Ogochuku Okekpolo Bags Leading Woman in Leadership Award at Connect Her Network
Ambassador Dr. Ogochuku Okekpolo was honoured with the Leading Woman in Leadership Award for her contributions to women’s empowerment and gender equality at the Connect Her Network Conference, held on 9th August 2025 at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja. The event brought together distinguished women leaders, innovators, and advocates from various sectors to celebrate excellence, collaboration, and the power of collective action.
As the spotlight found her, Dr. Okekpolo delivered an impassioned address that resonated deeply with the audience. She emphasized that true progress in society can only be achieved when information is openly shared, ideas are exchanged, and collaboration is embraced across all divides. According to her, withholding knowledge or working in isolation weakens societal progress, while inclusivity and empowerment create the foundation for a just and prosperous community.
The Connect Her Network Conference, anchored by Ambassador Victoria Ogwuche Ojiah, also featured the unveiling of the Connect Her mobile application, designed to link women globally with opportunities, mentorship, and resources. Other awardees from diverse sectors were also recognized for their outstanding impact in leadership, business, advocacy, and social change.
Dr. Okekpolo’s award stands as a testament to her tireless work in championing women’s rights, promoting gender equality, and inspiring new generations of leaders. Her call for open collaboration and shared vision echoed the event’s core mission—to build a stronger, more inclusive future where every woman can thrive.
In a brief with journalists, she declared: “Together, we can be better as women, and together we can build a better society.” She reinforced her belief that “what is not useful to you may be useful to another”, urging women to embrace the power of information sharing and to fully leverage the newly launched Connect Her mobile app — a platform she described as both timely and transformative.
Dr. Okekpolo painted a vivid portrait of women as “nurturers” and “the foundation and building blocks of our nation,” calling on them to share love, clothing, food, information, and opportunities that can help one another rise to greater heights. She highlighted the complementary roles of men and women, observing: “Women are the strategists. Men have carried too much burden. God created us male and female — we are not accidental. We must speak more. Few voices have been heard, but it is not enough.”
An advocate of peace and unity, she called for collaboration over competition, reminding the audience that stronger homes will produce a stronger nation. “We should work together to sustain peace,” she concluded, drawing warm applause and affirming her position as a leading voice for gender equality and empowerment in Nigeria and beyond.
While speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the conference, Ambassador Okekpolo addressed Nigeria’s economic positioning in the global trade arena. “China is flying their goods here, Nigeria is buying — why don’t we give them an ultimatum? If you want us to buy, build your plants here! Nigeria is the emerging market for the world. For that, I advocate for security, steady power supply, and good roads,” she stated firmly. Her remarks underscore her vision for a more self-reliant Nigeria, where foreign partnerships translate into domestic job creation and infrastructure development.
Through her career achievements, advocacy, and fearless voice on economic issues, Ambassador Dr. Mrs. Ogochukwu Okekpolo stands as a shining example of leadership that blends corporate excellence with national interest.
A prominent personality , Dr. Okekpolo’s extensive experience and expertise have established her as a leader, mentor, and role model. Her career is a testament to dedication, hard work, and an unyielding passion for excellence. As the Executive Director of Corporate Services at Bicens Resources Limited, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, guiding diverse departments with vision and integrity while fostering a culture of growth and innovation.
Her influence extends beyond corporate success; she is a founding director of Women in Energy Oil and Gas (WEOG), where she has championed the inclusion and advancement of women in a sector historically dominated by men. Through mentorship and advocacy, she has inspired countless women to pursue careers in STEM and leadership, breaking barriers and proving that gender is no limitation to ambition or achievement.
Her influence has transcended professional achievements, leaving a mark on both industry standards and societal expectations. By leveraging her platform, she continues to amplify women’s contributions, proving that empowerment is not a slogan but a strategic force for progress.
Dr. Okekpolo’s recognition at the Connect Her Network event is not merely an award — it is a celebration of an enduring legacy in leadership, diversity, and the relentless pursuit of gender parity.
In a conference hall charged with energy, Dr. Ogochuku Okekpolo’s award win and impassioned speech crystallized the conference’s central message: women’s empowerment is a shared responsibility. By endorsing the Connect Her mobile app as a bridge for collaboration, she turned an award moment into a movement moment—ensuring that the spirit of the event will echo far beyond the walls of the venue.
The night closed not just with applause, but with a renewed commitment to building a world where equality is not an aspiration, but a reality. For Ambassador Dr. Ogochuku Okekpolo, the award was both a milestone and a mandate — to continue leading with courage, vision, and a deep belief in the transformative power of empowered women.
