Emmanuel lkpeama.
The Member representing Oshodi/Isolo ll Federal Constituency,Hon. Bar Okey Joe Onuakalusi has celebrates International Women’s Day 2024 in grand style, by empowering over 13 vocational trainees who are beneficiaries of a fully sponsored and funded internship programme with 100,000 each made available by the Hon. Okey Joe foundation.
The theme of this year’s event, ‘Count me in’ was exercised at the empowerment programme as start-up capital, laptops, and other monetary donations were given to beneficiaries.
The founder of the HOJ Foundation, Hon. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi,in his welcome address stated that the foundation was borne out of the need to enhance the female gender and empower women.
He said that 60% of the microeconomic drive of the world, especially Nigeria, is dominated by women,stating that the 21st century women can be the president of Nigeria, and the HOJ is prepared to ensure that women succeed.
According to the lawmaker,the theme ‘count me in’ shows that women feel excluded; all they seek is to make them part and the heart of the discussion which the foundation is aimed at empowering more women in the future, he stated.
Hon. Okey-Joe went further to expressed his profound value for women, hence the drive of HOJ to empower women in the areas of skill acquisition, home management, and financial management to utilise the qualities in them.
He opined that the HOJ Foundation is breaking barriers where all women and girls are valued, especially the empowered ones who are prepared and ready to contribute to the economy of their families and the nation.
“Women are faced with several problems like violence, poverty, and limited opportunities. Gender equality can enhance economic advancement, proficiency, and quality of life. Education also has a special role in empowering women to ensure that girl-child education is achieved and seen as very key to societal growth and development and in tune with the global trending ICT skills, these ones can fend for themselves, employ others and can become breadwinners in their homes”
“This is the reason the H.O.J. foundation over the years sought out funds and grants. The foundation is in discussions with some countries to seek a way to empower the less privileged. Ali Baba Group is also coming in as sponsors; constituency funding will also be appropriated in the budget.”he submitted.
The Convener,Mrs. Amaka Uchenna stated that the theme of 2024 event, ‘COUNT HER IN’, is to encourage women to take up the challenge to achieve their aspirations in male-dominated sectors, thereby promoting gender equality in the society.
She noted that HOJ has achieved a lot in the few years of its existence, having trained over 20 women in make-up, catering, web design, and graphics and empowering them with laptop tools for work as well as start-up capital for the commencement of their journey as entrepreneurs.
She went ahead to reveals that the foundation is neither tribalistic nor religious or background-based, but for all as every woman should be financially independent to enhance family wellbeing.
In addition, Mazi Chuks Sunday Nwosu, the S.A. media to Hon.Okey Joe, said this year’s theme, ‘COUNT ME IN’ is created to encourage the inclusion of women in male-dominated sectors of society.
Mazi Chuks appealed to the Nigerian government to acknowledge women politically, hence corroborating the need for inclusive governance, while advising men to encourage their wives, sisters, and friends in their career paths.
A Crusader, Social Reformer and Human Right Activist Aisha Yusuf who was a special guest of honour at the event, spoke on the need for women to achieve their dreams despite societal disparities.
She gave an insight on the challenges faced in life during the course of getting an education but succeeded immensely.
The Human Right Activist told women on the occasion to make a list of goals to achieve, irrespective of perceived challenges, portray humility and respect in all spheres of life, while advising them to uphold their dreams and aspirations, be a support system in the home, be independent, and shun being stay-at-home mothers without financial independence.s no matter the challenges before them.
Other keynote speakers include Mrs. Toluwani Kennedy Jinadu, and Dr Chioma all point on the need to empower women to enhance the drive for gender equality.
One of the sponsors of the HOJ Foundation Chief Efedi Jellily, Head of Corporate Marketing and Export Marketing Manager of SoulMate Industries Limited, expressed appreciation for being honoured by the foundation, says the award reinstates his philosophy, which is; service to humanity.
The multiple award-winning entrepreneur for his philanthropic prowess over the years said being supportive is not measured by monetary assistance alone but by the compassion shown to others to enhance and provide stability in their lives, noting that the recognition will further propel partnership commitments to the HOJ Foundation to champion its course.
Hon. Thaddeus Attah, the Member representing Etiosa Federal Constituency commends the efforts and achievements of the HOJ Foundation founded by his good friend and associate, Hon. Okey-Joe Okey, to better the lives of people.
He says the act is a welcome development in the structuring of the female gender towards achieving equality in the society, while advising women to believe in themselves and get involved in sectors dominated by men despite challenges and opposition.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to the investigator news Bello Suliat Adebimpe, a website student,Justina Egwenagu a caterer and Bello Mariam all expressed gratitude and appreciation to the HOJ Foundation for successfully completing the fully funded programme as they sets out to break barriers by joining the tech world, entrepreneurship, stating that dreams have become a reality through empowerment by the foundation.
The highlight of the event is the presentation of cheques, laptops, and monetary donation to all the beneficiaries and presentation of award to some distinguished personalities who have contributed immensely in the society and they include High Chief (Sir) Ifedi Jellily, Head of Corporate Marketing & Export Marketing Manager of SoulMate Industries Limited; Chief Amb. Dr. Prophet Monday Akunna, Comrade Bolaji Belinda Bayode, Pastor Humphrey Erumaka and Obioma Agoziem.
It will be recalled that the International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is a day of unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy, and action and is celebrated in many countries worldwide.
