Mary Nnah
More speakers and dignitaries have confirmed their participation in the 2024 MMS Hall of Famers’ Day and MMS Inspired Amazon recognition ceremony to mark International Women’s Day(IWD).
The event billed for Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 at the Colonades Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos will be chaired by Amb. Unyime Ivy King, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Protection Plus Services Limited, a Lagos-based foremost maritime security firm.
Organized by the MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame(WoFHoF) Initiative, a non-profit firm with a membership of notable women of substance in Africa as Hall of Famers, it has Amb. Dr. Kema Chikwe, former Minister of Aviation and Transport at different times as the Governing Council Chairperson and Chief Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, Chief Executive Officer(CEO), Le Look Nigeria Limited as Board of Trustees(BoT) member.
Confirmed speakers include; former Chief Executive Officer(CEO), of Computer Warehouse Group(CWG), Mr. James Agada, Guest Speaker; National President, Women in Energy, Oil and Gas(WEOG), Dr. Oladunni Owo, alternate Guest Speaker; Director General, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry(LCCI), Dr. Chinyere Almona, Panel Moderator; Amb. Dr. Kema Chikwe,Keynote Speaker; Chief Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa as chief host.
While the heads of maritime agencies are expected as chief guests of honour, many male folk dignitaries considered as he4she will grace the occasion to help align women with new realities and opportunities.
Ten women with remarkable differences and impact have been nominated for recognition as Inspired Amazons to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day.
According to Mr. Kingsley Anaroke, Chief Executive Officer of MMS WoFHoF Initiative, organisers of the project, the local theme of this year’s event is: “Leveraging Innovation and Technology for Gender Inclusion in Africa” which is drawn from the global theme of the IWD: “Inspire Inclusion”.
He added that this edition of the MMS Amazons recognition tagged, “Inspired Amazon” is phenomenally remarkable with phenomenal stars from different sectors of the economy as Inspired Amazons awaiting their plume of accomplishment, adding that this will feature the celebration of the unsung spirit of a mother breadwinner.
Anaroke said the event is also the 6th MMS Hall of Famers’ Day in commemoration of the UN IWD usually marked on March 8, yearly. This is a networking opportunity that brings together all the women of substance who have been inducted into MMS Hall of Fame as Hall of Famers and distinguished categories of Amazons over the years to discuss and celebrate Womanhood.
The Inspired Amazons awaiting their crown include Hon. Chief Ginika Florence-Tor, Federal Commissioner, Federal Character Commission(FCC); Dr. Ngozi Omambala, Group Chief Executive Officer(CEO), NMO Management and PR Limited; Ms. Bunmi Falana, CEO, Marine Vigeo Consulting and Welfare Officer, Nigerian Shipowners Association(NISA); Dr. Hope Orivri, Founder/CEO, One-Page Africa Media.
Others are: Mrs Sarah Ballah, Assistant General Manager(AGM), Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA); Ms Thelma Williams, Chief Superintendent of Customs(CSC) in Customs Intelligence Unit(CIU), Tin Can Port Command; Mrs. Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, Director-General, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping(NCS); Mrs. Blessing Osakwe-Ogo, Assistant Director, Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC); Mrs. Juliana Saka, Chief Operations Officer, Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC); and Mrs. Nneka Igbokwe, Assistant Director, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA).
According to Anaroke who is also co-founder of the initiative,” The MMS Hall of Famers’ Day is also set aside for networking and interface with Mentors(Hall of Famers) and their mentees, younger generation of women as well as provides a moment to reflect on how they can be more impactful to their community, environment and sectors.”
MMS WoFHoF Initiative is a not-for-profit organization with the preoccupation of empowering, training and producing the next generation of leaders in various sectors of the economy. It has a special interest in the maritime, oil and gas, finance, aviation as well as political leadership and creativity sectors.
“Role modelling, Capacity building and Leadership have been our focus in reaching our objectives. We keep identifying and assembling women of substance who are role models and mentors with whom the mentees are paired for guidance in Africa.
“So far, with over 100 women as Hall of Famers and Amazons on this stable, over 3000 women have been empowered for different degrees of impact in the society. We also galvanize women into cooperatives for entrepreneurial and financial empowerment.
“Our initiative has undertaken the capacity building of women in various sectors of the economy. This informed our vision 5W – 250,000, which is conceived to empower 50,000 women yearly for five years.
“Under this scheme, women evidently in need of funds to grow their businesses are empowered while scholarships are given to the deserving people even as regular quarterly business management seminars are held for micro business owners with quick capital dispensed under the MMS WOFHOF Micro Credit Scheme,” Anaroke added.
