Sanwo-Olu, Akindele spotlight strategic funding in ladies

The First Girl of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; filmmaker Funke Akindele; singer Waje; dancer Kaffy; drummer Ara; and vocalist Yinka Davies have referred to as for strategic funding in ladies to spice up the nation’s financial system.

Because the world commemorates Worldwide Ladies’s Day 2026, Wema Bank hosted a high-profile gathering in Lagos that introduced collectively leaders, professionals, and entertainers to champion the reason for gender inclusion.

The occasion served as a platform to underscore the pressing want for institutional help and strategic funding in ladies to drive financial prosperity.

Guided by the IWD 2026 theme, ‘Give To Acquire’, and the sub-theme, ‘When Ladies Acquire, We Develop’, the occasion featured a bunch of notable company.

In his tackle, the Managing Director and Chief Govt Officer of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, emphasised that the empowerment of ladies is key to sustainable growth and financial progress.

“The worldwide advocacy for gender equality is a elementary pillar upon which our collective progress rests,” Oseni acknowledged.

Highlighting the stark realities dealing with ladies globally, he added, “As of 2025, the UN Ladies physique reported that 10% of ladies dwell in excessive poverty, and this quantity has not improved since 2020.

It’s projected that by 2030, over 350 million ladies and ladies may nonetheless be trapped in excessive poverty.

“This isn’t as a result of ladies aren’t working. It’s a ripple impact of the hole that also exists in gender inclusion, a dilemma that plagues not simply the ladies but in addition the society.”

Oseni additional burdened the financial crucial of inclusivity, noting, “The reality is, investing in ladies is investing within the financial system and society at massive. The extra we give to ladies, the extra we bridge prevalent gaps and speed up financial prosperity.”

Reflecting on the dedication required to realize skilled success, filmmaker Akindele shared the private challenges of her journey.

“We’re seeing the billions, we’re all saying congratulations, and the accolades; Funke is doing an ideal job. I wish to be like Funke, however what it prices me to be sitting right here in the present day is quite a bit. It took my time. Once I say ‘my time,’ I imply I didn’t have a life. No occasion life, no social life,” she remarked.

The occasion featured the SARA Offers to Empower Her Award, which recognised 5 ladies who’re actively supporting others by measurable initiatives.

Every of the recipients was supplied with a grant to assist scale their efforts and amplify their constructive societal influence.

In a transfer to foster gender-balanced management, the financial institution additionally offered its He for She Award to 5 male staff. These people have been acknowledged particularly for his or her proactive efforts in selling ladies’s empowerment and advocating for fairness throughout the financial institution’s office tradition.

Concluding the day’s actions, the financial institution launched the Wema Bank Lady Little one Journal. This new publication serves as a complete useful resource, that includes contributions from 80 professionals who share steerage, mentorship, and reflections supposed to encourage and help the subsequent technology of younger ladies.