Women of Rubies, Author at Women of Rubies

In Career Gems May 24, 2018 By Women of Rubies

NIGERIAN AUTHOR, CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE SPEAKS AT HARVARD CLASS DAY 2018

In a speech that was the culmination of the school’s annual pre-commencement festivities, Ngozi Adichie juxtaposed the idea of truth to the state of American politics. She drew from her experience growing up in Nigeria during a military dictatorship, and said , “America always felt aspirational — but today the political discourse in America is from the land of the absurd.”

The writer challenged graduates to be “citizen leaders,” seeking out what is right.

“Even if there is no value in the other side, there is value in knowing what the position is,” she said.

“If you are reporting about the sun rising in the east, you don’t need to hear about the other side because there is no other side,” Ngozi Adichie said.

Her message rang true for graduating senior Priscilla Guo, who mentioned Harvard’s Latin motto of “Veritas,” or “truth.”

“Veritas is more than just a motto,” Guo said.

“It was her asking that we acknowledge our ignorances, which struck me. She noted that ignorance acknowledged is opportunity. I walked away from her speech thinking that acknowledging what I do not know can be both powerful and enlightening in my quest for truth and justice.”

Ngozi Adichie’s work has been translated into more than 30 languages. She is known for novels including “Half of a Yellow Sun” and “Americanah,” which explores how a young Nigerian encounters race in America.

“Few writers have captured the challenges of immigrants and others navigating those changes as Adichie,” the university said.

Credit: wtop.com

In Career Gems May 23, 2018 By Women of Rubies

2015 LAW SCHOOL BEST GRADUATE, FATIMA SANNI, GRANTED SCHOLARSHIP BY KOGI STATE GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO

Ms. Fatima Bombom Sani who set a new record at the Nigeria Law School (NLS) after winning nine individual awards at the 2015 Call to Bar and was also the best graduating student, has been granted academic scholarship to the tune of $93,000 by the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

This was made known at the award ceremony at Government House Kogi State over the weekend when the governor received Ms. Fatima Sani, her relatives, alongside Bar. Natasha Akpoti.

In his speech, the governor lamented a situation where academic excellence has not been given the requisite reward in Nigeria.

“The case of Fatima Sani reminds me of how academic excellence has not been adequately rewarded in Nigeria. Imagine someone that bagged nine separate awards including “Best Student of the Year and Council of Education Star Award, and nothing was done for her since 2015.”

Gov Yahaya Bello of Kogi State (Kogi State)

The governor also thanked Barr. Akpoti for taking up the case of Fatima Sani by starting an awareness campaign about her academic feat. “I thank Barr. Natasha Akpoti for this if not we won’t all be gathered here”.

It was Bar. Natasha Akpoti, who sought the intervention of the Kogi State Governor who was not only surprised but disappointed that Fatima was left unsupported while no information was brought to his office concerning her case.

“I heard about your exceptional performance at the Nigerian Law School in 2015 and assumed you were recognized and sponsored by the administration of the day.

“It’s unacceptable that such brilliance is not celebrated and promoted. Nevertheless, now that your genuine self is before me, I shall grant you a personal scholarship to celebrate your exceptionality and help your career-defining goals,” Bello said.

Governor Yahaya Bello stated that after some inquiries and validation of Fatima’s credentials, he in his capacity declared a full scholarship for Fatima to study Masters in Finance Law at the Colombian Law School, in the United States of America.

Gov. Bello thanked Akpoti for her humanitarian efforts in bringing Fatima’s issue to him while urging Fatima to uphold her academic excellence and make Nigeria proud and return home to serve her fatherland.

Barr. Natasha Akpoti in her remark thanked the Governor for his benevolence and penchant for promoting academic excellence.

“We must celebrate heroes like Fatima in other to motivate young people especially girls towards exceptional educational performances,” Akpoti said.

She equally advised Fatima to go for her studies and come back to contribute her quota to the development of Kogi state and Nigeria while being a source of inspiration to others.

It would be recalled that Barr. Natasha Akpoti had on the 27th of April 2018 via her Facebook page, advocated for sponsorship to help Fatima further her academic dreams having emerged as the best graduating student at the 2015 Bar exam where she bagged nine separate awards including “Best Student of the Year and Council of Education Star Award”.

Source: Pulse News

In Career Gems May 23, 2018 By Women of Rubies

BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA SIGN MULTI YEAR DEAL WITH NETFLIX

Former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have officially entered into a multi-year agreement with Netflix to create a variety of films and television programmes.

