Africa with Nigeria leading the charge continent has the largest proportion of women creating and running family businesses . Ninety percent of African majorly Nigerian Women positively contribute to the economy and invest up to 90 percent of their income in education, health, and nutrition of their family and community.
Dr Wuraola Abiola, Managing Director of Management Transformation Ltd (MT) disclosed this during a press conference and launching of Ready to Inspire campaign with the theme ” Take control in uncertain times” organised by Future Females Invest and Old Mutual Nigeria.
Dr Wuraola Abiola noted that ” adequate financial knowledge, insurance covers, mentorship of girl child, and coaching have been identified as panacea to cushion the adverse effect of Covid-19 pandemic on women owned Entreprises.
She stated that “Future Females Invest (FFI) in partnership with Old Mutual Nigeria seek to empower Nigerian Women businesses financially through Programs, training and set skills acquisition initiatives for entrepreneurs, women leaders, professionals and that the intent of the ” Ready to Inspire” campaign is to equip women to achieve their aspirations and engage in purposeful and impactful networking “
Dr Wuraola Abiola further noted that ” Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to more gender inequality and more setback in driving women’s financial inclusion, which means that women generally have access to basic financial services like savings account, credit facilities, mortgage and Insurance policy cover against loss in business “
Executive Head of Marketing and Customers Experience Old Mutual Nigeria, Alero Ladipo noted that ” insurance covers for women entrepreneurs helps the growth and development of the economy by encouraging individuals to secure their future through risk management, savings and Investment “
Alero Ladipo observed that year 2021 International Women’s Day (IWD) theme : “Choose to Challenge” is unique and in tandem with both FFI and Old Mutual Nigeria aspirations that challenge women who are majorly denied upward mobility in. the workplace , trade and business opportunities, the right to own and inherit properties and underrepresented in corporate governance and board appointments.
She further quoted the World bank data that “51 percent of Nigerian males had bank accounts in 2017 compared to 27 percent of females. There is 24 percent gap increase between male and female recorded in 2014 when total males with bank account was at 54 percent while females was at 34 percent.
Alero Ladipo further noted that ” the FFI and Old Mutual Nigeria partnership is aimed to build trust with women and enabling female entrepreneurs to understudy how insurance
Iessens the risk of Future losses”
Other notable speakers at the session include: Ivana Osagie, Founder of Professional Women Roundtable; Fade Ogunro, Founder and CEO of Bookings Africa; Yewande Enobahkare – Adewusi, Regional Director BBC, Vivian Nwakah, Founder of Medsaf , Tori Abiola, Co-founder of FFI and Aisha Tegally, Co- Founder of FFI and Mr Ayo Olugbade, Chief Executive Atlantic Exhibitions Ltd.