Interviews&profile Archives

In Interviews&profile April 5, 2018 By Women of Rubies

MEET THE SOUTH AFRICAN LADY CREATING AWARENESS FOR MENTAL ILLNESS THROUGH RUNNING

South African, Zanele Hlatshwayo is creating awareness for mental health through running

After losing her father to suicide, Hlatshwayo cried a lot. The mourning process got so close to affecting her mental health that she started looking for ways to deal with her emotions. Eventually, running turned out to be her coping mechanism.

Speaking with IOL, she said:

“When I started, I was running away from the situation. I didn’t want to deal with it anymore but the more I ran, the more I realized it is helping me deal with it.”

It’s been more than 10 years since she started road running and she’s still going strong. Now she’s taking it up a notch by running 18 races around South Africa in just seven months!

(Photo: Wits Business School via Twitter)

To show she means business, Hlatshwayo has already completed seven races since January. With 11 to go, she has partnered with the crowd-funding platform, BackaBuddy to raise R180,000 (more than N5 million) for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).

Explaining how running relates to mental health, she said:

“Running also signifies pain that people who are depressed go through because in many instances, when you run…there’s a lot that you go through, physically and emotionally. It’s a similar process for those who suffer from depression.”

Hlatshwayo will cap off this feat with a 180km race in the Eastern Cape by the end of July.

Source: konbini.com

In Interviews&profile April 5, 2018 By Women of Rubies

THE AMAZING STORY OF ALHAJA ASIATA ONIKOYI WHO HAS LIVED WITH SICKLE CELL ANEMIA FOR 93 YEARS

Alhaja Ashiata Abike Onikoyi-Laguda will be 94 years old October 2018 and she still lives a robust life though she has the highly feared SS genotype.

Alhaja Laguda, as she is popularly called, said during an interview with The Nation, that she stopped having Sickle Cell attacks since she turned 40, though her genotype is still the same.

Here are a few things she said:

On being sickly

“Doctors see me and wonder what a miracle I am.

She recalled that being sickly was tougher at the time she was growing up because nobody knew about sickle cell anemia. She was always sick to the point that in a whole year, she may attend school only about three months of the entire annual school calendar while she spent the other months sick and at home. She was given all sorts of concoctions to cure her illness due to the ignorance surrounding the ailment.

“I was taken to the hospital; then they still brought all sorts of concoction from the Igbo tribe, from Yoruba people and from Hausa part of the country, because it was a very serious sickness. I just took everything that they gave me. They would cut me on every part of my body but I gave myself to them because I wanted to live.”

When the illness attacked her hands, she recalled that she would not be able to use them for anything – not even to eat. When it attacked her legs, she would not be able to walk, and whenever she was at home, she must be by the fire-side, to keep her warm.

On shame and insults

“They called me ‘abiku’ and several other names, but thank God things have changed today. Also, the government is doing everything within its power to enlighten the people about the disease.”

On how her father cared for her

She said her father pampered her because he feared he could lose her at any moment. So he mostly kept her away from school.

She said: “If he didn’t die, I probably wouldn’t have been educated because he said I should be left at home so that they can watch over me every time.

“He insisted that because of my nature, no teacher should beat me. He would say I should be left at home even when I was not having any attacks; but when he died I had no choice because my mum insisted I went to school. That, in a nutshell, was how it became possible for me to go to school.”

Before she took a fall

Before I fell, I used to walk from my house here in Ilasamaja, Lagos to Mushin and Oshodi market as a form of exercise because I believe walking is the best exercise one can engage in. I walked like that until I was 90 when I fell and had to stop.”

Prior to her fall, Alhaja Laguda used to go to hospitals to talk to people living with Sickle Cell anemia, lecture them, and encourage them.

On raising sickle cell children

She called on parents with children suffering from sickle cell anemia to take care of the children very well, feed them well and show them lots of love.

“This will make it easier for them to live with the disease. When it is cold, keep them warm; don’t keep them at home because they are always sick; let them go to school, it is very important,” she said.

