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#INTERVIEW: ”I AM A BORN ARTIST, ALL I WANT TO DO IS CREATE” -ESTHER TOM, LEAD STYLIST,GAME OF FROS NATURAL HAIR HUB

Esther Otomi (popularly known as Esther Tom), is the lead stylist and CEO of Game Of Fros natural hair hub. She has a Bachelors Degree in Choreography and a Maters Degree in Media Studies but chose to focus on her passion which is natural hair styling.

In this exclusive interview with Women Of Rubies, she talk about how she left Calabar for Lagos, the interesting name ‘Game Of Fros’, and more.

Read her interview below;

 

Childhood
Did my childhood prepare me in anyway for what I do now? Not in a million years! Growing up as an average Nigerian female child, the time line was the usual… It had to be, get a university degree in medicine, law or journalism, or a number of other jobs that were considered “professional”, finish your NYSC, get a job, get a husband, have babies, and you have lived life. I would never have imagined myself in this position and without a care in the world.

Meet Me
My name is Esther Otomi, I’m 26 years old, the last of a family of 5. I majored in Choreography for my Bachelors degree and proceeded to Media Studies for my Masters degree. I’m a born artist by nature. All i want to do is create! I live very simply and try to keep a low profile (i think…Lol). I hate to dress up, I’m not your typical “ladyish” lady. I dress for comfort and keep it true to my personality. I’m a lover of myths and legends, I love Rock ‘n Roll, animation and books!

GameOfFros
Game of Thrones! Yes! Hahahahahahaha…Pardon me, I just couldn’t hold that in! Obviously that’s where Game of Fros came from. We are passionate about Natural Hair Styling. We believe in natural hair as a voice, as a mark of identity, as a crown that needs to shine. For too long we have seen our natural hair as a burden, as an unkempt load of rubbish that we must constantly hide under weaves. Not that wearing weaves is a problem, but when you spend and cater more to your bundles than what is under, then we have a situation. The purpose for which Game of Fros is designed for is to showcase how versatile and sophisticated our Kinky /Curly hair is capable of being, and also to make your natural hair journey stress free.

How I met Mo Abudu…
Big shout out to Aunty Mo! I came to Lagos 2nd week in November, 2016. Frankly, my intention was to work here for the whole December and return to my base which was Calabar. Coming with two pairs of jean and 4 shirts, you could tell how unassuming i was. I would go to Ebonylife Studios to style hair for Arit Okpo. When i count my blessings, I count her thrice. She’s the reason I packed my bag and left Calabar without a second thought. She would say, “Esther, don’t be a whale in a pond”. I would style hair for a couple of other ladies as well in the studio. One day, Emily (works at the studio) called me saying “my M. D. said she likes my hair, ” and there I was saying
“Which MD?” She goes, “Mo Abudu”. And I let out a loooonnng laugh of disbelief. Emily calls again after some days saying the same thing, my reaction was the same. Then Mo Abudu’s personal assistant called me to book
an appointment on her behalf. At that point, my legs went limp and I had to hold on to something, all the while thinking, “Is this really happening???” This was a lady i grew up watch on TV with my mum. I was about 16 then. Now I’m going to be working with her?! I didn’t know what to expect. But i gradually eased into it. Aunty Mo is a one strong woman. I watch her make things happen and I think to myself, how much willpower can one person have?! She is inspiring and one heck of an amazing client.

My experience on the set of the movie Wedding Party2…
Yes indeed! To be part of the crew of a record breaking movie , not only was I honored, it expanded my work experience. From waking up early, closing late, getting barely two hours of sleep, to eating food you’ve never seen before! You’re not only dealing with hair, you’re dealing with personalities from a different race, a different country. It opened my eyes to realize that experiencing different cultures is wealth in itself.

What and who inspire me
I really cannot say who because alot of people inspire me in different aspects of life. But as for what inspires me, I’m certain it is fear of not fulfilling why I was made. I strongly believe I live for a purpose, and everything I do, everywhere I find myself, are all a means to an end. When i say a prayer, I always ask that whatever it is that will be a hindrance to fulfilling my purpose be taken away from me. When you’re 6 feet under, what matters is the lives you touched regardless of how little it was.

Challenges…
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, challenges pop out behind you like VOILA! Being that we offer home services exclusively, challenges include traffic, weather condition especially when it rains, impossible clients who think you have an attitude or who think you’re a fraud when you tell them you’re policy of down payments. I totally understand. It is human nature to be skeptical especially when your environment does not offer anything different.

