In Editor's Choice April 4, 2020 By Esther Ijewere

My love for food and Agriculture inspired me to start Teemarkfood – Ibenero Tobiloba

In the past few weeks, we have witnessed a situation that has not only put the world at a standstill but also affected families and businesses. Many can’t afford to put food on the table as a result of the global lockdown to help contain the virus.

Agro Entrepreneur Ibenero Tobiloba Tolase is helping to alleviate the pain of many by providing them with food and giving them hope through her Teemark Food Company; where she produces and processes raw foods such as (Garri Ijebu, Yam flour and plantain flour).

With support from well meaning Nigerians she’s been able to feed over 200 families in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, as they partner with her to package foodstuff under four thousand Naira to feed each family in a bid to give hope, pending when things go back to normal.

The graduate of Pure and Applied chemistry from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) was inspired by her love for Agriculture and passion for food which started when She was young. Tobi loved seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they eat good quality food.

Aside from Agricuulture, Tobi is also passionate about issues that affects women and young girls, through her Girlscrib initiative , she helps sensitise women and teenage girls on the importance of menstrual health. This initiative also distributes sanitary pads to secondary school girls

She is the Creative Director of JEMBRIDALS, a bridal outfit. a one stop bridal shop for traditional wedding and asoebi and also volunteers for PROJECT SMILE, an NGO that reaches out to the orphans all over Nigeria.

She shares her inspiring story in this interview.

Growing up

My childhood was fun and I am glad I had a mother is filled with wisdom and taught me all I know today, I am the eldest of two children and was trained well in all area not because I am a girl but because I would be a leader some day. One thing that was constant in our home was food to give to friends and families. My mum always told us never look the other way when people around you have nothing to eat and that lesson is what is guiding me till date.

Inspiration behind Teemarkfoods

Good food! My love for food and Agriculture inspired Teemarkfood. One of the ways I feel fulfilled is seeing people have access to quality food and which has been my mantra since I was a child.

Reception since Inception

It is a learning process, but I am grateful to God for wisdom to discern the pros and cons of the business. People have been very supportive and accepting of my initiative.

Support for Female Agropreneurs

Well, we are not there yet but times are changing we will get there eventually. We are not backing down, we will keep pushing till we are are at the front burner and recognised for our efforts as change agents.

Giving hope to those affected by the lockdown

There was a point in my life when we had nothing to eat as a family, it was a very difficult time and with that understanding, knowing that there are families out there who do not have anything to feed on but might be reluctant to ask from friends and families, the next thing I thought of was reaching out to them first.

Effect of the Lockdown and Coronavirus on Agropreneur

Honestly I would say transportation getting the food from one place to the other so people access to it easily, but we are doing our best to give hope and lighten the burden of people, we are also calling on well meaning Nigerians to help alleviate the pain of these people by partnering with us through her platform to feed more people.

Challenges of being an Agro Entrepreneur

Financial challenges: Agro Entrepreneurs not having Access to loans and enough capital to improve and increase the productivity.

Transportation: Government should help reduce charges and fees paid on farm produce that are transported from farm to urban areas

Education: sensitisation of our local farmers on technology and its advantages on agriculture is also very important because it makes the production faster and delivery to consumers quick.

Other projects and activities

I am working on a project called “Girlscrib” this is an NGO for women and teenage girls, the project will help Educate women on menstrual health and also provide sanitary pads to secondary school girls.

Being a Woman of Rubies

I believe I carry greatness within me and I am on a journey to transfer that greatness into each and everyone I come across by spreading love.

To young women who want to become Agro Entrepreneurs

I would say this first, Trust God to use you as a vessel for greatness, believe strongly in your self and lastly stay focus. When you have these three you become unstoppable.

In self development April 4, 2020 By Esther Ijewere

11 Signs Of A Toxic Relationship

Two days ago a sister shared a very sad story of how her toxic Ex- husband set her up with another man in a bid to break and destroy her. She’d gone all the way into the relationship before she realized it was all game and no love.

