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Actress Mercy Aigbe’s son, Olajuwon Gentry, who was born on June 17, 2010, clocked 7 years of age yesterday June 17, 2016, and the proud mum released cute photos and beautiful birthday messages to mark his birthday. See post and photos below;

 

”My prince is officially 7!!????
My jewel of inestimable value ❤
The reason I’m called BLESSED
My source of joy and happiness ????
My carbon copy????
My everything ❤
Happy birthday my love????

I can’t keep calm ???????? it’s my baby’s birthday

You will continue to be a source of joy IJN……
Happy birthday my prince

The reason I am called BLESSED….
My WORLD…..
My ALL……
Happy Birthday OLAJUWON”

 

 

 

God bless your new age, Olajuwon!

 

R. Evon Benson-Idahosa is the eldest daughter of Archbishops Margaret and Benson Idahosa. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Pathfinders Justice Initiative, Inc, an International NGO which seeks to eradicate sex trafficking and rape in the developing world. She is a trained English Barrister and an American lawyer who worked as a partner in a national defense law firm in New York for over a decade before venturing full time into activism on behalf of women and girls. As a native of a developing nation (Nigeria), Ms. Benson-Idahosa is particularly passionate about addressing the shrouded issues of sex trafficking (modern day slavery) and gender based violence in the developing world because of her compelling commitment to the liberation of women in developing countries. As an activist, her passion and compassion are geared towards developing a generation of women who stand confident in who they are, what they bring to the table and what they can achieve. She is a firm believer that if you can empower a woman and engage men as allies for gender justice, you can change any society. She shares her story and the inspiration behind her work in this interview.

Childhood Influence

I would not be who I am today or move through the world the way I do without having been born into the family I was born into.  I grew up with parents (Archbishops Margaret and Benson Idahosa) who taught me that one’s life was not fully realized unless it was grounded in the service and upliftment of others.  I saw my parents move through their lives with both compassion and activism- it was what fueled their existence.  Although neither formally referred to themselves as “activists,” that is precisely what they were/are.  They stood against injustice and taught me that God’s justice requires that we affirm the image of God in every man and women, regardless of their social class and status.  Traveling with them around the world was also a gift that informed my worldview because it allowed me to see the gross disparity among racial and social classes and even as a child, the subjugation of women and girls troubled me.  I also went to boarding school in Jos when I was nine and that forced me to become an independent thinker who was able to make decisions on my own at an early age.  So yes, my childhood certainly influenced and prepared me for what I do today.  In fact, it was my father that nicknamed me “Pathfinder” when I was nine.  When I started to consider a name for my NGO, God brought it back to remembrance, not only because it is who I was prophetically named, but also because it is what we endeavor to do for women and girls, i.e., to help them find their paths out of abuse and injustice.  I think that is the general expectation, i.e., that because of our family background, all the Idahosa children would end up in full time “ministry.”   But what exactly is ministry?  When I think of the word, the word “service” is what immediately springs to mind.  So I may not be on a pulpit every Sunday, but I endeavour and am honored to serve the marginalized women and girls that we are fortunate enough to meet.

“Pathfinders.”

Pathfinders is an international NGO (www.pathfindersji.org) which seeks to eradicate sex trafficking and rape in the developing world through empowerment, judicial reform and community transformation.  We focus our time and resources on prevention, sensitization and raising awareness on the implications of these atrocities.  Our primary method of prevention is the empowerment of young women and girls who are most vulnerable to sex trafficking (via our #Not4Sale Campaign, vocational skills training, education scholarships and startup business training and funding) and rape (via our #TakeMeOffMute Total Self Defense Programs).  We also sensitize the public via our public service announcements and utilize workshops and outreaches (in schools, markets, religious organizations, etc.) to raise awareness on the implications of sex trafficking and rape. Via our PATH (Personalized Action to Healing) Plans, we provide rehabilitation for survivors of rape and sex trafficking, particularly women and girls who were trafficked from Nigeria into Europe and have repatriated. These survivor-curated Plans include anything from free medical, legal and counseling services to vocational skills training, housing, education scholarships and start up business training and funding. We recently launched our safehouse in Edo State called “The Anchor” to provide shelter for up to 24 survivors which will be fully operational by Summer 2017.

