BY CHRIS ONUOHA

The African Women in Leadership Organisation Conference (AWLOC), tagged “AWLC Atlanta 2017” held Thursday August 24 to Saturday 26, 2017 in the city of Atlanta, USA was another milestone for women in leadership development says Dr. Elisha Attai, President and founder, AWLO.

The highly attended 2-day event witnessed sessions of paper presentations, panel sessions, workshop, networking, entertainment, exhibitions, African Fashion Show and was wrapped-up in a Gala and Awards evening including the launch of AWLO USA Headquarters in Atlanta.

Speaking at the conference, Dr. Elisha Attai said the conference which started since 2009 in Ghana has been a legacy and visionary movement.Elisha also mentioned that it is a convergence of an African flavor, in the spirit of gender parity and development, to see to the emergence of effective female leadership.

“African Women in Leadership Conference (AWLC) started in Ghanaas a converge seeking to bring African women together to drive leadership. It started as West African Women in Leadership Conference, and hasgrown to include women leaders of African Descent in the Diaspora, and hosted them for about 4 yearsnow in USA.” Dr. Attai said.

Speaking further, he said; “This year’s African Women in Leadership Diaspora Conference, AWLC Atlanta 2017 was not only a homecoming, being an honorary citizen of Georgia, but another conference journey. Doing it now for the fourth time, I can say that most of the journey is predictable, even though every year has its peak-point,and I am dying to see each year’s programme.This year, I had the honor of receiving the award of an Honorary Doctorate degree (PhD), from Global Oved Dei Seminary & University during the Conference. I see it as a token for my commitment to gender-parity.”

Notable personalities at the conference include prominent African/American Leaders like Ambassador Andrew Young and his wife Carolyn; Chief Opral Benson; Her Excellency, Professor Uche Azikiwe, wife of the First President of Nigeria; Her Excellency, Sarah-Elizabeth Reed, wife of the Mayor of Atlanta; Dr. Gloria Herndon; Dr. Violet Arene; Julie Donli, Director General, NAPTIP; Professor UduakObong Archibong from Bradford University in UK among other local business leaders and young entrepreneurs making up the invited guests.

Also the National Center for Civil and Human Rights partnered with Tiskies, a Contemporary African fashion collection for women designed and made in Nigeria by Abiola Aluko made the evening colourful.

The African Women in Leadership Diaspora Conference came to conclusion with a get together event hosted by the wife of the Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Mrs. Idowu Laro.