By Olayinka Latona

Former CNN journalist and editor, Stephanie Busari, has called on governments, stakeholders, and corporate organizations to deepen their commitment to gender inclusion in leadership.

Speaking at the official launch of her project, Her Story: Taking Root, Sparking Change, an award night and art showcase event held at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Busari emphasized the need for a more inclusive leadership environment that recognizes the significant contributions of women across various sectors.

She highlighted the impact of female leadership, citing research that showed countries led by women had lower fatality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. “They had better control over the disease than those led by men. That is a documented fact. It’s time for women’s leadership. It’s time to give women a voice,” she stated.

The award-winning journalist also urged Nigerian women to amplify their voices and promote unity. She encouraged them to be catalysts for positive change in their communities, workplaces, and families.

“Nigerian women are some of the hardest-working women I know. My advice is for them to own their power. We’re more powerful than we think. We should collaborate more, join forces, and stand united to create the society we want to see,” she said.

Busari also referenced trailblazing women from Nigeria’s past, such as Margaret Ekpo and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, urging women to embrace their achievements and share their stories to inspire future generations.

Busari revealed that her book is just the beginning of a larger movement.

“We are building a movement that will inspire, challenge, and elevate the next generation of women leaders. The world is watching Africa, and the stories of these women will shape the continent’s future,” she declared.

The book showcases the stories of 40 trailblazing women from Africa, the Middle East, and the diaspora, each contributing a chapter that highlights the transformative power of personal narratives in leadership, mentorship, and community development.

As part of the initiative, Busari also launched HerStoryGlobal.com, an innovative platform for mentorship, leadership development, and storytelling. The site will serve as a hub for women’s empowerment and will offer access to Her Story: Taking Root, Sparking Change for a global audience.

The event also recognized several distinguished awardees, including: Olori Atuwatse III – Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, Betty Irabor – Founder, Genevieve Magazine, Chief Diana Chen – Chairman/CEO, GAC Motor Nigeria, Tony Elumelu – Recognized for his role as a male ally in women’s advancement, Zain Verjee – Former CNN anchor, CEO of ZVG & The Rundown, Funke Akindele – Award-winning actress and filmmaker and Dr. Olayemi Dawodu – Anatomic & Molecular Pathologist, Lancet Nigeria

The event celebrated women’s leadership and resilience, reinforcing the message that women’s voices must be heard, and their contributions recognized.