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Mums Feel Warmth Initiative Hosts Webinar on Postpartum Depression Awareness

by Women Times on

In a bid to empower mothers and foster a sense of reassurance, Mums Feel Warmth, an inspiring initiative by MSc Media and Communication students from the School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University, hosted a transformative webinar titled “Beyond Baby Blues: Understanding and Overcoming Postpartum Depression” on January 7th, 2025.

The event sought to highlight the journey through Postpartum Depression (PPD), offering a message of hope, resilience, and the importance of mental health support for mothers everywhere.
Mums Feel Warmth, with its core values of empathy, compassion, hope, community, and education, speaks to the Sustainable Development Goal 3, advocating for good health and well-being. The initiative is breaking the silence around postpartum depression (PPD), a condition that can significantly impact new mothers in the critical period following childbirth.

The webinar featured insights from medical professionals like Dr. Laja Odunuga, who explained the difference between the common “baby blues” and the more severe, long-lasting PPD. The discussion highlighted how PPD can manifest not just as sadness but through severe fatigue, disconnection from the newborn, and loss of interest in activities, which can last well beyond the typical two-week period associated with baby blues.

Otomfon Ibanga, emphasized the role of support systems, urging families and friends to be vigilant for signs of PPD and to provide a nurturing environment.

She also discussed prevention strategies, including prenatal planning for support structures, and post-delivery management through therapy or medication.

Dr. Chimaraoke Obialo addressed the stigma surrounding PPD, advocating for education to transform societal perceptions from judgment to support.

The webinar underscored the need for community involvement, not just in recognizing symptoms but in actively participating in the healing process by offering emotional and practical support.

The Mums Feel Warmth webinar was more than just an educational session; it was a call to action for society to embrace and support new mothers dealing with PPD. By fostering open conversations and providing platforms for sharing experiences, Mums Feel Warmth continues to lead the charge against the stigma of PPD. The commitment shown by the panelists and attendees alike promises a future where every mother has access to the understanding and care needed to navigate through the complexities of postpartum depression, ensuring that the joy of motherhood is not overshadowed by mental health challenges.

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Event

Fola Fin Conference 2024: How Two Leading Women Are Championing Generational Wealth Creation In Nigeria

by Women Times on

By Azeez Disu

 

The need for businesses to create profitable enterprises that outlive the founder was advocated for at the 2024 edition of the Fola Fin Conference organized by two leading global women entrepreneurs, Sheneya Wilson, and Temitope Akinsemoyin. The two amazons believe that any woman or anyone regardless of their background can achieve financial empowerment and build sustainable wealth for generations to come.

 

Sheneya is the Founder of Fola Financial, a U.S.-based financial services firm while Temitope is the Founder of Stanchion TM Consults NG; a firm offering capacity development, strategic management, project management, and human resource management.

 

Fola Fin Conference which serves as a rallying point for businesses, individuals, and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses was held in Lagos and Abuja recently.

 

The event was conceptualized to help African entrepreneurs thrive in the global competitive environment, providing them with financial literacy and advocacy skills including operational and technical skills, leadership and relationship-building skills, and accounting and business skills.

 

According to Sheneya, “It was inspired by a desire to help more Africans gain the skills, and tools needed to thrive in the global competitive environment. Like, as we know, technology has taken over everything, but it’s also making access to doing business easier. I don’t want any black Americans, or anyone including people who live in Africa, to miss out on being able to take advantage of how the market is currently going in terms of globalization.”

 

She added “We wanted to create a conference where it wasn’t just about talking and being inspirational, but about giving people skills that they can take home and actually utilize. So, things like budgeting and saving, investing, and of course, doing accounting for themselves and for their businesses. I think these skills are pivotal in giving people what they need to be confident so they can explore and build them well for themselves.”

Tax Literacy

Sheneya emphasized the need for citizens to understand tax matters better despite many don’t trust their government.

 

She explained “One thing that I know that Nigeria is going through but also a lot of other developing nations in Africa are going through, is tax reform. When you talk to people, they say that they don’t pay taxes because they don’t trust the government because they believe they are corrupt.”

