REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, LIFT ABOVE POVERTY ORGANISATION (LAPO), OSARENREN EMOKPAE (PhD, DBA) AT THE 9^TH LAPO OUTSTANDING WOMEN LEADERSHIP AWARD (LOWLA) HELD IN BENIN CITY ON MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021.

 

The Chairperson, Keynote Speaker, Distinguished Guests, Gentlemen of the Press, Ladies, and Gentlemen

It is my pleasure to be a part of the 2021 LAPO Outstanding Women Leadership Award (LOWLA). The award which was instituted to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD), is a demonstration of the commitment of LAPO to the socio-economic empowerment of women in Nigeria.

LAPO has set the pace over the years as a development organization advancing the cause of women and eliminating barriers hindering their social-economic progress and ending violence against them. In 2013, the organization took a step further by instituting the LAPO Outstanding Women Leadership Award specifically dedicated to recognize, honour and celebrate Nigerian women who have distinguished themselves and recorded outstanding success in Business, Farming and Professional Life. Today marks the 9^th edition of the Award with 24 women as beneficiaries to date.

In spite of the fact that various cultural and traditional beliefs have impinged on women’s human rights over the years, they have proven over time that they possess the quality, talent and character required not only for the growth of the nation but for the enhancement of the progress and wellbeing of the human society at large. Amongst the arrays of distinguished Nigerian women who have excelled in their careers such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, DG, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Hon. Justice Esther Edigin, the Chief Judge of Edo State, Prof Lilian Imuetinyan Salami, Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin (UNIBEN), amongst others. 

Today’s occasion provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the enormous contributions of women to the economic development and progress of Nigeria whether in business, agriculture, as entrepreneurs or employees, or by doing unpaid care work at home.

I am highly optimistic that in due course women in Nigeria will have more representation in public life just like Rwanda, Cuba and Bolivia where there are more women in parliament than men.

I commend LAPO for consistently hosting the award over the years, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. I also want to congratulate the winners of the 2021 LAPO Outstanding Women Leadership Award (LOWLA) for their hard work and commitment which distinguished them among their peers and earned them this prestigious recognition.

Once again, I appreciate your presence.

 

Osarenren Emokpae, PhD, DBA
Chairman, Board of Directors, LAPO

 

March 8, 2021.

 

---

 

---