Introduction and Overview
The 2018 WISCAR Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference was successfully held on Saturday 24th November 2018 at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos from 9am to 2pm. The theme of the conference was “Enriching Lives by Telling Our Own Stories’’. The conference was attended by approximately One Thousand (1000) delegates drawn from Corporate organizations, Entrepreneurship, Politics and Governance sectors as well as students from several tertiary and secondary schools.
The Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah formally opened the conference with his remarks on the role of women in nation building. The Founder/Chairperson of WISCAR, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola welcomed participants in her Founder’s Address. She said, “Storytelling has earned its place as the most important tradition humankind possesses. When we share our stories, we teach our communities how to love, how to forgive, how to be fair and just and how to strive to do better than today”. Quoting former U.S Secretary of State and former First Lady of the U.S, Hillary Clinton, Mrs. Oyagbola reminded the audience that “Women’s rights are human rights. No more no less’’. Goodwill messages were received from Ambassador Al-Hassan Conteh (Ambassador of Liberia to Nigeria), Chief Obafemi Olopade OFR (Elder Statesman), Ambassador Nozipho January-Bardill (International Diplomat, Corporate Relations Specialist and Chair Nelson Mandela University Council), Alhaji Ahmed Rufai Mohammed (President of the Institute of Directors Nigeria) and Dr. (Mrs) Lola Akande (Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation) representing the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. The event was compered by organisational effectiveness consultant and social justice activist, Habiba Balogun.
Mrs. Ifeoma Fafunwa (Founder & Creative Director, iOpenEye) delivered a presentation on the theme ‘Our Stories as an inspiration to the next generation’ and an excerpt from her stage play ‘Hear Word’ was performed to the delight of participants. The performance was followed by a power-packed panel discussion on the topic; “Custodians of Our Own Legacy; The Power of Role-modelling and Mentorship in Shaping Our Stories’’. The distinguished Panellists were; Ambassador Nozipho January-Bardill, Aishah Ahmad (Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria), Hadiza Bala Usman (Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority), Kofo Akinkugbe (Managing Director/CEO, SecureID Group), Polly Alakija (Chairperson, Lagos State Council of Arts and Culture). The discussion was skilfully moderated by Tunji Lardner (Global TED Fellow & Founder, WANGONET). Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Former President of Liberia and First democratically elected Female President in Africa) delivered a well-articulated and inspiring keynote address on the theme, ‘Enriching Lives by Telling Our Own Stories’, which was followed by a conversation with the Founder of WISCAR, Amina Oyagbola to deep dive into her extraordinary journey and story. Following the very rich conversation, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was presented with the 2018 Distinguished WISCAR Award. President Johnson Sirleaf said, ‘’If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough. Women and Girls; Find your voice.’’
The Conference highlighted the importance of role modelling and mentorship by successful women leaders as a gift to the next generation in nation-building. Participants were engaged and inspired by the great stories shared. The conference also highlighted the benefits that accrue to communities, organizations and the nation when women are empowered and given an equal opportunity to participate in the workplace and in society.
Welcome, Goodwill Message, Keynote Address and Conversation with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The Founder/Chairperson of WISCAR, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, gave the welcome address where she thanked all the attendees for gracing the occasion and stated that the theme chosen for the conference “Enriching Lives By Telling Our Own Stories” resonates with WISCAR’s practices, methods and beliefs. ‘’The theme fully echoes WISCAR’s exemplary model. WISCAR has always prized the voices of confirmed successful women as catalysts for the growth and progress of up and coming mentees. Treading in the footpaths of those who have gone before us is a certain map and navigator to any destination because when those who have finished a journey tell us of their travails and triumphs we know which turns to take and which ones to avoid.’’ This was immediately followed by Goodwill Messages by Ambassador Al-Hassan Conteh (Ambassador of Liberia to Nigeria), Chief Obafemi Olopade OFR (Elder statesman) Ambassador Nozipho January-Bardill (International Diplomat, Corporate Relations Specialist and Chair of the Nelson Mandela University Council) and Dr. (Mrs) Lola Akande (Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation) on behalf of the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. The Goodwill messages recognised and commended the exemplary achievements of the keynote speaker and the role of WISCAR in creating and sustaining a positive impact in the lives of women through the flagship WIN-with-WISCAR Mentoring Programme.
The Keynote speech was delivered by Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia and First democratically elected Female President in Africa. Speaking on the theme: ‘Enriching Lives by Telling Our Own Stories’’, Madame Johnson Sirleaf highlighted that lasting transformation cannot be achieved by leaders alone but by individuals, civil society, professional bodies and religious organizations. She stated that ‘failure is success upside down’ and encouraged the audience to have the courage to fail and let failure strengthen their resolve to succeed. She further encouraged women to find their voice and let their voices be heard and stated that it was important for women to participate at all levels of societal endeavour including politics. She buttressed the point by stating that Liberia’s journey to peace was carried on the backs of women. Responding to a question during her conversation with WISCAR Founder Amina Oyagbola on how she would wish to be remembered Madame Johnson Sirleaf stated, ‘’I wish to be remembered for breaking the barriers for women to attain top leadership positions in Africa and for giving Liberia a change from despair to hope’’.
