Women of Rubies
Category

Inspiration

Category
In Inspiration By

MultiChoice beams light on four Nigerian women defying stereotypes through filmmaking

In honour of women’s history month, last march, MultiChoice Nigeria beamed light on four young women, who are defying every odd there is to follow their dreams of telling the African story through film.

Uchenna Eileen Ugwu

Uchenna Eileen Ugwu
Ugwu knew from when she was just a little girl that she wanted to make films. She went on to study Theatre and Film Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Now 24, Ugwu’s passion for film keeps growing more than ever. After undergoing training at the Multichoice Talent Factory (MTF), she went from wanting to only write scripts, to realizing that she can do so much more.

A film she co-wrote and line-produced – made it to the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) while a mini documentary she wrote and co-produced, named – Plastic Treasures – won the spotlight award at the Mobile Film Festival in Paris, France this past year.

Ugwu has also started a production company and hopes to make films that will show the lives of people whose stories we never heard.

Precious Iroagalachi
Iroagalachi studies Sociology from the University of Port-Harcourt. Like Uchenna, she got her shot at filmmaking when she won a scholarship into the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) to study Film and Television Production.

Precious Iroagalachi

Iroagalachi has co-produce an award-winning mini documentary – Plastic Treasures, which won the Spotlight Award at the Mobile Film Festival in France, as well as worked as Camera Operator for two feature length films currently showing on SHOWMAX – Life of Bim and DreamChaser. The latter she says has been “the most challenging and fulfilling thing I’ve done, asserting myself as a cinematographer in Nollywood.”

As one would expect, the biggest challenge has been having to prove that she is much more than just a pretty face. “I always work hard not to be the weakest person in the room because in a way, that is expected,” she says.

Ronke Adeola
Ronke Adeola, quitted her 9 to 5 easily to pursue her filmmaking dreams , but nothing could quite prepare her for the difficulties she ran into when she exhausted her savings. It took her a couple of years to find her footing and even though she still doesn’t earn as much as she earned at her bank job, the Art History graduate is a lot more fulfilled making films and telling stories that matter.

Ronke Adeola

Since quitting her bank job, Adeola has worked on a number of cool projects including the film adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s Half of A Yellow Sun where she worked as a Producer’s assistant. Her film, Awani has gotten into major film festivals across the world and bagged Award of Merit from the Impact documentary Awards and UNESCO prize from the Belgium UNESCO commission.

“Awani is by far my biggest achievement. Everything that came after that has been a big bonus.”

“If we are going to spend 16 hours in one location, we need access to proper toilets. If filming lasts till 4am, women have different security needs, how are we supposed to get home safely? The inclusion of women can be improved with better logistical planning and setting up funding for women led projects. That being said, the future is getting brighter for women filmmakers. We just have to be steadfast and also make sure we are opening doors for other women behind us,”she said.

Blessing Bulus
Bulus has got a versatile skill set, from production, cinematography, costuming, production management to editing. Fresh out of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism where she studied Mass Communication, Bulus was selected as part of the 20 students from West Africa to undergo training in filmmaking at the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF).

Blessing Bulus

Her recent and highest  project is tittled Aljana where she worked as the Associate Producer. Like some of her idols including Rama Thiaw, Ava Duvernay, Caroline Reucker and Mo Abudu, Bulus dreams of telling stories that will resonate with a global audience. “I never dream to make Nigerian/African cinema,” she says. “I dream to make Cinema. I look forward to seeing films that outlive the filmmakers and to achieve that, I have to dig into my inner self and tell the truest form of what I feel.”

For full article click here

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

Latasha Ngwube has a Lot to be Thankful for after Escaping a Major disaster in her home

Media personality Latasha Ngwube has taken to her Instagram to reveal how she narrowly escaped a major disaster on Sunday after the ceiling in her bathroom collapsed. Latasha explained that the incident happened moments before she was about to take a shower.

Photos from the aftermath of the collapse show her broken bathtub and a gaping hole in her ceiling. She thanked God for saving her life as she might have been seriously harmed if the ceiling had fallen when she was already taking a shower.

” alt=”” aria-hidden=”true” />
” alt=”” aria-hidden=”true” />
” alt=”” aria-hidden=”true” />

Photo Credit: @latashalagos

 

Source: Bellanaija

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

Covid-19: A Woman has been Fined For Taking Turtle For A Walk In Rome

An Italian woman who took her pizza-sized turtle out for a walk has been fined 400 euros (₦169,838.82) by the Roman police for breaking strict coronavirus confinement rules.