Reason for choosing Activism and Advocacy

Well, I would actually say that it chose me.  And what I mean by that is that it is what I have been called to do, i.e., to amplify the voices of women and girls.  Prior to working full time in this area, I practiced law for over a decade in corporate America and successfully defended other lawyers as a partner in a prestigious New York firm.  However, I always knew that it wasn’t what I would spend the rest of my life doing.  And so there came a time when I had to choose between financial success and significance.  I had to decide whether I would step out in faith to do what I knew was my life’s work or whether I would sit comfortably in the arms of a corner office that offered me what most people would define as success.  People often tell me that it took courage to choose the former, but as anyone who is called to a work will tell you, not yielding to that calling requires  turning your back on an unrelenting fire within yourself.  For me, it was not an option.  I had a compelling sense of urgency to move and I have absolutely no regrets.

Challenges

Well, I am fortunate to have the foundation that was built by my parents and continues to be built by my mother, Her Grace, Archbishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa.  Interestingly enough, because all my world-changing siblings are also involved in some form of service, our work overlaps and serves to support each other.  As such, I recognize that in many ways, I had a head start that many other young organizations have not been afforded.  I am grateful.  This, however, doesn’t mean that there aren’t challenges.  There certainly are.  The major challenge is the effort it takes to uproot the mindset of patriarchy that is so deeply embedded in Nigerian society.  It is what perpetuates systemic injustice against women and girls and is what has intentionally rendered that demographic vulnerable.

Project and Activities

In 2018, we will be venturing on a social enterprise which will hire rape and sex trafficking survivors as well as young women who are susceptible to sex trafficking. We intend to make and distribute Nigeria inspired bath and body healing products.  Ultimately, the business will utilize a survivor led model, as each woman who works there will ultimately become a distributor and generate her own business.  It is our way of contributing to and giving back to society by filling some of the economic gap that is causing our women and girls to view prostitution as an alternative to poverty.  We are very excited about the project!

Greatest Reward

Fulfillment.  I am from Edo State, an internationally recognized hub of sex trafficking and certainly the hub of sex trafficking in Nigeria (over 90% of women and girls trafficked into Europe are from there).  As such, sex trafficking is part of our functioning economy and is grossly embedded into our culture.  It has wreaked havoc on the lives of our women and girls who return from overseas in broken pieces.  Without judgment, we reach out to each of them in love and remind them that they are still valuable.  It takes courage to start to put up the walls of a broken dream but in time, that is what they start to do.  I am honored that they welcome us into their truth and allow us to take the journey to shalom and healing with them.  That fulfilment is unparalleled.

Testimonials from Survivors

Our rape survivors who have completed our counseling programs tell us that for the first time in their lives, they feel free and hopeful about their future.

Edo State being a sex trafficking hub and  the Solution

The reality is that the overwhelming majority of women and girls trafficked from Nigeria into Europe are from Edo State (over 90%).  Our research indicates that one in every three young women in the State has been recruited.  Last year, 11,000 women (the majority of who are from Edo) risked their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya into Italy alone.  Thousands more were trafficked into other countries.  Globally, sex trafficking is a $100 billion business.  There are many different reasons why Edo State is leading in Nigeria, but the primary factors relate to the toxic combination of poverty, lack of economic opportunities and little to no education.  Sex trafficking is also culturally acceptable in Edo, even though we claim to abhor it.  There has also been a complete desecration of our moral standards which has resulted in trafficking becoming part and parcel of our functioning economy.   Mothers are often the negotiators of contracts with traffickers and it cannot be said (with so much awareness now being raised) that they are unaware of what their daughters will be involved in overseas.  The level of deception, however, is what remains problematic.  Our young girls are told that they will be involved in prostitution but only for a short period of time and that they will then be able to send funds home to support their families.  Enticed by this false hope, they view prostitution as an alternative to poverty and volunteer to be trafficked (over 90% of our survivors).  But once they arrive (if they arrive, because the chances of being murdered for your organs along the way are increasing), the story is very different.  The debt unexplainably balloons to anywhere from $45,000 to $50,000 which has to be repaid back before the woman can obtain her freedom.  Each sexual encounter will only generate about $20, so you can imagine how much abuse a woman’s body has to endure to repay that amount.  The Edo State government, under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, is committed to eradicating sex trafficking and exploitation and in May of this year, requested that we organize, alongside its Strategic Planning Unit, a human trafficking workshop to address the issue.  It was certainly encouraging to see our Governor and First Lady, reinforce their commitment to eradicating the issue from Edo State. The workshop brought over a hundred stakeholders to the table, including Nigeria’s Special Advisor on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, world renowned women’s activist, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin (Chairwoman), and so many others to collectively strategize and make recommendations to the government.

