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HOW WOMEN CAN HELP EACH OTHER SUCCEED

Someday, women will be paid the same as men for doing the same job. That day, judging from recent news, may not come any time soon.

Some of it, if not much of it, is the fault of employers. But is there any fault on the part of women?

An article from The Atlantic suggests that some women, particularly of older generations, may have inadvertently fed certain stereotypes about women in their quest to work in a man’s world. The story examined two women worker archetypes: the ideal and moral “Righteous Woman” and the catty and divisive “queen bee.”

The righteous Woman is an ideal based on the idea that since all women face sexism, they should be willing to fight for and form alliances with other women. However, the queen bee is based on the idea that women “just can’t get along” and comes from the thought that there is just something about a woman that will cause her to sabotage other women for her own gain, according to The Atlantic.

The two depictions, seemingly at odds, have in common that they perpetuate the double standard that conflict in the workplace and out between men is normal but between women is not, according to The Atlantic. This, despite studies that show men engage in female-associated, passive-aggressive behavior such as gossip and exclusion about as much or even more than women.

Other research suggests that queen bee identities emerge when a woman, who previously thought her gender was irrelevant to pay or performance, experiences gender bias and sees that coworkers view her as a woman instead of a person, The Atlantic stated. So to set herself apart, this woman adopts more masculine speech about herself, putting down other women in the process.

The Atlantic noted that a woman strongly identifying as a woman increased the likelihood of helping other women, as opposed to distancing herself from her gender.

Judith Williams, the global head of diversity at the file-sharing website Dropbox, told Black Enterprise that women should think about getting sponsors and mentors, which are people who will speak up for them when they’re not present and who will vouch that they have the capabilities to get a job done.

She also said that while there may be some basis in catty stereotypes of women, she suspects a lot of it is just based in perception.

Arianna Huffington, editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post, also gave some of her thoughts on how women in the workplace can be there for each other in a Huffington Post blog.

She said it’s important that female coworkers be there for each other, “not just during the big moments of obvious success or failure, but in all the small ways in which the workplace culture isn’t there for them.”

Huffington also tied the full integration of women in the workplace to the redefinement of what success means, getting away from money and power as markers, which indirectly if not actively advocates burnout and instead promote wellness of body and mind.

“You shouldn’t have to lose yourself to advance yourself,” said Huffington.

 

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#PROFILE |MEET OLUTOSIN ADEBOWALE, THE WOMAN  TURNING TRASH INTO TREASURE & EMPOWERING WOMEN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

Olutosin founded Star of Hope Transformation Centre after her training as one of the Voices of our Future Correspondents on World Pulse in 2009 .

With such an empowerment opportunity on Worldpulse , she knew that there is no going back in sacrificing whatever it takes to liberate women and children from the shackles of oppression, irrespective of race, creed, tongue or geographical area, as long as we are human beings.

Beaten by her husband some weeks after a rigorous childbirth, coupled with the different kinds of violence she had seen her mother suffered before she died, Olutosin Adebowale made up her mind not to allow a repeat, Hence the reason she founded Star of hope transformation centre.

Transformation Centre works in four thematic areas, which are: Child Sexual Abuse, prevention, response and treatment, Gender Based Violence, Empowerment on Street Skills and the Centre operates both online and offline resources which provides valuable materials on the highlighted subjects. With ample experience on NGO Management, the Center explores the avenue to sustain its activities.

Olutosin believes in equality of women and men also that every adult in the community is responsible for the protection of children, therefore everyone must be empowered on prevention of violence, in all forms. She loves to protect women and children, speaking out against social injustice, corruption and prevention of sexual while at the same time repairing lives that are at the verge of destruction by sexual violence and poverty.

Educationally, she studied English Language at the University of Lagos (1997) Masters in English Language (2001), after which she did Diploma in Computer. The struggle Violence against women led her to End Violence Against Women.org, where she was trained.

She has written four manuscripts on sexual violence, widowhood and infidelity. Waiting for the Publication of her first book. The first book is a collection of poems addressing issues concerning women and human rights.She loves producing tie and dye in its different styles and shades, designing and sewing clothes, teaching poor women how to tie and dye and sew beautiful female and male clothes and to top it all, she designs and sews cooking bags!!!!

She is blessed with two lovely daughters; Angel and Divine and 100 other children at the riverside in Ibasa, Lagos Nigeria.

In her words :

“I want to start a PLACE FOR CREATION where women and girls can explore their creativity and become the best they want to be in life”.

