Career preparation: Senior female insurance professionals inspire young women

Global conversations on diversity and inclusion have gained more recognition in the past few years. This is informed by the gender gap that exists in the workplace especially against women. This becomes vivid considering their large number in the society, but who are limited by certain issues. This disparity in gender roles, scarce inclusion of women, and youths in the Insurance industry have raised whispers and closed discussions. These were addressed at the Dive In Nigeria festival recently through a virtual conversation.

Prior to the event, Dive In Festival reached out to a few mid-level to senior-level female professionals to write letters to their younger selves in a bid to admonish, educate, inspire and prepare the youths for a great future.

Quite a series of interesting entries were received by the Dive In committee, some similar, some outstanding, but all perfectly capturing the message Dive In festival hoped to pass to the younger generation looking at making a career in Insurance and Finance.

One of such interesting letters is that written by the Head, Corporate Social Responsibility at AIICO, Abimbola Shobanjo, and entitled Dear young Abi. Shobanjo who is a strong advocate of equality, diversity, and inclusion wrote, “Always grab opportunities as they present themselves. If they do not present themselves, keep looking till you find them. Be fearless! Stand for what you believe in and do not waiver.” “Study harder, hug harder, care harder, play harder, and challenge yourself harder. If you believe in yourself, the world has no choice but to believe in you” she said.

In another mind resetting contribution from Managing Director, YOA Insurance Brokers, Enitan Solarin, she said, “Make sure the people you currently admire, are individuals who have ethical values and beliefs you connect with as a person. You need role models that will shape your thought processes. Create, grow, and nurture relationships with people ahead of you and set learning objectives to achieve in your relationships with them. In addition to that, “Knowing who you are, I know that there will be many times that you would feel the urge or need to accomplish things without any help or guidance…yes you will achieve a handful, but the chances of achieving much more are exponentially higher when you collaborate and work with people who seem to have figured it out before you. “Solarin said.

Writing further in an instructional letter, the Head Life Business Operations at NSIA Insurance Limited, Funmi Ogunbiyi said, “As you read this letter, I want you to know that I have successfully manipulated the speed of light and have travelled back in time to deliver you a message. I write this letter to you as your 24-years-old-self. I am essentially still you, only that I am much older and wiser. Never underrate the power of self-development. You can be the best at whatever you put your mind on; irrespective of your gender and social status. Don’t allow anyone to bully or intimidate you. Get the best and quality education while you see yourself grow beyond any human limits and be financially literate.”

Ending her letter by making a strong case for insurance, “When I was your age, I was ignorant of insurance and paid dearly for this when a flood incident swept away my savings on my valuables. It is financially literate to manage your risk exposure through insurance.” Ogunbiyi advised.

Dive In said while these letters have brought to its realization the struggles of women in their career journey, “they have most importantly opened our eyes to the necessity of guidance for the younger generation in their career journey. These letters will now serve as a road map with which the youths can navigate their career and entry into the Nigerian workplace freely and strategically”.

Dive In is a global movement in the insurance sector to support the development of inclusive workplace cultures. Its mission is to enable people to achieve their potential by raising awareness of the business case and promoting positive action for diversity in all its forms.