The Managing Director of LADOL Free Zone, Dr. Amy Jadesimi on Wedne
New York, assured of her commitment to continue to empower women
efforts not only in Nigeria, but globally.
while
celebrating the noteworthy contributions of Women in the Maritime
industry had quietly predicted, the emancipation of the Nigerian Woman
is most likely to come from the Nigerian Maritime industry.
Amy
Jadesimi indicated this, while speaking as one of the five industry
leaders chosen to select the winner of the Globally, WE Empower female
Entrepreneurship challenge at the just concluded United Nations General
Assembly week in New York.
The WE Empower UN
SDG Challenge is the first-of-its-kind global business competition for
women entrepreneurs who are advancing the UN Sustainable Development
Goals and inspiring entire communities to act to create the world we
want by 2030.
The WE Empower Challenge honours
five women entrepreneurs, one from each of the five UN regions, who are
advancing the SDGs through their business practices. The opportunity
recognises their innovative work, provides capacity-building training
sessions and high-level advocacy opportunities to the awardees, and
ignites awareness about the valuable contribution women entrepreneurs
can make toward the SDGs.
Christelle Kwizera,
from Rwanda (founder of Water Access Rwanda, providing reliable and
affordable access to piped safe water in rural and semi-urban
communities in Rwanda using their flagship solution, INUMA Groundwater
Solar Kiosks, while also professionally maintaining safe water microgrid
systems.), Dr. Amy Jadesimi (MD LADOL)
The
WE Empower Awardees convened in New York City during the week of the UN
General Assembly. The first major event was a dynamic pitch competition
hosted by fashion designer, activist and Vital Voices Board Member
Diane von Furstenberg, and judged by the – Dr. Amy Jadesimi (MD LADOL),
Sam Chung (EVP Finance and Strategy Salesforce.com), Anu Duggal
(Founding Partner, Female Founders Fund), Cameron Fowler (President,
North American Personal & Banking, BMO Financial Group) and
moderated by Stephanie Mehta (Editor-in-Chief, Fast Company).
The
$20,000 grant was awarded to Leah Lizarondo, CEO and Co-Founder, 412
Food Rescue but all five of the awardees were highly commended.
After
judging the pitches Dr. Jadesimi commented. WeEmpower is putting
brilliant female entrepreneurs on a global stage. All 5 of the awardees
were impressive – both in terms of the bankability of their business
models and their passionate dedication to the SDGs. These are the
business models of the future.
The mainstream
financial sector is largely oblivious to such opportunities, meaning
they are also great undervalued investment opportunities. Sustainable
businesses, such as these, will be the drivers of global prosperity. 80%
of the 680 million new jobs the world needs will come from SMEs.
Judging
Panel: Diane von Furstenberg, Dr. Amy Jadesimi (MD LADOL), Sam Chung
(EVP Finance and Strategy Salesforce.com), Anu Duggal (Founding Partner,
Female Founders Fund), Cameron Fowler (President, North American
Personal & Banking, BMO Financial Group)
We
need to exponentially expand the work of organisations such as
WeEmpower, so that millions of sustainable businesses and business
leaders can be identified and supported across the world.
As
part of LADOL’s ongoing development we will be developing
infrastructure and facilities to support a range of sustainable
entrepreneurs and SMEs – developing innovative customised solutions for
the West African market.
Dr. Amy Jadesimi Investing in female entrepreneurs with sustainable business plans is one of the most lucrative way.