Get Guardian on GoogleKey industry leaders under the auspices of the members of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) have commended renowned industrialist, Princess ‘LayoBakare-Okeowo for her strategic initiative aimed at empowering female entrepreneurs.
The commendations came during the official launch of the Princess LayoBakare-Okeowo Women Enterprise and Legacy Foundation (PLBO-WELF) in Lagos, an initiative designed to provide capital, mentorship, and structural support to women-led businesses across Nigeria.
The foundation marked its inaugural rollout by empowering 20 female entrepreneurs to transition their operations from casual “hustles” into sustainable, structured corporate entities.
Speaking at the event, held in celebration of her 65th birthday themed, “65 Years of Impact: Building Business, Empowering Women, Creating Legacy,” Bakare-Okeowo, also Vice-President, LCCI, said empowering women goes far beyond short-term financial aid, asserting that true success is measured by creating access, building human capacity, and leaving behind a lasting legacy for future generations.
She said: “The Princess LayoBakare-Okeowo Women Enterprise and Legacy Foundation, PLBO-WLF, was established out of a deep conviction that women deserve more than encouragement. They deserve opportunities, access, mentorship, resources and the support systems required to turn their dreams into sustainable realities.”
She therefore urged corporate organisations, development partners, business leaders, philanthropists, mentors and well-meaning individuals to invest in women.
The initiative builds on her previous philanthropic work, which included donating a well-furnished library to a school, constructing educational infrastructure in Ogun State, and organising several women empowerment schemes. Under the latest event involving 20 beneficiaries, the selected businesses received grant funding expected to directly improve their operations.
The immediate Past President of LCCI, Gabriel Idahosa, described Bakare-Okeowo as an exemplary model for young women, stating, “She grew a business to become one of the largest conglomerates in the continent and I am sure that business will serve the third generation. What she is doing now is investing forward, building the next generation of successful people.”
Also, Chairman of the Board, LCCI, Chief John AgboolaOdeyemi, described her as a gift to Nigerian women who has endorsed the transformation of women and remains strong, intelligent, and dedicated to business development.
The Director-General of MAN, SegunAjayi-Kadiri, represented by Dr. SegunOsidipe noted that Bakare-Okeowo is a woman who works hard to deliver excellence, build society, and support the economy.
The event Chairperson and Chairman, MTN Foundation, Mrs. Mosun Bello-Olusoga, urged the beneficiaries to ensure their businesses thrive and that they extend support to help other people.
Delivering the keynote address, the Group Managing Director and CEO of Widescope Group, Dr. OluwasegunAlade Musa, represented by the CEO of GTB Academy, Dr. Olusegun Awe Obe, described Bakare-Okeowo as an embodiment of legacy, noting that enterprise combined with legacy yields sustainability.
Also, the United Nations Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mrs. Beatrice Young, described the decision to mark her birthday by empowering 20 women as a “beautiful expression of an open spirit”.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Founder and CEO of ZeezaLifestile Limited, Mrs. AzeezatSadiq, thanked the foundation for the support, explaining that small businesses face serious competition from the international market and desperately need support to improve the standard of their products.
