Career Gems Archives

In Career Gems February 21, 2018 By Women of Rubies

MICHELLE OBAMA LAUDS THE MOVIE ‘BLACK PANTHER’

The former first lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama has applaud the movie Black Panther, in a tweet she shared on Monday, February 19.

Michelle lauded the Black Panther team while predicting that the box office hit “will inspire people of all backgrounds to dig deep and find the courage to be heroes of their own stories.”

See her tweet below:

According to Rotten Tomatoes, Black Panther is officially the best-reviewed superhero movies of all time and we have to agree.

The movie which was Marvel’s first film directed by an African-American has raked in an estimated $192 million in North America alone, this weekend.

If you wondering what that means, it means that ‘Black Panther’ is the fifth biggest opening of all time.

The movie starring Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan broke multiple box office records too, stealing the record for the largest opening for an African-American director.

Before now, F. Gary Gray and “The Fate of the Furious” led this category after it opened to $98 million in April 2017.

Black Panther

(Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

According to Disney, the movie is estimated to bring in $218 million domestically. So far, the film has brought in an opening of $361 million around the world.

“Black Panther” also stole the record for an opening in February, which belonged to “Deadpool,” the 20th Century Fox, R-rated superhero film that brought in $132 million when it opened in February 2016.

CNN reports that it is the second biggest opening for a Marvel Studios film, after 2012’s “The Avengers,” pushing past other huge hits like “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Captain America: Civil War” and “Iron Man 3.”

It is also the studio’s 18th straight number one opening.

This is an all time high for Hollywood, and with “Black Panther” reaching box office heights that other African-American titles have been unable to achieve, the film’s total could cause a change in the industry by encouraging diversity both behind and in front of the camera.

High hopes for first movie directed by an African-American

Disney-Marvel’s “Black Panther” was initially estimated to gross over $165 million in North America after it opens during the four-day President’s Day weekend.

According to Hollywood’s tracking service NRG, the movie would be the highest February debut of all time, against the 2016 “Deadpool” which currently holds the record with $152.2 million.

The movie exceeded both feats.

(L-R) Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan in “Black Panther.”

(Disney/Marvel Studios)

The highest openings in North America was led by “The Avengers” with $207.4 million, followed by “Avengers: Age of Ultron “ with $191.3 million and then “Captain America: Civil War “with $179.1.

Disney-Marvel’s “Black Panther” was initially estimated to gross over $165 million in North America after it opens during the four-day President’s Day weekend.

According to Hollywood’s tracking service NRG, the movie would be the highest February debut of all time, against the 2016 “Deadpool” which currently holds the record with $152.2 million.

The movie exceeded both feats.

The highest openings in North America was led by “The Avengers” with $207.4 million, followed by “Avengers: Age of Ultron “ with $191.3 million and then “Captain America: Civil War “with $179.1.

Source: Pulse

In Career Gems February 20, 2018 By Women of Rubies

2017 BBN HOUSEMATE, ESE ERIATA LAUNCHES FASHION LINE

2017 BB Naija housemate, Ese Eriata is coming out on top as she launches her own fashion line called ‘Fabbyese’.

The actress posted on her Instagram page her company logo and wrote, “Life ain’t perfect but your outfit should be
That’s why we are here to give you the very best we cannot wait to give u the best of our classy style. Fabbyese is here to stay”

Life is definitely treating her well as she celebrates another achievement in her life.

Read her post here.

In Career Gems February 20, 2018 By Women of Rubies

SENATE PRESIDENT, BUKOLA SARAKI INVITES COMEDIENNE EMMANUELLA TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Comedienne Emmanuella just got an invitation by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to visit the National Assembly after she is done with her Hollywood movie that is currently in production.

The comedienne had posted a photo of herself behind the scene of a Hollywood movie on Saturday that trended over the weekend.

The senate president had used this to invite the funny girl on Twitter to the national assembly to talk about how to develop talents among young adults.

Emmanuella will be happy to oblige the Saraki we are sure.

Read his tweet.

Bukola Saraki

✔@bukolasaraki

Congratulations Emmanuella! Make sure you make them laugh over there.

