Women of Rubies, Author at Women of Rubies

In Career Gems October 9, 2018 By Women of Rubies

#METOO: INDIA JOINS THE MOVEMENT AS BOLLYWOOD ACTRESS, TANUSHREE DUTTA SPEAKS UP

She spoke out at the time but she was not given any attention. The global #MeToo phenomenon encouraged her to go public again and on Saturday, October 6, 2018, to file a police complaint against Patekar, who issued a denial.

Dutta also alleged that filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri behaved inappropriately towards her while shooting a 2005 movie. Agnihotri’s lawyer denied the “frivolous” claims.

Dutta said she has received threats but she has also won support from several high-profile stars, while other actresses have now started to speak out about Bollywood’s darker side.

» moreNearly 40,000 rape cases were reported in India in 2016, but activists say this is just the tip of the iceberg (AFP/File)

Over the weekend a HuffPost India report published accusations against director Vikas Bahl, one of the four founders of Phantom Films, the edgy production house behind Netflix’s first original Indian series, “Sacred Games”.

A crew member, who is not named, said Bahl insisted on escorting her to her hotel in 2015 and pretended to pass out drunk on her bed, only to awaken and masturbate on her later, HuffPost reported.

Kangana Ranaut, an actress who worked with Bahl on “Queen”, his 2014 hit film touching on female empowerment, came out and said that the director would “bury his face in my neck and hold me really tight”.

“It took me a great amount of strength and effort to pull myself out of his embrace,” she told the India Today news channel.

On Friday, Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, two fellow Phantom Films founders, announced on Twitter that they were dissolving the production company.

Kashyap released a further statement over the weekend saying they had not acted earlier because the alleged victim had not wanted to speak out until now.

“Now in hindsight and after taking stock of things myself, I can quite see how I was ill-advised,” Kashyap said.

He added that the company had disciplined Bahl internally by suspending him and barring him from their premises.

Bahl has yet to comment publicly on the allegations.

Stories of bad behaviour are also now emerging about men in other sectors.

A Mumbai comedian, Utsav Chakraborty, last week found himself at the centre of a Twitter storm accusing him of sending lewd messages to women and young girls such as requesting topless photos.

After an initial dismissal, Chakraborty, who now faces a possible police investigation, tweeted that he has “been the exact monster I’ve been trying to fight all my life”.

» moreA woman shared screen shots of WhatsApp conversations between her and Chetan Bhagat, one of India’s top-selling authors, in which he propositions her and ignores her objections that he is married (AFP/File)

Another woman shared screen shots of WhatsApp conversations between her and Chetan Bhagat, one of India’s top-selling authors, in which he propositions her and ignores her objections that he is married.

Bhagat confirmed the veracity of the screen shots and said in a long Facebook post that he was “really sorry to the person concerned” — while also apologising to his wife.

Meanwhile The Wire, an online news site, ran an article it said reveals the “dark underbelly” of the Indian media, quoting accusations against at least three newspaper editors.

Credit: Pulse

In Career Gems October 9, 2018 By Women of Rubies

NIGERIA’S BOBSLED AND SKELETON TEAM NOW HAVE TWO NEW ATHLETES

The Nigeria Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (NBSF) now has two new athletes, Linda Okoro and April Young.

In Nigeria’s Winter Olympics debut at PyeongChang 2018, the country was represented in bobsled by the trio of Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga. It’s not clear which of these athletes will be making a comeback at Beijing 2022, but Okoro will pilot the team as a driver.

The Houston-based athlete has been a part of NBSF for a couple of months now. Having successfully trained in a bobsled driving school in New York, she looks ready to build on the achievements of the first team and possibly break new ground.

Once Beijing 2022 kicks off, Simidele Adeagbo won’t be slaying alone in the skeleton competition. Young will be joining her as Nigeria’s second representative in the sport. Based in Denver, she has already joined NBSF’s pre-season camp and is warming up for the games.

Credit: Konbini

In Interviews&profile October 9, 2018 By Women of Rubies

PROFILE| MEET NADIA MURAD, THE FIRST IRAQI WOMAN TO WIN A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE AWARD

Nadia Murad is a German based Iraqi human right activist who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize awards at the age of 25. She is also the first Iraqi woman to win that award.

