Congratulations to Dr. Elisha Attai on receiving the prestigious Lifetime Presidential Achievement Award from President Joe Biden! This incredible honor recognizes his unwavering commitment to gender equality, leadership and advancing women’s welfare across Africa, the USA and the Diaspora.
Dr. Elisha’s remarkable dedication to empowering women has had a transformative impact on societies. It has resulted in breaking barriers and forging a path towards equality. His visionary leadership has been instrumental in creating opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated fields, making a positive difference in countless lives.
We celebrate Dr. Elisha’s achievements and thank him for inspiring us all to champion gender equality and fight for a more inclusive future. Let us continue to support his important work and strive for a world where everyone has equal opportunities.
A BRIEF REPORT ON THE COURTESY VISIT BY AWLO AKWA IBOM STATE CHAPTER AND PUEM TO HER EXCELLENCY, PASTOR (MRS) PATIENCE UMO ENO, THE FIRST LADY OF AKWA IBOM STATE, ON THE 29TH OF SEPTEMBER 2023.
The African Women in Leadership Organization together with the Patience Umo Eno Movement, led by our Founder/Global President of (AWLO) and Chairman/Founder of (PUEM), Dr Elisha Attai , led executive members of the organizations on a courtesy visit to the wife of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno, in her office.
It commenced with the national and state anthems, followed by an opening prayer by Mrs Blessing Isonguyo. The AWLO Director of Protocol- Ofonime Ekpenyong , took on to introduce members of the organizations to Her Excellency.
The Secretary-General and Legal Adviser of AWLO- Barr Mrs Emem Ette have an opening remark congratulating Her Excellency on her assumption into office after. She thanked the First Lady for her enormous support to the organization throughout the past years and said it’s the organization’s turn to support her in her tenure and projects, and prayed God to grant her a successful tenure. She said that PUEM was birthed from AWLO also trusted God to have AWLO churn out more leaders globally.
The President of PUEM- Obonganwan Mary Umanaette gave an address thanking Her Excellency for her time and thanking God for the victory at the polls in spite of the turbulences. She pledged as an organization, to partner with the First Lady to create impact in the state. Together with the Secretary of PUEM- Chief Magistrate Helen Umana, a congratulatory card, PUEM official uniform and sash were presented to Her Excellency on behalf of the Organization.
Similarly, the Vice President of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of AWLO- Pastor (Mrs) Victory Ebong, in her speech rained praises on the First Lady who is also a Life Patroness of the organization, congratulating her on her strides so far and applauded her on the international award she was honoured with in Chicago-USA, within her first 100days in office. On behalf of the state chapter, she presented a life size portrait of the First Lady to Her Excellency.
Furthermore, the Ikot Ekpene Coordinator of AWLO who equally serves as the treasurer of PUEM- Mrs Emem Ukpong, officially presented her personal pet project to Her Excellency, she shared her vision on promoting education by sharing customized exercise books to school children in her senatorial district district (Ikot Ekpene) emphasizing that she was starting with 5 primary schools in her ward in Ikono local government area, under the umbrella of PUEM.
Dr Elisha Attai, in his speech, congratulated the First Lady and thanked her for her tireless support from the inception of AWLO 13years ago and reiterated that it’s now the organization’s turn to support her in office and in her projects. He proposed an Akwa-Cross synergy and brought greetings from the First Lady of Cross River state who is ready to kick-start the Akwa-Cross Women and Youth summit first, while Akwa Ibom state will host the second phase. He urged the organizations to fully support Her Excellency in prayers, spiritually, physically and otherwise, not only when her project is launched but in her entire endeavours.
In addition, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters – Miss Linda Akon Umoh, who is a strong member of PUEM, spoke on her international coordination of the diaspora to support the sitting Governor- Pastor Umo Eno, during the polls and pledged same unlimited support throughout his tenure. She eulogized the first lady, making known that she was called the “Michelle Obama of Akwa Ibom State” in the diaspora due to her strength and support during the polls and promised to fully support her all the way.
