By Aderonke Ojediran
The Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Art, Culture, And Creative Economy (OSAP-ACCE) has launched an initiative, “EmpowHERed,” dedicated exclusively to the growth and development of women in the sector.
Mr Ayomide Adeagbo, Special Assistant to the President on art, culture and the creative economy, disclosed this while unveiling the project on Friday in Lagos.
Adeagbo, Convener and Initiator of the project, described it as the first-of-its-kind in the country, which could transform the lives of over 180 women.
He said the first-of-its-kind government initiative was developed with the intent of catering to the needs, aspirations and dreams of women in the culture and creative industry.
The special assistant said: “The 2025 EmpowHERed Summit ” is a defining hallmark of its time as it is being launched during a most significant period, the International Women’s Month, with its discourse built on this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action”.
The women, according to him, engaged in discussions on topics ranging from policy in creative industries, breaking barriers as a woman thriving in creative fields, scaling creative businesses, turning passion into profit, technology and the future of creativity.
He affirmed that creating an enabling environment for women is not a mere option but an absolute necessity, as the success of one woman impacted a generation.
He said that EmpowHERed project had moved beyond dialogue and had introduced a transformative programme set to empower 180 women over the next three years.
The aide said it was axiomatic that at the core of the EmpowHERed initiative is the enduring desire of the office to leave a mark of sustainability and posterity, uplifting not only the present generation but also the future.
“Our staggering reality demands nothing less than bold, accelerated action and this is exactly the motive of EmpowHERed.”
He further expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for giving him the opportunity to present and launch the initiative.
According to him, the initiative stands as a space where women are seen, acknowledged, supported, and empowered to become leaders, innovators, and architects of their own creative future.
“With everything being taken into account, it is evident that EmpowHERed is a vision of accelerated action, positioned to take its place within the pantheon of landmark empowerment programmes in the Nigeria OSAP-ACCE”, he said.
The summit featured outstanding and empowered women, including Aisha Adamu Augie, Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC); Chalya Shagaya, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship Development; Shay Bello, Actor.
Also at the summit were Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, Founder, Zapphaire Events; Sandrah Tubobereni, Founder, TUBO; Lola Ogunnaike, Journalist and Global Media Personality; Banke Kuku; Keke Hammond, CEO, Flytime Promotions; Maryam Apaokagi (Taaooma), Content Creator, and many more. NAN
