Summary of African Women Summit held at United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA.

The African Woman Summit (AWS), a world forum on emancipation and advancement of the African girl child held recently at the United NationsHeadquarters New York
The opening ceremony and welcome address was conducted by the Consulate General of Nigeria, New York, Ambassador Habib Baba Habu, OON

The following presentations were made:

A) Ms Louise Ford - British born, Vice chairperson of the African initiative group from west Australia
Topic: Young Women and girls in the African Diaspora

B) Mrs Catherine Adefuye (Wife of Nigeria's Ambassador to USA) - delivered Hadjia Aminat Namadi-Sambo's paper being her representative.
Hadjia Sambo is the wife of Nigeria's Vice President and her paper was: Importance of Girl Child Education Her Opening Remarks were also sent to the forum as she was to declare event open but was at the Lesser Hajj (Umrah).

C) The Publisher of Africa Abroad in USA, Alex Kabba, presented a paper on the Error of the male child syndrome whereby women who gave birth to female children were erroneously marginalized and victimized

D) Mrs Elizabeth Adekoye of Kianga House presented the paper WOMAN-The Mother of Nation (The responsibility of the older women)

There were other contributors including but not limited to Lidwin Miffo of African Hope Foundation, Regina Askia - Williams a former Nigerian star Actress and now a Nurse in the States, Aralola, the female talking drummer, Miss Harlem (Beauty Queen) who gave a history of her travails as a young orphan.
Regina Askia - Williams specially told women to ask themselves the question, who am I today? She pointed out that she was a beauty queen, star actress, socialite etc but who is she today? She reminded women that it is what they become in the long run that matters.

Aralola also told the audience how she was discouraged from becoming a drummer as a young girl, she was scared with various superstitions to discourage her but it never deterred the strong independent minded young girl.
The Point Barre Group - Exotic Ballets Dancers with an Urban Twist led by Joy Nafeesat Animashaun gave a stupendous dance drama to remind Nigeria and Africa in general of the plight of the girl child especially the educated ones.

U.N Meritorious Awards were given to the Following:

H.E Hadija Amina Namadi-Sambo - (Meritorious Award in Humanity to her I-CARE FOUNDATION)
Professor Mrs. Joy Ogwu - (Meritorious Award for Diplomatic Excellence)
Lady Ada Chukwudozie - (Meritorious Award in Entrepreneurship)
Dr. Christy Silas - (Meritorious Award in Entrepreneurship)
Aralola Olumuyiwa - (Meritorious Award for outstanding Creativity in Africa beats and Drums)
Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson - (Awards for Meritorious Service for Cause of Women)
Chief Mrs Eniola Fadayomi, MFR, FIoD - (Meritorious Award in Corporate Governance for Africa Registrars)
Regina Askia-Williams - (Meritorious Award as an Outstanding Pioneer of Nigeria's Movie Industry)
Mrs. Biola Ayeni (Divine Endowments) - (Meritorious Award for Outstanding Creativity in Fashion and Clothing Industry)

Some of the Awardees personally collected their awards while some were represented
A communiqué was developed at the end of the summit and a sequel to the summit was fixed to hold at the stool of power, in Washington DC before the year runs out.

The wife of Nigeria's Vice President, Hadjia Aminat Namadi Sambo further learnt her support to the Cause of the women by inviting the Nigerian representatives of African Women Summit Group led by Kemi Otegbade, MIoD to the villa to present the Meritorious Award to her foundation.