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Datari Ladejo: From Lagos to Johannesburg, Double Awards for Under-40 CEO

Datari Ladejo: From Lagos to Johannesburg, Double Awards for Under-40 CEO

June was a defining month for Ambassador Datari Ladejo, as she clinched two major honours that cement her place as a leading voice in advocacy, digital innovation, and humanitarian service. From being named Nigeria’s Most Notable Female Advocate in Abuja to joining the ranks of Africa’s Under-40 CEOs in Johannesburg, Ladejo’s recognition reflects a journey of resilience, purpose, and transformative leadership across the continent. Precious Ugwuzor reports 

For Datari Ladejo, June was a month to cherish. From Abuja, the Nigerian capital to Johannesburg, the burstling economic capital of South Africa, Datari cleared two awards that situate the work she does and the passion she brings to what she does in context.

In Abuja she was honoured as Nigeria’s Most Notable Female Advocate. The award, conferred by the Nigeria Peace Advocate Network, highlights her remarkable contributions to legal advocacy, digital transformation, and humanitarian leadership—setting her apart as a beacon of inspiration across the African continent. 

It was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, attended by high-profile dignitaries and policy influencers.

The second event, hosted by Mayorkings Charity Foundation in South Africa  was held to celebrate Africa’s Under-40 CEOs who have distinguished themselves in their various corporations.

Held at Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre from June 26 to June 30 it was the 3rd edition of the prestigious Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Award and Summit.

In the letter announcing Ladejo’s  nomination and invitation to the Johannesburg event, Dr Temisan O. Louis, President/Founder, Mayorkings Agency, said the individuals considered for the honour “have demonstrated noteworthy accomplishments in various industries.Their commitment to business growth, development, professional excellence, community service, and philanthropy sets them apart as dynamic contributors to the African business landscape.”

In her speech at the Lagos event,  Ambassador Ladejo urged Nigerian and African women to “trust in their ability and vision,” assuring them that with God, success is achievable—even in the most difficult circumstances. 

She expressed appreciation to the organisers for acknowledging her commitment to human development and promised to continue upholding integrity, leadership, and service excellence in all her endeavours.

“This recognition affirms that every effort to transform lives matters. I am deeply honoured and remain committed to using every platform I have to champion equity, empowerment, and opportunity, especially for women and youth,” she said.

Speaking with journalists after the award presentation, Ambassador Datari Ladejo shared a profound message of purpose and resilience, stating that “everybody has what he or she is called to do.” She said no matter one’s current path, it is never too late to change direction and pursue a meaningful calling. Drawing from her own journey—transitioning from a successful legal career into the dynamic world of digital innovation and humanitarian service—she encouraged others to remain open to growth and reinvention. Her words serve as a powerful reminder that with vision, courage, and faith, it is possible to redefine one’s story at any stage of life.

With qualifications that span continents, Datari Ladejo’s legal foundation is both rigourous and relevant. She holds an LL.B from the University of Staffordshire, a BL from the Nigerian Law School, and an LL.M in Dispute Resolution in International and Economic Law from the University of London Institute in Paris. These credentials have equipped her to operate confidently at the intersection of international law, economic policy, and social reform.

Her legal work extends far beyond traditional practice. Whether offering regulatory counsel to multinational firms or contributing to global legal think tanks, Ladejo consistently brings clarity and purpose to complex policy issues.

A Fruitful Journey from Law  into Digital Innovation

Ambassador Datari Ladejo’s foray into the world of digital innovation was not a sudden shift—it was a deeply personal, purpose-driven journey marked by courage, learning, and transformation. Having established herself firmly within the legal profession, with degrees and distinctions across prestigious institutions in the UK, Nigeria, and France, many expected her to remain on the traditional path of law practice and policy consulting.

But Datari saw something more—an emerging digital world brimming with untapped potential, especially for women and youth across Africa. With clarity of vision and an entrepreneurial spark, she made the bold decision to pivot from conventional law into the fast-evolving digital economy. It was a leap that many would have hesitated to take, but one that she embraced with fierce determination and faith.