On if she wants to live longer

She said she hopes to leave this earth soon, adding: “I want to go but God has not killed me, so I have no choice but live.”

Credit: The Nation, Fab Woman

In Interviews&profile April 4, 2018 By Women of Rubies

MEET SALMA AL-MAJIDI, THE FIRST ARAB AND SUDANESE WOMAN TO COACH A MEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM

In 2012, Sudan’s Islamic Fiqh Council issued a religious banning the formation of a national women’s football team in the country. Their reason? It’s an ‘immoral act’. While the order has made most Sudanese women abandon their dreams of becoming professional footballers, Salma al-Majidi has gone around it by becoming a football coach instead – and her players are all men!

Acknowledged by FIFA as the first Arab and Sudanese woman to coach a men’s football team, al-Majidi started dreaming about a career in football at the age of 16. Confident that what a man can do a woman can also do, she approached a coach in charge of a boys’ team and asked to work with him.

Speaking with AFP, she said:

“At the end of every training session, I discussed with him the techniques he used to coach the boys. He saw I had a knack for coaching and gave me a chance to work with him.”

From there, she started coaching under-13 and under-16 teams. Now at 27, not only does she have the CAF “B” badge – meaning she can coach any first league team across the continent – she has coached four Sudanese men’s clubs so far. Two of the clubs even topped local leagues under her coaching.

Determined to succeed, al-Majidi looks forward to coaching an international team someday.

Culled from konbini.com

In Interviews&profile March 31, 2018 By Women of Rubies

“I WAS IN JUNIOR CLASS WHEN I TOLD MY MUM I WANTED TO LEARN FASHION DESGINING”- ANIMASHAUN AMINAT ADERAYO

Animashaun Aminat Aderayo is the CEO of Switt fashion and leather works which is a Nigerian company founded in 2012. A Company make use of quality leather and fabrics such as Ankara, Aso-ofi, silk and satin to produce handmade shoes with matching bags and accessories for women, as well as high quality leather footwear for men. she created the brand name ” De’rayo” and launched her vocational institute “De’rayo vocational Limited” which is into training of youths and youth corp members to be experts in a field of their choice in the fashion industry.

She had her Diploma in marketing from Olabisi Onabanjo university, studied French and have Delf certificate in French,studied B.sc. Entrepreneurial and business administration at Nigeria National Open University.

She also studied Entrepreneurial Development at Enterprise Development Center, Lagos Business School. Derayo is also the co-founder of Prospects for Girls Foundation, an NGO that train and empower young girls in Africa. The young entrepreneur who believes Nigeria will be great again shares her inspiring story in this exclusive interview.

Childhood Influence

When I was at age 6, what I do most times is to stitch fabrics together. I remember vividly when I was in JSS 2, I told my Mum I wanted to learn fashion designing at her friends’ shop which I resume there after school each day instead of going to extra lesson. I did not know then I would become an entrepreneur. All I noticed at a tender age is that I enjoy marketing. I can market a product I don’t have with word of mouth and people will demand for it. I started out selling book stands, scarf and fashion accessories among others.
I enjoy marketing which I later studied at Olabisi Onabanjo University at 2004.

Meet Me

I am Animashaun Aminat Aderayo the creative director and CEO of Switt Fashion and Leather Works based in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The company was founded in the year 2012. The company makes use of quality leather and fabrics such as Ankara, Adire, and Aso-Ofi to produce handmade shoes, with matching bags and accessories for women, as well as high quality leather footwear for men.

I created the brand name “De’rayo”. I’m also the CEO of “De’rayo Vocational Limited” which is into training of youths to be an expert in a field in Fashion Industry. I studied Diploma in marketing from Olabisi Onabanjo University, studied French and have a Delf Certificate in French; I studied B. Sc. Entrepreneurial and business administration at Nigeria National Open University.

I also studied Entrepreneurial Management at Enterprise Development Center, Lagos Business School. I’m the co-founder of prospects for girls foundation, an NGO that train and Empower young girls in Africa.

