In a documentary released by the Presidency, some of the abducted school girls who were rescued by a team of soldiers last year, shared on their dreams and aspirations. The girls who looked better than before, said they have all started classes again. One of them said she loves Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and English Language and that she hopes to become a doctor someday. Watch a clip from the documentary after the cut.
Idongesit Harrison Umoh is the owner and CEO of Idong Harrie Limited, a footwear and accessory manufacturing and retailing company based in Lagos that specializes in handmade shoes, slippers, sandals, wallets, handbags and all manner of small leather accessories. In this interview with TOBI AWODIPE, she reveals how she started out with pocket money, the challenges she faces in a male-dominated industry and how women are refusing to take advantage of business opportunities around them.
When did you decide to go into entrepreneurship and did you always think this is what you would do?
I would say I stumbled into this because growing up, I wanted to become a lawyer but I later changed my mind to become an economist. But then along the line, I found out that I could make shoes and turned out to be something I enjoyed doing. It started out as a hobby and I was just thrilled that I could create something with my own hands and I took it from there.
Starting out?
I started this as a hobby in 2005, I was in my second year in the university then and I was sitting and thinking about my life. My eyes fell on a pair of slippers someone had given my mum, it was a beaded slippers and something in me, which I believe now to be the Holy Spirit, told me, ‘Idong you can create this slippers’. I took the slippers and checked how it was made then took it to Tejuosho market and to my surprise; all the materials were there. I immediately bought all the materials needed to make the upper part of the slippers and I took it home and started trying to re-create the original slippers. Amazingly, I got it and this gave me joy but there was a problem – I could create the upper part but not the bottom. As fate would have it, there was this cobbler that had a shop opposite my house and took the slippers to him asking if he could make the bottom part and he did. However the first day I wore the slippers, which also happened to be a rainy day, I hadn’t moved 10 steps from my house when the slippers cut and all the beads scattered. I had to walk with one slipper back home but from then on; I decided I was going to make my slippers myself, with special focus on the materials being used. I went back to ask him where he got his materials from and he said from Mushin market. When I got to the market, I stood out because bearing in mind that this was in 2005 and most women hadn’t really fully gotten into the footwear industry. However, I met a God-sent fellow shoe-maker who showed me some of his works, and which turned out to be things I wanted to make. Seeing my enthusiasm, he offered to train me on how to make the bottom part properly and on the use of leather. I under-studied him for a month and at the end, I became proficient and started selling footwear I made myself to my friends in school.
Raising the needed capital?
Believe it or not, I started this business with N10, 000- pocket money given to me by my father that I had been saving. Out of this money, I used N7, 000 to buy a sewing machine (as at then, you could get a fairly-used Butterfly sewing machine for this amount) and the remaining N3, 000, I spent on materials. I won’t even call it a business then because I just knew I could make slippers for petty sales and didn’t take it too serious. After I finished my service year, I was opportuned to work with Nokia where they paid me N70, 000. I was blown away with this ‘big money’ and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and pushed my shoe-making dreams to a corner. But I knew that I would always still go back to making footwear, which I eventually did.
Business Moments
There have been so many moments, in fact, I still faced one yesterday. But top of the list has to be getting negative feedbacks from customers. However, this happened mostly when I was starting out compared to now that I am an expert (laughing). Another problem I have is with my workers.
Challenges
Getting people to recognize and believe in my brand. When I started, I was mainly making men’s products and a lot of men didn’t believe in what I was doing and asked why I woke up one morning and decided to make men’s shoes. This was long before this ‘Buy Nigeria To Grow The Naira’, so it was like me introducing something new to them and trying to convince them to buy my products. Another great challenge is getting adequate raw materials. For example, I might make a pair of shoes with a particular shade of blue and it is on my website, but by the time a customer wants to order for it and I go to the market, I wouldn’t see that shade again and then I have to start apologizing and explaining to the customer, which doesn’t look too good.