 

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NIGERIA HAS MORE WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR – BBC REPORT

 

A recent documentary by BBC shows the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian women.  BBC spoke to two women – Ayo Megbope and Aminat Salau – who sell moi moi, a meal made from beans, to make a living.

“Forty percent of Nigerian women are entrepreneurs, that is higher than anywhere else in the world,” BBC said.

Ayo started by selling moi moi, but now has a restaurant and a catering service.

“I started my business about nine years ago with a seed capital of $3. Nine years after, we are turning over about $250,000 annually. My access to education and information has helped me a great deal. Family and friends have also been good to me. There have been times that I got stuck and I needed to raise capital and I ran to family and friends because the traditional financial institutions would not listen to me,” Ayo said.

According to Aminat: “Sales are good, on some days we sell 60 or 80 wraps in the morning. When we have more time or more people passing by, we sell till late in the evening.”

According to BBC: “Female entrepreneurs in Nigeria often struggle to secure investment, banks normally require collateral, like property, which women often do not have. Without access to capital, it will be difficult for Aminat to grow her business.”

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I HAVE NOT BEEN TEMPTED TO BE SUICIDAL, I HAVE ONLY BEEN TEMPTED TO GIVE UP’ – ADENIKE OYETUNDE -FOUNDER, AMPUTEES UNITED INITIATIVE

At the age of 20, Adenike had one of her limbs amputated as a result of cancer , but the survivor continues to live her life like it’s golden,inspiring people daily through her story and touching lives, . The founder of “Amputees United Intiative” plans to provide support to amputees and create awareness through her organisation. Adenike shares her inspiring story with us and also reveals how she survived the dark phase in her life and her plans for her organisation.

The beginning

February 4 2006, started me on the life changing journey I have embarked on, these few years. It’s been a roller coaster ride, with its ups and downs. A journey very less traveled, and so, the outcomes are highly uncertain, as with similar trips. A journey where the destination remains unclear, can only be traveled with God. It’s has made me get close to him, been lukewarm, getting back to knowing him; and realizing undoubtedly, the only thing else that makes sense, would be to be on His team. It’s crazy, especially in a society like ours. We don’t even know how many persons living with disabilities we have, and I suggest wonder why some folks are surprised we can’t care for them. We don’t even know the forms of disabilities, how do we care for them? I didn’t have anything handed down to me, so far on this journey. I have had to kneel before God especially for the biggest things men once thought were obviously impossible to get. I have had to wonder if it may have been a little different, only if I didn’t have to lose the use of my right natural limb.

People somehow just expect you to be high and fly, almost at every point in time; and when you’re not, they know it’s most definitely because one has a special need. It’s been a crazy journey, but an evidently worthwhile one.

Losing her limbs

Nothing ever prepares you for a life of limb loss. I was hardly ever prepared, or so it seemed. In hindsight sometimes, I think I was prepared, but had no idea, it was a training process. I can be so annoying. I hang up the phone so easily, and I have been working on that. I am a trustworthy person, if I do say so myself. Can be very loquacious, but I definitely, know the limits.

My driving force

The reasons I am alive drives me. My visions, purpose of course are embedded in these reasons and it’s systematic and progressive unveiling will only happen through God

State of mind when I was told my leg would be amputated

Amazingly, I wasn’t destabilized this was because from the date of my diagnosis, till the eventual amputation, I knew time was running out, and I had no choice, save to amputate my limb. I was way mentally prepared for the procedure, but of course, not the new realities I was to face. I needed to jump start’ my life, and I knew the amputation was the first step. I needed to go face it.

Passion for broadcasting

Truthfully, I looked for a job as a lawyer, but wasn’t successful, because I hadn’t been pushy about it.Then came the season to re-discover myself, and broadcasting was where my passion also lied. Of course, my dad’s influence wouldn’t be undermined, as I remember growing up around news studios, and on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria ground. My dad retired from the FRCN, as a manager News and Current Affairs.

Greatest influence on my life

Sometimes when I mention Jesus as my greatest life influence it just gets me emotional. Another person who has continued to impact me is a dear friend, Udy. Udy Ntia is my pastor, mentor and most importantly friend. He has been able to help me to rediscover who I am and my journey of purpose.

Tempted to quit

I have not been tempted to be suicidal .I have only been tempted to give up. A number of times, I get so frustrated at the turn out of events in life, and I begin to ask myself if the story may have changed, only if I had both natural limbs. I hardly ever stay in this sort of mood for so long, so I get back and keep moving.

