By Stanley Onyekwere
The President National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), chief Dr. Gloria Laraban Shoda has received the Erelu chieftaincy title from Yoruba Council of Obas in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in recognition of her remarkably contributions to the Yoruba community in the FCT.
In particular, Shoda was coronated as Erelu of FCT Abuja, adjudged to be the highest lifetime traditional title given to a woman in Yorubaland.
Speaking during the coronation ceremony yesterday, in Jabi-Lifecamp area of the Territory, Chairman Yoruba Council of Obas FCT Abuja, Oba Olusegun Salau, commended the NCWS boss for outstanding work and contributions to the development of the human society.
Oba Salau noted that Erelu chieftaincy title is one that only one woman can attain at a lifetime.
He adds: “As she attained this Erelu, it’s throughout her lifetime. And I pray that God will guide her in whatever she do in life.
“So far, she has been doing very well , and she has to continue to do so in her endeavours.”
Similarly, Oba Alaa, the Custodian of Yoruba Culture and Religion in FCT, Olubukola Falade, explained that Erelu chieftaincy title, which is simply translated to mean ‘a mother of all’, adding that there is no any other chieftaincy title given to a woman that is above it in Yoruba traditional corridor.
According him, “Dr. Gloria has been with us, we know her very well and she is a caring mother in all aspects. We pray to God Almighty to sustain her on this throne.”
On her part, Dr. Shoda, expressed her gratitude to the Monarch for deeming it fit to bestow on her one of the highest title that a woman can attain in Yorubaland.
“I’m really very grateful and highly honoured , and I say thank to all the Yoruba community in Abuja. And my commitment is to work with the Palace to uplift it as much as I can, work with the Yoruba Community in Abuja and bring them together to be one, so that we can always speak with one voice especially the women.
“I have been working together with women for a long time, and this is not going to be different from what I have been doing. I’m sure they are all going to come and work amicably together”, the NCWS boss reaffirmed.
