It was indeed a networking, experience sharing and learning time as Access Bank celebrated the International Women’s Day with over 250 high potential female professionals across 50 corporate organisations in Nigeria.
In line with the 2017 theme for IWD “Be bold for Change” and the UN Women theme for the year tagged ““Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”, the attendees had the opportunity to receive insightful advice on assertiveness and self-confidence, strategic positioning, managing upwards, personal branding and networking.
Speaking on the objective of the session organized in commemoration of the IWD, the Group Head, Products and Segments of Access Bank Plc, Mrs. Ope Wemi-Jones said, “The Young Female Professional is one of the segments under the W initiative- The home for everything Access Bank has to offer women. As a Bank, we are committed to working with Nigeria’s Young Female Professionals with an objective of nurturing them as future executives and CEO’s in their chosen careers and business endeavours.”
According to her, “Planet 50-50 by 2030” requires everyone’s commitment to competing based on skills and capacity; it is about sponsoring each other and not spiting one another. It is about celebrating and recognising one another and not being indifferent about each other’s achievement. It is about a personal resolve to be bold and seize the moment.”
Based on their special focus on women, Access Bank’s W Initiative intends to grow the Young Female Professional network into a global group that will stand for high performance, professionalism, leadership and result.
Present at the session to inspire the ladies were Mosun Belo-Olusoga; the Chairperson of Access Bank, Iquo Ukoh, the former ED Marketing of Nestle Plc. and owner of 1Qfoodplatter, Osayi Alile (Executive Director, ACT Foundation), Josephine Effah Chukwuma ( Executive Director, Project Alert) and Dr Yolanda George-David popularly known as Aunt Landa of Inspiration FM. On the Panel was Rashidat Adebisi, Divisional Head of Retail Solutions at AXA Mansard Insurance Plc. She won the inaugural Access bank ‘W’ Young Professional of the Year award in 2015.
Other panellists were Folusho Gbadamosi (Executive Director, IGI) and Arese Ugwu, the author of best-selling financial management book; Smart Money Woman. The panellists shared their experiences in line with the theme “Be bold for Change”.