The Ending Gender Based Violence Conference & Awards 2022 was recently held at Lagos Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja on the 30th July, 2022. The Conference theme was The Role of Media & Civil Societies: Challenges & Prospects, organized by Jose Foundation UK.
The Founder, Dr. Martins Abhulimen, while delivering his opening speech said; the time has come for all hands to be on deck in fighting Gender-Based Violence. The conference event is to provide an opportunity for everyone to stand up for the rights of women and girls across the globe, to end sexual and physical violence, economic, spiritual, political, social and cultural inequality and to empower women and girls to create their own independent futures.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Her Excellency, Amb. (Dr.) Olufolake Abdulrazaq, First Lady of Kwara State. She highlighted the role Kwara State and her NGO (The Ajike People Support Centre) is playing in the fight against GBV in Nigeria. She applauded Jose Foundation UK for organizing such a laudable event at this time that the issue of GBV is becoming a challenge in the country. Amb. (Dr.) Olufolake Abdulrazaq is the Secretary, The Nigerian Governors Wives’ Forum (NGWF) and Vice Chairman, Northern Governors Wives Forum. Her Excellency is also the Erelu of Ilado and Inagbe Islands of Lagos, the Yeye Aare Soludero of Ibolo Kingdom Offa and the Labinjo of Eti-Oni.
Goodwill messages were also delivered from representatives of Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Martha Udom Emmanuel, First lady of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Barr. (Mrs) Chioma Deborah Uzodimma, First Lady of Imo State, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, First Lady of Lagos State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, First Lady of Ondo State. We also had representatives from the Director General of NAPTIP, the President, Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Commissioner of Police FCT Police Command and Commandant, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps, FCT Command.
Participants at the conference also had the privilege to listen to other guest speakers. Some of whom were; Pst. Regina Omo-Agege Ph.D, Founder, Women Education, Advocacy and Development Initiative, Ms Esther Ikenye, Program Officer, FIDA Nigeria, Princess Onyinyechi Ozoemelam, Founder, Women Rights Network, Joseph Osuigwe, Executive Director, Devatop Centre for Africa Development others includes; Ajumoke Nwaeze, CEO. Apple Juice Media, Fr. Max Okoro sdb, Director, Project Development Office, Salesians of Don Bosco ANN Province, Adaora Onyechere, Executive Director, Gender Strategy Advancement International, Ogenna Walter Ekwubiri, Founder, Motiving African Youths, Vivian Lam, CEO, Vivian Lam Glamour Magazine, Lady Suzaine Manassian, Ghana Delegate, Amb (Dr.) Maryam C. Abdullahi, Founder, Women for Peace in Nigeria. Fela Olagunju, Chief Growth Officer, Bankly.ng
The Event came to a close with a Dinner & Award ceremony. First Ladies fighting GBV and NGOs were honoured. The Ending GBV Ambassadors were inaugurated. Dr. Martins Abhulimen was confirmed as the Commandant General of the Ending GBV Ambassadors by Her Excellency, Amb. (Dr.) Olufolake Abdulrazaq, First Lady of Kwara State. First Ladies of Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Imo and Lagos State were honoured the Award of Excellence for fighting GBV and Ending GBV Ambassador Award 2022. Other recipient of the Ending GBV Ambassador Awards included; Amb. Atta Frimpong Addo, Amb. Christina Chibuzo Uzo-Okamgba, Amb. Patience Ogolo-Dickson, Amb. Pst. Regina Omo-Agege, Amb. Princess Onyinyechi Ozoemelam, Amb. Joseph Osuigwe, Amb. Queen Ugwuja, Amb. Becky Ogonnaya, Amb. Omowumi Ogunrotimi Esq, Amb. Tinuola Adigun.
The Conference and Awards was hosted by Abosede Ozah Osho. Guest were entertain with spoken words, poem, music & Violin. The Conference Ground Chair, Mr. Orifa Charles, thank everyone who attended and supported the event, he also added that Jose Foundation UK is organizing a Five (5) Days Ending GBV Workshop in November, 2022 and the event will be holding in Dubai, UAE.