Patrons & Patronesses

Distinguished leaders who
champion our cause.

Heads of state, vice presidents, senators, professors, media icons and advocates across Africa and the diaspora who lend their authority and influence to advancing women’s leadership through AWLO.

16
Distinguished Patrons
4
Continents Represented
2
Heads of State
2009
First Patron Appointed
Chief Mrs. Opral Benson · Life Patroness H.E. Jewel Howard-Taylor · VP Liberia Senator Donzella James · Georgia USA Prof. PLO Lumumba · Pan-Africa Aare Dr. Dele Momodu · Ovation Group Senator Princess Florence Ita Giwa Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu · Nigeria Rev. Grace Aiyedogbon · Dean of Patrons Chief Mrs. Opral Benson · Life Patroness H.E. Jewel Howard-Taylor · VP Liberia Senator Donzella James · Georgia USA Prof. PLO Lumumba · Pan-Africa Aare Dr. Dele Momodu · Ovation Group Senator Princess Florence Ita Giwa Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu · Nigeria Rev. Grace Aiyedogbon · Dean of Patrons
Life Patroness & Chairperson Emeritus

The woman who gave AWLO
its first great champion.

The highest honour in the AWLO patronage — a woman whose lifetime of leadership set the standard for all who followed.

Chief Mrs. Opral Benson
Life Patroness · Chairperson Emeritus
Chief Mrs. Opral Benson
African Women in Leadership Organisation
Chief Mrs. Opral Benson

Life Patroness &
Chairperson Emeritus

Chief Mrs. Opral Benson holds the highest honour in the AWLO patronage structure — Life Patroness and Chairperson Emeritus. As one of the earliest and most distinguished champions of the organisation, Chief Benson embodied everything AWLO stands for: African women in leadership, in authority, and in service.

Her support helped establish AWLO’s credibility and prestige in its formative years, and her legacy continues to inspire the generations of women leaders who have followed in her footsteps through the organisation.

Role
Life Patroness & Chairperson Emeritus
Organisation
African Women in Leadership Organisation
Status
Highest Honour in AWLO Patronage
Legacy
Founding Era Patron · Est. 2009
n
Grand Patrons

Heads of state and senators
standing with AWLO.

Our most senior patrons who bring the weight of government, international diplomacy, and legislative power to the mission of African women’s leadership.

H.E. Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor
Grand Patron · AWLO Chairperson
H.E. Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor
26th Vice President of the Republic of Liberia
Former First Lady and serving Vice President of Liberia — one of Africa’s most prominent female heads of state and a powerful advocate for women’s political participation on the continent.
🇱🇷 Republic of Liberia
Senator Donzella James Robinson
Patron · AWLO USA Chairperson
Senator Donzella James Robinson
Member, Georgia State Senate, USA
A pioneering Georgia State Senator and fierce advocate for women’s rights, civil rights, and African diaspora leadership. As AWLO USA Chairperson, Senator James is the vital bridge between AWLO’s African roots and its powerful American diaspora chapters.
🇺🇸 United States of America
n
Patrons

Scholars, media icons &
political trailblazers.

Distinguished men and women of influence who bring their expertise, platforms, and passion to championing women’s leadership across Africa.

Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba
Patron
Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba
Pan-African Scholar, Lawyer & Orator · PLO Lumumba Foundation, Kenya
Pan-Africa · Kenya
Aare Dr. Dele Momodu
Patron
Aare Dr. Dele Momodu
Chairman, Ovation Group
Nigeria
Senator Princess Florence Ita Giwa
Patroness
Senator Princess Florence Ita Giwa
Nigerian Politician & Chairperson of the Calabar Carnival
Nigeria
Rev. Grace Aiyedogbon
Patroness · Dean of Patrons
Rev. Grace Aiyedogbon
Counselling Expert · Women & Youth Empowerment Advocate · Dean of Patrons/Patronesses
Nigeria
Mrs. Mfon Usoro
Patroness
Mrs. Mfon Usoro
Managing Partner, Paul Usoro & Co
Nigeria
Dr. Tina Njoku-Opara
Patroness
Dr. Tina Njoku-Opara
President & Founder, LEWW · HR Manager, University of Texas Arlington, USA
USA
Hajia Lami Tumaka
Patroness
Hajia Lami Tumaka
Businesswoman & Community Leader, Nigeria
Nigeria
n

“AWLO is a support system — women building networks. A movement to position women for global relevance. And a bridge to sustainable leadership — bridging the gap to the next generation.”

Dr. Elisha Attai — Founder & International President, AWLO
Additional Patronesses

More distinguished voices
standing with AWLO.

Legal minds, media pioneers, engineers and community leaders who bring their sectors’ prestige to advancing African women’s leadership.

Senator Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo
Patroness
Senator Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo
Former Deputy Governor, Rivers State · Senator, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Nigeria
Barr. Chief Grace Zemaye Egbagbe
Patroness
Barr. (Chief) Grace Zemaye Egbagbe
Veteran Journalist & Mediapreneur
Nigeria
H.E. Mrs. Alanyingi Sylva
Patroness
H.E. Mrs. Alanyingi Sylva
Chairperson/Founder — Centre for Gender Values & Culture
Nigeria
Lady Josephine Nwaeze
Patroness
Lady Josephine Nwaeze
CEO — Base Engineering, Nigeria
Nigeria
Dr. Tina Njoku-Opara
Patroness
Dr. Tina Njoku-Opara
President & Founder, LeadershipExcellenceforWomenbyWomen (LEWW)
USA
n

Inspired by these
extraordinary leaders?

Join the AWLO movement and add your voice to a growing alliance of African women and their champions across 4 continents.

Open to all African women leaders & diaspora worldwide.
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