Women of Rubies, Author at Women of Rubies

In Career Gems November 15, 2019 By Women of Rubies

TWO NIGERIANS, NJIDEKA AKUNYILI CROSBY, OLUWASEUN OSOWOBI NAMED IN 2019 ‘TIME 100 NEXT’ LIST

Two Nigerian women, Njideka Akunyili Crosby and Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi have been named in the first-ever ‘TIME 100 Next’ list.

TIME 100 Next — an offshoot of TIME 100 franchise — brings to spotlight 100 rising stars around the world who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, science, health and more.

The initiative, according to the organiser, is to provide a breakaway from the traditional definition of world changers, which are mostly dominated by politicians and the rich.

Crosby, Nigerian-born visual artist, based in Los Angeles, California, who was named in the ‘Artist’ category, made the list for her works, which focus on the cultural differences between Nigeria and the US.

Born in 1983 and raised in Enugu, Njideka is one of the daughters of late Dora Akunyili, a professor and former director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control of Nigeria (NAFDAC).

According to TIME, her works have sold for millions at auctions.

“But in 2018, it was possible to see one at Los Angeles’ Museum of Contemporary Art free of charge—you didn’t even have to go inside,” it wrote.

“The visual artist was only the second person to be chosen to create a mural on the walls of the museum itself, which was visible from Grand Avenue’s sidewalk. It featured brightly colored scenes of domestic life: in one section, a woman rests her elbow on a table, seemingly deep in thought. Akunyili Crosby—who moved to the U.S. from Nigeria in her teens—is known for such scenes, some of which are autobiographical and incorporate references to both countries.”

In 2017, she won the Genius Grant award from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Owosobi, on the other hand, made the ‘Advocates’ category for her campaigns against sexual assault in Nigeria.

Through her organisation, Stand to End Rape (STER), she has reached about 200,000 in Nigeria providing training for health workers and counseling for survivors, according to TIME.

“Telling my story as a survivor, that comes with a lot of stigma,” said Owosobi, who was once honoured by Obama Foundation.

She was named 2019 Commonwealth Young Person of the year.

Credit: fabwoman.ng

In Rubygirls November 15, 2019 By Women of Rubies

#RUBYGIRLS| “I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT CHANGING THE VIEW OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE IN NIGERIA AND AFRICA AS A WHOLE” – TOLUWANI ADEBAYO

Toluwani Eyitayo Adebayo is a Medical Doctor in training at Bowen University, Iwo. She is the second child of a family of seven. She has about two years experience of being a mental health advocate.

Currently, she is an ambassador of YOUTHLEAD TEAM, 2019 kectil colleague, 2019 AFRICAVE fellow, 2019 Yali Rlc West Africa fellow, an open source leader of the common purpose global leadership UK and a member of MHIN (Mental Health Innovative Network.)

Toluwani loves volunteering, reading, travelling and networking with great minds.

She shares her ‘Ruby Girl’ story in this interview.

MEET ME

TOLUWANI EYITAYO ADEBAYO is a Medical Doctor in training at Bowen University, Iwo. I am the second child of a family of seven. I have about two years experience of being a mental health advocate.

Currently, I am an ambassador of YOUTHLEAD TEAM, 2019 kectil colleague,2019 AFRICAVE fellow, 2019 Yali Rlc West Africa fellow, an open source leader of the common purpose global leadership UK and a member of MHIN(Mental Health Innovative Network.)

Toluwani is a student volunteer who believes in changing the world’s perspective about mental health.

HOBBIES

I enjoy volunteering, reading, travelling and networking with great minds.

INSPIRATION

God has been my greatest source of inspiration, my parents and great mentors like Ms Florence Olumodimu, Ms Tejiri Emuveyan, Dr. P.O peters, Dr Adewale Adeluyi have been inspiring me greatly and encouraging me to become a better version of myself

WHY I CHOSE TO SPECIALIZE IN MENTAL HEALTH

There has been an increase in the incidence of mental health condition, in Nigeria and the world at large and people with mental health conditions are commonly stigmatized.

As a result of this, I have developed a passion to change the view of mental healthcare in Nigeria in particular and in Africa as a whole. I am trying to change the perspective of people by using measurable actions in the aspects of sensitizing and caring for mental health patients.

