Women’s conference in Abuja highlights importance of financial independence

A non-governmental organisation, Unstoppable Women Network, has urged Nigerian women to prioritise wealth creation and financial independence to attain greater heights in society. The call was made at the second edition of the Unstoppable Women Conference, themed “Becoming a High-Value Woman,” held over the weekend in Abuja.

The women expressed concern that they are disadvantaged in the area of wealth creation, stressing the need for women to upskill, be authentic, and remain relevant in their chosen fields.

Founder of Unstoppable Women Network and CEO of White Rabbit NG, Ijeoma Igbaji, in her opening remarks, said the conference was put together to empower women with valuable insights that can help them become more valuable to society.

“Our focus is on value. How can women become more valuable to society and the nation, family, and community? That is the focus. The contributions from speakers that have spoken have been great; the value they have given has been so good for every woman who came here intending to be impacted and empowered.”

Talking about wealth creation, she said: “The reason why we focused on wealth creation is that you find out that a lot of people who want to do things for the community in society and all that, from governance to poverty alleviation, all of that, are restrained by finances, and most of these people are even women. You hear women say, ‘I would like to have an orphanage, or I would like to do this, or I would like to do that,’ but they don’t have the funds to do these things. So that’s the reason we are saying women need to rise and make their own money, even for their own family life. We need to sit at the table, we’re tired of begging. We want to be able to come with the force of womanhood.”

Talent Specialist and Performance Coach, Soluchy Agu, said the event is centred around women because, over time, women are not getting enough representation.

“From my point of view as a woman, we cower behind perhaps because of a lack of knowledge, expertise, competence, and just a lack of belief in ourselves. I feel if a lot of women start believing more in what they have to give, in their potential, in their gifting, and begin to work on that, it will give them more confidence. When you are knowledgeable about something and when you have the skills, it gives you confidence. So I think a lot more women should become more knowledgeable, become experts in their field, upskill, become relevant, and have value. It will give them the confidence they need to step out and do what they need to do. Beyond that, the women should be ready to take the opportunities when they present themselves.”

Keynote speaker and CEO of WFM 97.1, Toun Sonaiya Okewale, underscored the importance of money in gaining influence and power. According to her, “When you don’t have money you are at the mercy of everybody, you can’t make decisions for yourself. We need to think like men. They are hungry for money, hungry to achieve, they are not sentimental, we get sentimental too often. You can’t be unstoppable, and every little thing you get upset and say is the mood. The only mood right now should be the mood for money.”

Okewale advised the women to be intentional in changing their situations. “Wherever you find yourself, take a decision to be intentional and deliberate to change your situation. Nobody can help you, only you can take that step. For you to be unstoppable, you must have confidence, you must be hungry for something. Success is not just about money, to be unstoppable you must be relentless in your pursuit of becoming unstoppable. Refuse to settle for anything less than your godly potential. Be prepared and do what it takes to give your dream a reality.”

She also urged the women to always support their fellow women in their chosen endeavours, so that women can rise and attain leadership positions in the interest of all.

The event, supported by Gadol Finance Limited and Solusoft, featured an Icon Award dedicated to Mrs Patricia Okerayi, panel discussions, brand showcasing, dance sessions, and poetry performances.