Women of Rubies
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Esther Ijewere

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Kitchen Muse: How To Prepare Egusi Ijebu Soup

Food vlogger, Kitchen Muse is very versatile in her knowledge of food preparation, and this time she is taking us through the steps of preparing a native dish of Egusi Ijebu soup.

Egusi Ijebu is a light soup made from Melon Seeds and cooked without Vegetables. It originates in the South Western part of Nigeria, from the Ijebus’, hence the name. It is completely different from regular Egusi Soup and should not be confused with it. It’s delicious and really simple to make.

Watch the preparation process below;

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In Inspiration By

#RubyGirls| “Be Concious And Intentional About Your Thought Pattern”- Oluremi TejumoJesu

Oluremi TejumoJesu, also known as TenaciousTejumoJesu is a child of God and a Mindset Fixer, she helps individuals move their minds from average and mediocre to positive and excellent.

She has a coaching academy, Discovery Point With TenaciousTejumoJesu Academy,and this offers Coaching classes on Self Esteem,Purpose Discovery, Relationship with God and fellow humans.

She is the author of the book “You Are Enough.” She is also the Lead Volunteer of Blissful Vines Network.

She is also the CEO of Emerald Empire (a catering and event planning hub).

TenaciousTejumoJesu loves meeting people, cooking, reading, inspiring the world around her and leveraging on experiences.

She shares her Ruby Girl story with Aduragbemi Akintepede

1. Let’s meet you. Who is Tejumojesu?

TejumoJesu is a child of God who loves going about His Business. She is the second child in her family and she believes in ORIGINALITY and REBRANDING oneself as an individual.

2. What is Mindset Revamp?

Mindset Revamp is one of the programs from Discovery Point With TenaciousTejumoJesu Academy, and it aims to help individuals reset their mindset and also break some mindset myths that has been naturally built over a long period of time.

3. When did you realize your gift of revamping minds?

I realized this gift last year, precisely in the month of December.

4. You published a book titled “You Are Enough” what is the story behind it?

The story behind it is that of a young girl who suffered from low self esteem which affected her sense of identity. And she was able to overcome when she realized that she is enough just the way she is.
And that young girl is ME, TenaciousTejumoJesu

5. What does your book entail?

It is a true life story of how I struggled with low self esteem and what I did to overcome that defect.
I was very vulnerable with my readers as I gave personal examples from experiences.

6. What has the Covid-19 pandemic taught you?

It has taught me to go all out to add more knowledge to myself, it has also taught me COMPLETE TRUST IN GOD.

7. As a caterer and event planner how has the pandemic affected your business?

This pandemic didn’t affect my business, as I quickly switched to digitalization as soon as I noticed that the whole world virtually went online.
And it has since then been useful.

8. How do you relax or unwind from your busy schedule?

I take out time to REST, see a movie and spend time with my family.

9. As a Mindset coach what are the major challenges young people face in Nigeria and what is the way out?

All the challenge starts from the mind, and the only way out is to be concious and intentional about your thought pattern.

10. How do you juggle coaching, event planning and other activities you’re involved in?

I try to balance everything. And when I see that everything is overwhelming, I switch into “observation mode.”

11. *Mention 3 women who inspire you and why?

My mum
Chichi Ogbonnaya
Tolulope AkinbinuThey have been able to successfully groom me, and show me that as a woman, you can attain the greatest height and still be balanced!

12. *Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Married with two children.
Winner of the Forbes under 30 successful women.
Established in my coaching career and own a restaurant.

13. *If you were given the opportunity to address a group of girls five years younger than you, what will be your advice to them?

You can be whatever you put your mind to, you can be successful and no one can stop you from being the total and complete woman except you.

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Celebrating Priscilla Ekwere Eleje,The First Woman To Have Her Signature On The Naira Note

Priscilla Ekwere Eleje is the first woman to have her signature on the Naira note!

