CITIZENS COMPASS —Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) has organized the LAPO Outstanding Women Leadership Award, as a part of the activities to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day.
Instituted in 2013, the Award is bestowed annually on women adjudged to have made outstanding contributions to societal development in the area of agriculture, profession and public service.
Speaking, the Special Guest of Honour and First Lady of Edo State, Her Excellency, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, represented by Barrister (Pastor) Uzamere, celebrated the achievements and contributions of women in various fields including business, farming and professional career.
She noted that such serves as beacons of inspiration, demonstrating the power of determination, resilience and compassion in transforming lives and communities.
In his keynote lecture, Professor Kingsley Omoyibo emphasized the need for gender equity and noted that in the efforts to build an inclusive society, the potentials and contributions of all, irrespective of gender should be recognized.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of the LAPO System, Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe reiterated the need for the effective inclusion of women who are willing and able to make contributions to national development.
He acknowledged that progress has been made in enabling women to realize their potentials; but noted that much is still to be done.
Dr Ehigiamusoe lamented that affordable access to finance, quality productive healthcare, and political participation for women, especially rural women, is still largely a mirage adding that “we cannot afford to exclude half of the population from the task of nation building.”
Four women were honoured at the occasion, for their outstanding contributions to national development in their respective communities.
