Seven Wonder Women awardees honoured at The Guardian headquarters
Honourees of the Seven Wonder Women Awards, powered by Investing In Women, were hosted at The Guardian headquarters in Lagos, yesterday.
The awardees, who emerged from 49 finalists (seven finalists in each category) out of over 150 nominees, were announced and opened for public voting, with a rigorous poll process which generated over 28,000 votes, at the second edition of Guardian Woman Festival held under the “Women Mean Business” theme, held March this year at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
The winners included Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, under the Business of Academia and Learning category; founder, Elin Group, Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich (the Business of Philanthropy); Group Chief Legal Officer, Corporate and Commercial, Bua International, Oluseye Olufumilayo Alayande (Business of Financing and Investment); Chief Digital Officer of MTN Communication Nigeria, Aisha Mumuni (Business of Technology); Chief Executive Officer, Caring Africa, Blessing Oyeleye-Adesiyan (Business of Care and Wellness); first female Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein (Business of Public Service), and Managing Director, Yellow Tamarind Productions, Isabella Adediji (Business of Culture).
Chief Strategy Officer (Global), The Guardian and Convener, Guardian Woman Festival, Anita Athena Ibru, said the Seven Wonder Women Awards were launched in London seven years ago.
“It truly is a serendipitous occasion, being in Lagos on this very special anniversary, and that we are able to host and welcome the latest cohort of winners to The Guardian headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, my motherland.
“The awards presentation was more about impact and meaningfulness rather than pomp and circumstance, also honouring the location where stories about amazing women are curated.
“Over the past few years, Guardian Woman initiative has been approached from slightly different angles, with Guardian Woman starting off as an insert in print, while Investing In Women is a live media platform that hosts women’s events.
“Investing In Women and Guardian Woman, created by Guardian Nigeria CEO, Toke Alex-Ibru, has morphed into an enduring and symbiotic collaboration resulting in The Guardian Woman Festival, which launched last March,” she said.
The award recipients, who later proceeded to The Guardian Studios, where they interacted with the Editor of Guardian Woman, Ijeoma Thomas-Odia, on The Guardian TV, expressed gratitude and elation for the recognition and exposure, describing the opportunity as remarkable.
