Chioma Madueke is a Geophysics graduate, a serial entrepreneur, and a philanthropist. She runs Zidora Consults; a travel and tour company, and Zidora Real Estate; a real Estate company. She is quite passionate about putting smiles on faces of the less privileged, and making the society a better place. She co-founded Zidora Aid Foundation; a not-for-profit Non-Governmental charity organisation borne out of the need to help alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and by extension , the world.
Childhood
I will say in a way it did because I grew up with a strong mother figure and I got my first love for business , entrepreneurship and charity work from my mom. My father is also an entrepreneur and a businessman , I believe I got my sense of accountability and my flair for figures from him.
Meet Me
My name is Mrs. Chioma Madueke , I am a Wife ,mother and a serial entrepreneur. I run a travel and tour company that assists people to get visas and book flight tickets :Zidora Consults, a real Estate company ; Zidora Real Estate , and I am also a Co-founder of a charity organisation ; Zidora Aid Foundation. I was born in Calabar , I studied applied Geophysics at the University level, I am a moralist by principle , I am passionate about God , family ,business and the society.
Zidora Aid Foundation
Zidora Aid Foundation ZAF , is a not-for-profit Non-Governmental charity organisation borne out of the need to do our bit to alleviate the suffering of my fellow Nigerians and by extension , the world. We seek to empower women , educate children and better society. We do these through sustainable programs like the EDUCATION 2020 project and the Zidora Infant Nutrition programs designed to empower , educate and subsequently eradicate suffering and poverty. We also distribute relief materials , food materials and study material to all who need it , we provide legal and medical aid , as well as financial empowerment programs .
Motivation
I will say I am motivated by “people” , I am very interested in human beings ,from the mallam selling biscuits and sweets out of a kiosk to the market woman , to the CEO of a fortune 500 company , I am interested in people , their thought process , their dreams , fears, hopes, the relationships they form, what makes them tick basically.
Greatest reward
I think the greatest reward is that feeling of satisfaction that I am doing exactly what I was called to do. When I first graduated and started my various businesses , I was caught up in the rat race of trying to make money and more money…But as I grew and evolved , I began to be affected by the stories I heard , the suffering of people which I encountered and I realised there is more to life than the next big business or investment , I sought out ways to help someone other than myself hence Zidora Aid Foundation.
Challenges
I think the foremost challenge as a woman is the work-family balance. I believe this is a challenge faced by women all over the world but we are able to achieve all we achieve even while doing family duties because us women are blessed with the power to multi-task. Another challenge is the Nigerian factor , some imposters who approach zidora aid foundation seeking for assistance when they really do not need it but as an organisation , we have ways of verifying claims and this has helped us.
Projects and activities
Zidora Aid Foundation spearheads the EDUCATION2020 project ; a project designed to wipe out illiteracy in rural communities by the year 2020.At ZAF , we believe the best way to wipe out illiteracy is through education. Hence , ZAF through the Education2020 preoject is building schools , distributing books , school uniforms and other study materials to students aged 2 to 18 years in rural communities. We are also committed to enrolling students who can’t afford JAMB /WAEC registration fees as well as awarding scholarships to outstanding students and organising extra lessons for students who aren’t doing well in their studies. This is a project very dear to my heart.
I am also organising a forum for Women in Real Estate ,encouraging women to take charge of their finances , their future and make wise real estate investments.
On giving up
Yes , sure . There have been points in business when I felt like throwing in the towel but I am well aware that so long as you keep keeping on ,persistent and consistent ,then you haven’t failed just yet but the moment you quit , then have you failed. When I first got into the travel industry , there were so many challenges but we were able to build Zidora Consults to what is it today ; a company that a very high success rate with various country’s visas, exceeds our set targets and goals and does work we are proud of.
I am a Woman of Rubies
I am a Woman of Rubies , because I am diligent in my work , mindful of my household and doing my bit to better the society. It may not be possible to have it all at once but I believe we should at least attempt to have a balanced life. I am a product of my experiences and the lessons life has taught me , I am wiser and stronger than I used to be , I have a solid foundation and I pray daily for wisdom to handle challenges life throws at me.
Final Words To Women
Women are the most fantastic species God created , we are blessed with so much skill set and wisdom and it is possible to achieve just as much as the men folk if not more. God has blessed you with a far superior brain and a fantastic skill set which if well utilised , will change the world. The only thing limiting you is yourself ,whatever a man can achieve , you can do too and surpass. As women , we are the bedrock of society , the anchor that holds it all together. Together , we are greater than the sum of our individual parts, let us shun the stereotypes and uplift each other because together , we will achieve more than we can achieve individually.