Italians need a justifiable reason to be out on the street in the middle of a pandemic that has officially claimed more than 20,000 lives in the Mediterranean country since February according to AFP.

Taking your dog out for a walk is viewed as a good enough reason to leave your home. But it seems taking your turtle out for one is not.

The Roman police said,

The 60-year-old woman was caught outside her home without a justifiable reason” and fined. The woman was walking with a turtle.

Roman police spokesman Nunzio Carbone said that the woman was fined 400 euros because it was “not a justifiable excuse”.

Italian authorities reported issuing a record 16,545 fines on Easter Monday, a national holiday in the largely Catholic country.

Another 13,756 fines were issued on Sunday.

Italians have been joking on social media about renting out their dogs to anyone who was going stir crazy and needed a good excuse to go out.

The spokesperson said the turtle was “as big as a pizza” but not wearing a leash.

The death rate due to coronavirus has been very high in Italy. However, the US has overtaken Italy with the highest coronavirus deaths.

 

Source: Guardian

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

Read Adaeze loving birthday message from her husband

 With a picture of her, he wrote:

Happy 30th Birthday to my darling wife and mom to our beautiful kids.

Askim, you’re unbelievably precious to me…and I’m so happy to celebrate another year with you.

May this special day bring you lots of moments cherish.
I am so proud and blessed to call you my wife.

Thank you for being an amazing partner. My life is better because of you!
I adore you my queen!
Love you Now and Forever 🖤

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

One in 4 women is not free to say no to sex – UN report

About half the world’s women can make their own decisions on sexual consent and health care, according to the United Nations. It cautions that such limited rights stand in the way of gender equality.

According to a study by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) that found women’s rights declining in some countries, one in four women were not free to say no to sex, and a higher proportion were unable to make their own decisions about health care.

“Women’s ability to make decisions on reproductive health, contraceptive use and sexual relations is pivotal to gender equality and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights,” the UNFPA said in the report.

The UNFPA looked at women’s access to health care and whether they could make their own decisions on contraception and say no to sex but just 55% of women were able to say yes to all three questions, according to survey data collected from 57 countries.

“If she can make those decisions in all three areas, that woman is seen as empowered,” Emilie Filmer-Wilson, UNFPA human rights adviser told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The research found that for one in 10 countries, women must be married to get maternity health care, and more than 25% of countries have age restrictions for access to contraception and require married women to get their husband’s consent for an abortion.

Filmer-Wilson said that factors affecting women’s abilities to make their own decision included their education levels, the age they married and the views of their husbands. “For the general public, I think it’s a wake-up call,” she said. “We’ve got more work to do in terms of women’s empowerment.”

The research also found that three-quarters of the countries it studied had laws in place to guarantee women’s rights, but those laws may exist in countries with cultural or religious customs and practices that restricted their rights.

Source: Face to Face  Africa 

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

Diy Snack- 5 Things Rice water would do for Your Skin And Hair

Rice water is the water left over after you cook rice. It requires thorough rinsing of the rice to get the starch.

This water contains some properties that are good for the skin and hair.

It has long been thought to promote stronger and more beautiful hair. According to healthline its earliest known use of it is over 1,000 years ago in Japan.

Your skin can benefit from this as well as It’s said to soothe and tone your skin, and even improve different skin conditions. Some use it as a skin lightener as some of the chemicals in it are known to lighten pigment, no evidence exists for how effective this is.

A lot of commercial products — including soaps, toners, and creams — contain rice water.

For face brightening

It can help improve skin damage from the sun. Rice wine increases the collagen in the skin, which keeps your skin supple and helps prevent wrinkling. It also appears to have natural sunscreen properties. Some studies says it is anti-aging  when fermented because of its antioxidant properties.

Dry skin
Rice water is known to help with skin irritation caused by sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), an ingredient found in many personal care products. Anecdotal evidence has shown that using rice water twice a day helps skin that has been dried and damaged by SLS.

Damaged hair
Its smoothens hair which makes it a good conditioner. It contains Inositol, a chemical in which helps repair damaged hair from the inside out, including split ends.

Sooths Skin problems

There have been claims that Eczema, acne, rashes, and inflammation can be contained to some extent by rice water.
Due to the properties of rice water, there’s reason to think that some of these claims are true although hard evidence is still lacking.

Sun damage protection
Chemicals contained in rice have been shown to help protect the skin against the sun’s rays. A 2016 study showed that it was an effective sunscreen when combined with other plant extracts.

Please ensure you speak with a dermatologist first before beginning any skin regimen.

