WISCAR advocates for inclusion at the 2022 Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference

…Chimamanda Adichie, Muhammad Sanusi Lamido, BeatriceEyong, others lend their voices 

On Saturday,10th December 2022, Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), a leading not-for-profit and non-governmental organization focused on women empowerment and strategic mentoring for professional women concluded the 12th Edition of its Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference. The Keynote speaker, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche and other panellists led the discourse on the WISCAR Theme “For the Nation; The Power of Inclusion”. During the conference, the graduation of 51 women professionals from the 2022 cohort took place. 

The conference which brought together female professionals from all sectors of the economy, welcomed goodwill messages from Sarkin Kano, HRH Muhammad Sanusi Lamido II, the Deputy British High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, Country Representative of UN Women to Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong and the Country Sales manager of United Airlines, Oluwatomi Bola-Sadipe.

Speaking to guests and members of WISCAR at the Conference, the Founder and Chairperson of WISCAR, Amina Oyagbola, highlighted the objectives of the not-for-profit organisation which focuses on leadership development and capacity building through Structured mentorship for female professionals and women empowerment. She expressed her delight over the success and impact of WISCAR’s activities over the years.

She said, “Through the Win-with-WISCAR Mentoring programme and the WISCAR Grow and Learn Initiative, we have impacted well over 15,000 men, women & girls.” Amina Oyagbola also highlighted WISCAR’s achievements in driving inclusion stating: “In 2021 WISCAR was appointed Private Sector liaison partner to UN Women Nigeria to drive private sector support and participation in UN Women/UNGC Women Empowerment Principles. So far, we have surpassed the target of 100 proposed signatories to the (WEPs).”

The event which had over 600 guests in attendance were privileged to listen to a panel session moderated by Tunji Lardner, a renowned Journalist, and Public Servant. The panellists included; Adia Sowho, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria; Tosin Oshinowo, Director, CmDesign Atelier, Hawwah Gambo, Journalist and 2023 House of Representative candidate and Chukwuemeka Onyimadu, National Economist with UN Women Nigeria, held insightful and enriching discussions on the theme. They agreed that to achieve inclusion organisations and individuals must continue to be intentional and deliberate and walk the talk.

The WISCAR Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference also played host to the keynote remarks and fireside chat with renowned author and women’s advocate, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. On her decision to lend her voice at the WISCAR Conference, she said “the WISCAR woman is a solid person. There is something special about receiving this award and recognition at home and by professional women. This award and the entire evening felt so genuine, and I was moved and grateful to be so celebrated.”

This year’s event tagged An Evening With WISCAR, was a fusion of music, spoken word and impact and action-based conversations. It provided the opportunity for professional women with He-for-She advocates to interact, discuss, and build relationships to create new paths that will and enable people to demand fairness, equity, and inclusion of all citizens to move our nation forward.