Non-profit organisation, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), says its main reason for organising the WIMBIZ 2023 Conference was to empower and uplift women in the face of challenging economic realities.
With a theme, I’m Possible, I’m thriving, the Planning Team chair, Molade Adeniyi, stressed that the event was intended to boost women’s morale and not to continue seeing their gender as limitation but as a strength.
Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede, ace TV broadcaster, who was the conference chairperson, said she was there to stress inspiring perspective on the A-Z attributes that were not just words, but values that would pave the way for the women delegates as they pick lessons for the insights and experiences that would be shared on the two days.
In his keynote address, the CEO of Landmark Africa Group, Mr. Paul Onwuanibe, urged women to take charge of their own narratives and challenge the status quo.
He emphasized the power of believing in oneself, asserting that the harder the task, the less competition there is. “The opportunity of a lifetime can only be realized in the lifetime of that opportunity,” he said.
Captain Tolu Ita, a pilot, shared her journey to becoming an award-winning pilot, inspiring others to be visible, determined, and to create opportunities for those who follow in their footsteps.
Chief Diana Chen, CEO of Choice International Group, explained how her international trade experience led to her setting up of AC Motors, where she predominantly works with male mechanics, pointing out that harnessing administrative strengths, reliability and attention to details made her populate her management team with similarly talented women. She also encouraged women to attract positive attention to advance their businesses.
Sharing her journey into the security sector, Dr. Victoria Ekhomu, said she was able to seize an opportunity and turn it into a thriving business that eventually transcends borders, she emphasized the importance of deep subject knowledge and expertise.
Engr. Ugochi Akwiwu-Onyike, despite working in a male-dominated industry, disclosed how she continually pushed boundaries and refused to be invisible, and rose from being a minority to becoming a panel member at WIMBIZ conferences.
In addition to these remarkable stories, diverse panel members offered invaluable counsels on managing and overcoming mental health issues, including self-care, sports activities, and maintaining a positive mindsets as useful strategies for women to imbibe.
On business strategies, Ms. Amaka Okeke-Lawal, Executive Director, Optiva Capital Partners, said, on start-up, sustaining and acquiring success in business, women must develop a staying resolve for the fact that there’s no point in time at which the ride just remained rosy.
“But for every facet, the women should be determined not to stay down realizing that if one-way stalls, others would thrive. So, women need to be dynamic in their approaches to making their business ventures work to success.”
Still on business strategies, Simon Melchoir, director-general of Cyber Défense Africa, emphasized the importance of distinguishing between strategy and tactics noting that while the former adapt to short-term changes, the latter remains a long-term guide.
Bola Matel Okoh, aka ‘Coach BMO, highlights the significance of offering excellence and value to ensure sustainability and profitability, while Alexander Ohu, head of operations at Josien Holding Ltd, stressed the importance of teamwork, effective communication and attention to logistics to succeed in the current competitive market.
The women delegates also learned that overcoming rough and tough times require self-confidence, self-direction, resolute adherence to one’s brand, and excellence in all aspects of life, and so, were advised to shift their mindsets and attitudes, act promptly and embrace challenges as opportunities.
In addressing the need for more women in politics, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, executive director, WARD C, and co-convener of WOMANIFESTO platform, highlighted the exclusion of women from politics over the past two decades, which resulted in the rejection of gender-related bills in the National Assembly, and urged women to keep investing in their advocacy for equal representation in politics, emphasizing that gender equality is essential for Nigeria’s development.
The celebration of female pioneers in the creative industry and aviation sector, such as veteran actress Chief Ibidun V. Alison, who also received an award named in her honour, added a touch of glamour to the conference.
WIMBIZ director, Bisi Adeyemi, said the two-day event underscored the importance of empowerment, collaboration, and resilience for women in diverse fields, inspiring them to break through barriers and make their mark in professional and personal lives.
