By Favour Nnabugwu
The President of the Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA), Mrs. Joyce Ojemudia, has called on African insurance women to come together in order to actualise their dreams for Africa’s economic recovery.
She wished that women more strategic positions in governance, noting that the hope of the continent would only be brighter if the female gender is factor into consideration of for strategic positions in governance and policy making across the continent.
Ojemudia who is also the Managing Director of African Alliance Insurance, was speaking at the 2021 Women’s Forum of the African Insurance Organization (AIO) Conference held in Lagos yesterday, harped on the idea behind PILA Africa Initiative and the need for women to come together.
According the idea is to have an umbrella body of female insurance professionals and practitioners in Africa under which members will glean together to harness the rich potentials God endowed us with to ensure women take their rightful place in our various countries and Africa at large.
“Part of that gleaning comes in the form of professional networking, knowledge sharing and mentorship which is why the Theme for this Workshop; an offshoot of the 47th AIO Conference; “Women Collaborating For Africa’s Economic Recovery” is very apt. Statistics show that women constitute a significant chunk of the demography of African continent with population of approximately 691m.
“Out of this population, a critical chunk are professionals, including those operating in the Insurance Industry. From these records, coupled with the renewed acceleration of the number of women taking up careers in the professions, the hope of the continent would only be brighter if the female gender is factor into consideration of for strategic positions in governance and policy making across the continent.
“PILA Africa is an initiative of PILA Nigeria, which has snowballed into many other African countries establishing similar associations and a lot more at the verge of concluding their modalities.
‘It is expected that many other African countries here represented, will be encouraged to establish their local associations. PILA Nigeria is ever ready to partner with you in this regard,” she said.
While appreciating the past Chairperson of the PILA Africa Organising Committee Dr Mrs Tonia Smart for her great achievements in this regard, she commended the immediate past Secretary General of the AIO, Ms Prisca Soares, whom she said performed her duties meritoriously over the years.
Soares who was described by PILA President as Pillar of the insurance industry not just in Nigeria but also in Africa for her strides was officially honoured.at this event.
Speaking on the theme “Women Collaborating For Africa’s Economic Recovery,” Dr. Abiba Zakariah, listed how women can collaborate to contribute to Africa economy to include the unification of the individual country associations; uniting with others female bodies in various countries; Collaborating with global female associations and focusing on strategic directions of meeting agendas.
On how women can take control of their narrative, she emphasized the need for women to strategize, ensure female child.education as well as women participation in politics and policy formulation.
She also listed the benefits of women Collaboration to include economic growth; achieving the 2030 agenda for sustainable development; achieving the gender parity realization of women rights and gender equality amongst others.
