LAPO gifts 4 women N2m for emerging winners of 2026 Outstanding Women Leadership Award

As part of activities to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day, the Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) has gifted four women the sum of N2million.

The women emerged the winners of 14th edition of the LAPO Outstanding Women Leadership Award (LOWLA), 2026.

The four awardees are Animashaun Aminat Aderayo, from Oyo State, winner of Business category; Adebukola Esther Taiwo, Osun State, farming category; Nkechi Promise Ujunwa, Anambra State, professional category.

Nosakhare Ikpomwonsa Aladeselu, Edo State, who bagged the LAPO Lifetime Achievement award is the founding President, African Women Empowerment Guild, based in Benin City, Edo State.

Each of the awardees was given the sum of N500,000 and a plaque in recognition of their outstanding contributions to business, farming and professional life in Nigeria as well as to the economic and social development of the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Faith Negbe Osazuwa-Ojo, president, LAPO, said the event was organised to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Osazuwa-Ojo, noted that the theme of the International Women’s Day, “Give to Gain”, reflect the unwavering effort of Lift Above Poverty Organisation to ensure that women are duly recognised, supported, and celebrated as powerful drivers of change.

She opined that the organization believe that when women are given the right platform, support, and opportunity to grow and dream big, there would be a visible and assured developmental and sustainable growth.

She asserted that it is a gain that not only improves the economy, but also improves lives and reduces poverty.

According to her, as we gather here today, I would like us to reflect on the collective impacts of women in Nigeria and across the globe. Women who have risen above stereotypes and gender disparity and have become trailblazers in all walks of life.

“Over the years, women have significantly driven global economic impacts and transformed their families and societies.

“I invite all of us present here, men and women, to walk the talk in giving to women the support they need, the respect they deserve, and the opportunity to thrive, because when you empower a woman, you have empowered a nation.

“I warmly welcome you to this event, which has been organised to honour, celebrate and encourage women who have demonstrated remarkable success and resilience through their partnership with LAPO in promoting financial inclusion, agricultural development and socio-economic impact”, she said.

While congratulating the awardees, she, however, urged them to accept the award as LAPO’s way of recognising their resilience, dedication, hard work, and the impact they have made in the society in their respective fields.

She expressed hope that the award would inspire them to be more, dream bigger, and make a greater impact.

In her remarks, Oyefemi Obazee, Chairperson, Board of Directors, LAPO said over the years, the organization had witnessed the resilient spirit of women who have transformed their lives and those of their families from ordinary to extraordinary.

Obazee, said the women have turned opportunities into impact and rewritten their life stories.

She said the management of LAPO are deeply inspired by the outstanding achievements and the awardees commitment’s to the organization’s mission of lifting women out of poverty

She urged them to see the award as LAPO’s way of encouraging them to keep pushing the boundaries of possibility.

On her part, Cynthia Ikponmwosa, the Managing Director, LAPO Microfinance Bank explained that LOWLA is a platform for identifying, celebrating, and amplifying women who are not only breaking barriers but are also building bridges of opportunity, leadership, and impact across sectors and communities.

Ikponmwosa said the gathering was not just to celebrate excellence, but to recognise a powerful truth that when women rise, communities prosper, economies grow, and nations advance.

She stated that LAPO Microfinance Bank’s journey has always been deeply rooted in the empowerment of women.

“From the very beginning, we understood that financial inclusion is not just about access to capital, but it is about unlocking potential, restoring dignity, and creating opportunities for sustainable growth.

“At the LAPO Microfinance Bank, we remain steadfast in our mission to deepen financial inclusion and expand opportunities for women across Nigeria.

“Through our products, partnerships, and social impact initiatives, we will continue to invest in women, not just as beneficiaries, but as drivers of economic transformation.

“As we celebrate today, let us also reflect. Let us commit to doing more, individually and collectively to support, mentor, and create pathways for the next generation of female leaders because the true measure of leadership is not just in how far we rise, but in how many others we bring along”, she added.

In her address, Idia Ize-Iyamu, Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) commended LAPO for sustaining the noble vision for 14 years.

Ize-Iyamu, who is the chairman of the occasion noted that the award is more than recognition but a call to action and a reminder that a better society is possible when we choose to uplift one another.

She urged women to use the occasion to renew their purposes, determination not just to succeed, but to lift others as well.

She alsobencouraged women to maintain discipline and focus in the pursuit of their goals while emphasizing the importance of resilience and determination in overcoming challenges and achieving success.