Ogra, Akosile To Address Professional Women At Conference

The Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President on Digital Strategy, Engagement and Communications, O’Tega Ogra and Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Akosile, have confirmed their attendance for the upcoming second edition of the Industry Women Conference (tinW), scheduled for Friday, December 13th, 2024 in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The duo are expected to share federal government and state government-Lagos State efforts towards improving and advancing female startups in Nigeria.

The year’s programme themed; ‘Tools Nigerian women need to compete and succeed’ is designed to unearth critical ingredients Nigerian women require to startup and in the vase of career, the steps required to set out on a good note.

While Ogra would be intimating the participants on the initiatives the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has instituted to ameliorate the suffering of women and encourage the female startup in Nigeria, Akosile would be highlighting the Lagos State government efforts in helping women advance their trade.

According to O’tega Ogra, President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to advancing the cause of Nigerian women and empowering them towards gender equity.

He said Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment when he spoke at the Empower-Her fund-raising dinner of the Ministry of Women Affairs at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja recently.

The speakers for this second edition are: Group Head, Brands & Marketing Communications, Wema Bank Plc, Mabel Adeteye and group head, Women Bank/ W Initiatives, Access Bank, Abiodun Olubitan.

The organisers also announced group head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, UBA Group, Alero Ladipo and president, Felix King Foundation, Dr. Felix King Eiremiokhae as chairperson of the conference and co-chairman respectively. The 2024 Industry Women Conference (tinW) comes on the heels of a successful inaugural edition last year with the theme; ‘She wins’.

Speaking at the unveiling media conference in Lagos yesterday, the convener of The Industry Women Conference, Goddie Ofose said: “We arrived at this theme and the speakers this year because we believe the theme resonates well with the Nigerian women at the time particularly with the country’s economy going through a bad patch. We must equip our women for the present and the future.”

According to him, “Women-led businesses are important for many reasons, and this including: diversity and innovation. Women entrepreneurs bring unique perspectives and insights that can lead to better decision-making and more innovative solutions. Women-led startups often prioritize social impact and sustainability, which can contribute to a more responsible and ethical business ecosystem.”

On the economic growth, Ofose stated that, “Women-led businesses can reinvest into household incomes and national economies and can close the pay gap and rise to leadership positions while Women entrepreneurs are more likely to invest back into their families and community, such as in education, nutrition, and children’s health.”

On the sideline of the 2024, which is also titled the PINK session, The Industry Newspaper will use occasion to recognise and celebrate Top 50 Industry Women in Nigeria who have tenacity, resilience, innovation and industry in the course of the year-2024.

These women cut-across different sectors such as tech, marketing, advertising, communications, public relations, governance, healthcare, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, brand management, sales and media.

In the same vein, founder/CEO, Sweet Sensations Confectionary, Kehinde Kamso;  CEO, Eleganza Industries Limited, Dr. Shade Okoya; CEO, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta;  MD/CEO, Unity Bank, Tomi Somefun; Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, MD/CEO; group head, Marketing & Communications, UBA Group, Alero Ladipo; vice president, Bet9ja Foundation, Ada Cuomo and CEO, GIG Aviation Technologies Ltd Adetoro Fowoshere, will be recognised as the Industry Iconic Amazons.

According to the convener, tinW, “It is our great pleasure to present to you the Industry Change Maker Awardees in 2024. This recognition is a result of their exceptional achievements and outstanding contributions to their respective industry in Nigeria in 2024.”

“Their tireless dedication, innovative approach, and unwavering commitment to excellence have made a significant impact on their fields as well as your contributions to their organisations. Their accomplishments serve as a testament to their leadership, expertise, and passion.

“They are an inspiration to countless individuals, particularly women, who aspire to make a difference in these fields in Nigeria because their works have indeed paved the way for future generations, and we are grateful for your tireless efforts,” Ofose stated.