Ladi Kwali, Nigeria’s renowned potter, has been the only woman on the N20 note in Nigeria’s 59-year history but Priscilla’s latest feat is another history made.

She is the first female director of currency in the history of CBN, and her signature has been appended on the naira notes, starting from the N1000 naira.

Source: Woman.ng

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In Career Gems By

#COVID19: Potential Vaccine Developed By Oxford University Shows Positive Response In Early Trial

A coronavirus vaccine being developed by scientists at Oxford University has been shown to produce a strong immune response, according to early-stage clinical trials.

British scientists/researchers first began testing the new vaccine in April in about 1,000 people, half of whom were given shots of the experimental vaccine. The vaccine, made from a combination of Covid-19 genetic material and a virus that causes the common cold in chimpanzees, caused the human body to produce antibodies against the disease and caused a reaction in T-cells, a type of white blood cell that helps prevent infection.

“We hope this means the immune system will remember the virus so that our vaccine will protect people for an extended period,” Andrew Pollard, lead author of the Oxford study, said in a statement released by AstraZeneca.

Phase 3 trials of the Oxford vaccine have already begun in Brazil, South Africa and Great Britain, and will soon be expanded to the United States. These trials each involve up to 30,000 volunteers who will help scientists understand whether the experimental vaccine can really prevent people from catching coronavirus and whether it is safe.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted about the latest trial results Monday,

“This is very positive news. A huge well done to our brilliant, world-leading scientists & researchers.”

 

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In lifestyle By

Sisi Jemimah: How To Make Homemade Chicken Pie (See Video)

Just in time for a yummy snack, vlogger Sisi Jemimah is sharing a recipe for a yummy recipe for the best homemade chicken pie.

Dough Ingredients:

500 Grams of Plain Flour
250 Grams Butter or Margarine
1/2 Cup Milk or Water
A Pinch of Salt

Filling ingredients:

300 Grams Minced Chicken OR
500 Grams Chicken With Bones
3 Medium Carrots Chopped
2 Irish Potatoes Chopped
1 Medium Onion Chopped
1 cup Chicken Stock
2 Heaped Tablespoons Cornflour/plain flour
1 Teaspoon Thyme
1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
I Tablespoon Chicken Seasoning of your choice
Salt to Taste

Watch the video below:

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In Uncategorized By

Nicki Minaj Is Expecting A Baby!

Nicki Minaj is expecting a baby!

The rapper and Kenneth Petty are expecting their first child together. She had a yellow curly wig and showed off her arm tattoo as she smiled at the camera, captioning the post “#Preggers”. On another post, she wrote:

Love. Marriage. Baby carriage. Overflowing with excitement & gratitude. Thank you all for the well wishes. 💛

Minaj previously sparked pregnancy speculation on June 12 when she and American rapper 6ix9ine teamed up for the track “Trollz“.

The award-winning rapper and Petty tied the knot in October 2019. She announced the news with an Instagram video of Mr. and Mrs. mugs at the time.

Congrats to the couple!

 

 

 

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In Inspiration By

Arese Ugwu: Financial Literacy Nuggets For Single Moms

Financial literacy is essential to anyone, and for women responsible for providing for their children and families, the skill of making, managing and growing wealth is fundamental. One of the common threads of most single female breadwinners (single mothers) is that they live in survival mode. When society continues to portray women responsible for their families as struggling, broke and always needy, it is not farfetched for women to begin to believe these narratives and live into it, but it does not have to be so.

Wevvo Nigeria  partnered with  the founder of Smart Money Africa and Author of “The smart money woman” and “The smart money tribe”; Arese Ugwu to educate single moms on financial literacy and savings culture last week, and here are some of the nuggets the financial coach shared.

-Pay yourself a percentage of your revenue monthly: this is an investment mentality and helps in personal finance. Make sure you set aside a portion of your income to save.