Highpoints
One day I went for a meeting and I saw three people wearing my products in the room. The fact that people still order and buy my products daily, this means they believe in what I’m doing, in the brand. When customers refer others to me, it gives me immense joy. I have customers that have been buying from me steadily since 2013 and they’re still buying till now.
Achieving goals?
Well, if it is my set out goal in the last one year, I would say yes but I have long-term goals, which are yet to materialize but I would say I have achieved my short-term goals.
Women and Entrepreneeurship
I would say yes and no. Yes, because a lot of women are now business owners. I mean, look at make up artists, they’re now beating fashion designers clearly. No, because when it comes to business competitions, seminars, putting themselves out there and applying for proper help and loans to boost their businesses, men have this cornered hands down. Despite the myriad opportunities out there, women aren’t taking advantage at all. They come crying to me about their businesses and when I direct them to places that can help, they would refuse. I was a Tony Elumelu Foundation recipient and the percentage of women to men was about 21:79, not even up to a quarter and this is how it is for every single business opportunity.
Why do you think this is so?
I would say laziness and many of them don’t believe in themselves. Judges ask some women questions about their businesses, which should be at the tip of their fingers, and to answer becomes a problem. Basic questions like ‘who are your competitors, what is your unique selling point?’ most of them claim they don’t have time to answer these questions. Some of them refuse to participate in pitching competitions, claiming they are shy but they don’t know nobody can know your business better than you, the owner.
Government support for SMES
Yes and No. Yes, they are beginning to make small efforts. Look at what Lagos State is doing, creating schemes where small businesses can apply for grants, loans and trainings in their different industries. Lagos is offering small businesses loans at an extremely low interest rate. This is a major opportunity small businesses can benefit from. No also because they have refused to provide basic infrastructure that can help us grow such as electricity, water, and the likes.
Coping with Recession
For me, it’s been a mixture of bad and good. Bad, because most of our raw materials are imported. I went to Kano in January to see about buying leather in large quantities and though I partnered with a few sellers, I can tell you the difference in price between the local and imported is very marginal. Personally, I would rather buy the imported ones because it offers varieties and proximity. It has been good because it has enabled a lot of people look inwards, buying locally made shoes instead of importing because of the forex difference. It has really boosted sales for us, I must confess.
What keeps you going?
Customers that patronize me daily, no day passes that I don’t have several orders. My staff also: they’re dependent on me for their daily bread and they have families that are dependent on them as well. This makes me jump out of bed every morning. Also, I’m building something that is made in Nigeria and we are putting Nigeria on the global map.
Advice to budding Entrepreneurs
Perseverance and persistency. Consistency is important. Entrepreneurship is not all sunshine and roses: you may be depressed, be left with nothing in your account and you would want to quit severally. Every entrepreneur goes through these phases, just keep improving and staying true to yourself. However, just start; there is no better time than the present. Your morning is when you wake up and it’s never too late to start working on your dream.
Source: Guardian
I am sure most of you have heard this saying before…“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Most times, I promise you that its bullshit. Dating is hard enough without having to dodge to avoid people who are so bad, they seem like they come directly from a fantasy movie. It’s easy to think that it can’t happen to you. This problem is much more common than one would think, really. The way that a con artist manipulates his or her way into your life and lays it down to ruin your life is incredibly shame inducing, honestly and that’s why it’s easy to wonder why you didn’t catch it sooner or wish you had done something differently. The kind of attachment that these people create in the first few months of knowing them is strong and intoxicating, so much so that kind-hearted, empathetic people are often quick for manipulation.
For this reason, many people who have crossed paths with one of these nasty characters never tell their stories. If they do, they are used to not being believed. After all, no one wants to think that their charming new flame is in fact a sociopath or narcissist.
Unfortunately, I too have had my fair share of these types of men. One of my ex-boyfriends lied about every single detail he ever told me about himself. Recently, one of my old friends got angry at me that I would not help him lie to a new catch of his about his having three small children he had abandoned in the UK. Trust me, I blocked him instantly. Such a wicked and irresponsible man. He began bad mouthing me to our mutual friends that those ones started to believe that I had a personal vendetta against him, not that he had lied about anything or was capable of doing anything wrong.
