Divas of colour the largest gathering of most powerful women of colour is gathering momentum as it has promised, bringing the most powerful, successful women of colour from all around the world to the capital London.  The event which is scheduled as part of celebrating the international women is specifically targeted to women of colour of high standards in all areas of life.  Speaking of the event, Gayle Thompson, the global event coordinator says, this is a never seen before event, every woman of worth has been lined up for this event and we can only smile and wait. Can anyone miss this one? I’m afraid not”

Senator Grace Bent and Hon Abike Dabiri of Nigerian government have been confirmed to attend the event on the 22nd of March 2014.

 

Senator Dr Grace Bent is one of the most distinguished and outstanding voices of Nigerian politics. A woman of high standard and vision. Over the years, she has continued to fight for the voiceless especially women and youths as she sponsors various bills that affect them. Dubbed ‘practical workhorse’ Senator Bent is unrelenting in pursuing agendas that affect humanity .  She has founded, and headed several women organisations targeted to helping rural and urban women, empowering them economically through her social and non governmental projects.

This amiable senator is a strong and outspoken leader in the issues of environmental sustainability, eradication of poverty and economic empowerment of women and of the youth.  She is in the 6th National Assembly Senate committee  , the  chair senate committee on foreign affairs . Member committee aviation, member committee ethics , privilege and public petitions.

Her selfless struggle for women caught up in interethnic marriages are now yielding positive results with her emergence as a senator in her first attempt at an elective post.  Senator Grace F.J Bent has been featured in the BWATIYE book  (BWATIYE icons) a detailed Tri-centenary chronicle of BWATIYE heroes till date.  She continues to set standards both in her local areas and nationally and has been awarded generously too by various organisations in recognition of her impeccable inputs.

Her published literature include –

Interethnic marriages in Nigeria

The Novelist as a conscience of his nation

Major threats to Nigerian security

Consultant editor

I shall not die but live

Healing in the communion

among others.

Senator Dr Bent is a –

-A fellow  of  Advanced Institute of Management studies

– Fellow of professional managers

– Member of Nigerian Institute of management Resources person (ICRC)

 

 

 

 

 

Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa  is another powerful woman in the Nigeria politics who does not compromise her position in making sure women and children are protected. The Harvard alumnus  is famously known nationwide as an outstanding media practitioner, Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa fondly called “Mother of Teresa of the tube” because of her kindness, love and compassion for the less privileged spent 15 years of distinguished and meritorious service at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). Hon. Dabiri –Erewa warmed her way into the hearts of many Nigerians both young and old  with her gallantry and unbiased efforts of using television as an effective tool to draw attention to the plight of Millions of Nigerians suffering from the pains of poverty and injustice. We can never forget the story of Mary the miracle baby, a heart touching story Abike investigated for 8 years while anchoring Newsline. Mary is amongst other children benefiting from the Abike Dabiri-Erewa scholar. She is a third term member of the Nigerian House of Representatives. She has also served as Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs. As chairman house committee on media, she worked at uplifting the image of the house by rebuilding the confidence of Nigerians in the Parliament through openness and transparency.  Hon Abike Dabiri -Erewa has become one of the nation’s most respected leader, a powerful voice for equality and justice, and a fighter for economic fairness.

She was appointed as Chairman Diaspora affairs from 2007 to 2011, a position she still occupies till date. The House Committee on Diaspora Affairs is a new Committee with the challenge of ensuring that Nigerians in Diaspora are encouraged to come back home and contribute to the development of our dear country Nigeria. The Diaspora Committee under her dynamic leadership has brought to the fore, the plethora of snags, problems and difficulties encountered by different Nigerians in several countries of the world. The Committee intervened to rescue 24 Nigerians slated to be executed in Libya, intervened to reduce the menace of Nigerian prostitutes in Italy , made several interventions in India, China , Czechoslovakia, China, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Cairo and even had to pay lawyers to assist some; such was the case of a 73 years old Nigerian woman  who was behind bars in Brazil ,the committee under her leadership, encouraged her, paid a lawyer to follow up on her case but eventually she died in a hospital, but the committee was able to get her out of the prison to house arrest before she eventually passed on in an hospital. Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa was also a strong voice against the third term project of the then President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Divas of colour which is hinted to now be an annual event continues to search out the very best, very talented women of colour from every region being the first and only inclusive initiative to bring every woman of colour under one roof in celebration . The event will seek to recognise, reward, empower and discover more great talents. The overwhelming response from women owned brands and brands targeted to women shows how important it is to have a forum for every woman of colour to share their stories of success not of struggle for the first time.

The highlight of the event includes fashion show to find the best female designer who would become the Diva designer with a cash prize of £1000 at stake, a pageant to discover a global super model to become the Diva face with a £500 cash prize at stake too. There will also be trade shows and exhibition, keynote speeches and many more activities throughout the day.  This is one event we eagerly look forward to.

Tickets to the vent can be found here