Women of Rubies, Author at Women of Rubies

In Career Gems June 6, 2022 By Women of Rubies

Meet Sofía Jirau, Victoria’s Secret’s First Model With Down Syndrome

has officially made history, becoming the first Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican model shared the news on social media, joining the fashion brand — along with 17 other women — for a new underwear line and campaign, Love Cloud Collection.

Alongside a black and white photo of herself modeling a Victoria’s secret bra, Jiaru thanked the company for seeing her as a model “without limits.”

“One day I dreamed of it, I worked for it and today it’s a dream come true. I can finally tell you my big secret,” Jirau wrote. “I am Victoria’s Secret’s first model with Down syndrome!”

“Thank you Victoria’s Secret for seeing me as a model who has #NoLimits and making me part of the inclusive Love Cloud Collection campaign,” she added. “Inside and out, there are no limits.”

“Love Cloud Collection is a major moment in the brand’s evolution,” Raúl Martinez, Victoria Secret’s chief creative director, said in a statement. “From the cast of incredible women that bring the collection to life, to the incredible inclusive spirit on set, this campaign is an important part of the new Victoria’s Secret standard we are creating.”

Jiaru kicked off her career in Puerto Rico in 2019 before making her modeling debut at New York Fashion Week back in 2020. At the time, she assured that the big milestone was just the beginning

“When I was little, I looked myself in the mirror and said, ‘I’m going to be a model and a businesswoman,’” she told PEOPLE at the time.

At NYFW, she was able to showcase her talents on an international stage, modeling for Marisa Santiago at the dress designer’s runway show. She later told her Instagram followers, “I was born for this and I want to show the world that I have everything a model needs to shine.”

Not only is her modeling career taking off, but Jirau is also living her businesswoman dreams with her own line, Alavett. The brand’s name is how Jirau spelled out her favorite words to say, “I love it.”

According to her official website, Jirau made her debut as a model in March 2019, on her 23rd birthday. In February 2020, she modelled at New York Fashion Week for the first time.

Her career has also expanded outside of modelling, as she launched her , “Alavett,” based on the phrase “I love it,” in 2019. Some of the products on this site include phone cases, mugs, hats, and shirts.

In Career Gems June 6, 2022 By Women of Rubies

Sheryl Sandberg Steps Down As Chief Operating Officer Of Facebook Parent Company Meta

Sheryl Sandberg, the chief operating officer of Facebook and its parent company Meta, has announced she will step down from her role, ending 14 years in the job that made her one of the most powerful figures in the tech world and saw the company weather a meteoric rise and multiple controversies.

Sandberg announced the move in a post on her own Facebook page on Wednesday, adding that she was not sure of what the future holds for her but plans to focus on her foundation and philanthropic work going forward.

She said she will leave the company this fall, but will continue to be on Meta’s board and thanked Meta founder and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg for his support, saying “sitting by Mark’s side for these 14 years has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime”.

“When I took this job in 2008, I hoped I would be in this role for five years,” she wrote. “Fourteen years later, it is time for me to write the next chapter of my life.”

The billionaire executive has been one of Facebook’s most prominent public faces since joining in 2008, shaping its policies and overseeing responses to the myriad public controversies the company has battled.

Her departure comes as Meta continues to weather a financial storm and shifts away from social media into virtual reality.

Facebook rebranded in 2021 to Meta, attempting to move its primary business away from social media and into virtual reality after a series of difficult years.

Zuckerberg has bet big on his hopes for the “metaverse”, an augmented and virtual reality space where people can interact through avatars in a shared world.

In a comment on Sandberg’s post announcing her leave, Zuckerberg said she had “architected our ads business, hired great people, forged our management culture, and taught me how to run a company”. He said in a post on his own page that Sandberg’s position would not be filled, and announced restructuring of existing roles at the company.

Sandberg’s departure also comes after billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel stepped down from Meta’s board, following the company’s worst-ever earnings report, suggesting some power players may be jumping ship as the company flounders.

Most recently Sandberg and Facebook had faced increased scrutiny after documents leaked by the whistleblower Frances Haugen were turned over to Congress and published by a number of news outlets.

Source: Feminine

In Career Gems June 2, 2022 By Women of Rubies

Motherhood NG Initiative Organised Welfare And Medical Outreach To Celebrate Children’s Day

Motherhood NG Initiative through one of its pet projects, ‘project Hope for Children joined people around he world to celebrate this year’s childrens’ day with children in rural and undeserved communities in five states in Nigeria on Saturday 28th of May, 2022.

