Gloria Laraba Shoda is a renowned educationist, teacher, politician and accomplished public administrator. She is a symbol of motherhood and a philanthropist par excellence whose passion, advocacy and life philosophy rest solely on supporting the important needs of Women,
Children and Youth. she has used her foundation, her status and her privileged position to reinforce her commitment and strong voice in the campaign against Gender-based violence including battery, rape and rape of minors in particular.
Highly exposed, experienced and educated, she holds a B. Ed, M.Ed. and PhD degrees respectively in addition to the mni award of the prestigious National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos.
She is a silent achiever and a great disciplinarian who has a strong belief in the dignity of labour. She started her career as a clerical officer with the Ministry of Health, Maiduguri in 1974. After completing her mandatory youth service in the Government Secondary
school, Jaji. She taught in Kaduna, Lagos and Ogun states between 1982 and 1991. Her meritorious career lasted over four decades in several capacities and various duty posts, and it was during this period she developed a strong penchant for Children’s Education. On retirement and conscious of the pervasive education outcomes which have remained unchanged over time and considering the need to complement government efforts for better outcomes in Children’s Education, she ventured into business with a focus on the development of the education sector. Today, her vision in this regard saw the establishment of Great Scholars International School, a nursery and primary school of distinction and Great Scholars International Comprehensive High School which has remained a model and reference point.
An esteemed coryphaeus and a prolific pillar of support for Nation building, she has served with excellence in several positions including the pioneer Chairman of Governing Council of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic; President of Remo Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture; Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture. A symbol of hope for the hopeless and motherhood in Nigeria, she has contributed to humanity and served in various capacities including National President of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Nigeria. Today, she has put Nigeria on the global map on matters affecting women and children by her election as the President, of the African Regional Council of Women (ARCW) and her recent appointment as a member to the prestigious Board of the International Council ofWomen (ICW) in charge of Africa.
A multiple award winner; Dr (Mrs) Gloria Laraba Shoda has been honoured with several awards, among whom is an Honourary Doctorate Degree in Humanity (LHD) and Fellowship awards/honours from several notable and high-prof i l e local and international professional institutions. Also, in recognition of her strong advocacy and contributions to humanity, community development and society at large, she has been honoured with numerous chieftaincy titles including Yeye Moye of Remoland, Yeye Apesin of Iperu, Aremo of Idarika-Iperu, Erelu
Gbobaniyi of Makun Yeye Oba of Ilaye – Shagamun and Erelu of FCT, Abuja etc.
She is happily married to a retired Military Officer and blessed with children including a Serving Military Officer.
Early Life
Gloria Laraba Shoda, (PhD) mni, MFR was born in Kawo, Kaduna State, and she is the 2nd of 8 Children. Her father, Clement Odiari was a successful civil servant and her mother Aisha Dale Taylor was a businesswoman.
Born and growing up in a region at a time where girls and women are educationally disadvantaged, she developed enterprising skills and was gainfully engaged by her parents in petty family trades. Her passion to attend school was fuelled by the strong belief of her parents in Girl Child Education. She attended St. Peter’s Demonstration School and St Faith’s College for her Primary and Secondary Education respectively in Kawo-Kaduna. Today, her strong passion, voice and advocacy for Women and Girl-child education in particular was honed by her parental upbringing and rare privileges
Education
In furtherance of her education, she attended the Ogun State College of Education (now Taye Solarin College of Education) and obtained her National Certificate of Education (NCE). She enrolled for her Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Benin (UniBen) in 1989 and graduated with Second Class Upper. She later proceeded to the University of Ibadan where she obtained a Master’s Degree in Education and an M.Ed in Community Development in 2005. She attended the Senior Executive Course 36 at the prestigious National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos in 2014 and bagged the title of Member of the National Institute (mni). She also did an onl ine PhD Distance Education Degree program in Peace and Conflict Management at the Theological Seminary College, Ibadan 2012 – 2014.
Career
Dr Gloria Laraba Shoda, mni, MFR has over four decades of quality and productive experience in both private and public sectors with skills and strong competencies in teaching analysis, administration, project management, and in small and medium enterprises with a special focus on vocational skills development like sewing, baking, raffia/bread making and home management. She started her working career as a clerical officer with the Ministry of Health, Maiduguri in 1974. After her university degree, she did the mandatory youth service at the Government Secondary school in Jaji. She later taught and had a successful teaching career in Kaduna, Lagos and Ogun s t a t e s respectively in various capacities between 1982 – 1991 after which she voluntarily retired.
On retirement, being conscious of the pervasive education outcomes which have remained unchanged over time and considering the need to complement government efforts for better outcomes in Children’s Education, she ventured into business with a focus on the development of the education sector. Today, her vision in this regard saw the establishment of Great Scholars International School, a n u r s e r y and primary school of distinction and Great Scholars International Comprehensive High School which has remained a model and reference point to date.
Personal Life
Witty, hardworking, honest, versatile and an outstanding team player with the ability to impart knowledge and also learn. Dr (Mrs) Gloria Laraba Shoda, mni, MFR is highly endowed with sound experience in human resource management. Coupled with her penchant for excellent service delivery and precision. She prides herself in working and delivering positive results that better society in any challenging environment. She was appointed and served in various capacities including the first female Chairman of Governing Council of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta; President of Remo Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture and Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture, 2000 – 2004 and 2004-2008 respectively; National President, National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) in Nigeria and served between 2016 and March 2022; President, African Regional Council of Women (ARCW); Board member, International Council of Women (ICW) thereby becoming the first black African and first Nigerian to be so elected into the prestigious International Council of Women board during the annual general meeting (AGM) of the ICW on May 17, 2022, at the Mercure Point Hotel, Avignon Centre, France.
A multiple award winner. Dr (Mrs.) Gloria Laraba Shoda has been honoured with Honourary Doctorate Degree in Humanity [LHD], Fellowship awards and numerous chieftaincy titles.
She is happily married to a retired Military Officer and blessed with children including a Serving Military Officer.
Dr Shoda was honoured amongst many other distinguished Nigerians with a National Award in the category of Member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 11th of October 2022 in Abuja