 

Greatest Reward

My greatest reward has been the joy that fills my heart when people unbeknownst to me, have gotten inspired by my story and become more appreciative of their own situation.

Greatest Reward

My greatest reward has been the joy that fills my heart when people unbeknownst to me, have gotten inspired by my story and become more appreciative of their own situation.

Compassion and empathy are not the same

Nigerians are compassionate towards amputees. Unfortunately, compassion and empathy are two very distinct, yet closely related terms. It’s fine to show compassion, but there’s a very thin line, and that’s where I usually have an issue. We are amputates, we understand you simply are concerned about our wellbeing, but we need you to let us ‘fall and stand again. One would have thought the compassion would have translated to so much, as better care for we amputees, or persons living with disabilities, but that’s not the case. Those in the position to effect the changes we need, to live a better quality of life, do not do so.

Inspiration behind Amputees United

It was born out of my passion for fellow Amputees, I look back at my journey in 11years and sincerely I wouldn’t want them to go on this mental journey alone. I will love to help them wage through the storm, because honestly, I went through this, that I may help them on their journey.

Message to other Amputees

We at the AMPUTEES UNITED INITIATIVE would love that you allow us hold hands together. Let’s hold hands till you come to terms with your new reality. Let’s hold hands, so you don’t have to suffer depression. Let’s hold hands to inspire one another. Let’s hold hands, so they know we can, despite our journeys.

Advice to women living with disabilities

Get up, yes you can. Please get up, move on. You can, and will do it. Your hair will grow again, your love life will re-ignite, your finance will stabilize, and your health will be restored.

Final words

The notion of the Nigerian woman we once had, has evolved. She has grown in leaps and bounds. She has learnt to handle her home, career and God, very well.So, everyone must discover, and as quickly as she can, who she is, what she stands for, what she’s here for, and get to work.

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NKEM NDEM: VALENTINE’S DAY IS NOT A DO-OR-DIE MATTER

I am going to be completely honest: I am a huge romantic. I love love…and as such, I certainly adore the idea of a specific day being set aside to celebrate love. Unfortunately, though, I haven’t had much luck with Valentine’s Day!

My earliest memory of the holiday is of my bubble literally bursting after a package I found in my schoolbag (and had been so excited about) revealed a rusty GL neck-chain which my secret crush -who sadly, wasn’t the guy I fancied at the time- had obtained from his grandmother’s box of rejected jewelries and placed in a card designed with the picture of a half-eaten apple and a mouth that said “You are so delicious”.

Even worse was Valentine’s Day 2008, My 3rd year at Covenant University, when a porter at Deborah Hall, one of school hostels, seized the bag of provisions my mother had sent to me through a family friend, Obinna, with claims that Valentine gifts were not allowed from males at the female hostels. The thought of that day still brings tears to my eyes. It was the worst experience ever. Not only did I have to deal with the pain of realizing that I would have to survive the next 4 weeks without Milk, Milo, Rice krispies, Titus Sardines and other school-life necessities, I also had to sit through hours of watching other girls gush over the Val gifts their boyfriends managed to smuggle into the hall and silently wonder when “amoshine”.

Over the years, I have come to realize that contrary to what romantic comedies had me believing since I was about 6, Valentine’s Day actually isn’t all that great. In reality, it is more like a number of the fancy clubs on Lagos Island- the idea of the club is way better than the actual club in itself. The music is so loud you are in a constant state of stress; the people suck; you spend so much money but never have any fun really; yet, you keep coming back, telling yourself that will it get better.

Let’s face it, Nigerians are submerged in the cultural hypnosis that nudges them to associate true love and commitment with Valentine’s Day. I consider this a form of “conditioning” as the Valentine’s Day of today so obviously has nothing to do with real love. It is now a highly commercialized day of forced love with the main beneficiaries being brands that get to sell you anything from red flowers and chocolates to exorbitant destination getaways. Even worse, having a date on this day, also, has become a status symbol more than anything else, and for some God-knows-why reason, being able to celebrate Valentine’s Day means that you are somehow better or more successful than your single friends.

Quite honestly, the level of pressure this holiday brings is worse than that of a shaken bottle of Coke. The singles who dream of being coupled up, face the pressure of finding a date at all costs; those who are dating feel the pressure to find the ultimate gift or pull off the most original and meaningful romantic gesture ever; and Nigerian girls who like to show off their Val gifts certainly do not want to be at the bottom of the totem pole, so, they weary their men and literally everyone else with their demands. In fact, even the men -especially the stingy and weak ones- who do not want to deal with all the pressure, say and do all they can to get away with not celebrating it. You find them making such silly statements as “every day is Valentine’s day”, “Can’t you see it’s quarter to Buhari O’clock?”, or “Love should be spontaneous and not contrived, Valentine’s day defeats that purpose”. Some even go as far as breaking up with their girlfriends days before February 14th.

