•Details Of The Classy Event
Saturday, 31st October, 2020 will forever be memorable on the minds of many women who besiege the venue of the 12th edition of the Arise women conference put together by the Convener, Dr Siju Iluyomade and even to all who connected on all social media platforms. The 12th anniversary took place at the AstroTurf of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, City of David, Victoria Island and it was done virtually as channels TV televised the event live which made it easy for people to join in and watch from all over the country and beyond. Over 6 First Ladies and important personalities stormed the event with several other important dignitaries from all walks of life. It was an event which brought many women together to arise for each other and arise for Christ amidst the celebration of life despite the threat of COVID-19 that has ravaged the world. City People Society Editor, TAYO OYEDIJI was at the event and brings you what no one will tell you about the iconic 2020 Arise Women Conference.
ABOUT THE THEME-DEEPLY ROOTED
The popular theme for the conference was deeply rooted and it was also the most trending hashtag for that weekend. It was a gathering which had many women under one umbrella to praise God and celebrate one another. The theme Deeply rooted is not just a hashtag but a call to stay alive. This was clearly elaborated in the convenes speech. She says, “This year 2020 has been most unusual, challenging and stormy. Darkness, death, sickness swept across the whole world like a science fiction movie. The theme of this year’s conference is so apt, only those who were DEEPLY ROOTED stood a chance to STAY ALIVE. Every resources and resolve we had, was challenged, our very roots were challenged. We were called out to confront darkness with COURAGE. COURAGE is the ability to fight or do something that frightens our bravery.
Courage is strength in the face of pain and grief. Today at ARISE 2020, we salute and celebrate courage”.
WHY ARISE 2020 WAS A BIT DIFFERENT
The conference for this year was a bit different because it limits multitude of women to gather under one umbrella because of the COVID 19 pandemic that is ravaging the world and this calls for an alternative to stream the event Live for people who could not be present physically who also joined in the conference. Provisions were made for all the health workers who made sure people keep to safety guidelines by equipping them with all PPEs that they need. Thousands of people connected online to watch the event. The normal fanfare of choosing different types of fabrics was also restricted but the beautiful and colourful new Arise T.shirts took center stage. It was an event that have coincidentally made Arise gone global.
SIJU ILUYOMADE SHONE LIKE A STAR
It was very obvious that all eyes were on the Arise Convener, Dr Siju Iluyomade. Her large heart has endeared her to many that the magnitude of her kindness can’t be underemphasized. She was rallied round by all the women, she took the centre stage, she led all women and made sure the day was all about them. She looked so beautiful in her outfit matched with her customized face cap and danced her heart out giving glory to God for the success of Arise 2020 despite the situation in the country.
ARISE WOMEN COMMITTEE ON THEIR TOES
Give it to these women, they were up and doing at the event, they coordinated all the programme and made sure it was hitch-free. Leading the group was Mrs Iyabo Ladipo, Teresa Ayanru, Yinka Almona, Yinka Adesanya, Omowunmi Adewole, Feyi Oshinupebi, Tope Akinbola, Helen Adesanya, Lolade Wakama and Ronke Olusile.
THE 12 SDG GOALS ACHIEVED BY ARISE OUT OF UNITED NATIONS SDGS
It is extremely laudable that Arise has achieved and impact community in 12 pillars of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. No poverty, Zero Hunger, Good health, Quality education, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Life on Land and partnerships for the goal.
THE STAYING POWER OF PASTOR SIJU ILUYOMADE
Pastor Siju Iluyomade is the Convener of Arise Women Conference and this is the 12th edition since inception. She is one of the bravest women on planet earth. She is very bold, very confident, has a large heart and gives effortlessly, no wonder many women in their thousands trooped to Arise Women Conference annually to celebrate this laudable feat with her. Her staying power has been a listening ear to the plight of women irrespective of who they are and she has empowered many of them in different skills. She is a mentor to many and deals with all in a Christ-like nature, very loving and very generous, she distributed many gifts to thousands of guests and made sure she put a smile on their faces.