Project Hope for Children 2.0 planned to impact 7000 children with provision of Medical care, Hygiene and Nutritional kits, guidance and counseling and not to forget lots of fun games and music.

The purpose of this project is to encourage and promote good hygiene and healthy nutrition among children in underserved communities which will in turn have a positive impact on their personal well-being, self-esteem and self-worth .

This year’s Childrens’ day celebration cum Project Hope for Children was held simultaneously in Iwaya community Lagos state, Durumi IDP camp Abuja, Imafo community Akure Ondo state and Ibadan Oyo state.

The day was marked with free medical care for children by Mother and Child Hospitals Ikeja Lagos, provision of lots personal hygiene items, book reading and donation, talks and counseling, cutting and sharing of cakes, lots of dancing and other fun activities for the children.

The maiden edition of Project Hope for Children took place on the 27th of May, 2021 where more than 3000 children in Lagos and Ogun state were provided with nutritional and hygiene kits made up of item like toothpaste, toothbrushes, bathing soaps, sanitary towels(for girls), milk, healthy drinks and snacks etc.

Abiodun Alabi the coordinator said the successful and simultaneous celebration of children’s day by Motherhood NG Initiative can only be attributed to the collective effort of various amazing sponsors and selfless volunteers.

In Inspiration May 30, 2022 By Women of Rubies

How Chiddie Anyasodo Is Helping People Find Love Through Chotayah

A graduate of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Chiddie Anyasodo is the co-founder of Chotayah, a high-end executive matchmaking service for professional Africans all over the world. Through the platform, Chiddie and her husband Ben, have helped many African singles discover and route out the obstacles preventing them from being in a healthy relationship. Chiddie’s career path evolved from engineering into full entrepreneurship over the years. She has worked in different phases of the Upstream Oil and Gas industry – initially as an International Mobile Field Engineer with Schlumberger, working in different countries. She also worked as Business Development Manager, later joined another company as the Global Vice President for Commercial, before moving on to build her own businesses.

Having previously experienced numerous heartbreaking failed relationships, Chiddie understands relationship pains and so empathizes fully with clients. This understanding ignited her passion to study relationships, how people can find High value Spouses and build healthy fulfilling relationships in their own terms .

Chiddie coaches and strategizes with heart, bringing the perfect combination of visionary thinking and practical experience to her service.

Chiddie is happily married to Ben Anyasodo, they are both co-founders of their matchmaking platform, Chotayah

Ben and Chiddie Anyasodo, Co-founders – Chotayah

Ben and Chiddie have a proven track record of creating head-turning power couples who augment each others’ successes.

The services they’ve crafted for Chotayah are bespoke and exquisite, tailored to each client’s desires and challenges, and focus on putting the seeker back in complete control of finding their ideal mate.

Together they have helped many African singles discover and route out the obstacles.

About Chotayah

Chotayah has become the most trusted name in high-profile African matches and marriages.

Speaking on the inspiration behind Chotyah, the sought after relationship coach had this to say: “I got rejected many times with excuses like ‘you earn too much,’ ‘a woman shouldn’t earn more than a man’. ‘You are too boyish, too ambitious’. ‘Your job exposes you and makes you travel too much’ and ‘you won’t make a good wife’. ‘A successful woman will never respect a man’.

“At one point, I was told by some pastors and relatives that I had a spiritual problem. You can imagine. After praying so much and the cycle kept repeating, I decided to try alternative methods.

“First, I tried to use some Western dating sites like E-harmony and Match.com. But they always rejected my application as I was Nigerian. I also tried to hire a matchmaker in the USA then, but she didn’t work with people outside the USA.

“So, I decided to go on my own. That experience made me start reading and exploring what makes relationships work. I also got a relationship coach, started studying serial men and women who always seemed to have lots of attention from their love interest.

“I took everything I learnt and crafted my own strategy to find my man. It took me about 8/9 months to find my man and no more heart breaks. My friends who knew about all my negative experiences started using the same formula and it worked for them.

“And every day, I see so many people like me going through the same challenges that I went through. Successful high-flying people who have succeeded everywhere but seem they are not able to succeed in the love department.

“I then decided to go study matchmaking in the UK and Relationship Coaching in New York. My husband is a Behavioral Change Expert & Therapist. We decided to join our passion and expertise to give birth to Chotayah.”

