By Yinka Mashood
The Nigeria Association of Hairdresser, Cosmetologist and Barbers (NASHCOB), Kwara State chapter has inaugurated new officers that will run the affairs of the association for the next four years.
The new executive include Mrs Monsurat Badmus, President; Mrs Grace Ogunsakin, Vice President; Mrs Ige Florence, Secretary; Mrs Alabi Basirat, Vice Secretary; Mrs Bola Bamidele, Treasurer; Mrs Yusuf Rafat, Financial Secretary; Mrs Folashade Falade, PRO 1 and Mrs Rahmat Abdulrahman, PRO ll.
Others are Hajia Qodir T., Welfare 1; Mrs Rachael Adeniyi, Welfare ll; Sherifat Fatai, Provost 1; Mrs Muhibat Abdulganiy, Provost ll; Mrs Aishat Babatunde, Social Secretary 1 and Mrs Sikirat Danmeromu, Social Secretary ll.
The inauguration of the new officers which took place at Ilorin Stadium Complex on Wednesday attracted eminent personalities from all walks of life.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari who was represented by Daudu Fufu, Alhaji Muhammad Bello; Olofa of Offa and Life Patron for Kwara NASHCOB, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi who was represented by Balogun of Offa, Chief Maruf Olaniyi and former member of National Assembly, Senator Suleiman Makanjuola Ajadi.
Others were a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Abdulganiyu Cook Olododo represented by Alhaji Abdulraheem Adanla and Mr Abiodun Yitta; members of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon Abolarin Gabriel of Ekiti Constituency and Hon Abdulrazaq Owolabi of Share/Oke-ode Constituency among others.
Speaking on the occasion, the First Lady of Kwara State, Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq, appreciated the peaceful manner in which the association has been conducting its activities.
Represented by Hajia Memunat Dupe Shiru, Mrs AbdulRazaq stressed the need for members of the association to unite and avoid distractive tendencies.
She assured that the door of her office is opened to the association and urged members of the association to support the present administration in its bid to take the state to the next level of development.
The First Lady advised the new leadership of the association to be transparent and carry members along in the scheme of things to move the association forward.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki also enjoined members of new executive to emulate the good virtues of their predecessors and place the association’s interest above personal interest.
Speaking through Hajia Tawakalitu Yusuf, Senator Saraki said that as an advocate of women emancipation, she would continue to support the association and urged members to unite among themselves.
In her remark, the National President of NASHCOB, Dr (Mrs) Betty Ishoka noted with pleasure the peace process through which new officers were emerged.
She advised the new executive to be up and doing and work hard on unity and progress of the association, adding that “united we stand and divided we fall”.
Speaking on the sideline of the event, members of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon Abolarin Gabriel of Ekiti Constituency and Hon Abdulrazaq Owolabi of Share/Oke-ode Constituency advised the new executive and members of the association to cooperate with government of the day so that they gain from helping hands of the government.
The lawmakers urged the new leadership of the association to borrow a leaf from past leaders and sustain their good legacies to move the association forward.
“The new executive should see themselves as servants of members. They should also see their new assignment as a call to service because members expect so much from them”.
The lawmakers who appreciated the contributions of members of the association to the state economy, assured that the present administration would continue to provide conducive environment for businesses and entrepreneurs to strive.
A Matron of the association, Hajia Babatunde Kazeem said that the peaceful manner through which the new executive were emerged was a big lesson for Nigerian politicians.
She urged the leadership of the association not to disappoint the confidence reposed in them by striving very hard for progress and development of the association.
The outgone President, Hajia Bola S. A. Hassan, while attributing the support and cooperation of members to the success of her administration, thanked the present and past leaders of the association for support to her administration.
She restated that the association would continue to run a transparent administration to enhance the well being of members and the society in general.
She appealed to all levels of governments to look into the production of fake and adulterated creams, soaps, lotions among others that are cancer induced to promote healthy society.
She promised to support the new leadership and guide them accordingly in the interest of progress and development of the association.
Hajia Hassan said that the competition and exhibition which were incorporated into the activities of the association was to promote members goods and services and encourage skills development among the members.
In her inaugural speech, the new President, Mrs Monsurat Badmus who appreciated members of the association for the trust reposed in her, said that the tasks ahead were very enormous.
While assuring that her administration would explore Information Communication Technology in tackling the tasks ahead, Badmus noted that she could not do it alone except with the support of all members.
She added that despite the past years challenges, the association had taken necessary steps so that government of the day could recognise it to facilitate dividends of democracy for members.
She appreciated the tremendous initiatives of her predecessors and promised to consolidate on their achievements.
She appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to recognise the association’s contributions to the economic development of the state and support members of the association with empowerment scheme.
The programme featured award presentation on eminent individuals who have contributed to the development of the association including Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq; Matron of the association, Hajia Babatunde Kazeem and former TIC chairman of Ilorin West Local Government, Mr Abdulhameed Oladipupo Alli (Mr Nigeria).
The programme also featured inauguration of 42 new Zonal Heads of the association.
As part of the activities to mark the closing ceremony of the yearly event, there was exhibition of products and services as well as presentation of car gift to the outgone president.
