Embrace Audacity to Unlock Excellence, Dr. Ajoke Ogunsan tasks Women • Delivers Powerful Keynote at Multiwoman Conference 5.0
By Oki O. Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
Women must embrace audacity as a transformative force to unlock new levels of excellence, success, and healing, the Managing Director/CEO of Executive Hotel and Suites, Dr. Mrs. Ajoke Olufunmilola Ogunsan has said, urging Nigerian women to rise beyond fear, societal limitations, and self-doubt.
Delivering the Keynote Speech, at the 5th edition of the Multi-Woman Conference held in Lagos today Saturday 18th April 2026, Ogunsan framed audacity not as arrogance, but as a necessary virtue for progress. “Audacity should never be confused with arrogance. It is not pride, disrespect, or overconfidence. True audacity is courage guided by wisdom. It is the inner voice that says, ‘Yes, this is difficult but I will still try,’” she told the audience of professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, revealing that “when women gather with purpose, something powerful always happens. Ideas are birthed, strength is renewed and courage is awakened.”
The Multi-Woman Conference also featured a line-up of speakers including Nollywood actor, Juliana Olayode; psychiatrist Dr. Adeola Adeyemi; academic Dr. Tosin Ayanleke; producer, voices with Victoria, Victoria Nduka; fintech product leader, Praise Agbonighale; and the head of accounts, Baobab Nigeria, Mercy Obasi-Jude. The event was moderated by communication coach, Jadesola Adewonu. Mr. and Mrs. Ogundimu, the parents of the convener, Mrs. Mary Ayuba, were also present among dignitaries who attended the event.
Speaking further on the conference theme, “Unleash: Unlocking New Levels of Excellence, Audacity, Success and Healing,” Dr. Mrs. Ogunsan emphasized that many individuals carry untapped greatness constrained by fear, past failures, or societal expectations. “Many people walk through life with greatness locked inside them. Today we are talking about unlocking those restraints. Today, we are not here to listen to mere speeches, we are here to ignite something within ourselves,” she said.
Ogunsan highlighted the pivotal role women have historically played as “architects of society,” shaping values, nurturing leadership, and driving transformation both within and beyond the home. “Excellence has no gender, competence has no gender, vision has no gender, and leadership also has no gender,” she declared, drawing applause.
She reinforced her message by spotlighting notable Nigerian women such as the First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Shade Tinubu; the President of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Mo Abudu; Nike Davies Okundaye; Dr. Ola Orekunrin Brown among other women whose audacity has reshaped institutions and global narratives.
Referencing Oluremi Tinubu, she quoted: “Women must rise to their responsibilities and take their rightful place in nation building.”
Dr. Ogunsan further paid tribute to the late Dora Akunyili, whose tenure combating counterfeit drugs saved countless lives despite significant personal risks.
“She confronted powerful interests, endured threats… because of her courage, countless lives were saved. Audacity made that possible.”
Drawing from her personal journey as a gospel music minister, entrepreneur, and convener of a Christian Gospel Talent Quest and Concert tagged Symphony of Praise and Worship (SPAW), Ogunsan known in the music scene as Dr. Ajokesings shared how audacity shaped her path.
“My audacity in creating the first ever Christian Gospel Talent Quest, where upcoming Christian gospel music rising stars are discovered, nurtured, and supported in their music careers, is one example among many. It is a platform born out of the belief that when opportunities are created, destinies can be unlocked and voices that might otherwise remain unheard can be given a stage,” she said.
“As a mother, a wife, a singer, a songwriter, and an entrepreneur, I have also demonstrated and I am still unlocking new levels of audacity in the various fields I operate in. Women possess the unique capacity to multitask, and I tell you today, that in itself is a superpower. I do not believe that anything is impossible because with God, all things are possible.”
She urged women to harness their innate strengths, including their ability to multitask, describing it as “a superpower.”
In her opening remarks, the Convener of the conference, Mrs. Mary Ayuba highlighted the need for women to come together as a front, in order to achieve greatness and thrive as individuals and organizations. She urged women, young and old, to arise for the progress and development of Nigeria.
A key highlight of the Multi-Woman Conference came when Dr. Mrs. Ogunsan announced that the newly launched edition of the Multi-Woman Magazine be shared to all women attendees if the 5th conference. She noted “we are women. We must support other women. This is women supporting women.”
The keynote speaker, Dr. Mrs. Ajoke Ogunsan concluded with a call to action: “Let us unleash excellence in our professions, unleash audacity in our ambitions, and unleash healing in our hearts. The future is not waiting for permission. It is waiting for people bold enough to unleash their greatness. May we be those people.”