Your story is an inspiration. Come by the @NGRSenate sometime, let’s discuss how we can develop the potential of our young talents in the creative industry.

cc: @markangelcomedy https://guardian.ng/life/emmanuella-lands-disney-role/ …

2:37 PM – Feb 18, 2018

Nigerian Comedienne “Emmanuella” Lands Disney Role

Popular Nigerian comedienne, Emmanuella Samuel, popularly known as Emmanuella is set to feature in a Disney Hollywood film. The seven-year-old took to Instagram to make this announcement. Thanks…

guardian.ng

3,490

2,262 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

In Career Gems February 19, 2018 By Women of Rubies

NARRATIVE LANDSCAPE PRESS (NLP) COLLABORATES WITH VLISCO TO RELEASE SPECIAL EDITIONS OF CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE’S BOOKS

Throughout her illustrious career, author and feminist icon, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has blessed us with some pretty incredible books. From her debut novel, Purple Hibiscus, to her recent non-fiction offering, Dear Ijeawele, Adichie has left an indelible mark on the literary scene.

Now, publishing and logistics service provider, Narrative Landscape Press (NLP) have announced their acquisition of rights to the “Nigerian editions” of all of Adichie’s books, along with the launch of their traditional publishing imprint.

Following the acquisition, they have reported plans to publish special collector’s editions of Adichie’s entire body of work — with new covers designed in collaboration with Vlisco. The new editions will be released in April 2018, and will be available for purchase as complete sets.

Speaking about the stunning new covers, NLP said on Instagram:

“The cover designs inspire familiar feelings of home, of nostalgia, and elegance. They were designed in collaboration with Vlisco, who provided the cover art.”

Check out the beautiful new covers below:

Culled from konbini.com

In Career Gems February 13, 2018 By Women of Rubies

NIGERIAN WOMAN BREAKS THE JINX AND WALKED HER SISTER DOWN THE AISLE IN METHODIST CHURCH

Founder of GREENLANDS HAVEN FOUNDATION, Mrs Olubunmi Ajai Layode, has broken the jinx and shackles of tradition and olden doctrine, to walk her youngest sister down the aisle and gave her away in marriage. Mrs Olubunmi Layode and her three sisters are orphans who had stick together through it all and when it was time for the youngest sister to get married, she asked her eldest sister to give her away in marriage. Olubunmi had her moment of doubt but she eventually made up her mind to do the honor.

As expected, the Reverend of their church and the officiating Bishop from Methodist Church, both insisted that she could not walk her sister down the aisle as it is against culture. Brave Mrs Olubunmi stood her ground and after much deliberation and debate, she won and walked her sister down the aisle. This feat has made it possible for women in the Methodist Church of Nigeria to accompany their daughters down the aisle and give their daughters away in marriage.

In her words, she said;

A few months to my sister’s wedding, in our group Whatsapp chat of the remaining 5 daughters of D.I and J.P Ajai, my youngest sister, Dupeola asked me to give her away. Initially, I objected. I told her that I could not do it and that I would have to ask any uncle to do it. The other sisters said they had discussed it and decided that no one deserves that honour more than me. Since JOPA died, no one has looked out for us. We have been all we have had for each other.

I told them I would have to check the Bible and get back to them. This was the old Bunmi, the one who accepted the shackles of society on her, talking. She had not spoken in a while but the magnitude of what I was being asked to do made her make a rare appearance.

Then, the two Bunmis had a conversation in my head. No, I am not schizophrenic. And no, I am not disrespecting people who have schizophrenia, just clearing the air on the voices.

Old Bunmi : I can’t do it!

New Bunmi : because…?

O.B : … what if it breaks Biblical principles?

N.B : it does not. Church weddings are not a Biblical practice.

O.B : Apostle Paul would not like this.

N.B : Jesus would not stop you.

O.B : I don’t know that I can do this.

N.B : yes you can. And if you don’t do it just because you think a man MUST do it when it does not break any Biblical principles or the constitution of the Methodist church, then you, Olubunmi Ajai are not a daughter of JOPA. Remember how he, on his deathbed told you that you and your sisters are ‘omo Akin’ – children of valour and that you all are to fear no one but God after he, your father dies. Furthermore, if you don’t do this just because you think a man must do it, that makes you a fake Feminist/Humanist. Practice what you preach Bunmi.

So, I told my sisters that I accepted the honour. My sister told the Revd of our family church at Obun Eko that her sister would walk and give her away when he asked her on one of the pre-wedding counselling sessions. He opposed it vehemently, saying it had to be a man, any man… it could even be our 20 year old step brother… any man… but not a woman.

