Nigerian public-interest lawyer and celebrated poet Karimot Odebode has been named the recipient of the 29th Global Love of Lives Award by Taiwan’s Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, in a historic bridge of cultural and humanitarian ties.
The announcement, according to a statement on Thursday, was made during the Foundation’s inaugural international mission to Nigeria this February. Led by Founder Chou Chin-Hua and Chairperson Guo Ying-Lan, a six-member delegation of ‘Taiwanese Life Warriors’ arrived in Lagos to honour Odebode for her tireless advocacy for gender equality and education.
In the statement, the Chairperson of the Foundation, Guo Ying-Lan, said: “Karimot Odebode truly embodies the title of Nigeria’s Public Interest Lawyer-Poet.”
Whether in policy-making, poetry creation, or social activism, Karimot has consistently striven to build a world where girls receive education, youth are empowered, and feminist leadership shapes the future of development.”
Odebode, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and founder of the Black Girls’ Dream Initiative, emerged as the winner from a staggering pool of 3,795 global nominees. Her work, which has reached the halls of the United Nations, focuses on closing the gender gap and ending school-related gender-based violence.
Reflecting on the honour, Odebode expressed the weight of the recognition: “To me, trailblazing leadership is an opportunity to make an impact in the lives of people around you and beyond. This recognition is a moment of awareness, of acknowledgement, and of pride. I am really glad that my little quota of change is seen and felt.”
The visit, supported by the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, served as more than just an awards ceremony. The Foundation donated $5,000 to the Black Girls’ Dream Initiative and provided aid to the Ayowole Academy of Arts and the Land of Hope.
The Executive Director of the Foundation’s International Exchange Centre, Chou Shang-Guan, noted that the mission was a direct response to the inspiring work of Nigerian ‘life fighters’.
“Our visit was in response to invitations from recipients like Karimot and child artist Waris Olamilekan Kareem. We came to spread the positive energy of love that knows no borders and to encourage disadvantaged students and artists across the region,” Shang-Guan said.
The Foundation also revealed that it has published the Chinese edition of Odebode’s debut poetry collection and autobiography, A Woman Has Many Names, in Taiwan. This literary exchange aims to bring Nigerian stories to East Asian audiences, fostering what Ambassador Liu Yi-Ping described as a “Taiwan Love, Nigerian Affection” event.
As a final step in this year’s honours, Odebode and her family have been invited to Taiwan this September for the ‘Life is Love, Earth is Priceless’ charity series, where she will be formally celebrated alongside other international ‘Life Warriors’.
