President Joyce Banda:
Centre for Economic and Leadership Development( CELD), successfully held the 2012 Global Forum on African Women in Leadership at the historic Waldorf Astoria, New York on 21 September, 2012.

The event, which was held at the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, had the Nigerian Ambassador to the United states of America and Chairman of CELD’s Advisory Board, H.E. Prof. (Amb.) Ade Adefuye as Chair of the forum.

Also, gracefully present was the Executive President of the Republic of Malawi, Her Excellency, Joyce Banda, who gave the luncheon lecture on the topic: The Resilient Woman Leader: Growing Stronger in the face of life’s Storms. President Banda’s speech led to a beautiful and rewarding end of the forum; as participants drawn from across Africa and the United States of America, were almost speechless and close to tears with the perceived level of impact , the president’s remarks and indeed the program in general, had on them.

Other Inspirational Speakers at the forum were as follows:President & CEO of the Africa – America Institute, Ms. Amini Kajunju; Program Officer of the Mac Arthur Foundation USA, Mrs. Milena Novy-Marx; CEO of the Arab-African- American Council, New York, Mrs. Nour Naima; President of the African Women’s Alliance Inc., Dr.Tokunbo Sofola; amongst others.

The highlight of the event was the decoration of the prestigious African Most Inspirational Female Leader of the Year Award on Her Excellency, President Joyce Banda, alongside the First Lady of Cross River State, H.E. Mrs Obioma Liyel Imoke and the First Lady of Benue State, H.E. Arc. Mrs Dooshima Suswam; Mrs Catherine Uju-Ifejika, MD/CEO Brittania-U Nigeria Ltd; and Dr. Wendy Luhabe, Founder, Women Private equity Fund, South Africa;who received various distinguished awards for their commitment in empowering tthe womenfolk.

Watch out for Forum Outcome