The truth is, Valentine’s Day celebrations is not a do-or-die affair. The choice to go ahead with the celebration is up to you and if you decide you don’t want it or that the day is not for you, no one will kill you (hopefully). Of course, the sentiment behind the day is probably worth celebrating but…whether you choose to abstain from the celebrations, or whether you go along with the commercialized way we presently celebrate the holiday, note that your grand gestures will not be able to replace emotional intimacy if the security of your bond is already in question. Also, for those who are single and filled with resentment for people with partner to celebrate the holiday with…please, stop it. Stop jealous. The day is not just for those who have partners, and as such, you are not required to have a “bae” to enjoy it. Make the most of the day. And if not for anything, take full advantage of this day because it is a day in your life.

I am hoping this February 14th will be pleasant for everyone really. Surely, every Nigerian can use a bit of love at this time as we keep standing together #IstandwithNigeria

Happy Valentine’s Day!

xx

 

Source: Bellanaija
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ETHIOPIA’S GENZEBE DIBABA BREAKS WOMEN’S 2000M RECORD

Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba ran the fastest ever women’s 2000 metres at the indoor Miting Internacional de Catalunya meeting in Sabadell, Spain on Tuesday.

Her time of five minutes 23.75 seconds sliced almost seven seconds off the previous indoor world record of 5:30.53 set by Romania’s Gabriela Szabo in 1998.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), athletics’ world governing body, said although the 2000m is not an official indoor world record event, Dibaba’s performance was “an outright world record’’.

It said it was faster than the outdoor mark of 5:25.36 set by Ireland’s Sonia O’Sullivan.

The 25-year-old Dibaba, a three-time world indoor champion, now owns the fastest recorded times indoors.

These are for the 1500m, mile, 2000m, 3000m, two miles and 5000m, as well as the outdoor 1500m world record.

 

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“INSPIRING CHANGE INITIATIVE WANTS TO IMPACT YOUNG GIRLS POSITIVELY”- SUNMBO ADEOYE

Sunmbo Ajaba- Adeoye is a multi-passionate Entrepreneur, a Goldman Sachs scholar and an Alumna of Lagos business School. She is a multiple award winner with impeccable result in the events planning industry. She is the CEO at Esobevents and the founder, Esob Academy, where she trains budding event managers, the events planning and styling business. She talks about her “Inspiring Change Initiative” and  plan for the forthcoming edition in this interview with Mercy Makinde

Inspiring change initiative

The Inspiring change initiative is a vision born out of my ceaseless desires to support entrepreneurial ideas, through mentorship, Advisory services, Free Trainings, and capacity building.

This initiative was established in 2013 as a platform where women can interact, learn, grow and those striving to take the lead in their respective businesses and career can be well informed and empowered.

Throughout the year, we offer a variety of free programmes that enhances knowledge; impact lives and ensures the girl child is educated deliberately.

‎What was your vision as a young woman and how did you to get to where you are today?

As a young lady, with close to a decade of active service in the banking industry, my dream was to further become a successful business owner. In 2011 I resigned from banking and applied for scholarship at Lagos Business School, under the Goldman Sachs 10,000 women initiative. I was awarded the scholarship and graduated with a certificate in entrepreneurial management.

This experience did not only change my life, but it also improved how I do and structure my business. Having benefitted from such a huge opportunity, I purposed in my heart to pay it forward and that’s how I got to where I am today.

Read Also : Meet Dedun Oluwa, the 24 year old Doctor who owns for bsinesses

 

Inspiration behind the initiative

Over the centuries, It’s been observed that only a very few women ruled the entrepreneurial frontier. And history hasn’t been fair enough to celebrate the ones who have stood out with impeccable results in their male dominated industries, especially the pioneers. Haven’t realized this, the initiative not only celebrates this women but also brings the knowledge of their achievement to others who are most definitely going to be inspired by their success stories. We’ seek to fill the gap between the leading female entrepreneurs, and the common woman who sees them as mentors but from afar. This we achieve with the annual conference that allows attendees the privilege of meeting these great inspirations in person, listen to them share from their vast knowledge and ask questions based on the areas of their expertise, all for Free.

