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Women of Rubies

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Chioma Madueke is a graduate of Accounting from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Being the first girl from a family dominated by men, she grew up as a tomboy, according to her; low self-esteem made her despise the gender she was created to be, this also made her take interest in male footwears, a passion she nurtured and developed after her youth service. Being a graduate of accounting didn’t stop her from chasing her dreams of becoming a “Shoemaker”, a vision that makes her feel fulfilled as a person. Today Chioma is CEO of growing Men’s footwear brand MADU. In her words; “He that must move the world, must move it in good shoes” …. Chioma shares her inspiring story with me in this interview.

Growing up

My childhood has a lot to do with my journey into shoemaking. I am the first daughter and the 4th child of my parents. I have 3 elder brothers and a younger brother out of 5 siblings and I grew up in a male dominated environment where female children were outnumbered by the boys and men. My elder brothers were literally the ones who had to take care of me even though my parents are still alive. I grew up always being amongst men and that exposure got me wanting to be a boy too. I felt they were cool to be with and because I sought for acceptance, I got that from them. Soon I started walking and dressing like them. Because I was so carefree, I would always find myself fitting my leg into my brother’s footwears without minding the size lol. I still try to fit my leg into oversized men footwears and I am glad I can now make some for myself when I wish.

Inspiration behind Madu labels

Last year, I started my journey as a shoemaker because I was passionate about humans and all I represent. I represent passion, confidence, class, self-love, innovations, smart and hardwork, living dreams. I thought of a befitting name for my shoe brand, that embodies all I represent, and my final analysis led to the name MADU Labels.

Why MADU?

The word MADU means “Making A Difference in U”…The Word Madu in Igbo means person or Human…..At the heart of my company is HUMANS. So, for every shoe I make, I am making people truly HUMANS. Robots don’t live their dreams, humans do. Robots don’t have confidence in their abilities, but Humans do. I am making you complete in class, confidence, poise, with good shoes.

I am making you love yourselves.  I am making you wear YOUR TRUE SELF. Many people lose their HUMANITY as they go through life, career, and business. What my company is out to do is to help people find and enjoy their true self through shoes. When you wear your shoes, I want you to feel Happy and Complete. I want you to walk with your head up high, I want you to care, and I want you to love. MADU labels CARES! The name MADU is memorable, stickable, short, urban, AFRICAN….

Growing up as a tomboy…

Growing up as a tomboy contributed to my decision to start making men footwears. I remember feeling so bad each time people tried to talk me out of my boyish life style and even after I gave that up and embraced femininity, I still have a soft spot for nice men footwear plus The fact that I have an amazing habit of seeing the men’s feet as their face. I always catch myself staring at their legs before their faces. Men’s fashion always fascinates me. I can remember wanting to study Accounting because I met a banker, whose dressing was on fleek lol.. Don’t ask me the connection between banking and accounting hahaha

Success nugget(s) that keeps me going

One nugget that keeps me going is ‘follow your dreams’. I have always been an ambitious girl, but the walls of low self-esteem trapped me until I walked the path of self-discovery. I discovered that I didn’t need to be the brightest star to sparkle and so, I decided to shamelessly own my dreams and walk through to the spotlight. If I can dream it, I believe I can achieve it and of course, none of that made sense to anyone who heard that I was an excellent student of accounting but found my path in shoemaking… It didn’t make sense that I rejected 2 job offers to follow through my dream… It didn’t make sense that I left home to Lagos, where I met strangers who took me in as family… It still doesn’t make sense to a lot of people and sometimes to me, but I will keep moving

Who and what inspires me

Who and what inspires me is a tough question to answer. I might be weird to say that everybody and everything inspires me. I believe everyone has an untold story and those stories that are better left in the dark leaves wondering where they find strength to wake everyday to face life either timidly or boldly. Everyone on this journey of life inspires me My undying love for teenagers inspire me everyday of my life even when I want to give up and I inspire me…. Abnormal?  Lol. I look at how far I have come, and I know that I didn’t come this far to give up. The journey so far with it entails inspires me

