I am deeply honoured to have been bestowed with a Distinguished Member of the Nigerian Bar Association Award, and to have contributed, through my representation by the Wellbeing Africa Foundation, to the deliberations and discourse of the 65th Annual General Conference of the Association, which is currently underway in Enugu State under the resonant theme Stand Out, Stand Tall.

As a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 1989, and as a lifelong advocate for health, equity, and justice, it was my privilege to be represented by Dr Mojisola Alere, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Director of Programmes, Research and Development, who joined esteemed colleagues Professor Ifeoma Enemo, Aisha Ibrahim, and the Honourable Justice Ojoma Rachel Haruna in the Breakout Session on Women in Leadership, moderated by Aisha Ado Abdullahi.

The session affirmed women’s leadership as a transformational force, vital to strengthening the judiciary, enriching the legal profession, and advancing societal progress, with priorities centred on leadership pipelines, mentorship and sponsorship, and gender-sensitivity training to recalibrate professional cultures.

These imperatives align directly with the Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s Women, Girls, and Gender Development Targets, which advance gender equity by embedding leadership pathways, safeguarding rights, and empowering women and girls to participate fully in every sphere. Through Africa’s Women, Girls, and Gender Development Targets, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa continues to champion mentorship, advocacy, and systemic reform as the foundation of inclusive and sustainable national development.

I commend the Nigerian Bar Association for convening this distinguished annual gathering of over twenty-two thousand delegates, and I extend my sincere appreciation for the conferment of the Distinguished Member recognition, honouring my contribution to the legal profession. May this affirmation strengthen our collective resolve to advance inclusion and to open pathways for women leaders to serve with distinction.

When women stand out with courage and stand tall with integrity, nations rise higher together!