A toxic relationship has the ability to surface in any type of relationship such as with a significant other, a child, a parent, a co-worker or even a best friend. For your mental and physical health, it is essential that you get rid of toxic relationship situations in your life as quickly as possible.

It is important to keep your eyes open to red flags as toxic relationships can have serious and severe consequences. Some of such consequences can be to your long-term health.

Once you get rid of toxic relationship circumstances, your life will quickly begin to head in a positive direction, your self-confidence will return, you will begin to succeed at work, your other relationships will return to ones of positivity and you will feel happier each day.

Here are 10 signs that you need to get rid of toxic relationship people in your life:

1.CONTROLLING TENDENCIES

Do you feel as though you cannot express your opinions without this person having a bad emotional reaction? They will attempt to control the way you think, as well as the things you do and the people with whom you spend time. They will also make fun of you to make you feel bad.

Some ways to break free from such individuals is to create a support system, ask for help, establish goals to get rid of toxic relationship circumstances and follow through in the end.

2.YOU FEEL THREATENED

You can feel threatened in a number of ways. You might feel threatened to lose your identity. You might feel threatened by a third party in a jealous manner. Or, you might feel threatened in a more dangerous manner. If you ever question your safety, get out immediately.

You should never be made to feel intimidated or threatened in a physical manner. This is unacceptable, and you should tell someone. Do not hesitate to involve the authorities.

3.SO MUCH DRAMA

Too much drama is not constructive and results in a toxic relationship. Examples of excessive drama include game playing, an open-ended relationship status, wondering eyes, not cleaning up after one’s self, being jealous, constant gossiping, neediness and emotional unavailability.

A little drama can be directly related to passion; however, if the drama never stops, it is likely unhealthy and time to walk away.

4.ISOLATION

If an individual wishes to remove you from all other relationships in your life, this type of isolation is toxic. The person will do everything in their power to remove you from your support system so they can control you even further.

It is important to be mindful of whether or not it is you or your partner trying to isolate you from the people in your life. Some people unknowingly disappear when they start a relationship without influence from their partner, and this is not necessarily toxic.

5.EVERYTHING IS A COMPETITION

A toxic relationship based on competition is often found in work relationships and friendships; however, they can also occur in romantic partnerships and with family members. These people never actually listen to you and they will constantly try to one-up you in every aspect of your life.

6.POWER STRUGGLE

It is possible that you are both contributors to the toxicity of the relationship in some way. This is the result of a power struggle by both parties. When a person feels powerless in a relationship, they will often lash out in a demanding way as a method of overcompensation.

This dynamic can occur in all relationships from a child and a parent to interactions between co-workers. Sometimes, the reaction is based on another person attempting to control the other; whereas, in other circumstances, the lashing out is a self-imposed powerless feeling.

7.YOU ARE EXHAUSTED

An unhealthy relationship can be entirely exhausting. You might feel depleted and emotionally drained from arguing, walking on eggshells or hoping you do not encounter the toxic individual.

These people can be anyone from a co-worker who constantly tries to undermine or demean your accomplishments or an in-law who likes to cause trouble. If you are simply exhausted from speaking or encountering these people, you are likely in a toxic relationship.

8.LOW SELF-ESTEEM

Are you typically a confident individual in most situations, yet with that certain someone you often feel bad about yourself after you spend time together? If so, you need to get rid of toxic relationship people who give you low self-esteem.

Low self-esteem in a relationship can cause you to perceive the relationship differently than its reality. It can cause you to behave differently than normal and even make you paranoid or insecure

9.BELITTLING

Belittling may not seem like a big deal; however, it absolutely is a big deal and should be dealt with as soon as possible. When someone is intentionally, or unintentionally, putting your down, it is not okay.

This type of toxicity is typically regarded as emotional and psychological abuse. Abuse does not have to be physical to cause lasting damage and should never be tolerated.

