Women of Rubies, Author at Women of Rubies

In self development May 14, 2019 By Women of Rubies

NSE IKPE-ETIM SHARES EMOTIONAL STORY OF HOW SHE HAD TO HAVE HER UTERUS REMOVED TO SAVE HER LIFE

Nse Ikpe-Etim just revealed that she will not be able to have kids due to a condition she had in the past called Adenomyosis, a condition whereby the inner lining of the uterus breaks through the muscle of the uterus. This condition required uterus removal, so Nse Ikpe-Etim had her uterus removed.

“I was told I couldn’t have kids,” she said.

“And so, I had to have a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) to make me have a life again and to stop going through what I was going through. And I’m literarily telling women and men, it really doesn’t matter if you can’t bear children. What really matters is what you would do for the world, for the universe.”

While talking about the time the doctor broke the news to them, she described how her husband had comforted her.

“Tears dropped and then my husband squeezed my hand. It was reassuring there was someone there and it was telling me that this is reality, my reality.”

Nse Ikpe-Etim, before getting married to her husband in 2013 had said that marriage wasn’t for her, but she still admits that she wasn’t born for marriage, but to make an impact in society. The actress says that she always wanted twins, but unfortunately, she had to remove her uterus, and that’s not possible.

“I didn’t think there was any point anymore because my society taught me that I have to be a mother to be appreciated and every time I went online, I would have one troll or two say ‘you never born?’

“But I’m thankful that that didn’t break me.”

Many years back, Nse Ikpe-Etim started a relationship in their teens and called it off. However, they still got back together and got married in 2013 on Valentine’s Day. She and her husband started dating as teenagers, and this is a relationship that they certainly can’t give up on.

Credit: Stargist

In Career Gems May 14, 2019 By Women of Rubies

ADESUA ETOMI TO VOICE LEAD CHARACTER IN ANIMATED FILM ‘MALIKA: WARRIOR QUEEN’

Nollywood actress, Adesua Etomi-Wellington will voice the lead character in the long awaited animation, Malika: Warrior Queen.

Adesua Etomi stars as Malika in this animated film written by Roye Okupe, founder of Youneek Studios. The film is about a warrior queen and a military commander in the pre-colonial Africa.

The brilliant film also has Niyi Akinmolayan as its director and Roye Okupe as its writer. Roye Okupe says about the film:

“I have to give credit again to Niyi, who’s also the director of the highest grossing movie in Lagos - The Wedding Party Two…. So we discussed about who we would like to bring to this, and Adesua was the first person I had on my mind to voice it. Not only is she a huge star, she’s super talented. After the both of us went through the proper channels to present the idea to her, she basically said it would be a dream for her to do it. It was in October when she came on board after the right terms were established. A lot of credit also goes to the material because she was able to see some of the stuff we’ve done with Malika and the track record we’ve built with the graphic novels. And I can’t wait for people to actually hear her performance because it’s just so amazing what she’s done with the character in this short pilot. It’s an amazing 14 minutes. You basically get to see how an African queen lived her life back then.”

The film which started as a 150-page book came out in 2017 (set in the present day), and its synopsis read:

“Growing up as a prodigy, Malika inherited the crown from her father in the most unusual of circumstances, splitting the kingdom of Azzaz in half. After years of civil war, Malika was able to unite all of Azzaz, expanding it into one of the largest empires in all of West Africa. But expansion would not come without its costs. Enemies begin to rise within her council, and Azzaz grabbed the attention of one of the most feared superpowers the world has ever known: the Ming Dynasty. As Malika fights to win the clandestine war within the walls of her empire, she must now turn her attention to an indomitable and treacherous foe with plans to vanquish her entire people.”

In 2018, the part two of the story came out as a 15th century epic, and with the animated pilot, Okupe continues the saga. Youneek studios announced Adesua’s lead role in the animation:

Credit: stargist.com

In Career Gems May 10, 2019 By Women of Rubies

SENATE CONFIRMS ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA AS CHAIRMAN OF NIGERIAN DIASPORA COMMISSION

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Abike Dabiri-Erewa for appointment as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission.