Are  Nigerians are well informed and sensitised on how to treat victims of rape?

We are improving, but are certainly not where we should be.  According to statistics, 1/4 girls and 1/10 boys in Nigeria are survivors of rape.  Based on my experience, I believe the numbers are actually considerably higher since a lot of rapes are unreported and there are many categories that we don’t consider rape (child marriage, same sex rape, marital rape, etc.).  Survivors tell us that they do not trust the legal system to protect them and are afraid to face the stigma that is still very prominent.  As a result, they deal with the pain in silence and it eats at their souls.   A lot more work has to be done to reverse the stigma so that it falls flatly on the perpetrators who are often repeat offenders because there is impunity.  One of the ways we endeavor to raise awareness/increase sensitization is via our #SheSaidNo Campaign which aims to address the way that men (who are the primary perpetrators of rape against women) view and value women.  the end of the story!

The menace of Rape in Nigeria

Rape has been an epidemic in Nigeria for a long time- it’s just that it wasn’t spoken of because people were forced into silence because of the stigma and shame that Nigerian society promotes.  It has persisted for so long that it is now almost endemic in our culture.  It is proliferated both by our antiquated laws and our religions which allow perpetrators to rape with impunity.  So for example, other than in the federal capital, via the new VAPP Law, marital rape has still not been outlawed throughout Nigeria.  Even there, it is only covertly outlawed.

Any Personal Experience?

No, fortunately, I haven’t but I know too many friends (men and women) who have been forced to have rape written into their life stories.  The truth of the matter is that I don’t have to have had a personal experience to be compassionate.  I simply believe in our shared humanity and that, in and of itself, is enough.  The rape of any woman/girl in Nigeria is the rape of a citizen to whom we are all obligated.

Is the Edo State Government  doing enough to curb this menace?

Clearly, states like Lagos are making advancements on the issue of rape, but many others are on its heels, including Edo. In January 2017, our Governor inaugurated a Family Court to exclusively handle matters pertaining to children in civil and criminal matters.  The hope is that the court will expedite prosecutions in child related matters, specifically on those relating to child exploitation and rape.  But simply having these in place is insufficient if there is no enforcement and/or implementation.  Bribes are still being demanded by police officers (as recently as April, in one of our cases) to begin the prosecution of a case against a grandmother.  But we are reporting rogue officers and more people are demanding accountability.  The optimist in me believes that the foregoing, coupled with the commitment of our new Governor who has been proactive, will result in a decline of rape cases in the state.

 

Kemi Ezenwanne, a Houston based Nigerian Doctor who is also a model, had her adorable twins and the story will leave you thankful for her.

In a series of Instagram posts, she narrates how she found out she was pregnant one month after her wedding and how she later found out in November 2016 that she was going to have twins.

She said she was so elated and although she had an easy first trimester, she soon had her fair share of the pregnancy pains when they found multiple fibroids degenerating few days to her 14th week. The discovery landed her in a hospital bed.

She later got better and the pregnancy progressed as expected.

However, during her visit to the doctor for a regular checkup this week, she was told there was a dip in the heartbeat of one of the babies and that they had to deliver them immediately.

She mentioned that the doctor in her wanted to freight when she was told the figures, but she remembered that she had been participating in the #HalleluyahChallenge by Nathaniel Bassey and got the confidence that God was going to show up for her and the babies.