The two will reportedly produce “a diverse mix of content, including the potential for scripted series, docu-series, documentaries and features” under the imprint of their own production company.

According to Netflix, the Obamas have established Higher Ground Productions as the entity under which they will produce content for the media-streaming giant.

“One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life, and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience,” Barack said.

“That’s why Michelle and I are so excited to partner with Netflix – we hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world.

“Barack and I have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire us, to make us think about the world around us, and to help us open our minds and hearts to others,” Michelle added.

“Netflix’s unparalleled service is a natural fit for the kinds of stories we want to share, and we look forward to starting this exciting new partnership.”

Ted Sarandos, the Chief Content Officer for Netflix, describes the couple as “among the world’s most respected and highly-recognised public figures”.

He said they’re “uniquely positioned to discover and highlight stories of people who make a difference in their communities and strive to change the world for the better”.

“We are incredibly proud they have chosen to make Netflix the home for their formidable storytelling abilities.”

Rumours of the deal surfaced in March by the The New York Times, who floated a few potential ideas.

One saw Mr Obama back at the centre of conversations on topics that dominated his presidency – health care, climate change, immigration and voting rights – and that continue to divide Americans.

At the time, the newspaper insisted the former president did not intend to use the show “to directly respond to President Trump or conservative critics,” but instead to produce “shows that highlight inspirational stories.”

Another possible show could feature Mrs Obama talking about topics like nutrition and healthy eating, issues she championed during her time in the White House.

As the New York Times explains, the Obamas have also long expressed concern over how the flow of information (and, indeed, misinformation) has the power to shape public opinion.

The deal with Netflix gives them a platform to reach 125 million people in 190 countries.

In food and fitness May 23, 2018 By Women of Rubies

DR. EZINNE MERIBE: MOVING YOUR BODY DOES NOT HAVE TO BE HARD, NERVE WRACKING OR EXPENSIVE TO BE EFFECTIVE

I’m not sure how we got here but today when you use the word exercise, a lot of people even males start hyperventilating and the next thing you hear is ‘I don’t have time’. That phrase is basically a defence for covering up the truth about what is going on in their minds and that truth is simply FEAR. (For this reason, I will use movement and body movement for the rest of this post).

Fear that moving your body will be painful.

Fear that moving your body will cause you so much wear and tear that you can’t endure.

Fear that you don’t have the capacity for it.

The truth about moving your body is that TIME is not the problem. Firstly, a good number of us spend at least an hour on social media SITTING DOWN so it is not about time.

Secondly, it does not have to happen in a gym. It can even happen on your bed (wait, don’t get it twisted. There are a lot of lower body exercises and stretches you can do on your bed). So, if time and money are your excuse for not being in the gym; you don’t need a gym, you don’t even need a very large space to move your body.

Thirdly, the trepidation we feel is likely because when we see videos of people working out, most likely they are in the gym lifting heavy weights and screaming ‘GO HARD or GO HOME’ and then they flex their really huge steroid induced biceps so we tremble at the thought of needing several hours of exercise to attain that or the fact that we do not want to be that muscular especially for women. Note: lifting weights for women will not make you muscular and it is actually very beneficial for your bones and muscles to prevent osteoporosis in the long run.

Fourthly, most people consider body movement as a means to weight loss and so if I don’t need to lose weight, I don’t need to move my body. That is a lie you need to get rid of really quick. The way our bodies were created; our organs, immune system, health, mind and the whole body thrives better when we consistently move from place to place. YOU WERE NOT CREATED/DESIGNED TO BE SEDENTARY.

Lastly, it is important to note that a lot of the routines you see were designed for bodybuilders, so if it scares you leave it – you don’t need it. Walk, dance, skip, swim keep it simple. Don’t be too focused on burning calories that you miss out on the joy in movement.

Every time I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror I just go – Girl!!! Why do you bother working out?

Normally I would just giggle and walk away but recently I had answer. This body is the reason I work out. I want to have energy to fulfill my God given mission here on earth for a long time to come. I understand that people say exercise is energy sapping, maybe yes in the first few days but after Day 3, your body adjusts and you start to appreciate all the benefits of moving your body. The best part is when you get up to work out and you feel like you are not up to it, midway in you are so pumped and excited. Why because exercise has been shown to improve serotonin levels which is a mood enhancer, so not only does it make you happier you also have more energy.

