Mrs Abiola Laishende, FCIS;
Council Member, ICSAN;
Chairman, Corporate Members Committee
Service Years
I served from 2015 to 2017 and then from 2017 to 2019.
Experience
My experience serving the ministry was a great privilege and opportunity to give back to God and humanity.
To the glory of God, we have accomplished a lot during my tenure. Some of these were our ‘first of its kind’ initiatives;
1. Appointment of Matron:
Sometimes in 2017, we appointed Mrs. Funmilayo Roberts as our Matron. She introduced us to WINBIZ and Women Arise. In October 2017, she invited us to her home in Ibadan. Mrs. Roberts has been a mother and an inspiration to us. She reiterated our belief in the power of collaboration and partnership within us and other like-minded organizations. She single handedly adopted our son Ayomide and donated a N500,000 scholarship towards his education.
2. Collaborations:
We worked with the Five Aids Foundation during the joint-visit to the Jesus’ Kids Home in Ibadan. We had doctors and medical officers working with us on all the medical outreaches held in Ibadan and Lagos.
3. Payment for Shimawa:
One of our sisters Yetunde Olawale-Ilemobola linked us with Adron Homes about 4 years and prayerfully, we purchased two (2) plots of land for the purpose of building a Family Resource Center. By the grace of God, we have successfully paid N4,000,000.00 being the cost for the two (2) plots of land leaving a balance of N1,500,000.00 for Administrative Charges.
4. Outreaches, Evangelisms and Inreaches:
During my tenure, we visited Jesus’ Kids Home in Ibadan, blood donation at Island Maternity, visited School of the blind in Oshodi, held the Ilaje Medical Outreach to celebrate our 17th year anniversary, organized the Ilaje Christmas Party and visited Massey Children Hospital. Similarly, we had two (2) evangelisms Jakande Market in 2017 and Tejuosho Market in 2018).
5. Financial Partners
During our 15th years anniversary, some people pledged to support CSM regularly. We receive donation regularly from a few of these people. We tried to retain and encourage/revive those that have lapsed in their decision to support CSM.
One of the biggest donations to the Shimawa project was the sum of N1 million received from a friend’s organization as a result of our goodwill.
6. In-reach, Ladies Hang out and Celebrations
To educate, encourage ourselves, bond together and have fun, we organized inreaches (August 2018 and June 2019), Ladies Hangout at the beach in January 2018, a Vigil in June 2018, Movie day in November 2018. We had several surprise 40th birthday parties and a bridal shower.
7. Introduction of CS Governance Structure
We introduced an annual goal setting exercise with clear objectives for each unit, mid-year/full year appraisal sessions and other governance tools. This was a first of its kind and helped each unit achieve a lot more as our set goals and objectives were regularly monitored and the HODs assisted in delivering these goals.
The Future
In the future, I am trusting God for a new breed of young leaders who will continue with the legacies built over time and take the CSM vision higher to the glory of God. I pray for women who will rise like Joshua and Caleb and lead CSM to greater heights despite duanting challenges as they come (Numbers 14: 6-9). Amen.