But unfortunately for him, His new flame was smart to run like hell after finding out that not only did he lie about having kids, but also a whole host of other personal details. After she found a picture of him and his family on a mutual friends page on Facebook, he told us that she was psycho to be looking so heavily into his personal details. He also explained to our mutual friends that his crazy ex-wife had “forced” him to marry her, knowing he clearly wasn’t the father of the three kids, cruelly making him the fall guy. Can you imagine?
After hearing lots of other people’s stories about their experiences with sociopaths and con artists, I realize that so far I have gotten off really easily. Even if you have already had the unfortunate experience of a run-in with a sociopath, that doesn’t mean it will not happen again or that there will actually be any warning signs next time. But you have to know what they are all about…being able to sight their bullshit way across before they get to you.
I am sure you know that being a sociopath is a personality disorder. If you didn’t know, now you do. How do you know one? Impulsivity, lack of responsibility, lack of guilt, poor impulse control, lack of empathy, inability to form meaningful relationships, continued antisocial behavior, lack of behavior change after punishment, and strong emotional immaturity and so on. On the surface, the sociopath appears charming, accomplished, and worldly. So you need to watch closely. See beyond the surface.
With the type of traits I listed above earlier, that’s just one of a few. These types of people are usually so arrogant that they believe the rest of humanity is weak since they can be manipulated with their emotions.
I dated a narcissist once and oh my god, I wanted to pull my hair out when I got pushed to the wall. Like sociopaths, narcissists are also hard people to have relationships with. All sociopaths are narcissists, but not all narcissists are sociopaths.
Narcissists also have an overly grandiose sense of self-worth and a lack of empathy for others. They are arrogant, manipulative, need admiration from others, and are preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, and ideal love. They often maintain longer relationships than sociopaths even though their relationships can be just as twisted. Narcissists are not as likely to get as violent as sociopaths, but they can dish out emotional abuse just fine. They are considered less likely to be as sadistic as sociopaths.
The bottom line is that you don’t want a relationship with a narcissist either, and their relationships often follow the same relationship phases as a pairing with a sociopath.
Please run, run like hell if you start seeing these traits in the person you are dating. They never change, they only get worse. Trust me, I’m talking from three failed relationships with a narcissist. I took off early because I knew my worth and I could never allow such a person to bring me down…because that’s all they do. Choose wisely.
To our happiness. Cheers.
Source: Guardian
JUMOKE ADENOWO: CAN A WOMAN HAVE IT ALL?
I can’t promise to answer the question for everyone but perhaps a few women (and men) may be interested in my attempt. Whenever I hear “can a woman have it all?” the inherent male chauvinism in that statement hits me again. Why doesn’t anyone ask if a MAN can have it all? It’s actually a no- brainer. No one ever has it all; all resources, power, money. The laws of physics, economics and time-space dynamics make it impossible.
This means women (and men) should clarify their purpose first and determine what is most important to them in life.
What do you want to be remembered for? Don’t judge yourself, just answer sincerely. At the end of your journey do you want your obituary to read “she was a good mother to her children” and just that? This for some women is more than enough! And power women don’t judge them. They may be mothering the next messiah, so being a good mother is enough!
Would you rather some elements of your impact outside the immediate family reflects in your eulogy? This exercise brings clarity. Whatever you want to appear in your eulogy, you must begin to pay the price for now.
The debate about women about the role of women in the family and society being confined to child care only is a fall out of the industrial revolution when for the first-time machines were invented and the heavy machinery needed physical strength to operate in sooty, hazardous working conditions. Men were more suited to this physical work and it fell to the women, who without a doubt are the primary nurturers of children, to take care of the children.
Prior to this time, even from the Stone Age, even to our own pre-mechanized agrarian societies, all the family was involved in the family’s business. They all went to the farm together, with nursing mothers strapping their babies tightly to their backs, their baskets of produce balanced on their heads and their cutlasses and hoes tucked into the baskets. Stone Age cave men and women would find our debate ludicrous.