Driven by the desire to create solutions, not just arguments, she immersed herself in digital transformation strategies, technology trends, and the powerful intersection between branding, communication, and social impact. She quickly recognised that digital literacy was not just a skill, it was a lifeline for emerging economies and marginalised communities.

Her journey bore fruit in powerful ways. Through the founding of Fernhill Digital Group, she built a consultancy that doesn’t just offer digital services, it reimagines how African businesses can evolve, grow, and compete globally. She didn’t stop there. With Evergreen Curators, she created a platform that fuses creativity with technology to help brands craft meaningful narratives in a saturated world.

But perhaps most impactful was her decision to create Digital Women Africa, a platform born out of her own experience navigating the tech space as a woman. She knew firsthand the barriers, the biases, and the lack of representation. Instead of waiting for the system to change, she began building her own ecosystem, one that trains, mentors, and uplifts African women to become not just participants but leaders in the digital space.

Today, Datari’s digital journey is a flourishing tree with many branches, supporting women entrepreneurs, reshaping business models, and empowering entire communities. What began as a personal pivot has grown into a continental movement, and her story stands as proof that embracing innovation with purpose can turn transitions into triumphs.

Ladejo’s passion for women’s empowerment is perhaps most visible through Digital Women Africa. This platform was built to bridge the digital divide by equipping African women with the tools, mentorship, and leadership skills needed to thrive in the 21st century economy. From digital literacy to entrepreneurial development, the initiative is transforming the trajectory of women across multiple countries.

“Women must move from the margins to the mainstream of innovation,” Ladejo asserted. “Digital Women Africa is more than a platform—it is a movement for generational change.”

In addition to her enterprise and advocacy work, Ladejo plays a vital role in civil society. She serves on the board of The Rebuilding Lives Mission, which provides entrepreneurial and vocational training to underserved Nigerian women and youth. She is also the co-founder of the Advanced Level Youth Empowerment Foundation, an NGO that tackles the twin challenges of educational inequality and youth unemployment through capacity development and innovation.

Internationally, Ladejo stands tall. She is a prominent member of the Women Executives group within the Forbes Agency Council, and currently the only Nigerian woman holding this seat. Through her involvement, she influences global conversations on digital communications, innovation, and female leadership. Her insights have been published on Forbes.com, Business Day, and other influential platforms.

Datari Ladejo’s journey is not without hurdles, but her resilience has turned challenges into stepping stones. Her success story is one of unwavering determination—a story many young Nigerian women now look to for inspiration. Her ability to merge deep legal knowledge with digital acumen and humanitarian commitment places her in a rare class of 21st-century changemakers.

Balancing these responsibilities with her role as a devoted wife and mother of two, Ladejo proves that leadership and family life are not mutually exclusive. Her authenticity, discipline, and faith-infused approach to life continue to inspire a growing community of leaders and learners across Africa.

“Leadership is not about titles,” she said. “It’s about service, impact, and the courage to challenge norms while building bridges.”

With these two awards now etched in her legacy, Datari Ladejo remains focused on scaling her impact, especially in underserved communities and among the next generation of African innovators. She has pledged to continue working in alignment with integrity, transparency, and a deep-rooted love for humanity.

In a world that urgently needs more inclusive and compassionate leadership, Datari Ladejo stands out as a global model of excellence, resilience, and visionary service.

Quote 

This recognition affirms that every effort to transform lives matters. I am deeply honoured and remain committed to using every platform I have to champion equity, empowerment, and opportunity, especially for women and youth

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June was a defining month for Ambassador Datari Ladejo, as she clinched two major honours that cement her place as a leading voice in advocacy, digital innovation, and humanitarian service.
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‘Finish Line’ and the Poetry of Survival

‘Finish Line’ and the Poetry of Survival

The Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), through its diaspora platform WAFORD, recently launched Finish Line, the debut poetry collection by US-based Nigerian poet Abby Kesington. Written over five years during a period marked by job loss, depression, and self-discovery, the collection reflects Kesington’s journey of healing and resilience, writes Precious Ugwuzor 

In a stirring celebration of words, resilience, and rediscovery, the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), through its diaspora arm, the Writers of African Origin in the Diaspora (WAFORD), recently unveiled Finish Line, the debut poetry collection by US-based Nigerian poet Abby Kesington.

