People have grown to crave a society where every woman has the opportunity to reach her full potential. We desire a world where gender does not dictate one’s access to education, healthcare, or financial independence. Unfortunately, millions of women still face systemic segregation that limits their growth and contribution to society.
The Queen Luciano Foundation is a non-governmental organisation that believes empowering women is not just a moral obligation but a necessary step toward building stronger communities and an inclusive future for all. In honour of the 2025 International Women’s Day, we took another bold step, as in past years, to accelerate action for gender equality and women’s empowerment. Our two major events, held in Akure, Ondo State and Benin City, Edo State, provided women with the knowledge, resources, and encouragement they needed to step into their power.
The impact was profound. From educational talks and financial empowerment to health awareness and entertainment, these events were a testament to what happens when women support and uplift one another. This article aims to present how we celebrated this significant day in Akure and Benin.
Empowering, and Elevating Women in Akure
The Akure celebration took place at Royal Birds Hotels and Towers, Alagbaka, drawing in a crowd of both business and career women eager to participate in talk shows and empowerment therein. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as attendees registered. They were gifted with branded T-shirts and jotters, to ensure beauty and uniformity, and they settled in for an eventful day.
The event started with the opening prayer to create a solemn atmosphere that initiated a calm mood. This was followed by a welcome address by the the Akure branch General Manager, Daramola Babajude. He welcomed all the guests to the event. He also introduced the founder and the foundation. He went ahead to point out that the Queen Luciano Foundation has, over the past three years, made it a point of duty to celebrate International Women’s Day for its goal of catering for the plights of women and the marginalised in society.
Some of the highlights of this event include
1. Powerful Talks on Gender Equality and Women’s Health
The first lecture was delivered by Mrs. Rachel Godspower-Otali. And focused on the theme: “Accelerate Action: Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.” During her presentation, she challenged societal norms, emphasising the importance of education, financial independence, and leadership opportunities for women. According to her,
“Women must take up spaces in politics, business, and education. If we don’t claim these spaces, we are handing over our future to a system that was not designed to serve us,” she stated.
She also told the women to take charge of their lives, and assert their identity while being mothers and wives. Furthermore, she emphasized that being married doesn’t mean you have to either shed off or abandon your identity and dreams to take up that of your husband.
This was followed by the presentation by the second speaker, Nurse Akaba Sandra. She based her topic on women’s health and family well-being. She spoke about preventive healthcare, the importance of regular medical checkups, and common health concerns affecting women, such as breast cancer. The session became deeply personal as women shared their struggles with access to quality healthcare.
“I have been experiencing severe back pain for months, but I keep putting off seeing a doctor because of financial constraints,” one woman admitted.
Nurse Sandra provided practical advice and resources, ensuring the women left with valuable information to improve their health. She also did a practical on how women can examine their breasts to dictate early symptoms of breast cancer. This was for them to seek medical attention in time to avoid degenerating to more health risks.
Then Mrs Blessing Ogunro handled the third presentation she tackled another crucial topic: Equality in Access to Education for Women. She passionately urged parents to prioritize their daughters’ education, debunking societal myths that favour investing in boys’ education over girls. According to her,
“If we educate our daughters today, they will educate entire generations tomorrow,” she reminded the audience.
2. Entertainment
To lift spirits, Mr. Wisdom’s band performed uplifting music, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere. The essence of the entertainment was to bring smiles to the faces of these women and make them forget their troubles even if for a little while. The hall was filled with singing, clapping, and dancing as the attendees celebrated womanhood together.
As they danced and made merry, they were presented with refreshments of food and drinks to showcase the importance of kindness and the art of giving. All sat to enjoy their meal and wait for the succeeding item in the program of the day.
3. Women Empowerment
One of the most anticipated moments was the presentation of dummy cheques to selected beneficiaries. This initiative provided financial assistance to deserving women, helping them take steps toward self-sufficiency. The beneficiaries were instructed on how to process their final cheques, ensuring the support reached those who needed it most. The 10 beneficiaries from Akure were grateful to the Queen Luciano Foundation and they expressed it through smiles, words of gratitude and prayers. They promised to utilise the money for the growth of their respective businesses.