I need to clarify that my definition of work in this context is a woman pursuing her passion, and deploying her innate gifts and talents in the service of humanity for financial profit. I don’t refer to drudgery or grudging labour just for the money.
I also believe that in an ideal situation, the woman should be able to choose when to work – according to the seasons of her life.
If a woman is the designated primary care giver by reason of her physiology (that is she is endowed by her Creator with the equipment to bear and nurture children,) then it should follow also by this line of thought that all get God given “equipment” was created for a deployment. That means her brain is meant to be put to use, as are her inherent talents and abilities!
I notice that exams are not typically divided into male and female papers?
Do girls write a female JAMB while guys write the male version?
If educationists, then agree that men and women must be evaluated by the same yardstick and educated without discrimination why then would anyone think that the woman’s PhD in thermodynamic physics is best deployed in determining the temperature of eba and Ogbono soup? While the man’s own degree is best deployed in developing aerospace programs?
Growing up, no one told me I could not; so, by the time the women who should have encouraged Awesome Treasures tried to stop it, it was too late! I say this with all humility and an appreciation of the grace and gift of God in me I just do what I know to do…
we can’t seriously be saying that over 50% of the human race are condemned to living below potential and never being fulfilled? Are we saying womanhood is perpetually denied the right to pursue happiness?
Here’s a quote from the 1776 American Constitution: “We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable, that all men were created equal and independent, that from that equal creation derive rights inherent and inalienable which are the preservation of life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness”
There are some MYTHS which hold women bound and subconsciously dissuade them from fulfilling potential:
Myth 1: Children suffer because of other care givers.
US – National institute of child health and development in a study on exclusive maternal care vs children of working women discovered that children of working women do not differ from those of stay at home women in cognitive skills, emotional development, ability to build and maintain relationships and (this is the real unspoken fear for most women)
Myth 2: The MOTHER CHILD BOND is affected.
There is no reason for mothers to believe they are harming their children by choosing to work.
According to the UK journal of epidemiology and community health in a study of 11000 UK families, researching the effect of maternal employment and socio- emotional behaviour, children fare better socio-emotionally, especially the daughters when the mothers work.
An interesting fact is that stay-at-home women spend more time with children now than in the past. 11 hours a week on primary child care in 1975 to 17 hours now. The difference which the researchers found is that now we have more insensitive parenting. This is rapidly creating a weak, dependent and entitled generation.
There are other advantages to women working, when a mother works child care is shared between bother parents to an extent.
Fathers are more involved in parenting and they raise more confident daughters with balanced attitudes to men, and dare I say heterosexual males.
Professor Rosalind. Chair of Brandeis University says the effect on the woman is tangible as she has lower levels of anxiety if allowed to pursue her passion.
There is also a marked positive impact on her mental wellbeing, increased financial security leading to a more stable marriage (this assumes she is married to a secure man I guess).
This leads to better health (but I must confess though, that this study was not done in Lagos taking into account the traffic) It’s no surprise that the study surmised that in general increased life satisfaction was the outcome.
Personally, from 1999 to date dealing with thousands of women in Awesome Treasures Foundation and empowering them mentally and in terms of skills to engage in economic activities, without a doubt I have seen the positive life changing effects of a woman being productive in a space beyond her nuclear family.
My ladies have testified to a new-found respect from their husbands. I have seen a drastic decrease in resentment and envy of other women drastic reduction in ulcers, and PhD (Pull her down) syndrome!
Finally, I believe you can’t give what you don’t have – an unfulfilled mother cannot raise fulfilled children. She can’t raise balanced and well-rounded children who are able to take our continent out of the morass and the vacuum of leadership it is in. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. You can’t teach what you don’t know.
A note of caution though, there are conditions, if a woman sets out to fulfil all her potential. It takes wisdom.
