NCWD inducts Okonjo-Iweala, seven others into Women Hall of Fame

By joy Baba-Yesufu

The National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) has inducted Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and seven other notable Nigerian women into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame for outstanding performance in their various fields of endeavor.
This year’s induction is a special one and first of its kind as all the women inducted are first female achievers in their professional fields.
The Nigerian women Hall of fame was set up to specifically pay tribute to the efforts and contributions of Nigerian women through the ages in all sectors of economy and human endeavors.
At the induction ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, commended the inductees for their contribution and exceptional feat, and urged them to mentor young women to sustain the tides of women development and participation.
She further called on State Commissioners of Women Affairs to replicate the structure of the Nigerian women hall of fame in their various states to recognise and document the contributions of women at the subnational levels.
The Director General, National Center for Women Development, Mrs, Asabe Vilita-Bashir noted that the women hall of fame features records of pre-colonial and contemporary Nigerian women who played leading roles in different aspects of the society.
“The hall of fame also provides role models for younger girls and the society at large, on the ultimate potentials of women in the Nigerian society. The criteria for selection are first women, historic or living to achieve recognition in the field of endeavour or a lifetime of achievement in that field” she said.
Some of the women inducted in 2023 Nigerian women hall of fame include; Mrs. Amina Mohammed,1st Female to Serve as Deputy Secretary-General of United Nations, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala 1st Female and African Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, an Advocate for Transformative Change, Gender and Women’s Economic Empowerment, Mrs. Kofo Akinkugbe,1st Female and Nigerian to own a sim-card Production line and Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi, 1st Nigerian Woman to be elected President of the International Medical Women Association.
Also inducted are Engr. Bolarinwa Kemisola 1st Nigerian Female to invent the Smart Bra for early detection of Cancer, Engr. Funke Opeke 1st Female to build West African first privately owned largest Tier III Data Centre and AIG Aishatu Baju the current President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria also the 1st female to occupy the position.