Osinbajo, UNILAG VC for WIMBIZ conference
By Chinelo Obogo
The Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has said that former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, would deliver a keynote address during the 23rd Annual Conference, while the first female vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, would chair the occasion.
The event, themed, ‘Dream. Dare. Do,’ is set to take place with both virtual and physical attendance options, bringing together women from various sectors around the world in different countries like the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Ghana, Cameroon, United Arab Emirates and lots more to engage in transformative dialogue and learning.
Executive Director, WIMBIZ, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, underscored the significance of the conference, which remains the flagship event of the organisation.
In her remarks, she emphasised WIMBIZ’s long standing commitment to empowering women, particularly in leadership roles.
She highlighted that the conference had played a key role in inspiring over 330,000 women throughout its history.
“We are constantly advocating for equal representation of both genders in leadership positions across all sectors. We have seen quite some improvement in the financial sector with 30 percent female CEOs in the banking industry,” she stated, underscoring the need for a balanced mix of perspectives in today’s workforce.
On her part, Chair, Conference Planning Group (CPG), Opeyemi Oduwole, stated that the theme of this year’s conference reflects the urgency for women to step into their power, especially in these challenging economic times.
She cited examples of companies like Disney and FedEx, which thrived after economic downturns, demonstrating that adversity often sparks opportunity. “The conference is that charged, we need to dare, dream, and do it.”
She added that the event promises a diverse agenda, including five plenary sessions, three hands-on workshops and a business pitch competition.
Among the plenary sessions, “Diversifying into Entertainment: A Viable Business Opportunity,” will examine Africa’s burgeoning media and entertainment industries.
Another session, “Overcoming Emotional Hurdles in Women’s Bold Journey,” will provide tools for managing stress, building resilience and achieving work-life balance.
The conference will be accessible through the WIMBIZ app, which enables users to engage with sessions, read comments and network with other online attendees.
Oduwole harped on the importance of networking, saying, “Your network is one of the most powerful assets you’ll ever have in life.”