Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, last weekend in Lagos, held its annual women’s event tagged, “Bloom Weekend” aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs across the country.
Speaking at event held at the Landmark Event Centre, experts called on women to seize opportunities present in the ‘Blue Blossom community’ that caters to their development.
The event featured several components including a yoga session, village market, the Ladies At The Table Empowerment Series (LATTES), an all-day trade fair, and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME) masterclasses.
Blue Blossom is a community of women who want to save more efficiently, diversify their investments, build sustainable businesses or careers and protect their wealth and family while connecting with other women within the community.
In her keynote address, Mrs Bunmi Oke, the chief executive officer/Lead Consultant, Ladybird Advertising Limited, tasked women to prioritise planning towards achieving whatever they want across all verticals of their lives be it career-wise to family.
“Always be prepared because time, chance, and opportunity come in a wrapping paper of hard work… Market yourself because people have to know what you stand for and don’t be afraid to be yourself,” she said.
She added,
“We as women must always support ourselves, we must realise that it is a privilege and with privilege comes opportunity and that’s why we do programmes like this, to give back.”
Also speaking, Mrs Olajumoke Bello, the head of Enterprise Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, emphasised women’s indispensable contributions to societal progress and drummed the necessity to stand beside women and aid them in surmounting the obstacles that frequently obstruct their path on the journey to attaining financial prowess.
“At Stanbic IBTC, this is how we are impacting women, we are helping to stand and support them as business owners and as the saying goes when women succeed, communities are impacted, communities prosper, communities thrive, and nations prosper,” she said.
“The outcome for us is to see women in the Bloom Community grow and see it in their businesses and it shows that we are growing and continuing this journey with them. We want to see this empowerment feature in how they are thriving and growing.”
On her part, Mrs Nike Bajomo, the executive director of Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, said that the lender seeks to create a lasting impact, equipping women with the tools, knowledge, and community.
“By focusing on a holistic approach, we aim to promote well-being, financial independence, and entrepreneurial success among women. Beyond these objectives, we recognise the transformative power of community. The cooperation that emerges when women unite to support one another is unmatched.
“We believe that the collaborative environment of the Stanbic IBTC Bloom Weekend can spark meaningful change. By providing a space where influential figures and attendees can engage in open dialogue, we aim to inspire attendees to take bold steps towards their goals, armed with the insights and encouragement gleaned from this event.”
The panel session at the event featured veteran broadcaster and consultant, Mrs Eugenia Abu, Dr Olaide Omotosho-Ikuru of Health Kinect clinic, Family Life Coach and Councillor, Nike Folagbade, as well as Associate Director, PwC, Oluwadamilola Dada.
