AWLO has made good its new developmental stance as a notable Development Strategist by the National launch of its Youth Councils- A Global Machine to actualize it objectives to give Africa and the World, a thoroughly groomed, prepared, and indoctrinated Next Generation Female Leaders.

In what can be seen as a resolve to transit beyond mere advocacy, and activism, AWLO launched its Youth Councils – organized globally and headed by Country Presidents- to embark on the critical interventions appropriate to each stage in its epic Leadership Developmental Continuum –from infancy to Adolescence and to adulthood with the Youth Councils members as the core of the Next Generation Female Leaders.

The Youth Councils Launch and Mentorship Summit took place on the 24th of October, 2016 at Sheraton Hotel which witnessed the attendance of a vibrant crowd of women from all over the world. The day started with the registration of different delegates as they were welcomed with AWLO gift packs before being ushered to their seats. The event opened with a prayer to the Almighty God by Mrs. Ajoke Enebeli, AWLO Rivers State Coordinator followed by the AWLO Pledge by our little Princess Daniela Bassey and thereafter a welcome address by the Founder/President of African Women in Leadership Organization (AWLO), Hon. Elisha Attai who welcomed guests and fired them up by reiterating the mission of the day. He invited the AWLO Youth Council Global Matron, Dr. Violet Arene to tell the expectant crowd what AWLO was all about. In her presentation, she commended the circumspection of AWLO in finally evolving a continuum of leadership development from infancy to adulthood with the Youth Councils as the core of the Next Generation Female Leaders. The Youth Councils globally organized provide the structure and the global machine for the developmental interventions and programs based on the TRIPOD OF EDUCATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP and EXCELLENCE as catalyst for the imperative character standard-for the Next Generation Female Leaders.

Dr. Arene through her speech stirred up the minds of the audience to the need for the input of the essence of womanhood and motherhood in affairs of mankind today; and the need to prepare women better. She called it AWLO’s Global developmental Machine with the ultimate aim of forging an AWLO Brand of the consummate female leader, and Finishing Leadership School.

The Mentorship Summit was officially kick started with an emotive keynote address by HRH Erelu Abiola Dosumu, who encouraged women to make the best of who they are: be it a housekeeper, a maid, a driver, a mother, a trader, an entrepreneur, an MD, a wife or a professional. She spoke from her heart.

HRH Erelu Abiola Dosumu did not just stop there at her keynote speech, she drove the point home in different areas of our lives. She said “if you have gotten something wrong, it is needless to linger on it, just move on.

How many of us have had the courage to leave a failed business or a failed handicraft and search for something we are better at doing? Little wonder we all wallow in self pity and tell others that we are trying yet we see no progress in what we are doing. We sometimes cast the blame on spiritual beings rather than moving on. Change is the most difficult challenge we have. We hate change and we detest the unknown. But now is the time to leave our unsuccessful past and move ahead”. In her priority list for the prerequisites and criteria for the successful woman; Fear of God topped the list, and determination took a pride of place.

Her Royal Highness recommended continuous learning. She said that she is never tired of learning; and if she ever finds the time, even at the age of 70, she would go back to the University and study Philosophy, for she loves Philosophy.

She advised women to support fellow women and to be there for each other.

She also reminded women to treat people with courtesy and be tolerant of people, but most especially, she said we should pray God makes us patient in life.

The Event also had other speakers namely: Mrs Florence Olumodimu, Founder Life Developers Network, who spoke on the topic “Personal Branding for the Next Generation Female Leaders, Mr. Ekerette Olawoye Gam-ikon spoke on the topic “Catalyzing Young African Women: Get Ready to Run”, Mrs. Toun Okewale CEO of Wfm 91.7 also charged the young ones to be confident and resolute, and to move on quickly from their mistakes.

 Mrs Remi Abere, Director Corporate Affairs of IBM, inspired young women with her story on how she made it to the top of Kilimanjaro twice. The first time she made it twenty minutes later after the men; but she made it. She urged women to realize their potential since a Nation’s prosperity is dependent on them. She advised that: “as women we should always challenge ourselves to take a leap”. She also reminded women to be prepared for the digital world of today and to-morrow

An absolutely beautiful performances by David Daniels, Cynthia and Frank Edwards who ensured everyone got on the dancing floor including the senior citizens:  Dr Violet Arene and Chief Mrs Opral Benson. Frank Edward music created a jubilating and celebratory atmosphere.

The Youth Council was officially launched by the AWLO Board of Trustees Chairperson, Chief Opral Mason Benson (OON). She was joined on stage by the Founder of AWLO, and The Global Youth Matron, and the Youth Council Members. The Members were thereupon officially endorsed to take off with their  projects in their various regions of the world.

A panel discussion was convened. It was moderated by Ms. Mmanti Umoh, and other members of the panel were Mrs. Maureen Omeibe, AWLO Lagos Chapter Coordinator; Dr. Violet Arene, Huldah Lynns-Ihetuge, National Democratic Party (YDP) National Woman Leader, and Mrs. Udeme Etibensi, AWLO Youth Council South-South Coordinator. The Panel’s topic was “Young African Women in Leadership and Emerging Markets.”

Here are the Resolutions and Recommendations from the AWLO Youth Launch and Mentorship Summit:

• AWLO Youth Councils were officially launched and given their mandate, and go-ahead to start functioning with projects within the AWLO Blueprint.
• AWLO Youth Councils performance is to be evaluated according to the Key Performance Indicators to be provided by the organization.
• Women Should Break Frontiers and Take up leading Roles in Industries, and dominate it as they would their homes.
• Women should gather facts, data and information on statistics, relevant news, as this is the tool to inform our actions, and enable us to be relevant.
• Women should raise their female and male children alike to prevent a distorted society for a balanced society of men and women functioning alike, not boxed in by gender biases.
• Women should strive for content, and substance to be able to build capacity and potential to be relevant.

FROM THE TABLE OF THE GLOBAL YOUTH MATRON