LCCI urges female entrepreneurs to embrace new technologies, mentorship

For a young business woman to be a 21st century entrepreneur, she must be ready to build business without borders, according to the women group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

 

“You need to always be at the top of your game to be successful,” said Bunmi Oke, chief operating officer and executive director, 141 Worldwide Limited, at the event which held in Lagos.

“How many women are technologically savvy? What you learn about technology is obsolete within six months since new technologies are always coming up. You have to become a student again to be a 21^st century entrepreneur. The Internet is the freest University we have around,” Oke added.

 

The conference focused on how young female start-up owners and entrepreneurs would become 21^st Century entrepreneurs.

It also focused on the importance of mentorship and why young female entrepreneurs must take up mentorship programmes.

 “There is a statement that says ‘the young shall grow and the old has a story to tell’. It is this story the old will tell that will serve as mentoring to the young. It is not only about making money but adding values to their lives,” Adenike shobajo, chairperson of the women group, LCCI, said.

 

“Gender mainstreaming is a global issue. In Nigeria we have not done badly and yet we have not done enough. Women have to do the needful to ensure they are rightly positioned. That is why we are developing the next generation of female entrepreneurs today,” Shobajo said.

 

According to Abiola Ogunbiyi, managing director, SA Tours and Services, who was a participant at the conference, succession is very important in business. “Each nation has to identify that. We need to mentor the young female entrepreneurs and pass on the baton. We have to think and ask ourselves what we are leaving behind for the next generation,” said Ogunbiyi.

Speaking on the challenges entrepreneurs face in the business environment, Shobajo said the group of the chamber will continue to advocate for change, while urging the government to have a listening hear.

 

Sarah Sosan, former deputy governor, Lagos State and also council member of the LCCI women group said, “The topic is very apt, especially at this time when there are no longer white collar jobs and employment rate is low. Young female entrepreneurs need the skills and values to be self-independent mothers and self- employed.”