Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), a not-for-profit organization committed to advancing professional women in Nigeria and across Africa, has unveiled the agenda for the 13th edition of its Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference.
Executive Secretary of WISCAR, Afiniki Mangzha; Founder and Chairperson of WISCAR, Amina Oyagbola; Managing Director, Hill+Knowlton Nigeria, Tokunboh George-Taylor; and Marketing and Corporate Communications Coordinator of First Bank Nigeria, Olajumoke Moyo- Ladipo, during the press conference for the WISCAR 2023 Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference.
The 2023 WISCAR conference themed “In Her Own Voice: Forging Ahead” is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 9th December 2023, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Mo Abudu, a media mogul and philanthropist is set to headline the conference as its keynote speaker and will be the 12th recipient of the Distinguished WISCAR Award. She will be supported by other esteemed speakers including Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of LASG, Fola Adeola, Founder and Chairman, FATE Foundation, Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on PEBEC, Amina J. Mohammed UN Deputy Secretary General, Abosede George-Ogun, Founder, of WILAN Global, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on SDGs.; Dr. Otive Iguzor, Founding Executive Director, African Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development; Ada Osademy, Senior Gender Advisor, IFC, Jola Ayeye, Podcaster, ISWIS; Josphine Sarouk, MD, Bayobab Nigeria; Tinuade Awe, CEO, NGX RegCo, and others.
Commenting on WISCAR at a press conference today, Amina Oyagbola, Founder and Chairperson of WISCAR, said “WISCAR’s commitment to the mission of ‘Developing Women to Build a Better Nation’ has yielded measurable outcomes and impact over the past fifteen years, showcasing the continuity, consolidation, and strides achieved in pursuit of our goals. Recognizing the importance of developing a generation of women for leadership, in a nation with over 100 million women and girls, she emphasized the critical need for collaboration between genders for sustainable development and the growth of a robust and vibrant economy. Our annual conference serves as a pivotal platform for crucial conversations, networking, and capacity building and generating valuable recommendations that can influence and help shape necessary legal and policy changes aimed at fostering gender equality, inclusive growth, and sustainable national development.”
She said, “The conference theme, In Her Own Voice: Forging Ahead, is a compelling call to action. A call to women and good men to collaborate and partner to forge ahead to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls for the good of the nation. Thereby fostering inclusive governance and promoting sustainable development. The theme highlights the enduring and progressive voices of women, representing a generation poised to lead and build a good society. It puts a spotlight on the data so we can reflect on the subtle and overt ways women have been and continue to be excluded and marginalized, urging for change and urgent action toward a more equal and equitable world. WISCAR aims to amplify these voices and inspire the right action for meaningful transformation.”
The Annual Conference will feature renowned speakers, policymakers, and thought leaders whose discussions will serve to further the organization’s commitment to closing the gender gap and empowering the next generation of women for leadership in all spheres.
This year’s conference is supported by organizations that are committed to progress and the development of the nation. Diamond sponsors include First Bank of Nigeria, United Airlines, and Pacific Holdings Limited. The platinum sponsor is First City Monument Bank, and the gold sponsor is IHS Nigeria Limited. The silver sponsors are Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), SunTrust Bank Nigeria Limited, and FSDH Merchant Bank. Bronze sponsors consist of Mainone, Ernst & Young, FBNQuest Merchant Bank, FBNQuest Asset Management, TAJ Bank, and Access Bank. Also, Supporting sponsors are United Capital, Experience and Lifestyle Partner and Pladis Global. Additionally, strategic sponsors UN Women, Habiba Balogun Consulting, Oyagbola Chambers, AKMS Consulting, Hill+Knowlton Strategies and DKK contribute to WISCAR’s success.
WISCAR is committed to empowering and enhancing the capabilities of professional women to contribute to the growth and sustainable development. This is achieved through its bespoke and well-structured mentoring programmes that provide strategic career guidance, inspiration, and support to career women. WISCAR has equipped over 15,000 professional women and men directly with relevant skills and competencies to effectively manage their careers, assume leadership positions, and contribute to nation-building. Now in its 15th year, WISCAR is continuing its tradition of annual outreach and advocacy to working women aimed at developing women through leadership training and mentoring for professional development, leadership success, and overall well-being.