So, a 20 year old step brother could give a woman away but not her 48 year old full sister? I don’t think so!

On the wedding day, one of the Bishops of the Methodist Church of Nigeria officiated. While we waited for the bride who was running late to arrive, the Reverend of our family church approached me to ask me who was giving the bride away. I told him I was. He insisted that I could not. It was turning ugly. So, he said he would tell the Bishop. I said let’s go there. So, I asked my Uncle and Aunts to come with me.

We approached the Bishop and the Reverend jumped in while my aunt – a Deaconess, was introducing me to the Bishop. The Revd jumped in and told the Bishop I insisted on walking my sister and giving her away even though he had told me I could not. The bishop said he was right. I could not do it.

I started crying. Not because I was weak, but because I was livid at the injustice. My sister and I were neither breaking any Biblical rules nor any Methodist constitution but because I have a vagina and not a penis, I was not allowed to honour my sister.

I asked the Bishop why I could not do it. He told me it was not our culture. I told him that a few centuries ago, multiple births were a taboo in some areas, now, even in those areas, people pay good money to have multiple births. My Uncle told the Bishop that culture evolves. The Bishop insisted that I could not do it. It is simply against our culture in the Methodist Church. My Aunty told him that our parent church, the Methodist Church of England now has female Reverends where they did not have before. Why can’t we evolve? The Bishop said it was not our culture. I insisted that as Christians, our focus should be on Christ. And Christ did not say that a woman cannot give another woman away in marriage. We went back and forth and after a while, he agreed. I could walk my sister down the aisle and give her away in marriage.

And that is how the daughters of JOPA set a precedent in the Methodist Church of Nigeria. Because of us, because we refused to be bound by cultures and traditions that shackle us just because we don’t have a penis, future brides in the Methodist Church can say that they want their mothers or sisters to give them away in Marriage. They can quote the daughters of D.I and J.P Ajai as reference.

I had a meeting with the Bishop a few days ago and he admitted that the society is patriarchal and that the Methodist Church of Nigeria would now look at changing this culture of not allowing women to give another woman away in marriage.

YOU, yes, YOU, can make a change in society.

Credit: Mrs Olubunmi Ajai Layode

Photo credit : google.com

In Career Gems February 13, 2018 By Women of Rubies

FORMER LIBERIAN PRESIDENT, ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF, WINS $5M PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN AFRICAN LEADERSHIP

Former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been awarded a $5 million prize for excellence in African leadership.

Sirleaf, who served two terms as Liberia’s president, was recognized for leading the country’s recovery from years of devastating civil war, according to the Mo Ibrahim Prize committee. A Nobel Peace Prize winner, Sirleaf was Africa’s first female president and the first woman to receive the prize, which celebrates African leaders who have strengthened democracy on the continent. “Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took the helm of Liberia when it was completely destroyed by civil war and led a process of reconciliation that focused on building a nation and its democratic institutions,” said committee Chairman Salim Ahmed Salim.

Sirleaf took office in January 2006. She was succeeded by former international soccer star George Weah, last month.

Launched in 2007, the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership is awarded to democratically elected African presidents and prime ministers who have left office within the last three years.

Previous winners include former Botswana president Festus Mogae, in 2008 and Mozambique’s former president Joaquim Chissano, in 2007. But on six occasions the prize has not been awarded, with no eligible candidate deemed worthy.

Ibrahim, a Sudanese-born telecommunications businessman and billionaire, created the foundation bearing his name in 2006. It uses 88 criteria to rate the governance of African countries. The $5 million prize is distributed over 10 years and winners receive $200,000 every year for life thereafter.

Source: LIB

In Career Gems February 12, 2018 By Women of Rubies

FOUNDER OF MIRABEL CENTRE, ITORO EZE-ANABA, HONORED BY THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND, HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

Founder of Mirabel Centre, Itoro Eze-Anaba, has been honored with the Commonwealth Point of Light Award by the Queen of England, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

She founded The Mirabel Centre which is Nigeria’s first sexual assault referral centre, in 2013 and has since then helped over 3,100 victims of rape.

She has provided a safe haven for over 2,800 survivors of this heinous crime and has encouraged thousands of others to break the silence on rape and seek prosecution of perpetrators, reducing their impunity.

