the catalyst symposium akure 2026

About

The Catalyst Symposium Akure – Ma’ami Ajulo XCI: Legacy & Girl Child Mentorship was a resounding and unforgettable success, seamlessly blending profound intellectual discourse with vibrant cultural expressions that left an indelible mark on all who attended. This inspiring one-day event took place on Friday, 24th April 2026 at the prestigious T.I. Francis Auditorium, FUTA, drawing together a diverse gathering of enthusiastic young girls, ambitious students, emerging leaders, visionary professionals, and passionate mentors. The symposium was thoughtfully designed to empower the girl child, encouraging her to transcend societal limitations, embrace bold actions from an early age, and deliberately construct enduring legacies that will positively transform generations to come. The entire programme was professionally moderated with excellence and poise by Adeyemo Ademola Richard and Dr. Macaulay Barnabas, whose seamless coordination, insightful transitions, and warm facilitation kept the atmosphere engaging and impactful throughout the day.

The programme opened on a deeply moving note with a powerful Welcome Address delivered by the Convener, Arogundade Dolapo. In his heartfelt speech, he passionately charged all participants to view mentorship as a vital bridge toward holistic transformation. He urged every young girl in the audience to intentionally craft her own legacy through unwavering courage, wise daily choices, and consistent, purposeful action. His address beautifully established a tone of renewed hope, unyielding determination, and shared collective responsibility that resonated throughout the entire day.

This edition of the symposium, tagged Ma’ami Ajulo XCI, was specially inspired by the remarkable celebration of the 91st birthday of Princess Chief (Mrs) Christianah Monisola Ajulo, whose exemplary life of grace, wisdom, and impactful service continues to serve as a shining beacon for girl child mentorship and legacy building across communities. Her milestone birthday provided the perfect backdrop for reflecting on generational impact, feminine strength, and the timeless value of investing in young girls.

Immediately following the Convener’s address, the symposium proudly featured a Special Appearance and Keynote Address by Professor Adenike Temidayo Oladiji, the distinguished first female Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). The Vice-Chancellor was humbly represented by Prof. M. T. Olowookere, Director of the Centre for Gender Issues in Science and Technology (CEGIST), FUTA. Prof. Olowookere delivered the keynote on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, sharing profound insights drawn from Professor Oladiji’s remarkable journey of academic excellence, administrative mastery, and groundbreaking achievements as a trailblazing biochemist and visionary leader. The keynote served as a powerful testament to what is possible when girls dare to dream big, prepare diligently, and lead with integrity, offering every participant practical wisdom and strong motivation to pursue excellence without apology.

Adeoye Dideoluwa Goodness, warmly addressed as Lady Arise, then delivered a highly energising and practical session titled “Becoming the Girl Who Starts: Igniting Bold Action and Building a Legacy Early.” Drawing richly from her multifaceted experience as a brand strategist, founder of VOGENTI and the emerging LUMA brand, as well as her impactful tenure as Vice President of the FUTA Students’ Union, she passionately challenged participants to shift from passive dreaming to immediate and courageous execution. Lady Arise emphasised that starting early, no matter how small the step, remains the solid foundation upon which purposeful living and lasting legacies are built.

A refreshing and highly entertaining interlude followed, providing a beautiful showcase of the immense creative talent thriving within FUTA. Students and scholars captivated the audience with a soul-stirring rendition of Ewi (traditional Yoruba eulogy), a lively and thought-provoking Drama skit, and deeply moving Spoken Word performances. These artistic presentations brilliantly celebrated the resilience, leadership potential, and rich cultural pride of the girl child, creating an emotional bridge that connected the sessions with creativity, heritage, and inspirational depth.

Mary Sabo, a professional event host and speaker known for delivering excellence through clear, engaging communication, took the stage with her impactful session titled “Turning Confusion into Clarity and What That Looks Like in Real Life: Skills and Hacks.” She specialises in creating meaningful audience experiences while bringing professionalism, structure, and strong human connection to every stage. Her practical, relatable presentation equipped participants with actionable skills and personal hacks for navigating uncertainty, making decisive choices, and moving forward with confidence and direction.

Adegunle Boluwatife Grace, a dedicated FUTA graduate of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, spoke insightfully on “Girl Child Issues in Leadership and Professional Space.” She addressed prevailing systemic barriers while passionately highlighting the urgent need for professionalism, resilience, and a strong commitment to food security, zero hunger, and sustainable community development.

Rahaman Adekunle Yusuf (RAY of Hope), an accomplished multimedia journalist, digital media strategist, and public affairs professional, enlightened participants through his session “From Silence to Voice: The Power of Journalism in Empowering the Girl Child and Building Generational Legacies.” He masterfully demonstrated how strategic storytelling and effective communication can serve as potent tools for voice amplification and meaningful societal transformation.

Adekunle Morire Mercy, a talented skincare therapist, model, ex-beauty queen, businesswoman, and influencer, fearlessly tackled the critical issue of “Low Self-Esteem in a Girl Child.” With a powerful point of view that a girl who does not believe in herself remains severely limited despite her great potential, she inspired the audience through authentic shares from her journey.

Ajimuda Peace Boluwatife, the visionary co-founder of Foodbolt, rounded off the sessions with her motivating presentation “She Didn’t See It, So She Became It,” recounting her impressive entrepreneurial transition from the University of Ilorin to successfully establishing thriving food business franchises in both Ibadan and Akure.

Participants departed the Catalyst Symposium Akure filled with renewed minds, ignited spirits, strengthened confidence, and a rich arsenal of practical tools, fully equipped to become bold starters, confident voices, and intentional builders of legacies that will uplift the girl child narrative not only in Nigeria but across the African continent.