 

She added that to change the narrative, it is empowering citizens with knowledge of tax and financial literacy through its conference and other initiatives, which will enable them to hold their government accountable.

 

“A big piece of the conference was talking about tax literacy and then team members presented their project about how they can act as tax advocates and how everyone else can. We need the taxes to work for us, whether you’re in America or whether you’re in Nigeria. We need roads to be built, we need public schools to be funded, we need public hospitals to be funded, public parks to be cleaned for our children, roads to be done,” she stated.

Making Impact 

‘What is the purpose of building anything if people aren’t impacted? What’s the purpose of being wealthy and rich, If the people who live around you are all poor?” Sheneya asked.

 

She explained that she believe that the Fola Fin Conference and other initiatives under her watch will have a multiplier effect on society and the economy. 

 

“We empower these small businesses, they employ people and then, the people educate their children. It’s like pouring wealth, which starts with knowledge, into society and it is going to have a long-term effect. And that’s what we’re hoping to achieve with initiatives like this,” she stated.

 

Also, as part of the initiative, an outreach program was embarked on to support the less privileged in accessing quality healthcare.

 

Speaking on the impact of the conference on the Nigerian economy, Temitope said “A lot of people are now more enlightened about tax issues and finances and this conference is like a pathway which will help accelerate economic growth. The next cohort of fellowships is coming up in 2025 where people will be able to start their career in finance. So, it is not just about people coming to garner experience that will help their businesses but also to help them create career paths in finance and tech”.

 

Commending the organizers for putting the event together, Chukwuemeka Chiejina, Retail Team Lead, Retail & Consumer Banking unit, Sterling Bank, and one of the sponsors said the event was impactful and equipped participants on the way to manage their finances which aligned with the bank’s goal. 

 

“People tend to spend their profit alongside their capital but the event empowered participants on how to separate their capital from profit and also develop a saving culture. We came to support the program because we are keen on supporting startups.”

Fola Global Apprenticeship Program

Noteworthy, Fola Financial and Stanchion TM Consults NG launched the Apprenticeship program recently to equip young Nigerians with essential financial and business skills for global competitiveness. It also aimed to teach them about the U.S. tax system, get them certified to do taxes in America, and also teach them about how the tax system works in Nigeria.

 

Interestingly, five individuals emerged out of about 250 applicants for the apprenticeship program and they were unveiled at the Fola Fin Conference 2024. 

 

According to Sheneya, “We had over 250 applicants. Temitope helped screen them to where it was only 50, then from there we interviewed 10 people and then we chose our top five.”

Similarly, Temitope said it leveraged technology to make the screening process seamless. “Technology helped us out and eased the stress during the selection process.”

 

The top five winners have also been certified by the Internal Revenue Service in America after excelling in their exams, will work virtually from Nigeria, and will get paid. “They will be working with U.S. taxpayers, doing the tax returns and, of course, they’ll be paid for it. So, I think they’re all excited about that,” Sheneya stated.

 

Temitope stated that the program gives people the room to get training and start a career in finance, taxation, and tech. “Once they qualify they are able to go through between 8 weeks to 12 weeks of training and afterwards they start working with Fola Financial and some of our other partners and they get paid actually. It’s a paid apprenticeship”.

 

She explained further that after a year, the trainees under the program will be considered for permanent job placement.  “After one year, they are considered for a permanent placement with Fola Financial or some of our other partners. So we absorb them or we help them to grow and develop their own businesses at the end of the day,” she disclosed.

 

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Empowerment

Women-Owned MSMEs: DBN, French Development Agency Team Up to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

by Women Times on

In recognition of their pivotal role in fostering economic growth, innovation and social equity, Development Bank of Nigeria Plc (DBN) and the French Republic and the French Development Agency (AFD) have teamed up to empower Nigerian women entrepreneurs.

On December 11th, 2023, under the high patronage of His Excellency, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, DBN’s Managing Director, Dr Tony Okpanachi and AFD’s Country Director, Xavier Muron convened at DBN’s Headquarters in Abuja to sign a €50 million credit line and a €825 000 technical assistance and capacity building grant. Through these financings, the two institutions are collaborating to provide tailor-made tools to strengthen access to financing for women MSMEs while developing a gender mainstreaming approach with financial and non-financial services specifically adapted to women’s needs.