She was awarded alongside a Congolese doctor, Denis Mukwege for their efforts in ending the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.

Murad and about 3,000 other Yazidi women were kidnapped and sold into sex slavery by ISIS in 2014, as part of the terrorist group’s genocidal campaign to wipe out the religious minority.

Here are 9 things you should know about Nadia Murad:

1.Her full name is Nadia Murad Basee Taha

2.Murad was born in the village of Kojo in Sinjar District, Iraq.

3.Nadia Murad was taken into slavery by ISIS on 15 September, 2014.

4.She escaped from ISIS camp in November, 2014.

5.Murad started living in Germany in 2015 after leaving the refugee camp.

6.Murad worked with United Nations in global and local advocacy initiatives to bring awareness of human trafficking and refugees in December, 2015.

7.In September, 2016, she announced her Initiative called “Murad’s Initiave”to provide advocacy and assistance to victims of genocide.

8.In 2016, she received her first award which was the first Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking of the United Nations.

9.Nadia Murad became the first Iraqi woman to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize

Credit: Fabwoman.ng

In Career Gems October 8, 2018 By Women of Rubies

JANELLE MONAE TO STAR IN NEW DISNEY’S LIVE-ACTION ADAPTATION, ‘LADY AND THE TRAMP’

In the last few months, American singer and songwriter, Janelle Monae has been cast in no less that three screenplays. Most recent of all is her new role in new Disney‘s live-action adaptation Lady and the Tramp.

According to Chicago Tribune, Monae will voice the character Peg, one of the dogs Lady meets when she is taken to the pound.

Lady and the Tramp tells the tale of an American Cocker Spaniel named Lady who becomes separated from her upper-middle-class family. The movie follows the journey of Lady finding love and more.

Janelle Monae will also appear in the Harriet Tubman biopic UglyDolls animated movie, and Welcome to Marwen.

Credit: BN

In self development October 8, 2018 By Women of Rubies

#MONDAYMOTIVATION: 7 WAYS TO SAVE BETTER

Sometimes the hardest thing about saving money is just getting started. This step-by-step guide on how to save money can help you develop a simple and realistic plan to save for goals, big or small.

Record your expenses

The first step to saving money is to figure out how much you spend. Keep track of all your expenses—that means every coffee, household item and cash tip. Once you have your data, organize the numbers by categories, such as gas, groceries and mortgage, and total each amount. Consider using your credit card or bank statements to help you with this.

Make a budget

Once you have an idea of what you spend in a month, you can begin to organize your recorded expenses into a workable budget. Your budget should outline how your expenses measure up to your income—so you can plan your spending and limit overspending. In addition to your monthly expenses, be sure to factor in expenses that occur regularly but not every month, such as car maintenance.

Plan on saving money

Now that you’ve made a budget, create a savings category within it. Try to save 10 to 15 percent of your income. If your expenses are so high that you can’t save that much, it might be time to cut back. To do so, identify nonessentials that you can spend less on, such as entertainment and dining out, and find ways to save on your fixed monthly expenses.

Tip: Consider the money you put into savings a regular expense, similar to groceries, to reinforce good savings habits.

Choose something to save for

One of the best ways to save money is to set a goal. Start by thinking of what you might want to save for—perhaps you’re getting married, planning a vacation or saving for retirement. Then figure out how much money you’ll need and how long it might take you to save it.

Here are some examples of short- and long-term goals:

Short-term (1–3 years)

– Emergency fund (3–9 months
of living expenses, just in case)

– Vacation

– Down payment for a car

Long-term (4+ years)

– Down payment on a home or a
remodeling project

– Your child’s education

– Retirement

If you’re saving for retirement or your child’s education, consider putting that money into an investment account such as an IRA or 529 plan. While investments come with risks and can lose money, they also create the opportunity for compounded returns if you plan for an event far in advance.

Decide on your priorities

After your expenses and income, your goals are likely to have the biggest impact on how you allocate your savings. Be sure to remember long-term goals—it’s important that planning for retirement doesn’t take a back seat to shorter-term needs. Learn how to prioritize your savings goals so you have a clear idea of where to start saving. For example, if you know you’re going to need to replace your car in the near future, you could start putting money away for one now.

