Nigeria is yet to dream of having a female vice-president, much less a female president, but the Rotary Club of Lagos is showing the way.
Gladys Modupe Sasore was installed as the 56th president of the club on July 4 for the years 2016/17, with a promise that women will continue to go places.
She became the second female president in three years, taking over from Larry Agose, who gave an account of his stewardship for the 2015/16 Rotary year.
Agose said his star project was the building and furnishing of the Randle Avenue Primary School Library in partnership with Nigeria Breweries Plc, which cost N18 million.
Advertisement
Sasore is an advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (UK).
She was also special adviser on export programmes to President Olusegun Obasanjo between 2005 and 2007.
The ceremony also witnessed presentation of awards to some members of the club for “distinguished contributions” in the last rotary year, with Bridget Uko bagging the Rotarian of the Year award.
Advertisement
Guest speaker, Itunu Hotonu, a rear admiral, expressed delight at the emergence of a lady as the president of the club.
As the first woman to attain the rank of rear admiral in the Nigerian Navy, Hotonu urged Nigerian ladies to avoid always staying in the shadows of men.
“To the women, I am saying you have a place at the top. You are invaluable to the human race. Today, women are going places and doing great things. You are who you are meant to be. Don’t limit yourself. Don’t stay in the shadows. I am not saying this for you to take over; I am saying you are not handicapped and should never see yourself as such,” she said.
She also the club for its service to humanity and asked them to assist in restoring the fallen ethical standard of the Nigerian society.
Advertisement
Other dignitaries at the ceremony included chairman of the occasion, Kessington Adebutu, represented by his son, Ladi Adebutu, and Umar Saro, the special guest of honour.
Add a comment
