Women entrepreneurs canvass networking, mentorship

As part of efforts to encourage networking and mentorship among the female gender, BC-D Impacts has held a conference where it urged women to create opportunities to unwind together and rub minds on issues that concern them.

The three-day conference tagged Exhale 2.0 held at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, recently with the theme, ‘Limitless’.
Speaking during the event, the Chief Executive Officer of BC-D Impacts and convener of the conference, Olabisi Duduyemi, said the forum creates the opportunity for women to rejuvenate their spirits, souls and bodies.

Duduyemi described Exhale Conference as a powerful initiative that has birthed outstanding results.
“It is very clear that many women in leadership positions need the support and network to pull through and go far,” she said.

The event was attended by over 25 women CEOs, top leaders and dignitaries from all walks of life across the nation, who related their personal challenges and accomplishments to encourage one another.
“Any woman that is secure in herself will definitely deem it important to help lift another woman. A woman that is conscious of the fact that her purpose of existence is not for herself only will reach out to help another,” Duduyemi remarked.

According to her, the mandate of BC-D Impacts is to impact lives, particularly women, by developing role models in various fields.
She noted that when women believe in themselves, they are more confident in expressing themselves in all spheres of life.

Duduyemi also advised women in abusive and unhealthy relationships to re-chart their paths, saying: “My heart goes out to women who are currently in abusive and unhealthy relationships. The starting point is an adequate support system; women generally require safe spaces where they can unburden. Every woman needs the right inner circle. Women also need to free themselves from the What Will People Say (WWPS) syndrome. It is your life; you remain accountable for it at the end of the day.
“So, women in abusive relationships can re-chart their paths if they plant themselves in the right circle, distance themselves from toxicity, be deliberate about living life to its fullest and turn their challenges to stepping stones.”

Also speaking, Treasures Uchegbu of SpeakingFingers Network emphasised that women should not neglect persons living with disabilities in their environment.
“Promoting inclusion for persons with disabilities means recognising and protecting their rights,” she said.
Uchegbu stated that women are limitless and could do anything they set their minds to do.
On her part, a pharmacist and community health and social leader, Mayowa Babalola, advised women to be conscious of their health status.
“Eat right by eating more vegetables and fruits, exercise, take supplements and rest well,” she said.

Babalola observed that catering for the family overwhelm most women, thereby making them to forget about themselves sometimes.
She urged participants with sensitive medical issues like High Blood Pressure to often check their medical status and take their drugs religiously.