To know more about Chiddie’s , Follow her via her social media accounts below

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Twitter

In Career Gems May 29, 2022 By Women of Rubies

Reject Parties Without Women-Oriented Policies – Bisi Fayemi

Bisi Fayemi, the wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has advised Ekiti women to reject political parties that do not have policies capable of protecting their rights, saying voting for such parties will cause a reversal of the positive impacts the All Progressives Congress government had brought to female in the state.

Specifically, the governor’s wife told the women that the opposition parties in the state were bereft of policies that could uplift women politically, economically, socially, and educationally, hence the need to reject them at the poll on June 18.

The First Lady, who spoke in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, at a rally organised by a group, Ekiti Women in Politics, to mobilise support for the APC governorship candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, ahead of the governorship election, said, “The Fayemi government has done a lot for women.

“But my mind is at rest that our candidate’s wife, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, just like I have done, will protect and prevent women from oppression in Ekiti. This is the least we can do for you. For this to be actualised, come out on June 18 and vote for Biodun Oyebanji.”

“This election is a must-win for the APC for the sake of Ekiti women. Don’t fight, be focused on this campaign and deal with issues that will promote our candidate. Before Fayemi came, our women were marginalised in politics. But today, we have provided opportunities for a lot of them,” the governor’s wife said.

The APC Deputy Governorship candidate, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, who lauded Mrs. Fayemi’s persistence and steadfastness in advocacy for the rights of women, group members, said, “Go out and mobilise your women counterparts to vote for the APC. Go to all the nook and cranny and preach the gospel of good governance that the APC represents in Ekiti.”

The Director-General, APC Women Campaign Council, Chief Oluremi Ajayi, said, “Under Fayemi government, women produced 44 councilors, four council vice chairmen, four assembly women, many commissioners, special advisers, board members, and a National Assembly member.

“For this coming election, we also have a woman-deputy governorship candidate. Tell your people, residents outside Ekiti to come home and vote in this governorship election. Go home and be good ambassadors to sustain the good policies we are enjoying under Fayemi,” she said.

Source: Punch Newspaper

In Inspiration May 29, 2022 By Women of Rubies

Meet Tiwalola Ogunlesi, The Woman On A Mission To Make Self-Love The Default For Women

Meet Tiwalola Ogunlesi, a British Nigerian sensation who got fed up with young women battling low self-esteem and confidence and decided to start a Confident and Killing It movement. Through content, courses, coaching, and community, she helps young women and girls develop the confidence they need to live audaciously and walk in their greatness.

She has been unapologetic about her message which is to awaken women to their worth so they can live the lives they truly deserve. Often referring to herself as “if Oprah and Beyonce had a baby, it would be me”, her warm smile and appealing message have drawn the attention of household names such as Google, Facebook, Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, and The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy. Not only is she a sought-after speaker and coach, but she also hosts a high-rated podcast and runs an online academy that is transforming the lives of women and girls one step at a time.

You may see the product but for Tiwa, it was a journey, and she believes this is just the beginning.

The Journey to Confident & Killing It

Her journey to ‘Confident and Killing It’ started in 2017 whilst she was volunteering as a Youth Leader with teenage girls. She states: “when I asked the young girls what they want more of in their lives, all of them had the same thing in common – ‘they want to be more confident and love themselves.” Tiwa states she had struggled with this as well and was adamant about making sure the next generation of women are not having to go through the same struggles she went through.”

This righteous indignation led her to start Confident & Killing It. What started as 1 min videos on Instagram turned into in-person events, then hosting a university tour around the UK in 2018. A year later, she decided to quit her job and go full-time with C&K. Talk about audaciousness. Since then, it’s been big wins after big wins. From speaking at OWLAG (Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy to working with global brands, one thing is clear; she is relentless in her mission to wake young women and girls to their worth.

How C&K is revamping the self-help movement

When it comes to the self-help space, some would argue that it is a whole lot of ‘make you feel good’ content that has little relevance in daily life. What good does reciting affirmations do when you are slumped in the middle of depression or battling anorexia? For Tiwa, she understands this apprehension from people, hence she states what makes ‘Confident & Killing It ‘ unique.

“C & K is built on positive psychology. I didn’t just want to be the cheerleader and the ‘make you feel good’ coach, but we wanted women and girls to use tangible results. Through coaching, we help young women discover their strengths as well as keep a log of their accomplishments so whenever they feel low energy, they can remind themselves of their worth and capability based on tangible results.” She goes on to say her approach is:

*Acknowledge how you feel: You don’t have to feel happy all the time. It’s okay to not be okay.

*Articulate how you feel: Journal, talk to someone you trust, go to therapy.

*Practice self-compassion: She stresses: “You don’t have to be hard on yourself to achieve your goals.”

