The three-day The Sun Women Leadership Summit (SWLS) holding in Asaba, Delta State capital, opens today, with Majority Leader of House of Representatives, Mulikat Akande, as chairman and Dr. Evelyn Oputu delivering the keynote address. The host Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, will declare the event open. It ends on Friday, October 10, 2014.
The summit, organised by The Sun Publishing Limited, features notable Nigerian women, who would discuss issues affecting the womenfolk, among others
After the opening ceremony today, Mrs. Faith Tuedor-Matthews, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mainstreet Bank Limited, will deliver a paper entitled: “Deleting the Limits in the Corporate Market Place.” The session will have Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu of the Nigerian Navy as chairman.
Panelists, who will discuss the first session paper, include Managing Director, Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Mrs. Funke Osibodu; Executive Director (Marketing Services), Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Iquo Ukoh; General Manager/Head, Communications and External Affairs, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mrs. Lola Odedina; Managing Director, HealthPlus Limited, Mrs. Bukky George; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, AD Consulting, Arch Jumoke Adenowo and Prof. Franca Omorodion from Windsor University, Canada.
Principal Consultant, DRNL and Advisor, BNP PARIBAS, UK, Ronke Onadeko, will speak on ‘The Female Entrepreneur- Passion, Profits, Challenges,’ at the second session, which will be chaired by the former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dr. (Mrs.) Farida Waziri.
Members of the panel to discuss the second paper include, film writer and producer, Emem Isong; Chief Executive Officer, Inside Out Media Limited, Agatha Amata; Chief Executive Officer, House of Tara, Mrs. Tara Fela Durojaye; Founder /CEO, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, Mrs. Nike Ogunlesi, and Managing Director, Rima Bakeries and Confectionaries, Barr Mary Iyashere.
On the second day, Senator Grace Folashade Bent will speak on “When the Hen Crows,” with Senator Nkechi Nwaogu as chairman. Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Senator Stella Omu, the Founder, Agape Birthright, Ms Annkio Briggs; Barr Chuka Odom and immediate past Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, will discuss the paper.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Roli Uduaghan, wife of Delta State governor, will speak on the topic: Balancing the home front and the war front, during the ‘over-the-coffee’ session on Day 1. Ace actress and producer, Omoni Oboli, will moderate.
Dr. Anne Ojimba will, during the ‘over-the-coffee’ discussion, on Day 2, speak on “Your Health or Your Life,” with Governor Uduaghan as moderator.
The second session will have the Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Rise Network Group, Ms Toyosi Akerele, speaking on the topic: “She wins, you win, we win: Women facing forward by building strategic partnerships.” The session will be chaired by Ms Maupe Ogun of the Channels Television, while the Managing Director, Future Software Resources Ltd, Mrs. Nkemdilim Begho; Managing Director, Diamond Helix Medical Assistance, Dr. Ufuoma Okotete; Managing Director/CEO, Zapphaire Events, Mrs. Funke Bucknor-Obruthe; CEO, Pink Pearl Breast Cancer Foundation, Mrs. Orode Ryan-Okpu and Omawunmi Megbele will discuss the paper.
On the third day, there will be a health walk and project tour in the day, followed by a gala night.
The summit, according to The Sun, is the company’s way of appreciating a large group of its readership as well as boosting President Goodluck Jonathan’s landmark achievement in giving women opportunities to serve the nation in different capacities and in all sectors of the economy.
Governor Uduaghan, in accepting that Delta State hosts the summit, described it as a mark of respect and support for the Nigerian woman.
According to him, Nigerian women have achieved much in building Nigeria, as they have moved from being a voice in the kitchen and farm-support hand to being a force to be reckoned with in every sector of the economy.
Confirming her attendance as chairman earlier, Hon Akande commended women for their contributions towards the development of the nation, while stating that time had come for women to move from just being a voice in the homes to play more active and participatory role in every section of the society.
She commended The Sun for offering women a platform to celebrate themselves, saying that the event will be a useful change tool in building the nation, while expressing optimism that the summit would be a great opportunity to lay a formidable foundation for women who are already in leadership positions and those aspiring to be leaders.

The Sun Women Leadership Summit kicks off today