NAOMI NDUBUEZE
The MMS Plus Woman of Fortune Hall of fame (WoFHoF) Initiative has organized a mentorship programme for women. Tagged Women in Leadership and Career Empowerment Programme (WILCEP) Africa the event was held at Nigerian Shipper’s Council Conference Hall, Apapa, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, Kingsley Anaroke, the co-founder and member of the board of trustee of MMS Hall of fame said the programme was put together to empower young women in making an impact in the society.
“We have discovered women who have excelled in various fields of their life. The aim of the discovery is to see the women who have excelled give back to the society through mentorship because they are role models and can provide the needed leadership. This programme is the first of its kind taking place under WILCEP Africa. After the programme candidates will be assigned to different mentors that will teach them and develop them in becoming women of impact for 6 months. The speakers and lecturers for the programme will be providing paperwork and all the necessary materials candidates will need so they can access their career dream” he explained.
Chinwe Ezenwan, the CEO of Ocean Serve and Logistics Ltd who was the first speaker said in her lecture on ‘Career Management and Worklife Integration’ that life is all about the choices women make in all areas of their lives.
According to her, integrating career life and role as a mother is determined by the choices women make. “My life and career started when I was 15-years-old. Growing up, I heard a voice say to me, make the right choice. Career is all about the choices you have made with your life. Before you can get empowered as a woman, you have to first of all detach yourself from temporary pleasures and focus on your dreams. No one owes you anything but you owe yourself everything. You can integrate your career with your family when you make the right choices”, she explained.
In addition, she said she is willing to mentor two candidates. “I can make them residential if necessary but they must be serious, hardworking, determined and abide by my rules because for you to excel in life, you must learn how to follow instructions,” she added.
Eugene Nweke, the former President of NAGAFF spoke on ‘Making A Career In The Maritime Industry Opportunities and Challenges’ said a woman remains the key to the success and failure of the family and the nation.
“The maritime industry is lacking the motherly confidence and influence to drive its developed goals as a Nation. For us to attain a reputable Maritime Nation status, we need female practitioners in the industry to the time of 40% active participation in all facets of the maritime operations. It is not a man’s world, it is a world for both male and female. When you accept the ideology that it is a man’s world, you have defeated yourself as a woman.”
Shola Benson, the former PDP Woman Leader, Lagos state in her lecture on ‘Making a Career in Politics: Prospect and Challenges for Women’ observed that women can go into politics but should not make politics their career. She also addressed the need for women to have a purpose before going into politics. “Some of us in politics don’t see politics as a career. You can be a politician but you must have your own means of livelihood. You should have a second address besides politics. The real politicians go into politics because they know what they want. They go there with a purpose. Any woman that wants to go into politics must be well-educated if she doesn’t want to be messed up.”
