Opral Benson
Few women exude such grace and poise. Synonymous with fashion, style and glamour in Nigeria, she was acknowledged by Africa’s largest circulating magazine, Drum in 1963. In 1973 she was given the title, ‘Iya-Oge’ of Lagos, by the late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan for raising the bar of fashion in Nigeria, and for giving greater depth to the use of fashion as an instrument of empowerment for Nigerian women.
A devoted patron of various organizations catering to the handicapped; a member of the Institute of Directors {IoD}; a member of the Nigerian-South African Commerce, and of the Liberian business community; an officer of Zonta International (a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy), she has done more than her fair share, surpassing many in her generation by way of her achievements.
She created ‘The Outreach’, a foundation that focuses on the socio-economic empowerment of women and youth. With the laudable mission to lift Nigerian struggling women and youth out of poverty, ‘The Outreach’ provides economic enterprises through which they can become financially independent, and contribute to the strengthening of their nation.