As a public development bank, DBN constitutes a strategic stakeholder to better take into consideration gender issues within the financial sector and support the financing of MSMEs contributing to the empowerment of women.
Dr. Tony Okpanachi, highlighting DBN’s role and commitment to empowering women in Nigeria stated: “At Development Bank of Nigeria, we are unwavering in our commitment to empowering women MSMEs in Nigeria. We believe that women are the backbone of our economy, and by supporting them, we are not only promoting gender equality but driving sustainable economic growth.”

“Our bank is dedicated to providing financial inclusion and access to capital for women entrepreneurs, thereby enabling them to grow their businesses and create jobs. We are also passionate about supporting the girl child, recognising that education and economic empowerment are key to unlocking their full potential.”

Xavier Muron, AFD’s Country Director, took the opportunity to highlight that “by providing women with tools, resources, network and mentorship, AFD is committed to participating in the creation of a more inclusive and resilient global economy while encouraging women to bring their unique perspectives and ideas to the table.”

The project provides a unique approach to support DBN in catalyzing financing towards MSMEs and in particular underserved clients. To this point, part of the financing will be exclusively allocated to first-time borrowers. In addition, priority for access to financing and capacity building to micro and small enterprises has been a strong focus of the design of this financial product. Lastly, the credit line aims at providing medium to long-term financing to what is today a much-underserved segment of the population.

All in all, the support to DBN in its role as a second-tier public development bank will make it possible to seek a transformational movement to integrate gender issues and redirect financial flows within the Nigerian financial system via the PFIs.

With this in mind, it was only natural that this highly anticipated event occurred during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence (25 November – 12 December). Indeed, research has proven that reducing economic dependence, promoting gender equality and empowering gender champions, are some of the key structural solutions to fight against the symptoms and the roots of GBV. To this point, M. Marc Fonbaustier, the French Ambassador to Nigeria reiterated the long-term commitment of France to support all of its partners towards “economic empowerment of women as it builds independence, increases confidence and provides for a more equal world.”

Dr. Okpanachi acknowledged the dedication of France and AFD, to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation of this program: “DBN welcomes this partnership as it shows the strong will of key partners to implement Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality and empowerment of all women and girls. The partnership underscores a collective action to work together towards creating a more inclusive and prosperous society for all.”

Meanwhile, Mr Muron commended “the professional approach adopted by DBN which led to this signing ceremony which is the beginning of a very crucial program which will, without a doubt, enhance the capacity of DBN, the Participating Financial Institutions and the Women MSMEs benefiting from it.”

Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) is a wholesale development finance institution set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in collaboration with global development partners to address the major financing challenges facing Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. DBN’s objective is to alleviate financing constraints faced by MSMEs and small Corporations in Nigeria through the provision of financing and partial credit guarantees to eligible financial intermediaries on a market-conforming and fully financially sustainable basis.

The Agence Française de Développement (AFD – French Development Agency) funds, supports, and accelerates the transitions to a fairer and more sustainable world – aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Focusing on climate, biodiversity, peace, education, urban development, health and governance, our teams carry out more than 4,000 projects in France’s overseas departments and territories and another 115 countries. In this way, it contributes to the commitment of France and the French people to support sustainable development goals.

AFD has been present in Nigeria since 2008 with its main office based in Abuja along with an additional branch in Lagos. Its main sectors of intervention in the country are financial services, energy, higher education & vocational training, agriculture, water supply as well as clean transportation. For more information, visit https://www.afd.fr/en.

Essentially, gender equality is a priority for the French government. Internationally, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs delivers on this commitment through its feminist foreign policy. France is advocating gender equality in international forums and wants this goal to be taken into account in all issues, including inequality reduction and sustainable development, peace and security, defence and promotion of fundamental rights, and climate and economic issues. By 2025, France is committed to ensuring that 75% of the projects funded by France’s official development assistance help to improve gender equality.