The Senate made the confirmation and subsequent announcement on Thursday via its verified Twitter handle @NGRSenate.

Dabiri-Erewa who is currently the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora was a three-term member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos between 2003 and 2015.

As a Reps member, she was chairman of House Committee on Diaspora Affairs; and had sponsored the bill seeking the establishment of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission.

Senate confirms Abike Dabiri-Erewa as Chairman of Nigerian Diaspora Commission

by Linda Ikeji at 09/05/2019 3:42 PM|23 Comments

In self development May 9, 2019 By Women of Rubies

“THE ROYAL BABY ANNOUNCEMENT WAS DOWNRIGHT SEXIST” – BLOSSOM OZURUMBA

Blossom Ozurumba, an author, has criticized the way the birth of baby Sussex was announced.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their royal baby early on Monday morning. Hours later, their official Instagram account made the announcement, writing: “It’s a boy!”

Blossom, who is an Igbo language Editor at Wikipedia, doesn’t approve of the emphasis on the baby being a boy.

She tweeted:

I am as overjoyed as their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex but I must not fail to express my view that I have the exact distaste for this announcement as I had for the “Mama Na Boy” TV commercial produced by MTN Nigeria Limited in 2003 which was downright sexist.

Nigerian author Blossom Ozurumba says the royal baby announcement was "downright sexist"

Credit: LIB

In Career Gems May 8, 2019 By Women of Rubies

BLESSING EGBE’S NEW FILM, ‘THE TEN VIRGINS’ GULPS N50 MILLION

Blessing Egbe has revealed that her new film, ‘The Ten Virgins’ featuring Thin Tall Tony is cost effective and has gulped almost N50 million.

The producer and director made this known in a recent statement while speaking on the film. She also said the project can be likened to an ambitious side.

“This project has gulped nearly 50 million Naira. It is both a feature and a limited series and is indeed an ambitious stride,” she began. “We paid attention to technical details and all the elements that make a movie great, and I believe the audience will feel its pulse,” Egbe dropped.

Blessing Egbe says she intentionally made an ambitious move with ehr nee film, 'The Ten Virgins.' [YouTube/BConcept Network]

The woman behind Nollywood blockbusters, ‘Lekki Wives’ and ‘Two Brides and a baby’ said the move to dare to make an ambition movie was intentional. She further said Nollywood is in dire need of content.

In her words,

“Going into this, my intention was to tell a story so relatable, interesting and entertaining, and I believe we have achieved that aim. It is a movie driven on the strength of the story, its style and the execution of it.

Pulse NigeriaA scene from Blessing Egbe’s new film, ‘The Ten Virgins.’ [YouTube/BConcept Network]

“Nollywood is in dire need of content with substance and that substance starts from the depth of the stories we tell. For ‘The Ten Virgins, we told a familiar story in a dated’ stage like and musical format, it is simple yet so captivating. I am excited and can’t wait to share it with the audience.”

‘The Ten Virgins’ is a musical drama about 10 maidens who amidst many temptations must remain faithful in their commitment to the greatest prince in the land. The movie is scheduled for cinema release on August 2.

The feature film parades Honey Adum, Damilare Kuku, Blessed Effiong, Bukky Okorodus, Leelee Byoma, Jade Dunni, Osareme Inegbenebor, Chidera Makata, Oge Aniegboka, Ola Taiwo, Degri Emmanuel, Chinonso Young, Tunbosun Aiyedehin, and late Priye George.

Credit: pulse.ng

In self development May 8, 2019 By Women of Rubies

MEET KAREN OBILOM, THE NIGERIAN-AMERICAN ACTRESS SET TO MAKE HER MARK IN HOLLYWOOD

Upcoming actress, Karen Obilom was born in Texas and raised by Nigerian parents.

(Photo: Karen Obilom)

Karen graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Hollywood in 2014. She started off by taking jobs as an acting extra and doing background work. She eventually got an agent and gradually booked some commercials with major brands.

