Etisalat Supports International Women’s Day Programme

Etisalat, fastest growing and most innovative telecommunications company in Nigeria, sponsored the 2014 edition of the Woman Rising Initiative held last week in  Lagos, as part of its commitment to supporting fiction and other forms of literary works.

The event, now in its fourth edition, is powered by The Life House as part of activities celebrating the International Women’s Day through various aspects of the arts.

At the event, Ebi Atawodi, head of High Value Events and Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, said  Etisalat was proud to sponsor the Woman Rising initiative; a 21st century cause celebrating the literary prowess in women.

“Etisalat Prize for Literature was designed to recognize and reward debut writers of fiction in Africa, with the objective of discovering new creative talents and promoting the growing publishing industry on the continent. Sequel to the recently concluded Etisalat Prize for Literature, people asked how the  Prize for Literature had three shortlisted female finalists. I believe it is a testament to the literary ability of the African woman. The year 2013 was an interesting year for women in literature; and the emergence of three female finalists for the Etisalat prize for Literature further depicts the depth in creativity. Etisalat believes firmly in how art and culture foretell creative ideas and as such, is proud to be an active sponsor for the literary arts through the Woman Rising Initiative,” she said.

Ugoma Adegoke, co-founder and curator for The Life House thanked Etisalat Nigeria for its  support of arts and culture through the Woman Rising Initiative.

According to her, “the arts have the power to heal, delight, create joy and togetherness; offering a unique quality of life for our children and ourselves. As such, I am grateful to our main sponsors, Etisalat Nigeria, for their continued support in our drive to seek strategic and sustainable support of arts and culture in Nigeria.”

To spice up the occasion, various women from different works of life read short stories, poems and exciting excerpts from various female authors.

One of such writers was Flash Fiction expert, Molara Wood, who read excerpts from some of her stories, including Fear Hill and Indigo.