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Convener of the Heal & Sparkle Initiative, Modupe Olayemi Nnebedum, has urged women to rediscover themselves beyond the daily demands of wifehood, motherhood, and societal expectations, stressing that true empowerment begins with healing, confidence, and self-awareness.
Nnebedum, speaking at the maiden SHE RISES Women’s Empowerment Conference and Journal Launch, held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, said many women lose their individuality in the struggle to juggle roles, but must learn to revive their dreams and embrace purposeful living.
According to her; “SHE RISES” is not just an event, it is a movement. Women need to rise again from overwhelm and silence, to reclaim their dreams.
The SHE RISES Journal was created to guide that process of healing, rebuilding confidence, and finding joy,” she declared.
Explaining the inspiration behind the SHE RISES Self-Inquiry Journal, Nnebedum said journaling is a vital tool for healing and growth.
“The journal is about rediscovery. Women go through so much, but through reflection, they can heal, build confidence, and regain joy.
Even at this conference, we saw women connect deeply with the stories shared, finding hope and strength to rise again,” she added.
The conference, which ran from featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, mental health awareness sessions, and an exhibition of women-led businesses and wellness brands.
A symbolic celebration also honored August-born attendees, described by organizers as a representation of women’s “rebirth” into their power.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Lydia Olukemi Odedeji, a nurse and educator known for empowering women, encouraged participants to hold firmly to faith in navigating life’s challenges.
“Faith is a sustaining force that builds resilience, fosters survival, and enables women to become light in a dark world,” she said.
Bukola Adebimpe Olayinka , an author and one of the speakers at the event, shared a moving account of her exit from an abusive marriage, reflecting on the cultural guilt and stigma associated with divorce. She emphasized the importance of honesty and self-investment.
“A broken marriage doesn’t just break a home, it breaks self-worth. I learned to stop lying to myself and to understand that marriage does not validate me.
“It should complement me. Women must invest in themselves, revive their goals, and start calling themselves what God calls them,” she said.
Mental Wellness and Self-Care
specialist, Funke Odunaike urged women to prioritize self-care and resilience, noting that how women treat themselves often shapes how others treat them.
Alhaja Adiat Apena, Iyaloja General of Ikeja Local Government, encouraged participants never to underestimate their worth.
Similarly, Mrs. Ebuwa Babajide, a women’s wellness advocate, charged women to pay attention to hygiene and self-discovery as integral to empowerment.
The event concluded with networking sessions, shared testimonies, and commitments from participants to apply the lessons learned, reinforcing the conference’s central message: women can rise, heal, and thrive at any stage of life.
