WIMBIZ, Stakeholders Urge Women To Dream Big, Challenge Stereotypes

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By Joan Odafe

Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) and other stakeholders have encouraged women to go beyond dreaming and take concrete actions to unlock their potential.

They emphasised that women need to adopt a positive mindset, avoid distractions, and be bold in pursuing their dreams without limitations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this call was made at the 23rd Annual Conference of WIMBIZ on Thursday in Lagos.

The event was themed ‘Dream. Dare. Do’.

Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, Chairperson of the conference and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, stated that the conference provided a platform for women from diverse backgrounds to share experiences and motivate each other.

She said the event aimed to equip participants with the tools to turn their dreams into reality.

Speaking on the theme, Ogunsola stressed the importance of going beyond dreaming to take bold actions, especially in the face of societal stereotypes and constraints.

“We need to dream beyond the limits set by society or even by ourselves. Our country needs us in all areas of development, politics, business, management, public service, education, health, and entertainment.

“It is crucial that we are present when decisions are made and that our voices are heard,” she said.

She also noted that many women hesitate to dream beyond their immediate environments due to societal resistance, fear of failure, rejection, and reputational risk.

She emphasised that women need to pursue leadership roles where they can impact decisions that affect them and drawing on leadership skills developed in their daily lives.

“We learn how to manage people and encourage them to do their best while balancing multiple roles. But often, we don’t put ourselves forward unless we are specifically noticed.

“When it comes to networking or taking up leadership roles, many of us hesitate, saying we are too busy. Busy doing what?” she asked.

Ogunsola urged women to dream big, even if the size of those dreams feels intimidating, and to break out of their comfort zones to challenge strong stereotypes.

Prof. Aisha Maikudi, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, also encouraged women to set goals to achieve their dreams, highlighting the importance of remaining focused.

She stated that many challenges in her career journey stemmed from societal and cultural barriers but that having a strong foundation, support, and mentors were key factors in her success.

Mr John Obaro, Group Managing Director of SystemSpecs, urged participants to cultivate the right mindset, believe in themselves, and maintain faith in God to achieve their goals.

He warned that there would be discouraging voices, even from people with valid reasons, but emphasized the importance of challenging limiting beliefs to stay focused on their aspirations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma