Family, friends & and mentees have unveiled the newly built ‘Ibukun
Awosika Sports Centre’ at the Methodist Girls high school Lagos, in honor of
Ibukun Awosika, renowned African entrepreneur, international leader,
businesswoman, Chairman & Founder of the Chair Centre Group, former
Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria and author on her 60th birthday.
This eponymous gift which also came as a surprise to the
celebrant was commissioned and unveiled at its location on the grounds of the
Methodist Girls High School (MGHS), Yaba. The ‘Ibukun Awosika Sports Centre’ is
purpose-built by her mentees and family for her alma mater in order to
integrate sports into the lives of young girls and foster qualities such as
optimism, leadership, resilience, dedication, commitment, teamwork, practice,
respect, among others. As part of the gift, a 12-month mentoring programme for
30 girls at the MGHS was also announced and will kick off in 2023.
Giving the keynote address during the event, Executive Coach,
Leadership Expert, Global Speaker and Founder/CEO GEMSTONE Group, Fela Durotoye
said, “We are grateful for the depth of Mrs. Awosika’s wisdom. I am delighted
that we are flagging off the commissioning of this beautiful sports centre with
a relay race, which symbolises how Mrs. Awosika has prepared the next
generation for a greater run. I am also proud of the women she has mentored.
Mrs. Awosika has been fruitful and has empowered the next generation. We can’t
but express our gratitude for the gift of Mrs. Awosika to our generation.”
Speaking at the event, Managing Director, What’s On Media,
Chichi Nwoko on behalf of all stated, “It’s a privilege to be celebrating Mrs.
Awosika today. To honour her as she
marks her 60th birthday, we – her family, friends and mentees decided to join resources
as a group and we have successfully used the resources to build a sports centre
at the Methodist Girls High School, Yaba in her name.
“Just like Mrs. Awosika who was also an athlete as a student
at MGHS, we believe that this initiative will enable young girls to build
confidence and the spirit of sportsmanship to lead the future generation. We
are truly delighted to honour her life and her positive contributions to the
communities around her through the gift of impact.”
In appreciation of the special gift, Ibukun Awosika enthused,
“I am beyond enthralled that my friends, family and mentees who know how much
my alma mater means to me went all out to give in my name, this is the ultimate
honour. I also appreciate my sisters for always being there for me.
“All I ever wanted was to live a fulfilling life and make it
easier for the next generation to walk through the path that I walked and do
greater things than I have done. I am grateful for passing through this school
which taught me a lot of things and for the relationships I built here. I am in
awe of this gift and I am making a commitment to ensure that I make available
whatever is required to keep this facility running for the future generation.”
Among her mentees who
were in attendance to celebrate her 60th birthday and contributed to the
building are many of whom have participated in some of her leadership
development programme such as the International Women’s Leadership Conference
(IWLC) in Dubai, the 360 Leadership mentorship program and the Life Series
program which has been run severally in Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, the United
Kingdom, the Caribbean Islands of the Bahamas and virtually across the world.
-ENDS-
