Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk

Ibadan, Nigeria 2016

In celebration of

International Women’s Day, 2016

(87 walks. 59 countries. 1 movement)

Partners:

Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk- Ibadan, Nigeria 2016

In celebration of

International Women’s Day, 2016

#MentoringWalk #BwBMentoring #BwBFoundation #IWD #PledgeForParity

(87 walks. 59 countries. 1 movement)

DATE: March 5, 2016 TIME: 10.am – 4pm

Theme: Walk the Change

VENUE: International Conference Center,

Lead City University, Ibadan.

Organizers:

Business Without Boundaries (BwB)

Website: http://businesswithoutboundaries.net

Website: http://bwbfoundation.orgEmail: Topsie@businesswithoutboundaries.net

Phone: +234 8175172160, +234 8138997153

Vital Voices Global Partnership Founder

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Former Secretary of State of USA

(Wife of Bill Clinton – Former President of USA)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ About Vital Voices Global Mentoring Flag Bearer - Nigeria.

Olutope (Topsie) Olatilewa Egbetokun

CEO, Business Without Boundaries (BwB)

Vital Voices Fellow & Ashoka Changemakers Scholar. Global Business Advisor & Digital Media Strategist | Facilitator | Women & Youth Advocate.

LinkedIn:-http://linkedin.com/in/topsieeTwitter :- http://www.twitter.com/topsiee1

Facebook :- http://facebook.com/topsieeGoogle+ :- http://googleplus.com/topsiee

From The Desk of the Flag Bearer

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to Vital Voices Global Partnership for giving me a once in a life time and

unique opportunity to develop my global leadership skills by choosing me for a one year intensive and

rewarding training to become Vital Voice Fellow. Thank you for connecting me with 330 powerful and

extraordinary women worldwide doing great work from 33 countries.

It’s so humbling and a great privilege to be “PAYING IT FORWARD” back to people in my community and

country (Nigeria), all that you have taught and show me to become the strong leader I am today. Thank

you for making me a Flag Bearer and part of a Global Leadership Network (GLN) of women leadership.

Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk- Ibadan, Nigeria was a BIG success for Mentors and Mentee. A BIG

THANK YOU to Lead City University, Ibadan for showing leadership in believing in women and girls

empowerment by sponsoring the event. We had 150 female delegates from three private institutions-

Lead City University, Oduduwa University & Ibadan City Polytechnic and 25 great Mentors. See more

details in the report below.

What is the goal of Global Mentoring Walk event?

The Global Mentoring Walk is an opportunity to highlight the importance of women’s leadership, and to

accelerate the impact of women leaders through mentoring.

As a result, the Global Mentoring Walk:

• Provides aspiring women professionals with the support and guidance they need to fulfill their

goals.

• Instills the values of mentoring in rising leaders, who can then give back to future generations.

• Provides an environment for collaboration and networking among emerging and established

women leaders within a community.

Held on the same day, the culmination of each individual mentoring walk event unifies the Vital Voices

Global Leadership Network and sends a clear message that:

• We value women’s participation in society.

• We recognize the importance of “paying it forward” by giving back to others in the community.

• We support and exemplify the transformative impact women have when we act in solidarity and

raise our voices to promote positive change on a global scale.

For MENTORS

“I can’t pay it back, so I have to pay it forward through mentoring others. That’s the power of

mentoring – it cyclical”.

“If you light a lamp for someone, it will also brighten your own path” – Buddhist Proverb

BE THE MENTOR YOU WISH YOU HAD TO OTHERS.

Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about difference you make in people’s lives.

FOR MENTEES

• Train like you had being picked for the hunger games.

• There is no lack of KNOWLEDE out there…Just a shortage of asking for HELP.

• Emerging leaders needs mentors to guide them, but they also need a network of peers to

reassure them they are not on the path alone.

What's Next and Moving Forward?

Business Without Boundaries (BwB) and BwB Foundation will not wait another year for another great

event to happen, we are going to keep the momentum of mentoring ongoing for sustainability by doing

the following

Set-up BwBMentoring in Ibadan and other cities

Set-up WhatsApp BwBMentoring Group for Q & A

Establish Mentors Forum

Replicate BwBMentoring event, seminars & workshop in various cities.

BwBFoundation Facebook Group: http://on.fb.me/1nn7cWE

Business Without Boundaries (BwB) and BwB Foundationneed both local and global support in the area

of sponsorship, donations, partnershipfor our women, youth and girls programs &project to make

mentoring a reality in every city in Nigeria.