10.SELF-SABOTAGE

You or the other person in your relationship may be deliberately or subconsciously sabotaging the relationship for a number of reasons. Someone may feel the relationship has run its course. They may feel highly insecure about the relationship. Or, it could be a reaction to past experiences.

11.LACK OF TRUST

Trust is difficult for some people. Whether you have been wronged in relationships in the past or you have a feeling that the person in your current relationship is not trustworthy, you cannot move forward if you do not have trust.

Esther Ijewere™©

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In Inspiration April 3, 2020 By Women of Rubies

#RubyGirls | “I grew up in the soil of unconditional love and selflessness” – Ademiluyi Favour Titilope

ADEMILUYI Favour Titilope is currently a 300 level student of the prestigious Faculty of Law, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

Growing up as a litterateur and debater, she has had modest achievements, awards and scholarship trip outside the country.

Over time, Favour has held several positions and is currently the Assistant P.R.O & Assistant General Secretary, CLASFON, OOU; the Deputy Information-Technologist, Legal Magnates & Company, OOU; the Financial Secretary and Assistant General Secretary, Infinity Foundation, OOU, among others.

1. Let’s meet you. Who is Favour?

Warm greetings. *ADEMILUYI FAVOUR* is God’s Noble Progeny, who is fully awake to and heading forward, in the actualization and manifestation of her true being and essence.

She is phenomenal, resourceful, and “Excellence-driven.”

2. Who and what inspires you?

1. My purpose, visions which are birthed by the Holy Spirit, a product of God’s will.

2. My Dad – He is an exemplary leader; a perfect description of humility, integrity, service and excellence.

3. You have been outside the country on a scholarship trip on two different occasions for being the best French student in your secondary school. Which countries are these? And how was your experience?

Quite funny! Although I was given a scholarship trip precisely to Togo on 2 different occasions for being the best French Student in Secondary School 2 & 3 respectively, I couldn’t embark on the journey.

For the first scholarship trip, my parents didn’t allow me go, for reasons best known to them.

For the second scholarship trip, although I had my valid passport and yellow card, I couldn’t embark on the journey as the trip clashed with a National Debate Competition at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife. ‘Being the debater that I am’, I chose the competition over the trip.

To God be the glory, I and my team emerged winners. I was the Chief Speaker for my school in the Debate competition, and I was awarded the Most Eloquent Speaker. Consequently, we (I and my team) were to be invited to Botswana for another competition, but this sadly didn’t see the light of the day.

However, my Dad surprisingly arranged another trip for me to Porto-Novo, while I was waiting for OOU’s Post UTME result to be out. It was a 1-3 month(s) study trip alongside some 300 level Nigerian Undergraduates (who were French students).

It was a remarkable experience. I was opportune to visit Le Temple du Python in Ouidah; Le Muséum Nationale, the ‘Sea of No Return’ et. al.

More importantly, I won the First Prize in the “BAIN LINGUISTIQUE EN FRANÇAIS” PROGRAMME (2017), and I was accordingly recognized by Le Président (the Vice Chancellor), INSTITUT UNIVERSITAIRE PANAFRICAIN (IUP), PORTO-NOVO.

4. Your best quote?

“You were born to stand out, stop trying to fit in,”
Roy T. Bennett.

5. How was growing up like for you? Did your upbringing contribute in anyway to who you are today and positions you hold?

I grew up in the soil of unconditional love and selflessness. I was (and is still) surrounded with hugs, motivation and unshakable faith in me from my parents. My Dad has always been my Special Friend, and my mum has always been my Superheroine. They have always been there for me.

Although not without hurdles, my upbringing has been an exclusive mix of grace and bliss. This has had a massive impact on me; I have grown to believe that I can do and achieve anything I set my heart to do and achieve.

Also, my Dad, who happens to be one of my mentors, has groomed and is still grooming me to an enviable stage. I grew up attending meetings with eminent Personalities, dining with Professors & Vice Chancellors, sampling and proof reading Ph.D thesis. I grew up interacting and working with great minds. This has indeed awaken the consciousness of responsibility and invoked the spirit of leadership in me.