Sharing the exciting news to her Instagram family, she confirmed that both her boys have been birthed and are doing great, just as she is as well.

Here is her story as posted on her Instagram page:https://www.instagram.com/p/BVNhHwwBUSX/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVNbEt8hlkB/

 

View this post on Instagram

Sometime in November 2016. This is surreal. I can't believe it! I sincerely cannot believe this! I thought it was just you. My dear little one… What did the doctor ask again? He had just began the ultrasound. It's my first ultrasound. You're only just 9weeks 3days old today. He asked, "Is there any history in your family?" I thought I didn't hear well. He couldn't be talking of twins even though the doctor in me knew damn right what he was talking about. I asked, "how dyu mean"? He said, "you're expecting twins". I scream. This is unbelievable. I only just discussed with your dad yesterday morning about the possibility. We joked about it. It was ONLY a joke really. No wonder my abdomen was rising rapidly. Now I understand my obsession with Ava and Alexis @mccluretwins No wonder I'm always hungry, and eating every 3hours. I want to cry! Tears of joy! How has God blessed me this much? I see both of you on the scan, so tiny, and in different sacs chilling. The doctor said you're dichorionic, meaning there's a possibility you might not be identical. I don't care at this point! I'm having twins! A boy and a girl, two girls or two boys, whatever, you're both my blessings from God. Can we take a moment to appreciate Him?

A post shared by Folakemi Ezenwanne (@thedrkemi) on

 

Source: Bellanaija

Hello WORriors! It’s #WCW and our Woman Crush is Waje!

Aituaje Vivian Ebele Iruobe was (born September 1), known as Waje (an acronym for “Words aren’t just enough”), is a Nigerian singer whose vocal range covers three octaves. She was born on September 1, in Akure, Ondo State, then moved to her hometown, Benin City, Edo State.

She attended the Word of Faith Group of Schools and joined the choir. As a young singer she once sang gospel tunes to the delight of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa of Church of God misson int. Archbishop Benson was quite impressed by her singing and decided to help her throughout her whole secondary school days. She then moved to Nsukka to receive a degree in social work at the University of Nigeria. During her school years, Waje focused on her musical works such as school concerts and fellowships.

In 2007, Waje decided to take the next step and fully launch her music career. She was still a student at the time and paid her dues by doing lots of free shows and gigs, singing at every given opportunity.

The first major spotlight she received was in 2008, when she featured in the P-Square hit track titled “Do Me”. This track was critically acclaimed across and was widely known across Africa and some parts of Europe. This helped boost her career a little further, after which she participated in Advanced Warning (a reality TV show which featured artists that are on the verge of a breakthrough). The reality show was organised by MTV Base South Africa and Zain Nigeria, where she came out as the first runner up.

She has shared the stage with various international artists such as Wyclef Jean in South Africa, opening for Kerry Hilson during a show organised in Calabar, and has also worked with a lot of artists who had hit singles, including “One Naira” with M.I, “Do Me” with P-Square, and more. She also collaborated with Dencia on “True Love” and has a list of songs that have received a number of award nominations and winnings. She released her self-titled debut studio album in 2013.

Waje headlined the song ‘Strong girl’ which is the theme song for ONE Campaign’s ‘Poverty is Sexist’ in 2015 and also joined Bono in Lagos, Nigeria for the Lagos campaign in 2015. She is among the judges for The Voice Nigeriaalongside 2face Idibia, Timi Dakolo and Patoranking.

Waje worked with the youths of her community through an organisation “Waje’s Safe House”, where she teams up with other NGOs quarterly to help fight for their cause. The first project supported under Waje’s Safe House was the Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children, assisting the Project HELP (Help Educate the Less Privileged) which the goal of raising funds for allowing children to continue their studies in the school in Makoko, through Ring Back Tones with her hit singles “Oko Mi” and “I Wish”.

Women Of Rubies celebrates you, amazing Waje!