The collaboration between DBN and AFD will no doubt impact women-owned businesses in Nigeria by addressing not only their financing challenge but their capacity to scale as well.

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Empowerment

CBA Foundation: Advocating and Caring For Widows

by Women Times on

In a society where widows are most times neglected, dejected, and isolated, Chinwe Bode-Akinwande (CBA) Foundation, a non-governmental organisation founded to promote the support of widows and disadvantaged children in the society, has expressed its continued support to give hope and strength to widows and disadvantaged children in the society.

Protecting Widows should be the collective responsibility of government, corporate bodies, and even individuals so as
to safeguard widows’ rights and well-being.

CBA Foundation for almost a decade has been dedicated to the widows and to bring their hardships into the public eye to drive a change.

The Foundation has continued to be their backbone, giving succor and strength to thousands of underprivileged people.

The hardships of thousands of widows spread across the country should not be overlooked or ignored.

More institutions like CBA Foundation with well-defined structures and government support need to be established to ensure that the virality of such avoidable hardships is greatly controlled.

Underprivileged widows run to the established systems seeking help and protection, and yet nothing happens.

CBA Foundation is an organization with a difference; a tested and trusted institution with
transparency. When issues are brought forward, it is handled with a clear strategy, framework, and implementation plan on how it will be followed through.

Chinwe Bode-Akinwande, Founder of
CBA Foundation who just organized a road walk tagged Walk4Hope2024 on Saturday, the 7th of December, 2024 has urged the Government to introduce different economic issues and reforms on the table that will help the plight of widows and the less privileged especially.

Since 2015 till date, CBA foundation has been touching lives positively.

The foundation asserts: “We stand for #EndBrutality #EndDehumanisation on all grounds.

In her own words, Founder, Chinwe Bode-Akinwande stated:
“These widows are dehumanised painfully. Nothing happens because they are vulnerable. These widows are maltreated, and nothing happens. This is the time to speak up, listen, represent right, and see through the solution we seek. We need to hear the plans, see actions, and what timelines are in place? Be bold to ask the public to track and hold those in authority accountable. ”

 

In addition, Chinwe said:
“Empowering the voice and position of the underprivileged widows in the society through partnerships, empowerment, and capacity building has been our core mandate. We reach out to the widows through medical outreach, skill acquisition training , food and clothing distribution, and one -on-one counseling.

“We reinstate the children of the widows who have dropped out of school back to school and support in paying school fees of some.

women empowerment
We are committed to empowering women in skill acquisition.
health intervention
We support the sick and promote health and healthy living for humanity
basic quality education.

We support efforts to provide equitable access to quality education, “Chinwe emphasized.

“Approximately 70% of our proceeds go towards setting up business for underprivileged widows, skill acquisition training, medical outreach , food distribution ,educational support of children, and advocacy. Our audited books are up to date and readily available to be shared upon request, “concluded Chinwe Bode-Akinwande.

It is worthy of note that CBA Foundation has made a tremendous impact so far.

Since 2015 to date, CBA Foundation has consistently engaged in outreaches, which are embedded under our 5 point agenda.

Here’s a glance of our outreaches so far:

(1)
9,866
widows lives touched through
Women Empowerment/ Capacity Building scheme

(2)
5,585
widows supported through our
Health Intervention Administered

(3)
12,360
underprivileged widows
Nutrition:
Distributed food

(4)
169
children reinstated in school under the
Quality Basic
Education scheme

(5)
292
widows financially empowered under the
Self-Employment
Scheme

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Empowerment

TD Africa to Empower 400 Young Women with Tech Skills

by Women Times on

At least 400 young Nigerian women are about to get a digital boost as TD Africa flags off registration for TecHERdemy.

TecHERdemy is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative designed by Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading distributor of tech solutions, TD Africa, to empower young Nigerian women with the requisite skills to thrive in the dynamic digital age.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, TecHERdemy will provide 400 women the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive six-month training program focused on in-demand tech fields like cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and software development.

The move, which is in tandem with the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) annual “Girls in ICT” awareness program, provides a launchpad for fresh graduates, especially serving Corps members, to kickstart their careers in the tech space by helping the young women further understand what a career in tech today really means.

