Everyone close to me knows I am very passionate about women empowerment, advancement and the likes. My Leading Woman for this week is someone I have known for years and whose doggedness I have timelessly admired. When she was elevated to her current position, for me, it was an honour well deserved. Osayi Alile graces my Leading Woman page for this week and she is the chairperson of WIMBIZ, a non-governmental organisation with a vision to be the catalyst that elevates the status and influence of women and their contribution to nation building.
A 2007 “Young Global Leader” (YGL) by the World Economic Forum, NIPRO Global Top 40 Women Under 40, a Fellow of the African Leadership Network and an alumna of the Harvard Business School and Yale Executive Education Programs, Osayi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of Lagos and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA. A facilitator/management trainer, she is also a consultant on non-profit management and strategy. A sustainability expert and speaker. Osayi is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Youth Unemployment and founding curator, Global Shapers Forum Nigeria. Before exiting in 2013, Osayi was the Executive Director of FATE Foundation, a leading private sector led not-for-profit organisation in Nigeria with a mission to foster wealth creation by promoting business and entrepreneurial development among Nigerians for 8 years. Osayi sits on the
board of several organisations that include Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), House of Tara, Zapphire Events and Global Dignity, an affiliation of the World Economic Forum in Norway.
Osayi is the third child of eight children and her parents were hands on. She grew up in a home filled with lots of prayers, laughter, dancing and lots of music. “My parents are God fearing and believe in service to humanity, they taught every single one of us that God comes first and that understanding ones purpose in life is important from an early age. My mum was such a hardworking woman and ever so charming I doubt if I took the charming part from her; she astounds me every time. I am truly blessed to be born into that family and I thank God for the privilege” Osayi says.
As the chairperson of WIMBIZ, Osayi tells me she “hopes to bridge the gap and get more women involved in changing their lives, their careers and businesses, hoping that they see through the door and not just see through it but open and walk through. I will also be helping to bridge the generational gap and getting younger women involved in WIMBIZ”.
It is true that WIMBIZ helps in transforming the lives of women for good but hear Osayi shed more light on this “our programs are geared towards inspiring and educating women, advocating for their rights and enhancing communication among women in mid to senior and executive management level in careers and businesses. WIMBIZ has over the years created platforms for empowering women. Central to all our activities at WIMBIZ is rigorous research on the realities of women within our focal areas in Nigeria.” Osayi reveals.
In Nigeria, we don’t have enough women in leadership positions. This Osayi agrees to and adds “The truth however is that we as a nation have come a mighty long way, but we are not there yet. Many factors have been identified to be inhibiting the occupancy of leadership positions by women including but not limited to: Funding, mentoring and sponsorship, exclusion from key decision making and also women themselves. What do I mean by ‘women themselves?’ let me explain. This is an age long problem that we believe is gradually changing. Women have been their own greatest enemies. First by not believing enough in themselves, limiting themselves and second by women in position not stretching out their hands to lift up other women.” She strongly opines.
Osayi is not all about observing the setbacks for women but also identifying the inadequate number of women in leadership roles. She further proffers solutions when she tells me “For more women to attain leadership roles and to become active leaders, there has to be a deliberate effort from all stakeholders. In this, I do not lay emphasis on the quota system because it may be counterproductive. Women and men alike should be given equal opportunities. Occupancy of a leadership position should be based on merit; the final decision between two equals should not be their gender.”
“On the other hand however, women need to learn not to doubt their own abilities. As Marianne Williamson puts it ‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure… As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others’. When women themselves begin to realize that they owe it to themselves to occupy offices, not as a slight on men, but as a responsibility, and choose to go all out, then they will be active. If other female leaders decide to pull up other women, guide and mentor them, then they will be active. If leading men find a woman who can lead and are not afraid or intimidated by her, but choose to sponsor her as a leader, then she will be active”. Osayi concludes.
Currently burning on Osayi’s plate is WIMBIZ increasing female participation on Boards through their WIMBOARD initiative. In her words, “We have realized that it is not enough to advocate for this increase, it is our duty to make it happen and to this end, WIMBIZ has a ready database of over 100 board ready Nigerian women which can be made available to any organization on request. In addition, we are commencing our WIMBOARD institute which is a training program in partnership with IE Business School and Lagos Business School aimed at preparing women in senior management for the boardroom.”
“In addition, preparations are underway for our annual conference. This year, our theme is centered around ‘Nigeria Rising… Accelerating Transformation’. It is indeed a fact that Nigeria is rising, we can all see it, the recent economy rebase testifies to the fact but how do we ensure that this rise is not just on paper but in reality? The 2-day annual conference will examine the possibilities and opportunities in Nigeria and provide insights on the role of citizens, particularly women in achieving and accelerating the identified prospects. In addition, participants will be equipped with tools and skills to harness and take advantage of the opportunities in the new Nigeria.”
Osayi further adds that “The conference will consist of 7 plenary sessions and 2 breakout sessions. On the second day of the conference there will be a sensational and stimulating debate on the topic: ‘Do Nice Girls Get the Corner Office?’”. I am loving the tone of the debate and I will make sure I attend and of course give you the full gist of all that happened.
The WIMBOARD institute starts in September and WIMBIZ annual conference is scheduled to hold on the 3rd and 4th of November at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos. I find Osayi’s last words very inspiring and she ends the interview of that note saying “LIVE! LOVE!! LAUGH!!!, Life can be complex most times so enjoy the moments please!!!”.
KEMI AJUMOBI
