Cynthia Ifueko Emerges as a Leading Impactful Woman, Champions youth Empowernt
Beneath the shimmering lights of the prestigious National Merit Award House in Maitama, Abuja, history was written as Cynthia Ifueko Obazee stepped forward to be honored among Nigeria’s Leading Impactful Women. The Day, graced by dignitaries, business icons, and national change-makers, was more than an award ceremony — it was a celebration of vision, resilience, and the power of one woman’s determination to transform lives.
As Executive Director of the Grassroots Entrepreneurship Skill Acquisition Initiative (GESAII) and Lead Consultant at LUXUS Resources, Cynthia’s rise to the national spotlight was a story of grit meeting grace. Her name resonated through the grand hall, not just as an award recipient, but as a torchbearer of hope whose work has touched the lives of more than 100,000 women and girls across Nigeria’s six geopolitical
Her recognition was not merely an award, but a national acknowledgment of her unmatched contributions to youth and women empowerment. For years, Cynthia has stood at the frontline of change — arming young people with digital skills, entrepreneurship knowledge, and resilience to thrive in an ever-challenging economy.
In a hall filled with dignitaries, policymakers, and business leaders, her name resonated like a promise: that the future of Nigeria rests securely in the hands of those who dare to empower the vulnerable, lift the forgotten, and inspire the next generation to rise.
Accepting the honor, Obazee expressed both humility and resolve. “I thank the Mic Conversation Foundation for finding me and recognizing my efforts over time,” she said. “This award is a call to continue leading by example, spreading the message of skills acquisition, and encouraging resilience in entrepreneurship, especially among our youth.”
She stressed that Second Chance Education is more than a literacy drive — it is a catalytic tool to help curb gender-based violence (GBV) and restore dignity to the vulnerable through skills and education.
Under Cynthia’s leadership, GESA has been at the forefront of transformative initiatives that directly address the struggles of disadvantaged populations. Since 2019, through a contract with UNESCO under the EU–UN Spotlight Initiative, GESA has implemented the Second Chance Education Programme across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, particularly in Sokoto State.
Through the Second Chance Education initiative, over 60,000 women and girls have been empowered with transformative opportunities to rebuild their lives and shape brighter futures.
The program goes beyond classroom knowledge, equipping participants with essential tools for personal growth, social inclusion, and economic independence. Graduates have benefited from:
Basic literacy and numeracy,
Sexual reproductive health and rights life skills, Digital literacy , Livelihood and entrepreneurship skills, and Formal education and lifelong learning pathways
She stressed that Second Chance Education is more than a literacy drive — it is a catalytic tool to help curb gender-based violence (GBV) and restore dignity to the vulnerable through skills and education.
Obazee credited much of the program’s success to strong collaboration with the States Agency for Mass Education and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, describing the journey as one of both challenges and remarkable breakthroughs.
“The graduands of this programme are now empowered with voices, skills, and education that enable them to know their rights, seek justice, and stand against GBV in their communities,” she said proudly.
Beyond statistics, Cynthia Ifueko has become a symbol of resilience and inspiration for women and young people across Nigeria. She charges women to reinvent themselves, embrace knowledge, and push beyond societal limitations. “The role of women is not in house chores alone,” she often declares. “Women hold the power to contribute to national development, but it begins with investing in themselves and daring to step forward.”
For the youth, she advocates entrepreneurship and digital knowledge as tools for survival and progress in an evolving economy, positioning them as innovators, job creators, and future leaders.
Ambassador Aina Oladipo Micheal, convener of the Mic Conversation Network, lauded Obazee’s extraordinary impact, describing her as “a worthy daughter of the nation whose vision and service stand as a model for grassroots and national development.”
As the ceremony drew to a close, it was clear that Cynthia’s recognition was more than personal. It symbolized the country’s readiness to celebrate leaders who carry the torch of empowerment and nation-building.
Cynthia Ifueko Obazee stands today not only as a decorated award recipient but also as a national torchbearer of empowerment. Her vision is anchored on the belief that true leadership begins where lives are lifted, futures are restored, and opportunities are created from the grassroots upward.
Her dual roles at GESA and LUXUS Resources reflect a blend of social impact and professional excellence — positioning her as a leading voice in Nigeria’s development story and a model of how women can shape economies, transform societies, and inspire generations.
