Widow of Nigeria’s First Minister of Information, Otunba TOS Benson – Chief Mrs. Opral Benson; Senator Ita Giwa, Toyin Saraki and eminent paediatrician Adenike Grange will all inspire and share secrets of greatness with women at the GLEEHD Women in Business and Leadership Summit scheduled for the 15th- 17th October 2015.

The Summit, organized annually by GLEEHD Foundation brings together women from various backgrounds, career paths, geographic areas and ethnic groups, with a purpose to empower attendees by creating a community dedicated to helping each other build and enhance amazing careers.

Speaking at a media parley for the Summit, the Summit President and Liberian Honorary Consular Chief Mrs Opral Benson said, “whether a professional in the work place, a business owner, a female politician, a young lady in the entertainment sector or simply a woman aspiring to improve herself, participants will find a variety of plenary sessions to choose from which will feature speakers from across different sectors.”

According to her, “sadly, women are still among under-utilised resources in community development in Africa. It is based on this that we have organised the WIBLES summit, designed to explore effective leadership strategies, share inspirational stories and provide critical tools for women leadership success”.

“It is our hope that this summit empowers participants by creating a platform dedicated to helping each other enhance amazing careers, while creating a forum for networking, business growth opportunities, expansion and professional focus and of course… fun”, she said.

Also speaking at the media parley, the Summit Coordinator Dayo Israel said, “We know that by leveraging women’s talents and resources we strengthen the individual as well as the collective”. The Summit which is however open to Women and Men of all ages, Dayo added, will have one of its focuses at seeing that an average market woman can come and hear the story of another woman who started small but has been able to build her business through innovation, or some other women who are now the CEOs of companies but started from somewhere and are now very successful in their career. This he stated will be a source of motivation and inspiration for such others who are still finding it difficult to find their feet as women in a society dominated by men to move forward.

“The summit is more of leadership training for women with various topics to be discussed on issues bordering on helping women grow in their businesses and career. There’s going to be a lot of skill acquisition and networking opportunities for these women as they connect with those who have been successful in similar businesses that they’re into,” he said.

Reeling off highlights of the summit, he said that the event will feature Women of the Future Forum, a special session for young and emerging women on the frontline addressing what next generation women leaders need to be.

Other confirmed speakers include Baroness Flather, Member of the British House of Lords; Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former Vice-President of World Bank; Hajiya Zainab Maina, former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Prof Adenike Grange former Minister of Health; Mrs Nike Davies, CEO Nike Art Gallery; Nkechi Obi, Vice Chairman TECHNO OIL LTD; Senator Florence Ita Giwa, former Presidential Liaison Officer to the National Assembly; Mr Tonye Cole, CEO Sahara Group; Mr Dayo Israel, Africa Regional Director GLEEHD Foundation; Mrs Lola Visser Mabogunje former Senior Technical Adviser to the Honorable Minister FMITI; Mrs Toyin Saraki, founder Wellbeing Foundation; Dehab Ghebreab, US Consular General; Onyeka Onwenu, veteran singer, songwriter, actress, journalist and politician; Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, actress, TV Presenter and Cosmetologist; Onari Duke, Country Director, Empretec Nigeria Foundation; Abiola Hafsat, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND); Boma Ozobia, former President Commonwealth Lawyers Association; Ndidi Nwuneli, Founder LEAP Africa; Moji Makanjuola, veteran journalist and broadcaster; Mrs Obafunmibi Ilupeju, CEO Rabonni Tech; Mrs Tammie Kanmoke, former E.D POWER Cross River State; Mrs Agatha Amatha, CEO Rave TV; Nike Ogunlesi, CEO Ruff and Tumble; Jennifer Onah, CEO Ferona Couture UK; Toke Makinwa, On Air Personality; Yetunde Odumesan- Omede, CEO and Founder of Yetunde Global Consulting LLC; Dr.Ola Orekurin, CEO Flying Doctors, Adaora Isala, CEO Easy Taxi and many more.