01/07/2026
Some moments leave you speechless. This was one of them.
At the 8th WISTA Africa Regional Conference, held on 25–26 June 2026 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, I received a surprise I never saw coming—the Trailblazer Award on behalf of the Women for Social and Rural Development Initiative (WSRDI).
I am deeply honoured and sincerely grateful for this recognition of our work with underserved women and communities.
Recognition is encouraging, but what means even more is knowing that the quiet work happening in communities, the conversations, the advocacy, the training, the partnerships, and the countless hours invested in creating opportunities for women.
The conference, themed “From Policy to Implementation: Women Advancing Africa’s Blue Economy through Sustainable Shipping, Trade and Energy Innovation,” was an inspiring gathering of leaders from across Africa, united by a shared commitment to turning ideas into measurable impact.
It was a privilege to listen to the keynote address by Dr Dakuku Peterside, whose insights reinforced the importance of moving from policy to purposeful action.
My sincere appreciation goes to Jean Chiazor Anishere, (SAN) , for this honour and for your unwavering commitment to advancing women’s leadership.
Thank you to our President, Odunayo Ani, and the entire WISTA team for delivering such an outstanding conference.
This award belongs to every woman whose resilience inspires our work, every partner who believes in our vision, and every volunteer and team member who continues to serve with passion and commitment.
We still have much work to do.
Together, we will continue empowering women, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities that transform lives.