When people talk about kings, they imagine men sitting on golden thrones, ruling with power and authority. But in Benin, history had other plans. The “Woman King” statue stands as a tribute to Queen Idia, a leader whose wisdom and strength shaped the mighty Benin Kingdom. She wasn’t just a mother; she was a strategist, a protector, a force to be reckoned with.
Her leadership helped defend Benin from invaders, proving that true power is not about gender but about courage and vision. And speaking of vision, a new journey brought another group of leaders to this very spot.
On Monday, March 3rd, Mrs. Irine Waweru from Don Bosco Development Outreach Network (DBDON), alongside the lead team of the SEED4AFRICA project—Altheo Valentino, Julianus D’Intino, Andrea Succhielli, Chiara Borsini, and Luca Paolucci—flew to Benin. Fresh from the successful completion of the National SEED4AFRICA Hackathon in Kenya, they were now stepping into the next phase of innovation.
On Tuesday, as they walked through Benin, they stopped by the Woman King statue—a fitting moment for a team working towards transformation. Just like Queen Idia shaped her kingdom, they, too, are shaping the future—one idea, one project, one innovation at a time.
