The Osahon Okunbo Foundation (TOOF)

Last week: An Evening in Venice with @theosahonokunbofoundation 💫🌠 Proud of what TOOF has built in its first year, and genuinely excited for what year two holds: a deepened commitment to preserving and promoting Nigerian and African diasporic arts, culture, and heritage. Always grateful for the chance to commune with old friends and new ones 🫶🏾

The "Benin First" philosophy is my personal call to action for every indigene. It is time we stop looking outward and start looking inward. By harnessing our shared entrepreneurial spirit and collaborating on local investments, we can build a legacy that sustains future generations. I invite you to join me in this mission. Let’s unite our resources, our ideas, and our passion to make Benin great again. ✨ Connect with the Vision: Visit www.bic.ng send a WhatsApp message to 0903 921 2710 🤝 Join the Movement: #BeninInvestorsConference #BIC #BeninFirst #EdoState #InvestInBenin

One last visit before Nigerian Modernism closes on the 10th. When the Osahon Okunbo Foundation lent the Ogolo from our collection, we knew it was in trusted hands. What we didn’t expect was how much the exhibition itself would feel like an overdue homecoming. Six remarkable months. Hats off to Osei Bonsu, Bilal Akkouche and the team at Tate Modern. Beautifully done.

My mother, Princess Elizabeth Olowu, taught Fine Arts at Itohan Girls’ Grammar School in the mid-1960s. She speaks with enthusiasm and great pride about her experience at this High school. She recalls learning bronze casting from a caster and metal smith whose studio was located close to the school’s gate in 1966. While her artistic contributions are more widely recognized through bronze casting and sculpture, I believe her years of teaching at various high schools in Benin, (including a stint at the University of Benin), had an even more profound impact. Some of these schools are IGGS, AGGS (Anglican Girls Grammar School), Federal Government Girls’ College, Ugbowo, Benin, and the University of Benin Demonstration Secondary School (UDDS). My mother taught us (her students) to work with coconut shells and bones to create jewelry; recycle grocery bags into flowers; repurpose old exercise books into coronets and beads; carve and paint calabashes; use wire insulation for craft items; and engage in extensive papier-mâché and paper craft projects. When I reflect on this photograph of my students in their third-year class at the University of Lagos in 2006, I recognize the significance of intergenerational transfer of knowledge. I have transmitted the lessons from my mother’s remarkable experimentation and process of discovery and recovery/ repurposing of materials. To the students, it was simply one of Layiwola’s numerous project assignments. @university_of_lagos I recognize @folakunle_oshun , Ifeoluwa Sopeju, Kola Okadokun, Big Bola (Where is she?) @nenehmakun Iyase-Odozi, Oyewo?@oladotun_kolawole @osa_seven @toyinbarber

We had an insightful meeting at United Nations HQ Abuja between @osaokunbo X UNESCO, engaging in meaningful dialogue with @theosahonokunbofoundation at the forefront of collaboration to protect both our tangible and intangible cultural heritage, while also exploring the promotion of the creative industry as a key driver of cultural diplomacy and sustainable growth. Together, we are shaping pathways that will strengthen cultural diplomacy, preserve Nigeria’s rich traditions, and amplify its global cultural footprint for generations to come. #CulturalDiplomacy #HeritagePreservation #CreativeIndustry #UNESCO #OsahonOkunboFoundation 📸 @megastar_magazine

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and the Labour African Network (LAN) convened a powerful group of leaders in London this week to champion women’s entrepreneurship as a national economic priority. A special thanks goes to the Osahon Okunbo Foundation (@theosahonokunbofoundation ) for their strategic partnership. Their work to expand economic opportunities for women in Nigeria’s creative industries adds vital momentum to the wider goals of SheThrives - the new initiative to strengthen the ecosystem for women led enterprises across all sectors in Nigeria led by the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. Osahon Okunbo @osaokunbo of The Osahon Okunbo Foundation said: “Across film, music, fashion and art, Nigerian creativity continues to shape global culture. As the SheThrives initiative expands its work, strengthening the conditions for women building businesses within the creative economy will be essential to the long-term future of the sector. This strategic partnership with The Osahon Okunbo Foundation reflects a shared commitment to supporting that growth.” Together, we’re building an environment where women can start, scale and thrive. Photo by Lewis Patrick.

