The following was written by African Students For Liberty Executive Board Member Odunola Oladejo. 

 On Saturday, August 23rd, the first ever Women For Liberty Seminar was held at the Students Union Congress Room, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta in Ibadan, Nigeria with about 15 female student leaders in attendance. The theme of the seminar, “Women for Liberty, Leadership and Empowerment,” was designed to stimulate women’s interests in taking up leadership positions in African countries, to foster discussion on the best ways to cultivate the spread of human rights and economic development, and to help women become dynamic leaders and powerful advocates of change.

Exemplary female speakers like Ms. Omobolanle Akinlabi, the CEO of the Gifted Hands Foundation and Ms. Uju Eze, the clinic administrator for the Women’s Law Clinic at the University of Ibadan, imparted their knowledge and experience with the female attendees. The seminar also featured an activism panel in which leaders enlightened female participants on how to deal with self doubts and criticisms. They also provided career advice and self improvement advice towards achieving success in any sphere of life. Panelists for the session were Olulade Shotade, a Law student of the University of Ibadan, Lilian David and Sinmiloluwa Adesanya from Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nike Soyombo from Mashood Abiola Polytechnic (Talixirs).

The seminar provided a platform to promoting women’s participation in practical decision making for peace, freedom and prosperity of the nation. It was also a step to organizing successful women’s leadership and mentorship trainings and to further advance Women For Liberty Leadership seminars and workshops in other African regions.