ON GIVING UP

Well…. There have been times I felt like giving up on school,career and building myself but during those darkest moments, I pray to God and I remember the reason why I chose this path. This has helped me to come out stronger and better. Also, I continuously remind myself to never despise days of humble beginnings.

BEST QUOTE

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”
— Dolly Parton

WHAT I WILL LIKE TO CHANGE ABOUT MYSELF

Currently, I have been working on procrastination. Having discussed I procrastinate a lot, I have been actively doing things as they pop up as a corrective measure.

WHAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT

The fear of failure has been one of the things that keeps up.
Fear of disappointing my parents and my self as well.

IF GIVEN THE CHANCE TO BECOME THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA FOR A DAY

I will focus more on health sector of the nation reason being I actively relate with Sustainable Development Goal 3 which is to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.

1.This will reduce the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100 000 live births.

2. This will help in ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.

ON DEPRESSION AND HOW TO OVERCOME IT…

Depression comes in different colours as it looks different on everyone. So Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:

¶Feeling sad

¶Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

¶Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting

¶Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

¶Loss of energy or increased fatigue

¶Increase in purposeless physical activity

¶Feeling worthless or guilty

¶Difficulty in thinking, concentrating or making decisions

And the common one
¶ Thoughts of death or suicide

Coping with depression:

∆Reach out and stay connected
Reaching out might seem impossible but to snap out of depression, one must do it

Tips

¶ Look for *support* from people who make you feel safe and cared for
Talk to others that matter to you

¶ Try to to keep up with social activities even if you don’t feel like it.

¶ Join a support group for depression
¶

Improve Satisfaction

Satisfaction is a state of being, not a transient mood. Whereas cheerful emotions come and go, satisfaction is an appraisal that reflects the sum total of an experience more than a specific point in the experience.

∆ Plan to Get What You Want
Respond differently. Stop planning to be hurt and hopeless. First of all, delay thoughts of failed expectations. It is a simple refusal to think ahead about inevitable failure. Tell yourself instead that you will “face it when it happens.” If you are going to be disappointed, there will be time later to deal with it.

∆ End Isolation
Although self-care is an important part of recovery, in the short-term, getting back to social contact is highly useful. Relying on others may seem impractical or impossible in your particular situation, but taking small steps toward reliance on others, even if it is simply

∆ Most importantly,
*GET A PROFESSIONAL HELP*
SEE A DOCTOR, IF YOU DON’T FEEL BETTER AFTER TRYING ALL THESE..
You might need a pharmacological approaches.

GROWING UP…

Growing up in a Nigeria home was fun as well being stressful. My parents are academicians, so I have seen reading as a necessity to shapen myself. There are days where I would be sad or feel unhappy.

My parents have been my number one cheerleader, they have been supportive from the very start. Days of coming to watch me march during school’s inter house sports to reposting my e-fliers for online webinars. They have been amazing and this helped building my self esteem.I have 4 siblings and I am the second child/daughter, so I have had to take care of my younger siblings. This has helped in shaping me to be more compassionate.

MY BRAND IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS

In the next 5 years, the name TOLU ADEBAYO would have made significant impacts in positive social advocacy and in changing people’s perspective about mental health.

WORDS OF ADVICE TO GIRLS FIVE YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME

They should find what they are passionate about and start early.

In Career Gems November 13, 2019 By Women of Rubies

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION PREQUALIFIES FIRST EBOLA VACCINE

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said it had prequalified an Ebola vaccine for the first time, hailing a “critical step” towards its licensing, access and roll-out in countries most at risk of outbreaks.

WHO said Ervebo has been shown to be effective in protecting people from the Ebola Zaire virus

“This is the fastest vaccine prequalification process ever conducted by WHO,” it said in a statement, explaining that “prequalification means that the vaccine meets WHO standards for quality, safety and efficacy.”

The announcement comes hot on the heels of a decision last Monday by the European Commission to allow the release to market of the injectable vaccine, Ervebo, made by US laboratory Merck Sharpe and Dohme (MSD) after the European Medicines Agency gave the product its green light on October 18.

