By Henry Uche
Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Akon Etim Eyakenyi, will deliver a keynote address at a Women in Management and Leadership (WIMLEAD) conference, put together by Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), which focuses on leadership, growth and balance for women.
A statement issued by the Registrar /Chief Executive of the Institute, Mrs. Taiwo Olusesi, confirmed this.
Slated for 21st to 23rd of July at Watbridge Hotels & Suites in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the conference would be attended by women from different walks of life in both the public and private sectors of the nation’s economy for a cross – pollination and fertilization of ideas and offer solutions to issues that directly affect them in the home front, the workplace and the economy.
With the theme: ‘Empowered to Excel- Redefining Leadership, Growth and Balance for Women in a Changing World’, Olusesi revealed that ‘WIMLEAD’, being flagship of women conferences in Nigeria which started twenty-four years ago, has become an important platform for women leaders in both the private and public sectors of the nation’s economy to come together.
“It is equally heart-warming to see that the conference has attained such a status that it attracts distinguished ladies from all walks of life and has become a major item in the annals of women’s discourse.
“Apart from Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom State, who will serve as the keynote speaker and Special Guest of Honour, other facilitators at the conference made up of women who have excelled in different areas of their calling include Mrs. Funke Adepoju, Director General, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON); and Mrs. Yinka Johnson, Executive Director, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management.
“Others are: Dr. Ini Adiakpan, the Advisor to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Nigeria for Women Project, and Offiongita Nkang, Registrar, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi”
Olusesi added that Mrs. Victoria Ajayi, Managing Director, TVC Communications, and Mrs. Abiola Adelana, Tourism Business Manager, Sterling Bank Plc will serve as panel of discussants during a panel session focusing on ‘The Future is Female: Fostering Equality and Diversity in Leadership.
She opined that the idea for this conference was mooted and integrated into the Institute’s yearly calendar to help women members and non-members alike to be the best of who they want to be adding that “as the leading multidisciplinary professional body in Nigeria, the Institute fully understands most of the challenges faced by women in their efforts to excel in their careers while also being at their best in the home front, thereby achieving excellent work-life balance”.