Reflecting on the award, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Arkwright, said,

“Itoro has shown impressive dedication to supporting victims of sexual assault and rape. She has provided a safe haven for over 2800 survivors of this heinous crime and has encouraged thousands of others to break the silence on rape and seek prosecution of perpetrators, reducing their impunity. “The Mirabel Centre is a project of Partnership for Justice where rape and sexual assault victims can access free forensic medical and counselling services.”

Itoro Eze-Anaba took to her Facebook page to post pictures from the event and to also thank her team at Mirabel Centre.

See full post and photos below;

Receiving the Commonwealth Point of Light from Mr Arkwright the British High Commissioner on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen is an acknowledgement of the impact of the Mirabel Centre is on the lives of survivors of rape and sexual assault in Nigeria. It also highlights the importance of collaborative efforts to bring this menace to an end. The amazing team at the Mirabel Centre thank you for being part of the journey, for your support and words of encouragement.

In Career Gems February 12, 2018 By Women of Rubies

FEMALE WEIGHT-LIFTERS IN IRAQ TRAIN HARD TO ALSO BOOST FAMILY FINANCES

The weightlifters on Iraq’s national women’s team train hard every day, both to bring home the medals and to help ease the financial burden of running a home.

Jerking weights heavier than themselves at a rundown gym in Baghdad’s conservative Shiite neighbourhood of Sadr City, the young women and girls come together for three hours every day.

The girls are focused as they work out between the small gym’s peeling pale mint walls, one of which is adorned with a giant painted Iraqi flag.

With their dark hair in high buns and dressed in team green tracksuit tops, black shorts and leggings, they raise an arm and turn from side to side to warm up.

Then they work out hanging from a pull-up bar, before moving to different mats to get down to the business of lifting weights.

“To those who say weightlifting is not for girls, I say we can do everything men do,” says Huda Salim al-Saedi, 20, patting chalk powder from her hands.

“I challenge men to lift weights and I’m proud of it,” says the weightlifter, her eyebrows trimmed neatly and a black bandana keeping her hair from falling in her face.

Huda was one of the first to be recruited when coach Abbas Ahmed in 2011 set out to create Iraq’s first national female weightlifting team.

At first, it was an uphill battle.

Society’s rejection

“It was very, very hard,” says the former men’s coach, who is now 54.

“Society rejected the idea,” with conservatives considering the sport inappropriate for women and girls.

There was also no state funding for the project.

So Ahmed first approached families whose members were already fans of the sport.

Huda seemed like an ideal candidate. She had practised Taekwondo since the age of eight and had long been a fan of weightlifting on television.

Today, she’s a cornerstone of the Iraqi women’s team and its most promising member.

Huda helped to train her younger sister Hadeel Salem, 17, in weightlifting.

(AFP)

Huda helped to train her sister Hadeel, who just turned 17, and last year both of them competed in Asian championships.

The 20-year-old won bronze in the “snatch” discipline in her category at the Asian Championships in Turkmenistan, lifting 90 kilos in one swift motion above her head. She finished first overall at the Asian Junior Championship in Nepal.

Her younger sister Hadeel also competed there taking 10th place lifting 68 kilos in the “snatch,” while in another competition in Kathmandu, the Asian Youth Championships, she came in fourth overall.

But beyond making their relatives proud, Huda and Hadeel’s accomplishments have also provided their family with some financial security.

“Thanks to weightlifting, I have a salary and money to cover my family’s needs every month,” Huda says, with her sister’s pay cheque also helping make ends meet.

‘Welcomed as heroes’

Iraq’s national women’s weightlifting team is sponsored by the police club that pays each member a monthly salary of $400 to $800.

(AFP)

The women’s team is sponsored by the police club, which pays each of its eight members a monthly salary of $400 to $800 — a considerable sum for some families.

If Huda and Hadeel did not receive support from the club, their family could not pay their monthly rent of some $330, their father Salim Noma says.

Over time, he says, support has grown for the girls in the conservative neighbourhood.

“Everybody has ended up supporting them. They’re welcomed as heroes every time they return from a competition,” says Noma as he watches his daughters train.

Female weightlifting has provided an unexpected source of pride — and safety net — for some families in the working-class neighbourhood.

