International Inner Wheel, one of the largest women’s volunteer service organisations has charged women to take up responsibility and adopt a sense of giving back to society, towards building global peace.
At the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the Inner Wheel District 911 in Lagos with the theme, “Give to Gain,” Chairman Inner Wheel District 911, Mrs Omolola Fakeye said that it has become expedient for women to exhibit integrity, competence, and consistent moral values for them to be respected.
The organisation eulogised the role that women play in the development of society.
Women from different sectors including school children attended this year’s event to celebrate the success and collaborations among women and peer into the future of sustainable leadership.
“As women, we must understand that every step we take opens the door for another woman or girl. When we rise with dignity, we create pathways for others. When we compromise our standards, we close those doors,” Fakeye said.
In her remarks, the special guest of honour, Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Sinatu Ojikutu who was represented by Dr. Maria Gomez said that efforts must be made to close the gaps and allow more women to occupy public positions for national development.
“It requires courage to step into spaces where women were rarely seen and even less frequently heard. To step up means refusing to be limited by fear, culture, or circumstance. It means accepting responsibility even when the path is uncertain. I stepped up because I believe that leadership is not reserved for a generalist. It is reserved for those who are prepared, disciplined, and committed to service.
“Step up, speak truth to power, speak up, step up against discrimination against women, step up for global peace. Stop war-mongering leaders, step up against child abuse and abusive relationships, step up against corrupt practices, step up for human rights and step up for women’s leadership,” Ojikutu said.
Ojikutu urged the womenfolk to support one another and embrace comradeship to thrive in both local and global communities.
According to her, “We must stop allowing ourselves to be used against each other. Some women have a natural aversion towards others on first meet. I always say take a breather. Think and realize there is no need for such antagonism under any premise. To lead by example, means that our lives must speak before our voices do.
Leadership is not about titles. It is about character. It is about integrity when no one is watching. It is about excellence in small duties before seeking higher office.”
She enjoined women to prepare themselves ahead of opportunities and ensure they are well-equipped to excel in a male-dominated environment.
“Let your conduct command respect, your discipline silence doubt and your lifestyle be in sync with what you preach. You must stand firmly by what you postulate, honor and respect must be your garment, step up requires courage, lead by example requires integrity,” she added.
In her presentation, the guest speaker, Mrs Olufunke Fowler-Amba said that women play a critical role in the development of any nation and must be accorded respect and honour in their daily endeavours.
“Women play a significant role, we are nurturers because we nurture children who become leaders, whether they are female or male, So we don’t have the scientific makeup that men have, which is to go to war but we are peacemakers.
We have been giving innate gifts where we bring family together and make sure that we make changes in our society. But we have not been given that role in the corridors of power.
So I pray that Nigeria understands that women need a seat at the table, not to rob our ego, but to understand that we are nurturers and we can help in the development of Nigeria.”
Speaking on the theme of the event, she said, when they say ‘Give to Gain’, when you are gaining, you are not gaining materially, but gaining because you are changing a life, mentoring somebody, lifting up someone and then nurturing them. So when we talk about gaining, we are gaining because we are impacting another individual.
“I have always believed that if we desire respect, we must first demonstrate competence. Consistency and strong moral values.
As women, we must understand that every step we take opens the door for another woman or girl. When we rise with dignity, we create pathways for others. When we compromise our standards, we close those doors.”
She appealed to women to continue to serve, stressing that service is not all about reward but a process of creating indelible marks in society.
At the panel session, panelists emphasised the need for women to set the standard by mentoring the next generations, building strong support systems, and ensuring all-inclusive initiatives that would incorporate children and the vulnerable.
They also stressed the expansion of the entrepreneurship network to allow more women into the business space, be conscious of time, build knowledge, network and render selfless service with the available resources regardless of their quantity.
The highlight of the event was the empowerment initiative for the indigent people who were visibly elated with the gesture.