WISCAR (Women In Successful Careers) is a non-profit organisation focused on empowering and developing professional women to contribute to development and growth in Nigeria and indeed Africa. The WIN with WISCAR Mentoring programme is a structured mentoring program that provides strategic career advice, inspiration, guidance and support to young career women to help unleash their potential, navigate career pathways, foster ambitions and nurture dreams.
The organisation has earned a reputation for building a formidable network of focused women who will facilitate a new chapter of experience in the workplace and in organisations. Since its inception in 2008, inspired by ALIWA (Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa), WISCAR has equipped several professional women with relevant skills and competencies to effectively manage their careers and assume leadership positions and contribute to nation building.
WISCAR recently held her annual leadership and mentoring conference which took place at the Muson centre, Lagos, themed I Do Not Walk Alone.
In her opening address, the Founder/Chairperson, WISCAR, Amina Oyagbola said at WISCAR, they have continued to make measurable achievements in their mission to develop women to build a better nation. She stated that they have consolidated on the gains from previous years, made significant new strides, forged new partnerships and impacted on the lives of an increasing number of people.
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“Let me remind us all that our vision remains the preparation of generations of up and coming women for meaningful, aspirational and ethical leadership. Our way is to inculcate in future and present women leaders the methodology, knowhow, road map and confidence to navigate their way to increasing influence and success.” Amina said.
She further revealed that with support from WISCAR, this 10th stream of mentees have helped to organise and participated in a group project called the Grow and Learn Initiative (GLIN). The project is a mentoring outreach programme for 500 girls in both public and private secondary schools in Lagos State. These graduating WISCAR mentees, according to Amina, are therefore already paying it forward. “Our fervent prayer is that this positive chain will never be broken. This initiative is carried out under the ACT Foundation grants, powered by Access Bank Plc.” Oyagbola revealed.
In her speech, the keynote speaker, Deputy Secretary General, United Nations, H.E Amina J. Mohammed said WISCAR initiative is so important to empower women to contribute to economic development and nation building here in Nigeria, across Africa and across regions.
“Women bring a lot to the table and when we say they bring a lot to the table, it’s not just food. This has got to change. That balance of power has to transform itself and the pace of that change has got to be accelerated because when that happens, we are all better for it.
Networks like WISCAR has a key role to play in making that change happen from the inside out, it means creating networks, reaching out across the country and other parts of the world. Networks create more opportunities, promote solidarity, foster peering and encourage generations to share wisdom and aspirations for the future.” Mohammed asserted.
She further added that “beyond opportunities, networks are deeper and transforms institutions. When women enter a space once dominated by men, it changes perspectives, bringing in new perspectives, correcting thoughts and outcomes. We know it is difficult to multiply and amplify women’s voices and to ensure their presence at executive boards and tables of peace, but as women take roles that are dominated by men, there is resistance, for that, we need to push back against the push back.” Amina passionately declared.
In Amina’s view, for every space we get as women, we should occupy and bring more of us in. She also acknowledged men who champion women’s rights and encouraged them to do more. She however paused to express her dissatisfaction and rejection of the death of the female politician in Kogi state. Amina describes the act as “absolutely unacceptable”.
For the Deputy Secretary General, if there is anything we need to take away, it is perseverance. She insists that we must keep sticking at it. “Often in your journey, you will be dissuaded but stick to what is right. Once you do, even if it seems impossible, one day, you will become an essential commodity, everybody is looking for the person doing the right thing.” Said Mohammed.
Sharing on the theme of the conference ‘I don’t walk alone’, Amina Mohammed says this is true. In her words, “This is so true because I have never walked alone. I have stumbled but not fallen. I am first to say everything I do is accompanied by God. When things happen, we want to retaliate but the most wonderful opportunity is that when you are accompanied by God, you never get it wrong.”
Distinguished guests who shared on the theme “I do not walk alone” included: the Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Environment, Sharon O. Ikeazor, member of the Federal House of Representatives, Chairman House Committee on Diaspora, Hon, Tolu Akande-Sadipe, Lawyer, Banker and International Development Expert currently Non-Executive Director at FBN Holdings, Cecilia Akintomide OON and Funmi Omo MD/CEO of African Alliance. The panel was moderated by the publisher of Business Day, Frank Aigbogun.