First get your priorities right. We are relationship entered. There is no point losing your marriage if you have married a man who has made it a deal breaker in your marriage. You may have to wisely look for other avenues of expressing your gift. Perhaps not a 9-5 job. Perhaps you can work from home? We are women we are resourceful. I am sure you will come up with something.
We must be sensitive to seasons.
A tree has that much sense Hilary Clinton couldn’t have run for President while she was nursing Chelsea. A woman’s season differs from a man’s. It’s not either or; it may be one at a time.
Marry right; if you must marry, marry someone who believes in YOU. Your gifts and talents, your vision and your future. Don’t marry because the guy has a fine car or is rich or whatever other ephemeral reason people choose spouses for these days.
Marry someone who respects your intrinsic worth! Be prepared for marriage it’s not by force, girls don’t marry boys, mature men marry mature women. It takes wisdom to stay married and have it all you can be a lioness at work but when you get home metamorphose into a kitten. Why? There can be only one head in a marriage and I may be old school, but the man is that head and must at least feel he is the head no matter what rough patch he is going through. A double-headed creature is rightly called a monster.
Heterosexual men don’t marry men; don’t be a man, it’s not a competition. We are different but EQUAL, stay feminine, stay different.
You will need to recruit right.
Get the right team at home and at work. Get the right help all round (including domestic help) and treat them right. They are there to free you to be all you can be, they are your partners in progress if they are good partners, reward them accordingly, don’t be selfish.
Be very careful to follow your passion do what you love because it’s hard work.
Note, you can’t love what you are doing all the time. You must sometimes get through some serious boring, tough grunt work just to reach your goal of engaging your passion. Stick at it, it’s all part of the journey.
Running your own business may be a viable option for some women with children, flexible hours are key and this option while challenging and not risk free does offer some latitude in structuring your time though I must warn ahead – there are no closing hours.
My generation seems to have lacked women to mentor us in business, those coming some 6-8 years behind are luckier. I have a theory about that, but I won’t share it today. May I be bold enough to ask that women who are now in positions of influence should make life easier for those coming behind. You know what you suffered, instead of ensuring others coming behind have as rough a ride as you did, why not be a mother and not a rival?
You know you needed on site crèches at work, push for that for your nursing mothers. Remember what you suffered and determine that the younger ones will not suffer the way you did.
Don’t roll away the ladder after you have climbed it, please Big Sis – let others to climb up.
If you find help where you expect or not, Sisters, determine to be all you can be. Pursue your dreams, you owe it to yourself. You owe it to your children, you owe it to your country and you owe it your creator.
These words from Marianne Williamson best sum it up.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”
About Jumoke Adenowo
Olajumoke Adenowo is a practising Architect and the Principal Partner of AD Consulting, she is the Founder and Coordinator of Awesome Treasures Foundation – a faith based NGO which raises Transformational Leaders. She is an author of several books (including The Mothers’ Prayer Manual) and the host of Voice of Change on radio. She speaks at entrepreneurial conferences (such as the Harvard Business School’s African Business Club Conference), and several faith based summits and she also serves on the board of several business concerns and social initiatives. She is married to Olukorede and they are blessed with 2 lovely sons.
Esther Ijewere is an enterprising social activist, youth advocate, Columnist, author, mother of two and the Executive Director of Rubies Ink Initiative- a social enterprise outfit devoted to youth advocacy, public relations and social enterprise solutions among others. An Olabisi Onabanjo University-trained Sociologist, as a social advocate, she is the brain behind W.A.R- Walk Against Rape, an advocacy initiative created to lend a voice for the victims of rape and demand justice for the perpetrator’s, an initiative endorsed by the Lagos State Ministry Of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. She is also a columnist with The Guardian newspaper with her page Women of Rubies, a platform used to celebrate exceptional women with inspiring stories. The page is a sequel to her award-winning blog www.womenofrubies.com, which is fast becoming the one stop blog for the everyday woman. In this interview with NIKE SOTADE, she talks about the strides she has made in her passion to fight against rape in the society
Tell us about yourself, education, growing up etc.
