Ex-Ethiopian president Sahle-Work to speak at Inspiring Woman Africa conference in Lagos

Sahle-Work Zewde, a former president of Ethiopia, will deliver a keynote speech at the 14th edition of the Inspiring Woman Africa (IWA) conference on December 11. 

In a statement on Wednesday, Kemi Ajumobi, founder/group CEO of IWA, said the event will hold at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. 

IWA is a not-for-profit organisation “passionate about promoting women empowerment, inclusion, and social equity across Africa and beyond”. 

Themed ‘Leadership Redefined, Charting New Paths To Excellence’, Ajumobi said this year’s series was inspired by the fact that leadership plays a prominent role in the growth of any nation. 

“Leadership determines how far a family, organisation and nation can grow,” she said. 

“Now more than ever before, the citizens have more questions for their leaders. At the centre of IWASeries14 is our discussion on leadership.”

Ajumobi said the conference is a gathering of great minds who want to learn, share, and network.

She added that the event will promote bonding and intellectual discussions, noting that it will provide an ambience that nurtures optimism and prepares participants for the year ahead.  

According to the organisers, Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, minister of women affairs and social development, will attend the programme as a special guest of honour. 

Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO, WEMA Bank Plc; Carlos Rojas-Arbulú, deputy high commissioner, Embassy of Canada, Nigeria; Tonye Patrick Cole, co-founder, Sahara Group; and Obafemi Banigbe, CEO T2 (Former 9Mobile), will also be at the event. 

Other guests are Chinwe Iloghalu, acting MD/CEO of NOVA Bank; Aishah Ndanusa Ahmad, former deputy governor of CBN; Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, international corporate executive and founder, The LightHouse Network, among others. 

The master of ceremony is  Kayode Okikiolu, TV anchor, Channels Television; while the moderators are Ugochukwu Obi-Chukwu, founder/CEO of Nairametrics; Ozim Ibeziako, executive general Counsel, Africa, GE Vernova and Abiola Adediran, partner at Genea Family Office.