The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy, in a tweet said: “Another great opportunity from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for our women in Nigeria to benefit from in collaboration with TD Africa. This is an opportunity for young women interested in tech skills such as Cybersecurity, Data Science, AI and Software Development. Kindly take hold of this opportunity and apply.”

According to Mrs. Chioma Chimere, Coordinating Managing Director of TD Africa, women need to be aware of what is most important for their future.

Her words: “At TD Africa, we believe that technology is a powerful tool for social and economic progress. However, we also recognise the glaring gender gap in the tech industry. By investing in the education and empowerment of young Nigerian women, we are nurturing future tech leaders who will contribute to a more equitable and prosperous society.”

Beyond the comprehensive training, TecHERdemy offers participants unique opportunities for growth and career advancement with exposure to global brands like Cisco, Microsoft, and Huawei. Trainees will have the chance to secure instant job placements or internships after completion of the program through a high-level engagement with the hundreds of corporates within TD Africa’s ecosystem.

This initiative is a testament to TD Africa’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable tech landscape. It aims to help bridge the gender gap in the dynamic tech sector and create a brighter future for generations to come.

Interested participants can apply and learn more at https://tdafrica.com/TecHERdemy.

 

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Empowerment

Polaris Bank Provides Free Breast Cancer Screening for 250 Nigerian Women

by Women Times on

Polaris Bank, Nigeria’s leading digital retail commercial Bank, has announced the sponsorship of free breast cancer screening for 250 Nigerian women, in commemoration of 2024 October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This initiative underscores Polaris Bank’s unwavering commitment to women’s health and is part of the Bank’s long-standing efforts and intervention to support breast cancer awareness behavioral change, advocacy and prevention in Nigeria.

For over a decade, working with its NGO Partner, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (C.O.P.E), Polaris Bank has been a leader in breast cancer advocacy, behavioral change communication, funding support and the screening of more than 20,000 women across the country. This year’s sponsorship further supports the Bank’s mission to ensure that more women, particularly those with limited access to healthcare, have the opportunity for early detection, which is vital for successful treatment and survival.

“Breast cancer continues to pose a significant threat to women, not just in Nigeria, but globally. As a responsible corporate organization, we understand the importance of early detection, and we are committed to empowering women with access to this life-saving screening. Our partnership with C.O.P.E. is integral to making this service accessible to more women,” the Bank stated.

Aligned with United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which focuses on preventing needless suffering from preventable diseases and premature death, Polaris Bank is taking a crucial step by funding free breast cancer screenings for women in underserved regions.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), early detection of breast cancer increases survival rates and reduces treatment costs, making Polaris Bank’s initiative a vital contribution towards improving health outcomes and reducing breast cancer-related mortality in Nigeria.

This year’s screening programme reflects Polaris Bank’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda, which focuses on key areas like health, education, and youth/women empowerment; and community development. The Bank has consistently invested in causes that positively impact the lives of Nigerians, and this screening effort is yet another testament to its commitment to improving public health.
In addition to the screenings, the Bank continues to champion breast cancer awareness through education, advocacy, behavioural change and outreach, encouraging women to engage in regular self-examinations and seek medical attention promptly. This holistic approach to advocacy aims to build a healthier society where early detection becomes the norm.

The 2024 free screening intervention, marks another milestone in the fight against breast cancer, as the brand remains at the forefront of efforts to combat the disease, ensuring that Nigerian women have access to the critical health resources they need.
In over decade, Polaris Bank’s footprint in the fight against cancer in Nigeria, has been described by commentators as phenomenal:

In collaboration with the Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (C.O.PE) Foundation, Polaris Bank has sponsored treatment for over 30 indigent cancer patients and provided free breast cancer screenings for over 20,000 women, including its own female staff and customers. The Bank has also donated three state-of-the-art breast cancer screening machines, improving the quality of diagnosis and clinical practices nationwide. To further raise awareness, Polaris Bank organized a 10-kilometer walk with over 2,500 participants to draw attention to the breast cancer crisis.

