Justice Amina Augie Urges Women to Themselves as Sole Competitors at WIMBIZ 24th Annual Conference
The 24th Annual Conference of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) opened in Lagos on Thursday, with a strong call for women to embrace authenticity and self-leadership.
Delivering the keynote welcome, Hon. Justice Amina Augie (Rtd.), former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, charged participants to recognise themselves as their sole competitors. Speaking under the conference theme, “O.W.N – Own. Walk. Nurture,” she emphasised that the true contest in life is not against others but against personal fears, complacency, and excuses.
Justice Augie shared a deeply personal testimony, recounting her battle with temporal arteritis, a rare autoimmune condition. Despite ongoing health challenges, she explained that her decision to attend the conference was rooted in her determination to “own her story.”
She admonished women against envy and rivalry, describing them as “cages we build for ourselves.” According to her, every individual’s journey is unique, and resilience in overcoming personal challenges should inspire confidence rather than competition.
“Don’t start hating anybody, don’t start competing with anybody. You are your sole competitor,” she declared, urging women to rise above adversity by recognising their unique skills, gifts, and abilities.
Justice Augie further noted that lifting others does not diminish one’s own progress, but rather strengthens collective empowerment.
Earlier, Bisi Adeyemi, Chair of the WIMBIZ Board, welcomed participants by stressing the importance of standing firmly in truth and paving the way for others. She reminded attendees that each person’s story carries power, not because it is perfect, but because it is authentically theirs.