Greatest reward

The greatest reward so far was an emergence award from the world Changers’ forum. I anticipate more great reward in the nearest future and till them, I will keep grinding

Challenges

I face daily challenges like most startups especially funding. Building a business from the scratch with little or nothing to start with is energy draining and mentally stressful, but you know what?  I am positive about the outcome. I will keep building and hope for destiny helpers because I am sure they will come by

My perception about women in the footwear industry…

My perception about women in the footwear industry is positive all the way. The uniqueness of this is my gender… People tend to see it as a limiting factor, but I choose to see it as my strongest string. Women need to take off the limiting thoughts off their minds and follow through if footwear making is their passion. Though the gender can also be a limiting factor because most people tend to trust the male shoemakers more for obvious reasons but then, a trial always convinces them but how many people do you tend to convince. I just choose to be positive.

On giving up…

Every single time hahahahaha. The question should be how many times have you felt like giving up? Lol. If I say that I don’t feel like giving up any time, I must be an award-winning liar.  Seriously, I feel like giving up more than I feel like holding on. I know that there is no startup entrepreneur who never thought of giving up and of course, I can’t be an exemption. It’s part of the journey and I intend learning from it. If I started to give up, I wouldn’t have bothered starting at all. Does that make sense? Yes, it does.

I am a Woman of Rubies

Women of rubies live to inspire. Every step of my walk in this path of life i deliberate because life is beyond just me. I am all in for helping other women grow… I see no competition. All I see is nation builders. Together we make the world a better place… Collaboration!

Words of advice to aspiring female footwear makers

Dear woman, I noticed that you have suddenly started seeing shoemaking as an attractive craft and I won’t try to discourage you. I will only tell you this “don’t do it because it’s attractive but do it because you are passionate about it because the truth is that there will be times when attraction without passion can’t pull you through. You need unwavering passion to walk this path”… Find you and do you!

Thank you for having me!

While Meghan Markle is busy learning all about the royal family and the etiquette required to fit in as one of them, royal staff are also doing a bit of their own learning.

The royal staff, while preparing for Meghan’s upcoming star-studded wedding to England’s Prince Harry, have been ordered to watch Meghan’s TV show Suits so that they can identify her guests, WENN.com reports.

Historian Hugo Vickers, who is Captain of the chapel’s Lay Stewards, says he ordered his staff to watch the show, in which Meghan plays paralegal Rachel Zane.

“I’ve told the Stewards to get Netflix and watch ‘Suits’, so they know who everyone is at the wedding,” he allegedly told London’s Daily Mail newspaper.

Prince Harry, 33, and the 36-year-old American actress are set to wed in Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel in May next year. Meghan announced she was leaving the legal drama series to focus on her royal duties. Series creator Aaron Korsh has admitted he began writing Meghan out of the show as soon as he knew she had fallen for the Prince.

 

source: LIB

It’s been three months since Raymond, son of veteran actress Eucharia Anunobi passed on from complications from sickle cell. Eucharia took to her Instagram page to share a photo of her praying on her late son’s corpse, and also write an emotional message and tribute to the memory of her late child, as she completes the three months of mourning him according to tradition.

See her full post below:

“22nd August 2017 was the day God’s precious child and son, the amazing blessing God blessed me with , that made me to be a mother , travelled out of this earth . 5th September 2017 was the day his fleshly remains was committed to mother earth. 5th December 2017 was the day it cumulated three months of my mourning him, for the purposes of observing rites of culture / tradition. Raymond Joshua Chimaobi Chimnonso Ekwu , your mummy is absolutely distraught without you still . Our home is so silent now without you . Every time I still peep into your room to see if you’re there.When I drive back home , I long to see your smiling face radiating that joy of seeing me back . Cooking has lost it’s joy , because you’re not there to ask all those questions : mummy what are you cooking now ? What’s that ? Why do you put that ? Mummy please can I stir the contents of what you’re cooking? Can I get a piece of meat? No more will I hear you say: mummy my sleep mode is not activated yet , when I sa : Chimnonso go to sleep right now ! No one to ask me: mummy how come am getting pimples on my face and you don’t have? And I have to answer: Joshua , you’re in your puberty years and becoming a young man ? Aaaaah my son , my baby , the most considerate child , my six feet four inches ( 6ft , 4 inches tall ) adorable giant , I miss you oooooooo . Be that as it may , I want to use this medium to wholeheartedly appreciate God , the eternal rock of ages , the all-knowing emperor of the universe , the pillar of my life , for it all . THE GREAT I AM THAT I AM , I THANK YOU , I BLESS YOU , I HONOUR YOU , I GLORIFY YOU LORD – 1 Thessalonians 5 : 18 .” 

