The Inner Wheel District 911, Lagos, Nigeria, has joined the global community in commemorating this year’s International Women’s Day with a call for women to accelerate action toward achieving their full potential in all spheres of life.
International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8, serves as a platform to recognize the remarkable achievements of women in social, economic, cultural, and political spaces.
Welcoming guests to the event, District Chairman Mrs. Adenike Sodipo emphasized that the day is dedicated to celebrating the strength, resilience, and accomplishments of women worldwide.
Sodipo highlighted that this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” is a reminder that true progress can only be achieved when women are empowered to lead, contribute, and be heard.
“Inner Wheel has always championed friendship, service, and social impact, ensuring that women and communities thrive. Through our work in education, healthcare, and leadership development, we continue to uplift lives. But our mission is far from over. We must remain committed to creating opportunities, advocating for equity, and supporting women’s growth,” she stated.
She urged women to become active agents of change in order to build a future where every woman’s potential is fully realized.
The event featured four distinguished speakers who engaged participants on strategies for amplifying their voices and gaining visibility in society.
In her presentation, former Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, charged women to take deliberate action in breaking stereotypes that hinder their development.
Adeyoye stressed that any society that fails to champion the cause of women is short-changing itself. She emphasized that women must cultivate competence, capacity, character, and integrity to excel in a competitive, male-dominated world.
She noted that while women have made significant strides in academia and the banking sector, they remain underrepresented in fintech and political spaces.
“We talk a lot about our position in society, but now is the time to take action and prepare for the immense opportunities ahead of us. Women must not be complacent; we must work hard to ensure doors of opportunity open for others,” she said.
“Women can multitask, they are more focused, and they can deliver. They must work with passion, set standards, and benchmark excellence. Parents must also start encouraging their children to be independent and self-confident.”
Similarly, management expert Mrs. Adedolapo Aminu urged women to seize opportunities for advancement.
Joining the event virtually from the United Kingdom, Aminu stressed that there are no limits to what women can achieve, encouraging them to create and maximize opportunities.
“When making decisions, let us start involving men so that we can collectively shape the future. Women are often emotional about certain issues, but we should channel those emotions into nurturing the next generation to be better individuals. Women must take themselves seriously—only then will men see them differently,” she advised.
A former Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, and a female automotive engineer, Mrs. Olatokunbo Adegoju, emphasized the need to integrate more women into entrepreneurship and prepare them to compete in male-dominated industries.
Justice Phillips noted that women have made significant strides in the judiciary sector in Lagos State. However, she advocated for more inclusive platforms and stronger moral support systems to guide younger women toward success.
