Mrs Oghagbon with Dr Aniebonam (left) and Dr Eugene Nweke (centre)
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
It was an encomiums-galore at the National Secretariat of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forward (NAGAFF) in Lagos, Friday.
The NAGAFF high command, executives and members from different branches, friends of the apex freight forwarding body and others gathered in the manner of a carnival to celebrate their own, Mrs Kate Oghagbon, who bowed out of the association after serving meritoriously for 14 years as Women Leader.
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At the event characterized by tributes, lavish entertainment, bantings and a harvest of gifts, Mrs Oghagbon who was accompanied by her son, Barrister Tony, expressed joy and thanked God for the opportunity to be celebrated alive.
On her impression regarding the day, Mrs Oghagbon who is affectionately called ‘Mama NAGAFF’ told curious pressmen that it was a huge surprise to her that such a huge number of persons could troop out to celebrate her in such a grand style. She spoke about how simple she felt about the whole thing earlier as she handed over to her successor, Princess Uju Ebubedike.
“The day I was handing over to the next person, I never knew that it would escalate to this level of ceremony. I thank God for his mercies, the opportunity to serve and for everything he has done for me”.
Regarding her success trick during her tenure, she advised her successor on the need to maintain an open door policy, not to discriminate against anyone irrespective of whatever circumstance.
“We had a lot of challenges, but with God’s grace and the help of the Founder, we were able to do some of the things we needed to do.”
In a tribute, her successor, Princess Uju Ebubedike described ‘Mama NAGAFF’ as a woman, a leader with rare qualities and attributes that readily galvanizes people of different persuasions around her to achieve an aim.
“Deaconess Kate has been a beacon of inspiration for all of us”, she began. “Her leadership was not just about guiding us through challenges or driving us 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, as we celebrate her, we also celebrate the values she stands for, integrity, innovation and inclusion. We also recognise the ripple effects of her leadership; the lives she has touched, the careers she has shaped and the legacy she continues to build.”
She announced that even as she was retiring from active service, the entire women of the NAGAFF family cannot forget her in a hurry, having benefitted immensely from her vision of hard work and good leadership.
In his tribute, former President of NAGAFF, Dr Eugene Nweke, went down memory lane to inform the audience about when and how Mrs Oghagbon emerged the women leader. He described the day’s celebrant as a woman of valour, love and peace; a woman of substance and of great honour.
In his tribute which marked the major highlight of the event, NAGAFF Founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam said: “NAGAFF is 25 years, but she has been with us for 20 years and 14 of which she served as the women leader of NAGAFF. She is a woman of great ability and substance”. Dr Aniebonam doubles as the Founder, New Nigerian People’s Party, NNPP.
At the event, Dr Aniebonam seconded Mrs Oghagbon as member, NAGAFF Board of Trustees in addition to many gifts showered on her.
In a vote of thanks, Barrister Tony, Mrs Oghagbon’s son, expressed surprise about the level of celebration mounted for his dear mother. Apart from himself, he explained, he never knew there were many other people who are other children of his mother.
“Kate Oghagbon is more than a mother to me in every way. I am so overjoyed with the level of encomiums and gifts showered upon her and I am so thankful to everyone”.
