Landmark University is a notable premier private agriculture-based university spearheading an agrarian revolution on the continent of Africa through quality training and impactful research in which women faculty and staff of the institution have played significant roles over the years. Towards advancing the frontiers of knowledge and balanced education system, women faculty and staff of Landmark University joined other women globally to commemorate the 2022 International Women’s Day by celebrating their resilience and passion in breaking the barrier to harnessing women potentials and maximizing their opportunities in all facets of human endeavors.

Celebrating with the theme, “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” and hashtag #BreakTheBias as the catchphrase, women of Landmark University converged to celebrate their career accomplishments as well as deliberate on ways to further break the bias against their career development. The Pro-Chancellor, Pastor Faith Oyedepo while addressing the women in a broadcast reiterated the importance of placing women rightly and eschewing unhealthy competitions and agitations between both genders. She said that women should rather identify their place and add value to the world. The Pro-Chancellor shared biblical examples of women of virtues who had a significant impact on their generations and even the unborn as well as women around the world who through their resilience, passion and Godly wisdom proffered solutions to global challenges. “Be an example in word, conversations, challenges and purity. As a woman, you are created to add value. What value are you adding to your workplace, home, environment and neighbourhood? Set good examples for others to follow, don’t just go with the trend, create a Godly trend in God’s word and have a positive attitude,” she counselled. 

The acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charity Aremu in her remarks passionately eulogized the strength of women especially her ability to multitask. According to the Vice-Chancellor, women are called to serve, take their place in every sphere, impact their world positively, take responsibilities and account for every assignment given to them. Professor Aremu added that one of the reasons for organizing the programme in Landmark University is “to identify ourselves, know who we are and also celebrate ourselves. To celebrate our place and new achievements, to celebrate every woman wherever platform they operate from and further get to know ourselves”. 

The acting Vice-Chancellor charged the women to be the Proverbs 31 woman. She advised them to be more resilient and unstoppable in breaking the bias. She said they should endeavour to identify what makes women to be marginalized, stereotyped and under empowered and then begin to align in ways towards changing the narratives and making impacts. “The idea of international women’s day is to identify everyone in their various fields, skilled, career in technology, science, engineering, arts, sports and so on, to synergize and forge ahead, making collective and individual impacts, inspiring and complementing one another to break off from the shackles that hold us back,” she further said.

Also speaking, the Registrar Landmark University, Miss Fola Adefunke Oyinloye while giving her remark quoted Genesis 1:26-28, stating the plan and purpose of God for the woman in all ramifications. “When I saw the theme of this year’s celebration, I said we are returning to where God created us from. It is not news again how much the women were relegated but we thank God that light is being shown in our direction to see that we are also created not any less to the image of God with purpose and destiny to fulfil,” She added. Miss Oyinloye reminded women to stay in the centre of the purpose of God for their lives, and remember that they are not inferior, not in competition but rather collaborate with everyone to achieve a common goal either male or female. 

In her presentation titled “Career Women: Benefits and Barriers”, Dr Adejumoke Inyinbor, an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Sciences, Landmark University inspired participants to stay committed to building an enviable career regardless of deterring factors. According to her, successful career women enjoy financial independence, self-development, fulfilment and dignity among others as benefits. She identified family responsibility, having few role models at high levels leadership to look up to, and women hesitant to advocate for themselves as some of the barriers to building a successful career as a woman. 

Also presenting, the Matron, Landmark University Medical Centre, Mrs Christy Ndako who centred her presentation on women’s health, population growth and the child stated that healthy women and children are the fulcra of healthy and thriving societies, therefore, investing in the health of women and children is indispensable to achieving the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda. Mrs Ndako advised women to pay close attention to their health noting that a healthy woman builds not only her home but the society.   

The University Secretary Pastor Frederick Aghahuwa later led other male members of management in delivering their goodwill messages and eulogies to celebrate the women in the university community, while urging them to stay committed to fulfilling God’s purpose and building the world without fear of being intimidated by the male gender but rather complement and continue to support them. 

The event later featured a session of mentorship, interaction, exhibition and cutting of the cake. 

Previously, on Monday 7th March 2022, the women community comprising top management members, faculty and staff led by the acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charity Aremu engaged in a health walk around the campus, taking off from the University Senate Building to the University gate and walked to the University medical centre to celebrate, pray, and care for the in-patients. Receiving the women at the University medical centre, Director Health Services, Dr Joseph Olisa who eulogized the women for showing commitment to keeping fit, encouraged them to continue the exercise, adding that they should pay attention to their mental and physical health. He also appreciated the management for coming up with such a laudable programme. He later conducted the team around the medical wards where patients were prayed for. 

The team rounded off the fitness walk at the Senate Building with songs of praise to God, expressing their unreserved gratitude to the Almighty God, the Keeper and Maker of all and praying for long life to witness many more years in health and wholeness. They also prayed for the entire Landmark University Community, the platform from where they make their contributions to the world.