The BOOK: What to expect

But it doesn’t stop here. Tiwa has her debut book dropping in July; she says: “The book is a practical guide to overcoming fear, getting sassy with negative thoughts, and becoming your most empowered self. It’s a game plan for confidence that mixes the science of positive psychology with uplifting stories from everyday women to show you that there are no limits to who you can become. I hope that after reading it, you wake up and realize you don’t have to settle for an unfulfilling life. You can indeed create a life you love, one that you’re proud of.”

She adds: “I truly believe every single person deserves to love and believe in themselves. It needs to be the norm and not the exception and that’s why I’ve written my book. We live in a world that’s constantly telling women we don’t measure up. Society acts like our worth is based on our productivity levels, our jobs, how much we earn, our race, and so on. This is damaging. Research has shown there’s a confidence gap between men and women and I have experienced a generational cycle of low self-esteem in women and girls. The truth is we matter simply because we exist, not because of our achievements. Everyone deserves to know this. ”

The future is bright for Tiwa. With regards to where she sees Confident and Killing It, she affirms: “The goal is to see it become a media company that gives room for women and girls to love themselves as the default rather than an exception.”

Credit: Baucemag

In Editor's Choice May 22, 2022 By Women of Rubies

“I Am Passionate About My Ability To Be A Change Agent And Catalyst To Transform Lives” – Temi Marcella Awogboro

Temi Marcella Awogboro is a pioneer and change agent passionate about unlocking the transformational power of capital as a catalyst for profound change globally and transforming lives through her work. She has committed over half a billion dollars in impact capital across emerging markets to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Temi is a core part of the investment leadership team responsible for scaling Evercare from inception in 2015 to a global platform comprising 30+ hospitals, 20+ clinics and 80+ diagnostics centers operating across 6 countries. She has been instrumental in leading the investment in building and operating one of the largest and most advanced private hospitals in Nigeria in a bid to transform healthcare in the region. Through her early-stage investment platforms, she is building and cultivating disruptive, transformative institutions that will emerge as today’s regional champions and tomorrow’s global challengers.

Temi was appointed by the President of Nigeria to sit on the Nigerian Health Sector Reform Committee under the Chairmanship of the Vice President of Nigeria. She also sits on the Equality Fund Board of Directors, Evercare Hospital Lekki Board of Directors and the Save the Children International Africa Advisory Board.

A recipient of the Future Awards Africa Prize, Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Award and M&A Advisor’s European Emerging Leaders Award, she shares her inspiring story with ESTHER IJEWERE in this interview.

Childhood Influence
I am proudly Nigerian with German and Scottish heritage. I was born in Nigeria, raised in the United Kingdom, and have lived and worked across four continents. My childhood was one of discovery, adventure, and exploration. While I never felt a stranger where I lived, I also never quite fully belonged. This lived experience forced me to forge a strong personal identity that was not wedded to culture, dogmas, traditions, and ideological concepts.

I was inspired greatly by the entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic and tenacity of my parents. My father was a medical doctor turned entrepreneur, and my mother was a Miss Nigeria beauty queen, technology systems engineer, and subsequently joined my father in building the family business that straddled construction, procurement and technology. These influences are intricately woven into the individual and professional I am today.

From a tender age, my parents and close family nicknamed me “Small But Mighty” because within my pint-sized package, came mighty aspirations. As a child, I always refused to be restricted by the limits imposed by external expectations of me, with a burning desire to push beyond the limits perceived in my mind or externally imposed.

Inspiration behind my career path
I am an investment professional with over 15 years of experience in developed and growth markets. I have always been driven by my belief in the power of private capital to transform lives and my passion to unlock the power of capital as a catalyst for profound, sustainable change globally. On this journey, I have committed over half a billion in private capital to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Through my career, I have been uniquely positioned to operate at the intersection of healthcare, finance, technology and impact – often referred to as an Impact investor/healthcare operator by day and venture capitalist by night. As the Executive Director with Evercare Hospital Lekki and previous West Africa Lead of one of the first and largest dedicated impact funds globally, I have been privileged to have been part of the investment leadership responsible for scaling the fund from inception in 2015 to a global platform comprising operating across 6 countries and highlighted as one of the top 50 leaders that will “come to define the world of tomorrow.”

I have been equally driven by my belief in the central role of technology in creating a better world. Through my early-stage investment platforms, Kairos Angels and the Magic Fund, I have invested in some of the best minds and disruptive teams that are emerging as today’s regional champions and tomorrow’s global challengers.

