Ayo Mairo-Ese, the co-founder of SpeakHer, has shaped Nigeria’s media sector for almost a decade. Not only has she made significant contributions as a broadcaster, compere, and speaker, but she also co-anchors Arise News Channel’s ‘The Morning Show’. Additionally, Mairo-Ese has lent her voice to programs like ‘Smooth Breakfast’ on Smooth 98.1FM and ‘Hello Nigeria’ on WazobiaMax TV.
Mairo-Ese’s SpeakHer enterprise is inspired by the urgency to address women’s fear of public speaking. Alongside her friend and collaborator, Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, they conceived the SpeakHer conference. Their primary drive? To help women harness the power of communication in their respective fields. The goal of SpeakHer, Mairo-Ese explains, is to help women articulate their ideas confidently and to not shy away from presenting before the public.
Women often grapple with communication challenges. Mairo-Ese stresses two key points: first, when a woman doesn’t voice her thoughts, she misses out on tremendous opportunities. Secondly, she loses the chance to mentor younger women. SpeakHer aims to embolden women, urging them to step up, use their voice, and seize their place at the table.
SpeakHer offers a range of activities tailored to women’s needs. Mairo-Ese elaborates on the lineup, mentioning master classes that touch on pivotal areas. For instance, they offer a session on enhancing online profiles and social media presence. In the afternoon, the Speak-a-thon—a public speaking competition—takes center stage. The competition welcomes participants from various categories, underlining that public speaking shouldn’t be an overwhelming fear but a skill to embrace and master.
Mairo-Ese believes her broadcasting experience provides a platform to inspire both men and women. Broadcasting showcases the possibilities and serves as a conduit for impactful conversations. Furthermore, it becomes an instrument to advocate for women’s causes, championing for better representation and amplifying their voices.
What drives Mairo-Ese? A desire to see women excel. Raised by influential women, she draws inspiration from their wisdom. Her faith also plays an integral role. Mairo-Ese believes in the power of God’s word, and she credits her success and drive to her deep-seated faith. Coupled with the support from her family, especially her husband, she continues to push boundaries and empower women.
For women aiming for leadership roles, Mairo-Ese emphasizes balance. She advises women to pace themselves, seek help when needed, and always surround themselves with a supportive circle. It’s vital to recognize personal achievements and continuously strive for growth.
Mairo-Ese’s life mantra, rooted in Proverbs 22:29, emphasizes diligence and excellence. It serves as a constant reminder to her that with hard work, everything falls into place.