-Understand how money works

-Have assets that can be converted to cash if your income stops: these assets can be investments, real estate and businesses that generate a recurring revenue.

-Reduce your liabilities: restructuring your liabilities doesn’t necessarily reduce the overall money you owe but it can give you more cash. Pay the loans with higher interest first.

-Track your expenses, print your bank statements or use apps: make sure to know what you spent every amount on and refrain from spending on things that are not necessities.

-Build a foundation, no quick fix to making money: have a plan, there are no simple ways of making money.

-Beware of schemes that promise quick returns: beware of ponzi schemes and the likes. They offer out of the ordinary returns and there’s no guarantee that you’ll get your money back.

-Have self-awareness of what motivates you: understanding and developing your self-motivation can help you take control of your financial life.

-Budget, budget, budget: always have a budget for everything and make sure you work within your budget.

-Every investment comes with a risk, determine your risk appetite before going in. E.g stock market, private credit loan companies, purchase of distressed asset etc

-Leverage on providing solutions to problems, listen to peoples problems and position yourself as a solution provider.

-Prioritise your spending: prioritizing your bill’s and expenses in order of importance allows you meet basic needs, protect your credit and lower your financial stress. It allows you focus on finding ways to cut costs.

-Live below your income: you must not spend more money than you earn.

-Have an emergency fund. It is important to have 3 to 6 months of your income saved up at any point in time Separate from your rent: the purpose of an emergency fund is to be able to pay for unexpected expenses without taking new debts.

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Farida Yahya: Your Mental Health May Be Affecting Your Business

Running a successful business involves being at your best physically, mentally and emotionally. Businesses cannot run effectively if the owners are burnt out.

watched countless guides on how to become a successful startup founder. I have read quite a few myself and imagine my utter shock when the frustration from challenges started weighing heavy. From sleepless nights to anxiety, the way an entrepreneur reacts to failure can sometimes be the real enemy they need to conquer.  While it can be tempting to focus all of your time and attention on your business, it’s also important that you take care of yourself.

Depending on the type of business you run, some of the problems you may have include:

  • Constantly working for long hours to get your business off the ground or meet your business’ demands.
  • Partaking in business-related activities such as the creation of products, replying business emails and having business calls – all of which blurs the boundaries between your home and work.
  • Feeling lonely due to the absence of someone to share business ideas or problems with. Or the inability to have someone who understands the demands of being an entrepreneur.
  • Having multiple roles as well as managing the additional demands of running a business.
  • Dealing with responsibilities such as family financial issues.

Early Warning Signs

It’s important to be aware of some of the common signs and symptoms that let you know that you may be struggling with your mental health.

Some of the early warning signs include:

  • Lack of concentration;
  • Tiredness/Fatigue;
  • Unnecessary emotional response/ crying;
  • Easily angry or frustrated;
  • Inability or difficulty with making decisions;
  • Avoiding social situations; and
  • Drinking alcohol as a coping mechanism.

While being an entrepreneur seems exciting – you’re pursuing a passion, being your own boss, making money and working on your schedule; however, the responsibilities that come with the role isn’t easy.

The following are tips to help you enjoy good mental health without compromising your health.

Acknowledge your mental health above everything else

Running a business is a full-time job. Running a successful business involves being at your best physically, mentally and emotionally. Businesses cannot run effectively if the owners are burnt out.

One rule of the thumb is to dedicate an amount of time for you. It could be as simple as reading a book, drawing, making crafts or listening to music. Learn to relax and involve in activities that would make you happier and relieve your stress.

Learn how to ask for help

Many times, people compare asking for help as a show of weakness.  For example, letting someone know that you’re unable to manage your workload isn’t a show of weakness.