Inspiration behind Switt Fashion and Leather Works
Switt Fashion and Leather Works is a manufacturing company that is into production of Shoes, Bags and Accessories with quality leather and fabrics such as Aso-Ofi, Ankara and Adire.

We produce for other brands both locally and internationally. We produce for 18 Forever a London base brand and Redefine Africa in Pennsylvania USA and brands in Nigeria.

The inspiration behind Switt Fashion is to see quality products produce here in Nigeria by us for us to the world and for the fact that I want to reduce the rate of unemployment which I known setting up a factory will help to employ certain number of youths and the factory success can also be a source of motivation to Nigeria Youths, that it can work here in Nigeria against all odds.

Challenges

The challenges are enormous, but have confirmed that greatest opportunities are gotten from greatest challenges. Firstly is acting as the Creative Director and CEO at the same time is not sustainable, inadequate power supply

Empowering Youths and Corpers
Empowering Youths and Corpers is our company Corporate Social Responsibilities CSR and it is actual one of my core passion to see lots of youths create jobs for others, so we can all reduce the rate of unemployment that is alarming, and the best place to catch them is during NYSC, I also visit orphanage homes to train orphans on Ankara craft and the company also gives out scholarship to youths with interest by training them for free. I want to change the narratives; I am a shoemaker with a difference. I want to groom young entrepreneurs that value culture, education and also produce quality products to the world.

Tell us about your other project and activities

De’rayo Vocational Limited is a provider of fashion and craft education to all levels. We balance the know-how of design production with an international vision. We offer training on shoemaking designing, bag making designing, texture designing, fashion accessory designing, fashion business, fashion marketing and merchandizing. We offer diploma certificate in all our courses. We provide state of the art learning facilities, equipped practical rooms our vocational center is located at 61, Adesam Plaza Dikat, Ring Road, Ibadan. We also do online training which you can enroll on our website: www.dvi.institute.

Reward
I got a scholarship from World Bank (women x) extraordinary women where I was trained at Lagos business school, enterprise development centre for free. I was also awarded personality of month by JCI (Jimson Chambers International) Oluyole Chapter, Ibadan, Nigeria. I have participated in many exhibition and conference.

My brand in the next five years
We would have our stores nationwide and export to other countries. Expansion of our factory which we will be able to employ (50) fifty people and turn our vocational limited into a conventional universities where we produce certified shoemakers, bag makers and curtisam.

Giving up

No, not at all, there are ups and downs which I believe every profession has. I enjoy what I do a lot that is why it is difficult for me to turn my back at it. My burning passion boosts my moral sometimes when I’m down.

Who and what inspire you to be better

My Mentor – Mrs. Atinuke Fadahunsi Smith, (Datina Designs) she supports me and my mother Mrs. Aderonke Animashaun. I learn from afar my role model as well Mrs. Sola Babatunde (OSC College of Fashion). My inspiration comes from seeing quality products made in Nigeria and promoting our culture to the world. Our traditions and culture is very rich which we need to tell our stories through them, our designs celebrates Africa culture and tradition.

Being a Woman of Rubies

I am a woman of rubies because I nurture the next generation of creative leaders and thinkers, I nurture my God given abilities. I dream and yearn for a better Nigeria which I am doing my part to make Nigeria great. I believe in making sure everyone wins which reflects in all my daily activities. I support all women businesses and mentor aspiring youths to become an entrepreneur.

Final word for women all over the world

The expert in anything was once a beginner.Do not let anything stand in your starting, start something, start somewhere, just start, follow your dream and passion. Don’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream, you’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.

