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Olori Atuwaste III Convened Dialogue On Breaking Barriers Against Women
The Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwaste III, has led a strategic and innovative dialogue among notable women aimed at breaking barriers that has limited their capacity to greatness just as she asserted that ‘fear’ a factor has held women from attaining their goals and life pursuit.
She noted that despite the fact that the system has never favoured the women folks, Olori admonished them to be courageous to break away from the shackles of fear and become an achiever and visioner.
The Queen Consort spoke when she hosted a Networking Dinner & Discussion at the iconic John Randle Centre, Onikan Lagos. The event has a theme, “Women Allying Women: Strengthening Bonds for a Brighter Future,” also featured special tribute to Her Excellency Jewel Taylor, former Vice President of Liberia.
Setting tone to the robust discussion Olori remarked, “Over the last three years in Warri, I’ve witnessed the incredible transformation that happens when women are empowered. Through our work with the Royal Iwere Foundation, I’ve seen young girls acquire innovative skills and I’ve supported women to build businesses that are now transforming their communities. Each success story reinforces what I’ve always known—when you empower a woman, you empower generations.
“The transformation I’ve witnessed in Warri has shown me what’s possible when people, especially women, have access to the right resources, networks, and opportunities. Daily, I imagine that impact multiplied across our continent. That’s why we birthed Elevate Africa with a vision to unleash the collective power of Africa.
“As carriers of tomorrow literally, since we birth and nurture the next generation our presence needs to be multiplied in the rooms that matter for the things that matter. Yet, as I’ve journeyed alongside amazing women from the grassroots to the boardrooms, I’ve noticed something profound. Fear, a silent barrier that holds us back in different ways.
“On one end of the spectrum, there’s the fear of failure, of not being enough. Studies show that unless a woman feels 100% ready for a role, she won’t apply for it. We limit ourselves, not because we lack ability, but because we let fear whisper that we’re not prepared.
Continuing she added, “On the other end are the trailblazers, the luminaries, the forerunners, the visionaries who have conquered their initial fears and achieved great heights. Yet, many of us are shackled by a different kind of fear, the fear that this vision that we have birthed with blood sweat and tears will be taken away or abused.
“The system hasn’t always favoured us, and that can make us protective, sometimes overly so. If one fear doesn’t get us, the other one might. But here’s what I believe. We don’t have to be trapped by fear. As visionaries we all know that we are a part of something far greater than us.
“Infact the very birth and delivery of the vision we carry whatever that looks like affirms that we are a part of something far greater. To truly elevate ourselves and our continent, we must break down the walls that fear has built and open doors for more women, she stated.
On her part, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson -Awoyinka whike eulogizing the initiative of Olori Atuwastse III, said the role of women in nation building cannot be over-emphasized and noted that they have continued to drive progress, challenged barriers and foster unity.
“Olori Atuwatse III, your passion for cultural preservation and social advocacy reflects the essence of women uplifting one another. Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, your tireless dedication to advancing the rights and opportunities of women is a shining example of what it means to rally around a shared vision for a better future.
“As we gather here at the John Randle Centre, a beacon of cultural pride and history, let us reaffirm our belief in the transformative power of women working together. When women ally with one another, barriers are broken, ideas are born, and solutions to society’s most pressing challenges emerge”.
Notable women in attendance are Hon. Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ambassador Professor Olufolake Abdulrasaq, the First Lady of Kwara State. Others are Lagos State Commissioner for Arts and Tourism, Hon. Toke Benson and Delta State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services, and Girl-Child Development, Hon Orode Uduaghan; Founder and Managing Partner, Mrs Adesuwa Okunbo-Rhode among other women personalities.