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

Susanne Tedrick is inspiring other ‘women of colour’ to pursure careers in tech

Its no news technology is becoming more widely useful. An award winning tech professional, Susanne Tedrick is out to inspire other women to pursue careers in technology, especially ‘women of color.’

In her new book, Women of Color in Tech: A Blueprint for Inspiring and Mentoring the Next Generation of Technology Innovators, Tedrick encourages them to pursue careers in technology and provides a roadmap to break through barriers and build a rewarding and successful career in tech.

Due to facts, women of color have been underrepresented in tech and many have not had the access to strong support networks or resources to build successful careers in the tech industry. With her bulk experience, Tedrick understands the many challenges that young women of color go through and has written Women of Color in Tech in hopes of inspiring the next generation of women to explore careers in tech.

“I wrote this book for women of color who may have the spark and curiosity in pursuing a path in tech, but perhaps, may need some guidance and clarity on what a tech career could look like beyond the ones we traditionally associate with the industry. I also wanted to provide actionable and practical steps that they can take now to build their careers, even if that path changes in the future. Finally, I wanted to talk openly on specific issues that may be a challenge for them – bias, imposter syndrome, mental health and lack of strong support systems among a few – and strategies to help navigate them through,” she said.

On Tuesday April 14th, Tedrick will host a virtual panel discussion with other women in tech to straighten out misconceptions about technical careers (it’s not all about coding!) – the other panelists will also share their various experiences.

This book will be available wherever books and ebooks are sold on April 14th; virtual panel discussion live at 6pm EST on the same day.

To pre-order the book and register for the virtual panel, visit https://webelongintech.comcomcomcom

Women of Rubies has published this free, it is  not a paid partnership advert.

 

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

Okonjo-Iweala gets Au appointment, as Special Envoy in imf Fight against Coronavirus

IMF’s Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, had announced Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment into the 12-member team on Friday in a statement.

The former minister of finance, was recently announced as a member of South Africa’s presidential economic advisory council.

According to the statement, the new group will provide perspectives from around the globe on key developments and policy issues, including policy responses to the exceptional challenges the world now faces due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and its economic impact.

“Even before the spread of COVID-19 and the dramatic health, economic, and financial disruptions it has brought, IMF members confronted a rapidly evolving world and complex policy issues,” stated Ms Georgieva ,

“To serve our membership well in this context, we need top-notch input and expertise from the widest range of sources, inside and outside the Fund.

“Toward this end, I am proud that an exceptional and diverse group of eminent individuals with high-level policy, market, and private sector experience has agreed to serve on my External Advisory Group.

“Today we had a dynamic discussion to gain their insights, and to receive informal reactions to our ideas and approaches,” she added.

The advisory group is expected to meet a few times in a year with the IMF’s Managing Director, Deputy Managing Directors, and a sub-set of IMF department Directors.

Here are the list of the Managing Director’s External Advisory Group below:

Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Finance Minister of Nigeria

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister of Singapore and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore

Ms Kristin Forbes, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mr Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia

Lord Mark Malloch Brown, former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General

Mr Feike Sijbesima, Honorary Chair, DSM, Former CEO, Royal DSM

Mr Raghuram Rajan, Professor, University of Chicago

Ms Ana Botín, Group Executive Chairman, Santander

Ms Carmen Reinhart, Professor, Harvard University

Mr Mohamed A. El-Erian, Chief Economic Adviser, Allianz

Mr Scott Minerd, Chief Investment Officer, Guggenheim Investments

Ms Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Chair of ActionAid International

Okonjo-Iweala was also recently announced as a member of South Africa’s presidential economic advisory council.

Congratulations.

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

Mom Recruits 13-Year Old Daughter to Be CEO of Their Cosmetic Brand

Danielle and Miah Pasha are a mother-daughter duo who are taking the cosmetic world by storm with their new company, The Beat House Cosmetics. Teasing customers with their highly sought-after Knockout Pallet in 2019, the pair are now preparing to launch their website officially this spring and the excitement is everywhere.

Danielle (known by friends and loved ones as “Pasha”), who is the architect behind the line stated, “I am so blown away by all of the positive feedback I have received from everyone, it’s so surreal.” This is understandable when you figure that Mrs. Pasha has been in Afghanistan for the last 3 years while developing this line. “I remember facetiming my daughter, giving her instructions and task to help me out with the business in my absence and now we are partners!”

Yes, you heard that right, partners! Danielle recruited the most beautiful person she knew to team up with for this makeup line, her 13-year old daughter who has set the internet a blaze as the face and acting CEO of the company.