I am Esther Ijewere, the Founder of Rubies Ink Initiative for Women and Children, Convener of the Walk Against Rape Campaign and also, Editor-In-Chief of Women of Rubies, a blog aimed at celebrating exceptional women with inspiring stories. I sit on the board of The African Development Imperative (TADI) and also, a fellow with Hillary Clinton’s founded Vital Voices Global Leadership. I have been into advocacy and development work since 2010. I am the recipient of many awards – notable among them are the ‘Wise Woman in Media Award’ I received last year and my recent recognition as one of the ‘100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria’ by Leading Ladies Africa. I had my Primary and Secondary education in Lagos and graduated from the Olabisi Onabanjo University with a BSc in Sociology and Diploma in Marketing. I am also a certified ‘On Air Personality’ but that’s one of the many caps I am yet to explore. I believe in learning and acquiring knowledge as much as one can in any field of interest – if you can think it, then you can do it.
Any experiences in life that propelled you into sexual violence or anti-rape advocacy? You’re a mother of two girls, are they your inspiration too?
At the time I started the anti-rape campaign, I realised a lot of people were scared of reporting cases of rape out of fear of being stigmatised and judged. The number of reported cases was very low. This propelled me to start the sensitization awareness and lend my voice while complementing the work of the Government in curbing rape and other forms of sexual violence. Being a mother of two girls also deepened my passion for the cause, as I can’t imagine any of them having to go through such ordeal in life.
You’ve been working with government agencies in what capacity? Do you think Lagos State government is doing enough in its anti-rape campaign?
I have been working with the Lagos State Government through its Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation since 2010; we partner with them annually to organise our Walk Against Rape Campaign and also refer cases of rape and domestic abuse to them, while we follow it up to a justifiable end. As such, I’d emphatically say that Lagos State is the only State that has shown the most concern on issues that affect women, particularly rape. The Governor, for example, has a zero tolerance policy for all forms of violence against women, and he works hand in hand with the necessary government agencies to make sure offenders are prosecuted. The Lagos State Government is doing enough at the moment; I just hope they can create more Help Centres in every local council across the State to help victims get help faster. This is one thing I have been advocating for since 2010.
Have they prosecuted any offenders? Kindly give figures if you have them.
In 2016, 4, 035 cases ranging from rape, child abuse, sexual assault, sexual abuse to defilement, were handled by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice; this, being a cumulative figure alongside the previous year. The number of unreported cases is obviously higher than that as 140 offenders were prosecuted last year. I believe the figure will increase as time goes by.
What kind of advocacy do you take to the schools?
Sensitisation and Awareness through our College Acquaintance Rape Education workshop (C.A.R.E) where we educate these young kids on how to identify an abuse and the need to report such cases to the necessary authority. I also wrote an information Handbook on Rape called “Breaking the Silence.” We use it as a toolkit to sensitize them – a book that contains all the necessary information they need; from help lines to help centres across Lagos. The feedbacks from the kids in the last few years have been great; we have more kids reporting such cases in confidentiality now.
Who are the potential or likely rapists?
Undisciplined men, who do not have self-control, are potential rapist.
Kindly share with us some of the tips you’ve offered school children on defending themselves against predators.
I have a personal code I teach them with called L.I.E.S: L stands for ‘Learn to say NO’, I – ‘Identify the situation’, E – ‘Expose the perpetrator’, S – ‘Say it as it is without conceding information’. I encourage them to write this in their exercise books or we give them stick on papers they can paste on their wardrobes.
More rape cases are being reported in the news nowadays. What do you think could be responsible?
It’s still indiscipline and lack of self control. There is no justification for rape or any form of sexual abuse. Some have argued that the economy is one of the reasons but I beg to differ: how will raping or defiling a child change your financial status? It’s also good we have more reported cases lately – this goes to show we have not been lending our voice in vain.
Do you counsel rape victims, too? What advice do you have for them to move on with their lives?
