From Our Reporter
Nigerians women have been urged to believe in the cause of other fellow women for them to succeed in politics and other endeavours.
Speaking at the 2020 International Women’s Day programme organized by Women Connected by Purpose, WCBP, Ibadan, the President of the group, Mrs. Monisola Adebayo, pointed out that one challenge that has been hindering women from succeeding in politics is the fact that women do not believe in other women in navigating the unusual terrain.
While reeling out why women have not been supporting women in politics, Mrs. Adebayo said: “The first thing is that it is an unusual terrain. When we are not used to something, our first reaction is to reject it and say it is not possible. So, one challenge that may be hindering women from supporting women is even ourselves do not believe that this is the space that we should be in. That is the mindset that needs to change.
“We have to know that women can be anywhere, whether it is bedroom, in the kitchen, on the platform. Wherever it is we can actually shine. It starts with women understanding first that it may seam unusual but unusual is beginning to be the new norm. With that understanding, then we begin acceptability. With acceptability, that allows us supporting one another.”
Highlights of the programme included a panel of discussion by some women who have made it in their chosen professions. The panel had the theme: “Excellence: A Key Enabler to Each for Equal”.
Speaking on theme of discussion, Mrs. Adebayo urged women to emulate the Chairperson of First Bank Limited, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika and Mrs. Mofoluwaso Ilevbare’s lifestyle of excellence and passion in their careers.
She said; “We believe very strongly that an enabled world, the world that enables women to take up their space is a world everyone should showcase their excellence.
“In a nutshell, International Women’s Day means excellence to us. To ensure that when the opportunities happen, we can give the best to take our space as women in the society.
“In the contemporary Nigeria, women of excellence include our visioner,Mrs. Mofoluwasho Ilevbare.
She is a global leader and HR professional. She was recently named one of the leading ladies in Africa. Another person that comes to mind is Ibukun Awosika. She is taking new territories.
Territories where before now are only male-dominated. She is trotting with a lot of confidence and excellence. When we talk about excellence or about women taking their space, contemporary-wise, we are not talking about men shifting for us to take over, we are talking about taking our own space based on the opportunities that are available to us.
“Their passion and strive for excellence should be emulated. These two people don’t see anything as impossible. They don’t take to the notion that as women we don’t need to be at the fore-front. They continue to break boundaries in places that are unusual”.