Thank you

Sincerely,

Topsie Egbetokun – Vital Voices Fellow &Global Mentoring Walk Flag Bearer

Global Business Advisor & Idea Strategist | Facilitator | Women & Youth Advocate.

Olutope Egbetokun Executive Director, Business Without Boundaries (BwB)

Website: http://businesswithoutboundaries.net

Email: Topsie@businesswithoutboundaries.net

Email: bwbnetwork@gmail.com

Phone: +234 8175172160, +234 8138997153

Female Students Delegates Mentees from:

Partners:

Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk – Ibadan, Nigeria, 2016

In Celebration of International Women’s Day, 2016

Event Summary

The Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk – Ibadan, Nigeria, 2016 took place at Lead City

University, Ibadan. It was organized by Vital Voices Fellow Olutope(Topsie) Olatilewa Egbetokun

(Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk Flag Bearer) and CEO of Business Without Boundaries

(BwB) in collaboration and co-sponsoring by Lead City University, Ibadan. Vital Voices Global

Mentoring Walk – Ibadan, Nigeria, 2016 was well attended by 25 Mentors, 150 Female(s)

Delegates from invited private institutions namely Lead City University, Oduduwa University

and Ibadan City Polytechnic.

The event started with an opening prayer and singing of Nigeria National Anthem, followed by

the introduction of guest, mentors and mentees. Topsie Olatilewa Egbetokun (Vital Voices

Global Mentoring Walk Flag Bearer) gave a PowerPoint presentation and overview of Vital

Voices Global Partnership and the reason for Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk. A recorded

video of Hillary Clinton – Former Secretary of State- USA was played as the guest speaker and

being the founder of Vital Voices Global Partnership. The recorded video was the “Remarks of

Hillary Clinton at 4th Women’s Conference in Beijing, China”. Hillary Clinton spoke on the global

issues affecting women worldwide, mentioned that there is no one-size- fit-all solutions when it

comes to women issues. Women should be allowed to make their own choices and not judged,

there is the need for society to educate and empower women and girls. She stated that

investing in women and girls to help unlock their potentials to contribute to society at large.

She concluded by making a case for women by saying that Women’s right is Human Right and

Human Right is Women’s Right and the two cannot be separated.

There were three panel sessions on various topics

1. Mentee(s) Panel Session

2. Mentors (Female) Panel Session

3. Mentors (Male) Panel Session

The first was the Mentee(s) Panel Session discussion on the topic titled:

Listen to US to help us understand OURSELVES in a confused world: Challenges, limitations,

society and peer pressure place on young women?

• What sort of network are young women developing in terms of relations, career-wise

and business-wise?

• As young women, what are your current life situations?

• Creating opportunity and opening doors of opportunity for young women.

• What older generations of women now are not telling our generations to tell the next

generation of women for sustainability?

• What do you want or expect from older women with experience and expertise

MODERATOR: Lanre Layode PANELISTS: Female Delegates from invited Institutions & Host

Institution.

The session was moderated by Lanre Layode and the panelists consisted of female Mentees

delegate from Lead City University, Oduduwa University and Ibadan City Polytechnic. The

moderator was able to engage the panelists by discussing various issues concerning young

women including rape (coping and avoiding it), current life situations, and society peer

pressure. In response to questions like “does emerging women want to get married? – some

ladies said, they did not want to get married due to their upbringing, things happening around

them and too many divorce cases in the society. While some argued that in spite of marriage

problems, they were still going to get married and still be happy.

The consensus: The fact that someone is from a broken home, or their parents are divorced or

maltreated does not mean their own marriage will not work-out too. It’s about understanding

oneself and making right and informed choices.

The second panelist’s session was a response to Mentee(s) Panel Discussion above, where

female Mentors were giving a chance to answer and address all the pressing issues and

concerns mentee(s) delegate have put forward for direction and solutions.

Female Mentors panelists discussed the topic:

How prepared are young women for the reality of life in a confused world. It’s good to be

book-smart, street-smart but ultimately is to be reality-smart?

• Presenting Mentee(s) the reality of being a woman in career, business, and relationships

• Importance of support system at every level in life?

• Discuss women issues people and society is not talking about

• The power of collaboration: Women collaborate while girls compete.

• The power of life - balance, is it possible?

Moderator: Sade Omotayo – CEO, Touristars International

Panelists:

• Rose Odika (Actress & Producer) – Governor Theater Arts & Motion Pictures

• Febisola Okonkwo – CEO, Help Initiatives

• Funmi Roberts –CEO, Fumni Roberts & Co.