6. You have held several positions and have never disappointed in blazing the trail right from childhood. You are currently the Assistant P.R.O & Assistant General Secretary, CLASFON, OOU; the Deputy Information-Technologist, Legal Magnates & Company, OOU; the Financial Secretary and Assistant General Secretary, Infinity Foundation, OOU, among others. How do you juggle all of these offices with the demands of studying Law?

Truthfully, although it has not been so smooth, it has been God all the way.

The key is discipline, as it requires a big sacrifice on my part. I endeavour to prioritize, set and stick to routines.

I have no doubt that there are more responsibilities coming my way. This will definitely require more balance; I’m always trusting God to perfect this delicate balance.

7. Mention 3 Women who inspire you and why

The world is full of inspiring women, and I consider myself so lucky to be inspired by the following women:
1. My invaluable mother – Victoria O. Ademiluyi
2.Mother-in-Israel, RCCG – Pst Mrs Foluke A. Adeboye
3. Former First Lady, United States of America – Michelle Obama

1. I grew up watching a live superheroine, whose unique nature constantly inspires me. My invaluable mother is a beacon of resilience, who has overtime instilled in me and my siblings a hard work ethic, and has motivated us to grow without barriers.

Leading by example, my mother repeatedly emphasizes the need to uphold the values of dignity, integrity and service. Victoria O. Ademiluyi is a blessing to me and the world at large; she is exceptional and phenomenal in every aspect.

2. Being a woman of virtue, Pastor Mrs Foluke Adenike Adeboye has continually inspired me and many others. Her calm and warm personality, alongside her sterling leadership qualities even as a real spiritual mother, who has the love of God, is indeed at the heart of some really inspiring lessons for all.

3. The graceful personality of Michelle Obama often leaves me completely enamoured. She is an iconic fashionista whose intelligence, grace, values, beliefs and leadership qualities infuse lives and set an example of how an ideal lady should be.

Her contagious positivity constantly inspires me and many others to prioritize self-care, use our voices for change, and be ourselves – unapologetically.

8. One thing you will like to change about yourself.

Honestly, I don’t want to change myself. I have grown to embrace who I am and to love myself unconditionally.

I simply want to grow and improve myself, even in my originality. I simply want to change my flawed actions, even in my originality.

Just like Mark Manson said, “Trying to change yourself—that is, who you are—will inevitably lead you to fail and feel hopeless. But if you instead focus on changing your actions without worrying about how it changes you as a person, real change becomes much simpler.”

9. If given the chance to be the President of Nigeria for a day, what will you change?

I most humbly will adopt the recommendation given by my Dad during his Inaugural Lecture on 10th March, 2020.

I will ensure to establish a National Planning agency which will redirect Nigeria’s development agenda from a ‘project basket approach’ to development. This will create something more comprehensive which will focus on correcting the social and spatial imbalances/inequalities that have sunk the majority of Nigerians into poverty.

The idea is to redesign Nigeria to amplify the linkages within the political and economic structures, as well as redesigning the polity to dismantle the colonial heritage of inequalities which have hitherto negatively affected the development of Nigeria (Ademiluyi, 2020).

10. What keeps you up at night?

The zeal to make landmark impacts, reform lives and transform the world positively. The zeal to fully live, express and manifest my true being and essence. The zeal to implement and fulfil my visions, my purpose; all these keep me up at night.

11. You have a great penchant for research, writing, public speaking and linguistics. You also represent OOU’S Literary and Debating Society in competitions and events. How do you prepare and develop yourself for these activities?

I simply toil upward in the night.

Just like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow POET said, “The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”

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

By God’s grace, if He tarries, in the next 5 years, I see myself as a Ph.D student.

I also see myself fulfilling purpose and making the world a better place.

I see myself maintaining a stronger bond with God.

13. If you were given the opportunity to address a group of girls five years younger than you, what will be your advice to them?