Yes, I do. First, I take them through a healing process; the biggest stage of healing is ‘breaking your silence’ and I also encourage them not to ever blame themselves for getting raped or dwell on it.
You’re also a blogger and columnist with the popular Women of Rubies interviews. How do you go out of your way to get these exceptional women?
Blogging, through the Women of Rubies Platform, has been very interesting. It avails me the opportunity to be more inspired and challenges me to even do more. We often have people nominate women they feel are worthy of being celebrated; we get nominations weekly for a ‘deserving woman’ whose story deserves to be brought to the front-burner.
What’s relaxation for you?
Sadly, I hardly relax but lately, I’m beginning to learn how to have some time for myself. I go out to see an interesting movie or just stay indoors and watch one – zero-attention to social media; just that alone-movie time to relax the head.
Who are your role models?
My mum, because she had every reason under the sun not to bring me to the world, but against all odds she did and made sure I become the woman I am today. Another person is Kate Henshaw. She is one of the very first people who believed in me, she made sure I got more tutelage from more experienced women in my line of work and she also became a mentor in the process. Aunty Kate as I fondly call her is one of my biggest support systems in the industry. Her selflessness and humility inspire me a lot. I also admire Remi Shonaiya, the presidential candidate for KOWA Party for daring to be different and standing up tall, for showing that a woman can contest and one day sit at the highest level of authority in this country. I am inspired by her courage and the way she has positioned herself even after losing the election. I also admire Ini onuk and Betty Irabor. On the International scene it’s Oprah Winfrey and Hillary Clinton.
You’re the daughter of a renowned accountant in the country, why didn’t you follow daddy’s career? What life’s lessons have you learned from your dad?
For me, this is what God wants me to do; this is the path He wants me to toe – I am living my own purpose. My dad’s purpose is in accounting and other fields he has excelled in; he respects my vision and is very supportive of my aspirations in life. One life lesson he taught me is to always stay and think positive, no matter what life throws at me.
What’s your philosophy of life?
I am not scared of lifting other women up; I am not afraid to help other women and see them succeed. My thing is: “as long as I wear the crown, no one can take my throne”. You can’t boldly say you have succeeded in life till you help someone who can never pay you back.
Advice for young women out there
Women, stand up! Go out there and be all you want to be. Be strong and bold, do all you can to have a voice and an identity. Let your name be the solution to a problem you solve.
Interview originally published by Guardian
Dr Damola Ladejobi is a professional nutritionist and weight loss expert. She also has a law degree from the University of Exeter with a BL from Nigerian law school. She once had a severe case of started Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease which doubled up her size and weight. She got inspired to start ‘Ask Damz’ after her personal experience with weight loss, to help people going through similar issues
Read more about her inspiring interview with Women Of Rubies below;
Childhood
As a child, I always knew that I wanted to help people in any way that I could so that’s probably why I chose to study law but as we will have it I’m currently in the nutrition field so I still get to do what I grew up wanting to do.
Meet Me
I am a professional nutritionist and weight loss expert. I am a UK certified personal nutritionist with a diploma in nutrition. I have a law degree from the University of Exeter with a BL from Nigerian law school. I am the first child of my parents; I have one amazing sister (Farah). I am married to my best friend Mr Adebisi Ladejobi and the mother of two lovely children Ifeoluwa and Oluwatobiloba Ladejobi.
What’s the inspiration behind “Ask Damz”
The inspiration behind Askdamz will have to be my personal experience with weight loss. Earlier in my life, I had severe GERD (Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease) and my size affected not only my health but my passion for fashion as well because I couldn’t fit into most of the outfits in the stores. Also knowing that a lot of people are going through these same issues as I did and the drive to want to help people live a healthier lifestyle, look and feel better about themselves hence the birth of Askdamz.
Why I chose nutrition over practising Law
I wouldn’t say I completely chose law over nutrition as I still advise people in a way or the other on legal matters but nutrition is more or less like a God-given passion. Also, through my personal experience with weight loss and the drive to help people going through the same situation as I did thus me choosing nutrition.