In Interviews&profile March 24, 2018 By Women of Rubies

“NEVER ALLOW YOURSELLF FEEL LIKE YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING” – BOLA BANWO

Bolanle Banwo is a brand Identity designer from Lagos, Nigeria. She helps brands tell compelling stories via creative designs. Much of her work is centered around helping small and medium businesses create smart impressions and build strong identities via good communication designs. Bolanle is the Founder and Lead Creative at the Female Designer Movement, an initiative she launched with a mission to train and equip women with design skillset and thereby help increase the number of women in the Nigerian Technology ecosystem. She shares her story and the inspiration behind her initiative in this interview.

Growing Up
I have always loved Art and Art related subjects right from nursery school. I found myself always illustrating on paper and anything I could find. I drew so much all my school notes were filled with drawings from the back. For me drawing came naturally and it was a way to ease myself. I think all those experiences contributed in preparing me for today.

Meet Me
I’m Banwo Omobolanle , a Brand Identity, User Interface / User experience designer, Illustrator and Animator. I am the Founder and Lead Creative at The Female Designer Movement, an initiative borne out of my desire to see more women actively involved in the Nigerian Technology / Design ecosystem.
I’m also a lover of good food and I hope to travel to china soon to have a plate of their locally made noodles in spicy soup.

Being a Brand Identity designer
Basically, I help brands tell compelling visual stories through intelligent design, illustrations and animations. Every brand has a unique identity and message that they would like to convey to their audience. My job entails coming up with creative visual content.

Challenges
People say Nigeria is beginning to embrace Art, But I think even if we are…It’s not fast enough. We need more initiatives in place to protect Art and everything related to it. My dream is to see people confidently take up Design as a profession without fear of not earning enough.

Inspiration behind Female Designer Movement
The Female Designer Movement is an initiative I launched to equip women with design skillset. I have nursed the idea in my heart for a while and decided to go ahead and launch it this year. Our first meetup held on the third of March while the other was held on March 10th. We had over 150 ladies who registered for the sessions. The response has been awesome and exciting, and we’ve only just started.
The ultimate goal is to increase the number of women in the Design and Tech industry. I desire to see more and more women get technical skillsets and take on important roles on tech companies and work on interesting projects in the industry. We intend to reach more females in secondary schools and keep training and creating opportunities for more and more of them across the country and then we’ll to other African countries eventually. It’s a huge project and I’m excited at the interesting journey that lies ahead of us. We plan to go even bigger, to reach out to more women around Nigeria. We can only achieve this by getting the support we need. So we are open to partnerships and support from individuals and organisations.

Reward
As regards TFDM, my greatest reward is the genuine joy and satisfaction displayed on the faces of the people we trained. Knowing that what I do or did helped add tangible value to their lives, which will go on to affect their careers…it’s a priceless feeling.
I think it’s about the same thing with my other works with brands that I create designs for. The satisfaction they show at the work I deliver, and knowing how important it is to them is actually very encouraging. I like to do work that matters and being able to achieve that is the greatest reward anyone can hope for.

Where I see my brand in 5 years
I see us becoming the most recognized training institute for women in Nigeria. I also see us making immeasurable impact in other African countries as well.

Giving up
Definitely, there were times I felt like just leaving this profession to do something completely different. I held on because of the genuine love I have for design. I place fulfilment above everything other thing.

Who and what inspire me to be better
I have a couple of people who have inspired me over time. Paula Scher and Chris Do are some of these people. I am inspired by the work that they do and the impact that they make.

Being a Woman of Rubies
Over time, I have had to be strong, focused and relentless. I have seen myself grow into becoming the woman I am now. I have not allowed obstacles stop me from doing what I love.

Final word for young women all over the world
I would like to encourage every young woman not to give up on themselves and on their dreams, Don’t look down on yourself and never allow yourself feel like you can’t do anything. Learn, develop yourself, your skill and of course tell God your plans so he can show you the best way to achieve it. You can be anything. You can do anything.

In Career Gems March 23, 2018 By Women of Rubies

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SWEARS IN FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT

Eight years after the country’s first female Prime Minister was elected, Trinidad and Tobago witnessed the swearing-in ceremony of the country’s first female President, Paula-Mae Weekes.

