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Oduntan Elected New ANWBN National Coordinator …As Group Promises To Empower Women

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The Association of Nigeria Women Business Network (ANWBN) has elected Otunba Gbemisola Oduntan as its new National Coordinator.
Oduntan, who thanked the members for the opportunity to serve, said that the association would embark on nationwide women development to pave the way for more women to become more industrious.
The new National Coordinator emerged as the new leader of the association on Thursday, October 17, after being elected at the group’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), which held at NECA House, Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking after her election, Oduntan who was the immediate Deputy  National Coordinator 1, stressed that more capacity building for women would enable them tap into E-commerce and website they are about to set up.
Stakeholders had called for more empowerment in practical tool by going into training and retraining and adopt the digitalisation education to avoid going into extinction as some businesses went down because they failed to scale up to stay alive.
Also speaking  during the two-day ANWBN 2024 Summit, which was held from October 16 – 17, wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun said the empowerment of women has long been recognised as essential to sustainable development. It is why the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), place great emphasis on women’s empowerment, gender equality and poverty alleviation. SDG 5 is dedicated to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, while SDG seeks to end poverty in all its forms.
The theme of the summit which included exhibition for members, is ‘Future-Ready Entrepreneurs: SkillUP to ScaleUP’.
According to Abiodun, “These goals are not just global aspirations, but a call to action that directly impacts each one of us. As women entrepreneurs, we are pivotal in ensuring that our economy grows, and I am proud to see that increasingly women are receiving the support they need to start and to run small businesses.
Mrs Abiodun who is the ANWBN chairperson Summit 2024, said; “Today, we face a reality where the skills we learned yesterday are no longer sufficient. The world around us is changing at a pace that demands adaptability and lifelong learning.
“In 2024, we find ourselves at a crossroads where technology, social media, and the complex world of finance have opened up immense opportunities, but they have also introduced new challenges.”
To this end, Mrs Abiodun lamented that many women are struggling to keep up with these rapid changes.
The digital economy, for instance, has redefined how we do business, and yet many women still face barriers to accessing the internet, understanding the complexities of e-commerce, or navigating the world of online marketing.”
The programme was a forum for women to exhibit their products ranging from cosmetics, textiles, jewelries, shoes, among others.
The programme brought together top women entrepreneurs from the academia  including the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola.
Apart from goodwill messages, entrepreneurial stories, wellness tips, counseling/business, technical support, exhibitions and others, the highlight of the event was the inauguration of a new national coordinator for the association.
Speaking at the event, the outgone National Coordinator, Mrs. Angela Ajala said “ANWBN is more than just an alliance of associations; it is a testament to the strength, unity, resilient and unwavering commitment of women who have dedicated their lives to shaping a brighter future.
According to her, “The association has broken boundaries, lifted women up and transformed countless lives across the country through the various programmes.
“As we gather here today, the theme speaks of where we are headed and the urgency of the task ahead. The opportunities are boundless, but only if we are equipped with the skills, the mindset and the resilience to seize them.
“We must remember that scaling up requires more than passion. It demands knowledge, expertise and the continuous pursuit of growth.
“It requires building strong network and forging partnerships that will enable us to transcend limitations. We must also embrace technology, innovations and adaptability, as these are no longer option tools but essential elements of our future success.
“I leave behind a legacy of one of the most e-commerce platforms for women across Africa that will be a game changer. I am also proud of the brand new website that will position the work our associations are doing and bringing lobal partnerships fort hem. We are grateful to CIPE for making these two important platforms possible.”
Also speaking, the new National Coordinator, Otunba Gbemisola Oduntan stated that she will focus on three areas –empowerment and growth, diversity and inclusion, as well as advocacy and influence.
“We will create more opportunities for professional development, mentorship and skills training.
“Through workshops, networking events and collaborative initiatives, we will support one another’s growth and development as leaders in our respective fields.
“I am committed to fostering a network that is inclusive and representative of the diverse voices and talents that exist within our community.
“We will actively seek out and uplift under-represented women, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or industry, has a place at the table.
“We must continue to advocate for policies and practices that create a fairer, more equitable environment for women in business. By amplifying our collective voice, we can influence positive change whether it is through policy reform, corporate leadership or community involvement,’’ she said.
ANWBN is a premier coalition of over 75 associations with membership spread of about five million women across Nigeria.
It was established in February 2013 under the guidance of Centre for International Private Enterprise, CIPE, Washington, with a common goal of encouraging, improving and empowering sustainable entrepreneurial development among Nigerian women through research, advocacy, policy reforms and capacity building initiatives.
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