And as a business owner myself, I know that the last thing you want is for your employees to know that you’re struggling emotionally or feeling overwhelmed. However, the longer you try to cover it up and overcompensate, the worse it will end up. As doubtful as it sounds, asking for help is a show of strength. Acknowledging your limits and taking the right steps to overcome them is an attribute of a strong leader,

Avoid unhealthy comparison

Social media would have us believe everyone is living their best lives; travelling, buying property, running successful businesses. The line between reality and perception is becoming increasingly blurred, and when you’re having a bad day, this can make you feel incredibly bad about yourself

Comparison on social media is unavoidable, and psychological research has shown that this kind of comparison leads to a list of mental health concerns. Thinking that you’re the only person struggling with your workload or not having reached this [often imaginary] level of success can lead to self-doubt, anxiety, and even depression.

Because social media also allows us to network, connect with our peers and customers, and take our businesses to a global level, it’s impossible to disconnect from it altogether. Managing the amount of time you spend on it and the type of things you do while online is crucial to your mental well-being.

Create a balanced, healthy lifestyle

This one may seem obvious, but sleep deprivation, poor diet, and lack of exercise are just as bad for your mental health as physical. Though it may be difficult in the fast-paced startup life, committing to these important daily activities can be the deciding factor in whether your business fails or succeeds.

Force yourself to go to sleep by a certain time every night so that you’re getting the right amount of sleep and also getting your body into a healthy habit.

Make sure to set aside even 30 minutes of time a day to get in some quick cardio or a short one-hour class at the gym. And don’t neglect your diet! It doesn’t take much effort to take care of yourself, and the benefits are quite literally life-saving.

About Farida

Farida Yahya is the Founder of Lumo Naturals, an Abuja-based natural haircare solutions brand that provides a combination of natural products, techniques, artistic styles and education about African hair and the importance of healthy and natural hair to natural hair owners. She is also the founder of The Brief Academy, a learning hub dedicated to developing and supporting female-owned startups to achieving wealth and scalability. Farida is also the author of Redefining Beautiful, a book that discusses the realities of starting a natural hair business. You can connect with Farida Yahya on Instagram via her personal page @thefaridayahya and her business pages @lumonaturals and @thebriefacademy.

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How Rwanda Is Spurring A Generation Of Women In Technology

In 2020, it was the only African country ranked in the top 10 of the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report.

It ranked in the top four in the Report’s political empowerment category, in recognition of the high proportion of Rwandese women lawmakers and ministers.

The country therefore seemed a natural fit for a 2018 pilot program of the African Development Bank’s Coding for Employment initiative, with Nigeria, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.

The Coding for Employment flagship program is establishing 130 ICT centers for excellence in Africa, training 234,000 youths for employability and entrepreneurship to create over 9 million jobs.

Hendrina C. Doroba, Manager in the Education, Human Capital and Employment Division at the Bank, explains how Rwanda is empowering women in technology.

How has the government of Rwanda enabled women to pursue careers in technology, and STEM in general?

The government of Rwanda has been a foremost champion of women in ICT and in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (also known as STEM), by driving initiatives like the establishment of the Carnegie Mellon University-Africa campus, for which the Bank provided funding. Students from 17 different countries pursue highly specialized ICT skills at the Africa campus.

The country also hosts the African Institute of Mathematics (AIMS) which is now recruiting balanced cohorts of women and men. Lastly, the Bank-funded University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology has for many years produced women leaders in the ICT sector in Rwanda and globally.

Rwanda’s government also supports initiatives such as the Miss Geek Rwanda competition, an initiative of Girls in ICT Rwanda, which aims to encourage school-age girls, even those in remote areas, to develop innovative tech or business ideas and to generally immerse themselves in ICT. The Miss Geek initiative has now been rolled out in other countries in the region.

What role has the Bank played in supporting Rwanda’s digital strategy, especially in relation to women?

The strategy of the Bank’s Coding for Employment center of excellence in Rwanda has been to join forces with the Rwanda Coding Academy through a grant agreement to support the school’s activities, like ICT equipment, teacher training and career orientation. The Rwanda Coding Academy started in January 2019 and has so far enrolled one cohort, which is now going into their second year.