Following her swearing in, President Weekes said that citizens have to make the choice to fight the ‘darkness’ threatening the nation.

“Our destinies are inextricably linked. Many experts beset us with dismal stories, they tell us Trinidad and Tobago is perilously close to the point of no return….that we will soon be a failed state….so what are we to do?”

“As I see it, we have two choices; we can lament, blame, criticize and allow a miasma of despair to overwhelm us, or we can consciously choose the alternative…not dream about the alternatives but mobilize our resources to step out boldly and make Trinidad and Tobago a better place for us and our children…all the while understanding that although faith is a necessity, without action it is useless.”

“Confront the darkness and declare that it will not take over…good things are indeed possible for Trinidad and Tobago,” she said.

She urged citizens to create doable short-term plans to help assist their communities.

“I ask all of you to find ways to make a positive difference in whatever your sphere of influence…practicable, doable projects, the results of which can be seen and measures in the short term.”

“Many organizations have been asking to meet with me, but let’s not meet just for meeting sake. Come armed with your ideas, your feasible projects to improve the quality of life in our nation nothing will catch my eye faster than a man or woman with a plan,” she said.

She also urged citizens to consciously move away from violent thoughts, actions and speech.

“We speak about how violent we have become, but the climate of violence is not in overt acts, it’s embedded in everyday talk, schools, business places, rum shops, and worst of all in homes.”

She also urged citizens to join her and to help bring the country to greatness.

“Do not let me walk alone. By faith let us stand together side by side as we carry our nation to greatness.”

Weekes was put forward by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for the position in January 2018 and was elected on January 19, 2018.

Weekes is the sixth President of Trinidad and Tobago and carries on from former president Anthony Carmona.

Weekes, a former student of Bishop Anstey High School, attended the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree. She then went on to the Hugh Wooding Law School and was called to the Bar in 1982.

After graduation, she worked in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for 11 years, before going into private practice in 1993.

She was appointed to the judiciary in 1996 and to the Court of Appeals in 2005, where she served until her retirement in 2016.

In September 2016, Weekes was appointed to the appeals court in the Turks and Caicos.

Credit: www.looptt.com

In Interviews&profile March 22, 2018 By Women of Rubies

MEET ANDRIA ZAFIRAKOU, THE WORLD BEST TEACHER

A woman from North London, Andria Zafirakou has won the award for World’s Best Teacher. Mrs Zafirakou ,who teaches art and textiles in a Brent secondary school was also given $1m along with her award.

The Prime Minister of UK Theresa May sent a video message commending Mrs Zafirakou and said great teachers needed “resilience, ingenuity and a generous heart”.

She was presented the award by His Royal Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum the vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Racing driver Lewis Hamilton, Olympic champion Mo Farah, former US vice president Al Gore and former UK prime minister Tony Blair were part of the event honoring the north London teacher.

In Her acceptance speech , she called for more support for the “power of the arts” in school, particularly for the “poorest communities”.

Mrs Zafirakou has been praised for making her pupils feel secure, working with the police to make sure they travel to and from school in safety.

Mrs Zafirakou is the first UK winner of the Global Teacher Prize, beating teachers nominated from more than 170 count.

Credit: fabwoman.ng

In Interviews&profile March 17, 2018 By Women of Rubies

“IF YOUR DREAM DOES NOT SCARE YOU, IT MEANS IT’S NOT BIG ENOUGH – UJU OKOYE

Uju Christy Okoye is a (Life Savvy) Lifesyle Entrepreneur who helps self Drive
individuals create their Niche and earn income online. The Ceo Jidekaijitv has a multi passionate personality, with a vision to touch and impact lives through mentoring and coaching,. She felt inferior while growing up because her dad wished she and her sisters came to the world as boys s. Uju shares her story of self discovery in this interview

Growing up
I have grown past my pain, my struggle and my presumed worth as a girl child when I was born the last child of 7 children 6 girls and a boy.I was expected to be a boy. I was just 5 years when my dad brought in a second wife and introduced to my mum, who had 7 children 6 girls and a boy. The only reason was he wanted more boys. I felt neglected l felt not worthy, I felt not up to standard on boy.