It is not about the 3-hour crash workout you do on Saturdays or the 30 minutes make up workout you do whenever you remember. Find creative ways to move your body, not only will you enjoy it, you will have no reason to hate yourself while you are at it.

Moving my body also helps me keep it toned, massages my heart and muscle and keeps bone diseases at bay. Of course, I get to enjoy the vanity of crushing on my reflection *wink*

Find creative opportunities to move your body; some of us want to go buy cereal round the block, we hop in our cars. Did you know people have lost massive amounts of weight by simply clocking 10,000 steps daily?

Except I go to the gym to attend an hour class (some elderly women stay for 3 classes, never tried it cos I’m running off to go do something else), I clock in minimum of 6000 steps daily and if it’s a day I’m bent on hugging my bed real tight I dance for 10 minutes.

It is not once in a while that counts, it is the simple consistent daily action. At some point your body will even desire more than the 10 minutes and ask for more. Some days you will do 10 minutes, some days 30 minutes. An average of 10 minutes a day 4 times a week is good. But I still encourage you to use your legs more often – walk, walk, walk.

Movement can be fun and it does not have to be hard, really long and nerve wracking to be effective. Sadly, we all know the health benefits but still refuse to do it. Did you know that exercise can reduce depression and improve moods? So instead of relying solely on illicit or prescribed drugs to boost your moods, why not try exercise?

Oh, and if you have been struggling with getting a good night’s sleep, it is time to move your body.

Every quarter on my Facebook page I host The Joy in Movement Series. One of the challenges I know women face is having a fitness routine and making time for body movement.

Although most of us know the benefits of body movements, we literally run away from it, so I do this to show you that you can experience the joy in movement. And most importantly, that you can get in all the benefits of body movement in just 10 minutes 3 times a week.

This series was designed to help you solve the problem of time, money and going to the gym or having to GO HARD. Now you don’t have any excuse. Be sure to start today. You can watch the series for this quarter here.

Helpful tips.
1. Do a few squats/moves while on Netflix.
2. Learn to dance like nobody’s watching
3. Commit to an activity you enjoy and start with twice a week in your room
4. YouTube is your best friend

PS: please see hyperlink for the article.

BIO

Dr. Ezinne Meribe is the host of Beyond A Dress Size podcast; a podcast series that creates stimulating conversations to pull down misconceptions on nutrition, weight loss, health and body diversity while empowering women to live life beyond the numbers on the dress label, scale or tape.
She is the Lead Wellness Coach/Founder at Zinnyslifestyle, where she leverages her professional qualifications and personal experience to teach women how to OWN & LOVE their bodies and LIVE in it fabulously; having successfully won the struggle with being overweight and loving her body. A UK certified Wellness Professional with a Bachelors in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), she completed her postgraduate training in Public Health at Kumamoto University, Japan. As a Medical Doctor and Public Health Specialist, she continues to promote preventive medicine as the number one way to combat the severe health system constraints in developing countries.

She runs a refreshing Facebook community of over 14,000 women – Healthy Yummy Mummies; where mums can lean on each other while exploring through what a healthy lifestyle means for them and their families. She understands the influence mums have on the community because when you positively influence one woman’s lifestyle, you influence her children, her husband, her siblings and of course her parents.

You can connect with her on
Instagram @zinnyslifestyle
Facebook @zinnyslifestyle
Read more on Medium @ezinnemeribe
Or send an email to info@zinnyslifestyle.com

In Career Gems May 22, 2018 By Women of Rubies

LAGOS STATE FIRST LADY RAISES ALARM AS CYBER FRAUDSTERS IMPERSONATE HER ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Tuesday distanced herself from the criminal activities of a certain individual posing as her representative to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public.

Ambode, in a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Folashade Kadiri said the unknown individual has been utilising social media platforms to defraud people, alerting Nigerians to be wary of such entreaties from any person.
The statement read, “The attention of Her Excellency, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, wife of the Governor of Lagos State, has been drawn to the criminal activities of a certain individual, masquerading as her representative, for the purpose of extorting money from unsuspecting persons, using the social media platform. Her Excellency wishes to state very emphatically, that she has no links whatsoever with such fraudulent element, neither has she authorized anyone to act on her behalf in questionable circumstances”.
The release further urged members of the public to be vigilant and avoid any dealings with shadowy, self serving and dubious individuals purporting to represent the First Lady, while seeking public support for apprehension of the fraudster(s) by law enforcement agencies for prosecution in accordance with the law

In Career Gems May 22, 2018 By Women of Rubies

100 EDO SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN TRAFFICKED TO LIBYA IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS

This was disclosed in Benin on Sunday during an advocacy programme by the Senior Special Assistant to Gov Godwin Obaseki on Human trafficking and illegal migration, Mr Solomon Okoduwa.