The Bank, as part of its ongoing commitment to health awareness and community support, previously organized an impactful event for breast cancer survivors themed ‘Celebrating Our Pink Heroes’ at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The event brought together over 50 survivors and featured music, networking, and educational and experience sharing sessions. Same exercised was repeated just last year Oct with in Ikoyi with added spice where another 50 breast cancer survivors were treated to a full spa and wellness session involving sauna bath, manicure, pedicure, healthy meals, movie and experience sharing sessions.

It provided a meaningful platform for survivors to share their experiences, raise awareness about breast cancer, survival techniques and encourage positivity among their community. The initiative also sought to educate the public and demystify myth by reducing the stigma associated with the cancer, reinforcing Polaris Bank’s dedication to social responsibility and health advocacy.

The Bank had in making life more beautiful to breast cancer survivors had in 2019, presents over a 100 units of Prosthetic bra to cancer survivors registered under the Bank’s NGO Partner @copebcnigeria C.O.P.E.
Polaris Bank, in partnership with C.O.P.E, hosted a special full spa outing for some breast cancer survivors. The event strengthened the bond between the Bank and Cancer Survivors as it offered therapeutic services such as; steam baths, massages, manicures, pedicures, and a healthy meal, along with a health talk. Experiences were also shared amongst the survivors.

In addition, Polaris Bank part financed the establishment of arguably sub-Saharan best Cancer Hospital, Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital (MRCC).

Overall, the Bank’s initiatives reflect its dedication to responsible business practices, integrating social and environmental considerations into its operations, and ensuring a net positive impact on both society and the environment.

Women interested in taking part in the free screening exercise should visit our website or click the link below, or follow us on our social media pages @polarisbankltd for more information and registration details:

https://www.polarisbanklimited.com/breast-cancer-screening-2024/ and thereafter visit the C.O.P.E. Center at 39B, Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Screening is scheduled for third and fourth Saturday of October, 2024 and every third Saturday of every other month.

Polaris Bank was adjudged Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year in 2023, 2022, and 2021 in Business Day’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

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Event

Girl in Bloom Summit to Empower Young Women to Thrive Beyond Boundaries | Why You Shouldn’t Miss it

by Women Times on

In commemoration of The International Day of the Girl Child, the Bloom Africa is set to hold the Girl in Bloom Summit on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the Alliance Francaise/Mike Adenuga Center in Lagos, Nigeria and in commemoration of The International Day of the Girl Child.

This year’s Summit, themed “Beyond Boundaries” encourages girls to break through personal, professional, and societal limits, transcending barriers to unlock new opportunities. It promises to be an inspiring gathering focused on empowering African girls to embrace their potential and effect meaningful change in their communities.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural conference, which attracted over 700 girls from across Nigeria and beyond, the 2024 summit will feature an extraordinary line-up of speakers, including:

● Tosin Durotoye, Founder, The Bloom Africa
● Odunayo Eweniyi, Co-Founder, PiggyVest
● Lola Ekugo, Chief Digital Officer, FBNǪuest
● Jennifer Awirigwe, Founder, FinTribe
● Angel Yinkore, Founder, Just Us Girls Therapy
● Lola Shonubi, CEO, Key Learning Solutions
● Precious Naador, Marketing Executive, Alliance Francaise/Mike Adenuga Center

These inspiring leaders will share their journeys, insights, and strategies for overcoming challenges, fostering resilience, and leading with purpose.

At this year’s summit, The Bloom Africa will launch The Bloom Impact Fund – a Diasporan-led collective fund to support academic scholarships, business grants and personal development training.

Speaking on the summit, Tosin Durotoye, Founder The Bloom Africa comments ”We are delighted to be providing an avenue to empower the next generation of female African leaders to thrive, grow and discover their immense potential. I strongly believe that when African and Diasporan women come together, their collective strength becomes a powerful force for change. This is seen in our rich line up of speakers for the event.”

