The President of Parents Against Autism Initiative-PAAI, Mrs.Angela Emuwa (nee Aboderin), is a mother of three, one of whom has autism. Autism is described by science as a neuro-developmental disorder which causes poor development in children. In this interview, Mrs. Emuwa speaks in commemoration of the International Autism Awareness Month which was observed throughout the month of April. Enjoy!
What’s PAAI about?
She is an indefatigable woman! At age 65, Mrs.Christiana Fadekemi Brodie-Mends (nee Bailey) is still seriously engaging girls in Girls Brigade at the Cathedral Church of Christ in Lagos where she is the Captain. She’s of the opinion that in the early days when children were actively engaged in uniform societies, they were well-mannered than in this generation where they are left idle.
Olushola Akai is the Executive Director of Ajegunle Community project (ACP), a non governmental organisation borne out of the desire to give poor and disadvantaged women and youths the opportunity to stand for their rights and demand improved access to social, economic amenities without being discriminated or abused. In this interview, the Executive Director talks about the journey so far, the reason for increasing trend of gender based violence, the role of the society in curbing this ugly trend and other issues. Enjoy!!!
To support rape victims and also provide ideas on how rape could be prevented, she passionately set up Tender Hearts Family Support Initiative many years ago. Pastor(Mrs.) Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi, a woman famous for ministering on relationships, is also a prolific writer who has to her credit over 20 books, notably inspirational romance novels and children literature.
A few decades ago when the United Nations was sensitized on the global plight of women by our western sisters, it was decided that the most effective way of resolving the issue was to get governments around the world to be committed to uplifting the status of the women in their domain.
Through the Fate Foundation where she is the Executive Director, Mrs.Osayi Alile-Oruene is unleashing her passion- training young people to be successful entrepreneurs , as a way of reducing the ever increasing number of job-seekers in a society where there are very limited jobs. Vista Woman engaged her in a chat recently.
Hon. Mrs Elizabeth Ativie is the only woman in the Edo State House of Assembly. She is the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, representing Uhunmwode Constituency. Cutting her political teeth in 1999 when she first contested for the State House of Assembly but had to step down twice for one of the party candidates in 1999 and 2003, Hon. Ativie went back to the drawing board in 2006, contested again in 2007 elections and she won the elections. But she had barely spent 18 months in office before losing her mandate when the tribunal nullified the elections.
One could feel the anger and the frustration behind each text message we received on our piece on how fuel pumps attendants short-change customers. Maybe many of us are still smarting from the recent hefty fuel hike, and the current exorbitant costs of kerosene and diesel; or perhaps just the stress of having to cope with many things that don’t work in our beloved country. However, everyone who wrote in was displeased with all the fuel-related problems we have to endure.
Mrs. Anne Lawal is the Senior Programme Officer of Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, a non-governmental organization in the forefront of promoting the rights of women and girls. She spoke with Vista Woman recently in commemoration of the year 2012 International Women’s Day, highlighting progress made on issues affecting women and girls. Her words:
Some days after this year’s Valentine’s day, I asked some young persons in this trendy shop in my neighbourhood how the day had been for them. “Did you tell daddy and mummy, and other members of your family how much you love and appreciate them in your lives? Did you do something special for them, or perhaps give them cards expressing your affection for them?” I asked.
