Her Regal Majesty, Olori Ambassador (Dr.) Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, Queen of the Ooni of Ife, has described African women as the embodiment of glory and the backbone of the black race worldwide.
Speaking at the launch of the African and African-Descendant Women Impact Network (ADWIN) held at the Sofitel Ivoire in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on 5 and 6 June, 2025, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi told her audience who included First Ladies, policymakers, and cultural icons from across Africa and the Diaspora that “African women are not just the backbone of our societies—they are the architects of our future. We carry within us the wisdom of generations and the power to transform our homes and communities and the entire world.”
The launch of ADWIN was a moment for the dignitaries to spotlight African women’s leadership and impact.
The Ooni of Ife’s Queen rallied African women across generations to embrace leadership with boldness, to support one another, and to rise beyond inherited limitations, adding that African women possess the strength of unity across borders, traditions, and experiences. She urged the women to use culture as a catalyst for progress and not a barrier.
Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi’s role at ADWIN 2025 went far beyond ceremonial. She reignited a collective pride and reminded the world that African queenship is not just a relic of the past—it is a living, breathing force for good in the present and future. Her voice carried with it the stories of generations and the vision for a new era of female-led transformation.
Her Majesty was received with royal honours by Minister Euphrasie Yao, Presidential Advisor on Gender and Social Affairs, alongside Dr. Linda Kaboré and the traditional King of the Yoruba community in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Yoruba community turned out in a colourful display, offering traditional performances and tributes that reflected the enduring bonds between the Diaspora and Nigerian royalty.
Held under the high patronage of the First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, and the First Lady of Cabo Verde, Mrs. Débora Katisa Carvalho, ADWIN’s two-day launch featured high-level workshops, international panels, an exhibition on African art, and a grand closing gala.
With support from UNESCO, the Ministry of Women, Family and Children, and prominent sponsors including Orange, Sanofi, and Diambly Business Centre, the event set a bold vision for a pan-African future led by empowered women.
