TheCable

Women in Nigeria took the centre stage as Women In Successful Business (WISCAR), a foremost female mentorship and leadership advocacy platform held its 10th year anniversary recently at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. 

Founded by the cerebral Amina Oyagbola, a business leader and former top executive of MTN Nigeria, WISCAR was established to empower and develop professional women to contribute to the development and growth of Nigeria and indeed Africa.

Established 10 years ago, the body has emerged as a strong advocacy voice for equal opportunities for women in the workplace as well as a veritable platform for mentoring young women through its structured mentorship programme.

The 10th year anniversary, which had as its theme: Developing Women To Build A Better Nation, attracted the cream de’lacreame of society including Her Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who stood in for Governor Ambode, Mrs. Bisi Adeleye Fayemi, Gender Specialist, Social Entrepreneur and Policy Advocate, Omobola Johnson, Senior Partner, TLcom and former Minister of Communications, Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria,  Laoye Jaiyeola, CEO, Nigerian Economic Summit, Adesuwa Dozie, General Counsel, Gas Power System and Services in Sub-Saharan Africa, Kemi Onabanjo, Engagement Partner, McKinsey & Company, amongst others who all turned up in support WISCAR’s initiative.

Speaking on WISCAR’s trajectory over its 10 years of existence, Oyagbola stated that the body was setup to enable and empower women across the country by providing learning and professional opportunities in order to position them for leadership and nation building.

Oyagbola further stated that in addition to the advocacy for improved career opportunities for career women, the WISCAR has provided a support network for women to share experiences and build a bulwark against the multiple challenges they face in the corporate space through its mentorship scheme.

Speaking further, she stressed that the 10th Anniversary celebration as well as the fact that mentees from WISCAR have made appreciable progress and impact in their areas of endeavor was proof that WISCAR has made significant contributions towards the upliftment of women and the development of the country.

In her words: “We are celebrating this anniversary by showcasing pioneering and successful women in various sectors of our economy.  WISCAR is a platform where successful women share experiences of what they did and how they did it to reach the zenith of their careers and make a valuable contribution to their organizations and society. This is what we have been doing in 10 years and I am excited that we have been able to touch the lives of Nigerian women positively and contribute to nation building.”