Inner wheel celebrates first Nigerian president, call for increased female participation

Oluwemimo Olasanya has called on women to join Inner Wheel in order to promote friendship, goodwill and resourcefulness in Nigeria and all over the world as a whole. She made this statement at her installation as the 33rd district chairman of Inner Wheel District 911 in a lavish ceremony held at the McGovern Hall at St. Agnes Maryland earlier this week. The installation also witnessed the official welcoming and installation of the first ever-African president of Inner Wheel, Oluyemisi Alatise.

Overwhelmed with emotions, Olasanya revealed to The Guardian that her mission for the year was to increase membership and charter new clubs and called for more women from every walk of life to join them in the good works of the club. She also unveiled her star project for the year, vocational training and empowerment, and promised that at least, fourty people would benefit, with one beneficiary drawn from each of the 34 clubs in the district.

Describing Alatise’s election as “a victory for Nigeria and Africa after 93 years,” she praised her efforts and achievements and believes that this would strengthen relations between Nigeria and other countries. “She has been doing that even before she was elected president and I know she is up to the task. She has served as a representative in the United Nation severally so this is just an added feather in her cap. She will surpass expectations,” Olasanya said.

Stating that membership is open to everyone and anyone, Olasanya urged more women of integrity to join them assuring that they promote friendship and put paid to the myth that women cannot work together as they have been in existence for over fifty years. According to her, there is so much good they want to do in Nigeria and need more members and funding to actualize their goals. “In order to join, you have to be introduced by a member of the club and would be required to study our constitution so as to prepare your mind adequately for what you are getting into. You cannot find any wayward woman amongst us, what we have here are women of timber and caliber who help and uplift each other.”

Rounding off her speech, Olasanya said, “I want to advise everyone to be hardworking and focused. Don’t relent in doing good; just continue doing what you love to do best and the right people or situation would find you. Doing good is second nature to me and should be to everyone else as well. We should all rally round and help the less privileged ones amongst us because in doing that, you not only help them, you also help yourself.”