Omu Dunkwu's Mentee, Courage Ayovuata Wins Wole Soyinka's Award In Leadership

By Patrick Ochei

Delta born CEO of a fast rising Non Governmental Organization - Courageous Girls Women and Children Initiative (CGWCI) and Mentee of Her Royal Majesty, Obi Martha Dunkwu of blessed memory, Lady Courage Uyoyou Ayovuata has won the Prof. Wole Soyinka's Leadership Award in the category of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Lady Ayovuata who is also the Managing Director of Rainluz Nigeria Limited became winner of the coveted Wole Soyinka's award by her dint of hard-work, consistency in activism and loyalty to her brand and mentors.

Amongst her well adorned children who are into various NGOs and charity works that adopted her as mother, mentor or patron, Lady Courage Ayovuata occupied a reasonable soft space in the heart of Omu Martha Dunkwu because of her story.

Lady Ayovuata is not just into NGO to hold seminars and workshops to mentor women and girls in leadership, but she has continued to teach them skills for production and self dependency.

In the past couple of years, Lady Ayovuata has trained and empowered hundreds of women and girls in various skills and enterprises, including installation of solar energy panels.

Additionally, apart from regularly visiting prisons and providing the female inmates with sanitary materials, she equally offers free advocacy and legal assistance to those deserving of it.

She held the legendary Omu Anioma in high esteem whilst she was here, for the support and encouragement she rendered her to be able to bring out the best in her to fulfil her dreams in humanitarian services.

In a telephone chat with Lady Ayovuata on how she felt after her receipt of the award, she gave credence to Omu Martha Dunkwu for the role she played in inspiring the best in her.

Her words, "I give God the praise for this accomplishment of my life. I also will like to remember and appreciate our Royal Majesty, Obi Martha Dunkwu in absentia. My beloved Mother, 

Mother of all Mothers, 

Mother without Borders 

Igwe!!!

I know she will be smiling right now in heaven.

"Image is everything, boldly written, was the first thing that spoke to me the very first time I entered into Omu's palace. It changed my perception about who I am, how I talk, act, dress and who I want the world to see in me. I will keep appreciating her posthumously for all her support and encouragement", Ayovuata affirmed.

Lady Ayovuata also has adopted the legendary Desert Warrior, Chief (Dr) Newton Jibunoh as her father and mentor, being one of the few that has continued to encourage her to success against all odds; and to him also, she dedicated her profound appreciation for his inspiration and support.