I kept asking why? Why the discrimination, Then, it effected my view on Marriage and life but not anymore.I am a woman a strong woman. It took me years after of self discovery and personal love and development to understand my worth. I’m a girl not different compare to boy.

Uju!
I’m multi passionate personality. (Life Savvy) Lifestyle Entrepreneur Helping self Driven individuals create their Niches doing what they love, what makes them happy.I am the Ceo of Jidekaijitv, Founder Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Hub, Coach/Mentor @Lifestyle mastery Academy an online Course. Travel consultant, Lifestyle Entrepreneur Influencer. Tele communication, reseller. Teens/Young Adult Advocate. Touching and impacting lives positively, branding, unveiling happiness, success not just our nation but around the globe, is very crucial to me. I have gotten an experienced in the uniqueness of cultural diversity from opportunity I got previous years to travel to at least four different countries,
My 2008-2018 journey of self discovery, young wife, then, young mother then personal and business development seminars workshop, trainings with like minded professionals in their various filled.
Struggle to understand Portuguese language in other to cope with good communication, trying to get clear details of who I really want to be my passion and vision getting more clarity on it, trying to perfect in my Lifestyle entrepreneur niche. Weeping and waiting upon the Lord for another child after traumatic miscarriage that almost take my life. I found solace in writing books which later become part of my success story today.

My 7 Intriguing, informative, inspiring, Books has a lot to say about Lifestyles daily events of life. Unveiling shocking secret in different angle of our life events. My favorite scripture ; Phil 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ that strengthen me.

Tell us more about Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Hub?
Lifestyle Entrepreneur Hub is a group Where we brand, influence, Teach, Learn, impact and give values to great Leaders, extra ordinary Entrepreneur, We Learn/Teach everything that has to do with lifestyle, career, money, love, relationship’s, adventures The group is for all individual to Live a happy, successful, Lifestyles because you deserve. Life is a journey we got to be sure of where we going, enjoy the process no matter the bombs on the way we have to keep moving till we get to our final destination. Living our dream lives. Living outstanding legacy behind.

Jidekaijitv
JIDEKAJI It’s a TV show and Reality series, coming to WAP TV, African magic Igbò! and other like minded television channels! Our show offer a chances to showcase interested businesses/companies owners, if you’re Public figure or Not, You’re qualify if your Private business owners. You don’t have to be a celebrity before the world see your talents, brands, products. I know there are Many Extraordinary people doing extra ordinary things.. We believe that you all exist. Our priority is to help you showcase and Advertise your products/brands not just to Local potential clients/customers but also global and international limelight in all major Television channels,social media, our websites and cable Networks.

Let the world get to see what value you offer to your customers, what motivate/drives you. If you’re God fearing, inspiring, hard working business entrepreneurs with a vision to touch lives positively through your brands/ products and recommendations to your customers to put smile on their faces and get value for their money. We show up and take your business to global level to the glory of God.

Challenges
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, my line of work is huge, and its cost a lot, anyone that’s familiar in Media/Telecommunications business will agree with me, that it’s not walk in the park. It’s tough, expensive, and energetic.

My discrimination and emotional trauma experience
Yes The emotional trauma I went through while growing as a result of gender discrimination left me with some sort of fear of marriage, but my marriage to my husband is one of the best thing that happened to me, because he he proved to be totally different from my fear, He does not bother about gender, going through secondary infertility, after we had our daughter, he always assured me God will bless us again at His time, I will purposely ask him what if we have another girl, He will tell me baby, its God gift, whether girl or boy. Its give me great confidence that he understands. After Waiting for six years we welcomed our 2nd child a son. I have come to embrace the woman I am. I have come to love me for who I am.

Other Projects and Activities
We are currently running offline/online training, empowering self driving individual the need to make extra income doing what they are passionate about. Ranging from Media, Telecommunications, Entrepreneur, Networking, we are on digital world where we do a whole lot legitimately using our internet connected smart phone.

