We Need To Pause, Reflect And Revive Ourselves – Iluyomade
… Says Women Must Eschew Fear, Negativity
… Launches ARISE Community Insurance Scheme
Dr. Siju Iluyomade flanked by some of the guests.
A clarion call has gone to all Nigerian women to always take their time to pause, reflect, revive themselves as well as eschew fear and negativity their lives.
This advice was given by the Convener of ARISE Conference, Dr. Siju Iluyomade at the 2021 ARISE Conference held in Lagos.
According to her, women must be full participants in REVIVING the economy of the nation.
“It is time to venture more into production of locally-made goods. We need to build more indigenous brands and industries.”
“As women, we can further ensure that these locally made goods are consumed and used in homes across our nation.
Nigeria has a population put at more than 160 million people. Let’s put this numbers to good use to enhance our economy.”
“We should be asking ourselves how we can put this huge human capital to work for our economic growth?”
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“If for instance; 160 million Nigerians use the ARISE LIQUID soap, there will be an economic revolution. And we can begin to export our products out of our shores.
The economic life of this nation can be transformed by actively engaging our women.”
She stated that in our Industries, we must REVIVE a spirit of EXCELLENCE. “Our goods and services must be of international standard, competing favourably with any imported brand.”
“If our local talents are properly harnessed through skills acquisition, our local manufacturing sector will witness an unprecedented burst.
In her welcome address at the ARISE Women Conference 2021 aptly themed REVIVE #I CHOOSE LIFE, Dr. Iluyomade went down memory lane regarding the effects of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic saying that it’s simply by God’s grace and mercies we were not consumed in the year 2020.
“The world over, COVID-19 ravaged towns, cities, villages, nations bringing in its wake, death, pains, anguish, loss of stability, loss of health, loss of spirit and a loss of desire to continue living.”
“Many entered into depression and we saw an upsurge in physical and mental health issues. This was further amplified by economic hardship.”
“In January 2021, the World Bank forecasted that the effects of COVID-19 will see 10.9 million Nigerians entering into poverty by the year 2022. Note that poverty is people living below the national poverty line of around $1 a day.”
“And as recent as June 2021, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development estimated that the Global economy could lose over USD 4 trillion due to the effect of Covid 19.
In times of grave devastation, God and the world are expecting the woman to arise.”
“Proverbs 31:26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And in her tongue is the Law of kindness.
The Woman is a natural nurturer. She births and brings forth life and she must sustain that life. TODAY we all stand here as a LIVING TESTAMENT TO BATTLES FOUGHT AND WON ON MANY SPHERES.
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AS WOMEN, WE MUST LEAD TO SHAKE OFF LETHARGY, COMPLACENCY, LACK OF CONCERN, LACK OF ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN NATION BUILDING.”
She urged women to keep reviving themselves, to be truly joyful and to strengthen themselves emotionally, physically and spiritually.
“Let’s have a new zest for life, well being and a decrease in anxiety, depression, discouragement and anger levels.
In the area of Health, we know that the way forward is preventive Health Care. We must bring this awareness to all of our communities. ARISE is leading the way in this regard. There is an urgent need for everyone to get vaccinated, so we can effectively break the chain of person to person transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
At the conference, ARISE, in partnership with the Lagos State Government, opened up the ARISE COVID VACCINATION CENTRE where people were vaccinated.
This is very important because if we do not get a hold on the COVID VIRUS, all sectors of our economy will continue to suffer and consequently, our well being.
“We are determined to change the narrative on health care delivery statistics. 40% of pregnant women are anaemic. 810 women die daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and child birth.
311,000 women died from cervical cancer in 2018 and 85% are from low to middle income countries including Nigeria.
The risk of a woman dying from a maternal related cause during her lifetime is about 130 times higher in Nigeria in comparison to a high income community.
In order to change the narratives, the ARISE Community Insurance Scheme was launched to assist the most vulnerable women in all ARISE Communities under the ADOPT A VILLAGE PROGRAMME.
Dr Iluyomade therefore urged everyone to participate by paying INSURANCE PREMIUMS of just #15,000.00 per woman for as many women each dignitary will want to assist annually.
“ECONOMICALLY, we can REVIVE our communities and our nation. We can use the twin language of REVIVE AND SUSTAINABILITY. Every community and village must be sustainable.”
There is a growing need to ENSURE a BETTER DECENT LIFE FOR ALL CITIZENS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
Sustainability must be upheld on three levels.
ECONOMY
SOCIETY
ENVIRONMENT; in other words:
PROFIT
PEOPLE
PLANET
“There must be social demographic growth as well as material economic growth and which MUST BE STABLE AND GROWING.
Therefore, in every Community, we must meet such needs as HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE, FOOD, SHELTER AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT without compromising future generations.”
As women, we see further. We must be aware of obstacles and we must plan ahead to surmount them.
On the ARISE PLATFORM we have taken all these on board, so we have planned sustainability with regards to every area we venture into.”
The ARISE Foundation has:
THE ARISE WALK FOR LIFE
ARISE MOBILE CLINICS
ARISE ADOPT A VILLAGE PROJECT
ARISE BACK TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
ARISE WOMENS FARMERS FOUNDATION
ARISE SKILLS ACQUISITION ACADEMY
ARISE WOMENS CONFERENCES
ARISE COMMUNITY INSURANCE SCHEME
She reiterated the fact that more women need to get economic power and we can only achieve this by sending more girls to school and giving women the opportunity to acquire skills for their sustenance.
“Revival must begin in each individual heart. Revival is a new beginning. Our faith and love as women in and for our nation must be ACTIVE AND FIERCE.
“Our nation needs us NOW. We must raise up a future and succeeding generations that will turn this country around for good forever.
“We must TRAIN OUR CHILDREN TO WORK HARD AND GET RESULTS. If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10
Let the thief no longer steal but rather let him labor doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need – Ephesians 4:28
Always remember
Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys – Proverbs 18:9.
What you ought to do if you don’t like a thing is to change it, STOP COMPLAINING. Instead strive to change it. Strive to change it.” Dr Iluyomade concluded.
