
“This inequality can be seen in the persistent gender-based violence against women, son preference and deprivation of the girl-child in life opportunities, low representation of women in leadership positions in public and private sectors, child marriage, among others.
“We in LAPO believe that there is an urgent need to address the marginalisation of women in all facets of our national life. We congratulate and rejoice with all the winners of this year’s 11th edition of the award who through sheer determination, hard work and uncommon commitment have surmounted obstacles to attain success in their various fields of human endeavors.”
Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, the organization’s chairman, claimed that over 130 women are murdered by their spouses or family members every day, with one-third of women experiencing some type of abuse from their spouse globally.
He said, “The celebration of the anniversary of the LAPO Outstanding Women Leadership Award is a testimony of the strength of our conviction in women’s empowerment and contributions to societal advancement.
“Globally, one third of women have experienced a form of violence from their spouse and an estimated over 130 women are killed by their partners or a family member every day.
“Over 25 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; progress towards equal rights for women still remains elusive across countries. If we fail to challenge gender stereotypes, call out discriminations, draw attention to biases, and seek out inclusion, we may not be able to achieve the desired progress including the SDGs.”
PUNCH
