The Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) celebrated its 18th annual conference on November 7th and 8th at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The conference themed “Shaping the Future: Strategizing to Win”, featured 7 panel discussions including Navigating the Old Boys Club and Swimming with The Sharks that explored difficulties talented women face in winning the places that they serve at the top in business and politics. High profile entrepreneurs and business managers from multinational and big Nigerian corporations shared insights on various aspects of running a business such as Understanding Consumer Behaviour with the audience during Deep Dive Sessions.
The 18th annual conference was also the occasion for the change of leadership batons in WIMBIZ. Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo and Ifeyinwa Ighodalo were welcomed as Chairperson, Executive Council and Chairman, Board of Trustees respectively.
During her welcome address, Olubunmi Aboderin-Talabi, former Chairperson, Executive Council, said the WIMBIZ conference was about encouraging women to go beyond setting goals to achieving the goals they set.
The event was chaired by former Chief Judge, Federal High Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Rose Ukeje, OFR. Justice Ukeje. She commended WIMBIZ for putting together the conference and their consistency over the past 18 years in empowering and inspiring women.
Mrs Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, First Lady, Ekiti State, who delivered the first keynote address at the conference, urged women to be the change they want to see in others. She admonished them to shield and support one another, rise and set their sights on all the great things women can accomplish together.
Fred Swaniker, founder and CEO, Africa Leadership University, gave the second keynote address. He charged the women to be more confident in themselves and their capabilities.
Speakers of the panel session, “Swimming with the Sharks”
Debaters on the topic, Nigeria: Stay or Leave
The highlight of the conference was the 2019 Female Achievers Award. The award recognises and rewards hard work and trail blazing women in the civil service who have contributed to the growth and sustainability of the public sector. The recipients this year were Engr. Ebele Okeke, OON, CFR, Chairman/CEO Chantaly Engineering Services and Amal Inyingiala Pepple, CFR, Board Member, SunTrust Bank Nigeria Ltd.
The winners of the WIMBIZ 2019 Impact Investment Competition, sponsored by ACT Foundation, were also announced at the conference. The Grant recipients include Augustina Emele, CEO Chais Initiative; Adeike Ogunsade, CEO Crowncare Couture; and Peggy Ovat, CEO Peggies Kitchen.
The gathering, which takes place November every year, is the flagship event of WIMBIZ. This year, for the first time, it attracted more than 2,000 attendees.