NIGERWIVES NIGERIA - LAGOS BRANCH

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

By President: Mrs.Cleopatra AGORO

 

President - Cleopatra AGORO

Vice President - Jennifer ANYANSI

Treasurer - Chris ACHIMU

Asst. Treasurer - Elizabeth MARCUS

Secretary -  Sherese IJEWERE

Asst. Secretary - Bethteal ADEDEJI

Membership Secretary - Alex OTIGBA

 

Welfare Committee:

Chairperson - Joan EZE

Asst. Chairperson - Cinthia MBONU

Member - Marie France ADEDEJI, Kathleen ASIYA

 

Program Coordinator - Signe BELLO, Myrna OBIAKOR, Hanga HERMANN

 

Ex-Officio - Roseline AFOLABI, Tanya ODETOLA

 

Imm. Past President - Bryna UDUBA

 

ABOUT US

 

Our mission

 

Lagos Branch has existed as long as nigerwives national has existed, Lagos branch is the home of many of the founding members. Over the years members have come and gone and we can safely say over 300 women have at any one time called Lagos Branch their Home, Last year we had an active membership of 113 members, and I am sorry to report that during my tenor only 75 member were fully active, though am pleased to report we welcomed 13 new members

With that said I would like to acknowledge and thank my EXCO and ask you to give big round of applause as they stand up to their names. These Ladies have volunteered more than just time to be sometimes resources, money and at times sacrificed valuable family time to be here with us. Thank you

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OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

 

Before I take you through our activities I wanted to take you through some of our objectives which led to the work done by my amazing EXCO when we started out this year.

Much of our learning from the previous year resulted in our 2016 objectives which meant we introduced a few different structures and processes to the Nigerwives EXCO but not without the consultation of our constitution.

The issues raised with regards to charitable giving of the previous year resulted in the charities committee being formed and a policy on how were works with our partners on philanthropy to be drafted

A refreshed welfare policy was established to ensure that our sisters were always adequately taken care. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY for us to look within  in terms of fundraising for own Welfare. What many call charity begins at home. We also elected a welfare rep for each area so as to work with our committee in terms of safe guarding.

Our Programs team becomes larger despite the bad luck of events being cancelled because of reasons beyond our control, despite this our sisters still preserved working hard on a set calendar of events for which I commend them greatly.

We listened to some of our sisters in Business and those clearly building their careers in Lagos and started our own business and careers networking group.

We returned the meeting format to that suggested by the constitution in order to ensure the house had adequate responsibility in bringing and resolving motions and issues to the general meetings.

We felt it important to set up the building fund committee in order to put to bed a burning issue of what was to happen to the donations collected so many years ago in order to build something for Nigerwives in Lagos.

Widows Group – Again like the business group it was identified by our sisters that we have sisters at different stages in their lives and especially those who have lost their dear husbands.  The widows group was set up  to provide mutual support, fun outlets, develop friendships through fun programs  and their Motto is: ARISE & SHINE

Communication is what keeps the world moving – we were keen to restart the newsletter which  our editor Claire Manning gave her all and in July 2016 we were graced with not only news about the branch but a review for upcoming summer camps – those nigerwives who are rejoiced

Membership Cards and their ease if replication continued to be a subject at our meeting throughout 2016 so effective January 1, 2017. New Membership Cards which cannot encourage replication will be issued according to membership requirements as stated in the Constitution to all paid up members

The result of working on all this objectives is hopefully evident to the house. It is hoped that the incoming President will continue to ensure that the house is familiar with all policies put together last year. The committees will continue to work for the house and the newsletter will only get better.

 

ACTIVITIES

 

The years activities were to many  and so I will mention some highlights

 

AGM

 

AGM held Friday 19 - Sunday 20 March, 2016 at Jubilee Convention Centre, in Mother of Redeemer Church compound, Warri, Delta State. All went well. There were 32 Delegates. Shu Fang Okorie from Lagos Branch was the only candidate who got 32 votes to be elected as National Vice-President. Two other Lagos Branch members were elected to the National Executive Committee: Elizabeth Marcus as Assistant National Secretary & Anita Basorun as Assistant National Treasurer. Mrs Afolabi read out a Letter of Appreciation addressed to the Lagos Branch President in which she sincerely thanked Lagos Branch for all the loving support given to her and her team during their 4-year tenure.

