Rotarian Oluwakemi Soyebi Abiodun, popularly known as Shokesta Woman, is the visionary founder of Shokesta Development Initiative, a non-governmental, non-profit organization committed to addressing social challenges through empowerment, education, and leadership development. Raised in southwestern Nigeria as the only child of her mother, she grew up with a deep desire to uplift others and build a more compassionate society. Her strong humanitarian values have continued to guide her mission to transform lives across the country.
Since its inception, Shokesta Development Initiative has touched over 4,000 lives—women, children, and youth—through various empowerment programs, leadership training, and the provision of relief materials. Oluwakemi’s dedication to community development is evident in her numerous outreach projects, including food distribution in underserved communities, educational support for students, and special care for widows, orphans, and the elderly. Her initiative also promotes gender equality and equal access to education, aligning with global development goals.
A strong advocate of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Oluwakemi partnered with Nigeria Connect (US) to launch the Hope Water Project at a correctional center in Ogun State. This initiative supports SDG 6 by providing clean and safe water to those often forgotten by society. According to her, “Water is life; the fact that they’re inmates does not mean they shouldn’t have access to a good water supply.” Her approach to humanitarian work emphasizes dignity, inclusion, and sustainable solutions.
Oluwakemi’s charitable works have not gone unnoticed. She was honored with the World Icon of Peace award by the World Institute of Peace for her dedication to community peacebuilding and SDG 16. She has organized free residential training programs for teenagers, donated books to public libraries, and visited centers for children with special needs. Her work is fueled by a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves a chance at a better life, regardless of their background or circumstance.
In addition to her humanitarian roles, Oluwakemi holds several leadership and professional positions. She is a Change Ambassador for Peace and Humanity (CAPH) and a trained peace advocate from the Koffi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana. Through Shokesta Development Initiative and her personal efforts, she continues to inspire action, build hope, and lead with empathy across communities in Nigeria and beyond.