On giving up…
Hahahahaha was there a time I didn’t?! Entrepreneurship is hard! I rephrase, Entrepreneurship in Nigeria is hard! You must have a plan, a model, a policy that you must stick to. This is important when building a brand reputation. It doesn’t matter who calls you rude or arrogant. Consistency is key. No one gets to see the tears alot of us shed behind closed doors, the fear in taking a business decision, how we calculate our gains and losses, letting go of the people we once called ‘friend’ or ‘lover’ because you realize how much time you wasted being unproductive with them. Still we go to sleep and wake up with high spirits ready for the chase!

I am a Woman of Rubies
I believe I have impacted people in my own little way. It could be one, could be two, I have no idea, but I believe it didn’t come from a place of plenty. It came from that little criss-cross of my fingers. It got better from every trial and error. It grew from every constructive criticism encountered. I never had it all figured out. I’m human. At times I procrastinate, at times I take impulsive decisions. When the chips are high or low, passion keeps me going.

Final words to women
Dear Woman out there, I haven’t walked in your shoes, I do not know where it pinches, but do not kill your dreams because of what people will say. People never stop saying. You will not always get what you request, sometimes you have to disobey, you have to break hearts, you have to go against the norm because you know where your happiness is. Until you grow into this awareness of self, you will continue to live other people’s lives and on your last day on earth, who you are will meet who you could have become. Cheers!

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#WCW: CELEBRATING SOLA SOBOWALE!

Hello WORriors! Today is #WCW and our Woman Crush is the one and only Sola Sobowale aka Toyin Tomato!!!

Sola Sobowale is a Nigerian film actress, screenwriter, director and producer. She joined acting as a member of the Awada Kerikeri Group under the leadership of Adebayo Salami. Over the years, she had scripted, co-scripted, directed and produced several Nigerian films. Her roles in Village Headmaster, Mirror In The Sun and in the infamous Yoruba film, Asewo To Re Mecca, remain evergreen.

However, playing Toyin Tomato in the Wale Adenuga 2001 Super Story series, Oh Father! Oh Daughter! shot her into super stardom. She has featured in over 200 movies and self-produced over 50 films. During an interview, Sola Sobowale revealed that she has been acting for 40 years now.

She scripted, produced and directed, Ohun Oko Somida, a 2010 Nigerian film that stars Adebayo Salami. She left Nollywood and Nigeria for 15 years to focus on her family and recently debut her comeback to Nollywood with the movie ‘The Wedding Party’.

Some of her movies include, Asewo To Re Mecca, Eri Okan, Ohun Oko Somida, The Diamond Ring, Family on fire, The Wedding Party 1&2, etc.

One fun fact is that, Sola Sobowale doesn’t wear ready made clothes. She makes her own clothes.

 

Women Of Rubies celebrates you, dearest Sola Sobowale!

 

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HE PROPOSED TO HER THREE DAYS AFTER THEY MET AND THEY ARE CELEBRATING 16 YEARS OF MARRIAGE TODAY!

IG user Seun Obajolu is celebrating her 16th wedding anniversary with her husband, Tunde, today October 4th and she has taken to her IG page to share their love story. The couple met in 2001 and Tunde proposed to Seun three days after meeting her.

She wrote;

“We are not the typical love story ! You proposed 3 days after we met, convinced I was the one for you while I’m thinking, “who is this crazy guy”? Yet, still going with the flow but with peace within that I was NOT making a mistake . We were married in 10 months and 16 years on, we are still here! You, sure that I’m still the one for you and I, super convinced that you were meant for me. Our marriage has not been perfect but all of the imperfections has taught us to love each other even better and brought us even closer. Here’s toasting to 16 more years and lots more with you my “crazy lover”, my husband, baby daddy, father and friend Tunde Obajolu Thank you for being my back bone, working with my imperfections and supporting my dreams! Happy 16th year Wedding Anniversary to us!!!!!”. ” 

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TOKUNBO KOIKI LAUNCHES NIGERIAN STREET FOOD STALL IN LONDON

London-born chef and entrepreneur, Tokunbo Koiki, who spent her formative years in Nigeria, moved back to London at the age of 12. She started cooking at that young age- starting off starting off with fried eggs and plantain and later moving on to tougher dishes like pounded yam and okra stew (which is now one of her signature dishes).

Two years ago, she launched Tokunbo’s Kitchen, which is a private chef and supper club service that allows Nigerians living in London and people from different cultures to experience and enjoy authentic Nigerian food.

After many years of cooking for family members and close friends, Tokunbo finally decided to turn her passion into a business by launching Tee’s Food Corner, a pop-up Nigerian street food stall in London.

While speaking with Okay Africa, Tokunbo said:

“There are about 1 million Nigerians in London alone, but if you ask the average Londoner about Nigerian food, they don’t even know what it is. I didn’t want to just open a restaurant for Nigerians and other Africans.

I want to introduce Nigerian food on a gradual basis to a global audience. Whether it’s London or Barcelona, I can travel the world introducing people to the colorful flavors of Nigerian food.”