Okoduwa said this fact was disclosed to him by some teachers in the school, concerned about how the institution has become the harvesting ground for traffickers.

Okoduwa said government will not allow the evil to continue to thrive in the state.

Government will step up its campaign against trafficking, he said, and the state Task Force Against Human Trafficking will be on the trail of the human traffickers.

He warned the students to be wary of the antics of the traffickers who are bent on deceiving them into embarking on the dangerous journey.

“Henceforth, report anyone who tells you to travel to Europe. They are simply taking you through Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea and you may eventually end up in Libya.

“The number of students that have been trafficked from your school in this short period is overwhelming.

“The truth is that many of them might have been imprisoned there or facing one challenge or the other.

“Taking the route of Sahara Desert and other illegal routes is hellish.

“Many died of hunger, many were drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in search of greener pastures.

“Worst still, the families of those people that died on their journey were made to pay for the travel expenses, when unknown to them their loved ones have gone to the great beyond.

“If anyone tells you to travel abroad through Libya, tell him or her capital ‘NO’. If you must travel for any reason, travel the right way.”

NAN reports that the state government had received no fewer than 3,400 Libya returnees within the last six months.

Credit: NAN, Pulse News

In self development May 22, 2018 By Women of Rubies

“WOMEN WILL NO LONGER BE CONTROLLED, MANIPULATED OR ABUSED” -JANET JACKSON

Janet Jackson has said she supports all the women around the world who “have made it clear we will no longer be controlled, manipulated or abused”.

Janet who picked up the Icon Award at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, used her acceptance speech to praise those who have come forward and given prominence to the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements.

Before taking to the stage, Bruno Mars introduced her as the “the youngest member of the Jackson family” while the audience was shown a short film outlining her numerous accolades, including being the first black woman to receive the coveted award.

After performing a vibrant medley of three of her best-known songs (“Nasty”, “If ” and “Throb”), Jackson – amid an overwhelming “Janet” chant – then addressed the arena.

“I am deeply humbled and grateful for this award. I feel that for all the challenges, all of our challenges, we live at a glorious moment in history,” she said:

“It’s a moment when at long last women have made it clear that we will no longer be controlled, manipulated or abused.

“I stand with those women and with those men equally outraged who support us in heart and mind – This is also a moment when our public discourse is loud and harsh.”

She ended her speech by thanking God, telling fans that “everything we lack, God has in abundance.”

Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep and Chadwick Boseman recently joined forces with British counterparts Letitia Wright, Michael Sheen and Thandie Newton to pen an open letter to world leaders demanding an urgent push for global gender equality.

The letter warns leaders they are being put “on notice” and asks for a commitment to help every girl get an education. It hits out at the inequality between women and men, particularly in the poorest countries of the world.

Amy Poehler, Amy Schumer, Chelsea Clinton and Ryan Reynolds are also among the 140 signatories – as well as Neil Patrick Harris, Natalie Dormer and Robin Wright.

Jackson is one of the famous Jackson siblings and her older brother, Michael, is widely considered one of the biggest-selling musicians of all time.

Watch Janet Jackson’s acceptance speech on https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbma/8456860/janet-jackson-icon-award-speech-bbmas-2018-watch?utm_source=twitter

Credit: www.billboard.com

In Interviews&profile May 22, 2018 By Women of Rubies

MEET ALETHEA BORMAN, THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL BODYBUILDER TO REPRESENT NAMIBIA AT AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT

Legal adviser and bodybuilder, Alethea Borman succeeded in putting Namibia on the map two years ago by becoming the first professional bodybuilder from the country to win a medal at an international event.

(Photo: Informante)

Borman took part in the just-concluded Arnold Classic Africa in Johannesburg. It was in the 2016 edition of this bodybuilding and fitness contest that she got the chance of becoming the first International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness (IFBB) pro-elite athlete to represent Namibia. She did well with that chance by taking the second place at the competition.

