Eko Hotels and Suites on Saturday hosted an impactful International Women’s Day celebration, bringing together over 300 women from various professional backgrounds. The event, centred around this year’s theme, “Accelerating Action,” featured distinguished speakers who delivered compelling messages, urging women to take concrete steps towards personal and societal transformation.
Iyadunni Gbadebo, Director of Sales and Marketing at Eko Hotels, emphasised that the occasion transcended mere celebration, describing it as “a day when we as women wake up to the reality of what we need to do for ourselves and for the world.” She underscored the importance of actions that extend beyond individual growth to advance Nigeria and the African continent.
The event also showcased diverse perspectives on female empowerment. Associate Senior Pastor of the Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Toluwani Odukoya, reminded attendees of their inherent strength: “Every woman is powerful, every woman has influence.” She advocated for mutual support among women, urging them to “stop the competition and complement each other.”
Balancing professional success with personal well-being emerged as a key theme, with Ngozi Akindunjoye of OJ and T Ltd highlighting the importance of “priorities, structure, time management, and boundaries.” She later challenged women to identify and overcome limitations, stating, “It’s time to be cautious of what limits women, and it’s time to start doing.”
Creative Director Zainab Ashadu reinforced the event’s theme by noting that “meaningful change doesn’t happen by accident, but when we consciously reclaim our energy and direct it with purpose.”
The speakers also addressed the vital role of collaboration and allyship. In her remarks, journalist Kikelomo Abati called for male support, noting that “Women have been standing for themselves by themselves, but we need men to stand up for women too.”
Additionally, Bimbo Oladiran, CEO of Subtle Elegance Events Ltd, shared her personal philosophy of passionate engagement: “You have to live for something; otherwise, you end up living for nothing,” she charged the audience.
First Bank’s Head of Sponsorships, Mrs Chinwe Bode-Akinwande, emphasised the importance and significance of kindness as currency among women. Meanwhile, Dr Gbadebo concluded by positioning Eko Hotels as more than a hospitality venue but a catalyst for change. She further highlighted the importance of authentic role models “who have been burnt, who have fallen and risen again, who have struggled and maintained the dignity of being a woman.”
The event marked a significant moment of inspiration and commitment to action, as attendees departed with a renewed purpose to effect meaningful change in their spheres of influence.
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