If I was opportune to address a group of girls five years younger than I am, my advice will go thus:
“You are who you are, and there is no one else like you. Each person is a unique magnificent being. Do not be your illusory self. Accept yourself for who you truly are, and truly connect with your individual authentic self. Celebrate your essence. With sheer openness and in genuineness of your authentic expression, work from within – that is, from inside-out. To compromise the integrity of your individual authentic self is to falter in the face of mediocrity and conformity.”

In self development April 3, 2020 By Esther Ijewere

How to Access Your Personal Power to Create Success

Personal power plays a big part in our ability to be successful and happy. It also helps us get what we want, feel safe, and remain confident that we are playing a part in this world and not that the world is playing us.

People with personal power don’t need to shout about what they want, and they rarely make people feel inadequate or unappreciated. They have a way of being comfortable in their own skin, believing what they believe, and confidently saying their own opinions while being able to respect and honour others without feeling threatened.

This makes them best placed to serve their goals. It also makes them great leaders, great colleagues, and stable friends and loved ones.

There are several things you can do to begin the process of developing your personal power. Try these to get you started.

1.Stop Stressing

Stressing that something is not working the way it has for others just further reduces your power, making you feel more powerless, worthless and not in control. Learn to accept that not everything is in your power. People that get stressed by bad weather, for example, are often good at reducing their own power – they’re so busy concentrating on the grey day that they forget all the things they actually do have control over.

2.Learn to Listen

In a world filled with thoughts and opinions and ideas, it can be hard to distinguish between our own thoughts and someone else’s. Learn to notice where thoughts come from.

3.Practice Confidence

When you learn to listen to yourself and what you feel, you can easily be rocked into dropping your new ideas if you lack confidence. Confidence may very well be the underlying power to all of our happiness and success in life.

When it comes to personal power, when your confidence drops, your power can, too.

Failure, unkind comments, passive aggressive work colleagues, bad days, and lost opportunities should not permanently affect your confidence.

4.Have Fun

If you love dancing, paintball, surfing, or yoga, don’t let it disappear out of your life. Many clients have found positive changes in their professional lives just by reintroducing the things they love. We are quick to drop these things when we are mega busy, but don’t. It can have long term repercussions.

5.Accept Failure

Personal power can be hard to hold onto when you face failure. However, if you ever need a boost, look up all of the amazing inventions, companies, discoveries and opportunities that have come out of failure.Don’t fear failure, embrace it. It is only truly failure if you learn nothing from it.

Personal power is more than being an influencer. It’s about accepting that you have a positive influence on people and accepting your power to do so without abusing that power.

Personal power can be seen in confidence and a level of self acceptance that others are quick to recognize.

When you embrace your personal power, it will likely have an impact on:

Your work

Your personal life

Your goals.

Your friends

Your business colleagues

Your happiness

Your health

When you find your personal power, own it. It helps us all experience a real world.

Esther Ijewere™©

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In Career Gems April 3, 2020 By Women of Rubies

Coronavirus: Buhari’s daughter returns home after self-isolation

A daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari has returned home after undergoing 14 days self-isolation. It was revealed that the daughter showed no symptoms of the deadly coronavirus but heeded the medical advice to people coming into the country from high-risk countries.

An elated first lady said it was a thing of ‘joy’ to receive her daughter after being away from the family for two weeks.

“It is a thing of joy & gratitude to Almighty God to reunite with my daughter after she had been in isolation for 14 days immediately she landed in Nigeria. While I’m wishing all those infected for a speedy recovery, I pray for the end of this,” she wrote.

In a statement by Aliyu Abdullahi, media assistant to the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, said the young lady came out normal and healthy and was received by her mother.

“I’m happy to inform you that the young lady in question, Mr. President’s daughter, has successfully completed her isolation period of 14 days and she’s normal, very healthy and well.

“She has since this afternoon rejoined her family, the mother, her Excellency First Lady, Dr. Aisha Buhari personally received her.

“The lesson here for Nigerians and other parents to learn is that this is a child with all the privileges one can ever think to have in the country but the parents and the daughter insisted in following the NCDC protocol,” the statement read.

