Last week was an exceptional one for women in Nigeria. From Nollywood royalty, Joke Silva celebrating her 60th birthday and 40 years in the movie industry to media mogul Mo Abudu bagging the prestigious Most Influential People of African Descent Award.
Here’s a round-up of some of the big wins from female black excellence in the week that was
Which were you most excited about?
Nollywood Royalty Joke Silva Marks 60th Birthday, 40 Years in Movie Industry
On Wednesday 29th September, Nollywood royalty, Joke Silva celebrated her 60th birthday and 40 years in the Nigerian movie industry with stunning pictures and emotional posts on Instagram. She also informed the public of her soon to be published biography titled #40at60 currently in the works.
On her verified Instagram account, she wrote ” Numbers are very important to me, so this year, as I turn 60, I also mark forty years in the industry I love. #40at60
My biography of that title #40at60 is actually in the works. Psalm 100 (40+60) is on my lips today as I express my gratitude to God!
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God…”
It has been an incredible journey and I thank you all for your endless love.”
Ecobank Nigeria Appointed Three Non-Executive Female Directors- Mrs. Bola Adesola, Mrs. Titilayo Olujobi and Mrs. Bimbola Wright
The Board of Directors of Ecobank Nigeria announced the appointment of three non-executive female directors who have distinguished themselves in their various careers. The new directors include Mrs. Bola Adesola, as the Chairman of the Board, while Mrs. Titilayo Olujobi and Mrs. Bimbola Wright are non-executive directors.
Following the retirement of Mr. John Aboh, a highly respected professional with over thirty-three years of experience in the banking industry, Mrs. Adesola was appointed the bank’s chair. She retired from Standard Chartered Bank as the Senior Vice-Chairman, Africa. Prior to this role, she was the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer for Standard Chartered Nigeria and West Africa for eight years with oversight over the bank’s West African subsidiaries, including Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Cameroun. Mrs. Adesola was also the Chairperson of the Board of Standard Chartered Bank Mauritius and a Director at Standard Chartered, Ghana.
According to the board, the newly appointed directors will be bringing with them a wealth of experience in the financial services industry, professionalism, and integrity.
Flourish Africa Delivers On Her 2021 Conference With Founder Reintegrating $2.5M Grant Pledge
On the just concluded Flourish Africa 2021 Conference themed Mental Health: Keeping Stable in an Unstable World, the founder, Apostle Folorunso Alakija reiterated that for the next 5 years, 2500 female entrepreneurs will be trained and 500 will receive grants from the $2.5M pledge.
The conference, hosted by Flourish Africa founder, Apostle Folorunso Alakija and moderated by Flying Doctors founder, Dr. Ola Brown, brought together sector professionals in the field of mental health. The speakers were Dr. Gbonjubola Babalola-Abiri, MD Tranquil and Quest Behavioral Health, Ms. Hauwa Ojeifo, founder, She Writes Woman and Dr. Kafayah Balogun-Ogunsola, founder, Empathy Space Consulting Servoces.
76TH United Nations Assembly Recognized Mo Abudu As One Of The Most Influential 100 Creatives Of African Descent Worldwide (MIPAD)
Following the event ceremony of the 76th UN General Assembly, the United Nations Year for the Creative Economy at the EbonyLife Place in Lagos Nigeria, Africa’s answer to Oprah and media mogul Mosunmola Abudu popularly known as Mo Abudu was awarded the Most Influential People of African Descent Award.
In a statement, MIPAD Chief Executive Officer, Kamil Olufowobi, said “With the declaration of 2021 as the International Year of Creative Economy by the United Nations, MIPAD’s Recognition Week 2021 will celebrate high achievers of African descent who are using creativity to uplift and change the narratives for people of African descent worldwide.”
“MIPAD working in support of United Nations and partnership with a leading global media company like WarnerMedia sets the stage for us to further amplify global black narratives to showcase the many untold stories of our struggles and triumphs in every corner of the world, sometimes in unexpected places and high positions,” he added.
WiJAfrica, Released Her 25 Most Powerful Women In Journalism List Featuring Ruth Isime, Stephanie Busari, Irabor Sisters And More
WiJAfrica, a global gathering of leading women in the media, unveiled its 2021 list of Most Powerful Women in Journalism in Nigeria.
The organization mentioned that it’s criteria for selection includes “the impact of her work on national affairs in the past year, influence in the media industry in the past year, efforts in holding leaders to account in the past year and contribution to advancing social and political consciousness among Nigerian youth in the past year”.
Arise TV MD, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, again was named the second time as the most powerful female journalist in Nigeria.
Other women on the list includes:
- Grace Alheri Abdu
- Mercy Abang
- Olusola T. Momoh
- Bilkisu Labaran
- Toyosi Ogunseye
- Ruth Osime
- Stephanie Busari
- Betty Irabor
- Sonia Irabor
- Toun Okewale Sonaiya
- Maiden Ibru
- Maupe Ogun Yusuf.
- Morayo Afolabi Brown
- Ngozi Alaegbu
- Adeola Fayehun
- Tessy Igomu
- Ijeoma Onyeator
- Adesuwa Onyenokwe
- Amarachi Ubani
- Azuka Ogujiuba
- Arit Okpo
- Tolu Adeleru Balogun
- Sandra Ezekwesili
HONOURARY MENTIONS
- Nike Sotade
- Jemi Ekunkunbor
- Sharon ljasan
- Konye Nwabogor
- Onah Nwachukwu
- Adesola Ayo-Adenrele
- Chiemelie Ezeobi