38 years old and making her way to the top in professional bodybuilding, Borman is arguably Namibia’s foremost female bodybuilder. Speaking with The Namibian, she said she was inspired to go into bodybuilding because she wanted to take care of herself – and since taking part in her first bodybuilding event in 1994, she’s been hooked.

While she’s juggling her time between training and attending bodybuilding events around the world, inspiring other women to take their health seriously keeps her going. In her own words:

“I’m a legal adviser, a mother of three children, married for nearly 16 years, but I find time to look after my body. It does take a lot out of you sometimes, but we women need to take care of ourselves too.

I have been dieting since July 2017. I train two times daily from Monday to Friday, and Saturdays only once.”

(Photo: Arnold Classic Africa)

Credit: konbini.com

In Interviews&profile May 21, 2018 By Women of Rubies

PROFILE| MEET PRINCESS FIFI EKANEM EJINDU, ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED ARCHITECTS IN NIGERIA

Fifi Ekanem Ejindu is a Nigerian Architect, businesswoman and philanthropist.

She is featured in the 2018 edition of the Famous African Women Architects published by People Maven.

Fifi, as she is popularly known, is one of the most celebrated Architects and businesswomen in Nigeria.

Educated at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, USA; Pratt Institute School of Architecture, New York, U.S.A; Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, Senior Staff Primary School, University of Ibadan, she is the Chairperson of StarCrest Group of Companies; CEO, Building Support Systems; Executive Director, Delmar Group of Companies, Principal Partner of StarCrest Associates, an Architectural Firm, 1995 till date.

Fifi worked at a private firm, Grant Associates in New York, USA. She is the first black African woman to graduate with a B. Arch from the prestigious Pratt Institute School of Architecture, New York. She holds the title of Her Highness Obonganwan King James. Recipient, African Achievers African Arts and Fashion Lifetime Achievement award, 2013.

Appearing on CNN’s African Voices in 2013, Princess Fifi has been ranked as one of the African female pioneers in the fields of Architecture and Business. She has been inducted into the Global Women Leaders Hall of Fame – African Charter, as one of Africa’s top 20 Women of Influence in 2013.

She has also received a commendation from the American state of Georgia House of Representatives for her achievements and has been awarded African Female Economic Champion 2013, She is also a winner of 2014 African Child Nobel Prize and has been named as one of the 2015 Top Twenty Inspirational Women by the African Diaspora Professional Women In Europe (ADIPWE) 2015.

Princess Fifi describes her style of architecture as Neo-traditional which she defines as “building a new project [with] new materials, but with traditional and old style details and features” and hence most of her projects, as she explains, bring back the Renaissance period.

In self development May 21, 2018 By Women of Rubies

FIVE LIFE LESSONS FROM OPRAH WINFREY ON GETTING OVER FAILURE

Oprah Winfrey is no doubt the undisputable Queen of Media. She went from a 19-year-old news anchor for a Tennessee TV station to a billionaire with her own television channel, even though her former boss once told her that she was too emotional and ‘unfit’ for TV!

However, Oprah widely known as the “Queen of Media” encountered a number of hardships in the process of cultivating her media empire.

Amidst criticism over the Oprah Winfrey Network’s low television ratings following its 2011 debut, Oprah Winfrey told People magazine she had reached her “breaking point.” But Winfrey overhauled the company, took on the CEO role, and went on to help make her network a fixture on cable television. Through it all, she learned some valuable lessons on how to overcome adversity. Check out her quotes below.

On the inevitability of failure:

It doesn’t matter how far you might rise. At some point, you are bound to stumble. If you’re constantly pushing yourself higher and higher, the law of averages predicts that you will at some point fall. And when you do, I want you to remember this: There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to move us in another direction.–Harvard Gazette

On failing more than once:

“Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire.”—Forbes

On coping with hardships:

“Now, when you’re down there in the hole, it looks like failure. When that moment comes, it’s okay to feel bad for a little while. Give yourself time to mourn what you think you may have lost. But then, here’s the key: Learn from every mistake, because every experience, particularly your mistakes, are there to teach you and force you into being more who you are.”–Harvard Gazette

On failure as a blessing in disguise:

“Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a different way to stand.”–evancarmichael.com

On the power of “you”:

“Although there may be tragedy in your life, there’s always a possibility to triumph. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.”–Achievement.org

Credit: inc.com

Women of Rubies