By Sunny A. David, Awka
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State, has hosted the second edition of the Young African Girls’ Conference (YAGC 2026), aimed at empowering young women with the knowledge, confidence and leadership skills needed to excel in their chosen careers
The one-day conference, held on Saturday, October 24, at the university’s ETF Auditorium, Igbariam Campus, attracted government officials, lawmakers, academics and female students from various institutions across the state.
Among the participants were female students of COOU, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and St. Michael’s Secondary School, Nibo. The lawmaker representing Onitsha 1 State Constituency, Hon. Ifeoma Azikiwe, was also among the dignitaries at the event.
Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor of COOU, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, urged young girls to develop self-confidence, self-awareness and self-love, noting that these qualities were essential to achieving their aspirations.
She encouraged them to remain focused, cultivate positive friendships and strengthen their relationship with God as they pursued their goals.
Prof. Omenugha commended the organisers for initiating the conference, describing it as an inspiring and educational platform capable of positively influencing the lives and future ambitions of young African women.
In her opening remarks, the convener and founder of the Heroes For Her Foundation, Dr. Ijeoma Omenugha, described the conference as a mentorship platform designed to connect aspiring female leaders in secondary schools and universities with accomplished women who could guide and inspire them.
She explained that the initiative was established to help young girls discover their potential, explore career opportunities and gain access to information that could shape their futures.
According to her, the idea originated from a personal desire to provide young girls with the kind of opportunities and exposure she wished she had received while growing up.
Dr. Omenugha recalled that, as a young girl, she had dreams but lacked access to conferences and direct mentorship from women who had achieved success in their chosen fields.
She said the experiences inspired her to create a platform where young girls could interact with successful women, learn from their journeys and gain a broader understanding of what they could accomplish.
She attributed part of her inspiration to her mother, who regularly told her stories about footballers and other individuals who had distinguished themselves and brought honour to their country.
These stories, she said, motivated her to aspire to become someone who would make meaningful contributions to society and make Nigeria proud.
Dr. Omenugha also recounted how she secured the Chevening Scholarship, a United Kingdom government-funded scholarship programme that enabled her to study in the UK.
She explained that learning about the scholarship and applying for it changed her life, stressing that access to the right information could make a significant difference in the opportunities available to young people.
“Sometimes, the difference between where you are and where you could be is access to the right information,” she said.
The convener noted that many young people possessed enormous potential but might never discover the opportunities available to them because they lacked access to relevant information, mentorship and the right networks.
She said the conference was designed to bridge that gap by exposing young African girls to career options, scholarship opportunities, leadership pathways and practical skills that could help them achieve their ambitions.
Dr. Omenugha urged participants to develop a strong vision for their lives and to look beyond the limitations of their immediate environments.
She reminded them that their backgrounds should not determine the boundaries of their aspirations, encouraging them to seek knowledge, learn from others and take deliberate steps towards building their desired futures.
She also expressed appreciation to the conference’s partners, sponsors, speakers, facilitators, panellists and volunteers for supporting the initiative.
In a paper presentation titled “Your Voice Matters: Speaking Up, Being Heard and Staying True to Yourself as an African Woman,” Prof. Njideka Ebisi urged women to speak out whenever they faced danger, injustice or misrepresentation.
She emphasised the importance of finding one’s voice, standing up for personal rights and ensuring that women’s concerns were heard and taken seriously.
The conference, held under the theme “Empowering the Next Generation of African Female Leaders,” featured inspirational talks, masterclasses, breakout sessions and a panel discussion moderated by Nnalue Veronica Mmesoma.
Awards were also presented to selected personalities, including the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha; the 2027 APGA House of Representatives candidate for Aguata Federal Constituency, Hon. Chibueze Oforbuike; and the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Lady Esther Onyekesi.
The conference underscored the importance of mentorship, access to information and leadership development in preparing young African girls to become confident women and future leaders.
