Oba of Iruland Hosts Elevate Her UK Team and Diaspora Girls Connect Delegation
By Emmanuel Daniji
The Oba of Iruland on Sunday received the Elevate Her UK team alongside 15 young ladies visiting Nigeria for the Diaspora Girls Connect Initiative — a landmark collaboration with the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA), led by its Executive Secretary, Mrs. Ayisat Bimpe Agbaje.
The courtesy visit, described by the monarch as both “enlightening and timely,” provided a rare opportunity to engage the visiting delegates on the themes of leadership, culture, and community service. The young participants, who are part of a mentorship and heritage immersion programme, expressed deep curiosity and admiration for the rich history of Iruland and the evolving role of traditional institutions in contemporary governance.
In an interactive dialogue, the Oba urged the girls to embrace their identity, uphold civic values, and recognise their potential as ambassadors of positive change across the globe. He emphasised that true leadership must be rooted in cultural awareness, guided by knowledge, and inspired by a sense of shared humanity.
“You are not just visitors — you are bridges between worlds,” the monarch said. “Ground yourselves in your heritage, let knowledge shape your vision, and let purpose guide your service to humanity.”
Commending the Elevate Her UK initiative, the Oba lauded its mission of empowering young women of African descent through cross-cultural exchanges, confidence-building, and leadership development. He equally praised the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy for its steadfast commitment to nurturing transformative leaders through mentorship and experiential learning.
The monarch reaffirmed Iruland’s openness to collaborations that connect continents through education, empowerment, and cultural understanding, noting that such engagements strengthen Africa’s global voice.
“It was a joy to host these future leaders,” he said. “Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to advancing women and youth — not just in Nigeria, but across the world.”
The visit concluded with a cultural tour and group photograph at the palace, symbolising unity between the diaspora and the homeland, and reinforcing the shared vision of a more inclusive and empowered African generation.