The journey so far
My life’s course has been determined by doing the hard things. My Evercare journey started in 2015, based on my belief in healthcare as a fundamental right. On this journey, we ran into a number of unforeseen headwinds, which nearly stalled the project, not least of which was trying to commence formal operations during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Against this backdrop, it was extremely humbling and rewarding to celebrate the key milestones and groundbreaking feats achieved within the first 12 months of operations at Evercare’s 1year anniversary on March 10, 2022. Some of these milestones include successfully completing several complex clinical procedures in cardiology (five open heart surgeries, two permanent pacemaker insertions), spinal surgeries, first-of-its kind paediatric surgeries in the country and becoming the first facility in Africa to get Safecare Level 5 certification on the first accreditation exercise.

While the journey continues and there remains much work to be done, I am indeed proud of the considerable progress that Evercare has made in the past year and especially proud to say that we are on our way to transforming healthcare in Nigeria.

Challenges
As I reflect on my journey to date, I have faced a plethora of challenges; navigating my career at the epicentre of the global financial crisis, encountering significant resistance trying to break into the private equity industry, navigating the extremely lonely path rising the ranks in male-dominated industries, witnessing first-hand the destructive impact of toxic leadership and failed institutions and juggling the demands of being a present and invested mother to two toddlers, while managing my professional commitments.

I have remained optimistic and learned to thrive under the pressure of doing the ‘impossible’ fuelled by a deep sense of purpose, an unrelenting tenacity, and an unwavering belief in myself. Failure for me is an unavoidable part of living a limitless life.

Other projects and activities
As we step into the fourth industrial revolution, I believe we are called to shape this technology revolution to empower people and create more equitable outcomes for our communities and the world. I am deeply committed to investing in entrepreneurs tackling some of the world’s greatest challenges. Through my early-stage platforms, Kairos Angels and Magic Fund, I identify aspirational entrepreneurs building impactful solutions, invest in this talent, provide mentorship, access to networks and functional support to power their trajectory. Across these platforms, we have invested in over 180+ entrepreneurs globally, many of who are already emerging as today’s regional champions and tomorrow’s global challengers.

What I enjoy most about my job
I am passionate about my ability to be a change agent and catalyst to transform lives through my work. This unique positioning has been fascinating and given an invaluable opportunity to work at the forefront of paradigm shifts globally. We are at a unique point in human history where world orders are shifting; new technologies are emerging. I have so many big and audacious dreams and I am excited to continue to bring these dreams to fruition.

Three women who inspire me and why
I live my life trying to take inspiration from everyone I meet. Some women who have made an impression on me include: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who stood out for me as an unapologetic, unstoppable powerhouse, relentless in her pursuit of social justice and quest for equality.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for her role as the female to serve as both finance and foreign minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the visibility she has brought to Africa on a global stage.

Finally, Kamala Harris when in her inauguration speech, the Vice President of the USA urged young girls to “Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourself in a way that others might not see you, simply because they’ve never seen it before.”

This resonated profoundly with me as a woman who has often found herself in male-dominated rooms with few allies. I struggled with the absence of female role models until I embraced the power of my own dreams and started to see myself as the role model I was looking for.

The resilience of women during the pandemic
As an investor in healthcare, I have witnessed first-hand how women have stood at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis as nurses, doctors, caregivers, innovators and as some of the most exemplary and effective leaders in combating the pandemic. It is no coincidence that women led countries most successful in stemming its tide and impact of COVID-19.

But the pandemic has sadly highlighted the disproportionate burdens women carry and their inadequate representation at the highest levels of decision-making. And new barriers emerged to impede many women’s progress, such as unpaid care duties, unemployment and poverty.

Importance of educating and supporting women
I have been humbled by all the coverage and recognition received in this year’s International Women’s month. In particular, I was deeply honoured to have received the recognition by Lagos State as one of the EKO 100 Women. It is said that you can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women. ‘Women hold up half the sky’ and I am proud of the fact that His Excellency Governor Sanwo-Olu on behalf of the Lagos State Government took the step to recognise and celebrate the unending commitment of women to a more equal and equitable world.

Most important to me is the pledge to ‘support every effort to achieve a Lagos where all women and girls can live their lives to the fullest and achieve their potential without limits.’ My appeal is to continue to provide women a platform in the mainstream media and outside of 1 month a year. The strides many women are making are world class by any measure and deserve to be recognised, celebrated and amplified.

