IWD 2025: PettySave MFB hosts women’s empowerment event

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Pertinence Group, in collaboration with PettySave Microfinance Bank and 1st Royal Character & Values Limited (RCV), hosted an inspiring event themed “Empower Her – The 21st-Century Go-Getter Woman.”

The event, held at Akowonjo, Lagos on Thursday and moderated by Mrs. Yemisi Itepu, brought together women and men from diverse professional backgrounds to discuss empowerment, entrepreneurship, and financial independence, as well as networking and relationship-building.

Keynote speaker, Mrs. Bosede Olusola-Obasa, CEO of RCV, delivered an impactful speech emphasizing the need for confidence, competence, and intentionality in women’s pursuit of success. She challenged women to rise above societal stereotypes and take control of their careers and businesses.

“Don’t say ‘give me what I deserve’ when you’re not ready for what you ask for. Don’t expect handouts, pay your dues.

Nobody takes value off the shelf and keeps it in the cupboard. Understand what you need to bye pass and what you need to attend to, and grow a tough skin intentionally, so you don’t breed pity,” she said.

The event also witnessed a dynamic panel session, which featured Mrs. Adesuwa Oguogha, a Consultant, Mrs. Victoria Olawale, a Realtor and Entrepreneur, Ambassador Christiana Omoyajowo, a Realtor, Marcellina Adebayo, a Realtor and Event Planner, and Mary Ogbaisi, a Realtor and Beauty Consultant.

Discussions revolved around business growth, financial investment, and work-life balance, with key insights on customer relationship, navigating challenges as a woman in business, and leveraging partnerships.

On balancing multiple roles, Olawale said: “With every one person you meet, there are 1,000 people attached to them. So, address one customer like you will address a thousand people. Also, leverage on the business that can take you to where you want to go and use that as a pull for other businesses.”

When asked how to balance business growth with family upkeep, Oguogha advised: “Learn to delegate what you can’t do to people that can do them. Also, marry someone who will help you manage your life. Marry a gardener, not a hunter; and have a structure for the house and monitor it, so it won’t demand excessively from you and eventually stagnate you.”

Adebayo and Ogbaisi advised women to leverage each other’s strengths and weaknesses, as the session wrapped up with insights on forming strong business partnerships and making strategic investments.

The financial empowerment segment of the event was led by Yemisi Savage and Bukola Sofola, representatives from PettySave Microfinance Bank, who spoke on how the bank was out to empower women financially with excellent product offers, low interest rates on loans and high interest rates on target savings schemes.

During the event, the bank, which launched officially last year,  celebrated its pioneer customers, The Eleja Sisters and Mrs. Folashade Abiola, honouring them on stage for their success stories. A raffle draw was also conducted by PettySave and five lucky attendees emerged winners of cash prizes. The grand prize of N50,000 was shared among Mercy Nwaneho, Mrs. Anyaoma, and Mrs. Ajakaiye.

As part of the event’s highlights, top-performing realtors with Pertinence were appreciated with gifts such as microwaves, ovens, and cooking gas, while other outstanding realtors received shopping vouchers. The company also promised it was donating 1% of every land sale made until 30 April toward supporting a girl child.

The event concluded with a networking session and refreshments, leaving attendees motivated and better equipped to take bold steps in their personal and professional lives.