It was a morning of inspiration, reflection, and celebration as the Epe Division Professional Women Association (EPWA) marked its 10th anniversary with a Girls’ Summit and Empowerment Programme themed “Dare to Fly: Inspiring Leadership, Igniting Growth.” The event, held yesterday at the BAT House, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Secretariat, drew a distinguished audience of trailblazing professionals and aspiring young girls eager to chart their paths to success.
Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Engineer Sesan Olowa, delivered a goodwill message that resonated deeply with the audience, praising EPWA’s commitment to shaping the next generation of female leaders.
“I’m glad this program is for the girls,” Olowa began. “With the retinue of high flyers such as Directors, Permanent Secretaries, Professors, PhD holders, etc. in this association, I ask, what’s our plan for the youth coming behind us? The discipline and energy to study and survive in the past can’t be compared to the present because young people these days are impatient and that’s why they need mentoring and guidance, and I’m glad that EPWA is doing that.”
Olowa commended the association for its unwavering dedication to service and community impact over the past decade.
“Permit me to congratulate EPWA heartily for doing this job that has no reward for humanity and mankind. In the past 10 years, you haven’t looked back, but have continued to break new grounds. Congratulations for this milestone achievement,” he said.
Applauding the summit’s theme, the council boss praised EPWA for assembling a powerful lineup of guest speakers whose insights, he said, would inspire the girl-child to embrace courage and ambition.
“What this theme means,” he explained, “is for you to be courageous because you have a dream to chase. An engineer has become a PhD holder because she dared to fly.”
Reflecting on his personal journey, Engineer Olowa, who now doubles as the Chairman of the 57 Local Government and LCDAs in Lagos State, shared how perseverance and determination shaped his rise to leadership despite daunting odds.
“I wasn’t given a chance when I contested for Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki,” he recalled. “I had to shuttle between Abuja, where I worked, and Lagos every weekend, yet I still resumed work on Monday mornings. Almost no one at my workplace knew I was deeply into politics.”
He urged the girls in attendance to emulate the examples of the accomplished women in EPWA and remain focused on growth.
“EPWA is providing for the female gender in Epe Division. They’re inspiring you by leading by example with the career ranks they boast of. You have to dare to grow and follow the right guidance,” he advised.
Engineer Olowa also pledged his continuous support for EPWA’s empowerment programmes, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to promoting the welfare and development of women and the girl-child in Ibeju-Lekki and beyond.
The event was graced by an array of dignitaries, including Mrs. Kemi Adedeji, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Audit Service Commission and EPWA BOT Chairman; Mrs. Bolatito Ajibode, CEO/MD, Ginger Up Nigeria Limited; Mrs. Ejide Akinbiyi, CEO, Materials Pro; and Mrs. Folake Oluyemi Johnson, EPWA President, among others.
With inspiring speeches, mentorship sessions, and a decade’s worth of achievements to celebrate, the summit reinforced EPWA’s vision: empowering today’s girls to become tomorrow’s women of influence, daring to fly, and daring to lead.
