It was a day of inspiration, empowerment, and purpose as the Epe Division Professional Women Association (EPWA) marked its 10th anniversary with a Girls’ Summit, Walk for Fitness, and the groundbreaking of a Vocational Training Centre in Epe.
Themed “Dare to Fly: Inspiring Leadership, Igniting Growth,” the celebration drew dignitaries, professionals, and young girls eager to learn from accomplished women shaping industries and communities across Lagos.
Held at the BAT House, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Secretariat, the event had in attendance Hon. (Engr.) Sesan Olowa, Chairman, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government; Mrs. Kemi Adedeji, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Audit Service Commission and EPWA BOT Chairman; Mrs. Folake Oluyemi Johnson, EPWA President; and other notable guests.
The highlight of the summit was an engaging panel session moderated by Engineer (Dr.) Adeshola Openibo, featuring inspiring speakers including Mrs. Bolatito Ajibode (CEO/MD, Ginger Up Nigeria Ltd), Mrs. Ejide Akinbiyi (CEO, Materials Pro), Dr. Adelanwa Taiwo (MD, Bountiful), and Ms. Sanwoolu Shakirat (CEO, Kira Sanwo Brand).
Sharing deeply personal experiences, Mrs. Bolatito Ajibode recounted her early academic struggles and how mentorship changed her path. “I failed WAEC twice and failed Maths and English, but a brother studying accounting inspired my spark to study purposefully. At 15, everything changed about me because of mentorship. Who we see, relate or mingle with inspires us a lot,” she said.
For Dr. Adelanwa Taiwo, leadership inspiration came from childhood dreams and her environment. “A baby called Deborah had expensive clothes, shawls, and a feeding bottle, and I was inspired to dream big so I could afford such a life for my children. The Koiki family house also inspired me, their kids, their notes, how they thought. I worked hard, ventured into event planning, catering, and multiple income sources,” she shared.
Ms. Sanwo Shakirat narrated her journey from humble beginnings to building a thriving business empire.
“The GM of Multipro once visited my mum and offered her a distribution deal of their products, 25,000 cartons. I learnt from her and later moved from Ajegunle to Epe where I found opportunity. Today, through social media, I sell 10,000 cartons monthly,” she revealed.
During the second round of the interactive panel which elicited questions from participants, the speakers opened up on how they turned challenges into growth. Mrs. Ajibode explained how failure became her motivation to help others.
“That WAEC stage of life can make or break you. I began registering my siblings for WAEC from SS2 so they wouldn’t fall into the same trap. Today, my team has A-stars and I don’t settle for less,” she said.
Mrs. Ejide Akinbiyi spoke about resilience and the power of example. “Lead by example; people watch your footsteps. I was out of a job early in my career due to a bank merger, but I read books and prepared for the unimaginable,” she advised.
Dr. Taiwo emphasized personal growth and the “culture of excellence.” “Do not forget yourself even while having fun. I try to bridge the gap between the town and gown, filling social and policy spaces. In all you do, find knowledge,” she stressed.
For Ms. Sanwo, overcoming societal stigma became a stepping stone.
“I was once shamed as a prostitute by women, but I kept pushing. At a trade fair, companies were shocked when I sold out 800 cartons in one day. I now want to create more visibility for business owners in Epe,” she recounted.
Mrs. Kemi Adedeji, EPWA BOT Chairman, offered practical advice to unemployed youths: “Visit the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, register, and you’ll be trained for interviews, entrepreneurship, or graduate internship skills. You can even be placed in companies and get paid. The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) is also a great opportunity,” she said.
In a powerful gesture of empowerment, twenty indigenous women and girls received ₦200,000 each to boost their businesses. Eight beneficiaries received immediate disbursements, while others will be cleared at the grand finale.
After an energizing Walk for Fitness held earlier, EPWA members led by President Mrs. Folake Oluyemi Johnson, her Vice President, Hon. Kenny Kadri-Edu and other executives proceeded to Epe for the groundbreaking ceremony of the EPWA Vocational Training Centre located along Oluwo Market Road. The project, members noted, symbolized the association’s enduring commitment to community development and women empowerment.
As the dust of the groundbreaking settled, the message of the day echoed loud and clear, to every young girl daring to fly, EPWA has built both the wings and the runway.