“This is a historic step towards ensuring the people who most need it are able to access this life-saving vaccine,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“Five years ago, we had no vaccine and no therapeutics for Ebola. With a prequalified vaccine and experimental therapeutics, Ebola is now preventable and treatable,” he added.

WHO said Ervebo has been shown to be effective in protecting people from the Ebola Zaire virus and added it is recommended by the organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) for vaccines as part of a broader set of Ebola response tools.

The WHO said licensed doses will only be available from the middle of next year.

WHO said it had “accelerated prequalification by reviewing safety and efficacy data as the information became available” and said it was engaged in facilitating licensing for use in countries at risk of Ebola outbreaks.

“WHO, with the support of EMA, has worked closely with many African regulators who have indicated they will quickly license the vaccine following the WHO recommendation,” the world body said.

Since the current epidemic, which has cost some 2,190 lives out of 3,290 declared cases since it began in DR Congo, more than 236,000 people have been treated, according to the WHO, including 60,000 health professionals, with the vaccine, known in the lab as rVSV-ZEBOV-GP.

Merck’s vaccine was administered to them under an exceptional procedure, granting permission to use non-licensed drugs in emergency cases.

A second vaccine still at the experimental stage and developed by Johnson & Johnson for administration in two doses at 56-day intervals, is due to be introduced in the coming days in zones where the virus is as yet absent.

The current epidemic in DR Congo is the tenth in the country since the first in 1976. It is the second most deadly to date after a 2014-2016 outbreak which cost some 11,000 lives and underscored the urgency to bring a vaccine to market.

Credit: pulse.ng

In Career Gems November 13, 2019 By Women of Rubies

UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN 2019 BEST GRADUATING STUDENT, MARY EBHOMIELEN IS ALSO THE FIRST FEMALE EVER TO GRADUATE WITH A PERFECT CPGA OF 7.0 FROM THE SCHOOL

Ofure Mary Ebhomielen of the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science was the cynosure of all eyes on Tuesday as she was presented as the best graduating student at the 2019 Convocation ceremony of the University of Ibadan, UI.

Ebhomielen, who graduated with the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average, CGPA of 7.0 received a thunderous ovation when she was presented to parents and well-wishers at the ceremony.

She was given the opportunity to have a special handshake with the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, who could not hide his admiration for the star of the moment.

In her brief speech, which was intermittently interrupted by applause, Ebhomielen, who congratulated her fellow graduands, noted that they were being celebrated because they had burnt the midnight candles.

She noted that success did not come easy, adding that apart from making a good grade in the university, one still needed to prove oneself in the outside world.

Ebhomielen called on those who did not make upper-division to go out there and prove their worth.

Commenting, Olayinka said, “Ofure Mary Ebhomielen is the fourth person ever to have obtained perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (7.0 out of 7.0) in the 71-year history of the University of Ibadan and the first female. This is worth celebrating and we are indeed very proud of her. The world is now under your feet, Mary, aim for the skies while we keep celebrating you.”

It could be recalled, such fest was also achieved by Mr Daniel Nkemelu from same department (Computer science), who also emerged as the best graduating student in 2016 with overall CGPA of 7.0.

Credit: fabwoman.ng

In self development November 13, 2019 By Women of Rubies

SOCIOLOGIST, ENKESHI EL-AMIN OPENS FREE SEWING CAMP FOR KIDS AND TEACHES THEM HOW TO RUN THEIR OWN BUSINESS

Enkeshi El-Amin, a sociologist who studied at the University of Tennessee, was preparing for a career as a professor when a happy accident changed the course of her life.

El-Amin said she was interviewing for a news article about her side job as a seamstress/designer when she casually mentioned the possibility of one day opening a summer camp for kids. When the article was published, so was the idea for the camp, and support from the community came rushing in before El-Amin even knew what she was doing.

“The support from the community was overwhelming. It came from everywhere,” El-Amin said, realizing her idea was pushing towards reality quicker than she expected. “It was really an idea that was able to come to fruition through support from the community.”

Photo by: WBIR

Enkeshi El-Amin plans to expand ‘Sew It, Sell It’ to an after-school program.