Nigerian actress,  Osas Ajibade, has been named as the new face of beauty brand Virgin Beauty.

The brand is known for manufacturing popular cosmetics products like Virgin Hair fertilizer and other hair care products under its trademark.

In line with their restructuring after a brief hiatus from advertising, the brand taps the pretty screen Diva to front it’s cosmetic products as they work on promoting them with full force.

 

Congratulations, Osas!

 

source: fabwoman.ng

Actor, Ik Ogbonna’s wife, Sonia, has admonished ladies who are so desperate to find a husband in a new IG post

She wrote:

“The biggest mistake a woman can do is dedicating her entire existence into “finding a husband”. My sister,if your every outing is about desperate “husband hunting” – you need to stop. Redirect ALL THAT energy into working on yourself instead,challenge your capacities,extend your ambitions,work on achieving your goals – invest into becoming the best possible version of yourself ,into becoming a FULFILLED woman who is proud of herself. In love with herself. Find yourself first. And then HE will find YOU.. As A QUEEN 👸🏽that you are! I promise you. It’s on him to recognize his own rib that is missing after all,😘 #soniaOgbonna”

Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga, who make up the iconic Nigerian bobsled team were guests on the popular Ellen Degeneres show.

The trio placed qualified Nigeria for its first ever appearance at the Winter Olympics and they have since become an inspiration to women all over.

Speaking with the host of the show Ellen Degeneres, Adigun the pilot of the team said,

“In Nigeria right now, everybody is going absolutely nuts. You know the crazy thing about it is most people don’t really understand what bobsled is like, Adigun said.

“They just know that the flag is raising high and they are excited. To be honest, that we are still learning how to do bobsled.”

While Nigerians and foreigners have been cheering them on, these women will remain a point of reference for years to come.

 

https://youtu.be/rrDvXLvUJlE

 

 

credit: fabwoman.ng, youtube

Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva has revealed to great shock that she was an adopted child of the Silva Family.

According to the screen goddess, she was adopted decades ago from a foster home run by the Red Cross in Lagos.

This information came to light at the recent Annual Conference of Heritage Adoption Support and Advocacy Group (HASAAG) in Lagos when the  Joke Silva shocked many when she revealed that she was not a natural child of late lawyer, Chief E.A Silva who was the then Babajiro of Lagos and his late wife, Dr Abimbola Silva, reputed to be Nigeria’s first female medical doctor. .

Speaking at the event, the actress revealed that her family also kept the fact that she was adopted a secret from her, until she accidentally discovered that fact.

Here are some excerpts from what she said:

On fond memories she has of her parents

Everybody would be calling me whenever my adopted mum (Dr. Silva) came with cakes and a lot of things during her visit. I went to YWCA Nursery, which was not too far from the Silva’s home in Yaba. I also have memories of moving in with them when they moved to Glover Road in Ikoyi.

I remember reading newspapers to my Dad in our sitting room and pronouncing Brig-General Aguyi Ironsi, the then Nigeria Head Of State, Agolo Iresi! My father could not stop laughing at my hilarious interpretation of the newspaper.

On making her parents proud

Also I remember making them proud, when performing at St. Saviour School. My parents would be standing and were congratulated by other parent too for my acting skills. My parents were so excited that this child was incredibly talented.

