5 August 2007
Lagos — Where can you find the new Nigerian woman? Every where but in the traditional places defined by cultural norms and stereo-type. Her place has since moved from the kitchen and the bedroom to boardrooms of power, influence, authority and money; and the Nigerian woman is not done.
She is still climbing the ladder of success, aided by a more receptive environment where conventions are changing and a combination of factors are working in her favour. Where their predecessors tiptoed around the issues of life and her environment, the new Nigerian is as bold as they come. No more petrified, she finds every subject interesting and worthy of her robust engagement.
Liberated by education and a more permissive society that has shaken the foundation of traditional tenets, she is no more content with standing still as the unbending, erect pole of support that her man can lean on. She wants to be ahead of the pack; leading a revolution that demands more of her intellectual asset than any other virtue.
These women can be found in all walks of life, including areas where men once had an exclusive reign. Although issues of women emancipation have been on the front burner of national discourse in Nigeria since Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Nne Udo Udoma led popular uprising of women against established orders in Abeokuta and Ikot Abasi respectively. Then came the era of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS). Organised advancement of women in the corporate world and public sectors hit the top mark when the likes of Chief (Mrs.) Bola Kuforiji-Olubi led BEWAC Limited and later emerged as chairman of UBA one of the leading banks in the country.
Mrs. Betty Irabor, one of the outstanding women of this time painted a picture that is all so apt. In describing what her magazine, Genevieve, stands for, she said, She is the contemporary woman. She wants to be recognised through her aspirations and her works. She is not lacking in self esteem. She is a confident woman of style".
Other outstanding women have since shone like brilliant stars after her. Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Funke Olaode enter the world of some Nigerian women who believe they were not born to seat at the back of the train. With every ounce of strength available, they have seized the steering wheel of their productive machineries and are driving ahead full steam.
HOSPITALITY: KIKeLOMO OYEMADE
From its inception in 1999 to date, Eko Tourist Beach Resort (ETBR), Akodo, Lagos has been managed by one entity, Kik and Kem Investment Limited. For so long has the resort gained a growing reputation with those who seek to be one with nature, escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. Name the company or organisation and there is a good chance that it has enjoyed the cool comfort and quiet ambience of this resort managed by Mrs Kikelomo Oyemade, who is the current vice chairman of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Lagos state chapter.
Although the property is owned by the Lagos Sate government, Kik and Kem has a long lease relationship that has survived many administrations in the state, largely owing to the quality of service rendered by the operators.
It is not an easy task to nurture and manage the resort, but with the support of the Lagos State government , the Eko Tourist Beach Resort stands out.
What this means in plain terms is that the owner of the property is happy with the returns in investment rendered by the operators. Built on over 15-hectares of land, the resort is believed to gross close to 100 million per annum.
HOSPITALITY: Abimbola Bode-Thomas
Rising to the post of deputy general manager and having the distinction of being the topmost Nigerian employee in a five-star Nigerian hotel managed by foreigners could have effectively ended her career. For her retirement from Eko Hotel and Suites (managed at the time by Le Meridien) didn't bring her active years to an end. Instead, she transited her career and began a new personal phase of development and service in the hospitality industry.
At Eko Hotel, she was known as a no nonsense disciplinarian who instilled the fear of God and virtues of hard work in the staff.
Ms. Abimbola Bode-Thomas who is the managing director of Palmview Manor Hotel along Tony Anegbode Street, Victoria Island Extension is the winner of the prize for Best Nigerian Managed Hotel 2006. The hotel is under 100 rooms.
Warm and cosy, Bode-Thomas chose a location for her business that is not too far away from her former office. Too often, some of the distinguished clients from her previous office follow through to her new establishment to join a list of appreciating and growing clientele.
The Palmview Manor is a unique boutique hotel that has resurrected scenes and life in 'old' Lagos, much to the delight of many clients who are refreshed and educated by this reminisce. Of course, the hotel doesn't come cheap for the standard that Bode-Thomas, a former president of the Africa Travel Association Nigeria Chapter is trying to build.
MEDIA/LAW/BANKING: Eniola Fadayomi
Twice in recent history, she has held positions of eminence in our society. Before her current designation as the chairman/Publisher, Financial Standard, Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi earned the distinction of being the second woman to occupy the office of the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Lagos state, following Mrs. Airat Balogun. Fadayomi held the post between 1986 and 1991
She is an advocate of people remaining steadfast in a particular job; while generating streams of income from other sources. Fadayomi, probably one of the richest working experience among her contemporaries, having effectively criss-crossed the public and private sectors at very top positions. She also played her game in the legal and banking professions, enjoying the best of both worlds.
Financial Standard which she helped to give a life is one of the leading all-business dailies in Nigeria. Her gross earnings from investments in her law firm, hospitality industry, publishing, shares and bonds is put at overN5 billion, making her one of the riches women in Nigeria.
She started her distinguished working career with Lagos State Ministry of Justice between 1972 and 1979. While in the ministry, she was a member, Citizenship Committee and also the executive secretary, Council on the Prerogative of Mercy. In 1980, she joined First Bank of Nigeria Plc as legal adviser, where she implemented training courses for new lawyers into banking.
She was appointed Lagos state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in 1987 and served as a member Body of Benchers, Body for International co-operation in Criminal Prosecution and Enforcement, Council of Legal Education and Vice President, State Committee on Better Life for Rural Women. She was a Partner, Irving and Bonner firm of solicitors (1990-1998) and was Principal Partner, Eniola Fadayomi & co-firm of Solicitors and Advocates between 1998 and 2002.
She was chairman, Afribank Nigeria Plc between 1989 and 1996. Following the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999, she was appointed the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Lagos and was the Honourable Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions. She is a member, Nigeria Bar Association, Institute of Directors, African Business Roundtable, and International Federation of Women Lawyers among others. Presently, She is the chairman, Millennium Harvest Ltd, Publishers of Financial Standard and is happily married with children.
MEDIA: Betty Irabor
By the time she conquered her fear and was ready to go, she became unstoppable. A brilliant journalist, Mrs. Betty Irabor has made it where many men failed. As one whose pen is never dry of ink, she has managed to make hers a powerful voice that compels attention not only among women, she has become an advocate for a generation and for the voiceless and downtrodden. Her mascot, the women interest magazine called, Genevive is her finest moment in a progressive career that has spanned over two decades. Genevive has successfully captured the wit and imagination of the average Nigerian woman, while giving women in the top-flight class something to look forward to in every edition.
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