NIGERWIVES NIGERIA
the Association of foreign women married to Nigerians
We were able to meet monthly throughout the year, continuing our tradition of alternating between the north and south sides of Ibadan when we meet a members’ homes. We are very grateful to Lucy, Ursula, Olga, Gloriastene, Kathie, Helen, and Hayat who all hosted monthly meetings throughout 2017.
Figure 1 Nigerwives Ibadan Branch in 2017 "Anko" (Uniform) at AGM
Figure 3 Malita Ashiru enjoying
Tea Break at 2017 AGM
Figure 2 Helen Chatburn-Ojehomon and Olga Adediran enjoying some food from the AGM Potluck Dinner
In preparation for the 2017 AGM, which took place March 17-21st, 2017, we spent many of our early 2017 meetings debating logistics and planning the event, with weekly meetings held for many of our committed members in the final build up to the event. All this time was well spent, as the 3-day event was a huge success and we ably hosted 55 members from 10 of the 13 national Branches. The basic itinerary was: a pot luck welcome dinner held a Sylvia’s hotel on Friday, a full meeting during the AGM proper throughout the day with a trip to the Palms Mall in the afternoon on Saturday and the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening, with drinking, dancing and merriment until very late in the night, and finally a send-off breakfast for all hosted by Malita Ashiru at her residence on Sunday morning.
Ibadan Branch worked together to make the event happen, and with encouragement from our members, we were able to mobilize financial and other support from many members of our community. We were able to live up to the great tradition of Ibadan Branch in hosting an excellent AGM representative of the tradition of hospitality that Ibadan is known for. Many photos of the event are available online: https://goo.gl/photos/hRNWB3qxBzrNe1MQ9
Figure 5 2017 Plant & Book Sale Poster displayed in various locations around Ibadan to advertise the event
In July, we held our second annual Plant and Book Sale, which once again took place in the Cocoa Mall parking lot, just outside the entrance to the Mall. Many Nigerwives donated plants, books, and CDs to sell at the sale, while others donated chairs, table, transportation, and their time and money by buying many plants themselves!
Figure 4 Eager volunteers: Nigerwives and kids
at the 2017 Plant & Book Sale
In total, we were able to raise N80,000.00 at the 2017 sale. This is a great success considering the economic pressures, that there appeared to be fewer people in the area than the previous year, and considering that the timing fell in the vacation period for many, which is usually a quieter time in Ibadan. The event was picked up by AIT Television station and the clip has been aired many times since!
After the AGM, with the support of the BBPC and the funds raised from Small World by Lagos Branch, some of our members were able to help deliver Braille Math Kits to the Omoyeni Special School for the Blind, our local project. Maggie and Ursula have continued to support the project through personal visits to the Special School.
Some immigration issues affected Nigerwives this year, especially with regard to remitting and taking money out of the country. These are yet to be resolved. A new National Identity Card deadline was also issued by the Nigerian Government, which was reported in major news outlets to also be affecting foreign residents, including Nigerwives, and so many members registered with the NIMC together at a registration centre. This activity also highlighted that information about immigration requirements is still fragmented.
Figure 6 Olga Adediran in her element at the Plant and Book Sale with Cocoa House in the Background
We joined our sisters in marking several important events in their lives this year. We helped Amelia Lagunju celebrate her son’s wedding in April. We grieved with Gloriastene Agboola after the passing of her husband, but many Nigerwives from around the country joined her to celebrate his life in July. In September, we celebrated Kathie and David Okpako’s 50th Wedding Anniversary at a lovey party at their home.
Figure 9 Amelia's Son's Wedding
Figure 8 Mr. Agboola's Celebration of Life
Figure 7 The Okpako's Anniversary
In November, we helped our sister Hayat Salami mark her birthday in a party at her home, while in December, we celebrated our sister Doreen Odugbesan’s 80th birthday at a party organized by her children. In May, we also travelled together to hold our meeting in Abeokuta, where we were hosted by Abeokuta Branch and celebrated Abeokuta member, Soledad’s birthday – as well as our own member Maggie’s birthday.
Figure 12 Hayat's Birthday Party
Figure 11 Doreen's 80th Birthday
Figure 10 Trip to Abeokuta & Soledad's Birthday
We ended the year with the largest Christmas Party we have organized in quite some time which was held at IITA. We had lots of children in attendance and also invited Deni Bown of the IITA Forest Project, who has been a friend to Nigerwives and who has now left Nigeria. We had a traditional European Christmas Dinner with a large roast turkey, flaming Christmas pudding, and Christmas crackers. There was a lovely gift exchange, plenty of fun and games organized by Olga, Yulia, Alla, Lucy and Helen and a great time was had by all. Ira’s husband made a wonderful Father Christmas – we are very grateful to him, Dr. Otesanya!
As the 2015-2017 tenure comes to a close, I would like to thank our Branch Executive for their service to Ibadan Branch. Lucy has always been so supportive as the Vice President, Yulia has been a wonderful Secretary and has always gone above and beyond when it comes to organizing events. Gloriastene has been a great Treasurer and Olga as Assistant Treasurer has helped ensure that our financial records have been kept seamlessly while Gloriastene has been out of the country. All of our members have put their resources, including their time, ideas, and goodwill, together to make the AGM a great success and this resulted in an amazing demonstration of sisterhood and camaraderie all through our term.
Figure 13 Kids enjoying the party with Father Christmas!
Thank you all for making 2017 a great one!
NIGERWIVES NIGERIA - IBADAN BRANCH
2017 ANNUAL REPORT
By President: Helen CHATBURN-OJEHOMON
Nigerwives paid members in 2017 totaled 24 by December, 2017, with several other nonpaying members participating in various meetings and also coming to, and even helping out with our major event this year: hosting the 2017 Nigerwives AGM.