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AFB Omotade Bags WOWICAN Award of Excellent Leadership in Human Development and Nation Building
The Women’s Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN) has honoured Mr. Omotade Ayodele Folorunso Benjamin for his Excellent Leadership Role in Human Development and Nation Building
Omotade, who is the NYSC Director of Corps Welfare and Health Services, also an Elder in the Apostolic Church Nigeria, was honored for his dedication and steadfast support to humanity, especially for his contributions to the growth and development of WOWICAN and young people over the years.
The Award presentation was carried out during the opening ceremony of the 29th Annual National Convention of the Women’s Association, held at the Apostolic Church Nigeria, Garki, Abuja.
Receiving the award at the event on Friday, 27th October, 2023, Elder Ayodele Omotade, who was honoured alongside other notable personalities such as; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stephano De Leo, amongst others expressed deep gratitude to God and WOWICAN, for the honor done him, noting that the award will spur him to contribute more especially to the growth and development of humanity, and in particular Women and Youths in Nigeria and beyond.
In her welcome address, the Chairperson/President of WOWICAN, Deaconess Ambassador, Bola Ihesiulor, congratulated all Awardees and encouraged them not to relent in their good works of assisting the less privileged, needy, and widows within their reach irrespective of their religious affiliations. She also used the occasion to enjoin all Nigerians to remain steadfast in their good works as they would be rewarded.
In attendance at the ceremony, was CAN President, His Eminence Archbishop Dr. Daniel C. Okoh, who declared the National Convention open. Other guests were the Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria His Excellency Stefano De Leo, (also an Awardee) Her Eminence Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi, United Nations Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Wife of Plateau State Governor, notable Religious Leaders, Captains of Industries, Men and Women of means from across Nigeria and outside the Country, some members of Top Management and Staff of the NYSC, hordes of Press men and women including NYSC Radio and Television Crew, Principal Officers and members of WOWICAN from 36 States of Federation and FCT, religious adherents and Corps members, amongst others.
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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs
By James Samuel, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service has said the nation’s borders must become gateways of opportunity for African women entrepreneurs, not obstacles that kill their businesses.
This was disclosed at the African Women’s Economic Sovereignty Summit and Awards (AWESSA) 2026 held at the Customs House, corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, his representative, an Assistant Controller, said hosting the summit inside Customs premises was deliberate.
“That this summit holds within the Customs premises is no accident. It is a statement of intent,” he said.
“The border is where the promise of every African trader either comes alive or dies quietly. And the men and women of this Service have resolved that for every woman entrepreneur of this continent, that promise will never die.”
He said women account for an estimated 70% of informal cross-border trade in Africa and over half of agricultural labour, yet they face documentation, standards, finance and harassment challenges.
“Too often she meets the border as an obstacle rather than a gateway. Because she trades in small volumes, in cash, in informality without formal papers, capable business women are now trapped in informality, invisible to trade statistics,” he noted.
He added: “AfCFTA will not be delivered by treaties alone. It will be delivered at border posts, in conference halls, and in market stores.”
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, represented by a Director, said women are central to Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.
According to her, NEPC’s focus is now on building export- ready competitive enterprises through programmes like the Women in Export Initiative, Export Clinic, and Zero to Export.
“Our focus is no longer on encouraging exports alone, it is on building competitive export-ready enterprises. We are supporting women to move beyond production into value addition, quality assurance, standard compliance, branding and market positioning,” she said.
She said AfCFTA offers a market of over one billion people, but women need knowledge, certifications and institutional support.
“Empowering women economically is one of the most effective tools for achieving poverty reduction, food security, job creation and inclusive growth,” she stated.
The Convener, Helen Okon, who is the Publisher of Business Review Africa & Africa Today Magazine, as well as representatives of NAFDAC DG and NEXIM Bank MD, reaffirmed commitment to supporting women-owned businesses access standards, certification and finance.
The summit, with the theme of positioning women as drivers of trade and sustainable development, is part of activities marking the International Year of the Women Farmer.
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