I have memories of going to Holy Child College Lagos because my parents insisted on me going to Holy Child because that is where Julie Coker, Pearce Olusola and Ibidun Allison went and they believed with all my performing talent skills, that is the kind of school I should go to too.

On hearing that she was not a biological child of the Silva’s

I remembered going out with my cousin and we met a big cousin She introduced me as ‘my cousin’s daughter and this is Dr Silva’s daughter.’ Then, the older cousin was like, ‘Dr. Silva ke? Se Doctor Silva bimo ni? (meaning does Dr. Silva have a child?) . Did Dr Silva ever have a child?’

I was so confused and when I got home I told my mum, ‘I met this lady that says you never had a child.’ My mum froze and she said, ‘don’t mind them, they are used to rubbish talk.’

How she found out she was adopted

But I got to know years later when I wanted to travel and was looking for my passport where my mum kept it. Since she was not around, I opened the box in her absence and I saw my adoption papers. I never discussed it with my mum because I felt it was something that would hurt her, that was why, it was kept secret from me.

On them leaving a good will

Even in their wills, I was well protected. My Daddy being a lawyer said in his will that all his children, both adopted and biological, should be treated equally. I was not stressed in anyway. We were all well taken care of till my mum died at the age of 89. At 56, I still miss her but I know she has definitely gone back to her father.

Last moments with her mother

On her sick bed I always sang her favourite tunes, she would be imputing the melodious tunes and she died singing to her Lord. She had prepared her family before my coming into her life because I had an incredible big Silva family.

On her role in her family

I have a very big family I am the first daughter, I carried the responsibility of a first daughter. Everybody in my family cannot take any decision until sister Joke has come. I can’t call my parents adopted parents. They are my parents.”

 

 

Culled from fabwoman.ng

Even though Today’s Woman (how ironic) declared that it was impossible, La Femme Foundation is presenting The Slut Walk Lagos with the aim of bringing attention to rape culture, providing a safe space to educate, and empowering women.

It’s 2017 and women are not standing for any oppression or misogyny anymore and rightfully so!

Due to the stigma surrounding domestic and sexual violence in Nigeria, there is a very rigid culture of silence on the matter, which makes it difficult to collate and establish exact statistics and also sort of encourages perpetuators. There is also not a lot of research on this significant public health issue, arguably due to fear and resistance from the victim which is mainly because of victim blaming.

The Slut Walk (Strong Ladies United Lagos) aims to fight the epidemic of violence against women by creating a discourse amongst the youth to take a provocative stance. Through this protest, they aim to encourage those who have been affected or relate to the cause to speak up and enlighten others. The current climate within our culture is enabling, and until we unlearn the problematic stance, violence and misogyny will persist.

The Slut Walk will be held on December 17, from 9am with the meeting point at the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge roundabout. If you’re interested, make sure to attend in black clothes with a gele tied to show solidarity. Join them in creating a new era of humanism in our very own country – it is literally our duty to society!

See you then!

 

culled from konbini.com

Why do you beg him to stay with you?

Why do you beg him to stay with you?

You let this arrogant man feel like a king

Why do you not feel complete without someone?

When it is so clear he does not deserve you

You loved him since you were 18 you said

Gave in to his every whims

Tried to make him feel like a man

But still he felt incomplete

 

But you see the problem was never with you

Instead the problem was with him

A fragile shell of a man

Never allowed to think on his own, never held accountable for his actions

With a mother who babied him and a father who let her

Such a man never had a chance

 

He could never compete with a glorious woman such as yourself

Who has always known what she wanted and fought for it

The sad thing is that passion is what he fell in love with

As he was severely lacking in it himself

But he soon found that he could not compete with it

With every success of yours he saw several of his failures

So darling do not ever beg such a man

Let him go

You can cry and mourn the love you wasted

But don’t retreat for too long

Because the strength and passion that brought you so much success

Is what will transform you like a phoenix

To a better version of yourself

Who will never need to beg a man like him again

 

 

 

Chidinma is a final year law student at the University of Sheffield. Check out more of her work at chidinmachukwuma.wordpress.com