Empowering and the Girl Child

Yes, apart from the Inspiring change annual conference that seeks to inspire women, we also offer several outstanding programs, to further intensify our impact. Programs such as:

Mentor Meets Mentee: A Bi-Annual mentorship programme that was introduced in September 2015, with the aim of educating undergraduate’s about entrepreneurship and its many stages and intricacies. We have since, reached out to students in polytechnics, college of educations and university of Lagos, in January and September 2016 respectively.

GCE & JAMB SCHEME: A program that pays for the procurement of forms and tuition for young school leavers, to encourage their pursuit towards achieving their dreams of becoming successful female graduates.

Inspire Me Deliberately: A movement that offers series of free trainings by experts in various fields and sectors, teaching entrepreneurship and donating free educative items to pupils at various public schools in Agege and her environs.

Feedback from the first year

During our first year, the turnout was remarkable. It was as if, many had been longing for such a program as this, where women can interact, learn and grow. The goal was surpassed and the impact of the conference, either via our free seminars or active online engagements, cannot be overemphasized.

The aim for this year’s Theme : “RETHINK”

It’s been observed that many people do not understand the concept of entrepreneurship, the risks involved and the hurdles they will cross to achieve outstanding success. Many believe it’s in just starting something for the sake of making a living, and they venture into it without adequate preparations against the challenges that may occur along the journey. The aim of this year’s conference is to balance the knowledge of entrepreneurship and inform attendees about how to generate ideas, recognize opportunities, and understands the need to manage the business of their talents; ideas and innovations for investors buy in and to ensure it is sustained beyond a livelihood.

Choice of your guest’s speaker/panelist?

Every year, the initiative invites female guest speakers and panelists, all of whom have bridged gender gap in their respective fields, dominated by male counterpart. These women are leading female entrepreneurs with proven track records of impeccable achievements in their various fields. We’ve had in conference, women like Pastor Nomthi Odukoya, Ibukun Awosika, Kemi Adetiba, Toke Makinwa, to mention a few. This year, we have invited Mrs Jumoke Adenowo, a multiple award-winning architect with over 3 decades of experience in the field of architecture; she’s also the pioneer recipient of the New African Woman, Business Woman of the year 2016 award.

What’s your projection for the future of the initiative?

We are looking at setting up an entrepreneurial centre in Lagos Nigeria. That will cater to the increasing need of globalized education in information and communication technology. A go to place for programs that will inform students about how to manage their talents/idea/innovation and pitch it for exportation /investors. Many budding entrepreneurs face the problem of Market Entry, infrastructure and finance; we hope to build an institution that will fill that gap.

Limited to Women in Lagos?

No it’s not limited to only the women in Lagos. Several female entrepreneurs, irrespective of their religion, state of origin or location has benefitted from the free empowerment packages, which comes in form of Cash, work Tools, Free Trainings and Mentorship. We’ve had beneficiaries from outside of Lagos, like the fish seller from Kaduna, who was flown in to Lagos last year alongside her “corper” son and given some funds to acquire a deep freezer and scaling machine to further enhance her business, and several other women from other states including Lagos. Apart from these donations, we believe the knowledge impacted and continuous mentorship benefits received by beneficiaries of the grants, is much more valuable and it keeps them on track and ahead always.

Partnering with Government Agencies

Yes. We are also looking at partnering with the Lagos state chamber of commerce as well as other state agencies, to further increase our impact and achieve our future goal.

Funding

The initiative has solely been funded from my personal savings, and of course funds from my ever-supportive Family and friends.

Nigerian economy & Entrepreneurship

The Nigerian economy as we grew to know has depended so long on Oil, and recently Agriculture. The increasing need to diversify from its dependency on oil has now caused the government to support entrepreneurship with initiatives such as “YouWIN” Youth enterprise with innovation in Nigeria that encourages and supports aspiring entrepreneurial youths in Nigeria to develop and executive business idea. I am also aware that Lagos state through the Lagos state employment trust fund is also trying her best to encourage indigenous businesses.

 

Challenges

The toughest part of this service is convincing some people that there’s no political agenda backing the initiative. For example, some top leaders of public schools, with this opinion about social initiatives, deprive their pupils the privilege of some of our educative materials within rural communities in Lagos. We are often subjected to writing several letters and moving from one desk to another for approval. This process sometimes takes forever and it can be frustrating, but we remain committed till it gets to the hand of the intended beneficiaries.

What will you say is your biggest achievement so far?