The closing remark was given by the project manager of Queen Luciano Foundation, Miss Juliet Ebere Idoko. She thanked everyone who attended the event and made it a memorable one. She expressed her gratitude to the founder and board of trustees of the foundation for funding the event and making it a reality. She went further to encourage the beneficiaries to use the funds that they received wisely as the foundation will reach out in the future to enquire about their business wellbeing.
As the event wrapped up, attendees engaged in networking, interviews, and group photography, capturing the essence of an inspiring day. Many women left the event feeling empowered, motivated, and hopeful for the future.
A celebration of strength, empowerment and resilience in Benin City
In Benin City, the celebration brought together over 163 women (excluding men who gathered outside the hall). Unlike a typical conference-style event, the day began with music, setting the tone for a day of learning, laughter, and empowerment.
Some of the highlights of this celebration in Benin City include
1. Welcome address
The General Manager kicked off the event with an insightful speech welcoming all the guests to the event. He showed his excitement for being part of another and he promised the attendees an impactful event. He also reinforced the importance of women taking charge of their financial and personal growth independent of the male gender.
2. Impactful presentation
The first talk on Women’s Empowerment highlighted how women can achieve financial independence through entrepreneurship, skill acquisition, and leadership roles. She also charged them to take charge of their business and career and not allow any circumstances to draw them back. She went further to instruct those who were not doing any business yet to start up something no matter how small.
This was followed by an interactive Q&A session, where women voiced their challenges and received practical guidance.
“I want to start my own business, but I don’t have the capital. What can I do?” one woman asked.
“Start with what you have. Leverage your skills, partner with others, and apply for small grants. The most successful businesses started with limited resources but unlimited determination,” the speaker encouraged.
The second talk focused on women’s nutrition and health. Many women are unaware that certain everyday foods contain harmful chemicals that can lead to long-term health complications.
The speaker provided practical dietary tips, including:
- Reducing processed foods and incorporating fresh vegetables into daily meals
- Drinking more water and reducing sugary drinks
- Choosing natural remedies over excessive medication
“What we eat today determines how healthy we will be tomorrow. Let’s take control of our health before diseases control of us,” she advised.
3. Games and entertainment
Next was a game session, where participants won prizes and gifts. The excitement in the room was contagious as women cheered for one another, celebrating each other’s wins. Then came the comedy session featuring Funny Benson, a well-known comedian. Laughter filled the hall as he delivered relatable jokes, bringing warmth and joy to the women.
4. Support, partnership and empowerment
One of the major highlights of the event in Benin City was the Queen Luciano Foundation’s partnership with Glo Company, which registered over 70 women with free SIM cards. This initiative ensures that more women stay connected, access information, and leverage digital resources to improve their lives. Those who couldn’t receive SIMs were advised to return with their National Identification Numbers (NIN) to complete the registration.
As refreshments were served, beneficiaries were recognized for their hard work and dedication to self-improvement. Volunteers ensured that every woman felt seen, heard, and valued.
The event concluded with group photos and a heartfelt vote of thanks from the beneficiaries, expressing their appreciation for an event that was not just about celebration but real, tangible empowerment.
Wrapping up
The Queen Luciano Foundation’s International Women’s Day celebration was more than just an event. It was a movement towards empowerment, equality, and sustainable impact. Through education, financial support, healthcare awareness, and community building, we are shaping a future where women are not just surviving, but thriving. The smiles, gratitude, and renewed determination on the faces of the attendees proved that when women are empowered, entire communities benefit.
But this is just the beginning. Women’s empowerment is an ongoing journey, not a one-day event. We are committed to ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to succeed, lead, and inspire. Join us in making a difference. Together, we can create a world where every woman’s potential is realised.