How I unwind
I listen to my body, as a Lifestyle Entrepreneur, Living a healthy, happy adventurous life is a way of life to me, I know when to rest, when to go for Spa, and beauty treatment, when to travel for vacation, when to take time off work and relax have fun with my lovely family, my Adorable Extraordinary kids (Princess and prince) they know exactly how to make mummy happy and relaxing with them see new movie at cinema or just have a quite private moment listening to my favorite lyrics at home it’s one of best feelings

Greatest Reward
My Lovely Husband and my Adorable children are my greatest reward. Great supportive, my prayer warrior our mum, my Families/ friends, my Co-host (My Twinny) my Partners, & crews. God gave them to me for a divine purpose they always support me and be proud of me. To me its the best reward ever.

Where I see my brand in the next five years
Like the saying goes, if your dream does not scare you, it means it’s not big enough. I see JIDEKAIJI GLOBAL SERVICES In the next 5 years to become not just a household name for our nation but around the globe, just like our Name. Jidekaiji means (keep it up) We will keep up our great work globally touching, impacting, influencing, changing lives positively.

In Interviews&profile March 13, 2018 By Women of Rubies

#PROFILE| MEET PROF REMI SONAIYA, NIGERIA’S ONLY FEMALE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN 2015

Oluremi Comfort Sonaiya is a Nigerian politician, educationalist and writer. She was Nigeria’s only female presidential candidate in the 2015 presidential election under the KOWA Party , she has also declared her desire to run for president again in 2019 under the same party.

Oluremi Comfort Sonaiya was born March 2, 1955 in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state. She completed her primary and secondary school education at St. Luke’s Demonstration School, Ibadan, and St. Anne’s School, Ibadan.

In 1977, she graduated from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where she studied French.She later obtained a Master of Arts degree in French Literature from Cornell University in the United States, and another master’s degree in Linguistics from a university in Nigeria in 1984.

She returned to Cornell in 1988 to pursue a Ph.D. in Linguistics. After which she returned to continue lecturing in the Department of Foreign Languages of the Obafemi Awolowo University which she had joined in 1982 as an Assistant Lecturer. She became a professor of French Language and Applied Linguistics in 2001.

Political Career

In 2010, she retired from her position at Obafemi Awolowo University and became politically active, joining the KOWA Party where she was voted its National Public Relations Officer and went on to be the party’s candidate for the 2015 Presidential election.At the election, she received 13,076 votes and finished in 12th place.

Mrs. Sonaiya contributes regularly to Nigerian media discourse. she is currently a columnist with The Niche, a weekly (Sunday) newspaper. She has published three books on the Nigerian (and African) condition: A Trust to Earn – Reflections on Life and Leadership in Nigeria (2010); Igniting Consciousness – Nigeria and Other Riddles (2013); and Daybreak Nigeria – This Nation Must Rise! (2014).

She also a recipient of various international research grants and fellowships, including the French Government Grant for Advanced Researchers and the German Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship and the first Nigerian to be appointed as the Ambassador Scientist of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, a position she occupied from 2008 to 2014. In 1986 she received the American Association of University Women.

Mrs. Sonaiya is married to Babafunso Sonaiya, a professor of Animal Science, and they have two grown children and two grandsons.

Credit: fabwoman.ng

In Interviews&profile March 10, 2018 By Women of Rubies

“AS A MINISTER OF GOD AND A PREACHER, ONE MAJOR CHALLENGE HAVE FACED IS GENDER ISSUE” – PASTOR FUNMI DANIELS

Pastor Funmi Daniels is the Founder of the unveiled woman network, a ministry with the mandate to help women rediscover their true worth and value in Christ Jesus thereby becoming true kingdom ambassadors, through the unveiled woman network, she holds yearly conferences for Ladies.
She is an associate pastor at Covenant light Church, pastoring alongside her husband. She has been actively involved in various church planting projects and evangelistic outreaches.
She has a passion to see people rise from the lowest points of their lives to a life of purpose and significance. She has a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and has been involved in several trainings.She is happily married to her husband Mr Ovie Daniels and together they reside in the city of Lagos Nigeria.
In commemoration of the International Women’s day, I bring you the inspiring story of a woman who hit rock bottom several times in her life but today she is helping other women rediscover their true worth and value and also Press for Progress.