One thing I wish to change in the health sector
The single biggest issue facing the healthcare industry in Nigeria is the ongoing wave of brain drain, especially of clinical talent. Nigeria with over 40 per cent physician migration remains one of the leading African sources of foreign-born physicians. Evercare with its purpose-built infrastructure, best in class equipment, and focus on achieving quality metrics that meet international standards, is working hard to attract critical medical talent back to Nigeria from the Diaspora, thereby reversing some of the brain drain that plagues the sector.

It maintains a strategic focus of employing, retaining and investing in local resources to ensure a highly experienced, well-rounded, and diverse team, poised to support the advancement of medical care across Nigeria. I sincerely hope that my story and the work the Evercare team is doing, inspires more Nigerians in the diaspora to come back and take up the mantle of leadership to enable the nation to achieve its full potential both in the healthcare sector and beyond.

Being a Woman of Rubies
I love the concept of the Woman of Rubies as a forum for women across various walks of life to share their inspiring stories. As a woman that has risen through male dominated fields, trying to ‘have it all’, I am thankful for the platform to use my story to bring hope, motivate and inspire women all over the globe. I am striving to live life on my terms, fully embracing all aspects of my being and living the highest version of myself each day.

There is nothing that says you can’t be professional, ambitious, audacious, and successful but also be fun loving, free and love fashion. There is nothing that says you can’t hold down a boardroom and hold down your home. Women are powerful beyond measure, when we are liberated to demand and create the life we deserve.

My message to women everywhere is that you are powerful beyond measure, and your voice matters. Do not feel less entitled, expect more, take up more space and demand more, be bold in challenging the status quo. Finally, teach your girls to embrace a world of possibilities, to be proud of their ambition, regardless of their gender. Send them a clear message that they can be whomever they chose to be, and applaud them every step of the way.

I choose to live a life that is purpose driven, passion filled and performance oriented, and continue on my journey not focused on the pursuit of perfection, but led by the voices of those who christened me ‘Small but mighty’. They challenge me to create and compete; to build and nurture; to take risks and to leave my legacy.

In Inspiration May 22, 2022 By Women of Rubies

#Ruby Girls| “The Only Way To Bridge The Gap Between The Elites And Marginalized Is To Provide Sustainable Means Of Livelihood”- Adelaja Oluwademilade

Adelaja Oluwademilade is a graduate of English from the prestigious Covenant University. She’s a Teacher, A certified Early Childhood Educator and an SDG Youth Advocate for SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Oluwademilade is a Volunteer at Street2School Initiative, an NGO aimed at providing Quality Education to out-of-school children in Lagos Nigeria. She has a strong passion for kids in marginalized communities. She believes every child should have access to education irrespective of their socio-economic background.

Overtime, Oluwademilade has also developed interest in advocacy to end period poverty in Nigeria by working with an NGO named Royal Gem Initiative. The initiative provides sexual health education and sanitary pads to girls in low-income communities so they can menstruate in a more healthy way.

Currently, Oluwademilade is a Lagos State SDG Youth Ambassador. And a member of the UNESCO SDG4 Youth Network. She loves children and youths and her greatest desire is to train up young people to become transformative leaders in the society.

She shares her Ruby Girl story with the team.

1. Tell us about your childhood, Demilade. What was growing up like for you?

Growing up was pretty interesting to me. I’m the second child of three children; so being the middle child, I didn’t have much going on with me. Growing up for me was basically; going to school, attending Sunday School, going to church and having extra lessons at home because I wasn’t so good for Maths lol.

2. As a certified Early Childhood Educator Advocate, what informed your passion to teach? And what do you think should be put in place to make early learning fun and impacting?

I would say my passion to teach is a God-given passion. I never imagined doing anything relating to education talk more of teaching, it was in my final semester in school I got the calling. Also, my mum is an educator so I think I got a part of it from her.

To make learning fun and impactful, teachers themselves must love their job because when a teacher doesn’t like teaching it will affect the students’ performance. Also, teachers should make use of learning aids like flashcards, videos, pictures etc because children learn by seeing and doing not just talking in the classroom. This will also help students remember what they were taught in class.

3. What motivated you to become a Sustainable Development Goal Advocate?

We live in a world where there is so much gap between the elites and the marginalized, and the only way to bridge this gap is to provide sustainable means of livelihood. This requires a collective effort and not just the responsibility of the government, So, I decided to take the lead and contribute my quota towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

4. ‎As a Youth Advocate for quality education, what’s your take on “School na Scam”?

