I am deeply honored to share the Oríkì I wrote for the 23rd EMPOW3R cohort. EMPOW3R participants deserve to be celebrated in a way that recognizes not only their achievements but their stories and strength.

Oríkì, the oral praise poetry of the Yórùbá people of Nigeria, is a tradition that honors individuals through poetic verses, celebrating their essence and achievements. The word itself comes from orí (head/ the essence of a person) and kì (to greet or praise), symbolizing an affirmation of identity and worth. For me, sharing this Oríkì is not just about acknowledging the hard work of EMPOW3R graduates—it’s about preserving a piece of Yórùbá heritage, connecting the wisdom of the past to the possibilities of today.

This practice isn’t unique to the Yórùbá. Across Africa, similar traditions like the Izibongo of the Zulu or the Lithoko of the Basuto highlight the shared values of honoring humanity and uplifting one another through words.

Bringing this piece of Yórùbá culture to Kiwassa and the EMPOW3R graduates is a privilege I cherish. Thank you for allowing me to celebrate these incredible women and share the enduring beauty of this tradition. May their stories continue to inspire and empower us all.

Adaeze Oputa-Anu

EMPOW3R Program

To the bold and resilient, today we celebrate you!

Mothers, sisters, daughters, wives who carry the weight of the world,

Who hold their families together with unshakable strength and still rise

Survivors who refused to let pain define their future.

You are the phoenixes who rise from the ashes,

Turning trauma into triumph,

Fear into courage,

And barriers into stepping stones.

You crossed oceans of uncertainty,

Leaving behind homes and familiar lands,

Learning a new language, building new skills,

To plant new roots and build legacies

For yourselves, for your children.

You, who faced adversity and stood back up,

You, who carried hope through every dark night,

You, who juggled work, learning, and life’s challenges,

You are warriors cloaked in grace and determination.

Today, your perseverance shines brighter than any star,

Your achievements echo louder than any song.

You have not only empowered yourselves,

But have become pillars of strength and beacons of hope.

Walk forward with your heads held high.

Your journey is your victory,

Your resilience, your crown.

Congratulations, EMPOW3R graduates— Your story is one of triumph,

and your future holds endless possibilities.

Today, we celebrate the strength, courage, and resilience that shines in

each of you.