In her response, the wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State- Pastor (Mrs) Umo Eno, expressed her happiness to have the organizations visit her and was delighted to belong to AWLO as well as PUEM. She shared her journey through AWLO since her induction till date and was genuinely pleased by the way the organization runs its affairs and events globally.
Her Excellency celebrated the founder of the organizations, buttressed on his abilities to harness potentials to creat impact. She expressed the value she places on both organizations since one emerged from the other and by extension, to any further emergence from the group.
The First Lady urged the members of the organization to be respectful, orderly and organized on all their endeavours and emphasized that AWLO is her family which makes her comfortable to work with and should remain so.
Pastor (Mrs) Umo Eno thanked the entire organizations for their enormous support, prayers, love and gifts. She showered prayers and blessings on all the executives and members and prayed for success in all endeavours.
The visit was indeed a great family gathering as the impact of the warmth, hospitality, simplicity and cheerfulness of Her Excellency was greatly felt. It ended in utmost praise to God almighty with a closing prayer by Mrs Eno Udoka and the rendition of the national anthem.
A REPORT ON THE COURTESY VISIT BY AWLO TO THE WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR OF CROSS RIVER STATE, ON THE 13TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2023
It was a delight to have the African Women in Leadership Organization (AWLO) Cross River state Chapter, pay a courtesy visit to Her Excellency, Rev (Mrs.) Eyoawan Bassey Edet Otu, the wife of the Cross River State Governor in Nigeria.
The visit was lead by the founder and President of the organization- Dr Elisha Attai, in the company of the State Patroness – Bishop (Dr) Magaret Ene-Ita who is the Honourable Commissioner for Social welfare in the state, the state VP- Mrs Bassey John Anari-Evogor and other members of the state chapter who were all introduced to Her Excellency by Ofonime Ekpenyong- the Director of Protocol (AWLO).
Dr Elisha congratulated Her Excellency on her assumption of office and said she deserved the elevation as she had journied with AWLO over the years with her unwavering support to the vision of the organization. He proposed a synergy between Cross river and Akwa Ibom states, for upcoming projects in AWLO and decorated her to join the AWLO global Patronesses community.
The state Patroness- Bishop (Mrs) Magaret Ene-Ita, gave a brief remark in appreciation to Her Excellency for sacrificing time to be with the chapter despite her very tight schedule.
Her Excellency, in her response, thanked the founder/president and the state chapter for paying her the visit and finding her worthy of such great encomiums showered on her. She expressed her readiness to work with the organization not just as a member but also in partnership with the office of the First Lady.
The wife of the Governor spoke extensively about her Pet project – “Humanity without Borders Empowerment Initiative” which is her NGO with the motto “touching lives and changing destinies”.
While enumerating the 5 major aspects of it to be Social Welfare, health, education, environment and agriculture, she shared the success of her projects so far including back to school packages distributed to 5,000 indigenes; visitation to orphanages; free medical outreach across all local governments areas of the state;
This is the official communique of the African Women in Leadership Conference Tanzania Official with resolutions adopted by conferees during sessions on Promoting Gender Equity for Socioeconomic Development led by:
Dr. Elisha Attai – Convener and Founder, African Women in Leadership Organisation
H. E. Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor – Vice President of Liberia, Keynote Speaker & Board Chair AWLO
Prof. P. L. O. Lumumba, Pan-Africanist & Former Director Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission Keynote Speaker
Professor Uduak Archibong MBE, Conference Moderator – Professor of Diversity & Pro Vice Chancellor Center for Diversity & Inclusion University of Bradford UK
Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups Tanzania,.
Her Excellency, Nomusa Dube-Ncube – 1st female Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Ms. Nomagugu Simelane, Member of Executive for Health KwaZulu-Natal Province South Africa
MEC Ms. Nonhlanha Khoza Member of Executive for Social Development KwaZulu-Natal Province South Africa
Dr. Eunice Erdoo Ortom, Founder Eunice Spring of Life Foundation & Former First Lady Benue State Nigeria
Ambassador Liberata Rutageruka Mulamula (MP) – Member of the Parliament of Tanzania
Dr. Betty Kwoko Mgimba – Finance Executive
Ms. Lindiwe Rakharebe – CEO Durban International Convention Center
Dr. Jayne Onwomere, Group Managing Director PWAN GROUP, NIGERIA
Chief Dele Momodu – Journalist & Publisher Ovation International
Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang – Scholar, Administrator and Public Servant. An Advocate and Facilitator of Gender/HeForShe Dialogue.
