In a hall filled with applause and merriment, Mrs. Funke Moore, ace broadcaster, former General Manager of Lagos Television, and one of Epe’s most celebrated daughters stood not as a media icon, but as a woman whose heart beats for humanity.
Her story, shared during the recently concluded grand finale of the Epe Division Professional Women Association (EPWA) 10th anniversary in Lagos, was not just an address; it was a deeply personal journey of rediscovery, mentorship, and purpose.
Mrs. Moore spoke with the aura of a seasoned storyteller, yet every word carried the vulnerability of past experience. “I didn’t have positive role models while growing up,” she confessed softly, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “There was nobody to call my champion, to mentor or guide my steps. Many of us didn’t have such opportunities while growing up but we’re setting the agenda for our younger ones.”
It was this void, she revealed, that inspired the creation of EPWA a decade ago. “Mrs. Kemi Adedeji sat and thought of doing something phenomenal, having seen that education and career-wise, we’ve excelled,” she recalled. “With Mrs. Yinka Adeyemi and Olushola Alade Raji, we began and others joined later. Over the years, we’ve waxed stronger with numerous impactful programs for boys and girls.”
For Mrs. Moore, the association was born from a simple yet powerful vision; to give the next generation what many women of her era never had: positive role models. “What we aimed to do was to become positive role models to young girls coming behind,” she explained. “Because when you have positive role models, they’ll teach you and give you confidence.”
Over the years, EPWA has transformed that vision into tangible impact. The association has empowered women, provided artisans with working tools, and even embarked on one of its most ambitious projects yet; the construction of a Vocational Training Center in Epe. With plans to collaborate with the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs, the center promises to redefine skill acquisition and self-reliance for countless women and youth.
“Nigerians attach so much importance to paper qualifications,” Mrs. Moore observed. “There are so many jobless graduates, but we are trying to empower women, girls, and school dropouts who will return to the Vocational Center to learn a skill.” Her words struck at the heart of Nigeria’s education paradox where degrees often outnumber opportunities.
Beyond education and empowerment, EPWA’s humanitarian spirit shines through in health interventions. Mrs. Moore proudly recounted the association’s recent life-saving medical mission at Agbowa, organized in commemoration of its 10th anniversary. The outreach reached over 120 beneficiaries, but one story stood out. “A woman was diagnosed to be hypertensive with a blood pressure of 150/100,” she revealed. “It was a good thing that she came; we saved a life.”
For Mrs. Moore, this single act of compassion embodies the essence of EPWA: service that changes lives, one person at a time.
As she concluded her reflections, it was clear that the legacy of EPWA and of women like Funke Moore is more than just a decade-long project. It is a movement shaped by resilience, compassion, and the quiet power of women who turn personal pain into public purpose.
From the broadcasting studio to the heart of humanitarian service, Funke Moore’s voice has never stopped inspiring; only now, it echoes louder in the lives she helps to rebuild.
