2 days Ago By Olusegun Koiki
LAGOS – In celebration of the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD), Pertinence Group, in partnership with PettySave Microfinance Bank and 1st Royal Character & Values Limited (RCV), hosted a conference with the theme: ‘Empower Her – The 21st-Century Go-Getter Woman.’ The event held in Lagos earlier in the week and moderated by Mrs. Yemisi Itepu, brought together women and men from diverse professional backgrounds to discuss empowerment, entrepreneurship, and financial independence, as well as networking and relationship-building.
Keynote speaker, Mrs. Bosede Olusola-Obasa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RCV, in her speech, emphasised the need for confidence, competence, and intentionality in women’s pursuit of success. Olusola-Obasa, challenged women to rise above societal stereotypes and take control of their careers and businesses.
She said: “Don’t say ‘give me what I deserve’ when you’re not ready for what you ask for. Don’t expect handouts, pay your dues. Nobody takes value off the shelf and keeps it in the cupboard.
“Understand what you need to bypass and what you need to attend to, and grow a tough skin intentionally, so you don’t breed pity.” The event also featured a panel session, which featured Mrs. Adesuwa Ogunsola, a Consultant; Mrs.
Victoria Olawale, a Realtor and Entrepreneur, Amb. Christiana Owoyajowo, a Realtor; Favor Adebayo, a Realtor and Event Planner and Mary Ogbaise, a Realtor and Beauty Consultant. Discussions revolved around business growth, financial investment, and work-life balance, with key insights on customer relationship, navigating challenges as a woman in business, and leveraging partnerships.
In her speech, Olawale said that with every one person, there are always 1,000 people attached to them. She added: “So, address one customer like you will address a thousand people. Also, leverage on the business that can take you to where you want to go and use that as a pull for other businesses.
” In her presentation, Ogunsola advised operators to always balance business growth with family upkeep. He urged business owners to learn how to delegate their obligations. “Also, marry someone that will help you manage your life.
Marry a gardener not a hunter; and have a structure for the house and monitor it, so it won’t demand excessively from you and eventually stagnate you,” she added. Besides, Adebayo and Ogbaise in their separate presentations, advised women to always leverage each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The financial empowerment segment of the event was led by Yemisi Savage and Bukola Sofola, representatives from PettySave Microfinance Bank.
They both spoke on how the bank was out to empower women financially with excellent product offers, low interest rates on loans and high interest rates on target savings schemes. During the event, the bank, which launched officially in 2024, celebrated its pioneer customers. The highlight of the event was a raffle draw conducted by PettySave.
Five lucky winners emerged and were honoured with cash prizes. The grand prize of N50,000 was shared among Mercy Nwaneho, Mrs. Anyaoma, and Mrs.
Ajakaiye. As part of the event’s highlights, top-performing realtors with Pertinence were appreciated with gifts such as microwaves, ovens, and cooking gas, while other outstanding realtors received shopping vouchers. The company also promised it was donating 1 per cent of every land sale made until 30 April towards supporting a girl child.
The event ended with a networking session and refreshments, leaving attendees motivated and better equipped to take bold steps in their personal and professional lives..
