How they thrilled us at Inspiring Woman Series 5 – ‘Yes She Can!’

Yearly, after each series, I become jittery…you ask why? Well it’s because I know I have to go higher in terms of selection of speakers but I am grateful to God that this year, the fifth edition was indeed awesome! I hear you ask what I am talking about, well; it is the annual BusinessDay Inspiring Woman conference.

December 2007 marked the birth of the enlightening page I write called Inspiring Woman (NOW LEADING WOMAN). Various women who have inspired Nigeria positively and have played major roles in the process of national renaissance and women development have been featured on this page. From private entrepreneurs to public bureaucrats, these are women of dignified behaviors, exceptional high fliers and of unsullied veracity. 

These women of essence and many others have constantly been in the forefront, reinstating optimism to the Nigerian woman and the country as a whole. Also, they have been mentors to other women and have motivated many to dare to do the seemingly impossible tasks which will move them to the next level. 

The page moved to another level and we began the annual women’s conference, which started in 2010 and has been graced by various notable speakers. 

An unacknowledged discriminatory barrier has prevented women from rising to positions of power or responsibility but many women have broken this status-quo and have become leaders even in their places of duty. To this end, the theme of the 5th Annual Inspiring Woman Series was “YES! SHE CAN…” and speakers included, As special guest of honour,  The First Lady Of Ogun State, Olufunso Amosun (Represented by Olufemi Shopade), as keynote speaker, CEO Famfa Oil, Folorunso Alakija. Others included former CEO/Managing Director of Bank Of Industry, Evelyn Oputu, former Commonwealth Lawyers Association President, Partner, Sterling Partnership, Boma Ozobia. 

I woke up that faithful Thursday morning, 21st Of August 2015, I looked at the sky and the pregnant clouds showed the day wasn’t going to be warm at all. I wondered how everyone would make it to Civic centre for the event knowing that when it rains, the gridlock is often horrible.

The event was scheduled to start by 10am but I was there by 7am to ensure all the Is were dotted and the Ts crossed.

One after the other, the guests began to arrive, each sharing their experience in the gridlock and how determined they were to make the event. Before we could spell ‘Jack Robinson’, the hall was filled to capacity and we even had to get extra chairs.

In company of my Publisher, Frank Aigbogun, we went to the V.I.P Lounge to meet with the speakers and after taking photographs, we set out to the venue.

I was the compere and one after the other, the speakers came up to share their views and personal experiences on the topic “Yes she can…”

After giving a brief on the ‘journey so far…’, I called up my publisher who gave his opening remarks. According to him, “The society would be better if more women succeeded in their careers and businesses and consequently, homes would be more peaceful and inspiring. We believe that better, happier families result from their caring. Our speakers who are national leaders have shown by their own accomplishment, with dedication and handwork, that Yes, a woman can”.

It was the turn of the special guest of honour to speak, The First Lady of Ogun state who was represented by Olufemi Shopade. In her words, “It is indeed an honour to be part of this event and I applaud BusinessDay for this initiative, women must be leaders in every sphere of life, they must live exemplary lives worthy of commendation and they must be worthy mentors to other women. Yes there are barriers that can militate against your success as a woman but you must ensure you always have the can-do-it attitude at all times because as women, you are unstoppable and o Yes you can”. She says.

Next was Boma Ozobia who insisted that “the tools for success include planning, self critique, professionalism and relationship. In order for you to make progress in your career path, you are going to be constantly monitored and assessed. Never believe you should be treated ‘specially’ because you are a woman, you must strive for success and prove your onions, when opportunity presents  itself and you are selected, you must make those you selected you know that they did not make a mistake. You must excel and must be determined to leave your mark in the sands of time.” Boma admonishes.

Evelyn Oputu came up after Boma and she stressed the need for mentorship, the need to embrace and support each other as women, believe in themselves, and ensure as women, we make the right move to succeed in life. For  Evelyn, “to succeed in life, you need a lot of preparation, you must take a chance on yourself, when you fall don’t remain down, pick yourself up and keep trying, you must not quit because quitters don’t win and winners don’t quit, build on the success that is before you and Yes you can!”. She says.

Last to speak was the keynote speaker; Folorunso Alakija who said the way forward would be for government at all levels to promulgate policies that promote gender balance in employment in various industries in Nigeria. According to her, “Mentoring is another area we cannot neglect, neither can we look down on the importance of networking, parental upbringing and identifying the right career amongst others, are the way forward to inspiring women and bringing about the desired change. Organisations and groups should be formed to mentor women and young school girls even before the start of their careers. My parents were very instrumental in where I am today therefore; we cannot overemphasize the importance of proper upbringing.” 

The general consensus by the speakers was that challenges faced by women include: education, gender abuse, being ‘handicap’ and also work-life balance.

Now that I have shared a bit of what happened at Inspiring Woman Series 5, you see what you missed by not being there? See you in 2015 for Inspiring Woman Series 6, be there!

KEMI AJUMOBI