In Inspiration April 3, 2020 By Women of Rubies

This is Zulu Sofola, The First Female Professor Of Theatre Arts In Africa

Zulu Sofola was the first published female Nigerian playwright and dramatist. Sofola was also a university teacher and became the first female Professor of Theater Arts in Africa.

Born in Isele Uku to the Okumabua family, Zulu had her primary and secondary education in Nigeria before traveling to the United States for her university education.

She bagged a BA in English at Virginia Union University and an MA in drama from The Catholic University of America.

She returned to Nigeria to start her career as a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan, where she obtained a Ph.D.

A singer, dancer, and a creative playwright, Zulu wrote and directed many plays for stage and television. She published over ten plays, which includes, The Deer and The Hunters Pearl, Eclipso and the Fantasia, King Emene, Memories In the Moonlight, Old Wines Are Tasty, The Operators, The Showers and The Wizard of the Law.

She was criticized for being a liberal feminist because her plays analyzed the ill-treatment of women in African societies, however, she is well-known as a brilliant writer.

Zulu believes that people should be respected because they are humans and not for their gender. Her work also explored the culture and traditions of Nigeria’s history.

Zulu received many scholarly awards and distinctions both nationally and internationally.

She was the first woman to hold the Chair and Headship of a theatre department as the Head of the Department of the Performing Arts of the University of lIorin.

In 1988, she represented Nigeria at the first International Women Playwrights Conference. In 2002, the National Prize for Creative Writing was named after her and her plays are still read and performed across Europe, North and South America, and Africa.

Sofola’s most frequently performed plays are Wedlock of the Gods (1972) and The Sweet Trap (1977),[7] She died in 1995 at the age of 60.

Zulu met and married her college lover, Adeyemi Sofola. Six months after the death of her husband, Zulu died on September 5, 1995.

In Inspiration April 2, 2020 By Women of Rubies

Grandmother With Parkinson’s Disease Still Greases Her Granddaughter’s Scalp

Before beauticians introduced their fingers to our childhood scalps, our mothers, grandmothers, older sisters or aunties tended to our tresses by greasing our scalp. Nowadays its all about oils, curl puddings and butters, but back then, Murray’s or Blue Magic was the choice for Black women. We’d find a seat on the floor between their legs and their growing fingers would christen our hair.

For Star Danielle — who went viral after a video of her grandmother Cester (who goes by @GrammyCDubb on social media), greasing her scalp made its way to TheShadeRoom — those moments are common. Star’s grandmother has Parkinson’s disease — a nervous system disorder that causes tremors, stiffness and unbalances in individuals who have it. The disease hasn’t stopped her from carrying on their tradition they started when she was just a little girl.

“My grandmother is basically my best friend,” she told us in a candid chat. “It’s kind of complicated — by blood, she is my great, great aunt. She adopted my mom and later became my legal guardian. She is my great, great aunt, grandmother, and mother.”

But they got even closer in the last two years when she got diagnosed with cancer on top of Parkinson’s, which Star says she’s had since she can remember.

“It doesn’t stop her from doing her daily needs as far as shower, eating and cooking. Her greasing my hair is good for her — it keeps her hands active and moving.”

Star says her grandmother taught her about haircare and was the gardener who keeps her hair fertilized and healthy with her growing hand. She laughs recalling the time her hair broke off when she went to live with her biological mother. “I was so upset.”

Cester also raised other children who weren’t her own. She has four adopted daughters.”You wouldn’t even know because of the bond we all have.”

In many Black families, the grandmother is the matriarch of the family, leading the rest with her wise tongue, scripture for every situation and caring nature. Like Cester, who has raised over “100 children,” she is the head of a big village. We praise all our grandmother’s. They’re gems.