Make saving automatic

Almost all banks offer automated transfers between your checking and savings accounts. You can choose when, how much and where to transfer money or even split your direct deposit so a portion of every paycheck goes directly into your savings account. Splitting your direct deposit and setting up automated transfers are simple ways to save money since you don’t have to think about it, and it generally reduces the temptation to spend the money instead.

Watch your savings grow

Review your budget and check your progress every month. Not only will this help you stick to your personal savings plan, but it also helps you identify and fix problems quickly. These simple ways to save may even inspire you to save more money every day and hit your goals faster.

Credit: Better Money Habit

In Interviews&profile October 8, 2018 By Women of Rubies

PROFILE| MEET PROFESSOR GRACE ALELE-WILLIAMS, THE FIRST FEMALE VICE CHANCELLOR OF A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

Grace Alele-Williams (born December 16, 1932) is an Educator who made history as the first Nigerian woman to become the head (Vice Chancellor) of a Nigerian university, the University of Benin. She is also the first Nigerian woman to receive a doctorate degree. She is a professor of mathematics education.

Alele-Williams was born in Warri. She attended Government School, Warri, and Queen’s College, Lagos. She attended the University College (now the University of Ibadan), the University of Vermont (U.S) and the University of Chicago (U.S).

Her teaching career started at Queen’s School, Ede Osun State, where she was mathematics master from 1954 until 1957. She left for the University of Vermont to become a graduate assistant and later assistant professor. Between 1963 and ’65, Alele-Williams was a post doctoral research fellow, department (and institute) of Education, University of Ibadan from where she was appointed a professor of mathematics at the University of Lagos in 1976.

She has held and served in various capacities. By serving in various committees and boards, Alele-Williams had made useful contributions in the development of education in Nigeria. She was chairman of the curriculum review committee, former Bendel State 1973-1979. From 1979-1985, she served as chairman of the Lagos State Curriculum Review Committee and Lagos State Examinations Boards.

Alele-Williams was a member of governing council, UNESCO Institute of Education. She is also a consultant to UNESCO and Institute of International Education Planning. For a decade (1963–73) she was a member of the African Mathematics Programme, located in Newton, Massachusetts, United States. She was also vice-president of the World Organization for Early Childhood Education and later president of the Nigerian chapter.

Alele-Williams has published a book titled Modern Mathematics Handbook for Teachers. After serving as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, she joined the board of directors of Chevron-Texaco Nigeria. She is also on the board of HIP Asset Management Company Ltd, an Asset Management Company in Lagos, Nigeria.

Professor Grace Awani Alele-Williams was a force to reckon with in the dark period for Nigeria’s higher education. Then, the activities of secret cults, confraternities and societies had spread within the Nigerian Universities especially in University of Benin. She made valuable impacts, with combination of courage, ingenuity and strategy that the growing tide of cultism was stemmed in the university.

In self development October 8, 2018 By Women of Rubies

THIS 29-YEAR-OLD FASHION DESIGNER IS EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING GIRLS IN MAKOKO

Hannah is a 29-year old fashion designer who is contributing to girl-child education in Makoko, a floating slum in Lagos.

Hannah is helping the girls build a better future by sharing her skills with them and also engaging the services of her husband who works as an English Language tutor.

Hannah, who is also a teacher and an entrepreneur, makes clothes for people living in Makoko and elsewhere in Nigeria.

Hannah is trying to help women by sharing her skills with them, so they can succeed in business as she did. She speaks to BBC Minute about her work.

Watch below.

Credit: Bella Naija

In Career Gems October 8, 2018 By Women of Rubies

NIGERIAN STARTUP, BABYMIGO NAMED ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 50 GENIUS COMPANIES OF 2018

A Nigerian startup, BabyMigo, founded by Adeloye Olanrewaju, has been named as one of Time Magazine’s 50 Genius Companies.

Babymigo was specifically selected for creating and being a community for new and expectant mothers.

(Photo: Babymigo)

Babymigo is an online community that connects mothers-to-be with information, medical experts, services and other parents. The platform is also equipped with an SMS subscription service for pregnant women that informs them of prenatal appointments and their babies’ development.

