Mrs. Adenike Jennifer Emiola Iyiola, an engineer, is the Founder/President of Nigerian Professional Working Women (NPWW) and the Chief Executive Officer of NIAKK International Business Limited, Chicago, IL. USA & Nigeria. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Land Surveying. This amazing amazon has worked with prominent construction companies, such as Sageto Construction Company in Lagos, Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited and Alora Engineering Company. She is also the founder of ADENIKE CHARITY FOUNDATION (ACF); NHH Solution Limited, Nigeria and NIAD Construction Limited, Nigeria. From the beginning, she has always been passionate about women empowerment, professionally, politically and socially. She believes in a strong and collaborative power of professional women, and in making a positive impact on the future of Nigeria. As a result, she decided to invite women of like-mind to form the Nigerian Professional Working Women (NPWW), the premier of such organisation in Nigeria. She opened up on her passion and quest for women development. She spoke to Antonia Soyingbe-Duru
What stands NPWW out about other women groups?
Our vision in NPWW is to be the premier network for women in business, public service and politics in Nigeria and our vision is to promote and produce leaders and builders of homes and the future of the nation. I don’t know if you are aware that NPWW is the largest and most recognized network of female executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Our membership consists of more than 2,000,000 women seeking greater opportunities to fulfil their professional and personal goals. Our members enjoy a wealth of benefits and resources. These include seminars, webinars, advanced educational tool, employment, secured loans, business exposure opportunities, and an expanding network of local chapters throughout the country. And the NPWW Perks program offers valuable discounts across the globe. The wide-reaching NPWW network provides a platform for members to showcase their businesses and gain exposure for both professional and personal endeavours, while discovering endless opportunities to connect, grow, learn and inspire.
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Can you share with us the driving force that propelled you to set up NPWW?
I have always been passionate about women empowerment, professionally politically and socially.
What motivated this passion for the womenfolk?
Growing up I witnessed, first hand how all attention was on male children. That was when I said to myself, that when I grow up I will turn the situation around.
Has anything changed in society as regards gender discrimination?
Yes, lots have changed. Though we are not where we should be but we definitely are not where we used to be. However, the change has been very slow in coming.
What has been the achievement of NPWW over the years?
The NPWW over the years has succeeded in bringing professional women and entrepreneurs under one big umbrella. In the first year, NPWW had a National Convention in Abuja, which brought professional women and entrepreneurs from all parts of Nigeria where they exchanged ideas and suggestions in pushing forward ways to rally women around causes that will benefit all women. NPWW also organised an international trade fair. This trade fair gave participants the opportunity to showcase their products, services and their professional specialities to those who were in attendance at the trade fair and the rest of the country. I was irked by the inadequate recognition of Nigerian professional women in the society, hence I decided to create a platform for Nigerian professional women from all walks of life. I am an advocate of unity, peace and progress of Nigeria. I believe that rule of law, transparency, zero tolerance for corruption, the security of lives and property, peaceful coexistence, freedom, good governance and, indeed, good governance should be pursued with limitless vigour.
How easy and challenging is it for you bringing women together for a common goal?
From the beginning, I knew bringing professionals women and entrepreneurs together under one umbrella will be a great challenge. However, I was mentally prepared to face them, because of my passion for women causes and empowerment. Convincing other women to come together with others to join a group just for women wasn’t easy. That was because up till the formation of NPWW no other organisation has made a concerted effort to bring professional women and entrepreneurs under one roof. Ours was the first organisation to do so.
Can you share with us the major challenge you encountered in building NPWW?
There are many challenges. However, the major challenge is the initial introduction of NPWW to current memberships, and the hope for them to realize and believe that NPWW is different from other women organisations before it, in its objectives and the passion that motivated me into founding the organisation.
What is your guiding principle in life?
My guiding principles in life are the goals that I live by on a daily basis. They are the parameters by which I measure myself. The first is honesty and integrity in all that I do. Second, never to give up in areas that I choose to make a difference both in my professional and personal lives. Finally, to leave my little mark in service to mankind.
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Can you tell us a bit about your growing up?
I was born in a little town called Omuo-Ekiti in Ekiti State. I was practically raised by my grandmother, who’s a very strict and loving disciplinarian. Unlike many grannies, my grandmother had no time for pampering. It was tough love all the way. This was consistent and evident throughout my primary education at Medayese Primary School, Akure (Ondo State) and secondary education, at Omuo Compressive High School. I was also a tomboy growing up and took no nonsense from my classmates. It made no difference to me whether they were boys or girls. You can credit my grandmother for who and what I am today based on the toughness and love with which she raised me.
How did her training then prepare you for the task ahead in life?
Her training basically prepared me, especially mentally for the life ahead. Not only to face future challenges, adversities and successes but also to be able to manage them without giving up
What is the greatest lesson life has taught you?
The greatest lesson that life has taught me is to always believe in myself; not to let distractors and distractions deter me from my convictions.