She made her credited debut on the third season of HBO’s Emmy-nominated comedy, Insecure, playing the role of Antoinette. She then went on to appear in an episode of NCIS: Los Angeles and the acclaimed web series, Mr. Student Body President.

(Photo: HBO/Insecure)

She eventually made her big splash with the premiere of BET’s newest series, Games People Play. She stars in the show, alongside Lauren London, Sarunas Jackson, Jackie Long and Parker McKenna Posey.

The show focuses on the sexy, mesmerizing high life of Los Angeles. At its center is Marques King, a newly traded L.A. baller and his wife Vanessa King, to whom Obilom’s Nia Bullock, an ambitious journalist hungry for exclusives, is a friend to.

Jackie Long, Lauren London, Sarunas Jackson, Karen Obilom and Parker McKenna Posey (Photo: BET)

Her goal is to make movies with people who look like her. Obilom and her boyfriend are working on a feature film, A Long Ways From Okay, which focuses on a woman who is paralyzed from the waist down. She plans to have it premiere at Sundance.

She’s also just shot a trailer pilot with Nigerian comedian, Chief Obi, for a movie called Rukky. It’s directed by Ebiye Ikuku and it’s about a girl from Nigeria who goes to Los Angeles for photography and learns to navigate life in the city.

Credit: konbini.com

In Career Gems May 8, 2019 By Women of Rubies

JULIET EHIMUAN, GOOGLE NIGERIA’S COUNTRY DIRECTOR, RECOGNISED AS ONE OF ’30 PEOPLE WHO ARE CHANGING THE WORLD’

Juliet Ehimuan, Google Nigeria’s Country Director has been named as one of 30 People Who Are Changing the World by London Business School Review.

LBS Review says about her:

Juliet Ehimuan wants to raise human dignity by helping to develop human capacity and create opportunities for growth. But Ehimuan is not a charity boss or a UN chief. As Country Director of Google Nigeria, she’s a global tech leader whose contributions to technology and entrepreneurship have won her multiple awards and recognition, including being named one of Forbes’ 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa and featuring in the third series of the BBC Women of Africa strand, Power Women.

Ehimuan runs “Beyond Limits” initiative where she coaches young people to become self-leaders.

“I tell them to always apply themselves and make the best of every circumstance. Every situation offers an opportunity to learn, grow and define who you are. Always do your best, always expand your horizon. You never know what is around the corner,” she told LBS Review.

In 2017, she worked with thirteen young women from the disadvantaged area of Kiri Kiri, Lagos on an intensive boot camp to transform the lives forever.

Meeting every weekend over a three month period, she worked with them on self-development, leadership skills, personal and organisational effectiveness, and business skills – transferable competencies all required for any leader, whether in the field of STEM, fashion, catering or the creative arts.

Today, under her helm, Google is transforming lives and placing Africa at the forefront of the future of technology. Free digital training is being offered to ten million Africans in five years with three million already trained so far. This will give digital skills and certifications to young people, giving them an edge in an over-saturated job market.

Credit: Bella Naija

In self development May 4, 2019 By Women of Rubies

KIM KARDASHIAN HELPS SECURE THE RELEASE OF ANOTHER CONVICT WHO SERVED 22 YEARS OVER A LOW LEVEL DRUG CASE

Kim Kardashian West has again helped secure the release of a black man who spent over 22-years in jail over a low level drug case.

Kardashian, who’s currently studying to become a criminal justice lawyer, became more involved with helping convicts after she was able to persuade US President Donald Trump to commute the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, a first-time non-violent drug offender, months ago.

“We did it again! Had the best call w/this lovely family & my attorney @msbkb who just won release for their loved one Jeffrey in Miami – he served 22 years of life sentence for low level drug case. He served too much time but it gives me so much joy to fund this life saving work,” Kim wrote.

