Arrangements have been concluded by the New Partnership for Africa's Development, NEPAD Nigeria, and Sheroes Foundation, an International Non-State Actor with bias for women development and empowerment,to organise a forum in Abuja, Nigeria, which shall, among other objectives, address various issues relating to women in society.

The forum, which shall be held in October this year, shall witness the participation of women in various professions, callings, engagements and trades in both the private and the public sectors of the economy from across the African continent.

According to the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, the forum will seek to arouse the consciousness of the African woman to arise and take action in the business opportunities that exist around her; to participate in her civic responsibilities; to engage in activities that enhance and deepen women's involvement in political governance of their countries and to take advantage of their number, education and social influence to generally improve leadership in society in synergy with their male counterparts.

For members of Sheroes Foundation International, women must be made to participate in all matters that concern the future of their children, husbands, grandchildren and others. They must get involved in framing the policies that shape society. This can only be achieved if they can stand to be counted in the worlds of business and leadership. According to Flossy Menson, Founder and Executive Director of SHEROES Foundation, who was part of the delegation that visited NEPAD Nigeria today, Tuesday, August 8, 2017, the time to do so is now.

On her part, Hon. Dame Maureen Tamuno, Coordinator, SHEROES Nigeria, who led the delegation that comprised herself, Flossy Menson and Maxine Menson, Co-Founder and Group Executive Director, 702 Productions Group (702 Productions Ghana, 702 Productions Nigeria, SHEROES Foundation & Forum Solutions), expressed confidence in the ability of the NEPAD Nigeria Management to aid the delivery of their joint vision given their track record of performance, especially since Princess Gloria Akobundu took over as CEO at the Agency.

While thanking the SHEROES delegation for the visit, the NEPAD Nigeria CEO, Princess Akobundu, promised to leverage the wide contacts and the goodwill the Agency enjoys across the country to make a success of the oncoming programme. She also added that issues on women and youths also form an integral part of the NEPAD mandate, which must always be pursued with every resource at the Agency's disposal.

The theme of the Abuja forum is: "Advancing Women's Roles in Business and Political Leadership". Various high-profile speakers have been pencilled down for the programme, which shall draw participants from across the African continent and beyond.