The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu marked the 2022 International Women’s Day (IWD) affirming key roles played by women in the state’s economy. Lagos celebrated 100 of women in a project called #Eko100Women to recognize their inputs and commitment to the state’s economy.
The fact remains that despite the odds facing Nigeria’s economy, Lagos is thriving — attracting investment and private enterprise.
With growth driven by vital reforms in state service—taxation, transport services and waste management—Lagos state remains the economic hub of Nigeria.
Lagos’ success has set it apart as a benchmark for other states in Nigeria. Internally generated revenue (IGR), mainly through taxes stood at $1.3 billion in 2015—three times more than the state with the second most IGR and 39 per cent of the total IGR by Nigeria’s 36 states.
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No doubt, the Lagos economy is in the hands of the private sector and the government is willing to allow them drive it, and has formulated policies and decisions that will make the private sector to thrive, while it focuses on security, job opportunities and infrastructural development.
The great strides of Lagos have the footprint of women woven around them an indication that the Lagos’ success story is incomplete without major contributions of women led businesses and leadership.
That explains why the Lagos Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu recognised the enduring impact of women in the progressive development of Lagos State in a continued celebration of the 2022 International Women’s Month.
He believes that although the journey to economic prosperity for the state, its citizens and investors- locally and internationally, has taken off but will be incomplete without the input and recognition of women.
Spotlighting their contributions to the narrative of ‘A Greater Lagos’, the initiative is in its third year running, having commenced in March 2020.
The programme themed, ‘Eko Women 100’, identifies and honours the women who are blazing the trail in their fields while contributing to the growth of the state and inspiring the next generation.
Some of the women honoured on this year’s list include First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Ibukun Awosika, media mogul, Mo Abudu; elder stateswoman, Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; Fidelity Bank MD, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; Managing Director GTCo, Miriam Olusanya; CEO North-West Petroleum, Dame Winifred Akpani, amongst others.
For instance, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has been vocal to support issues that affect women in the state. She recently led a rally of women from different walks of life against the recent rejection of Gender Bills by the National Assembly, calling for an immediate passage of the bills to law.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s wife made the call while addressing the rally tagged: “One Million Women March Against Gender Discrimination,” organised by the Purple Women Foundation in collaboration with the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum.
It was put together as part of activities to commemorate the 2022 International Women’s Day (IWD) Celebration, with the theme: “BreakTheBias: Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.”
Dr Sanwo-Olu described the rejection of the gender bills as an act of brazen discrimination against Nigerian women, saying that the action stands condemned, just as she urged the National Assembly to promptly reconsider the bills and approve them.
Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu also recently called on individuals and corporate organisations to join hands with the government to end the scourge of cancer in the state.
Mrs. Ibukun Awosika has also contributed greatly to the Lagos economy. She is a businesswoman, author, founder, corporate executive, actor, and the immediate past chairman of First Bank of Nigeria.
She was the only woman amongst five Nigerian entrepreneurs to feature in the first African version of Dragon’s Den, where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas in the hope of getting investment finance.
Mrs. Awosika is the CEO of The Chair Centre Group, an umbrella for several other successful companies. She is a member of IESE’s International Advisory Board and sits on the board of Digital Jewel Limited and Cadbury Nig. Plc, Convention on Business Integrity and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority. She was Chairman, FBN Life Assurance Limited, FBN Capital Limited, and Kakawa Discount House Limited. As a mentor for women in business, Mrs. Awosika is also the convener of The International Woman Leadership Conference set to hold this month in Dubai.
Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe is the Managing Director/CEO of Fidelity Bank, armed with a rich 30-year experience across various banks including Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Citizens International Bank Limited. She was formerly Executive Director, Lagos and South-West, overseeing the bank’s business in the six states that make up the South-West region of the bank.
She led the transformation of the Directorate to profitability and sustained its impressive year-on-year growth, across key performance metrics, including contributing over 28% of the bank’s PBT, Deposits and Loans.
Likewise, the Managing Director GTCo, Miriam Olusanya, who until her appointment was an executive director at the bank, is the bank’s first female MD since it was established in 1990.
She has over 23 years of banking experience across various units, including transaction services, asset and liability management, financial markets, corporate finance and investor relations.
She joined GTBank as an executive trainee and rose to the position of general manager until she was appointed executive director in 2018.
Mo Abudu, is a Nigerian media mogul and founder, Ebonylife Television and former human resources management consultant. She has been described by Forbes as “Africa’s Most Successful Woman”, and rated as one of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television” by the Hollywood Reporter.
Dame Winnie Akpani, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of North-West Petroleum and Gas Company Limited, an indigenous oil and gas trading company with a cut of distinctive character.
The Lagos businesswoman is a seasoned Chartered Accountant and an accomplished Business Executive. She is a Director of several other businesses. She is a thoroughbred Professional who is driven by Integrity, Ambition, Hardwork, and Excellence.
Speaking about the initiative, Sanwo-Olu said, “The Women of Lagos are powerful, visionary and represent our great state at the highest level globally. We celebrated 100 of them in a project called #Eko100Women. These women have made Lagos their home bringing their expertise and excellence to great effect.”
This year’s event builds on the significant Eko4Women annual celebration, which has honoured over 300 women. In addition, each recipient received a personal letter of recognition from the Governor, showing appreciation for their commitment to excellence. Like the occasions before, the initiative empowered several medium and small female-owned businesses across the state.
These women were drawn from all parts of the state, across various fields and strata of society. “From arts to technology, to business to sports, we touched on as many industries as possible. In my special letter to each woman, I charged them to continue to demonstrate the unstoppable spirit and values of Lagos”, the governor said.
Expressing gratitude for the gesture and commending the governor’s initiative, many of the recipients acknowledged the honour from the state government.
“I understand that recognitions such as this are worthy of celebration because this shows that the Government is aware of the little contributions we all make to keep this nation alive”, said Bolanle Austen-Peters, Founder, Terra-Kulture and one of the honorees.
In her official statement, Deputy Group Managing Director, AIM Group, Tatiana Mousalli Nouri, noted, “Equality is crucial for the well-being of our world, diversity is wealth, and inclusion is strength”.
Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, Chief Commercial Officer, Mixta Africa, highlighted the significance of the initiative for Lagos women saying, “I’m receiving this on behalf of all the heroines of Lagos state, building silently, building to last, building a legacy, doing great work, doing impactful work in the public and private sector, who often go unnoticed. You, my sisters, are the real centre of excellence and the real MVPs. May your labour of love never be in vain, and may your dreams come true.”
Other women honoured under the Eko Women 100 initiative include Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Olatunji-Bello; MD Suntrust Bank, Halima Buba; EcoBank Chairman, Bola Adesola; distinguished stateswomen, Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu and Alhaja Sikirat Jakande; CEO Eleganza Group, Sade Okoya; veteran artist, Nike Okundaye-Davies; renowned architect, Olajumoke Adenowo; movie producer Kemi Adetiba; actress Funke Akindele-Bello; Qatar Airways pilot, Adeola Sowemimo; and celebrity photographer, TY Bello.
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