The Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award Ceremony, a night celebrating bold, innovative, and audacious women who embody leadership across various industries, took place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday, September 22, 2024. The event brought together trailblazers who continue to break barriers and redefine success in business and beyond.
The 2024 Veuve Clicquot Exclusive Brunch at GAIA Africa
The day began with an exclusive brunch at GAIA Africa, which hosted Jean-Marc Gallot, President of Veuve Clicquot. This intimate gathering brought together the finalists for both the Bold Woman and Bold Future Awards, as well as some of the distinguished judges, including Affiong Williams, the first-ever recipient of the Bold Woman Award in Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan, and Temilola Adepetun. It was a powerful networking session where discussions revolved around challenges women face in business and how Veuve Clicquot’s initiatives, such as the Bold Open Data Base, provide vital support through mentorship, networking, and visibility for women entrepreneurs.
Chic Cocktail Reception
The main event then commenced with a chic cocktail reception at the Federal Palace Hotel, where guests networked, toasted with champagne, and contributed personalised messages to a stunning “Wall of Messages,” where they wrote words of inspiration to other attendees. The décor was a vibrant representation of the brand’s signature solaire essence, featuring bright and bold elements and walls dedicated to the exceptional women who have been part of the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award in Nigeria over the years, as well as this year’s finalists and judges that reflected the confidence and spirit of the night.
Opening Speeches and Welcome Remarks
Hosted by award-winning moderator Lehlé Baldé, the award ceremony opened with a powerful speech from Adeleye Adeniji, General Manager of Moët Hennessy Nigeria, who welcomed the esteemed guests. Jean-Marc Gallot, President of Veuve Clicquot, followed with remarks about the global reach of the Bold Woman Award, now in 27 countries with over 450 awardees, and its particular resonance in Nigeria.
Inspiring Stories of Bold Future Award Finalists
This year’s finalists for the Bold Future Award—Florentina Agu, Creative Director of Hertunba, Osen Iyahen, founder of Optimal Greening, and Queen Uwabuofo, founder of Clove Kids International—shared their inspiring stories through pre-recorded videos, highlighting the challenges they faced and how they triumphed with resilience and innovation. Their journeys embodied the essence of what it means to be “Bold” by Veuve Clicquot.
Keynote Speech on ESG in Business
After the videos, the audience was captivated by an insightful keynote speech from Nkwo Onwuka, a leading voice in fashion and sustainability. Her speech on “Navigating the ‘S’ in ESG: What it Means for the Nigerian Entrepreneur” was exceptional and provided fresh perspectives on how businesses can integrate social responsibility into their strategies while creating long-term impact.
Recognition of Bold Woman Award Finalists
The spotlight then shifted to the finalists for the Bold Woman Award: Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, CEO of Pinnacle Medical Services; Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, Founder of WARIF (Women at Risk International Foundation); and Rewa Udoji, Founder of Cranstoun. Each woman’s contribution to her field was recognised as exemplary, showcasing leadership, commitment, and the courage to defy expectations.
Electrifying Musical Performance
An unforgettable musical performance by Aramide followed, electrifying the room with a powerful rendition that celebrated the strength and resilience of women.
Presentation of Awards
The Bold Future Award was presented by Adeleye Adeniji to Florentina Agu, Creative Director of Hertunba, who expressed her gratitude and shared an emotional anecdote about being told as a young girl by her mother that she would one day be recognised for her creativity. Jean-Marc Gallot later announced the recipient of the Bold Woman Award, Rewa Udoji, Founder Cranstoun, whose speech reflected her immense gratitude for Veuve Clicquot’s recognition of her dedication and hard work.
The event concluded with celebratory photos, networking, and an after-party, where the dynamic energy of the night continued.
Encouraging Future Bold Women
The Bold Woman Awards by Veuve Clicquot have, over the years, served as a platform for recognizing and uplifting women entrepreneurs who embody courage and innovation. This year’s winners and finalists exemplify what it means to be audacious leaders in their industries. With applications for the 2025 Bold Woman Award and Bold Future Awards opening soon, women across Nigeria are encouraged to join the Bold Open Data Base, an initiative supporting women in business by providing opportunities for networking, mentorship, and visibility.
About Veuve Clicquot
The story of Veuve Clicquot is one of audacity, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. In 1805, Madame Clicquot took the reins of the House after the death of her husband, at a time when women did not even have their bank accounts, never mind the right to work. Over the years, she revolutionised the sector. The inventor of the riddling table for a totally limpid champagne? It was her.
The first vintage champagne? Madame Clicquot again. Blended rosé? Another of her innovations. She had to surmount many obstacles before gaining respect and acquiring her epithet, “la Grande Dame de la Champagne.” The name was well-chosen because this bold woman dreamed big and had international ambitions: “I want my brand to rank first from New York to Saint Petersburg,” she said in 1831.
This determination, fighting spirit, and desire to take things a step further unite all the bold women around us. Women who redefine success on their terms and leapfrog the status quo, just as Madame Clicquot did two centuries ago.
Please drink responsibly.