Amiable and Iconic Chief Mrs Rahmat Otsomosi Oviesa is a woman of great substance, her disposition agility, energy and vigour on the job as Arepo ACDC woman leader speaks volume of the many qualities she possesses.
In this interview with Femi Fabunmi ,the very beautiful wife and mother, MD/CEO of ROVAJ VENTURES speaks about her position as Arepo Woman leader, what the forum has achieved since her emergence in addition to many other sundry matters.
Excerpts
Can we meet you ma ?
My name is Chief Mrs Rahmat Otsomosi Oviesa the woman leader of Arepo ACDC, the union is relatively new we only started out recently. We are few months into it and we coined a name known as the jewels of Arepo ACDC, we meet once in two months. We have been trying to create awareness and its been working for us. I went for a leadership training when I came back I had learnt a lot about CDC and the experience is being brought to bear. We are looking at carving a niche for ourselves in leadership and internal governance of Arepo community.
What is the Mission statement of the Arepo Women group ?
Simply put ,we are trying to carry the female gender along and have them involved in the activities of the community where they reside. And so far so good , many have been cooperating and we are very happy about it.
What are the steps taken so far ?
We do empowerment, organize seminars , educate , sometimes we put together fitness activities to make our women keep fit. We have also created a whatsapp group which serve as a meeting point for everyone . The group enables us the women to deliberate on critical issues and provide lasting solutions to problems if encountered.
Has the women group in Arepo been formally launched ?
Actually. It hasn’t , but we have been working assiduously well to function properly,while I was away outside the country we kept meeting virtually to put a committee in place for the official launching of our forum soon, it will happen as all is now set for that to be achieved.
What are the challenges being faced by the women forum ?
The ACDC is new, they really don’t know much about community development. However, we are driving very hard to put issues in right perspective whenever the need arises .We try to tackle our challenges by proffering solutions to them. Already, Arepo has always been a thriving, social and fun –filled community, Arepo in the next few years will look like a mini London and all these are attributes make a lot of sense to us
Do the women forum involve the men in their activities?
Yes now, can we achieve anything without the men, we do carry them along. Sometimes we seek their experience and expertise before embarking on any project or even aspire to do one. They have been of help to us and I know they will do more to help us reach our goals.
What are the women forum doing to help the less privilege and the vulnerable?
That idea is in the pipe line, we have mapped out plans to help the needy and even the widows. Already , what we do on every meeting day is to rent chairs and canopy from any of us who is a widow or who is into the business, this is part of efforts to encourage them and make them have a sense of belonging.
How do you identify them?
Arepo is a very small community, almost everyone is on the database, that cannot be a problem at all. We have a simple way of identifying them and it’s been working for us.
How is the Women forum funded ?
At some point , I was doing it, however, when I travelled exco members decided to take up the responsibility and it’s really paying off. You see excos contributing to that effect.
Is your position tenure base ?
I think it has, I can’t be there for ever, I’m sure it has tenure expiration.
How did your emergence happen, what was the criterion used ?
Well, I was away when the call came in that I have been appointed and since it is call to serve humanity I said yes to it. And today, here I am.
What would you like to say to the state government ?
I want to appeal to the state government Prince Dapo Abiodun to still look into Arepo and help us with basic amenities. He has done very well already but like Oliver Twist we crave for more. Arepo is the face of Ogun state and we are looking up to him for more infrastructural facilities.
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