Since the launch of Tokunbo’s Kitchen, Tokunbo has managed to feed over 5000 people – having successfully operated at different street food festivals, pop-ups and chef residencies.

 

Photos Credit: Tokunbo’s Kitchen

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”STUDENTS WHO WATCHED THE MOVIE ‘QUEEN OF KATWE’ PERFORMED BETTER IN THEIR NATIONAL EXAMS, STUDY REVEALS

A recent study from Oxford’s department of Economics, has revealed that students who watched the movie ‘Queen Of Katwe’, before their national exams performed better than the students who didn’t.

The movie, which starred David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o, and Madina Nalwanga, followed the real life of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan girl living in a slum in Katwe, who learns to play chess and becomes a world champion.

 The goal of the study by doctorate student, Emma Riley, was to examine whether exposure to a positive role model could inspire students to try harder in school.

For the study, 1,500 secondary students in Kampala – one week and one month away from taking their national qualifying exams – were taken to watch either Queen of Katwe or a placebo film, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

According to the study, students completing their final year of school who watched Queen of Katwe were more likely to get the required grades to get into university; and younger students completing their 4th year of school also improved their overall scores.

The benefits of this experiment were the most pronounced for female students and students at lower-ranked schools. Concluding the study, Riley said:

“This paper stresses the importance of role models for raising students’ aspirations about what they can achieve and calibrating the potential returns to education.

Through this, a role model can have significant effects on students’ educational attainment.”

 

 

 

Credit: konbini.com

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#PROFILE| MEET FOLAFOLUWA OGINNI, WHO GRADUATES WITH A PERFECT SCORE OF 5.0 GP FROM HETERFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY

In 2013, Folafoluwa Oginni, then 17, emerged the overall best pupil in the May/June 2012 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) when she scored the highest grade (Grade 1) in all her eight subjects, including English and Mathematics.

In 2017, Folafoluwa, now 21, kept the flag flying by becoming the best graduating student from the University of Heterfordshire after she finished her Law degree without getting even a B till her final year.

She just graduated with a perfect score of 5.0 GP thereby setting a new record in the university and also becoming the first Nigerian Valedictorian in the University.

She shared photos of her WACE result and her result from ths university, on social media.

See photos below:

 

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ANNIE IDIBIA PENS APPRECIATION LETTER TO MUM

Actress and entrepreneur, Annie Idibia, took to her IG page to celebrate her mum whose birthday was yesterday October 2, 2017. She also thanked her for all her sacrifices and prayers for the family.

She wrote;

”Dear Mother..
Thank You For Being So Selflessness All The Time.. Thank You Ma For Making My Life So Much Easier… For Being My Favourite Girl In The World.. For Loving Me Unconditionally.. For Putting Me And My Needs First B4 Yours Till Date.. My Biggest Cheerleader..My Number 1 Fan..Your Love And Prayers Is What Have Gotten Me And My Family Here.. Thank You For Being A Big N Major Part Of Our Lives…Thank You For Being The best Grandma Any Child Can Ask For..Thank You 4 Being The Best Mother inlaw Any Man Can Ask For..Thank You For Being The Best Mother In The World And Thank You Sooooooo Much For Being A Good Woman And All The Good Qualities You Taught Me.. Thank u “sista” For The Prayers,Day And Night. I Wish You Good Health And Long Life So You Can Contiune To Reap The Fruit Of All Your Labour. I LOVE YOU MOTHER. My “sista” Happy Birthday.❤❤❤”

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TIWA SAVAGE MAKES LIST OF BBC 100 INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN FOR 2017

The BBC has revealed its list of 100 inspirational and innovative women for 2017, and amongst the amazing women featured, Nigeria’s very own Tiwa Savage and Anne-Marie Imafidon make the list!

The annual series – which shines a light on issues affecting women all over the world – is this year encouraging women to make a change.

Also featuring on the list are 7 other Africans – Adelle Onyango (Kenya) Anita Nderu (Kenya) Chaima Lahsini (Morroco), Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia), Marieme Jamme (Senegal), Naomi Mwaura (Kenya) and Talent Jumo (Zimbabwe)

Speaking on the list, BBC says:

This year, the women on the list will be part of the 100 Women Challenge, tackling some of the biggest problems facing women around the world.

Coming together in four teams, the women will share their experiences and create innovative ways to tackle:

The glass ceiling – #Teamlead
Female illiteracy – #Teamread
Street harassment – #Teamgo
Sexism in sport – #Teamplay

 

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MY PASSION IS TO SERVE, IMPACT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE – OLU ADETUTU

Olufunmilayo (Olu) Adetutu is an entrepreneur, powerful life coach, mentor, speaker and teacher. The first thing you notice when you meet her is her down to earth personality and an unrelenting passion for helping women reignite their dreams by offering refreshing perceptions and practical wisdom that inspires, educates and challenges individuals to move beyond their assumptions and create the Illuminated fulfilled lives that they love.

