WIMBIZ calls on women to leverage on opportunities in volatile economy

Women have been asked to leverage on opportunities available despite the volatile economy. Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State made this call during the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) roundtable, Lunch and Induction held at the Shehu Yar’adua Centre Abuja, yesterday. Speaking on the theme “Half time 2016: Restrategising to Win in […]

Women have been asked to leverage on opportunities available despite the volatile economy. Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State made this call during the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) roundtable, Lunch and Induction held at the Shehu Yar’adua Centre Abuja, yesterday.
Speaking on the theme “Half time 2016: Restrategising to Win in a Volatile Economy”, Governor El-Rufai said the topic would inspire women to raise their expectations and strategically position themselves as the next frontier of development in Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world at large.
“Given the volatile economic climate within our country, and around us, our session will draw up unique perceptive for leveraging opportunities thriving in this economy in spite of challenges around national unity and political stability, monetary and fiscal policies. These are times to invest and not lament,”El-Rufai said.   
Chairperson, Executive Council of WIMBIZ, Mrs Aishah Ahmad, said though some businesses are struggling under the volatile economy women could re-strategise in the months ahead.
“The economic situation we find ourselves is very clear; there is a lot of volatility. A lot of businesses are struggling in the situation. But we have another five months to re-evaluate our strategy to see if this situation presents any opportunity which we can leverage on. We want women to take advantage of the situation, women in careers, business and public service,” she said.
Ahmad said over the past 15 years, WIMBIZ had impacted 27, 000 women nationwide, trained 1,500 teenage girls in Lagos, Rivers, and Niger states, trained 44 girls with LEAP Africa while 450  women were inducted at the event yesterday.
Mrs Ifeoma Idigbe, Chairman Board of Trustees WIMBIZ said the organisation was set up as a platform for professional and business women to share ideas and become catalyst of change in their various spheres. 
She however added that the organisation works with groups to help women at the  grassroots.
“Our focus is that professional women get to the top so that they can become decision makers and make a difference. When a woman can change a policy, she will make a policy that will benefit the grassroots woman. Ours is to raise the level of women who can make a difference in the highest level of government and business so we don’t have to rely on men to take those decisions,”Idigbe said.