The virtual launch, hosted by WAFORD Coordinator Prof. Bill Ndi, was more than a literary event; it was a journey into the heart of a woman who turned adversity into art. Speaking with raw honesty, Kesington described the five-year-long process of writing Finish Line as a lifeline during some of the darkest moments of her life.

“I wrote it while grappling with job loss, depression, and a search for my voice,” Kesington shared. “Every stanza carries pain, hope, and healing. Writing was the process through which I reclaimed the tigress I used to be.”

For Kesington, poetry was not merely a craft—it was salvation. At the time she began working on the collection, she was working as a medical transporter, often driving patients to chemotherapy or hospice care. Those encounters with human fragility became unexpected sources of strength.

“Their resilience reminded me I still had something left inside me,” she said. “Writing became my healing.”

During the launch, Kesington read from several pieces in the collection, including The Voice, I Am Gem, and the title poem Finish Line. Each poem, she noted, was born from a deeply personal place. The Voice, for instance, was written after a panic attack during a public reading. Though smiling on the outside, she was wrestling with impostor syndrome on the inside. “That war became a poem,” she recalled.

The title Finish Line reflects not a conclusion, but a transformation. A former high school sprinter, Kesington explained how her view of life has evolved. “I used to think life was a sprint—fast and goal-driven. But now I see it as a marathon. You stumble, pause, cry, but keep going. The finish line isn’t the end. It’s transformation.”

The collection is divided into four thematic arcs—Life of Anxiety, La Femme, Pot Pourri, and The Travels—each reflecting a chapter in her emotional and creative evolution. In one of the event’s most moving moments, Kesington read I Am Gem, a meditation on immigration and self-worth.

“Coming to the U.S., I lost myself,” she confessed. “This poem is a reminder that even flawed, we shine—we are gems.”

The opening poem of the collection, “Counting to Ten,” offers a compact yet potent exploration of the emotional and psychological toll of anxiety. It deftly captures the raw intensity of internal battles, portraying a lonely and suffocating journey through fear and despair. From the outset, the somber imagery—of a “sickening plight” and a “melancholic lullaby”—sets a heavy emotional tone. The recurring motif of counting to ten serves as both a coping mechanism and a symbol of the speaker’s effort to reclaim calm amidst chaos.

Through vivid metaphors—like the striking “Texas-sized fright”—the poem conveys the overwhelming scale of the speaker’s distress. Physical symptoms such as a racing heart, deafening silence, and a sense of drowning are presented with unflinching honesty. The poem’s structure, marked by rhythmic repetition and mounting tension, mirrors the crescendo of an anxiety episode. Yet beneath the struggle lies a yearning for serenity, a search for light within the darkness.

The collection continues with “They Made A Promise,” a deeply affecting meditation on trust, intimacy, and the disillusionment that follows broken commitments. The poem paints a tender picture of emotional vulnerability, where the anticipation of love is symbolized through “dancing on the edge of promises” and “breathing in their sweet whispers.” This initial sense of closeness and hope is soon undone, however, as promises dissolve “like morning mist.” The poem powerfully captures the emotional whiplash of disappointment and the erosion of idealism in human relationships.

In “Phase of Peace,” the poet shifts to a broader reflection on life’s unpredictability. Opening with hope and optimism signified by the symbolic “last day of the year”, the poem quickly descends into metaphorical storms: cliffs, tidal waves, and betrayals. These images illustrate the emotional turbulence that often follows the promise of new beginnings. Yet, in the heart of the storm, the speaker discovers a redemptive stillness: a “phase of peace” born not of circumstance, but of faith, resilience, and surrender.

This turning point is marked by spiritual awakening. The plea for divine intervention, “prayers and cries for respite”, is answered with the imagery of God extending a lifeline, offering not just escape but renewal. The poem beautifully articulates the human capacity to endure, and to trust that even the fiercest storms will pass.

The poem,“Who Cast A Spell?”shifts focus from internal struggle to external critique, this time casting a sharp eye on New York City. Unlike the poet’s earlier, more celebratory portrayal of Las Vegas, this piece presents New York in a stark, almost mournful light. The juxtaposition of its legendary grandeur with present-day decline is rendered in powerful visual terms: “squalid streets,” “dingy subways,” and a weeping Lady Liberty. These images underscore a sense of urban decay and lost promise.

The poem functions as both elegy and critique. Lines like “silently weeps for your slip” and “pray this spell shatters like confetti” evoke sorrow, but also a lingering hope for renewal. It is a lament for what the city once was a sanctuary, a beacon and a call to confront the realities of crime, political dysfunction, and societal disintegration. In doing so, the poem becomes a form of social commentary, urging reflection and, perhaps, change.

Prof. Bill Ndi praised the poet’s emotional candour and literary craftsmanship. “Her poems don’t just speak—they shout, they whisper, they weep,” he said. “She turns pain into poetry, and poetry into a mirror for society.”

PAWA Secretary-General Dr. Wale Okediran lauded the work as both a cultural milestone and a testament to artistic endurance. “Writing is not a sprint; it’s a journey of stamina,” he remarked. “Abby’s title is both poetic and purposeful—it distills the essence of her struggle and survival.”

Dr. Okediran also challenged WAFORD to create international creative residencies for African writers in the diaspora, modeled on a successful Nigerian program he oversees. “Let’s create sanctuaries abroad where African writers can complete their work and mentor the next generation,” he urged.

Kesington expressed deep gratitude to her sister, Tosin Kesington, a Nigeria-based English teacher, who served as the manuscript’s first editor. “She polished every word,” Abby said, dedicating the poem Will You? to her.

When asked about the recurring phrase “grand design” in her poems, Kesington offered a simple but profound response: “That’s God. I don’t preach in the poems, but I reflect what I’ve lived.”

Now, with over 30 new poems written since the completion of Finish Line, she shows no signs of slowing down. Inspiration, she says, is everywhere: “Sometimes it’s a squirrel, a butterfly, or just a sunrise that sparks a poem.”

Kesington’s message to others is as clear and compelling as her verse: “To anyone told to dim their light—this book is for you. Write your own story. Don’t let the world write it for you.”

With Finish Line, Kesington has carved out her space in the literary world—not as a sprinter who raced to the end, but as a marathoner who endured, evolved, and emerged radiant. Hers is a voice worth listening to—urgent, lyrical, and, above all, unafraid.

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The Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), through its diaspora platform WAFORD, recently launched Finish Line, the debut poetry collection by US-based Nigerian poet Abby Kesington. Written over five years during
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Enugu @ 34: As Mbah Drives the Dreams of Founding Fathers

Enugu @ 34: As Mbah Drives the Dreams of Founding Fathers

By Uche Anichukwu

“I am not a stranger at all to Enugu State. To deny Governor Peter Mbah’s transformative leadership will be sinful“ – Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN

Growing up, I heard how my paternal grandfather, the late Ofia Inyinya Okereke Igboke Anyioma, a highly respected personality, and a wealthy man by their standard in those days, offered three-point prayer as he broke kolanut and poured libations to Chukwu Okike Abiama (God) and his ancestors every morning: “If I ever conceive evil against anyone, may it return to me and vice versa; may everyone prosper, but may the kindest-hearted prosper the most so that the poor would not suffer; may my descendants surpass me and also actualise any of my unfulfilled dreams, for they are too big to be fulfilled in a lifetime.”
Not many places in Nigeria have enjoyed Enugu State’s rich history and special bestowals of mother nature. It is a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. Yet, something was missing: the founding fathers – Chief Christian Chukwuma Onoh, HRH Igwe Edward Nnaji, Chief Enechi Onyia, HRH Igwe Charles Abangwu, Chief Basil Okwu, HRH Igwe John Nwodo, HRH Igwe Ezeudo Abel Nwobodo, Prof. Samson Ukpabi, HRH Igwe Udemgaba Maduka, Justice Augustine Nnamani (JSC), HRH Igwe Paul Egbogu, HRM Igwe John Igwesi, Chief Dan Agbo, and Chief Nduka Eya, among a host of others – dreamt big. They believed that the people known as Waawa would do better with a state of their own to expand the social, political, and economic opportunities for their people. Their prayer was answered on August 27, 1991, when former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, announced the creation of Enugu State.

Like my grandfather, they understood that having done their bits, the creation of Enugu State was only the beginning of the quest for the larger dream. Consequently, from the first military administrator to successive civilian administrations various degrees of progress have been made.

However, as I have often held, in the life of a people, once in a blue moon, providence throws up that one extraordinary person who must take them to unimaginable heights in such a very short time. I have always cited the likes of Lee Kuan Yew, often referred to as the father of modern Singapore. He literally transformed Singapore from a Third World nation to a developed economy in one generation. I have also often cited Park Chung Hee, who engineered the Miracle on the Han River, transforming South Korea to an industrial cum economic giant; Deng Xiaoping, who lifted millions of Chinese out of poverty in a most dramatic manner; Franklin D. Roosevelt whose ‘New Deal’ rescued the USA from the Great Depression; and our own legend, Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara, whose “Pragmatic Realism” transformed the defunct Eastern Region into the world’s fastest growing economy between 1954 and 1964.

Today, Mbah is following in their footsteps. Having observed his modus operandi, and interacted him at a close range, I must confess that he is possessed by some positive forces greater than him. His quest to transform Enugu is an obsession – literally speaking.

Driven by his Disruptive Innovation approach, Mbah made it clear right from the campaigns that his was a transcendental calling to fast-track the dreams or tomorrow to reality, today. He came with a vision to exponentially grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in four to eight years through private sector investment, make it one of the top three states in Nigeria in terms of GDP and ensure that Enugu State achieves a zero per cent headcount rate inl poverty headcount index.

Two years and three months after, Enugu has become the cynosure of all eyes and the national reference point in good governance. He is proving, daily, and in practical and verifiable terms that the dreams of our founding fathers were not malarial fever dreams – they are realisable.

Mbah has demonstrated his commitment to realising the dreams of our founding fathers through the rapid resuscitation of moribund assets in line with his campaign promise. Unlike the national norm where new governments abandon the projects of their predecessors, he set out to revive the Enugu Palm Products Limited, EUPPL. Originally founded by the government of the defunct East Central State in 1970 on 6,700 hectares that traverses Ibite-Olo in Ezeagu LGA, Ugwuoba in Oji River LGA, and Umulokpa in Uzo-Uwani LGA, it was destroyed by the “Nigerian factor.” But with a N100bn deal between the Enugu State Government and Pragmatic Palms Limited in May 2024, a five-year aggressive plan is now being implemented to reposition EUPPL as one of the leading integrated oil palm establishments in Nigeria, playing in the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors.

In addition, he has revamped the long-abandoned iconic Hotel Presidential founded by the legendary Dr. Michael Okpara some 63 years ago (1963) and Nigergas founded in 1962. He has recovered and completed the International Conference Centre, ICC, commenced by former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani. Today, the carcass he inherited has been transformed into a magnificent complex commissioned by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, in January 2025. Today, it has become a beehive of activities, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond. Among many other conferences that drew thousands of participants, over 20,000 lawyers are presently having a wonderful experience at the sprawling complex and the Okpara Square where the 2025 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association is taking place.

