Founder Hajia Maryam Lami Muhammed says massive turnout is proof of impact — “We have kept the flag flying, but our work continues”
Felix Mbata, Lagos state
Coral beads shimmered. Gele stood tall. Applause rolled like thunder across Police College, Ikeja as the UFEDO Igala Women Association, Ikeja, Lagos turned 15. The message from the stage was clear in three parts: We are doing well. We wish to do more. We appreciate every support that brought us here.
The turnout said it all — “the de cream and de la cream in the society outside Igala” filled the canopies, a public nod to the good vision Igala women have executed for 15 years. At the centre, poised in regal lace, stood National President, CEO, and Founder, Hajia Maryam Lami Muhammed.
“A TESTAMENT THAT WE ARE DOING WELL”
“I feel overwhelmed with joy that people came en masse to celebrate our 15th anniversary,” Hajia Muhammed told The Unique Model Magazine. “It is a testament that we are doing well, we are recognized. I thank God and everyone that came to celebrate with us.”
That gratitude stretched from the front row to the farthest seat. To husbands who stood by their side. To de la cream who honoured the invite. To members whose dues, time, and trust built UFEDO from a small circle into a “formidable group recognised across Nigeria and international.”
VISION, VALUES, AND THE VOW TO DO MORE
“In fact, we have vision to love ourselves and our collective progress,” Hajia Muhammed said. “We bring women of Igala land together, to support one another, and to contribute to the development of our communities.”
The engine? Five pillars: “Our association is built on communication, trust, gratitude, unity and peace.” The fuel? Members. “I appreciate the efforts of our members, because the success recorded is collective effort, unity and peace since 15 years.”
And the next gear? More. “We have kept the flag flying from what you are seeing happening today,” she said, eyes on the skills exhibition, scholarship awardees, and health-talk banners. “But our work continues. We wish to do more — more skills, more school fees, and more health for our children and communities.”
HOW “DOING WELL” LOOKS ON THE GROUND
UFEDO’s scorecard is tactile:
- Members Empowered: “We organize skills acquisition and vocational training for our members. We have equipped our women with the capacity to be self-reliant, and it helped in assisting our families’ needs, and reducing poverty at the grassroots level.”
- Children Development: “We recognized the importance of education of our children. We ensure that we support the school fees of our children, especially the less privileged.”
- Health Promotion: “We organize health talks to our members for them to educate their children. We bring health facilitators to educate our members.”
Meetings run periodically; the big celebration comes every five years. The impact runs daily.
APPRECIATION: HUSBANDS, SUPPORTERS, AND EVERYONE WHO CAME
“Our husbands are proud of us — you can see men, our husbands supporting and standing by our side,” Hajia Muhammed said, as cameras caught spouses adjusting their wives’ gele and clapping through every citation.
Her closing words were for the crowd that made the day historic: “We thank everyone that sacrificed time and money to attend our programme today. May Allah continue to be with you all.”
CONCLUSION: 15 YEARS DONE, MORE TO DO
UFEDO Igala Women Ikeja used their 15th anniversary to say three things at once: We are doing well — look at the turnout. We wish to do more — look at our plans. We appreciate all supports — look at our husbands and guests.
The flag is flying. The foundation is firm. And if Hajia Maryam Lami Muhammed’s voice is anything to go by, the next five years will be louder, larger, and lifted by the same values that brought them here: communication, trust, gratitude, unity and peace.