By Zakariyya Aliyu Gwaram
The city of Lagos was abuzz last weekend as the 6th edition of the Future Women Conference, organized by Women in Africa, honoured two outstanding individuals for their contributions to the empowerment of women and girls. Rt. Hon. Umaru Fintiri, Governor of Adamawa State, was named Africa Man of the Year, while Dr. Morayo Afolabi-Brown, Managing Director and CEO of TVC Entertainment, received the Africa Woman of the Year award.
The prestigious awards were presented by Her Royal Majesty Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, wife of the Ooni of Ife, alongside Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji-Dada, Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. According to Chief Mrs. Rachel Akem-Harumi, Founder of Women in Africa, the accolades were in recognition of the duo’s significant contributions to the advancement of women and girls across Africa.
Held in Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme”Building Women to Build Wealth,” the conference aimed at inspiring and empowering women to realize their potential in wealth creation. Supported by Simba Group, makers of TVS King, the event gathered participants from 22 countries, offering a platform for women across generations to network and exchange ideas.
Speaking on the award presented to Governor Fintiri, Akem-Harumi highlighted the transformative initiatives in Adamawa State under his leadership, especially in promoting women’s participation in governance. “Adamawa is a unique example where women hold critical leadership roles, including the state’s Deputy Governor, Chief Judge, and 21 local government chairpersons.
This unparalleled progress makes Governor Fintiri the ideal recipient of the Africa Man of the Year award,” she remarked.
The conference also recognized other distinguished personalities, including Omooba Omolara Aderonke, Country Director of Women in Africa, and keynote speaker Dr. Shani Fauzia Yusuf, a strategic management consultant and advocate for women’s empowerment. Additional honorees included Simba Group, TVS King, and HRM Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi.
Dr. Fauzia Yusuf, in her keynote address titled “Strategies for Building & Sustaining Your Business in Africa,” urged women to embrace opportunities, form strategic alliances, and harness the power of social media to grow their businesses. She also emphasized the importance of continuous learning and debunked misconceptions surrounding entrepreneurship.
In her remarks, HRM Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi encouraged intergenerational mentorship, calling on older women to guide and inspire younger generations toward success.
The Future Women Conference concluded with cultural dance performances, symbolizing the unity and strength of African women.
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