What motivated you to start AWLO?
Having worked as a media consultant for years, I have had opportunities to work with women. I was inspired to bring women together to raise each other up; as this was the edge that we, their male counterparts had over women. Looking back now at how AWLO has succeeded through the chapters model of support systems, and our succession plan; we have AWLO Chapters in 12 countries and we are bridging the gap to the next generation through mentorship. I would say that gap of women’s leadership is being bridged and women are getting a hold of the global front.
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What were the challenges you faced when you started?
One peculiar one is being a man and spearheading a cause for women. But as we can attest; AWLO is still standing because dreams are valid, and I believe over time people have gotten to understand that I am genuinely concerned about the development of African women. Others are cultural practices that limit the ideologies we are propounding, and then as a Not-for-Profit raising funds.
What are some of the achievements your organization has recorded so far?
Consistency is our first milestone. It’s been 10 years and we are still standing by God’s Grace.
Raising the next generation of female leaders through AWLO Leadership School has been another significant milestone. Getting young women involved in leadership through our outstanding Leadership Development Curriculum.
Connecting the dots in leadership down to the next generation, not letting them stray. Teaching them the rudimentary self-leadership and connecting them to women of worth who have gone ahead of them to show them the way. This has been the basics of leadership development for us.
Changing the narrative of women’s leadership in Africa through our conferences has given us a huge leverage because it is on a global scale. In a room full of leaders, from other countries, having deliberations and afterwards producing a communiqué that will influence actions taken to attain women’s leadership in our corners, workplaces, boardrooms and in legislations, for instance, the 35% affirmative action for women in Nigeria.
We are looking forward to equal representation very soon and we are delighted to be represented well in Liberia as the current Vice President is our member.
What is AWOL doing to ensure we have more women in leadership position in Nigeria?
For us track record speaks louder than even affirmative action and quota. More women must get involved in leadership and that is the reason for AWLO in the first place.
We are set up in Chapters so that we can shine our candle in the little corners from the grassroot level influencing one woman at a time.
We call it Leadership capacity building – harnessing the leadership potentials of women, indoctrinating them with a leadership mindset and values. We have got to conquer their minds before they can conquer in boardrooms.
So, we are creating a leadership experience for women – intellective and experiential. And we are sure that they will conquer the world.
Women cannot be lagging behind. Beginning from the fact that they bring life into the world; that means they have the capacity to influence and we have to tap into more of this power.
What are you doing to ensure that more men are involved in the fight for gender equality?
There is an AWLO HeforShe Movement. We set up Hangouts for men to have conversations on empowering women. Men are key part of the gender equality and equity movement, and we are actively involving them.
This attempt has made us realize that men have to first be open to the idea, and little conversations here and there can make the idea sink in, so that one conversation after the other we can begin to embrace it before we can take action to empower women beginning from our homes then to random strangers. But it starts with believing in that idea and that’s what we are trying to achieve. You won’t believe how revealing some of these conversations have been. There is still a lot of work to be done.
What other things do you do besides championing the cause of women?
I am a Media consultant. I hold a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Music Technology with several years’ experience in public relations, music management, brand and business development /consultancy. I am the Managing Director/CEO of Studio 115 Integrated Services, a Communication, Media/Public Relation and Brand Development Consultancy Services Company, producing premium content for Mnet (Africa Magic) for years. And I am a husband and father.
What role is your wife playing in AWLO?
My wife is not actively involved in the day-to-day running of the Organisation mainly because she runs her own business. She is involved in major decision-making as a director, and my life-partner.
She gives life to African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO) in many unimaginable ways. From giving me all the support I need, through prayers and ample time to go out there to fulfil my dreams. I couldn’t have done this without her.
Your baby, African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO) is 10. How do you feel about celebrating this milestone?
It was just like a dream in my heart now I can’t believe how far it has come. With God, all things are possible, and I give glory to God. It shows that he just plants a dream in your heart and the rest is history. I am so grateful to him.
What advice do you have for young women out there?
Challenge yourself to get the best of yourself. Don’t settle for handouts.
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