LAGOS HEALTH COMMISSIONER, AKIN ABAYOMI STORMED THE EVENT
The commissioner for health, Lagos State, Prof Akin Abayomi was one of the early callers of the event. He stormed the conference with his team who has been at the forefront saving lives from the ravaging COVID 19 pandemic. He spoke glowingly about responsibilities of Women in the society, particularly at a trying period of Coronavirus. He lauded Dr Siju’s achievement and identified with the vision. He was presented with an ambassorship Award at the conference.
ABOUT ACCESS BANK CHAIRMAN, DERE AWOSIKA
She is not your regular socialite that you meet at many events but say corporate events, that is her core expertise. She is the first female chairman of Access Bank, a laudable feat being achieved by a woman. She was at the conference to support her friend, Dr Iluyomade. She was also one for the important personalities at the event, she commended Iluyomade for sticking out her neck to inspire and empower the less privileged in the country through the many interventions of Arise Women Foundation.
UNILAG FIRST FEMALE ACTING VC, SADE OGUNSOLA HONOURED DR SIJU
When Dr Siju is having an event, you can be sure to see women of many firsts at the event. This was not an exception for the first female VC of University of Lagos, Prof Sade Ogunsola. She was at the event to honour her friend, her Queens College mate, Dr Siju Iluyomade. She also spoke glowingly about the Convener and gave tips on how women should leave their comfort zones, take up the courage and be whoever they so desire to become in life.
OVER 6 FIRST LADIES RALLIED SUPPORT FOR SIJU ILUYOMADE
It is not very common to have several First Ladies at one event when it is not their private forum but at this arise women conference, over 6 First Ladies were on hand to support and Arise with Pastor Mrs Siju iluyomade. Some of them were Lagos First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwoolu, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, Ogun First Lady, Ekiti First Lady, Bisi Fayemi, Edo First Lady, Betty Obaseki, Akwa Ibom First Lady, Dcns. Martha Udom Emmanuel, Nasarawa First Lady, Dr Mairo Almakura, Kebbi state First Lady, Dr Zainab Bagudu, Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen and others.
HOW ARISE CONFERENCE SHUT DOWN THE SOCIAL MEDIA SPACE
If you are on social media, then one event that you will notice all over the social media space was arise conference which literarily shut down YouTube. It was televised live by channels TV and was streamed virtually where thousands of people connected from all over the country and beyond. The hashtag for the event, deeply rooted also trended on Instagram with pictures and sight and sounds from the event filled the media space. It was one event that kept people glued to all their Social media pages.
THOUSANDS OF PALLIATIVES DONATED AT ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
At the event, Dr Iluyomade unveiled the “Arise Pink Bucket” which she said it is the most popular bucket in the country. It has inside some palliatives like rice, spagetti, sugar, toothpaste, flour, groundnut oil sachet, which was distributed in all local governments in Lagos State. According to the lawyer of over 35 years experience: “We had started distributing the Arise Pink Bucket Palliatives in Surulere and Lagos Island.”This will go on to other councils in the State. This is art of Arise intervention for the country during this period, apart from the one we did at the peak of COVID-19 for Lagos State Government.”
DIGNITARIES AT THE EVENT
This year’s edition featured notable personalities like the Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika; Stella Okoli, CEO, Emzor Pharmaceutical; Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner of Health, Lagos State; and Tomi Coker, Commissioner of Health, Ogun State, South West women APC leader, Chief Mrs Kemi Nelson, Moji Dokpesi, Prof Sade Ogunsola, Pastor Funke Adetuberu, wife of former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mrs Awoniyi, Pastor OP Ogar, Hon Jumoke Okoya Thomas and many others.
WHAT ARISE WOMEN CONFERENCE IS ALL ABOUT
ARISE is a Faith-based Non-Governmental Organization which is committed to accelerating nation building through the empowerment of women in the society. Arise has over the years provided a forum where thousands of women have been impacted, inspired and encouraged to achieve their God-given potentials, by the words and teachings of carefully chosen and proven speakers. ARISE has been passionate about the health of the women in the State and free preventive medical care have been offered to thousands of women.
– TAYO OYEDIJI
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