Hmmmm…. I don’t think school is a scam and I’m not saying this because I’m an advocate for quality education. Everyone has different passions and goals, and sometimes these passions are not related to what is being taught in school and that is okay. However, we must understand that the fact that one does not practice what they were taught in school in their workplace or make money with it, doesn’t make education less important. Truth is, education is what makes the difference in a person so, whether you learn in school or not, you still need the education to become better at whatever you decide to do. Education has and is still opening doors of opportunity for people who desire it. School is NOT a scam.

5. ‎What are the challenges you have encountered as a youth advocate?

– Funding: So many things to be done yet few resources are available.

– Getting more young people to participate in Youth advocacy.

– Socio-economic Inequality: There is a huge gap between you the rich and the marginalized in Nigeria. Trying to bridge this gap is challenging due to the economy of Nigeria.

– Overpopulation: A lot of people, especially in rural areas keep having children they cannot cater for. The children are increasing in their numbers however there are no resources to take care of them.

6. An accessory you can’t leave home without?

Earrings

7. What’s your take on volunteering, most youths would rather stay idle than take up an unpaid job?

Volunteering gives you an avenue to be the change you desire to see in your community and the world at large. So if you have the opportunity to volunteer, please I beg you; do it wholeheartedly because, at the end of the day, it’s not about the money and assets one would acquire, but the impact one would have made and the lives one have touched.

8. ‎An unpopular random fact about you.

I cannot multi-task. I can do only one thing at a time.

9. ‎ If you were to contest Nigeria’s presidency, what is the major change you will present in your manifesto?

While I acknowledge that there are other areas to look into, I believe that quality education is one of the biggest challenges in Nigeria. I will strive for free basic education for all children and introduce educational reforms that will target reducing the number of out of school children in Nigeria. Also, I would look into the issue of overpopulation in the country by introducing a two-child policy. I know some people may not be in support of this but that’s the only effective way to reduce overpopulation and ensure equal allocation of resources in the country.

10. Mention 3 women who inspire you and why?

I) My mum (Mrs Abosede Adelaja): Her Strength, Her Resilience and Work Ethic.

ii) Jumoke Adenowo – I love her passion for raising godly women and her style.

iii) Jackie Aina – I love how she talks about setting boundaries and how she teaches young girls to be self-confident.

11. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

In 5 years, I will have completed my Master’s degree in Education and I hope to be doing work that contributes to transformational change in the Nigerian educational system.

12. If you were allowed to address a group of young girls just setting out in their career, what will be your advice to them?

Be open to learning. Be kind to yourself if you make mistakes. Don’t be in a hurry to “blow”. Settle down and learn the skills you need to thrive. You can do great things from a small place.

In Career Gems May 21, 2022 By Women of Rubies

Institute Of Family Engineering And Developments Celebrates International Day Of The Family

The international day of the family is a United Nations designated day to create awareness about the family. Every year on May 15, various stakeholders across the globe gather to celebrate the family and this year was another opportunity to celebrate the beauty of the African family at the African Family Life Delegate Conference which is an annual event organized by the Institute of Family Engineering and Development in conjuction with United Nations Information center and the network of family life professionals.

The conference which is in its 6th year had some of the best minds on family life across Africa in attendance virtually at this year’s conference as various panelists deliberated on;

Family: A pathway to global peace in the midst of global chaos and disruption

The director of the Institute Mrs. Dinma Nwobi welcomed the delegates to the conference by encouraging them to all become agents of peace in their various nations.

Delivering the keynote was Praise Fowowe the lead researcher at Praise Fowowe Research LLC based in Irving Texas.

Praise Fowowe delivered an emotional key note that took delegates through the origin of wars and chaos through human history and how the little things we neglected from our family systems could produce global tyrants.

He noted that at the root of every chaos and global wars is a sense of superiority powered by a sense of superiority beliefs which drives how we see what we see.

He went ahead to recommend what delegates must begin to do;

1.Promote humanity through aggressive human education

2.Embrace and promote a family system that can promote the best interest of all – Be family systems engineering compliant

3.Model diplomacy and assist children master it

4.Master the power of meaning and refuse to be a part of any venture or movement that compromise the dignity of humanity – Drop the baton

5.Become an instrument of peace & spread the energy of love

6.Families becoming clans which become villages all over again with dispute resolution systems

7.Leverage family centered politicians to push policies that can promote family peace

The conference also had distinguished panelist like Dr. Adeyemi Agbelusi who is a global alternative dispute resolution expert, ID Cabassa a music producer, Dr. Sam Egbube the honorable commissioner for budget and economic planning Lagos State Government in Nigeria and Ghaniya Olokodana a clinical psychologist.