17 March marked a significant milestone for SheThrives, a bold national initiative jointly led by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, to accelerate women’s entrepreneurship and drive inclusive economic growth across Nigeria. Cherie Blair CBE KC met with the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, to discuss our shared vision for unlocking Nigerian women entrepreneurs’ economic potential, on the margins of the Presidential State Visit of H.E.Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to the United Kingdom. Women are key drivers of inclusive growth and wealth creation, so we must build an ecosystem that empowers them. We would like to thank the Rt Hon @david.lammy MP, UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, for his opening remarks. Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and @labourafricannetwork are proud to co-host this event, with the support of our generous partner @theosahonokunbofoundation and sponsor Loyz Marine Services Ltd. The event was compered by @dr.yvonnethompson_cbe_wintrade , the founder of the Wintrade Global Women Intra & Entrepreneurship Network and organiser of the @flair_summit , which brings together the most influential African women leaders. The fireside chat was led by @dr.emuwa , the founder of @100davoswomen and the @africawomenceos Network. When women thrive, so do their families and wider communities. Photo: Standing from the left: Dr. Anino Emuwa, the founder of 100 Davos Women and the Africa Women CEOs Network; Hon. @kafilatogbara , House of Assembly of Nigeria, Member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs; David Lammy, UK’s Deputy Prime Minister; @hm_womenaffairs , Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, of the Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs; Cherie Blair CBE KC, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women; Ernest Ambe, Founder & Chair of the @labourafricannetwork Photo by @palassociates . #WomenEmpowerment #Nigeria #womenentrepreneurs

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and the Labour African Network (LAN) convened a powerful group of leaders in London this week to champion women’s entrepreneurship as a national economic priority. A special thanks goes to the Osahon Okunbo Foundation (@theosahonokunbofoundation ) for their strategic partnership. Their work to expand economic opportunities for women in Nigeria’s creative industries adds vital momentum to the wider goals of SheThrives - the new initiative to strengthen the ecosystem for women led enterprises across all sectors in Nigeria led by the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. Osahon Okunbo @osaokunbo of The Osahon Okunbo Foundation said: "Across film, music, fashion and art, Nigerian creativity continues to shape global culture. As the SheThrives initiative expands its work, strengthening the conditions for women building businesses within the creative economy will be essential to the long-term future of the sector. This strategic partnership with The Osahon Okunbo Foundation reflects a shared commitment to supporting that growth.” Together, we’re building an environment where women can start, scale and thrive. Photo by Lewis Patrick.

connections, the High-Level Ministerial Fireside Conversation on She Thrives: Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment was a defining moment for collective action. I was honoured to engage alongside distinguished leaders and partners including Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and the Bour African Network, bringing valuable insights and perspectives to advancing opportunities for women. Together, we spotlighted the importance of creating inclusive pathways for women to thrive economically, recognizing that when women are empowered, families flourish, communities grow, and nations prosper. These moments captured reflect more than dialogue—they represent commitment, collaboration, and a shared vision for a future where no woman is left behind. Together, we move from conversation to impact. #SheThrives #WomenEconomicEmpowerment #CSW70 #GenderEquality #GlobalPartnerships

17 March marked a significant milestone for SheThrives, a bold national initiative jointly led by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, to accelerate women’s entrepreneurship and drive inclusive economic growth across Nigeria. Cherie Blair CBE KC met with the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, to discuss our shared vision for unlocking Nigerian women entrepreneurs’ economic potential, on the margins of the Presidential State Visit of H.E.Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to the United Kingdom. Women are key drivers of inclusive growth and wealth creation, so we must build an ecosystem that empowers them. We would like to thank the Rt Hon @david.lammy MP, UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, for his opening remarks. Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and @labourafricannetwork are proud to co-host this event, with the support of our generous partner @theosahonokunbofoundation and sponsor Loyz Marine Services Ltd. The event was compered by @dr.yvonnethompson_cbe_wintrade , the founder of the Wintrade Global Women Intra & Entrepreneurship Network and organiser of the @flair_summit , which brings together the most influential African women leaders. The fireside chat was led by @dr.emuwa , the founder of @100davoswomen and the @africawomenceos Network. When women thrive, so do their families and wider communities. Photo: Standing from the left: Dr. Anino Emuwa, the founder of 100 Davos Women and the Africa Women CEOs Network; Hon. @kafilatogbara , House of Assembly of Nigeria, Member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs; David Lammy, UK’s Deputy Prime Minister; @hm_womenaffairs , Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, of the Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs; Cherie Blair CBE KC, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women; Ernest Ambe, Founder & Chair of the @labourafricannetwork Photo by @palassociates . #WomenEmpowerment #Nigeria #WomenEntrepreneurs

At the High-Level Ministerial Fireside Conversation, a powerful commitment was made, one that moves beyond conversation into real, measurable action. @theosahonokunbofoundation formally announced a strategic partnership with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women under the SheThrives Initiative. This collaboration represents more than alignment, it is a shared vision to accelerate opportunities for women, strengthen economic inclusion, and create systems that enable women not just to participate, but to lead and thrive. This moment marks a bold step forward in advancing women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria and beyond, bringing together policy, purpose, and partnership to unlock new possibilities.

We just wrapped our first workshop of the year. 10 writers showed up committed to honing their craft; and they left with a clearer sense of what it takes to get published globally. We pushed perspectives, questioned narratives and got closer to what editors are actually looking for. Huge thanks to Nelson and the writers who made this session at Write Good Stories what it was! You should probably be at the next one. This workshop was supported by @theosahonokunbofoundation