UNIMED Honours Amazon Women In Ondo Kingdom

The Centre for Gender and Health Equity, University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, has honoured amazon women in Ondo Kingdom.

The Programme, according to the institution image maker, Isaac Oluyi took place at the Odosida campus of the University.

CityMirrorNews reports that the Centre, established in 2022, is a unit promoting gender equality within the university and the society at large. This encompasses a wide range of initiatives which include, among others, research, policy advocacy, education, training and community outreach.

According to the Director of the Centre, Prof. Augustinah Duyilemi, “the purpose of this celebration is to showcase women that are successful in their careers and have impacted the lives of others in the society.

She added that “such women are seen to be highly empowered and could serve as role models to the younger ones.”

The “Amazon Excellent Women’s Award”, the first of its kind in the history of Ondo community, has some of the awardees to include Hon. Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, High Chief (Dr) Mrs Victoria Modupe Oluwole, High Chief (Mrs) Opeyemi Oyedele, Chief Mrs Olufunke Iluyemi (JP), Chief Princess Gbonjubola Adebayo, Mrs Itiola Dorcas Akinlosotu,

Others are; Professor Ronke Ogunmakin, Dr (Mrs) Ethel Adunni Adeloye, Pastor (Mrs) Arabia Surulola Faturoti, Mrs Catherine Omolayo Akinrimisi, Ambassador Dr. Rhoda Makinde, Chief Dr Mrs Toyin Adisa, Mama Deborah Muinat Mimiko and Madam Beatrice Adebolowomi Akinkuotu (née Ogunribido).

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adesegun Fatusi, FAS, made it clear that the programme was part of the deliberate efforts by the University to ensure a mutually rewarding relationship with the community.

“I need to add here that our gathering here is not a happenstance. It’s part of our deliberate efforts to impact positively the society where we operate from.

“It’s part of our town and gown relational strategies to ensure that we have a mutually rewarding relationship.”

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the University has been doing this in almost ten years of its existence through sponsorship of annual debate programme for primary schools and annual UNIMED-Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (U-STEM) programme for secondary school.

He added that “we are establishing a Centre for Adolescent Health and Development to support the development of young people in Ondo”.

The Vice-Chancellor told the gathering one of the biggest desires of the institution and expressed concern about not getting enough support from people of Ondo Kingdom

“One of our great desires is to have a 1,500 seater that we will name Ekinmogun Hall, but till date we have received support from less than 10 people, with the highest contribution coming from outside Ondo State.”

The VC hoped that the celebration of Amazon Women in Ondo Kingdom programme would change this narrative.

The event had the crème de la crème of Ondo Kingdom in attendance, particularly men, who came to rejoice with the awardees to underscore that men and women are to complement one another for impacts that will endure in the society.