A first-time attendee of the International Women Society, IWS, Power Breakfast held at Sugarcane, a new restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos on March 8, 2017, recounts her experiences in this revealing op-ed.
March 8th, the day set aside to celebrate the social, economic and political importance of women worldwide, was a flurry of activity this year; filled with a number of power packed events, workshops, seminars and Facebook Live conversations all aimed at reminding us of our power as women. The theme Bold for Change was the subject of all the speeches held across almost all the countries in the world.
Amongst the various events held to commiserate that day, was the power brunch hosted by IWS Nigeria. IWS, International Women Society, is unarguably God’s gift to women. Founded in 1957 by a group of public spirited women in Lagos, it is a society that aims to provide cultural exchanges for women of all areas, particularly for the advancement of women and children in Nigeria and working to encourage and develop the common interest of women of all nationalities age and religion.
The power breakfast which held at the stylishly unique newly opened Sugarcane restaurant was truly power packed. I must confess as a first time attendee, I was blown away, and had mentally started clearing my schedule for next year’s breakfast. I could totally relate to a young lady who I presume was also a first time attendee, she expressed sadness at just now finding out about the Society which had existed for sixty solid years.
With an awesome line up of phenomenal women excelling in their different fields.
The event was hosted by ace film maker and actor Ego Boyo who is also the 60th President of The International Women’s Society. Other amazons in the room were Honorable Bisi Erelu, Adesuwa Onyenokwe TW Magazine, Mrs. Ndidi Nwuleni, Lala Akindoju, Kate Henshaw amongst others.
We also enjoyed performances from Ebele- The Flutist and a surprise performance by Hadiza ablell aka Di’ja of Mavin crew.
The take home from the event was a firm reminder that women have and will always be powerful. Each empowering speech had the same message at its heart; “we are phenomenal women, the time to own that power and use it intentionally to be bold for change is right now”
I looked around the room at women from different generations, culture and social class and the one thing we all had in common was our power as phenomenal women. A power we had just been reminded of (not that we had forgotten though). I went home feeling reinvigorated and charged with a consciousness that will definitely last me through the year.
It is surprising how an event that was absolutely free, was satisfyingly value adding and inspiring, talk about making a difference. Thank you International Women’s Society and well-done. If you are looking for a community of phenomenal women, an opportunity to be mentored and mentor, the chance to network and make a difference, then the International Women’s Society is for you, trust me it will be the best choice you’ve ever made.
Click on any image to enlarge.
Ego Boyo and a guest at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Kemi Lala Akindoju at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
A guest at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
A guest at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Women at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
A speaker at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Kate Henshaw at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Kate Henshaw, Ezinne Chikata, Ufuoma Ejenobor McDermott at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Kate Henshaw and Gbemi Shasore at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
An attendee at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Ebele (The Flutist) performs at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Ego Boyo at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Erelu Bisi Fayemi, first lady of Ekiti State one of the speakers, at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Erelu Bisi Fayemi at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Tope Mark-Odigie at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Yewande Adewusi at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Susan Peters at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Ufuoma Ejenobor McDermott at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Sola Apata at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Kemi Lala Akindoju, Ego Boyo, Kate Henshaw at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Moji Akinkumi and Kemi Dallass at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Muna at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Ndidi Nwuneli, one of the speakers at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Ndidi Nwuneli at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Kemi Lala Akindoju at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Dr. at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Dochi Nwaigwe at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Diji at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Bukky Tijani at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Brenda Ophopho at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Adesuwa Onyenokwe, publisher of TW Magazine and Dijaat the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Abiola Otufale and Ify Monye at the IWS Power Breakfast at Sugarcane in Victoria Island on March 8, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Plug Media
Follow the International Women’s Society on instagram @iwsnigeria.
IWS power breakfast Partners are- P&G.
Sponsors include:
Main Events
Temple Productions
Cambridge
Quramo
Zaron
Expressions
Foradora Fabrics
JAM-The Coconut Food Company (@jamcoconutfoods)
Zee
Arewa Pot
Kwamuhle
Media partners are: TW and
Genevieve
Story and photos submitted by Ebun Feludu, chief creative officer of Plug Media Limited.
