Soroptimist International Gwarimpa installs new President

The Installation Ceremony of Mrs Magdalene Ottih-Uwadiale as the 2nd President of Soroptimist International Gwarimpa and fundraising dinner for the organization held yesterday at the Grand Cabana Hotel, Jabi, Abuja. Soroptimist International is a leading global women’s voluntary organisation with close to 90,000 members in more than 3,000 clubs in over 100 countries around the world.

The new president in her acceptance remarks, Mrs Magdalene OttihUwadiale appreciated the members of the organization for trusting her to lead the organization. She pledged her to continue with her predecessor’s project on education and expand the scope of the organisation’s initiative to cover health and reducing trafficking of women and girls. “Our model is simple, educate women and girls to create female leaders of tomorrow. In order to get to there, we need to educate, empower and enable them.”

The chairman of the occasion, Prince Akwaji Offiono, represented by Mr Anthony Kaba, delivered the chairman’s opening remarks, in a brief statement while congratulating the past and incoming president acknowledged the efforts and impact of the organization in trying to touch the lives of the less privileged in the society. Mr Akwaji, through his representative, made a total donation of N500,000 covering three different donations. He also promised to support the occasion for many years to come.

Delivering his speech, special guest of honour, Sir Olusegun A. Odekunle, said there was the need for everyone in the society to support the initiative of Soroptimist International. “I find the objectives of this organization very apt and relevant to today’s challenges. I commend their effort in contributing to the society and I urge everyone to support them.” Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua, the occasion’s guest speaker, said mothers and women are the essential for a stable and formidable society and urged mothers to be closer to their children and teach them the basics and essence of life. He also said, there was the need for mothers to inculcate national values in their children, so that they can be proud of where they come from and who they become in future.

Out-going president, Dr. Helen Okeleka- Adesanya, thanked the organisation for the opportunity to serve humanity. She, however, noted that there was an urgent need not to only educate the girl-child but also empower women. “We cannot say that society is growing, if women are disadvantaged. Women should no longer live in abject poverty”, she said.