Plenary Session/ Key Learnings/ Recommendations
The event had one plenary session with the theme “Custodians of Our Own Legacy; The Power of Role-modelling and Mentorship in Shaping Our Stories” with the following panellists; Ambassador Nozipho January-Bardill (International Development Expert & Chairperson of the Council, Nelson Mandela University), Aishah Ahmad (Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria), Hadiza Bala Usman (Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority), Kofo Akinkugbe (Managing Director/CEO, SecureID Group), Polly Alakija (Chairperson, Lagos State Council of Arts and Culture). The discussion was moderated by Mr. Tunji Lardner (Global TED Fellow & Founder, WANGONET).
Key Learnings from the plenary session
– Success in a male dominated sector is not achieved by struggling with the men but by being the best at what you do.
– Know your strengths, play them up. Know your weaknesses, fill them up.
– You need to own your story no matter how unexciting you think it is.
– It is okay to ask for help when required.
– Adequate workplace policies that will afford women the flexibility they require in creating a balance between their family commitments and their careers need to be put in place in order to allow women to grow through the ranks and not fall through the cracks.
– It is not just about your destination but also about the role you have right now and the impact you are making with the role.
– Women who reach top leadership positions owe a responsibility to initiate and drive through favourable policies that make the journey less arduous for those who are coming behind.
– Be a capable person and you will be called to the table not because you are a woman but because you are capable.
– As women we need to be brave, courageous and fearless and seize opportunities when they arise as well as create the opportunities where they do not exist.
– Do your work well for the works’ sake and the next level opportunity will come to you.
Advocacy and Policy Recommendations from the Plenary Sessions
Gender Inclusivity, Equity and Parity in the workplace: Following the discussions of the panel and the keynote speaker, we note that women constitute 50% of the global workforce. In addition to this we recognise that the onerous responsibility of conception and nurturing are placed in their hands, thus significant attention should be paid to their welfare, health and economic wellbeing. WISCAR advocates for more inclusive and gender friendly workplaces as this is pertinent to enable women thrive in their chosen careers and take their rightful place as co-developers in nation building. We note that the in June 2018 the Minister of Labour and Employment recognised an increase in maternity leave from 12 weeks to 16 weeks. There is however no formal Act at the Federal Government level enacted for this purpose and we advocate that this should be formalised via legislation amending the current Labour Act.
Women’s Political Participation: The conference highlighted that Nigeria is currently lagging behind other ‘progressive democracies’ with regards to the participation of women in governance. This trend notably flows from the national level down to the local government level. WISCAR thus advocates for more participation of women in politics and governance. We advocate for the passage of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill 2011. The bill if passed legislates for a number of our advocacy agenda including provision for women of at least 35% of Ministerial positions in Nigeria’s government as well as 20% of Commissioner appointments at State level. It also provides the minimum age of marriage as 18 years.
Girl Child Education: There are currently 10.6 million out of school children in Nigeria and about 60% of these are girls. The correction of this trend demands legislation that is recognised and enforced. At the conference it was referenced that one of the reasons for the low rates of rights awareness and education of the girl child is early marriage. It was agreed that young girls need to stay in school. We are aware that the Child Rights Act 2003 was created to serve as a legal documentation and protection of Children in Nigeria. So far only 23 states and the FCT have adopted the Act in Nigeria. While data shows a 9% decline in the prevalence of child marriage since 2003, there is a need to push for the other 13 States in Nigeria to adopt the ACT in order to witness unified progress.
Free education for young girls from primary through secondary school will further assist in ensuring access of young girls to a good education. The proper implementation of the Universal Basic Education Act will impact the achievement of the SDGs 1, 4, 5 and 10 which directly address girl child education and poverty reduction. At WISCAR we advocate for the amendment of the Universal Basic ACT (UBE) 2004 to increase free education for the first 12 years incorporating primary and secondary education and Government support for the implementation of the ACT through increased funding.
Presentation of the Distinguished WISCAR Award
One of the highlights of the event following the reading of a remarkable citation of Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf by Muni Shonibare (CEO, IO Furniture) was the presentation of the 2018 Distinguished WISCAR Award, to Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her achievements as the first democratically elected female President in Africa and a proponent for free education in Liberia, amongst many other significant achievements. Madame Johnson Sirleaf expressed her delight at receiving the award and thanked the Advisory Board and Management of WISCAR for the esteemed conferment. She accepted the Distinguished WISCAR Award on behalf of the resilient women of Liberia and Nigeria.
Conclusion and Appreciation
The Conference concluded with the graduation of the 2018 Stream 9 of the WIN-with-WISCAR Mentoring Programme and a commitment from WISCAR to continue to advocate for gender friendly workplaces for the benefit of both women and men as well as enactment and enforcement of law and policy that promote the full participation of women in social, economic and political life. F. Boma Ayomide Alabi OON, WISCAR Advisory Board Member and Chair of the 2018 Planning Committee and the WISCAR Executive Secretary, Fabia Ogunmekan gave the vote of thanks with special thanks to sponsors, donors and participants for making the 2018 WISCAR Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference a glittering success.
For the Board and Management of WISCAR
Amina Oyagbola
Founder/Chairperson