Marcus Hall, the owner of Marc Nelson Denim in East Knoxville, donated studio space, and people from around the area dropped off sewing machines, food, and furniture, so kids could attend the camp for free.

By mid-July, ‘Sew It,’ Sell It‘ was ready for its first campers.

“The kids learned to sew in three days, actually make that two days. The first day was a lot of team building and getting to know each other, so they really learned to sew in two days,” El-Amin said. “I remember thinking I must be getting better or these kids are really good because they just caught on so quickly.”

When professionals like Randy Boyd or Chris Blue popped into Marc Nelson Denim to shop, Marcus Hall would bring them back to the studio, so they could meet with the campers.

Photo by: Sew It, Sell It

Singer Chris Blue takes a moment to meet with kids at ‘Sew, It Sell It’ while he shops for a new outfit at Marc Nelson Denim.

A large portion of the camp included learning how to run a business. Participants had to come up with a product and pitch it to professionals in the community at the camp’s very own market day.

“When I say I was impressed, I’m not just saying that. I was super impressed by how well they presented, how well they knew their products, how well they were able to talk about it. The judges were so impressed, they said, ‘we can’t just have three winners.’ So, they went out and got gift cards for everyone,” El-Amin said.

Tiara Hill is a sixth-grader who created ‘Bonnets By T’ with the skills she learned at camp.

Bonnets By T

Bonnets By T. 43 likes. I create bonnets because African Americans 9 times more on hair care than other populations. Which is a big investment. So I make bonnets to protect that investment.

“I created a bonnet that would protect braids. I got this idea because I wear braids, and African Americans spend a lot of money on hair care. It’s a big investment, so I created something to protect that investment. I have a waterproof one too,” Hill said, and she already has a plan for her profits. “I’m going to take most of the money and reinvest it back into the business, and I’m going to open a bank account.”

Photo by: WBIR

“I didn’t’ really think of being a business owner this early,” said 5th-grader Ja’Shonna Bryant.

Her fellow camper, Ja’Shonna Bryant, was inspired by her dog to create her business, ‘Bow Wow Doggie Boutique.’

“I made a dog vest that’s comfortable for your dog,” Bryant said. ‘I made it out of cotton fabrics and silk fabrics, so it’s soft.” Bryant said even if you don’t have a dog, you could purchase a vest, and she’ll donate it to Young Williams Animal Shelter.

Bow Wow Doggie Boutique

Bow Wow Doggie Boutique, Knoxville, Tennessee. 25 likes. Comfortable canine fashion for your furry friend!

“It’s important for our kids, especially kids of color, to learn financial literacy and learn what it means to be an entrepreneur and how to manage your money and make your money work for you. It’s important to teach them these skills and to teach them that you have something to offer the world, even at eight or nine years old,” El-Amin said.

Photo by: Enkeshi El-Amin

Enkeshi El-Amin (left) pictured with her grandmother.

“I grew up in a household where I saw a lot of entrepreneurs. My grandmother was a seamstress. Sewing was her primary income. I learned to do hair from my sisters who did hair. My sister is a hairstylist in Atlanta who has her own business. I was always around people who were starting their own business or tapping into their entrepreneur spirit,” El-Amin said, adding that she’s instilling that same spirit in a new generation of entrepreneurs.

El-Amin said she has plans to expand ‘Sew It, Sell It’ to an after-school program and exploring options to teach the same lessons to refugees as well.

Credit: https://www.wbir.com

In Career Gems November 12, 2019 By Women of Rubies

CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE, CHINUA ACHEBE, OTHERS, NAMED IN BBC’S LIST OF ‘100 NOVELS THAT SHAPED OUR WORLD’

Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun” and Gyasi’s “Homegoing” were named under the “Identity” section, with Ben Okri‘s “Astonishing the Gods” also on the list, under the “Life, Death & other Worlds” section.

Books by James Baldwin, Zadie Smith, Ernest Hemingway, and Arundhati Roy also make the list, as well as crowd favourites like “The Twilight Saga” by Stephanie Meyer and the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling.

Check out the full list on BBC.

Credit: Bella Naija

In Career Gems November 12, 2019 By Women of Rubies

WOMAN BECOMES ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT SCHOOL SHE ONCE WORKED AS CLEANER

Pam Talbert who once worked as a school janitor mixed hard work and perseverance to give rise to a booming career as an assistant principal.

