By Dipo Olowookere
A three-year project towards the reduction of employment and entrepreneurship gaps in Nigeria through the private sector is being planned by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
This strategic partnership is called the Nigeria2Equal Initiative and the hint for the unveiling was dropped on Friday at a half day symposium and bell ringing ceremony for gender equality at the Exchange in Lagos.
The event was to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD) with the theme Each for Equal. It focused on individual actions, conversations, behaviours and mindsets that will accelerate progress and impact on the advancement of women across all spheres of life in line with the NSE’s objectives.
It was disclosed that the programme will support the private sector to increase women’s participation as leaders, employees, customers and entrepreneurs through favourable workforce policies and practices.
These efforts will also give rise to products and services that target the women’s market segment, and deliberate measures that promote women’s participation in corporate procurement.
“When I learnt of this year’s theme, Each for Equal, my mind raced to the implications of a truly equal and balanced world; a world where men and women make equal contributions to the society, enjoy equal opportunities, and even enjoy the same rewards and benefits.
“Going by the growing body of evidence out there, it is safe to conclude that the multiplier effect on families, businesses, communities, economies and ultimately, nations would be indeed phenomenal,” the CEO of NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, said at the symposium.
Speaking further, he said, “Despite the identified benefits increased women participation is poised to deliver, women continue to face an uphill battle in achieving true gender parity.
“As a member of the Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative (SSEI), the Exchange prioritizes the issues of gender equality and balance and is working assiduously to accelerate the achievement of Goal 5 of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030. We have, therefore, adopted a collaborative approach to implement pivotal initiatives in commemoration of IWD 2020.”
At the event headlined by Mrs Awenuba Ajumogobia, Chairman, Board of Directors, CAP Plc, who discussed the opportunities and challenges of building a gender equal world, wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, in her goodwill message, commended the NSE.
“I commend Mr Oscar Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer of the NSE and indeed, the entire NSE team for the initiative to stand in solidarity with women in furtherance of the bid to foster a gender-equal world,” the First Lady said.
Present at the event as a speaker was Harriet Thompson, British Deputy High Commissioner, who discussed the need for balanced action both at home and at the workplace.
Panellists at the event covered a diverse range of expertise and consisted of: Bola Adesola, Senior Vice-Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank Group; Eme Essien, Country Manager, International Finance Corporation; Asue Ighodalo, Founding Partner, Banwo-and-Ighodalo; Jubril Enakele, CEO, Iron Capital Partners Limited; Uto Ukpanah, Company Secretary, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Board Member, GCNN; Tinuade Awe, Executive Director, Regulation Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange; and Nkiru Balonwu, Founder, African Women on Board.
The programme was organised in partnership with the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) and Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative (SSEI), IFC, UN Women, and the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria (GCNN).
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Adedapo Adesanya