Women Urged to Seize AfCFTA Opportunities
The Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA) has called on women to leverage the numerous opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This appeal was made during the recent investiture of the association’s 15th president in Lagos.
In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Bimbo Onakomaiya, the newly appointed president of PILA, emphasized the association’s commitment to trade and investment facilitation to encourage members to engage with AfCFTA. Onakomaiya outlined her vision for PILA, which includes partnering with financial inclusion experts to develop proactive investment portfolios targeting both immediate and medium-term goals.
She also announced plans to enhance the group’s health knowledge capacity, focusing on mental health issues and proactive measures for the prevention of cancer and hepatitis B.
“The association will adopt a more intentional approach to ensure financial inclusivity and diversity among our members within the nation’s financial market and beyond,” Onakomaiya stated.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, represented by the Secretary to the State Governor, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, praised Onakomaiya as a trailblazer. He commended her for demonstrating competence in overcoming challenges and expressed confidence in her ability to lead PILA into a future of innovation.
“This new PILA administration will drive the association towards innovation,” said Sanwo-Olu. He assured the state government’s support in collaborating with PILA to achieve its objectives.
Professor Toyin Ashiru, the chairman of the occasion, emphasized the importance of encouraging more women to take leadership roles in the insurance sector. “The insurance sector is evolving from the boys’ club it used to be, and PILA is at the forefront of this change. There has been advocacy for industry change and opportunities for women. We must support women to grow,” Ashiru remarked.
