The Y2026 International Women’s Day in Nigeria was a great success. This is more so as different organizations took time out to celebrate the achievements women have made in different aspects of life, in terms of diversity and inclusion.
One of such organizations was Arise News Group, which also joined the rest of the globe to celebrate the power of women, as the group honoured 100 women; who have left their marks in the sand of times, vis-a-vis governance, business, healthcare, culture, social impact, energy, technology, education and justice among others.
The event which was held at the Convention Center of Eko Hotel and Suites recognized women from different parts of Africa- Nigeria, Mauritius, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Niger.
Some of the honourees included the CEO of TD Africa Distributions-Mrs Chioma Stan Eke, Lawyer/ Founding Partner of Doyin Rhodes -Vivour & Co-Mrs Adedoyin Rhodes -Vivour(SAN), Executive Publisher and Chief Executive of Quramo Publishing and Quramo Productions-Mrs Gbemi Shasore, Songwe Vera, Layal Tinubu, Fatima Shinkafi, Mfon Ekong Usoro, Nnenna Ukeje, Rewa Udoji, Sally Udoma, Adesuwa Rhodes Okunbor, Aruma Oteh, Odio Oseni, Ifeyinwa Osime, Chinelo Oramah, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Amaka Onwughalu, Eva Omaghomi and the anti-apartheid activist/African National Congress Women’s League member-Sophie Williams De Bruyn.
Others were: The Former Nigerian First Lady-Aisha Buhari, Executive Director of UNAIDS (Uganda) Winnie Byanyima, Helen Zille and Abike Dabiri Erewa who have exhibited their expertise in their chosen fields.
Also recognized were Zouera Youssoufou, Bola Tinubu, Sandra Paul, Ory Okolloh, Olamide Olowe, Dr. Oluwayemisi Olorunshola, Chizoma Okoli, Dr. Olugbemisola Odusote, Nike Ogunlesi, Mosunmola Ogunbanjo, Dr. Dupe Odunsi, Afua Kyei, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Wunmi Mosaku, Dr.Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, Aku Odinkemelu, Banke Kuku, Niale Kaba, Oke Maduewesi, Dr. Omobola Johnson, Elizabeth Idigbe, Dr. Kemi Ibru Da-Silva, Josephine Harriman, Meyiwa Eyesan, Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Kemi Adetiba, Deola Art Alade, Dr. Ibukun Awosika, Tosin Akinluyi, Chinelo Anohu, Dr. Toyin Ajayi, Professor Bosede Afolabi, Funke Agbor (SAN), Sheniece Charway, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Dr. Ola Brown, Dr. Myma Believe-Osagie, Oyinkan Badejo Okusanya, Tolu Coker, Amy Adwoa Edun, Anita Edo-Osagie (SAN), Tara Fela-Durotoye, Dr. Ehimwema Eke-Aluko, Halima Dangote, Dr. Bineta Diop, Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed ( Aisha Binani), Senator Florence Ita-Giwa and HRH -The Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu.
Other prominent women that received the Y2026 “Women of Impact Africa Award” included: Funke Aboyade (SAN), Yemi Adamolekun, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and The Group Chief Executive Officer of Asset Management Group Limited, Chief Executive Officer of Muritala Mohammed Foundation, Board Chairman NEEM Foundation, Board Chairman Lekoil, a Nigerian Lawyer, Entrepreneur, Author, Activist and Phylanthropist -Dr. Aisha Mohammed Oyebode among others.
Governor of Lagos State-Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Ooni of Ife- Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and former Justice of The Supreme Court of Nigeria-Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes Vivour also attended this epoch marking event, in honour of these great women who have served their respective countries as trailblazers, while representing the womenfolk in their various fields.
Some other important personalities present at the occasion were: Special adviser to the president on policy and coordination & head, central delivery coordination unit-Hadiza Bala Usman, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy-Wale Edun, MD of Providus Bank- Walter Akpani, Adesua Dozie, Founder of Zinox Group, a leading Nigerian technology conglomerate -Leo Stan Ekeh, Counsel and Co-Founder of one of Nigeria’s largest integrated law firms-Aluko & Oyebode, Director of Jazz at The Lincoln Center, New York, who is also the Chairman of Teach for All, New York, Africa Philanthropy Forum, CFAO Nigeria, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Okomu Oil Palm Co. Plc, Combined Industrial Agro Consultants Ltd, Timbuktu Media Ltd, African Philanthropy Forum, Asset Management Group Ltd, Continent Venture Partners and The Chancellor of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin-Barrister Gbenga Oyebode (MFR) among others.
The high point of the event was when Ara came to the stage to perform her songs that created positive vibes among the distinguished personalities.
