Ronke Kehinde/
Amazons from different walks of life were out celebrating one another in an atmosphere of worship, dance and merriment, in Lagos, on November 4, as the Wisdom For Women International held the 6th edition of the Wise Women Awards Nigeria.
Described as a choice platform to celebrate those unsung heroes that have continued to pour out their lives in service to God and humanity despite all odds, the event held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja was specially packaged to honour and recognize the contribution of Christian Women in the church and wider society.
Speaking at the event, the Founder Pastor Marjorie Esomowei of Wisdom For Women International with headquarters in the United Kingdom and Co-Pastor of Triumphant Church International acknowledged that many women are doing great works for God and mankind but nobody acknowledges their efforts and the huge sacrifice put into it.
She explained that the Wise Women Awards serves as a foretaste and reminder of what she described as the final Award Giving Ceremony coming up in heaven at the end of time and urged everyone to do their work faithfully and consciously, knowing that God is a Faithful Rewarder of those that seek and serve Him.
Keynote speaker at the occasion, Kemi Williams berated the fact that women have been socialized to believe they are second class citizens, hence, “we are used to being repressed, depressed and oppressed”.
“It takes a lot of courage for a woman to rise up and do great works because the society has conscripted us to believe we cannot and should not”, she noted.
She, however, challenged the women to be strong and very courageous because God has deposited great and precious potentials in them to bring Him glory, hence they must identify, harness and utilize their gifting.
“Courage is the ability to go forward even when you feel the fear, when you are not sure when it seems you are taking a risk, said Williams.
Citing the example of Ruth in the Bible, she further urged the women to let go of the past and move into the new and beautiful things that God is presenting to them.
She stressed that God needs women to agree with him, rise up, take a risk and seek change.
“Look into the future because there is a lot ahead of you. God is set to do a new thing. Stop wallowing in the pain of the past. It is time to receive healing and move forward. Be courageous and let go of the past. Embrace the change because God is set to do a new thing.”
Corroborating this, the second keynote speaker and Executive Director of First City Monument Bank, Bukola Smith urged the women not to allow their scares debar them from serving God but to yield themselves as vessels of honour in the hands of the Creator and to serve Him faithfully by giving back to humanity.
“God cannot do everything for you. He wants your light to shine wherever you are. You are not too young or too old to serve God and this is the right time. So don’t be ashamed of your scares. Let your scares be your light”, said Smith.
The recipient of the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya added that we may not have control over our past and background but we can shape their future in tune with God’s precious promises for us as women.
Another recipient, Aramide Oikelome, Executive Director- Girls Arise Initiative/Goshen Home & Orphanage described the honour as a very humbling experience for her, especially because it is coming at a time when there is so much pressure and discouragement due to the lack of resources to meet the numerous needs of the vulnerable children and girls that she serves.
For her, this is the second award within the space of three months, the first being Humanitarian Award from D & Ksuomi Foundation, headquartered in Finland.
“Identifying and celebrating us in this manner is quite encouraging. It means that God is ever mindful of us and our labour of love and that He will never leave us alone no matter what”, she said.
While dedicating the award to the Nigerian children, especially the Girl-child, she urged fellow recipients to remain strong and focused in their service to humanity, knowing that they are great influencers and positive life-changers.
Other recipients of the Wise Women Award 2018 include:
- Iruoma Ofortube, Executive Director- Thyroidism Awareness & Support Initiative
- Unyime-Ivy King, Executive Director, Save Our Women & Girls Foundation
- Charity Lade-Babatunde, Founder RAVE Et Al Limited
- Ngozi Okonkwo, Keeping Marriage Alive Initiative
- Nonyemum Nweke, Founder- Cerebral Palsy Center
- Oyindamola Adeniyi, Founder, Foundation For Neuromuscular Disorders
- Rita Charles, Founder- RitiGreat Foundation
- Stephany Nwanmah- Founder- Tehila Women & Youth Empowerment Foundation
- Elizabeth Chris Nnawuihe, Leader De Virtue Worship Dancers
- Lyn Oladapo, Founder- Deborah Movement
- Mary Katugwa, a Christian Mother & Youth Infleuncer.
Winners of the Wise Women Award are nominated by a member of the public but they are decided using very strict criteria.
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