“Most teenagers are irritated by their parents and wouldn’t dare want to work with them, (I’m still irritated at times lol) but I remember missing my mom and not knowing when I would see her again, so I enjoy every second we get to spend together. Besides, I loooooove make up,” says Miah.

 

Source: Black News

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

#RubyGirls| “My works are embedded on the thoughts of giving hope to the hopeless” – Arowora Fausat

Arowora Fausat Omolabake popularly known as Olayinkaadukeade is a page poet and a spoken word poet. She writes poems and articles, she composes texts and contents. She’s also a model.

Fausat is a third year student of OOU, studying political science. She is the emeritus Assistant General Secretary of her department and the current Vice President. She is a public speaker, she does skits online too all of which can be found on her IG page-@IamOlayinkaadukeade

1. Let’s meet you. Who is Fausat?

I’m Arowora Fausat by name popularly known as IamOlayinkaadukeade

2. What are your hobbies?

Writing to impact lives, taking pictures when I’m bored, meeting new friends and of course looking good always.

3. Who and what inspires you?

That’s quite a deep question! Well, my story does. My mom does also, taking a look at where God has taken our life story and all, it gives me much more inspiration never to stop soon until I get to the top.

4. What is your biggest fear?

My biggest fear in life is becoming all I ever despise, not living a life of impact and surely not seeing my dreams come true.

5. You are the emeritus Assistant General Secretary of the department and the current Vice President. What prompted you to go into politics?

(Smiles) Ever since I was a teen I’ve resolved to go into politics and probably the legal profession, my mom’s life story is a great push of that desire, so I decided to start from the scratch which is going into school politics as we all know the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.

6. Your best quote?

God knows best and never stops being good.

A sample of Arowora Fausat’s poem

7. You are a poet and content writer. What do your works border on and how have you been able to impact knowledge to the masses with your writing skills?

My works are mainly centered on improving lives for the better. I’m glad God has used me severally as a catalyst of positive change in the lives of many. I get calls and messages daily from different people across the country telling me how much they are blessed to be a fan of my works, that’s a great encouragement. My works are embedded on the thoughts of giving hope to the hopeless and being the voice of the voiceless knowing fully well whatever situation they are passing through will surely end in praise.

8. Mention three women who inspire you to be better and why

Number 1 is my mother, she’s been through a lot for the sake of her children. I have watched her starve to feed us, too many countless reasons. Number 2 is the homeless but not hopeless, I feel a lot for the less-privileged. I’ve never been there but I know what it feels to be one, this is what prompted me to write on “Street Litters Can Shine” which I’d be releasing very soon.
Number 3 is all successful women on earth, they inspire me a lot as I never stopped aspiring to be like them, seeing them makes me affirm I can do it too. They have been my greatest inspiration. I’m working on a piece titled “The Future Is Female” it will drop very soon too.

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

The sentiment that a female can’t be a catalytic tool of bringing our dear nation to her promised land. Females can do better! The future is female.

 

10. You recently ventured into entrepreneurship by monetizing your writing skills and also introducing word frames for special occasions. What inspired that? Any challenges so far?

As soon as I came to the realization of my God-given talent, I’ve been using it to help humanity in my own little way. I’ve got friends who look up to me when it comes to composing birthday texts for them and their loved ones all of which I don’t charge a dime. Looking at this economy, one must find a means of survival. I woke up one day with the thought of how to monetize my talent without jeopardizing the main aim of it – to bless lives, so I came up with the thought of doing “FramePoems” where I compose sweet texts alongside pictures since photo frames is the trending thing in vogue and bless God I have been making quite a handful from it, half bread they say is better than none.

11. How are you able to manage your time with your studies and other activities you’re involved with?

It’s been God always and my dedicated mindset of not mixing my social life with my academic life. Out of no time, I shuffle everything and here we are, it’s been going fine.

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

I see myself and my brand going places! I see myself as a world-class celebrated public figure and an emulated celebrity. I pray I get better with my writings too, being the future Soyinka isn’t a bad idea you know, a renowned Nobel Laureate. By then, I should be able to tell my success story to the world with tears of joy knowing fully well my dreams have come true.

 

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?

Never say never! Disappointments are there to make you stronger. Failure is there to teach you to prepare harder. Don’t you ever settle for less! Keep fighting and never give up. The world is waiting to celebrate and listen to your success story.
Thanks for having me.

by
Keep Reading

©2025. WomenofRubies. All Rights Reserved.