• Dr. Olajumoke Familoni - Director - Centre for Entrepreneurship & Consultancy at Lead

City University

• Mrs. Peju Babalola - Managing Director - Peejay's Pharmacy Ltd

• Mrs. Bukola Adediran- Lecturer - Ibadan City Polytechnic

• Mrs.Ronke Giwa- Anchor of Hit Morning Show Splash FM 105.5

• Prof.Tanwa Odebiyi – Dean, Post Graduate, Lead City University

• Prof. Afolakemi Oredein – Dean, Faculty of Education, Lead City University

The panelists of great women sincerely spoke openly to Mentee(s) about the reality of

being a woman in life. They used their own personal life experience as practical

examples to educate and empower mentee(s) on tackling various issues on sex,

courtship, marriage, career & business, domestic violence and rape. Mentor panels

stressed the need for Mentees to have good mentors in their life for guidance, as well as

good network of people and a solid support system at every level in life.

The consensus was that: Marriage is a good institution and fears of crisis can always be

taken care of with wisdom.

Dr. Olajumoke Familoni: Nothing in life is a bed of roses. We need each other as friends

and family.

Prof.Tanwa Odebiyi: For you to attain your goals, you must start from scratch. If the

foundation is faulty, the building will be destroyed. Look for partners that will help build

your dreams and never let anyone put you down.

Barr. Funmi Roberts: Always share your dreams with your partners before you get

married. Planning is key to life success.

Prof. Afolakemi Oredein: In other to collaborate with people,first thing first (1)Identify

yourself, (2) Move with people at/of your level. Be determined! Know what you want in

life and don’t be lazy

Ronke Giwa: Never let anyone put pressure on you. Don’t compete with anyone; we are

on different lane, so stay on your lane. Define your own success

Rose Odika: God first, Run your own race. Be who you want to be

Mrs. Bukola Adediran: Learn to multitask, dream big and follow your dream

Febisola Okonkwo: It’s all about passion, doing what you are passionate about.

The last panel session was to show that we cannot be talking about women and girls

empowerment without bringing men to the table of discussion for support for them to

listen to us and understand what every women in their life’s is going through be it their

mothers, wives, girlfriends, sisters and daughters. Men are key to pushing change for

women and girls. The Male Panelists topic was

Investing in Women & Girls isn’t just about basic human rights; it’s about fully

unlocking the potential of half the world’s population.

When you educate a man, a man is educated, but when you educate a woman

and a nation is educated. What does this mean?

When you empower a woman, you have empowered a community. Is it really

true?

Why does women have so much ripple effect in society, yet little enabling –

environment to unlock their potentials?

What are solutions & strategies for women and girls empowerment and how

men champion this great cause?

Moderator: Topsie Olatilewa Egbetokun –Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk Flag

Bearer (CEO, Business Without Boundaries –BwB)

Panelists

Dr. Tunde Oseni - Ag. Head, Department of Politics & IR, Lead City University, Ibadan

Isaac Oluyi – CEO, Sourcerite

Femi Jacobs: Lecturer, Mass Communication- Lead City University

Mr. Jide Ogunluyi of Lead City FM 89.1

Tobiloba Ogunleye – Student – Lead City University, Ibadan

The Mentors (Male) panel session talked about the importance of women to get

education for empowerment and to get ahead in life. There is the need for women to be

supportive as well as, watch the kind of friends and companies they keep. They also

stressed the need for women to evaluate themselves, develop plans on how to improve

themselves.

Right after the Male Mentors panel discussion, Topsie Olatilewa Egbetokun –Vital

Voices Global Mentoring Walk Flag Bearer and (CEO, Business Without Boundaries –

BwB) presented on behalf of Business Without Boundaries and BwB Foundation, their

first ever award this year “Men Empowering Women Award (MEWA)” to two

distinguished men for their selfless support and services to women and girls

empowerment. The have exhibited their solidarity for women development in every

aspect of their life works and they are the HEforSHE and Africa4HER of our time. They

were

1. Dr. Tunde Oseni - Ag. Head, Department of Politics & IR, Lead City University,

Ibadan

2. Prof. Jide Owoeye - Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Lead

City University, Ibadan. This was received on his behalf by Mr. Jide Ogunluyi of

Lead City FM.

There was also a presentation of certificate to all Mentors for their dedication to

women, youth and girls empowerment in Nigeria and Africa.