Most people find it hard to believe me when I say I’m an oddball (considering the fact that I’m usually the life of the party, anywhere I go)..but that’s just the truth. While growing up, I felt that I didn’t really fit in at home or in school but I just played along and did what I was told to do..but I felt out of place! I was quite a spontaneous and stubborn girl so I broke lot of rules and jinxs. I didn’t want to look like a bastard so I stopped being myself and tried being all obedient.

While my friends were writing love letters in primary school, I preferred writing short stories..I even dared to start a mini magazine then, and forged an imaginary email address..lily@yahoo.com (lol, what was I even thinking??). In secondary school, I tried writing love letters but i failed. I was contented writing abusive letters upandan because I could abuse a ghost then!

I knew I didn’t really fit in but I was trying my very best to fit in so everyone wouldn’t see me as a weirdo. I wanted to be a whole lot in the future so I kept on changing careers and when people started tagging me as being unserious, I chose to be a lawyer but I knew I had a lot of talents and wanted to maximise all my potentials! I gained admission into tertiary institution and rushed into a relationship so I could prove to friends that I wasn’t all ‘holy-holy’ and I ended up burning my fingers in the process!

Arrghhh, let me cut the whole story short! All my life, I tried too hard to please family and friends..literally everyone, and then everyone started taking me for granted. I wanted everyone to pat me on the back for being a good and obedient girl. I looked for love in the wrong places. I wanted kudos for stuffing my real self into a dark closet, and embracing a personality that ‘suits’ everyone. The love didn’t come, the validation and pat on the back didn’t come too. Instead, I got cheated, insulted, and disappointed repeatedly.

 

I finally gave myself a knock on the head one day and realized I wasn’t really living..I decided to stop giving a damn! I snatched my inner power and changed the game! I stopped pleasing everybody. I love laughing and smiling a lot but changed because people told me it was all weird and annoying..but now? I laugh with careless abandon! I used to talk a lot but tied up my tongue because people and boyfriends didn’t like my opinionated self..but now? I talk and ask questions..i talk to everyone, including babies and old people (I can talk and greet for Africa.) I left toxic relationships and stay away from people that try to frustrate or judge me! I no longer struggle with making career decision because I now realize that I am made to be an entrepreneur! Yes, I don’t stress myself up by trying to fit in. I am happy the way I am. I talk and relate with everyone I meet without having to pretend to be who I am not! I am truly living now!

It doesn’t matter who you are, don’t try to change to please people (except if you are a mean, awful person). Be your own kind of DUFF, be your own kind of geek. Be you. Do you. Don’t try to be who you are not, just so you can find love or acceptance. We all are not perfect but we are perfect enough in our Creator’s eyes! Be proud of your flaws. Don’t try to hide under anybody’s shadow except God’s own, of course. Seek validation from God, not human beings! If you feel the need to change your lifestyle, do so…not because anybody ask you to, but because you want to.

I Am Lydia And I Am Proud Of Who I Am. I Don’t Follow The Crowd Anymore, I Walk Alone And I Am Not Afraid.

*drops pen*

 

Written by Lydia Oladejo

Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) surprised his wife, Peace Okwonkwo, of 37 years with a second proposal, on Sunday June 11, 2017. He went on his knee and proposed to her in the presence of his congregation after they had a thanksgiving session during the service to mark her 65th birthday.

Peace Okonkwo has once told Kemi Filani that her husband (Bishop Okonkwo), couldn’t propose to her when they first met becausehe was shy. In her words;

“Bishop is a very shy person and he could not talk to me. After the Civil War, everybody started to go to church because there was nothing to look forward to..he could not propose to me. It was his elder sister that walked up to me on his behalf.”

 

See photos from the Thanksgiving service, below;

Before her recruitment as a cosmonaut, Tereshkova was a textile-factory assembly worker and an amateur skydiver. After the dissolution of the first group of female cosmonauts in 1969, she became a prominent member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, holding various political offices.

Even though there were plans for further flights by women, it took 19 years until the second woman, Svetlana Savitskaya, flew into space. None of the other four in Tereshkova’s early group flew, and, in October 1969, the pioneering female cosmonaut group was dissolved.

credits: wikipedia
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