The conference communique was issued by the team at the end of the conference with the conclusion that every family must embrace a system that can promote and produce lovers as against traumatized kids who become traumatized adult

The institute for family Engineering and Development is Nigeria’s premier family life certification institute.

In Interviews&profile January 8, 2024 By Women of Rubies

Jenlo Bags Will Be A Household Name In Few Years- Jennifer Oamhen Thomas

A hardworking lady with gifted hands in the competitive world of accessory and handbag design, Jennifer Oamhen Thomas is one Nigerian woman making people pay attention to her and take notice of her unique take on beautiful, bespoke, handcrafted pieces that celebrate the art of artistry combined with a unique African touch. Her great eye for design, blended with the deployment of African textiles has allowed her to create handbags and accessories that have an irresistible visual appeal and charm.

She belongs to the crop of young Nigerian women profiting from their passion and inspiring other women to do so. The creative entrepreneur is the founder of Jenlo, a bag-making outfit for women who want to make unforgettable statements. Jenlo is a design and manufacturing company, which produces a beautiful range of handcrafted handbags.Her passion for making bags was awakened after she started seeing herself in a dream when a man clad in white outfit instructed her to acquire bag-making skills. She ignored the dreams initially, till it became persistent.

The Zoology graduate of Ambrose Alli University eventually decided to acquire the skill. Today, women of substance and elegance are buying her beautifully made bags. Driven by a desire to be unique, the Edo State born entrepreneur’s handcrafted bags are a symbol of attention to detail and excellent craftsmanship that leave you bedazzled. When Jennifer is not making bags, you would find her surfing the Internet, playing her favorite game, or reading. She shares her inspiring story with Esther Ijewere in this interview.

Childhood Influence
Growing up as a child, I wanted to be a medical doctor. We all know how the Nigerian educational system ends up changing someone’s original destiny, so I ended up studying Zoology. My childhood never prepared me for what I am doing now because I never saw myself being a bag designer in the future, but it is what it is.

Inspiration Behind Jenlo
All I can say is, God has been my source of inspiration. But at a time, I wanted to have a standard brand, so I got thinking of a unique, simple and classy name that can easily be registered in the lips and hearts of people. After much deliberation and prayers, Jenlo was birthed.

JEN-means Jennifer (my first name), which means clear vision or pure vision, L- signifies Longevity, which means both our products and our brand can stand the test of time, O- from Oamhen (my maiden name), which means my house is good. So, putting all together birthed JENLO.

The Journey So Far
The journey has been smooth and rough, sweet and bitter. At times, I feel like quitting but each time I remember the reason I started, I discover giving up is not an option. I will keep pushing and breaking boundaries till I get to the top where I belong.

Challenges

Getting the right machines and tools are my major challenges. I hope a time will come when I will have all the machines and tools I need to excel in my craft. Having such machines and tools will fast track my work and make it a lot easier.

What I Enjoy Most About My Job
I love the creativity; I love the fact that people find me amazing because I am a professional bag designer. My designs are unique and represent class. Most of my customers tell me my bags can compete with foreign brands.

Going Viral And Gaining Momentum On Social Media
I feel happy and excited, but considering the vision I have towards my brand, I feel the momentum on social media is just starting. I have a long way to go, but the journey looks good so far. Most of my customers are people who live abroad, and they found out about my designs on social media.

Jenlo In Five years
Five years from now, Jenlo will be among the top five when mentioning bag-making brands worldwide. Five years from now, Jenlo will be a brand to reckon with. I have faith in creativity, my designs, passion and myself. I will keep working towards my goal.

Three Women Who Inspire Me And Why
I admire Prudent Gabriel of Prudential Fashion Academy; I am inspired by her passion towards what she does for her brand. The Minister of Women Affairs, Her Excellency Dame Pauline Tallen OFR, KSG, inspires me; I so much admire her passion for humanity. Mercy Johnson Okojie inspires me a lot and I so much admire how she made combining family, work and career look so easy.

Being A Woman Of Rubies
I am a precious and strong woman, dependent and supportive. I have a heart of care and concern towards people around me. I detest evil and embrace Godliness. I cherish good things too. I hardly hate, and I easily forgive.

Advice To Young Women Who Intend To Go Into My Line Of Business
Face your fears; life itself is a risk. So, in this journey called life, it’s risky not to take any risk. You have to start from somewhere, like every great designer out there. For you to succeed in this craft, you have to first conquer fear.

Women of Rubies