LAGOS – The who is who in the freight forwarding arms of the maritime sector, under the aegis of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF); gathered recently at the NAGAFF village, Apapa; Lagos, to give a befitting honour to one of their own, Deaconess Kate Oghagbon, who bowed out after coordinating meritoriously, the affairs of NAGAFF women for 14 years.
Among the personalities that graced the occasion were Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, NAGAFF founder, Chidiebere Enelamah, Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Eugene Nweke, former National President, NAGAFF and the National President, NAGAFF, High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi.
Others are Chief Afam Chukwuma, Managing Director of International Supply Chains Systems Limited who is also the Deputy National President, Seaports of (NAGAFF), the new woman leader, Princess Uju Ebubedike, the NAGAFF Public Relations Officer, Ugochukwu Nnadi and the Patroness to NAGAFF women, Princess Chi Ezeh among others.
The General Secretary, who gave a welcome address on behalf of the new women leader, Princess Uju Ebubedike said that on behalf of NAGAFF women, she warmly welcomed all to the unique occasion put in place to celebrate their own dear national woman leader, who stepped aside two Months earlier.
“I will also like to extend a special welcome to Kate Oghagbon’s family, friends and colleagues who have joined us to mark this significant milestone.
“Today, we have come together to celebrate Mamma NAGAFF’s dedication, commitment and contributions to NAGAFF women’s wing and by extension to NAGAFF in general. We will share memories and acknowledge her achievements.”
The new women leader averred that Deaconess Kate had been a beacon of inspiration for all of them.
She added that her leadership was not just about guiding the women through difficult challenges or driving them towards success, “but about fostering a community where every voice is heard, every effort is valued, and every individual is empowered to reach their full potentials.
“Today, we celebrate her, we also celebrate the values she stands for, integrity, innovation and inclusion. We also recognize the ripple effect of her leadership; the lives she touched, the careers she shaped and the legacy she continues to build.
“We are all beneficiaries of her vision and hard work and it is our privilege to celebrate her today.”
Speaking also, Dr Nweke, said that the celebrant had devoted so many years to the progress of the association.
According to Nweke, who was the Chairman of the occasion, the dedication Deaconess Kate put in place was worth celebrating and emulating.
Chief Nweke said that she exhibited all they saw in her, which were loyalty, commitment and willingness to serve NAGAFF and of course to pursue vision.
In his address, Chief Ezeisi explained that the essence of the gathering was to celebrate NAGAFF who serve for 14 years.
“As a matter of fact, what we are seeing today in the women wing of NAGAFF is her hard work.
She worked tiressly to bring these women together. Like our founder always say, ‘work for NAGAFF and NAGAFF will feed you’, she worked for NAGAFF for 14 good years, as a matter of fact, NAGAFF has started feeding her today. Today is the starting point.”
The NAGAFF National President called on the new women leader to buckle up as she was stepping into a very big shoe.
“You are stepping into a very big shoe, but I thank God you started well. NAGAFF has managed the affairs of women for 14 years, what you are reaping today is her foundation. You have inherited something from her, therefore ,you need to work harder so that the person to succeed you will equally have something to inherit,” Ezeisi advised.
In response, the outgoing women leader expressed gratitude to all for the encomiums showered on her.
She said that when she started the journey of the women leadership, she was skeptical if she would succeed. She said there was little or no hope, but that she felt excited that she ended well to the glory of God.
She said she only had few women when she started. She narrated how she visualized and named them the women of substance.
Also speaking, Dr. Aniebonam said that he was interested in the progress of the NAGAFF.
He said the outgoing women leader came into NAGAFF, took responsivity and provided for women with the little she had. He said that many people came to join NAGAFF, but left unceremoniously because they did not add value. But Kate came, added value that is why we are here today celebrating her.
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