LAPO prize goes to four women.

During the LAPO Exceptional Women Leadership Award on Tuesday in Benin, four exceptional women were recognized for their achievements in many spheres of human endeavor.

Helen Mathias, the proprietor of Anchor International School in Kogi, was chosen as the winner in the professional category. Gladys Okoro won in the business area, Mary Jackson won in farming, and Elizabeth Ehigiamusoe received the lifetime achievement award. Every winner, except Ehigiamusoe, received N300,000.

Dr. Osaren Omokpae, chairman of the LAPO Board of Directors, said the honorees had overcome challenges to succeed in a variety of human undertakings by pure willpower, perseverance, and remarkable devotion.

He said that with the 2023 award recipients, there would be 37 women who have received awards since the program was established in 2013.
He stated, “Although considerable progress has been achieved in the fight to liberate women from the shackles of prejudice and violence, this day serves as a reminder that much work remains to be done to establish real gender rights and equality in Nigeria specifically, as well as across Africa.

“Son preference and depriving the female child of life prospects, low representation of women in leadership positions in the public and business sectors, child marriage, among other things, are examples of this inequality. It is also evident in the ongoing gender-based violence against women.

“LaPO has the view that it is necessary to address how women are marginalized in all sectors of our national life. We congratulate and celebrate with all of this year’s award recipients, who have overcome challenges to succeed in a variety of human activities by pure willpower, perseverance, and remarkable devotion.

According to the organization’s chairman, Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, over 130 women are reportedly slain by their spouses or family members every day. One third of women worldwide have suffered some type of abuse from their husband.

The anniversary celebration for the LAPO Exceptional Women Leadership Award, he added, “is a testament to the strength of our belief in women’s empowerment and contributions to social growth.

“About 130 women are reportedly slain by partners or family members every day, and one third of women worldwide have suffered some type of abuse from their spouse.

“More than 25 years after the Beijing Declaration and Programme for Action were adopted, progress toward equal rights for women across nations remains elusive. We may not be able to make the needed progress toward the SDGs if we don’t fight against gender stereotypes, expose discrimination, call attention to prejudices, and promote inclusiveness.

Miniechat

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