FinTribe: Finance Fair 2024 - Becoming the Bag

The event sessions kicked off with the Opening Bell by NGX, led by Femi Shobanjo ? who passionately addressed the theme of "Women, Wealth, and Power." He posed a compelling question: “Why is the capital market a path to securing the bag?” His opening quote, “When women thrive financially, communities prosper,” set the tone for the discussion. He delved into the stark statistics surrounding the global underrepresentation of women investing in capital markets and their earnings, highlighting the urgent need for change.

He also introduced exciting opportunities for women through initiatives like NGX EquipHER, a platform dedicated to empower women and foster inclusive growth within Nigeria's equity market and NGX Invest, a platform dedicated to investing in shares of publicly traded companies.

The keynote session was both powerful and insightful. The speaker Aunty Shaffy Bello touched on several topics, but a few key messages stood out. She emphasized the importance of freelancing, building a personal brand and adopting the mindset of an asset - adding value rather than being a liability. Thought-provoking questions emerged, such as:

1. Who stands and fights for you?

2. Why are you here?

3. Who created you?

4. What makes you special?

She shared invaluable nuggets of wisdom, urging us to:

• Give ourselves some grace.
• Embrace authenticity to achieve consistency and become better versions of ourselves.
• Feed our spirits with positivity.
• Help ourselves to obtain what we need.
• Live with joy and gratitude.
• Most importantly, STAND WITH YOUR SOURCE.

The Lifestyle Panel session covered five essential topics: Moderator- Adeife Adeoye & Speakers - GUSI TOBBY , Dr. Glory Edozien (PhD) and Naomi Njide Emu

1. Visibility: Highlighting the need to let the right people know about the value you bring, ensuring you remain top of mind for opportunities. Questions to consider included: What value do I bring? Who am I communicating with? Who are my sponsors and mentors? Where are the opportunities discussed?

2. Personal Style: Understand who you are, learn about yourself, and build confidence.

3. Networking: The speaker noted that socializing is a gateway to effective networking. Strategies included leveraging your network, showing up excellently by carrying & giving value, attending fellowship programs, workshops & events and seeking mentors & sponsors by following up with discretion and respecting boundaries to maintain mutually beneficial relationships.

4. Navigating Office Dynamics: This involved understanding the rules of the game, creating your own strategy and building the right alliances.

5. Monetizing Your Talent: Focused on investing in yourself, identifying your purpose, and understanding your capabilities and working on your mentality.

The Finance Session was divided into two sections. The first, led by Ayodeji Ebo Ph.D, FCCA, FCS, ACSI of Afrinvest, covered various investment opportunities such as Stocks, Bonds, Treasury bills, Child Trust Account and Mutual funds. He advised a balanced investment strategy of 50% in dollar-related assets and 50% in Naira.

The second, presented by Sola Adesakin CPA, FCA, FCCA, MBA, CFEI discussed five practical ways to multiply your money (5P’s):

1. Monetize Your Passion: What do you love doing? and gain clarity through momentum.

2. Monetize Your Proficiency: What is your expertise?

3. Monetize Your Potential: What can you do but it is not far fetched?

4. Monetize Your Past Experiences: Use your journey as an asset.

5. Manage Your Partnerships: Be a product of collaboration.

I will wrap up by sharing affirmations from the Micro-Talk session led by Beauty Tukura and Onyeka Micheal-Ugwu which left us all feeling uplifted and empowered.

• I am worthy of financial abundance and I attract wealthy effortlessly,
• I will make smart financial decisions that will build my wealth and future,?
• I am creating a life of financial independence,
• I am open to new opportunities and I seize them with confidence,
• Every Challenges I face is an opportunity to learn and grow,
• I have the power to build generational wealth and money will flow to me in several ways,
• I deserve success,
• I am not just becoming the bag, I am the BAG??

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers FinTribe and Financial Jennifer for hosting such an empowering event. I look forward to attending the Finance Fair 2025, God willing.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, I hope you found it insightful and valuable.