The International Women’s Day slogan this year is #ChooseToChallenge. What does this mean for you?
To me, this means rising to challenge; the low education levels among women, poverty, fear of harassment and sexual violence, child marriage, inferior pay grade and job titles – which significantly affects productivity and growth at all levels.
Has any woman’s achievement inspired you? Who and What was it?
Mother Theresa – her achievements through humanitarian works are very inspiring to me. She dedicated her entire life to helping the poor & the sick, and that to me is a life worth mirroring.
If you were given a chance to build a superheroine you would love to have had as a child? What would their superpowers be?
Well, as a child, I would have loved to have “dishwashing” superpowers. LOL
Have you encountered any related challenges in your career along the way to achieving this role?
And how did you overcome them? Working in a male-dominated Nigerian Oil and Gas industry poses a daily challenge of inequality and gender bias. To curb this, I went through various professional development programs to ensure that I was up to speed, well equipped, and can stand my grounds before the male counterparts.
What is one piece of advice you have for women who are doubtful of achieving more?
I will say to them – be courageous, be bold and don’t wait for permission nor validation. If you have an idea or you’re passionate about something, go after it. Your determination will make you stand out from everyone else. Doubt can only be removed by action.
What is one development do you wish to see in the next few years for African women?
I hope one day, a female president will emerge in Africa, with gender-equal governments, gender-equal board rooms and gender-equal representation in the overall workforce. That journey begins with more female representation in schools and colleges and more women being supported by their partner to manage both family and work.
What is one achievement you are incredibly proud of?
Being able to mentor teenage girls from my local community.
