• Super Admin
• 07 Mar, 2026

Wema Bank celebrated International Women's Day 2026 on March 4 at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event brought together women from politics, business, and entertainment to highlight key milestones and initiatives supporting women. Opening the event with her melodious voice, singer Yinka Davies led all the guests in an array of songs beginning with the national anthem. In her opening speech, the chairman of the bank's Board of Directors, Oluwayemisi Olorunshola, noted that the event was mainly anchored on this year's IWD, 'Give to Gain' theme. She said, "We understand that giving is not a loss but an investment. When women gain access, confidence, funding, mentorship and opportunities, societies gain strength. Economies expand and flourish, and communities become more resilient. Give to Gain is not a slogan for us at Wema Bank but a principle that reflects who we are as an institution." In his address, the Managing Director, Moruf Oseni, spoke using data on how the organisation prioritises women and their growth, citing the launch and impact of the "Wema Women's Network" in 2013, and "Sarah by Wema" in 2019. The First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was standing in for herself and her husband, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, noted that the bank has consistently supported women and women's empowerment over the years. She said, "I must note that the leadership and management of this bank have consistently championed initiatives that empower women and promote inclusive growth in our society over the years." A panel discussion featuring four notable women was held, complemented by a spoken word performance by Anuoluwapo Aremo and a comedy set by ATM. Other highlights included popular dancer, Kaffy, leading members of the management team in a choreography. Also, the He For She Award was presented to men who have actively supported their female colleagues in the workplace, while women were recognised under the SARA Gives to Empower Her Award. A key moment was the unveiling of the Wema Bank Girl Child Journal, a publication featuring contributions from 80 professionals offering guidance and reflections for young girls. Additionally, 16 women graduated from the Big Sister Mentorship Programme, a Wema Bank initiative supporting women in personal and professional development. Other guests at the event included UN Women Resident Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong; Funke Akindele, Daniel Etim Effiong, Waje, and Ara. Source: https://punchng.com/wema-bank-unveils-journal-to-inspire-girl-child/