From Pain to Purpose: Ufedor Dadokun Inspires Women at Connect Her Network Conference

  By Genesis Ogiri

Abuja, Nigeria — In a hall brimming with the energy of accomplished women and emerging leaders, mental health advocate and corporate leader Ufedor Dadokun took to the stage at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotel with a message that cut straight to the heart of the conference theme: “From Pain to Purpose.”

The Connect Her Network Conference, a gathering that has fast become one of Nigeria’s most influential platforms for women’s empowerment, leadership, and collaboration, brought together a cross-section of extraordinary women — from industry pioneers to grassroots change-makers. Against this backdrop, Dadokun’s address was both personal and profoundly relatable, linking her own life journey to the struggles and resilience of countless women across the continent.

 

Speaking with the authority of lived experience, the Managing Director of Bricks and Builders Properties recounted her early years marked by a dysfunctional background and challenging circumstances. These, she revealed, could have easily silenced her dreams — but instead became the fuel for a remarkable rise in her career and her advocacy work in mental health.

“Do not keep silent and die in silence,” Dadokun urged, her voice steady yet charged with emotion. “Healing is not an end, it is an adventure. Your story is your message, and through it, others will learn and grow. Turn your wounds into wisdom, your pain into a platform, and your silence into sound.”

She went on to challenge the women in attendance — many of whom she described as a “league of extraordinary women” — to confront their mental health struggles openly, connect with others, and view their personal journeys as opportunities for empowerment.

“Do not die in your crying,” she stressed. “Evolve, learn, grow, and connect to other women. In sharing your story, you light the path for someone else’s healing.”

Her message resonated deeply in a conference that celebrated not just achievements, but the resilience and solidarity that fuel women’s leadership. The Connect Her Network Conference, founded to create a global platform for women to connect, collaborate, and exchange resources, served as the perfect stage for such a conversation — one that bridges the often-overlooked link between mental health and personal success.

Throughout the day, other speakers and honourees echoed similar sentiments, weaving together narratives of overcoming obstacles, breaking barriers, and redefining what it means to lead with purpose. The event also saw the presentation of awards to distinguished women from diverse fields, recognising their contributions to leadership, social impact, and gender equality.

The Connect Her Network Conference, founded by Ambassador Victoria Ogwuche Ojiah, also marked a historic milestone — the launch of the Connect Her mobile app, a digital platform designed to unite women globally, providing access to mentorship, resources, and business opportunities. Organizers described the app as a “digital bridge” connecting women across borders, enabling them to share their stories, expand their networks, and accelerate personal and professional growth.

The event brought together distinguished dignitaries from across sectors, including government officials, diplomats, business executives, and grassroots women leaders. It was an atmosphere of solidarity, where personal testimonies and technological innovation merged to chart new paths for women’s empowerment.

In the end, the conference was more than an event — it was a movement. With voices like Ufedor Dadokun’s reminding women that healing is possible, and tools like the Connect Her mobile app providing a global support system, the message was clear: the future of women’s empowerment lies in connection, courage, and the courage to speak out.

Ufedor Dadokun’s call to action was clear: women must not only address their mental health challenges but must also transform their personal pain into a force that empowers others. In a country — and indeed, a continent — where stigma still surrounds mental health, her voice added urgency and inspiration to the ongoing movement for open dialogue, healing, and purposeful living.

As the conference concluded, the applause that followed her speech lingered as more than appreciation. It was a collective affirmation — that in telling their stories, women can indeed heal themselves and ignite hope in others.