BPW AFRICA

2011 NATIONAL CONFERENCE REPORT

The Business and Professional Women Nigeria, held her National Annual Conference and General meeting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on November 17^th and 18^th, 2011.

The 2-day event was packed with thought provoking, reflective and interesting activities.

The theme of the conference was:

“Women in Real Business; Doing business the right way.”

BPW Nigeria members came from Lagos, Ekiti, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Ibadan and Abuja, the host city.

We were also privileged to have amongst us BPW members from Cotonou, Benin Republic, Zambia, Cameroun and the African Young BPW president Mauryn Munalula.

Special guests from far and wide also graced the event. It was a great opportunity to showcase what BPW is all about and attract new members to this great organization.

The occasion was chaired by the Honorable Minister of State FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide.

BPW International was represented by Mrs. Adenike Adeyanju Osadolor, BPW African Regional Coordinator and a member of BPW International Executive Committee.

The International President Freda Miriklis sent in a powerful and insightful congratulatory message, which was delivered by Mrs. Adenike Adeyanju Osadolor on her behalf.

The first day featured the following activities:

1. Launch of the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) by Mrs. Adenike Adeyanju Osadolor.
2. UN Women was represented at the programme.
3. Five Women of repute shared their success stories with us. A common thread that ran through all the stories was the fact that women need to be hardworking, disciplined and accountable to reach the top.

Our five icons of industry were:

1. Hajia Bola Shagaya: a successful, humble and hardworking business woman and CEO of Practoil Nig. Ltd
2. Mrs. Ifueko Omoigul: Executive Chairperson, Federal Inland Revenue Services, and a highly cerebral and accomplished woman.
3. Mrs. Biodun Obakin: MD/CEO of Biobak Kitchen and Ventures, easily the best eatery in the Federal Capital Territory. A very practical and innovative woman.
4. Mrs. Titi Bakare: MD Vono Nig. Ltd. A highly principled and hardworking woman turning around Vono Nig. Ltd.
5. Hajia Hadiza Yerima Bulama: MD Muhandisun Ltd, an unassuming proactive and hardworking woman making waves in a male-dominated field.

It was very instructive, humbling and inspiring to hear how these great Nigerian women are holding their own in their various fields.

A major highlight was the powerful, motivational, interactive talk by Patricia Omoqui, an American lady married to a Nigerian man.

Her topic “The mind of an empowered Woman” kept the entire audience totally enraptured.

Patricia, a motivational speaker, life coach and Author took the audience through how to fight your fears, re-train your mind with practice and constantly review and revise our thinking.

Seven Daily Practices for Self-Empowerment she left with us are:

1. Silence
2. Mindfulness
3. Gratitude
4. Observation (observe your mind daily, have new thoughts and feed your mind)
5. Affirmation
6. Joy
7. Impact (In what small way can I make an impact)

Closing quote “I do what I can where I am with the resources I have now”

It was a fantastic session.

A General Session of the Business and Professional Women-Nigeria reviewed the BPW Nigeria Constitution with a Policy document to follow.

The first day rounded up with a fun filled, exciting and memorable gala night. There was also mini candle lighting ceremony.

Biobak Kitchen feted us at the programme, with good music, dancing and inspirational speeches on “What BPW has done for me”.

It was indeed a highly successful first day Conference.

The Second day was a day of full entrepreneurial training. This was sponsored by Abuja Enterprise Agency.

Topics taken included:

1. Sales and Marketing
2. Finance for Non-finance people
3. Tax matters
4. Etiquette
5. Networking skills
6. Branding/ Brand Recognition
7. Human Resource Management (People make it happen)

Our major sponsors,

a)     Federal Inland Revenue Services

b)    Abuja Enterprise Agency

c)     Arik Air Ltd

d)    Biobak Kitchen

made the programme possible. We are very grateful to them. Our prayer is that they will keep soaring higher than their contemporaries.

Thank you all.

Angela Ajala

National President

BPW Nigeria.

Some Impressions of the Conference: