By Josephine Agbonkhese

Last Friday, March 8th, communities around the world celebrated this year’s United Nations International Women’s Day, bringing to the fore the need for the inclusion of more women and girls with the theme ‘Inspire Inclusion’.

Considered a clarion call for action on several fronts of women’s empowerment including recruitment, development of female talents, leadership opportunities, and more, what makes this theme even more apt is its historical relevance to the struggle of women. This is as much of the early moments that led to the recognition of International Women’s Day were aimed to increase women’s political and economic roles, as well as treatment in workplaces.

Sadly, over the years, while a few— both on individual and organisational basis, have committed to ensuring the needs, interests and aspirations of women and girls are valued and included, many have chosen the other side of the coin.

But now is the time to reflect and be true to ourselves. How have you ensured women inclusion in your personal and organisational activities?

Allure asked five distinguished gentlemen.

I always will recommend a female MC when I have to — Atunyota Akpobome

Veteran comedian Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Alibaba, is fondly known as the godfather of modern day stand-up comedy in Nigeria.  Alibaba is also a highly sought-after Master of Ceremony and actor.

What do you understand by Inspiring Inclusion and why is it necessary?

For me, inspiring inclusion means giving women same opportunities as their male counterparts. And one of such easy ways is reminding men that when students are admitted into schools, the boys and girls are taught in the same class, use the same textbooks, and sit for same examinations.

In what ways are you ensuring female inclusion?

I work as an MC and very often, when clients ask for MCs, even the most educated tend to feel a lady MC cannot do the job like a man would. But I always will still recommend a female MC when I have to. Over the years though, the mind-set has been shifting.

I remember recommending an architect for a man’s country home, and he bluntly refused. So I told him I would get a guy to do some designs for him. He loved them and bragged one day that that was how when he asked me to help get an architect to design this home, in Lagos, I sent him a lady architect. He thanked God he didn’t use her. Well, if he is reading this now, he will know that the house he has bragged about for 10 years was designed by the same woman. Even the Abuja house he finished last year, is the same woman.

I’ve promoted active participation of more women in leadership— Elisha Attai

A media, communications and public relations practitioner, Amb. Dr. Elisha Attai, Founder/Global President, African Women in Leadership Organisation, AWLO, is a strong advocate for the development and advancement of the African woman. Elisha leads a global movement of women of African descent changing the narratives of leadership around the world.

What do you understand by Inspiring Inclusion and why is it necessary?

Inspiring inclusion involves fostering an environment where diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences, particularly those of African women, are valued and integrated into decision-making processes.

It is the deliberate effort to cultivate an environment that embraces diversity, respects differences, and ensures that all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, feel valued and included.

It also fosters creativity, innovation, and a sense of belonging, which ultimately enhances overall organisational effectiveness and societal harmony.

In what ways are you ensuring female inclusion?

I’ve actively promoted female inclusion by mentoring young African women, advocating for gender-sensitive policies in the workplace, and supporting initiatives that empower women economically and socially.

Via the African Women in Leadership Organisation, AWLO, I have inspired inclusion by providing mentorship programs, leadership development initiatives, and platforms for networking and collaboration for women.

That way, I have played a crucial role in breaking barriers and promoting the active participation of more women in leadership positions across various sectors.

Through our conferences, we engage government leaders of African countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Gambia, and Tanzania, on driving women’s leadership. Our conferences led to recommendations on in-country opportunities to boost women’s economic participation, specifically in the Africa Free Trade Area.

More importantly, to deepen the involvement of men in promoting gender equality, we set up an HeforShe unit in all chapters of the organisation, through which we galvanise more men to stand up for women.

I support education of over 100 girls yearly—Nsikan Innocent Udoh, MFR

Chief Nsikan Innocent Udoh is the Chairman/CEO of Arlby Group of Companies which comprises Arlby Oil & Gas Limited, Arlby Nigeria Limited, NIU Properties & Investment Limited, Prifay Investment Limited, and SI Media Hub.

What do you understand by Inspiring Inclusion and why is it necessary?

“Inspiring Inclusion” encapsulates the essence of nurturing environments where women are valued, respected and empowered, promoting gender equality and inclusivity. It celebrates women’s achievements while advocating for fairness across society. Inclusion fosters creativity, ensures equality of opportunities, and enhances productivity. It also upholds human rights and enables equitable governance. Championing inclusion involves challenging stereotypes and creating environments where women can thrive.

In what ways are you ensuring female inclusion?

From supporting educational initiatives to empowering women in the workforce, I’ve consistently prioritised creating opportunities for women to thrive.

At Arlby Group, where I serve as Chairman/CEO, I’ve addressed workplace challenges faced by women. I try to level the playing field, thereby enabling more women to achieve their professional goals. I have also inspired others to join the fight for female inclusion.

In my local community of Uruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, over 100 girls annually receive educational support, fostering a culture of learning and growth for women and girls. This is as part of my humanitarian efforts to champion female empowerment.

I’ve also collaborated with women-led organisations, amplifying their voices and advocating for their rights. Through financial support for vocational training, women have been empowered to pursue their aspirations, creating tangible change within families and communities.

I ensure gender balance in my leadership team and Board— Gbenga Sesan

Gbenga Sesan is the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, PIN; a pan-African social enterprise working on digital inclusion and digital rights through its offices in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

What do you understand by Inspiring Inclusion and why is it necessary?

Inclusion is necessary because without it, we get less than everyone deserves. For example, deliberately including women means making sure that half our population get what they deserve and that institutions or societies also benefit from the value that women add to the pool. We literally hold only half the sky when we exclude women, and the consequence includes half the sky falling on us all!  At Paradigm Initiative, we have seen the huge value that comes from inclusion!

In what ways are you ensuring female inclusion?

At Paradigm Initiative, we have gone beyond rhetoric to ensure female inclusion across our offices, in our Leadership and through our programmes. We maintain a friendly work environment for women, with policies including Mothers’ Day (a day off each month for the women in the team), an extensive Maternity Leave policy of more than five months, being deliberate about pay parity and also ensuring that our leadership team and Board of Trustees have gender balance. In fact, we have more women than men on both our team and leadership team, and that is deliberate. When we started in 2007, we saw a lot of gender imbalance in our programmes but that is now history as we ensure gender equality in programme planning, implementation and oversight. At PIN, we are serious about inspiring inclusion and are glad to celebrate all women on our team during this year’s International Women’s Day!

All my branches are literally headed by women — Dr Bamidele Onalaja

Dr Bamidele Onalaja is the GMD/CEO, RevolutionPlus Property, one of the leading real estate companies in Nigeria. A serial entrepreneur and philanthropist with 10 subsidiary companies, he is also the current Chairman of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, REDAN, Lagos Chapter.

What do you understand by Inspiring Inclusion and why is it necessary? 

Inclusion simply means carrying everybody along and walking closely with everyone, both male and female. Giving, to everyone, equal opportunity to excel. 

In what ways are you ensuring female inclusion? 

My organisation, RevolutionPlus Property, is known for female inclusion. Our Group Chief Operation Officer is female, Group Executive Director is female, and our Customer Service Officer is also female. I prefer to work with females because women are more focused, very organised, loyal and are less likely to steal your money. I am not talking of the politicians but of corporate women. Most of our branch managers are females. Our Abuja, Ibadan, Port-Harcourt and Abeokuta branch manager are females.  Also, the branch manager at our international office is also female. Most of my offices are led by women except the Lekki branch right now, which used to be headed by a woman until she relocated to join her husband. Even the branch manager at our Head Office in Ikeja, is female. All my branches are literally headed by women. I’ve worked with them over the years and I am convinced about them. So, right now, our strategy at RevolutionPlus Property is putting women in strategic positions. I have learnt, that if you give a woman an opportunity, she will perform even beyond the scope you have given her. For that, I love inclusion, believe in inclusion and always ensure I give opportunities to women whenever possible.