“I am particularly excited about the launch of the Bloom Impact Fund, an initiative that is targeted at transforming the future of African and Diasporan women, by bridging the gap in access to education and resources for our girls, across various industries, tech, personal development, mentorship and empowerment. Our mission is to ensure that every woman and girl, regardless of her location or circumstance, has the tools and support she needs to not only dream but to catalyze real, lasting change in her community and beyond.” She adds.

The Bloom Africa is committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5, which focus on quality and inclusive education and gender equality, respectively. Through our initiatives, including Girl in Bloom, we have empowered over 1,500 girls across nine African and Diasporan countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, the U.S., and Canada. Our programs are designed to enrich, empower, and embolden the next generation of female leaders through leadership development, social impact training, and community building.

Partners and sponsors include Junior Achievement Nigeria, Alliance Francaise/Mike Adenuga Center and ThatGood Media.

Participation Details

Several notable schools are registered to attend the summit, both in-person and virtually, making this event an inclusive platform for dialogue and growth.

To secure your virtual seat, kindly visit https://tix.africa/gibcon2024. Registered participants will receive the YouTube link to join us live and engage with the speakers.

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Empowerment

Fidelity Bank Trains 1,276 Women in Digital and AI Skills

by Women Times on

Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, partnered with ImpactHER to host another round of free digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills training for businesswomen. The partnership is in line with its commitment to empowering women with relevant entrepreneurship skills.

The training, organized by ImpactHER, was held from Monday, August 19 to Friday, August 23, 2024, and successfully trained 1,276 women entrepreneurs in digital and AI.

 

Situating the importance of the training within Fidelity Bank’s strategy, Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development at Fidelity Bank Plc said, “Available data points to the fact that women-led small businesses account for over 40% of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. This underscores the critical role female entrepreneurs play in driving economic growth.”

 

“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that empowering female entrepreneurs with the relevant skills to run successful businesses would go a long way in helping individuals to grow, businesses to thrive and economies to prosper in line with our mandate.”

 

The online training, delivered by ImpactHER, covered various topics related to leveraging technology for successful businesses. These included “Getting Started with Email Marketing,” “How to Harness AI for Content Creation as a Small Business Owner,” and “Branding and Positioning.”

 

Efe Ukala, Founder of ImpactHER, explained the importance of providing free training: “Statistically, women and girls are 25% less likely to leverage digital technology for basic purposes, 4 times less likely to know how to program computers, and 13 times less likely to file for technology patents. This highlights the importance of equipping African women with digital skills that can be leveraged to scale their businesses. Data shows that Africa can add 180 billion dollars to its GDP by 2025 if we close the e-commerce digital gap. By offering this training at no cost and collaborating with supporters like Fidelity Bank to reach more women, we’re working to make these vital skills accessible to women entrepreneurs who can drive this economic growth.”

 

This collaboration demonstrates Fidelity Bank and ImpactHER’s commitment to providing free, high-quality training to women entrepreneurs. By combining ImpactHER’s expertise and Fidelity Bank’s network and support for small businesses, the program aims to create lasting impact in the business community.

 

Participants praised the free program’s practical approach and the immediate applicability of the skills learned. The success of this initiative paves the way for future collaborations aimed at empowering more women entrepreneurs across Nigeria through free, accessible training programs. The August 2024 cohort brings the number of women entrepreneurs trained under the partnership to 5,719.

 

Ranked as one of the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 8.3 million customers serviced across its 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom as well as on digital banking channels.

The bank has won multiple local and international awards including the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, the Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023 and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards; Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023; and Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria by the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023.

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Event

Recharge Life Centre Unveils the Whole Women Conference 2024: A Day of Empowerment, Wellness, and Fun

by Women Times on

The Recharge Life Centre, a leading institution in mental health and well-being, is thrilled to announce the 8th annual Whole Women Conference. Scheduled for August 31st, 2024, this highly anticipated event aims to nurture and empower women using a holistic 360 approach to well-being, with a particular focus on mental health. 

Women today juggle multiple roles and face an array of mental, physical, and social challenges. Recognizing this, the Whole Women Conference will convene over 250 women, aged 20-45, for a full day of pampering, education, and wellness activities—all free of charge.