Since inception, the response has been huge, and the Babymigo team has since tapped into a massive, unmet demand for Africa-centric pregnancy, birth and baby information. The app has been downloaded over 30,000 times and its mobile-friendly website has over 90,000 registered users.

(Photo: Babymigo)

Adeloye says:

“There are 10.4 million babies born every year in Nigeria, and every one of those mothers is hungry for the kind of information we provide.”

Earlier this year, the company was one of the inaugural set of African startups to go through the Google’s Africa Launchpad Accelerator program, which afforded a $10,000 grant — just one of the company’s many well-deserved achievements.

In Interviews&profile October 7, 2022 By Women of Rubies

“Why I Left My Banking Job To Be A Mechanic”-Bunmi Solabi

Bunmi Solabi is a Trained Female Mechanic and the CEO of Ladymek Stores. She studied Science Lab Tech( Microbiology option) and Biology at the universities of Ilorin and Lagos respectively. She’s a mother of two who started her career as a Banker and resigned to follow her passion for Cars. She was a Participant at the German-Nigeria Business Forum 2018 and she has been a guest speaker at women conferences across the Nation and beyond. The beautiful Lady Mechanic, Bunmi Solabi shares her story with Esther Ijewere in this exclusive interview

Childhood Influence

My childhood did not prepare me in anyway to be a Female Mechanic. My childhood dream was to be Medical Doctor, But while growing up, I have always loved cars.

Meet Me

I am Bunmi Solabi CEO of Ladymek Stores, a mother of two adorable children, Biologist and a trained Mechanic. I started my career as banker, I resigned after a while and later joined a pharmaceutical company where I worked for over five years to later pursue my passion for cars.

What made me quit my job to become a mechanic…

My inspiration comes first from my passion for cars and also the need to
make an impact and difference in the society. I just wanted to make a difference and pitch my tent in a sector where you hardly find women.

The reception so far

Because it’s a male dominated terrain the reception and reactions from
people especially the men have not been encouraging even some ladies, the attitude is beyond horrendous especially when I was a trainee. But I soldier on because I know I can’t afford that distractions from my dream.

Challenges faced

Right now my major challenge is setting up a standard workshop. I will like Ladymek stores to be in at least Five States in five years time.

Other projects and activities

Apart from being a mechanic, I am also a public speaker especially on women/Girl empowerment. I have been opportune to speak at Women conferences organised by First Ladies, Organizations, and women in Technical Education. I am also an advocate for Girl Child Education.

Greatest reward

The greatest reward so far is being able to impact my knowledge to women, girls and boys who are my trainees.

Ladymek in five years

I see my brand Ladymek Stores in five states in Nigeria. I will like to have a Standard workshop in at least five States across the nation where we can offer Premium Services and train more Youths and unemployed Graduates to be certified Mechanics.

On giving up

First of all, I will like to say I have never regretted quiting my 8-5 job. However, I must say, there are times I have felt like running back to it because of the on and off challenges I face in this profession. What keeps me going is that I always remember why I started this journey in the first place. There are a lot of ladies that I am mentoring in this Profession who I cannot afford to let down.

My inspiration
My Mother inspires me a lot to be a better version of myself everyday. I also get inspiration from circumstances around me everyday.

I am a Woman Of Rubies
I am a Woman of Rubies because I have dared to break limitations place on women in my profession. I have made the society believe that a woman can do more.

Advice for aspiring female mechanics
My advice for aspiring female mechanics are three words: Determination, Patience and Honesty. Sometimes Comfort Makes us complacent your oars and keep rowing. #findyourself

In lifestyle October 6, 2018 By Women of Rubies

OWAMBESATURDAY:9 TIMES ADESUA ETOMI-WELLINGTON DISHED OUT MAJOR ASO EBI GOALS

Happy weekend, WORriors! On this week’s edition of #OwambeSaturday, Nollywood actress, Adesua Etomi Wellington is our muse. It is very important to understand your body figure and know what fits your figure and what doesn’t.

Adesua Etomi is slim and she sure knows how to accentuate her figure and knows the right color that makes her skin glows!!!

Check out 9 times she dished out major Aso Ebi goals.

Women of Rubies