Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A renowned author, Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, has joined others to call for the inclusion of women in the scheme of things, noting that their contributions would also be helpful in the success of the country and organisations.
Ms Adiche said this at the 2022 edition of the Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference of Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), a leading not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation focused on women empowerment and strategic mentoring for professional women.
The prolific writer was the keynote speaker of the confab themed For the Nation; The Power of Inclusion.
The WISCAR woman is a solid person. There is something special about receiving this award and recognition at home and by professional women. This award and the entire evening felt so genuine, and I was moved and grateful to be so celebrated,” Ms Adiche said.
The event, which had over 600 guests in attendance, participants listened to a panel session moderated by a renowned journalist and public servant, Tunji Lardner.
Those on the panel were Adia Sowho, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria; Tosin Oshinowo, Director, CmDesign Atelier; Hawwah Gambo, Journalist and 2023 House of Representative candidate; and Chukwuemeka Onyimadu, a National Economist with UN Women Nigeria.
They held insightful and enriching discussions on the theme and agreed that to achieve inclusion, organisations and individuals must continue to be intentional and deliberate and walk the talk.
Addressing guests present at the event, the founder and chairperson of WISCAR, Ms Amina Oyagbola, said the organisation focuses on leadership development and capacity building through structured mentorship for female professionals and women empowerment. She expressed her delight over the success and impact of WISCAR’s activities over the years.
“Through the Win-with-WISCAR Mentoring programme and the WISCAR Grow and Learn Initiative, we have impacted well over 15,000 men, women and girls,” she stated.
Ms Oyagbola informed the audience that, “In 2021, WISCAR was appointed Private Sector liaison partner to UN Women Nigeria to drive private sector support and participation in UN Women/UNGC Women Empowerment Principles. So far, we have surpassed the target of 100 proposed signatories to the (WEPs).”
It was gathered that during the conference, the graduation of 51 women professionals from the 2022 cohort took place.
A few of the important personalities present at this year’s programme were HRH Muhammad Sanusi Lamido II, the Deputy British High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones; Country Representative of UN Women to Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong; and the Country Sales manager of United Airlines, Oluwatomi Bola-Sadipe.