Other projects and activities
I do have other projects in works but they are not completely finished, once they are ready it will be made known to the public.
Greatest reward
I wouldn’t say there has been one reward I will call the greatest, but whenever I have clients who say I have helped them reach their desired weight goal or body goal and how I helped them improve their diet and also live a healthier lifestyle, the joy and fulfillment I have in my heart can’t be contained. That alone is the greatest reward.
Nigerians views on Nutritionist
I do think Nigerians appreciate nutritionists.The world is evolving and people are becoming aware of the need to eat healthier and ultimately live a better lifestyle. Nutrition is not a one size fits all approach because our bodies and systems react differently, you’d need a nutritionist to advice on the kind of food you should be eating and what quantity or portions you should be having in order to live a healthier life.
Women who inspires me
Ibukun Awosika, Fade Aluko, Omilola Oshikoya and Foluso Gbadamosi just to name a few. These are women who inspire me considering how successful they are in their different fields and they make me want to do and be a better person and give me the urge to contribute to the society at large.
On whether Nigerian women are well informed about their diet
There is literally information out there for everyone but what works for A will most likely not work for B. So I will say there is information but not everyone knows how to tweak it in a way to better improve their diets.
I am a Woman Of Rubies
It’s the God in me.
Final word for women all over the world
It doesn’t matter what size you are, you are beautiful in your skin. Don’t try to be like the girl in the magazine, the girl in the magazine doesn’t look like the girl in the magazine.
Yes! We are super excited today as we celebrates our Founder, Esther Ijewere’s birthday today!
Esther Ijewere is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Women Of Rubies, Founder of Rubies Ink Initiative for Women and Children, an umbrella organization which covers several women and girl child-related projects including Walk Against Rape, Women of Rubies, Project Capable, Rubies Ink Media and the College Acquaintance Rape Education Workshop.
In 2013, her activism against rape led her to write the book Breaking the Silence, a book that informs about rape and its scourge.
She has won several awards and recognitions for her selfless service to the society. Some of them includes, “Young Person of the Year -2016 Miss Tourism Nigeria beauty pageant. Christian Woman in Media Awards -Wise Women Award, etc. She was recently named as one of the 100 Most Inspiring Women In Nigeria by Leading Ladies In Africa.
Esther Ijewere is a strong advocate for women, a strong warrior, a prayerful woman who knows her strength comes from God, and a go-getter who doesn’t give up even when she’s tired.
Dear Esther, you are doing a great job. More grease to your elbow. Women Of Rubies, celebrates you! Happy Birthday!!
Hello WORriors! Today is our very own Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Women Of Rubies, Esther Ijewere’s birthday and she has released breathtaking pictures to mark her day!
Check out some of the stunning pictures below;
Happy Birthday, our very own beautiful Woman Of Rubies!
Grammy Award winner, Alicia Keys gets an accolade for saving the world in her spare time.
For a long time, Alicia has championed the fight against HIV/Aids in children across the globe through the organization she co-founded called “Keep a Child Alive.”
The Girl on Fire singer accepted Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2017, calling the honour “one of the most proud moments of my life.”
Especially as an activist, as a woman, here in this world, who is driven to recognize the injustice in the world and recognize the unfairness, the inequality, the things that have to change, the ways that we, as everyday people, all of us, have a part to play in that,” Alicia said in a statement.
Also, amongst others the singer has spoken out against gun violence, the refugee crisis and criminal justice reform among other social justice issues.
“It encourages me to continue to speak out against injustice and use my platform to draw attention to the issues that matter to me,” she said about the award.
The organization will officially present Alicia with the award on Saturday, May 27 in Montreal, Canada, according to People.
Source: Bellanaija
“I had never gone to a therapist, ever. But I had so many therapists sitting in the chair across from me that I just sort of took it in. The Oprah Winfrey Show was my greatest therapy. It was the greatest teaching. It was the greatest classroom and it was my greatest therapy. I came out of it a better human being having listened to everybody’s stories.”