By Ifedayo Fasiku
It was a joyous gathering of beautifully dressed Inner Wheel Club Members in their White and Christmas Hat with the Club’s Muffler to match, at the 2024 End of Year Ceremony of the Adó-Èkìtì Roses Club of the Inner Wheel, District 913, held at a conducive GRA Adó-Èkìtì Venue, and with the theme: “Celebrating Women, Impacting Lives”!
In a Welcome Address, President of the Adó-Èkìtì Roses of the Inner Wheel Club, IWM Temitope Shola-Shittu expressed delight in the notable attendees of the Club’s maiden Christmas Party and Gifts-Giving Ceremony.
Stressing on the Inner Wheel International mandate to promote true friendship and which succinctly embodies the theme of the 2024/2025 Inner Wheel Year:‘ The Heartbeat of Humanity’, she expressed immense appreciation unto God Almighty, for the opportunities He has bestowed on members of the Club to serve humanity, in bringing smiles to people’s faces, through various acts of kindness.
IWM Sola-Shittu reflected on the Club’s performance in 2024, wherein it supported individuals with Wheelchairs, Laptops, Computer to aid Reading for the Virtually Impaired, Educational Expenses for Orphans, Empowerment of Widows through Petty Business assistance and Provision of essential items to the Vulnerable, all geared towards inspiring hope for a brighter tomorrow for the numerous beneficiaries.
According to her, other empowerment activities lined up for this Club Year include:
i. Distribution of Diapers/Babies Needs to 5 Babies born on 1st January 2025 in Two Maternity Centres in Adó-Èkìtì and Ikéré-Èkìtì.
ii. Outreach titled “Shopping with God”: for Easter Celebration/Giving Gifts to selected Women and Ladies.
iii. Sensitization and Advocacy on Risk Factors for Molestation/Abuse for 50 Female Students from selected Tertiary Institutions and Provision of Gifts, as part of the Awareness Campaign.
Harping on the Inner Wheel International ideals as they celebrate their collective efforts, she also hinted that the Club hopes to equally extend Love and Support to 10 deserving individuals in the Community, including one Distinguished Member of the Club.
While wishing her noble Audience a very Prosperous New Year imminent, she said the day’s event was a testament to the Club’s commitment to serving others and making a positive impact, and called for their cogent collaboration, rejoicing in the spirit of Giving, Love and Kindness; unique virtues that defines the Inner Wheel Club Worldwide.
Delivering a Lecture titled “Empowering Women For Greater Humanitarian Impact”, An Administrator, Mrs. Funmilayo Adeyemo urged Women to strive for progress and shun complacency.
Mrs Adeyemo emphasized the importance of Women taking charge of their lives, pursuing their goals and aspirations and striving for excellence in all their endeavours.
Addressing the gathering, Chairman of Inner Wheel Club, District 913, Nigeria, IWM Abimbola Solanke, explained that the Club, being the largest female voluntary organization in the World, was established nearly a Century ago to promote Love, foster Unity and provide selfless service to communities.
On her part, the Vice President of the Club, IWM Dr. Margaret Fagboyo stressed the need for women to be educated and self-reliant in order to achieve sustainable development in the society.
Highlights of the well-attended auspicious event which featured invocation of the Inner Wheel Object, Praise and Worship session, Thanksgiving Prayer, Icebreaker Activity, Interactive Session, Games & Trivia activity, Chat Time and Dancing galore; was the distribution of food items which included Rice, Beans, Garri, Maggi, Tomatoes Paste, Salt and Spaghetti, to some Widows and Indigent people in Èkiti State.