These conferences and a retinue of other programmes also means huge sums of money coming into Enugu State. the hotel proprietors, taxi drivers, phone accessories sellers, restaurant proprietors, and even the “Mama Put,” etc. are all smiling to the bank. In fact, for the NBA conference, hotels as far as adjourning local governments to the state capital are fully occupied.

Also, standing just beside the ICC is the ICC 5-Star Hotel, commenced by the Mbah Administration on May 27, 2024. Today, the structural work is completed and it will be delivered before the end of 2025. Around the same ecosystem is also the Enugu International Hospital, a world-class quaternary state-of-the-art multi-specialty facility, that will not only help Nigeria reverse medical tourism, but also strengthen Enugu’s robust bid for a substantial share of Nigeria’s overseas medical tourism market valued at over $1 billion annually.

Only recently, a trending and geotagged video showed parts of some neigbouring states deserted by community members due to insecurity orchestrated by unknown gunmen. But today, Enugu is rated as one of the safest states in Nigeria, thanks to the bold and creative steps taken by Governor Mbah since May 2023. He banned the illegal sit-at-home that had virtually crippled Enugu’s economy and invested heavily in resources to tame and route out the enforcers. Today, some forests that used to house such non-state actors are now home to some of the 200-hectre Farm Estates being developed across the 260 wards.
In addition, Enugu houses the biggest and most sophisticated Command and Control Centre in Nigeria today. All the AI-enabled digital cameras installed across the state for surveillance are connected to the centre. Likewise, the AI-enabled cameras installed on all the over 150 security vehicles operated by the Distress Response Squad.

To make good his ambition to attract investors and at least 3 million visitors to Enugu State. annually starting from 2027, Mbah recently launched five ultramodern terminals, 100 CNG Mass Transit buses, the Enugu Transport management System, and 80 modern bus shelters and terminals. Biodun Otunola, is the Managing Director, Planet Projects Limited, which handled some of the Enugu transport terminals. Planet Project also built the Oshodi Transport Interchange and Ikeja Bus Terminal in Lagos. He captured the enormity of what Mbah has done: “This is the first time a project of this magnitude is experiented. Not only that a bus terminal is being built, but five bus terminals are being built. No administration has ever done this before since the history of Nigeria. We are in this industry and we have the records.”

It is also recalled that the state government had on July 7, 2025, rolled out three aircraft to launch Enugu Air as part of the administration’s integrated blueprint for a modern, multimodal transport ecosystem and vision to make Enugu a major aviation hub. And more are being expected before the end of the year.
One can actually go on and on, reeling out Mbah’s trailblazing accomplishments within a very short stay in power: construction of 260 Smart Green Schools in 260 ward to equip the children and youth of Enugu with 21 century skills and make them relevant in the emerging global economy; construction of 260 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres; over 1,000km of ongoing and completed road projects; creation of Enugu electricity market; establishment of 160 tons per our asphalt plant; establishment of Nortra Tractor Assembly Plant and Service Centre, an investment by ODK Group of Denmark; transformation of GTC from a collection of decrepit structures to a world class Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College with full boarding for 1,000 students; ongoing resuscitation of the long-abandoned Sunrise Flour Mills; and the massive New Enugu City, an ongoing smart city project, just to name a few.

The important thing to note, however, is that these projects are not isolated thinking. They are all connecting the dots in delivering the governor’s vision to grow Enugu State into a $30 billion economy. But even more important, they are all connected to the overmatching dreams of our founding fathers, for the tomorrow they all dreamt about is finally here, fast-forwarded by a visionary leader, Dr. Peter Mbah. As Ndi Enugu celebrate the 34th anniversary of their state, they can now confidently say that tomorrow is here indeed.
•Anichukwu is media aide to Governor of Enugu State

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By Uche Anichukwu “I am not a stranger at all to Enugu State. To deny Governor Peter Mbah’s transformative leadership will be sinful“ – Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN Growing up,
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