Sola POPOOLA
Prominent Nigerian economist, entrepreneur, banker, and philanthropist, Tony Elunelu and the daughter of the late business mogul and acclaimed winner of the June12 ,1993 Presidential poll ,Hafsat Abiola A Costello have emerged as nominees for the prestigious Voice of Awards(VOW).
The event is billed to hold on Thursday, 2nd October 2025, at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.
The Convener VOW2025, Toun Okewale Sonaiya explained that the nominees emerged after 668 public nominations in seven categories . Other categories are : VOW Gender Balanced Company ; VOW Social Media Innovation; VOW government Agency supporting Women ,VOW CSO/ CBO/ NGO Supporting women and their families and VOW Family Focused Organization.
In the Life time Achievement category is late Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900 – 1978) was one of Nigeria’s most prominent women leaders, nationalists, and activists. She is remembered as:A pioneering educator – She was the first female student to attend Abeokuta Grammar School and later became a teacher.
She founded the Abeokuta Women’s Union (AWU), which mobilized thousands of women to fight against unfair taxes and colonial policies. Her activism led to reforms and inspired women’s political movements across Nigeria.
She was part of Nigeria’s struggle for independence and worked closely with other nationalist leaders. She opposed both British colonial rule and authoritarian local rulers.
Mother of famous children – She was the mother of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, human rights activist Beko Ransome-Kuti, and physician Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, Nigeria’s former Health Minister.
Victim of state violence – In 1978, during a military raid on Fela’s Kalakuta Republic, she was thrown from a window by soldiers. She later died from injuries sustained in the attack.
She is remembered today as the “Lioness of Lisabi”, a fearless defender of women’s rights and social justice in Nigeria.
While Elumelu ,who set up The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF),in 2010 , to empower African entrepreneurs through training, funding, and mentorship is one of the nominees for the VOW Lifetime Achievement Award, Hafsat Abiola is one of the nominees for the VOW Woman of the Year Award.
Hafsat founded the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) in memory of her mother, focusing on strengthening civil society and promoting women’s participation in politics and governance. She has been recognized internationally for her leadership and activism, including being named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
Hafsat Abiola has also served in public service; in 2018, she was appointed Special Adviser on Diaspora Affairs to the Ogun State Government.
The VOW Lifetime Achievement Award honours an individual (female or male ) who has contributed profoundly to women empowerment and advancement during their lifetime ,including posthumous recognition.
VOW Woman of the Year,on the other hand recognizes a female who has demonstrated exceptional performance ,admirable leadership ,strong ethics and excellence in advancing the rights and opportunities women and girls in Nigeria.