IWD: Maiden Guardian Woman Festival begins today
GUARDIAN Woman Festival, an event dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements and fostering meaningful conversations on gender equality and empowerment, begins today.
The two- day festival, with the theme, ‘ Inspire Inclusion’ is taking place at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos and will feature a keynote address by the first female President of Nigerian Society of Engineers ( NSE), Oguntala Margaret Aina.
It will also feature panel sessions, which cut across sectors, including politics, finance, arts, social impact, entrepreneurship and innovation.
The open event will highlight the importance of creating a more inclusive and equitable world for women, and create an atmosphere for attendees to connect with like- minded individuals, gain valuable insights and contribute to the advancement of women in society.
A highlight of the event will be a dinner and awards for deserving Seven Wonder Women. With over 120 nominees, the votes cast by over 7,000 persons brought the number of nominees down to 29 across categories.
The nominees for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ( STEM) are the Founder, Tech4dev, Oladiwura Oladepo; Founder, Fintribe, Jennifer Awirigwe; and CoFounder, Piggy Vest, Odun Eweniyi.
For Healthcare, Physical Activity and Sport category, the nominees include Tobi Amusan ( Track and field athlete – hurdles); founder, Shreddergang, Bunmi George; footballer/ striker for NWSL Club Bay FC, Asisat Lamina Oshoala; founder, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Stella Chinyelu Okoli; CEO, Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund ( NSSF), Dr Fejiro ChinyeNwoko; Founder, Smile with Me Foundation, Dr Chioma Nwakanma- Akanno and Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Beauty, Wellness and Fashion category has CEO, Dang Lifestyle, Ifedayo Agoro founder, House of Tara, Tara Fela- Durotoye: and founder, Oriki Group, Joyce Awosika.
While transformational coach, Funke Felix- Adejumo; founder, Purple Heart Foundation for Widows, Oluwaseun Joan- Stephen; and founder, Bethesda Home for the Blind, Chioma Ohakwe, are finalists for the Social Impact category.
Media, Arts and Entertainment nominees include famous author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; filmmaker, Funke Akindele, and photographer, singer, songwriter, TY Bello.
Under the category for Innovative Entrepreneurship and Career, Economic Policy Experts are Obiageli Ezekwesili; CEO, Transcorp Hotels, Dupe Olusola, and founder, Immerse Coaching Company, Debola DejiKurunmi..
Leadership and Public Service category has Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic Violence Response Team, Titilola Viviour- Adeniyi; Senator Representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti; CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri; DG NAPTIP, Prof Fatima Waziri- Azi; DG, NAFDAC, Prof Moji Adeyeye; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka- Anite and Senator representing FCT, Ireti Kingibe.