Olufunmilayo who once worked for companies such as; Hewlett Packard, IBM, Quest, where she was consistently known for delivering excellent results ventured into the development sector prior to returning to Nigeria to establish ‘Greater Tomorrows’ initiative, a platform she has been using to help move many lives forward. She successfully hosted a weekly teleconference program with international participation with a focus on young adults on relationship, career and spirituality which was presented to a wide variety of secular and sacred audiences worldwide. A woman of seasoned business acumen, she is the CEO of ICE-IT, Ltd, the leading edible ice manufacturing company in Nigeria and Proprietor of Liberty-Life Medical Services, a community health care services that is committed to providing quality affordable care to the community. With her unrelenting passion for helping people, she continues coaching a diverse clientele, internationally and locally with a goal of creating a global platform that will help transform a larger group of lives. Olu adetutu is married with four children. Here is my exclusive interview with this highly intelligent and exceptional woman of rubies.

Childhood Influence
Certainly, my father, Samuel Adewale Solarin aka Pa Sho was a major influence in my life. His optimism about life, belief in the potential of people was inspirational. He was a great influencer, adviser and mentor to many. I loved watching how people’s lives where transformed and hope restored so I always knew that my source of personal fulfillment would come from inspiring people in one form or the other. I was raised to believe that I could be and do anything I set my mind to and that message has helped me through some challenging times and good times.

Greater Tomorrows Initiative
Greater Tomorrows was a platform with which I mentored, trained, coached young adults in personal development in their professional and personal lives. It involved speaking engagements, seminars, retreat, workshops and teleconferences that gave a safe place for young people to examine their beliefs and challenge the limiting thoughts they had. It was very fulfilling work. Great time.

Inspiration behind establishing the biggest Ice Block Factory in Nigeria
The idea was my husband Abidemi Adetutu’s. On a trip to Nigeria he came up with the idea of ice manufacturing. We had been looking for opportunities to invest and give back to our community, so ice in a hot climate as Nigeria sounded like a great idea. Our mission is to make ice affordable, accessible and available. We are constantly looking for ways to serve our customers better, grow and adapt to the trends in the industry. It’s a good feeling knowing it’s one of its kind in Nigeria.

Decision to give back via the community health center
I believe that there should be a way to have affordable quality care for the masses given the population of our communities. Hence the birth of Liberty-Life Medical Services, a health services provider that includes a hospital, Liberty-Life Hospital, which has impacted the community greatly. The hospital has partnered with NGOs, SMEs and other organizations in bringing quality care to the reach of people. We have had several subsidized and some free outreaches that have been successful. Recently, our team concluded a two weeks free surgeries drive that targeted people with lipomas, hernia and hydrocele. We have a great team and look forward to bringing other quality services to the community.

Challenges of running my organizations
Power supply, logistics, the work culture in Nigeria, the quality of workers.

Who and What inspire me to be better
My passion to serve, impact and make a difference; my family; and a zeal to overcome challenges. In addition, I also enjoy reading about other successful people, listening to music, art and meditating on God’s word.

Managing it all as a Mother, Wife, Entrepreneur, Seasoned Coach, Mentor and Teacher
With the many roles, expectations and responsibilities life can be overwhelming at times. However, I seek balance and crave times. I balance as often as I can.

Other project and activities
My team and I are working on several projects which includes an online mastermind course that will be launched in October, 2017. The program is targeted towards women who want to push through limiting thoughts and beliefs and take bold action towards what they really want.

Greatest reward
Greatest reward has been seeing a life that saw little hope coming to the fullness of their light and becoming more accomplished, courageous and showing up boldly in their own lives. That’s priceless.

Do you think Nigerians appreciate philanthropic work enough?
I believe many people do but there are those who over time have adopted a sense of entitlement.

What makes you a Woman of Rubies?
Waking up in gratitude to God and showing up and doing the best I can and helping people benefit from our services. Finally, the strength of support from my family, friends and God.

Final word for women out there, especially those who don’t appreciate and value themselves enough.
Find out who you are and what you really want. Be confident to go after your heart’s call and don’t shrink your dreams. The beginning of a wonderful, accomplished, fulfilled life is understanding and accepting who you are as early as possible in life. Know that you are unique, wonderfully made for a specific purpose and that you are light. No one else can shine your light. Challenges, negative voices and thoughts will come that want to limit you, challenge them with the truth. You have are a gift and no one else can give the gift of you to the world. Do you to the fullest and brightest.

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