Women urged to do more networking, seize every opportunity to grow

Nigerian women in business have been advised to support one another to grow by employing women over men as a way to fix the patriarchal problems in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife TV, Mosunmola Abudu, made the call yesterday in Lagos at the ‘Women In Business (WIMBIZ) annual lecture tagged, “Bold steps in the face of uncertainty.”

Addressing WIMBIZ heavyweights, which include the Chairperson, Aisha Ahmad, Chairman/Publisher, Guardian Newspapers, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru and Funmi Robert, executive member and others, Abudu said if women were to succeed in a men-dominated society, they have to put in twice the efforts of men, adding, “People may not always buy into your dreams, there are the dream killers as well as the dream makers, and in most cases, the strangers that walk into one’s life are the ones that help one to progress and succeed.”

According to her, her TV show, Moments with Mo was aimed at promoting Nigerian culture, featuring male and female entrepreneurs and showcasing them to the rest of the world. “It is sad that we have left the narratives of who we are for so long, for someone to tell us who we are, this was why we launched EbonyLife TV.’’

Still on her success story, she said though this period is the longest recession the country had experienced in 25 years, her film, The wedding party was a hit, all thanks to her crew. She advised the women to always find the right people to work with in their businesses, encouraging them to put in their best through good remuneration of staff.

The mother of two while fielding questions from the audience said that it was difficult being a working mother, but advised that one should just find the best option that works. “I would always make sure that when my children need me, they come first, because children would always understand and appreciate when the mother is working hard. I make the effort to spend more time with them, and if I have to leave whatever I am doing today for them, believe me I would,” she added.

She advised the women to strive to make their business recognizable in the global space, rhetorically asking, “How relatable is your business, what are your marketing strategy, and what are you doing to ensure that your business grows?’’

Urging women to be more creative and leave no stone unturned in looking for opportunities, she advised her audience to seek profitable partnerships, engage and interact more with like minds. Describing herself as a serial entrepreneur, she said not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur but are meant to be a part of a team and should strive to do their best wherever they find.