2024 Conference: WISCAR Announces Funke Opeke as Distinguished Award Recipient

Funmi Ogundare

Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering professional women, is set to host its 16th Annual Leadership and Mentoring conference on December 12, 2024, at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
This year’s theme, ‘Fueling Resilience: Empowering Diversity for Economic Success’, underscores the critical role of mentorship and diversity in driving personal and economic transformation.
Briefing journalists, recently, Amina Oyagbola, Founder and Chairperson of WISCAR, highlighted the conference’s significance. “Driving gender equality and economic inclusion is essential because true innovation, sustainable development, and national prosperity can only be achieved when women are included at all levels of leadership. Women make up half of our population, and excluding them limits progress.
“Our conference aims to equip women with the skills and networks to lead and foster inclusive governance.”
The event will feature a keynote speech by Funke Opeke, Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) of MainOne, who will also receive the distinguished WISCAR award in recognition of her pioneering contributions to Nigeria’s digital transformation and her efforts to bridge the connectivity gap across Africa.
Speaking on the conference, WISCAR’s Executive Secretary, Ekemini Akpakpan, explained that the conference is central to its mission of empowering women and advancing inclusive development in Nigeria. “This year, we are proud to showcase exceptional keynote and goodwill speakers whose insights and experiences will inspire leadership, innovation, and meaningful contributions to national progress.”
The event will also feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including Dr. Fatima Akilu, Executive Director of Neem Foundation; Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator representing Kogi Central; and Oreoluwa Lesi, Founder of WTEC. Goodwill messages will be delivered by distinguished leaders such as Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, and Tourism; Senator Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; and Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS.
Through its annual conference, WISCAR continues to highlight the critical role of including women in core areas of the economy and governance as a catalyst for innovation and sustainable national development. The conference will also feature interactive sessions and networking opportunities designed to empower attendees with practical strategies, insights for advancing their careers, and making meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic progress.
Sharing her experience as a mentee, Ojerime Ikpikpini stated, “I reached a point in my career where I realised the importance of connecting with and learning from other women. Through this program, I gained a critical skill; effective communication, and it has been a transformative journey that has significantly shaped my personal and professional growth.”
Supported by an impressive roster of sponsors, WISCAR’S platinum sponsors this year include; Pacific Energy, First Bank and GT Bank. The silver sponsors, which include Bank of Industry, FCMB, Stanbic IBTC, Coronation Merchant Bank, SNEPCo/SPDC and MTN Foundation, and a host of many more dignified sponsors like FSDH and Sterling Bank are backing this year’s annual mentoring and leadership conference.