Management of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) says it is committed to ensuring that more women get opportunities to pursue their ambitions.
Managing Director/Chief Executive of the corporation, Ahmed Lawan Kuru, said this is not merely because they are women, but based on competence and value adding proposition to its ongoing toxic loan resolution and recovery efforts.
Speaking on Friday, March 8, 2018, in Abuja at an event to commemorate the 2019 International Women’s Day (IWD), he expressed pleasure that AMCON has women taking the lead in resolution strategy, administrative and managerial areas of its work.
Kuru who was represented by Aminu Ismail, AMCON’s Executive Director, Operations, said “AMCON remains committed to investing in both her female employees and their male counterparts as capacity and efficiency have been at the core of the corporation’s focus.”
The corporation, he stressed, has continued to train “our women and also encourage them to put in more efforts into self-development for effective capacity building.”
While commending the efforts of other groups who have pushed for more women participation in the financial industry, he commended associations contributing largely in taking the message to the grassroots, which have encouraged more female participation including young girls in these areas.
Nigeria’s financial services industry is fast expanding, he noted, just as the population is growing, meaning that over the next decade there would be critical need for skilled professionals in the sector, and that women must play a significant role in ensuring that these needs are effectively met. He called on parents to educate the girl child to enable them stand the opportunity to compete with their male counterparts in the financial services industry and other fields of employment hitherto dominated by men.
“Nigeria is a big market for financial services and as the most populous country in Africa, it is also the choice investment destination for forward-looking investors. From projections, the country in the years ahead would require professionals in all aspects of financial services and it is my wish that we have increased women participation in the sector. It is not accidental that the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Balance for Better’. It has come at a time when women in the industry need to step up participation and contribution in order to achieve this desired goal.
Also at the event, counsellor and MD/CEO of Peak Performance Academy, Mrs. Modupe Wigwe, who was guest speaker at the event, challenged the ladies in the corporation to always ensure they are bold, qualified and competent enough to compete with their male counterparts on professional grounds around the office space.
Indeed, it is not enough for women to demand equal rights when most are not ready professionally, mentally and emotionally to assume such positions they seek.
Photo Caption: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Peak Performance Academy and Guest Speaker, Mrs. Modupe Wigwe (sitting middle) with the Group Head, Corporate Services, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mrs. Iyatum Adode-Kobiti (sitting 3rd from right) in a group photograph with female staff of AMCON at the end of the event marking the 2019 International Women’s Day (IWD) on Friday, March 8, 2019.