According to WBRZ, the mother of three had a learning disability that had not been diagnosed but this did not stop her from achieving her dreams. For someone who could not read or write, becoming an educator was nothing short of a miracle.

“Miracles happen and you are looking at a miracle. I am a miracle. I could not read and write. I was on a third-grade level,” she said.

Pam admitted her kids pushed her to greatness and forced her out of her comfort zone. The dedicated assistant principal learned and read what her kids were learning and started to pick up a few things from their books.

Pam admitted her kids pushed her to greatness and forced her out of her comfort zone.Most times, when the kids returned from school they would tutor their mum. Eventually, she managed to go back to school and earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Southern University.

‘‘It was very hard, but I persevered because I knew that it was important that I did that,” Pam added. Even more inspiring, Pam and her son are headed to school to earn their PhDs from Southern University.

“Despite where you are coming from, or your background, your history or where you live… It is going to be alright if you persevere. If you try,” Talbert said.

Credit: tu.co.ke

In self development November 12, 2019 By Women of Rubies

WOMAN WHO WENT BACK TO HIGH SCHOOL AT AGE 43, EARNS ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DIPLOMA AT AGE 64

Randeka Nghonyama a 64-year-old woman obtained her National Diploma in Electrical Engineering during the Tshwane University of Technology’s Spring Graduations.

Nghonyama returned to high school at the age of 40, after dropping out in her youth.

In a Facebook post, the university shared Nghonyama’s inspiring story and it proved that no one’s dreams are invalid regardless of race, age or gender. At the age of 43 the woman graduated from high school and decided to take her education a notch higher.

Nghonyama initially wanted to become a nurse but did not qualify even after enrolling in several nursing colleges.She then decided to apply to TUT’s Electrical Engineering Programme in 2003 and was accepted.

It took the now-graduate 16 years to complete her studies but she did not once give up on her dreams. Her journey to graduation was far from easy and Nghonyama had to overcome several struggles including financial difficulties, attending classes with younger people and failing modules as a result of her age.

In 2010, she decided to take a much-needed break from her studies, only having one subject left to do. Nghonyama decided to register for her final subject in 2017.

“I wanted to prove to myself that despite coming from a tough childhood, I can do anything I put my mind to. As the older generation, we must go out and attain new skills, while the younger generation should keep pushing us,” said Nghonyama.

Credit: tuko.co.ke

In self development November 8, 2019 By Women of Rubies

WRITER, NNEDI OKORAFOR CRITICISES T.I. FOR ‘MONITORING’ HIS DAUGHTER’S VIRGINITY

Nnedi Okorafor has called out T.I. following his revelation that he monitors his 18-year-old daughter’s virginity and follows her to her gynaecologist’s to confirm her hymen is still intact.

‘The Who Fears Death’ author shared a link to the article about T.I. and wrote:

“My God, I cannot believe that T.I. interview was real. There’s more than the headline. Look at what he says when told that there are natural ways a hymen can be lost: “So I say, ‘Look, Doc, she don’t ride no horses, she don’t ride no bike, she don’t play no sports. Just check the hymen, please, and give me back my results expeditiously.'”

She added: “Backward. Hypocritical. Entitled. Sexist. I feel sorry for his children and I wonder about their mother/s.”

Credit: LIB

In self development November 8, 2019 By Women of Rubies

LITTLE GROUNDNUT SELLER WHO BEGGED TO SIGN ON A GRADUATE’S SHIRT, FOUND AND AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP

The little groundnut seller who pleaded to sign on the shirt of a Federal University of Technology (FUTMinna) graduate because she wants to be like him one day, has been awarded scholarship.

Facebook user, Dio Peter Omotolani disclosed that the girl who was invited to University radio station for an interactive session few days ago is now a student of the University’s staff school on scholarship.

He wrote “You remember the young Girl that pleaded to sign on d shirt of a guy who finished his final exams in Futminna?

The picture captivated so many pple within and outside the university community.

She was invited to the University radio station for an interactive session days back.. She is now in the university staff skul on scholarship.

Happy for her.”