We haven’t yet attained where we long to be but I’m most grateful to God almighty, for where we are, the several lives that has been transformed. The many businesses that the inspiring change initiative has given hope to, and the common woman on the street that now believes she can be anything she wants to be against all odds.

Women that inspire me

First on the list would be my ever-industrious Mother, who at 78 is still very active in the trading business. She taught us by example, at a very tender age, the need to be independent and always have something doing even as a girl child. The truth we later grew to discover is the way forward in life. My Mentor, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya, an educationist and life coach. Her wisdom, mentorship and shared influence, has helped me a great deal. Other women who inspire me include The former first lady of the united states of America, Michelle Obama, Chimamanda Adichie, Oprah Winfrey, and most recently Hilary Clinton, who broke the glass ceiling by winning the democratic presidential candidate slot and running relentlessly against Donald Trump, who eventually became the 45th President of the united state. This shows that there’s great hope for more female leaders to emerge and take their place in destiny.

Source: Guardian

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TOYIN LAWANI EMPOWERS TWO DEAF SISTERS

 

Toyin Lawani is  a serial entrepreneur  and also well known as a celebrity stylist through her fashion outfit Tiannah’s place . She is also into hmanitarian services and support, empowering young women and men who she trains to become selfmade

In a recent  interview with ,  she reveals how she empowered two disabled sisters to become self-made. She and  one the girls named Gladys are the cover girls for the latest edition of Lamode Magazine February isse.

On her Humanitarian work

I just Love giving because I believe when you give you will receive. Everything in Life is a risk but when I help I feel fulfilled. For example one of the student I trained Her name Gladys she was deaf and dumb but she has a skill of sewing so I trained her till she became the best in what she does and also her sister Mercylyn she was deaf and dumb too so I trained her in the field she was good in which is Making of different type of wigs and braids all my colorful braids and wigs you see was done by her she was so good at it with the platform I helped them with and also don’t forget the boy I picked up from the street his name is Lekan who use to be a street boy doing minor works on the street of VI to carter for his grandma a lot of people were talking why I picked him up or try to help him and I don’t know I know what I see so I gave him a helping hand. I adopted him and took care of him trained him as a stylist so he would have a means of livelihood and am proud of him.

 

On Humanitarian activities In Nigeria

Humanitarian services, to our society are an inevitable task of every business owner/ entity. Your ability to be adjudge successful in life is a factor of how positively impactful you have been to others in your society. Successful business owner(s)/ entities are not doing enough to alleviate the suffering of the masses in a populated country like Nigeria, rather modern day exploitation for more gains dominates the space. Well-meaning individuals and successful organizations should evolve a wealth creation strategy infused in their yearly business strategy with the sole desire of empowering teeming populace, through their corporate social responsibility platform, to help start up their business in various areas of interest. If we are actively committed to this project, the living standard of the populace will improve and Government will be able to administer limited resources infrastructural development

READ ALSO : 9 Nigerian Female Photographers making us proud

On her advice for people who want to start a career in fashion designing & Entrepreneurs

First of all you have to be able to work under pressure, you must be a good leader and be a good example to your followers, you must know the crafts be good in what you do, and handwork and consistency is the major Key of been successful in what you do, you have to be willing to go extra hard to get what you want and don’t let anybody talk you down from been what you want to be Yes you can pray for what you want and thank God for what you have

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SOLANGE TALKS LOVE & THE ALBUM THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING ON ELLE MAGAZINE’S MARCH 2017 ISSUE

Solange Knowles rocks some Norma Kamali coats on the cover of Elle magazine’s March 2017 issue!

Here’s an excerpt from the Interview:

On growing up in a house with two of the three Destiny’s Child members

My sister and Kelly Rowland were the same age, which is like a built-in best friend in the house; they were extremely close. Writing felt like this insular thing that I could go back in my room and express all that I would observe, all the emotions that would arise. It felt like mine, my little thing.

On raising her son in Moscow, Idaho, while still in her teens

It was one of the most bittersweet moments of my life because I was so in love with Julez, and having spent a lot of time on the road, I yearned to be in one place, to have the opportunity to really ground myself with him. But it was isolating and lonely, and so cold and dark. And it was just Julez and me most of the time. It was hard to imagine being able to progress in my career in any way.

On her album, Seat at the Table

I did want to create this juxtaposition, politically, of having these very hard, messy conversations but having them stylistically in a way that you can really hear me, and not the yelling, the rage, I wanted to project in my delivery what I was not achieving at all: peace and having a certain lightness and airiness that could maybe help me get closer to having more light and airiness in my life.

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