Successful People Woman-of-Virtue Dr (Chief) Gloria Laraba Shoda mni.
By Charles Segun Adegbite
( Published on 7/11/22 4:30 AM; Updated August 13, 2022:. 3:45AM)
If you call her the Erelu of Nigeria, you won't be wrong. This virtuous woman, Dr. Gloria Laraba Shoda, was installed recently as the Erelu Yoruba of Federal Capital Territory (FCT)Abuja by Oba Olusegun Salau, the Oba of Yoruba in Abuja (FCT).
The Erelu title in Yorubaland is a leadership chieftaincy title normally bestowed on a distinguished woman who has contributed to the welfare of women and also has the capacity to lead women effectively.
So, with conferment of that chieftaincy title such a distinguished lady becomes women leader.
For Dr Shoda, who has been leading Nigerian women as the President of National Council for Women Society (NCWS) since 2016 till her tenure ended recently this year, calling her the Erelu of Nigeria is therefore not an overstatement.
Here is a woman of substance, endowed with leadership inclination, raw courage and vision.
She is today the immediate Past National President of NCWS and a Board Member of International Council of Women(ICW) in Charge of Africa
Her leadership inclination manifested significantly when she became a member of the Remo Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mine and Agriculture (RECCIMA) over two decades ago.
That paved the way for her emergence as Vice Chairman of the RECCIMA and she later got elected as the Chairman.
BIRTH, EARLY LIFE & EDUCATION
Born in Kawo, Kaduna State, on 16 November, 1955, Mrs Shoda had her primary education at Saint Peter’s Demonstration School, Kawo, Kaduna State, between 1962 and 1968.
She attended Saint Faith College (now Government Girls Secondary School), Kawo, Kaduna, in 1969, and graduated in 1972. She later proceeded to the United Missionary College, Ibadan, for her teacher’s training course, and obtained Teachers Grade II certificate in 1978.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Between 1979 and 1982 she was at the Ogun State College of Education (now Tai Solarin College of Education), where she studied Applied Science Technology and graduated with Upper Merit in National Certificate of Education (NCE).
She thereafter embarked on the mandatory National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) Programme in 1982, during which she served her nation till 1983.
Her love and zest for higher learning prompted her to enroll thereafter for her Bachelor of Education degree (B.Ed Hons) in Adult Education/Community Development at the University of Benin (UniBen) in 1989. And he graduated with Second Class Upper Division in 1993. Between 2003 and 2005 she attended the University of Ibadan where she obtained Master’s Degree in Education, M.Ed in Community Development.
TEACHING CAREER
Although Mrs. Shoda started her working career as a clerical officer with the Ministry of Health, Maiduguri in 1974, she thereafter went into teaching career.
She began her teaching profession at Army Children School, and continued at the Command Children School, both in the Military Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos State, between 1978 and 1979.
She was later appointed a Head of Department, Ikenne Community High School, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
She also taught at Government Day Secondary School, Kowa, Kaduna.
Between 1986 and 1991 she demonstrated more competence in her teaching profession and became an Assistant Head of Department in Remo Secondary School, RSS, Sagamu, Ogun State. She later voluntarily quit the teaching profession in 1991.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Between 2012 and 2014 she embarked on an online distance education for her Doctorate Degree Program in Peace and Conflict Management at the Theological Seminary College, Ibadan. Oyo State. She later attended the Senior Executive Course 36 at the prestigious National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State, in 2014 and bagged the title Member of the National Institute (mni).
She has attended several leadership and management development courses, seminars and programmes both in Nigeria and abroad.
INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Shoda’s interest in the development of the education sector was responsible for her decision to set up Glomma Hostel – a private hostel for secondary school students within and outside Sagamu, Ogun State.
In 1993, she established Great Scholars International School, a nursery and primary school of distinction. Two years later, she founded Great Scholars International Comprehensive High School which became a model and reference point.
INVESTMENTS IN BUSINESS
This Erelu is a business woman of no mean reputation. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Silver Rock Global Investment Services Limited. Dr (Mrs) Shoda was President of Remo Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (RECCIMA) and Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (OGCCIMA) in early 2000s.
She is the first female Chairman of the Governing Council of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS OCCUPIED
This virtuous woman has presided over many great organizations, associations and clubs, either through elections or appointments.
