Dr. Deaconess (Mrs.) Esther Tonlagha, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Esther Matthew Tonlagha (EMT) Foundation, has called for stronger collaboration among women and stakeholders to accelerate empowerment and social impact.
Her message was delivered in an acceptance speech read on her behalf by Deaconess Harriet Mayuku after she received the Award of Excellence for Philanthropy and Women’s Advocacy at the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (Delta State Chapter).
The event, held at Hussey College, brought together communication professionals, students and community leaders to reflect on the theme “Give to Gain.”
In the speech, Tonlagha expressed appreciation to the institute for recognising the EMT Foundation’s humanitarian interventions and for sustaining platforms that promote dialogue on women’s development.
She described International Women’s Day as both a celebration of achievements and a reminder of the need for collective efforts to remove barriers limiting women’s potential.
Quoting an African proverb — “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” — she stressed that real progress happens when women support one another through mentorship, collaboration and shared opportunities.
According to her, the “Give to Gain” theme underscores the importance of contributing time, knowledge and support to uplift others, noting that women embody this principle daily as professionals, mentors, mothers and leaders.
Tonlagha said the EMT Foundation has continued to support women and vulnerable groups through health awareness campaigns, education initiatives, youth development programmes and economic empowerment efforts aimed at building confidence, skills and independence.
“Giving is not always about mideas Sometimes it is about mentoring, collaborating, sharing knowledge or creating opportunities for others to grow,” she stated, encouraging young women to believe in their potential and recognise the value of their voices and ideas.
The celebration also reinforced the commitment of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Delta State Chapter to gender inclusion, professional development and ethical communication as drivers of sustainable development.
Delivering a keynote lecture titled “Positioning NIPR Delta State as a Leader in Advocacy for Gender Inclusion, Development and Ethical Communication in Line with ‘Give to Gain’,” educationist and Chartered Human Resource Consultant, Ejayeta Jeroh, called for deliberate actions to expand opportunities for women across sectors.
He emphasised that advocacy involves strategic engagement such as awareness campaigns, research and policy dialogue aimed at influencing decisions within institutions and communities.
Jeroh also highlighted the need for continuous professional development through training, mentorship and certification, stressing that ethical communication rooted in honesty, transparency and accountability is essential for building trust in the public relations profession.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Delta NIPR Chapter, Godfrey Osakwe, said the celebration provided an opportunity to recognise the resilience and leadership of women contributing to societal growth.
Another award recipient, Doris Amaka Ochei, expressed gratitude for the honour, highlighting her foundation’s interventions in community development, including the provision of solar-powered boreholes, school support projects and medical outreach services.
The Principal of Hussey College, Justina Wategire, represented by Vice Principal Academic, Edigbe E. Paulina, commended the institute for bringing the programme to the school and engaging students in conversations on leadership and empowerment.
Highlights of the event included a panel discussion on protecting women’s rights and expanding their participation in decision-making processes, cash presentations to students and award recognitions for humanitarian service.
Participants also engaged in an interactive session where strategies were discussed for advancing gender inclusion and strengthening professional standards within the communication industry.
