BPW Nigeria hosts convention in Akwa Ibom

A GROUP Business and Professional Women (BPW) Nigeria, recently organised its annual convention with the theme, ‘Women Collaborating for Global Impact towards a sustainable framework in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

According to the National President  of the association, Yinka Ajibola,  the last one year has been eventful on the local,  national and international fronts.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr Keziah Awosika, gender and development expert and Director, Women, Law and Development Center (WLDCN).

According to her, women are doing well in their chosen fields of endeavour but haven’t conquered the political terrain.

“Now that we are on the threshold of another election, we need to do more. If we have global impact, we must ask for inclusion.”

She informed that the poverty level in Nigeria had increased in the last 15 years. This is one of the MDGs that were never really achieved.

The second session, “Empowering Women and Youth through Growth based collaboration was taken by Mrs Ime Ephraim Iyang.  She talked about the numerous opportunities for women and youths in the state as well as how to maximise these opportunities for growth and development.

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“When collaborative growth is instituted, it helps individuals and organisations to synchronise their team to align workplace to grow effectively with individual fulfilment and shared goals”.

Inyang adds: “In empowering women and young people therefore, it becomes very imperative to understand the growth path as it has transitioned in Africa in the last decade “.

In her own presentation, Mrs Janet Asuquo Amba focused on women collaborating to drive political inclusion. She kicked off her presentation with two video clips depicting why some men were afraid of female inclusion into politics.

To overcome these obstacles, women, she emphasised must understand the challenges and support one another. “We must each make sacrifices to be heroes”. She ended the session looking at early female pioneers like Funmilayo Ransome Kuti,  Hajia Gambo Sawaba and Margaret Ekpo.

Dr Akon Eyakenyi who was the fourth Speaker why presenting a paper entitled, “Education as a Catalyst for Global Impact.

Awards were presented to the First Lady, Her Excellency Martha Udom Emmanuel who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and three other Speakers at the event.