Similarly, all Mentees delegates had unique group workshop with their assigned Mentors right

after watching a short video – Draw Your Future by Patti Dobrowolski

Mentors& Mentees Roundtable Group Session Discussions& Workshop also engaged in3 BOLD

STEPS IN LIFE:

SEE IT, BELIEVE IT & ACT ON IT

The final part of the event was a walk from the Conference Center to Lead City University Sport

Arena, where we walked in solidarity for women and girls empowerment, took lots of pictures,

danced to music, and networked with each other. There were lots of hugging, connecting and

each people parted ways to go home and reflect on the impact the event has on them.

MENTORING WALK EVENT RESOURCES

Global Mentoring Walk Event Gallery: https://flic.kr/s/aHskvGUNMN

Global Mentoring Walk Video: https://youtu.be/GqcZp0Ujc-c

Global Mentoring Walk Event Blog: http://bit.ly/1LoQ1iQ

Global Mentoring Walk Report: bit.ly/1XsfPvj

Global Mentoring Walk Event Page: bit.ly/1ZSkV4a

_______________________________________________________________________

#MentoringWalk #BwBMentoring #BwBFoundation #IWD #PledgeForParity

BwBFoundation Facebook Group: http://on.fb.me/1nn7cWE

International Women’s Day 2016: Pledge For Gender Parity

Make Your Pledge: http://bit.ly/1WNpOvn

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Business Without Boundaries(BwB) is a consulting and management firmproviding the leadership to

jump-start, re-invent and transform every aspect of business and human capacity development, by

unleashing people’s potentials through Economic/Entrepreneurship, Leadership Development & Digital

Media.

Website: http://businesswithoutboundaries.net

Vital Voices Global Partnership is the leading non-governmental organization (NGO) that identifies

trains and empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the globe, enabling

them to create a better world. Vital Voices believes that mentoring is a critical activity in empowering

women to succeed as leaders and creating opportunities for women on a local scale. We hope you will

join us on March 5 for the Mentoring Walk. Website: http://www.vitalvoices.org/

Global Mentoring Walk: Global Mentoring Walk convenes established women leaders and emerging

women leaders to walk together in their community. As they walk, they discuss their personal and

professional challenges and successes to establish a mentoring relationship, in which the established

leader guides, advises and supports an emerging leader. Held on the same day in countries across the

world, the Mentoring Walk unifies the Vital Voices Global Leadership Network.

Website: http://www.vitalvoices.org/global-initiatives/mentoring-walk

Lead City University, Ibadan: The vision of the University is to be a centre of excellence, a unique,

urban-based University, specialising in Social Sciences, Law, Applied Sciences, Information and

Communication Technology. The mission of the University is to contribute to the development of

tertiary education in Nigeria by providing qualitative access to knowledge and training, with innovative

and challenging teaching techniques that guarantee a balanced education.

Website: http://www.lcu.edu.ng/

BwB Foundation mission is raising leaders of today not tomorrow by empowering women, youth and

girls to empower the world around them.

Website: http://bwbfoundation.org

Upward BAO Consulting: Upward BAO Consulting Ltd (RC 979585) is fully involved in leadership training,

management research, and development advocacy. Registered in 2011, it has consulted for many

government and non-governmental organizations as well as individuals. In 2014 and 2015, Upward BAO

did a widely reported opinion poll research on voters’ preferences during the Osun State governorship

elections and also partnered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on human

capacity training for Senior Journalists (electronic, print and online) in Ibadan and Lagos, Nigeria.

What's Next and Moving Forward?

Business Without Boundaries (BwB) and BwB Foundation will not wait another year for another great

event to happen, we are going to keep the momentum of mentoring ongoing for sustainability by doing

the following

Set-up BwBMentoring in Ibadan and other cities across Nigeria (Sponsorship & Partnership badly

needed)

Set-up WhatsApp BwBMentoring Group for Q & A

Establish Mentors Forum

Replicate BwBMentoring event, seminars & workshop in various cities.

BwBFoundation Facebook Group: http://on.fb.me/1nn7cWE

Sponsorship & Partnership

For Sponsorship & Partnership:We welcome individuals, private and corporate sponsors and

partners both locally and internationally, who shares our mission of empowerment and change

for women, youth and girls and recognizes the importance and major role women, youth and

girls plays in every community and country to partner and sponsor our mission for growth and

sustainability.

For Speakers or Mentor Opportunity: I can’t pay it back, so I have to pay it forward through

mentoring others. That’s the power of mentoring – it cyclical. We invite you to donate your time

and energy to invest in the next generation of women leaders.

Mentee Delegates: If you want individuals/institutions/organizations to be invited to Vital

Voices Global Mentoring Walk – Nigeria, contact us immediately.

Contact Topsie Egbetokun at topsie@businesswithoutboundaries.net or bwbnetwork@gmail.com

THE END