By Eberechi Obinagwam
It was another annual gathering of captivating women longing to be inspired by women who have thrive through hard times and still smiling, strong and unaffected.
It was the 22nd annual conference of Women in Management Business and Public Service (Wimbiz) held at Eko Hotels and suites Victoria Island, Lagos.
A two days conference that was so inspiring, enlightened, empowering and at the same time full of fun starting from Thursday November 2nd to Friday 3rd.
The Theme for the year was: Mission I’mPossible: Thrive!. It is echoed; Women what is your mission? I’m Possible. I’m Thriving!
The reason the conference exist is to inspire women reach their full potential and achieve great feat in their respective fields.
Setting the pace at day 1, Executive Director of WIMBIZ, Hansatu Adegbite, explains why Wimbiz excels. “Our stories is in the seed we carry. There is need to constantly reignite women who carry seeds inside of them that still need to be activated for greatness. Women need to develop a resilient spirit and maintain a positive mindset so that the seed will be activated for greatness.”
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Adegbite commended brands, organizations from both the public and private sectors for their support, and founders for identifying when it was right and ensuring that WIMBIZ thrive in the hands of the next generation of leaders.
Chief Executive Officer of Landmark Africa Group, Paul Onwuanibe, who spoke as a keynote speaker, urged women not to be discouraged when they fail, rather, should be passionate about things they can do that others could not.
“And when presented with an opportunity, do the best as you can because you may not have opportunity to change the narrative.”
He stated that understanding the market, knowing your number, integrity, and honesty that makes one make decisions.
Co-founder, African Family Firms, Tsitsi Mutendi who was among the speakers in one of the plenary sessions on how to build SMEs, said women challenges in business is that, “we do not tell our heirs that they are going to be the inheritance. We do not communicate with them, but allow them to be title of it, that it is going to be theirs.”
According to her, “they do not know how the wealth is built. How it started. You forget to tell them the story and you want your children to inherit your wealth that they do not even know how the wealth looks like.”
She reiterated that communication is the key to multi-generational wealth. ”If you want a multi-generational wealth you must go together. You must bring your children together to understand the business you are doing. Recognise your family members,” she stated.
CEO of Optiva Capital Partners, Jane Kimemia-Nechi, urged women to stay through to who they are, find their way to service, define their positivity, be real and prepare to be lonely in startups.
Also, CEO, Software Nigeria LTD, Simon Melchior in one of his quotes while encouraging women startups said; “It always seem impossible until it is done. Do everything to make it done.”
He also acknowledged the fact that we need more women in politics, Businesses, and IT.