Loujain Hazem, 15, gave up her studies to focus on the sport, winning a silver medal at the West Asia championships in Jordan last year.

“Our coach has taught us determination and perseverence,” she says.

“I’m sure our efforts will pay off, in terms of both weightlifting and money.”

The younger generation is also dreaming big.

Every day after shool, the father of 12-year-old Roqaya picks her up and they weave through the traffic jams of Baghdad on his moped to the gym in Sadr City.

With her hair tied in a pink bow, she lifts two large red weights above her head.

“I hope one day to take part in the Olympics,” says Roqaya, already aiming high.

Culled from Pulse News

In Career Gems April 3, 2021 By Women of Rubies

StemHub Foundation Now A Registered Not For Profit Corporation

Biomedical Engineer and STEM advocate, Adeola Olubamiji, has taken to her social media account to announce that STEMHUB FOUNDATION is now a registered Not For Profit Corporation. She also shared a copy of the certificate on her page.

Read her full post below;

STEMHUB FOUNDATION is now a registered Not-For-Profit Corporation 👏🏾.

STEMHUB Foundation is an initiative born to further enhance the advocacy for youth and women empowerment through education and skill acquisition. The 4 branches of STEMHUB Foundation are listed below:

STEMstars – will provide free mentorship programs connecting mentees to appropriate mentors. Let’s make you a superstar! Application forms will be out on our website soon.

STEMing- free hands-on experiments for children in the black communities across Ontario (we want to expand it beyond the current horizon).

STEMscholars – free career advice, CV / Resume help, provisions of scholarship information and hopefully will offer scholarships or payments of application fees to those who are not capable in the nearest future.

STEMspires – a platform to share inspirational stories of young blacks in STEM trailblazing and birthing new ideas in their various fields.

Our NEEDS:

– A very good web developer to help create a fantastic website (we will pay appropriately);
– We are recruiting MENTORS and MENTEES (portal opens shortly);

– Volunteers to serve as coordinators of each branch (we will be able to serve as your referees if you work for at least 60 hours yearly and you will receive yearly volunteer certificates);

– Website manager / volunteer to upload contents and make sure to tidy things up;

– Again, we need your support to help lift this initiative up. It is ours and collectively we will change more lives, and change the notion of the world about the black race. Join us, support us and help create the change we desire.

Incorporated by Bar. Ayo Akenroye. Thanks for always 🙏🏾.

Are you ready? I’m excited!

Source: https://web.facebook.com/adeola.obamz

In Career Gems February 8, 2018 By Women of Rubies

SPICE GIRLS SETS TO COME TOGETHER FOR A PROJECT

For the first time since 2012, the Spice Girls have reunited in the same room for a catch-up with former manager Simon Fuller. Regrouping at Geri Horner née Halliwell’s home in Hertfordshire on February 2, the gang took to Instagram with a photo announcing that “#girlpower is alive and well”.

After sharing a few more snaps of the reunion – which soon made their way across social media – the five members of the iconic ’90s group released a statement confirming plans to work on “new opportunities”.

“We have enjoyed a wonderful afternoon catching up and reminiscing about the amazing times we have spent together”, notes the band in a statement.“We are always overwhelmed at how much interest there is across the whole world for The Spice Girls.” The statement goes on to reveal:

“The time now feels right to explore some incredible new opportunities together. We all agree that there are many exciting possibilities that will once again embrace the original essence of The Spice Girls, while reinforcing our message of female empowerment for future generations.”

“It’s very exciting”

According to The Sun, the Spice Girls are getting ready to unveil a series of ventures including TV projects in China, a new TV talent show, endorsement deals and a compilation album celebrating their greatest hits.

The project is thought to be led by Simon Fuller who has apparently managed to convince Victoria Beckham to take part – on the condition that she doesn’t have to sing (I’m sorry but…LMAO). As a source close to the group revealed:

“This is the pop reunion no one thought would ever happen again. But after a long period of negotiation Victoria agreed the time is right to work on new projects this year. It’s very exciting because she has always been adamant she wouldn’t go back.”

As a reminder, the Spice Girls split in 2000 before teaming up again for a world tour in 2007-08. They then teamed up to close the London Olympic Games ceremony in 2012, just ahead of Spice Girls musical Viva Forever!.

Back in 2016, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton and Geri Horner were rumoured to return to the stage but nothing ended up coming of the hearsay.