Source: WomenAfrica

In Inspiration April 2, 2020 By Women of Rubies

Nigeria’s Oil Baroness Folorunso Alakija Shares On What Makes Tomorrow’s Billionaires

Folarunsho Alakija is one of the only two female billionaires in Africa. She is the vice chair of Famfa Oil, a Nigerian oil exploration company with a stake in Agbami Oilfield, a prolific offshore asset. Famfa Oil’s partners include Chevron and Petrobras. Her first company was a fashion label.

She shared her thoughts to FORBES AFRICA on what makes tomorrow’s billionaires, and how Africa can utilize entrepreneurship.

“There are a lot of business opportunities in Africa that do not exist in other parts of the world, yet Africa is seen as a poor continent. The employment constraints in the formal sector in Africa have made it impossible for it to meet the demands of the continent’s working population of which over 60% are the youth. Therefore, it is imperative we harness the potential of Africa’s youth to engage in entrepreneurship and provide adequate assistance to enable them to succeed.”

“Several governments have been working to provide a conducive atmosphere which will promote entrepreneurship on the continent. However, there is still a lot more to be done in ensuring that the potential of these young entrepreneurs are maximized to the fullest. Some of the challenges young startups in Africa face are as follows: lack of access to finance/insufficient capital; lack of infrastructure; bureaucratic bottlenecks and tough business regulations; inconsistent government policies; dearth of entrepreneurial knowledge and skills; lack of access to information and competition from cheaper foreign alternatives.”

She stated on the importance of having government and non-governmental coming together to tackle this challenges.

“The governments of African nations should provide and strengthen its infrastructure (power, roads and telecom); they should encourage budding entrepreneurs by ensuring that finance is available to businesses with the potential for growth and also commit to further improving their business environments through sustained investment; there must also be a constant push for existing policies and legislation to be reviewed to promote business activities,” she stated.

On the needed attributes for tomorrow’s billionaires she said;

“There is no overnight success. You must start by dreaming big and working towards achieving it. You must be determined to succeed despite all odds. Do not allow your setbacks or failures to stop you but rather make them your stepping stone. Develop your strengths to attain excellence and be tenacious, never give up on your dream or aspiration. Your word must be your bond. You must make strong ethical values and integrity your watchword. Always act professionally and this will enable you to build confidence in your customers and clients.”

Full interview here

In Inspiration April 1, 2020 By Women of Rubies

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry close UK offices, bid final good bye to royalty

Megan Markle and Prince begin their royal free life from today April 1. Taking to Twitter, the Daily Mail’s royal editor Rebecca English also shared an automated response from the pair, indicating the transition is in effect.

“Many thanks for your email. The office for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex has now closed,” their automated message read as shared by the royal editor, Rebecca English of the Daily Mail. Their Buckingham Palace royal office, officially ended yesterday

On Monday, the Sussexes posted a final message to their 11.3 million followers on Instagram.

“Thank you to this community – for the support, the inspiration and the shared commitment to the good in the world. We look forward to reconnecting with you soon. You’ve been great!” the message read. “Until then, please take good care of yourselves, and of one another.”

In Inspiration April 1, 2020 By Women of Rubies

OkayAfrica releases its list of 100 incredible african Women in 2020

According to OkayAfrica

This is to say that these women are building infrastructure, both literally and metaphorically, for future generations in Africa and in the Diaspora. And they are doing so intentionally, reaching back, laterally, and forward to bridge gaps and make sure the steps they build—and not without hard work, mines of microaggressions, and challenges—are sturdy enough for the next ascent.

Our honorees use various mediums to get the job done—DJ’s, fashion designers, historians, anthropologists, and even venture capitalists—but each with the mission to clear the road ahead for generations to come.

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Genevieve Nnaji, Zozibini Tunzi & Kiki Mordi make OkayAfrica’s 100 Women 2020 List celebrating Incredible African Women

Published

2 weeks ago on

March 20, 2020

By

BellaNaija.com

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Genevieve Nnaji attends the 13th Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards Luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 06, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)

OkayAfrica has released its annual “100 Women” list which celebrates incredible African women, from novelists, media mavens, historians and much more, the women on this year’s list are laying the groundwork for other women to follow.