This year’s conference will be graced by an impressive lineup of medical professionals, mental health experts, top CEOs, and business leaders who will provide invaluable counseling, coaching, and mentoring. Confirmed partners include the Institute of Counselling Nigeria, which will offer one-on-one sessions with over 10 professional counselors, and medical practitioners from Lagos State Teaching Hospital and CLI College.

Participants can look forward to a variety of engaging activities designed to promote wellness and support. The day’s schedule includes:

– **Dance Therapy:** Energizing sessions to boost physical and mental health.

– **Games and Competitions:** Fun mind health and business challenges.

– **Group Sessions:** Interactive discussions on key topics.

– **One-on-One Counseling:** Personalized support from professional counselors.

– **Career, Business, and Health Education:** Workshops led by top professionals and entrepreneurs.

– **Food, Drinks, and Giveaways:** A festive atmosphere to nourish both body and soul.

The event will kick off at 9 AM and wrap up at 6 PM, promising a day filled with inspiration, connection, and rejuvenation. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to recharge and uplift your well-being at the Whole Womenn Conference 2024!

Venue of the event is Devine  Hall, By Six Diamond Hotel, 17,Abel Oreniyi Street, Opebi, Ikeja.

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Empowerment

LG Electronics Empowers Parents and Kids with Valuable Tech Skills, Insights at Summer Treat

by Women Times on

As part of an effort to introduce parents and children to opportunities available with technology, LG Electronics, a global leader in consumer electronics, has successfully hosted an online webinar titled “Summer Treats: Prepping Kids for Summer Holiday,” which was well-attended and focused on providing valuable insights and tips for parents to prepare their children as they observe summer break.

The webinar achieved its aim of empowering Nigerian parents by showcasing creative activities that they can engage their children in, with an emphasis on introducing them to the opportunities and benefits that are available to them early in tech, AI, and coding spaces during the summer holiday period.

Prominent women leaders in society and technology, which includes esteemed speakers such as Dr. Anire Okogun, Vice President of Commonwealth Business Women Africa Nigeria Chapter (CBW-Africa); Amarachi Onyemaobi, President of GirlsInTech Nigeria; Damilola Emuze, Head of Operations at The Bulb Africa; and Hajia Bolanle Muse, President of Commonwealth Business Women Africa Nigeria Chapter (CBW-Africa), shared interesting insights during the webinar.

Some of the takeaways from the Webinar include.”

–          The need to get children introduced to technology, AI, Coding, etc., at an early age because the future will revolve around technology.

–          Getting children to embrace technology gives them a strong foundation in problem-solving.

–          Enables the children to imbibe the doctrine of critical thinking.

–          We are in the era of AI taking over jobs and it is only those with tech skills will get jobs in the future.

–          Every profession now requires some technology; hence, children should be encouraged to embrace it early.

 

Questions were entertained by the speakers, who gave satisfactory answers that further put spice to the Webinar. 10 attendees also won prizes during the Webinar, as they got some questions asked on the points raised by the speakers correctly.

“We were thrilled to see the overwhelming response to our Insider Community webinar,” said the Managing Director, LG Electronics Mr. Hyoung Sub Ji. “By equipping parents with the right tools and knowledge, we aim to empower them to become more involved in their children’s education and create meaningful and memorable learning experiences over the summer break.”

The Insider Community initiative by LG Electronics strives to create a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among women, professionals, and experts. Through webinars, forums, and online resources, the community fosters an environment where Nigerians can gain valuable insights and support each other in navigating challenges across the board.

As part of this initiative, LG Electronics is offering free coding classes for kids, empowering them with the skills needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven world. Additionally, LG is providing parents with valuable insights and tools to help them better support their Children’s educational journey.

The conversation was professionally moderated by Oluyemisi Dada, broadcast media executive and anchor from the CBN on TVC News.

By providing these valuable resources, LG Electronics aims to make a positive impact on the lives of families and contribute to the development of the next generation of innovators and leaders. Furthermore, LG’s revolutionary smart home solutions can improve summer learning and offer a fun-filled time at home for the youngsters. More unique events are in the pipeline to improve the lives of the LG Insider Community.

 

 

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