The National Governing Body of Inner Wheel Clubs in Nigeria has finalised arrangements to host the 38th National Conference and Rally in Lagos State from February 6 to 9, 2025,
Speaking at a media briefing held at the Rotary Centre, GRA, Ikeja, the National Representative/President of Inner Wheel Nigeria, Karin Uwaje, announced that the event would welcome over 400 Nigerian members and 100 participants from various African countries.
Uwaje said; “This highly anticipated gathering will unite members from across Nigeria and distinguished guests from Africa, fostering friendship, service, and meaningful discussions on the future of Inner Wheel in the region.”
A major highlight of the conference will be the Inaugural Pan-African Inner Wheel Forum, a pioneering initiative aimed at empowering communities and individuals through impactful humanitarian efforts benefiting women and children.
“For the first time in the history of Inner Wheel in Africa, this forum will provide a platform for African Inner Wheel leaders to collaborate and strategize,” Uwaje explained.
She said; “Discussions will center on the Way Forward for Inner Wheel in Africa, exploring opportunities for expansion, unity, and enhanced service impact across the continent.”
The four-day event is expected to strengthen the network of Inner Wheel Clubs and reinforce their commitment to service and social impact across Nigeria and beyond
Uwaje said; “As Inner Wheel Nigeria continues to lead with service and innovation, this conference promises to be a defining moment for women in service across Africa.”
Featuring Projects
She stressed that the event would feature community project, business sessions, award ceremony and presentation of Wheel Chairs to support physically challenged individuals.
Women empowerment
The Convener of the Inaugural Pan-Africa Inner Wheel Forum, Mrs Oluyemisi Alatise said that the forum would emphasise more on women empowerment while seeking support of well meaning individuals to support the government towards improving lives of women and girls.
She said; “the upcoming forum aims to introduce the Women for Africa initiative, which was launched in 2012. The programme successfully raised funds for microcredit loans for women who are unable to access traditional bank loans, providing them with interest-free loans and monitoring how the loans are utilized. The goal is to expand this programme to other Inner Wheel clubs across Africa and educate attendees on how to implement it in their countries.
“We will have representatives from several African nations, including Uganda, Congo, Ivory Coast, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon,” said Karin Uwaje, President of Inner Wheel Nigeria.”
Aids withdrawal
Speaking on the withdrawal of humanitarian support for some foreign donor agencies by the American President, Donald Trump, the Club said “it is a wake up call for the African continent.”
A past National Representative and President of Inner Wheel Clubs in Nigeria, Dr Abimbola Sowande said that the National Conference would be used to strategise on this, to save millions of people in needs of humanitarian support.
Sowande said; “I used to be country Director, USAID country project and I remember we came to Lagos in 2003 and the Head of the Office said we want to know how many citizens in Lagos that are on free HIV drugs, just in case the USA decides to stop the support, and that time is now. We used to receive some funds from Germany to look after some orphans of HIV, but it is going to get worse with this withdrawal, there is going to be a lot of gaps.
“This is the time to go to the drawing board and see how we can help the less privileged in our midst especially women and girls.”
The Chairman Local Organisation Committee, Mrs Omolara Adedugbe and the District Chairman 911, Adenike Sodipo showed enthusiasm about the event as they promised an impactful, memorable and refreshing moments for the participants.
Inner Wheel is an international women’s organisation dedicated to friendship, service, and social projects. It was founded in 1924 and is one of the largest voluntary women’s service organisations in the world.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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