Cedar Seed Foundation (CSF), CEO, Lois Auta-Udonkanta has won the Power Woman Magazine award for excellence.
The multi award winning Disability rights crusader polled 519 out of a total of 948 votes to defeat nearest rival, Professor Joy Ezeilo – an activist and scholar in a keenly contested competition.
The excellence award recognizes the power of women who have made immense contributions to breaking barriers – thus bringing about growth and development of women in Nigeria.
A visibly excited Auta said: “the award means a lot to me, it’s not an easy task winning the Excellence Award Category. It’s a wonderful, amazing and superb experience!
“This means I’m a great woman leader. This means I’m a good humanitarian. I put people first before myself. I’m passionate towards empowering and investing in the lives of women and girls with disabilities. Inclusion of women with disabilities in every agenda is a priority to me.
“The award is changing the narrative about women with disabilities – their capacity, competence, confidence, courage, character, creativity and credibility. We are telling the world that we are productive, resilient and we have the abilities.
“It also means that women with disabilities are excelling in their career and profession. For us to compete with, and best greater, richer, more experienced and professional women who have no disability buttresses the point that when we are given a level playing field we will win.”
Lois Auta-Udonkanta
However Auta, who for the first time was nominated in two award categories lost the Soaring Legacy category to another opponent, Onyi Eziallor.
Sending notes of thanks to her voters and supporters, Lois said “I’m super and deeply grateful to my voters and supporters. I’m excited and happy for their show of love and huge support.
“Because of my voters and supporters, I won. We are bringing the award home. There won’t be any note to write without them. People are watching what I do. People like what I do and people are proud of me.
“Many thanks to those who nominated me. This is huge! The last time I checked, I was having 48% with 429 votes and Onyi Eziallor was having 52% with 471 votes in the Soaring Legacy Award Category. The Excellence Award Category which I won with 519 votes of the total 948 cast in this category means I’m a power woman through the grace of God and the support of great people like you. Without you I wouldn’t have won.
The President of Network for Disabled Women (NDW) also thanked leaders and members of amazing ladies under the Network for Women with Disabilities for their massive supports. She says she will forever remain grateful to those who supported her in one way or the other – including those who believe in her work and passion.
She commends the Power Woman Magazine Award organizers for being inclusive, accountable and open during the voting process – without discrimination.
She further added: “kudos to Power Woman Magazine Award organizers! I plead with others that are into Award Management, organizing as well as those planning to launch some kind of award to emulate the steps of the Power Woman Magazine Award Project by being inclusive, having a clear mission/vision and maintaining impeccable transparency and accountability.”