By Ebunoluwa Sessou

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the first female vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola among others have been billed as the keynote speaker and chairperson of the 23rd annual conference of the Women in Management, Business, and Public Service, WIMBIZ.

The conference which would hold in November 7 and 8, themed, “Dream. Dare. Do.,” is organised to reflects the urgency for women to step into their power, especially in these challenging economic times.

Speaking at the press conference, Executive Director, WIMBIZ, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, underscored the significance of the conference, which remains the flagship event of the organisation, adding that, the organization has been committed to empower women, particularly in leadership roles.

“The conference has played a key role in inspiring over 330,000 women throughout its history. And this year, which would have both virtual and physical attendance options, brings together women from various sectors around the world in different countries including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Ghana, Cameroon, United Arab Emirates and lots more come together to engage in transformative dialogue and learning.

“Over the past 23 years we have trained and mentored more than 2,000 women to attain leadership positions. We also work with girls because they are also leaders of tomorrow and we do that effectively with our big sister program. And we have mentored more than 8,000 girls.

“We have facilitated business for women who have broken the glass ceiling. WIMBIZ is of African roots with a global perspective of connecting and inspiring women across the globe to catalyze their growth to leadership positions and contribution to nation-building. With a history spanning 23 years, WIMBIZ has implemented various programs that inspire, empower, and advocate for greater representation of women in both the public and private sectors.

“We have a global network of over 2,886 accomplished women who contribute to their initiatives in management, business, and public service. WIMBIZ collaborates with reputable domestic and international organizations to deliver impactful programs, positively influencing over 330,493 women to excel in their careers and businesses.

“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.

Reiterating the essence of the theme, Chairman of the Conference Planning Group, CPG, Opeyemi Oduwole, pointed that, it was geared towards demonstrating that adversity often sparks opportunities adding that some companies including Disney and FedEx, thrived after economic downturns hence the need for the theme dare, dream, and do it.

“The 23rd edition 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.

In her remarks, the Chairman of CPG Communications, Publicity Committee, WIMBIZ Mabel Adeteye provided crucial details about the registration process, encouraging all interested participants to visit the WIMBIZ website. The conference will also be accessible through the WIMBIZ app, which enables users to engage with sessions, read comments, and network with other online attendees.