Mr. Moses Siasia, Chairman/CEO – MOSILO GROUP
Senator Prof. Margaret J. Kamar, Deputy Speaker Kenya Senate , Kenya
Engineer Lightness Salema, Business Executive and Social Development Specialist
Lady Josephine Nwaeze – Managing Director News Engineering (Nig.) Ltd,
Zanele Tsambo – International Trade Specialist South Africa
Ms. Ekemini Akpakpan, Nonprofit Management Consultant – Moderator & Conference Director
Mrs Bertha Yenwo Yiberla – Social Entrepreneur & AWLO Cameroon President
Rasheeda Omolade-Sule- AWLO USA President
Resolutions:
1. That AWLO is extended to grassroots women and the young
Mode of delivery: Deepen AWLO Chapters’ engagement and kick-start AWLO Youth Council HeforShe
2. That HeforShe community be developed in their understanding of women questions and issues from a compassionate standpoint in order to address the core cultural and institutional structures and frameworks that exclude and marginalise women
Mode of delivery: Kick-start AWLO HeforShe Barber Shops monthly edition, and sign up male heads of organization as allies and part of AWLO’s commitment to the UN Global Compact.
3. That an environment for positive support is created including empowerment for women to access politics and business as active participants and leaders not mere observers.
Mode of delivery: Draft in HeforShes as sponsors at the business and political levels.
4. That the empowerment programmes for boys are intensified and extended to enable them grow into complete men that are confident enough in themselves to value women.
Mode of delivery: Deepen AWLO chapters’ engagement and kick-start AWLO Youth Council HeforShe
5. That women occupying places of authority and male allies should intentionally use their positions of influence to promote/shine women and girls.
Mode of delivery: Sign up male heads of organizations as allies and a commitment to the UN Global Compact.
6. That the focus of empowering women needs to advance beyond mentoring to sponsorship where women leaders and HeforShe/Male allies use their positions to open doors and actively advocate for their mentees
Mode of delivery: Draft in HeforShes as sponsors at the business and political levels.
7. That legal frameworks need to be co-produced with relevant allies in a manner that mainstreams women’s issues through gender-transformative and responsive approaches.
Mode of delivery: AWLO to act as co-sponsor and lobbyist at institutional levels in the corporate and political spheres advancing gender mainstreaming and gender diversity.
8. That the value and moral content of our culture elevates our humanity including the intinisic value of women.
Mode of delivery: Co-design a gender-transformative curriculum for awareness and mindset shifts at the grassroots.
9. That access to education for the girl child must also emphasise retention including support for their specific needs relating to their biological makeup and the consequences that could arise from childhood mistakes.
Mode of delivery: Chapters as drivers of gender responsive educational programs including pad-a-girl, reproductive health education, menstrual education, and teen moms rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
10. That lawmakers and workplaces should provide adequate support for women in their maternal roles including childbirth and childcare that ensures they are not excluded or hindered from participation as political and economic actors.
Mode of delivery: AWLO to act as co-sponsor and lobbyist at institutional levels in the corporate and political spheres advancing gender mainstreaming and gender diversity.
Digital Inclusion is imperative to the Women’s economic empowerment and gender equality.
To mark International Women’s Day, African Women In Leadership Organization (AWLO) in collaboration with Voice Aid Association Germany is hosting a High-Level Women Leaders Dialogue.
This dialogue aims to facilitate women’s digital inclusion to advance gender equity and socio-economic development.
The event will feature networking and panel sessions, and engage high level stakeholders such as Diplomats, International NGOs, Technologists, Innovators, Gender Equality Activists, Heads of Organizations and Government leaders.
This incredible honor recognizes his unwavering commitment to gender equality, leadership and advancing women’s welfare across Africa, the USA and the Diaspora. 
