Lagos-Based Stanbic IBTC Bank to Empower Businesswomen with Bloom Weekend Campaign

• Stanbic IBTC Bank reaffirmed its interest for women’s empowerment in business through an empowerment platform
• The platform entitled as Bloom Weekend campaign, will focus on women’s leadership, financial autonomy and entrepreneurial achievements

Recently, Stanbic IBTC Bank has restated its interest in empowering women in business via its Bloom Weekend campaign, an empowerment platform aimed at leadership, financial autonomy and entrepreneurial achievement for women.

In her speech at the event, enterprise banking head Olajumoke Bello, highlighted the importance of building specific opportunities for women since the bank has always provided support to entrepreneurs in general but specifically designed this programme for women. She said in a statement, “This demonstrates Stanbic IBTC’s commitment to empowering, growing, and supporting women and their businesses throughout the different stages of their careers and life journeys.”

Olajumoke expressed her gratitude towards the participants who displayed very keen interest in the event, stressing the critical role that entrepreneurship plays in economic growth and change. She cited that SMEs account for more than 80 to 90 percent of businesses in the country and are central to GDP of Nigeria. She encouraged that women, through their roles in the family, community, and economy, have a still larger impact and bear unusually heavy responsibilities.

She added, “Sometimes the work women do is overlooked, but when you find an institution that chooses not to ignore this effort and instead builds platforms to showcase and support women, that is truly commendable.”

Attendees at the Bloom Weekend were treated to access to a two-decade experienced business consultant who specializes in training SMEs. The programme included modules in business growth, money management, entrepreneurship, digital marketing and business model creation. These sessions were designed in partnership with the Enterprise Development Center of the Pan-Atlantic University for practical application in scaling businesses.

The activity also provided an opportunity for networking among business owners, with the group recommending that relationships and partnerships be established that last longer than the weekend. Bello emphasized the relevance of such relationships, stating that an online microsite had been set up to continue the discussions and create an opportunity for continuous interaction and knowledge acquisition.