Credit: LIB

In Career Gems May 4, 2019 By Women of Rubies

OMONI OBOLI WINS LEGAL BATTLE OVER OWNERSHIP OF THE MOVIE ‘OKAFOR’S LAW’

Omoni Oboli couldn’t contain her joy as she announced her victory at the court over the ownership of the script for ‘Okafor’s Law’ challenged by Jude Idada and Rancouteour Productions.

In her victory speech, she said judgment was given on May 2, 2019, after two years. In an Instagram post, Oboli narrated the experience in the last two years but happy to have been vindicated.

On Thursday, March 30, 2017, a Federal High Court granted Omoni Oboli the go ahead to release “Okafor’s Law” on Friday March 31, 2017.

Though the Court lifted the injunction, the case remained in court, with hearing of the substantive matter commencing on Monday, April 3, 2017.

Earlier Justice N. Buba had ruled in favour of an interlocutory injunction which was served to Omoni Oboli, Filmone and Dioni Visions to halt the release of the movie in Nigeria.

It all started online in September 2016, when a Canada based writer, Jude Idada, accused Omoni Oboli of stealing his idea for her movie, “Okafor’s Law.”

Jude Idada, a Canadian based screenwriter had publicly accused Omoni Oboli of stealing his idea for the ‘Okafor’s Law’ script’ on September 7, 2017. Few days after the name calling, Oboli’s ‘Okafor’s Law,’ premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Monday, September 12, 2016.

Idada assigned rights of his script to Chioma Onyenwe of Raconteur Productions. Following this move, Oboli was prevented from premiering her film in Nigeria on March 24, 2017, after being served a court injunction filed by Raconteur Productions. Following the injunction, the previously scheduled premiere of “Okafor’s Law” didn’t hold.

Jude Idada had called Omoni Oboli out over the script of her film, ‘Okafor’s Law.’ [Twitter/Jude Idada]

The Past between Idada and Oboli

In 2013, Jude Idada claimed to have written a treatment for the movie “Being Mrs Elliott,” which he forwarded to the actress. However, Oboli produced the movie off the treatment without contacting or paying Idada for his work.

According to our source, the actress defended her act, claiming to have forgotten that a treatment was sent to her by Idada.

Jude Idada, who had no idea that a movie was made off his treatment, got to find out at the 2014 Nollywood Film Festival in Paris, when the movie was screened to the audience.

Hence, Idada was reportedly hesitant to write the script because he once had a bad experience with the Obolis in the past.

The alleged negotiation between Oboli and Idada

On March 30, 2017, Pulse spoke with an undisclosed source who said that Oboli had contacted Jude Idada to write the script and that they had shared ideas during their several meetings.

According to her, Oboli decided to write her own script after several attempts to reach Jude was unsuccessful.

However, another inside contradicted the above source, stating that after Oboli had contacted Jude Idada in late 2014 to write her script, the latter tried severally to reach her, but wasn’t successful.

Credit: pulse.ng

In self development May 4, 2019 By Women of Rubies

DIANA EVANS AND OYINKAN BRAITHWAITE ARE FINALISTS FOR THE 2019 WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION

Back in March, three Nigerian authors — Oyinkan Braithwaite, Akwaeke Emezi and Diana Evans — made the longlist for the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction.

The longlist has finally been narrowed down, and the final shortlist includes Oyinkan Braithwaitefor My Sister, the Serial Killer and Diana Evansfor Ordinary People, making them the fifth and sixth Africans to be finalists for the prestigious prize.

Diana Evans and Oyinkan Braithwaite (Photo: The New York Times)

The previous Africans on the shortlist include Nigeria’s Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in 2004, 2007 and 2014; the Sierra Leonean-Scottish novelist, Aminatta Forna in 2011; the Ghanaian-Canadian writer, Esi Edugyan in 2012; and Nigeria’s Ayobami Adebayo in 2017.

With Evans and Braithwaite making the shortlist, this is the first time ever that more than one African has been named a finalist for the prize. Winning the Women’s Prize for Fiction is an incredible honour — one that comes with high regard and a £30,000 cash reward.

The winners will be announced on June 5.

Ordinary People and My Sister, The Serial Killer (Photo: Brittle Paper)