 

Business and career committee

its 1st meeting was held in June – a Business Breakfast  at which  Nigerwives were able to network.  8 ladies attended.  The event raised N15k and was handed over to welfare committee. These meetings will continue in 2017 as we create a stronger platform for Nigerwives to network and support each other

 

Charities Commitee – its important to note that not all charitable giving by nigerwives is borne the house some of the things done individually and in groups continue to build our image as nigerwives

 

.i.e Nigerwives were well represented at the fourth annual Big Hat Brunch held on Mother’s Day in May donning some beautiful hats, geles and fascinates.

 

I as president I was invited to the Mirebal centre fundraiser at British Council, It was  a   wonderful  occasion Eith Bez and our own Cobhams singing to support the cause

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The Small world participation donation was allocated to the Braille centre

 

Ladies Attended the Fafunwa Foundation yearly lecture and Closing Ceremony

 

Finally a few ladies and I attended the year attending an invitation from Mrs Amode to a  Thank Dinner held in Honor of Her Execelleny Mrs Aisha Buhuri Christmas dinner honoring all the womens groups in lagos that make a positive and charible impact andyes our own Katia was on stage Dancing with Her Excellency Mrs Buhari.

 

Welfare Committe

 

The committee  continued to provide support to many of our sisters who were sick, breaved or just needed a helping and a listening ear during the year

 

Programs Committee

 

The successful  news members tea kicked off  the years events, other events organised were the  High Tea, and a Christmas Bazaar , Fundy and children's party though these did not go ahead due to the circumstance beyond our control. We promise in 2017 a packed and fun calendar of events.

 

Births and Deaths, Marriages

 

Losses

 

Mr. Eze, husband of Aunty Joan Eze who passed away during the summer of 2016.May his soul rest in perfect peace. May

 

Pa Adewunmi Olufeyi Otudeko, husband of our sister,Valerie Otudeko. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

 

Births

 

Congratulations to the following new

arrivals, Jennifer Essien – Baby Raphael

Signe Hammond – Baby Emily

Curbie Ibrahim - Baby Korede

This list is not inclusive as also  a couple of babies & grand babies were born in mainland to our sisters .

 

Marriages

 

We celebrated with Sister Stella Byll Ducan on her second Nigerwives Marriage.

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Speakers

 

Some of the speakers who came and made our meeting entertaining but also imparted us with knowledge were:

 

Prof. Sarah Oloko, Chairperson for Human development Initiatives. A social Anthropologist – gave incite on Nigerian Marital Culture.

 

Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli Leap Nigeria Founder who came to introduce her book.

 

Inpirational Blind Poet Antonio read powerful poetry to us

 

We also had my internal speech on constitutional Insight to further enlighten us on  the constitution.

 

We also had a lot of fun too during some of our meetings such as our Nigeria day themed meeting, we danced to the talking drum and a ha druming lesson, african dance workout, learned to tie gele and enjoyed traditional nigerian food.

 

Passing on the baton.

 

Immigration – why is it important that every president ensures this relationship continues with the immigration controller to the advantage of nigerwives

 

The spirit of giving all nigerwives  A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE – Though committee leaders sit on Exco the  committees are open and not elected so anyone can volunteers and lend a helping hand.

 

Becoming a more relevant organisation to all young, old and widowed, supporting the business groups, throwing inclusive events for both mothers, and those who are young at heart.

 

Braille Centre

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Sitting on the Braille center committee, I have been able to be part of something special. That is the transition of the Braille Centre to the next generation: Its Business and Funding Model will change to ensure future sustainability, the organisational structure too, all in the spirit of passing on the Baton to support growth and improvement of the Braille Centre its self. We all must support the passing on the center to the next generation so that they to may run their 21 years.

 

Finally ensuring that the constitution is the back bone of our own branch let alone our national organisation – don't throw out the baby with the bath water for flexibility sake . Let the new ones come and learn it, let them have the tools to contest things they see that have veared from it. Because as we have seen on the world stage. The most powerful man in the world right now is ignoring the constitution to ply his own personal Agenda.Let us be the guardians of our constitution.

 

With these words I thank all nigerwives for this extremely challenging but fulfilling year. I felt honored to be President FOR THE YEAR OF 2016 and thank everyone who advised, supported, gave feedback, and anyone who has given their time to any of the nigerwives initiatives.

 

 

On behalf of Me and my outgoing Exco  I thank you and assure  the incoming committee that we will always be here to support to the incoming President and her team as we continue to work together for a Better Lagos Branch.