She is an astute banker with a passion for widows. In this interview, CHINWE-BODE AKINWANDE tells ADEDOYIN JOHNSON how she is giving back through her foundation. 

A Foundation For Widows

The basis for starting the foundation is driven from the need to impact the lives of women whom ordinarily might have lost hope. We give hope to the hopeless. We are driven to support underprivileged widows in having a positive outlook on life, despite the problems they experience by losing their loved one, mostly the breadwinner of the family. 

The Name

I am deliberate and intentional.  I needed to leave a legacy.  I want to give back and be remembered for something.  I want a name that would easily be associated with me. By me, I mean my passion and desire to put a smile on the faces of the underprivileged widows and their children. So CBA stands for Chinwe Bode-Akinwande and primarily associates with the grace upon me to impact women. 

Success Stories

The successes have been enormous; many women are now business owners and are able to not just fend for their family but employers of labour. Over forty children who had lost hope in education are back to school, through the payment of school fees as well as stationeries.  Twenty-Six underprivileged widows through our medical intervention, recovered from a stroke. One of the widows during our medical outreach this year at Okun-Ilado, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos weighed 36kg as a result of malnutrition, today she is well and sound.  About four underprivileged widows attempted suicide but after our counselling sessions are doing well now and running their businesses. We have reached out to over 3,000 disadvantaged widows and over 800 children during our International Widow’s Day outreaches since we started with food items, clothing, skill acquisition training, financial empowerment to some selected and medical outreaches. We can go on but time wouldn’t permit me. 

Starting The Foundation 

My passion drives the foundation and is a charitable endeavour, it has no restriction on my career rather fulfilling to give back to society and testify to lives touched positively. 

Not Slowing 

Slowed? Not at all. Interestingly with your mention of the annual walk, you somewhat identified with the fact that we have not slowed down. We have a wide range of activities which are primarily implemented yearly. The annual walk, vocational training and outreach programmes are among the many initiatives we have held back to back with no break. This year’s Walk4Hope will hold on the 7th of December. 

Expansion Plans

We have a long-term expansion plan but what matters to us at CBA Foundation is our immediate environment. It, indeed, forms the basis for expanding to our environment beyond Lagos, Ogun and Anambra, which we currently cover. We are hopeful that more individuals and organizations will support us to spread across the country and beyond. 

Experience With Widows

First of all, may God continually give sustenance to the widows and the bereaved. It isn’t easy, I must tell you. The experience has primarily been a learning point for us to identify better ways to support them and importantly put a smile on their faces. Improvement is one thing we remain keen on, as it significantly influences our impact. These women go through a lot. Most of them have high blood pressure. They feel they have not been helped and maltreated.  Culture, in itself, does not help matters. We need to be deliberate to look out for them, protect them and let justice be served for those that family members have confiscated their properties. 

Next Big Step 

The next big step for us at CBA Foundation is rooted in the word impact, especially beyond our immediate environment. Impacting other communities across the country – thus at the national is very important to us. Once this is achieved, extending further to the West Africa sub-region, then Africa would be a step forward to making a global footprint. We are encouraged with every testimony and changed live to continually impact and touch the lives of unprivileged widows with no limit.

Relaxation 

Of course, yes. Without relaxing, I would have been discouraged and burnt out a long time due to the magnitude of work and responsibilities bestowed on me. But taking a few “me time” does the magic. Largely, watching movies at the cinemas, listening to music and spending quality time with my family. I also relax by mentoring younger people. 

Challenges

Chinwe Bode-Akinwande (CBA) Foundation is a charitable organization as against a business venture with both having different modus operandi. We are no doubt hit by many challenges but remain resolute regardless. Amongst these are getting people to buy into the project for material and monetary support as well as time vis-à-vis voluntary commitment, awareness creation and identification of individuals deserved of our help. Consistency has been our driving force at CBA Foundation. It has gone a long way to leave no stone unturned at breaking barriers and taking the foundation to greater heights.

About Chinwe-Bode Akinwande

Harvard trained in Consulting and multi-skilled personnel with world-class training and experience in Strategy, Marketing Partnerships Marcomms, Digital Marketing, Consulting, Sales, Brand Management, Project Management and Business Development. Confident, creative and highly qualified professional with over 20 years of distinguished performance. Broad-based background encompasses exceptional work ethics and commitment to organizational objectives within a highly competitive and rapidly changing marketplace. Chinwe is recognized for the ability to work in a multicultural environment, decisive leadership and proven ability to face challenges head-on and execute sound decisions while directing deliverable. Her 9-5, She was Project Manager for First Bank Brand Refresh in 2013 and FirstBank 125th Anniversary campaigns and activations. She is currently the Head of Digital Marketing & Innovations for FirstBank under Marketing & Corporate Communications Department.
Through her Foundation, Chinwe Bode- Akinwande (CBA) Foundation, she is committed to reaching out to underprivileged widows in the society, children that are not privileged to enjoy or partake in what an average child would necessarily enjoy. It also includes women who are disadvantaged, not empowered but have expressed the willingness, power, passion and desire to be resourceful. CBA Foundation is dedicated to promoting the protection of widows primarily and their vulnerable children in Nigeria, to support immediate and lasting hope, confidence and courage in their lives. She is married and blessed with two girls.