Besides the Rwanda Coding Academy, the Bank’s Coding for Employment program held a two-day masterclass for girls and young women entrepreneurs at the 2018 Youth Conneckt summit, where over 200 beneficiaries were trained in using digital tools to amplify their businesses. The session was attended by women entrepreneurs as well as students from girl schools in Kigali, including those from White Dove School, which is an all-girl school fully dedicated to training in ICT. The masterclass culminated into a pitching exercises from various groups who presented their ideas to a panel of judges.

What lessons can other African countries learn from Rwanda’s approach to the 4IR, in particular the role of women?

The government of Rwanda has been a trailblazer in using innovation to improve public services across the country using the e-governance platform Irembo, to bring government services closer to citizens. In addition, the government is driving national digital skilling campaigns by championing digital ambassador programs and platforms such as Smart Africa, which has organized the annual Transform Africa summit since 2013.

Still, gender equality remains a concern, and gender gaps are evident even in schools. Rwanda’s ambitions extend to piloting the Kigali Innovation City, also Bank-funded, to serve as the country’s knowledge and innovation hub by attracting new businesses and incubating ideas. At the same time, the country has created a business environment which is pro-entrepreneurship and welcomes global inventors to test their ideas and concepts. Zipline, a company which uses drones to deliver medical supplies in remote areas, is one example.

Lastly, Rwanda promotes women leaders in the ICT and innovation sector. The country’s Minister of ICT and Innovation is a woman, as is the CEO of the Irembo platform. Appointments such as these are helping to dispel the myth that women are not as capable as men in ICT.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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Meet Odunayo Eweniyi , The Woman Promoting Savings Culture Through Piggybank

Odunayo Eweniyi a serial tech entrepreneur and one of the forces to be reckoned with in Nigeria’s (fin)tech space.

Straight after bagging a first class degree in Computer Engineering from Covenant University, Odunayo and six of her friends – Somto Ifezue, Joshua Chibueze, Ayo Akinola, Ibukun Akinola, Terry Kanu, Nonso Chinagorom, set up Push CV, a ob site with a really large database of pre-screened candidates.

Somto, Joshua, and Odunayo then went on to set up PiggyBank.ng (now PiggyVest), in 2016, following a social media post where a woman said she kept a “kolo” (piggybank) where she was putting money into everyday.

One of Odunayo’s co-founders, Josh saw this, and decided to see if they can digitise the concept. They spoke to their Push CV users about how else they can help them, and savings was the top choice.

By this time, Push CV was already profitable and this new idea might be the next big thing.

Indeed it was! They launched that same year and the reception was impressive. By the end of that year, users had saved N26m, and when the following year (2017) was ending, users had saved close to N1bn.

Piggybank.ng moved from a savings platform, to an investment platform, promising over 13% ROI to users.

PiggyVest “helps you stop excessive spending by allowing you save and invest money you would normally be tempted to spend,” the company says on its website.

In 2018, PiggyVest (then Piggybank.ng) raised $1.1m in funding from almost exclusively Nigerian investors.

Prior to Push CV and PiggyBank, Odunayo worked on content and social media management at various tech platforms, including some of the big names – TechCabal and Techpoint, learning all she could about running a business, more importantly, a tech business.

PiggyVest now has over 200,000 users who it says, have saved over N1bn in January 2019 alone.

Odunayo made the World Women in Fintech Power List for 2017 and is a 2018 Westerwelle Young Entrepreneurs fellow. She’s also been named on YNaija’s Powerlist for Technology (2017 & 2018).

In 2019, she was one of 50 women in Tech Cabal’s Tech Women Lagos portrait series. She was also named in Forbes Africa‘s “20 New Wealth Creators” on the African continent list.

We celebrate Odunayo for her hard-work and for putting her ideas to work, delivering value to Nigerians, especially millennials like her.

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