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By Damiete Braide
Last Friday, at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, women from all walks of life converged for the maiden edition of Peak Performing Woman of the Year and launch of the Peak Performing Woman’s Companion.
Dr. Abiola Salami, publisher and editor-in-chief of The Peak Performer Africa (TPP), in his welcome address, said: “The Peak Performing Women Project is the vehicle for driving renewed commitment to empowering, engaging and recognizing women in their quest for delivering excellence in a post-pandemic world, based on Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The project aims to equip women to deliver excellence as career professionals, entrepreneurs, social innovators, political office holders and in their personal lives. It will enable more women to live beyond misperceptions, stereotypes and misplaced emotions that could limit the God-given exceptional nature that is within the woman for the development of humanity.”
Salami recalled that, in March 2023, The Peak Performer (TPP) was launched as a premium thought-leadership portal and magazine where African industry leaders, culture shapers and game changers gain insights to achieve peak performance in their given fields.
“We are recognising the exceptional achievements of some outstanding women who have attained sterling positions in their respective fields in Africa and these women have broken barriers, defied odds and achieved remarkable feats in their industries, paving the way for others to follow their bright examples.
“To enable The Peak Performing Woman project make the kind of impact we envision, our goal is to empower one million women across Africa with the insights from the book within 18 months of launch. Our estimated budget for this is $1 million and the proceeds from this launch will be funding that.”
Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, publisher/chairman, The Guardian newspaper, in her review, said: “‘The Peak Performing Woman’s Companion’ by Dr. Abiola Salami made a good attempt to tackle foundational problems undermining women’s career, personal growth and contributions to nation building.
“While avoiding the doctrinaire ‘men are the problem’ rant and slant, Salami thoughtfully guided women readers through detailed and specific missteps and misunderstandings that, most times, undermine their aspirations to becoming peak performers.
“Dr Salami’s veritable companion and reference material to many women aspiring to become peak performers discarded sexism and strategically provided insights from the socio-economic lens and experience as a coach and trainer.
“Indeed, ‘The Peak Performing Woman’s Companion’ is a well-thought project that will help to see women beyond the prism of gender and equally help many already-overwhelmed women to live beyond misperceptions, stereotypes and misplaced emotions that could limit the God-given potential inherent in them.”
At the event, the first female chairman of Access Bank, Mosun Belo-Olusoga, enjoined women to pursue their dreams. She said: “I am not the kind of person who shies away from challenges, neither am I in your face all the time.”
Belo-Olusoga, lead consultant/chief executive officer (CEO), The Knowledge and Resource Centre, noted, when women are presented with opportunities, they should have that self-belief that they can do it.
She advised women to take time to understand trends, technology and how it works for them by developing a broad mindset, keep learning, and grow as they leverage platforms to take advantage of opportunities.
Renowned Nollywood actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), added women can become peak performers by being aware, sensible and sensitive.
“It’s making peak performance a lifestyle. Women can become peak performers by being aware, sensible and sensitive,” he said.
In her contributions, founder/CEO, Emerging Africa Group, Toyin Sanni, encouraged women to leverage advanced technological tools to get to the top of their game. She emphasised the importance of understanding technology, connecting and networking.
Women who received the Lifetime Achievement Award include Justice Aminat Augie, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, Mosun Belo-Olusoga, Bukola Rosemary Ogunyemi and Catherine Kehinde George.
For the West African Chief Executive Officer of the Year category, the awardees were Mrs. Toyin F. Sanni, Funke Bucknor (Event Management), Dr. Morrie’s Atoki (Health Advocacy), Mrs. Omomene Odike (Human Resources), Risikatu Ahmed (Mortgage Banking), Chinwe Uzoho (Payment Services), Dr. Tinuade Sanda (Power Sector) and Olatomiwa Williams (Technology Product).
For the category of Super Achievers, the awardees were Chioma Yvonne Afe (Marketing Communications), Ruth Osime (Media), Prof. Ogecho Adeola (Executive Education), Abimbola Adebakin (Healthcare), Yemi Keri (Digitization), Rashidat Adebisi (Insurance) and Funsho Adegbola (Education).
Winners in the Exemplary Leadership category included Kemi Ogunkoya (Capacity Development), Nancy Isime (Media), Folusho Gbadamosi (Youth Development), Solape Akinpelu (Inclusion) and Elizabeth Nasaka (Automobile), among others.
In the Women of Excellence category, the awardees were Bukie Oluyadi (Customer Experience Sustainability), Ifeoma Uba-Onubogu, Aralola Olumuyiwa (Music and Entertainment), Lolia Iyingierego Idu (Real Estate) and Oluyemi Obadare (Standardization), among others.