She was the President, Home Economics Teachers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter. President, Lioness Club (now Lions Club) District 404 Nigeria, Sagamu Chapter.
President, National Grassroots Association (NGAN) Ogun State Chapter. Proprietor, Remo Queens United Football Club and Proprietor/Founder Laraba Shoda Babes Football Club.
She was also the Secretary, Nigeria Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), Jaji. Chairman, Education Committee, National Council of Women Societies – Remo Local Government Area, Sagamu (NCWS).
The 1st Assistant Secretary - National Council of Women Societies, Ogun State Chapter (NCWS), President/Founder of Gateway Women and Children Foundation. The 1st National Vice President, National Council of Women Societies, (NCWS) Nigeria.
The President, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) Nigeria 2016 till date. Chairman, African Regional Council of Women (ARCW). And so far, the only Nigerian to be a Coordinator, International Council for Women (ICW) Standing Committee on Social Issues.
AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS
Fighting for space in her big mansion are numerous plaques of awards bestowed on this silent but great achiever by various local, state, national and international organizations.
These include: Recognition Award by City People magazines, Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Benin (UniBen) Alumni Association, Award of Excellence from Government Girls Secondary School, Kawo - Kaduna (former St. Faiths College), Award of Recognition by the Society of Project Management and Development Professionals International,
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Feature in the 2022/23 Edition of WHO'S WHO IN NIGERIA POLITICS
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Doctor of Arts (Honoris Causa)from the European–American University, Ghana. African Integrity Magazine Award, Pan Africa Servant Leadership Award. Hall of Fame Award by National Council of Women Societies(Ogun State Chapter). Mother of Hope, West African Students' Union. Most Innovative ICT Personality, Nigeria Computer Society(NCS). Recognition Award, by the University of Benin (UniBen) Alumni Association (Ogun State Chapter). Investiture Award, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Ogun State Chapter. Award of Excellence from Private School Proprietors; National Award, Role Model Politician (Leadership Award), Queen Amina Leadership Organisation. Excellent Award from Students Union Government, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Ogun State. Certificate of Excellence, Nigeria Association of Adult Education Students (University of Ibadan Chapter).Merit Award, African Leaders of Integrity, ECOWAS International Leadership Award (December 2018). And so many others.
CHIEFTAINCY INSTALLATIONS
This Amazon has been honoured with many chieftaincy titles bestowed on her by some Royal fathers and traditional Institutions. Among her numerous chieftaincy titles are: Yeye Moye of Remoland, Yeye Apesin of Iperu-Remo, Aremo of Idarika, Iperu-Remo, Yeye Oba of Ilaye–Sagamu, and Aare Iyalode of Igbogun Kingdom in December 2018, all in Ogun State .
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES
Chief (Mrs.) Shoda is a fellow of the following professional bodies:
Member of the Board of Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre(CLTC) Abuja,
Fellow (and Member of the Governing Council) of International Association of Research Scholars and Administration.
Honorary Fellow, Society of Project Management and Development Professional International (FSPMDPI).
Fellow, Institute of Policy Management Development (FIPMD), Nigeria.
Fellow, Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies (FAES), Nigeria.
Fellow, Institute of Administrators and Researchers of Nigeria (FIARN).
Fellow, Chartered Administrators and Researchers of Nigeria (FCDRN), Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies and Institute of Public Administration (AESIPA), Ghana.
OWNERSHIP OF NGOs & OTHER PATRONAGES
Organizations owned and or led by her include:
President/Founder; Gateway Grassroots Development Association (GGDA),
President/Founder; Gateway Women and Children Foundation (GWCF),
Proprietor; Laraba Shoda Babes Football Club,
Founder/Director, Women Emancipation Initiative (WEI), Accra-Ghana.
President, National Grassroots Association of Nigeria (NGAN), Ogun State Chapter.
Matron, Olive International Agricultural Foundation (OIAF). Matron, Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP)
Grand Matron, Christian Association of Nigeria, Sabo, Sagamu, Ogun State.
MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE
She is married to Col. Emmanuel Shoda(Rtd) and blessed with four adorable children and grandchildren who refer to her as a “mother of mothers”.
In view of her numerous achievements mentioned above, with her recent conferment as the Erelu Abuja and her promotion as a Board Member International Council of Women(ICW) in Charge of Africa
DR(MRS) GLORIA LARABA SHODA
is hereby honoured as our:
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