“It is high time young girls and women stop feeling inferior to their male counterparts…”
By Rahma Jimoh
Nigeria’s Lion Club District A3 has elected another woman district governor to take charge of its affairs as the club kicks off its new calendar year July 6th, 2024.
Dr. Folashade Shotomide, amidst one of District A3’s most keenly contested elections, takes over from the first woman district governor, Ln. Toyosi Ololade who piloted the club’s affairs until June 30th this year.
Delivering her welcome address during the club’s annual press briefing – at The Insurance Brokers House, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos – which heralded the club’s new calendar year, Ln. Dr. Shotomide, a teacher, emphasized the importance of Lion’s International and spoke about her goals for the new calendar year.
In an exclusive interview with Womantori, she disclosed that during her tenure, she would work with and empower the Nigerian youths with information technology and agriculture skills.
She also noted that she would be supporting the aged with basic health insurance access and would carry out cataract surgeries for at least 100 persons.
According to Dr. Shotomide, she joined the Lion Club after being assisted when she was in dire need. “There was now this hunger in me to give back,” she revealed.
“When you have been blessed, you would want to bless somebody else. And I looked out for a place; a platform, because I cannot do it alone.”
The second concurrent woman leader said she doesn’t feel any different emerging as the new district governor, noting that she considers leadership as an opportunity to serve.
“I’ve been a Lion for 20 years; I’ve been in this organisation, and I have availed myself of training and development. I have prepared myself for the new role I will be playing.”
Dr Shotomide emphasised that it is an honour and opportunity she is well prepared for to lead the organisation and contribute to her nation, Nigeria.
Dr Shotomide, who had previously contested for the club’s leadership role and lost, said she faced opposition and doubts from people, but she decided to stand for election again.
‘I am looking forward to the challenge of being a female leader. When I initially stepped into politics, I faced opposition and doubts from people. I was not well-known, and some questioned my capability.
“After losing my first election in 2021, I made the decision to stand for election again if the opportunity arose.
“When I ran for office the second time, I encountered resistance, with some insisting that a man should be the candidate. Despite the challenges, winning the election has been rewarding,” she recounted.
According to Dr. Shotomide, she intends to also focus on giving more women opportunities.
“It is high time young girls and women stop feeling inferior to their male counterparts.
“I like to produce people like me; in my cabinet, I have more women, and I train and ensure that women are well represented,” she stated.
