WIMBIZ

Women in Management, Business and Public Service (also known as WIMBIZ) is a nonprofit organisation for Nigerian women. The organization is located in Ikoyi, Lagos. It was founded in the year 2001 to promote women in all spheres of life with focus on women's protection and development in public and corporate entities through regular training and networking. The establishment was formed by thirteen vision aligned women and one man.^[1]

History

The establishment of WIMBIZ was conceptualized by Chidi Okonjo, the only man among the founding members of the organization. It was co-founded in 2001 by Yewande Zaccheaus, Morin Desalu and Omobola Johnson, the former minister of communication.

The formation of this organisation started when Chidi attended a women conference in the Republic of South Africa. He felt the same idea should be replicated at home. He briefed Omobola Johnson on his arrival in the country. Omobola informed Yewande Zaccheaus and Morin Desalu. The pair mobilised other members that became the founding members of the organisation.^[2]

List of founding Members

• Yewande Zaccheaus
• Omobola Johnson
• Ibukun Awosika
• Morin Desalu
• Adeola Azeez
• Funmi Roberts
• Faith Matthews
• Mairo Bashir
• Toyin Olawoye
• Ifeyinwa Ighodalo
• Ifeoma Idigbe
• Chichi Okonjo

Annual Conferences and Lectures

WIMBIZ started her annual conference in 2003. Each conference is tagged with a theme and is purposed to reflect the overall mission and vision of the organisation and how to move it forward. The 13th and 14th edition of the annual conference were held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event marking the 13th edition was tagged "Nigeria Rising....Accelerating Transformation".

The 14th edition was tagged "Leadership… Step Up and Stand Out!". According to The Guardian Newspaper, the Chairperson of the organisation Seyi Aile at a meeting that kicked off the conference in 2015 said "every woman must know how to manage her personal finance. One of the key challenges with women in politics for example is that most women are unable to finance their political careers. This is true in other aspects of life. How can women build their financial strength? How does the ability to grow finances impact women’s leadership? This conference will draw on personal experiences of the panelists in building a strong case for women to mind their personal finances".^[2][3][4]

In the same vein, the Guardian Newspaper also reported that lady Alex Ibru, the chairperson of the Guardian Newspaper, at the event saying "This organisation is the epitome of hope, not only to the young ones, but also to generation yet unborn. You have acquired great reputation of seeking to foster excellence among women executive in business and government in particular and other areas of human endeavour. I therefore, consider it a privileged to be asked to chair this conference,".^[5] She advised women to be well equipped in order to be able to take advantage of the opportunities beckoning at them as the ladder for reaching the top. Though, she agreed that we are in the men'world but women can still hold their ways if they are better prepared through proper education and training. Some of the high points at the event include breakout session held by Mrs Wendy Luhabe, from the Republic of South Africa and the presentation of awards to distinguished members such as former Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, Prof. Mrs. Grace Alele-Williams and former Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Prof. Sidi Osho.

Aside the annual conference, the organisation also holds annual lectures which parade speakers from all works of life to speak to women on how they can grow to achieve their objectives in life. In 2015 the body held her annual lecture at Muson Centre, Lagos Nigeria. At the event the President Council Stock Exchange in Nigeria, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said "Tough times are not uniquely Nigeria’s; you will always face challenges in the quest to succeed regardless of your nationalities and gender, you will always face challenges. Other people may not face the same type of challenges as us, but let’s not think that other people are not exempt from tough times."^[6][7]

External links

• Official Website

References