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SARATA KONE
CEO, UBA Cote d’Ivoire
I have worked for 3 and a half years in UBA Cote d’Ivoire. My ability to be patient has really helped me deal with a lot of things and I have been able to navigate through difficulties I have faced. My motivation stems from this.
UBA is building Africa and the importance of the female child’s education and growth is important to us. With a good number of women in key positions, it reminds me that any action we take is towards this objective. This really guides my decision as a leader and reminds me that the vision of the bank transcends just banking but affecting lives. My advice for those women still coming up is to be focused! The plan can change but that goal must never change. You will face hardships, and nothing is easy in life but adversity toughens you up and builds character.
My wish for UBA @ 70, is that we see the 700’s, I can also only wish that we can learn from the pioneers who brought us this far and also add to their legacy.
PATRICIA ADERIGBIGBE
Group Head, HCM
I am presently the Group Head, Human Resources and I have been here for 2 and a half years. I think the first thing I always remember is to never see the barriers. I worked in The UK, where it seemed the hurdles I faced - being black, female, etc., could have worked against me but I always use those hurdles and turn them around to rise against it all. It makes you stronger and you are able to attain the heights you want
I think we all have unique skills but the character is bigger than the skill, and it stems from my previous statement; If you have the innate characteristic to be someone ‘gritty’, you will push harder. Sometimes it’s not about being better, it is about devel- oping skillsets and the character to help you stay purposeful and willing to learn.
For young women who are coming up in all sectors, I say thank your creator for making us WOMEN. We are equipped with so much, we are strong and we have an edge over our male characters! So remember, multi-tasking and achieving top level management are small feats amongst a multitude of things which you are innately capable of handling.
UBA has integrity and that has shown these past 70 years. We still have so many more years to go and our heritage is going to keep pushing us. So as we pass the baton, my hope is we see more eras ahead.
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