An Executive Director at NOVA Merchant Bank, Mrs Funke Okoya, has been appointed Chairperson, Women’s Empowerment Commission of the Women in Finance Nigeria.
Okoya’s appointment was announced along with four other new executives at a recent signing of the International Partnership/Affiliation with the Women Working for Change.
The Women Working for Change is an organ of the African CEO Forum, the largest international forum of the African private sector.
The newly-appointed Exco members were selected from committed senior executive members of the organisation and have been charged with the specific duty of chairing the Association’s five new Commissions.
Okoya’s appointment has been described as a major push for capacity development that will drive initiatives that advance women’s cause in Nigeria as well as pursue financial literacy and inclusion among them while promoting gender parity.
Speaking at the event, the Chairperson, Women in Finance Nigeria, Mrs Toyin Sanni, said: “We are very excited about the launch of these important commissions under the leadership of these dynamic senior executives as well as the election of our new national secretary all of whom served creditably, over time at WIFNG.”
This appointment is designed to speak to the yearnings of women in Nigeria and further enrich the conversation around capacity building, provide access to finance, broaden value realization, add relevance, recognition and network for women.
Okoya, who expressed excitement at the appointment, said: “This appointment is designed to speak to the yearnings of women in Nigeria and further enrich the conversation around capacity building, provide access to finance, broaden value realization, add relevance, recognition and network for women.”
She added that the expanded executive committee demonstrates the association’s commitment to supporting women across the country by providing leadership and sustainable professional development for women, through creative coalitions and partnerships with international women organizations like Women Working for Change.
Funke is an Executive Director, Investment Banking and Subsidiaries at NOVA Merchant Bank, and has been driving key initiatives that are transforming the Bank into a leadership position.
While congratulating Okoya on her appointment, the Chairman of NOVA Merchant Bank, Phillips Oduoza, said she has been at the forefront of gender diversity, sustainability and female inclusion, adding: “As a Board, we are glad for the recognition which will elevate the commission to the next level under her chairmanship.”
Women in Finance Nigeria (WIFNG), is a non-profit organization registered in 2016, to provide policy advocacy for greater representation of women in the financial sector and in financial roles in Public and Private Sector Organizations.