Childhood Influence
I would say yes though it wasn’t directly. Childhood was a bit bumpy and I faced quite a lot of issues that young girls face today. I battled low self-esteem, I never felt I was pretty, I didn’t believe in myself and I constantly felt others were better than me. Whenever anyone complemented me about something, I always saw it as flattery rather than a complement. This went on for a while which made me extremely vulnerable during my teenage years. It affected my academics as well because I never saw the possibility of being top of my class. When I became of age, with the mentorship of the wonderful people in my life I began to develop a stronger self-confidence. I no longer defined myself by other people’s standards. I saw myself the way God sees me, and I began to believe in myself all over again. Seeing the negative impact those wrong mindsets had on me, I felt pulled towards helping ladies who are presently faced with what I faced. The passion to help women rediscover their true worth and value in Christ Jesus became stronger and that’s what led to the start of the Unveiled Woman Network, a ministry that is focused on helping women rediscover their true worth and value. To a large extent I would say my childhood played a major role in what I am about today. The passion to make an impact in lives and mentor ladies who rise up to be bold, confident and courageous is right at the pinnacle of my heart.

Meet Me
My name is Funmi Daniels. I’m a mass communication graduate. I’m married to my darling, wonderful and amazing husband Ovie Daniels and together we are associate pastors at Covenant light Church. Asides being a pastor, I run my own organisation called the Unveiled Woman Network and through that platform we organise yearly conferences both in the city of Lagos and on campuses. The organisation has been running now for 5yrs. Alongside I organise a mentorship class for women of purpose who want to live significant lives.

Inspiration behind the Unveiled Woman Network
The Unveiled Woman Network is a ministry with a mandate to help women rediscover their true worth and value in Christ Jesus thereby becoming true kingdom ambassadors. Our Core values Dignity, courage, character, love & spirituality.
Our Mission is to build a network of women with a strong Christ consciousness who represent God’s kingdom in various spheres of life and reach out to abused and emotionally broken women with the message of God’s love and grace
Passion to see people rise from their lowest to a life of purpose
As earlier stated, my personal experiences fueled most of what I do today. I was a lady who though loved God dearly but was confused about life and an emotional wreck. In my life’s journey I hit rock bottom on several occasions, but God in His love reached out to me and made me into who I am today. So based on how far I have come, I am committed to helping ladies who feel their lives would never amount to anything, to see their true and authentic self. And not just ladies but men as well because I pastor men too. When a person discovers the inherent potentials he/she carries, there is a stronger motivation for such a one to rise and live the life of significance he/she has been called to live.

Challenges
As a minister of the gospel and a preacher, one major challenge I’ve faced is the gender issue. Due to our culture and tradition, men (though not all men) don’t find it easy receiving from a female minister or be pastored by one. Though I lead men but often times the ‘ego thing’ always shows up. Some men are already coming to terms with the knowledge that when it comes to God working through human vessels, He can choose to work through either the man or woman. There is neither male nor female with God. So basically, this is the major challenge I’ve had to face and like every other challenge, it’s an hurdle you have to learn to jump over if you want to remain relevant and fulfil purpose.

Pastoring alongside my Husband
Pastoring in Covenant light Church has been an amazing journey. A prayer everyone should pray is to have a pastor who is personally committed to your growth and development. My pastor – Pastor Nuel Manufor is one man of God has used to sharpen me into the person I am today. In my crude form, he saw the treasures in me and constantly empowered me to rise above the limiting beliefs in my mind. He constantly gave me assignments that were way beyond me, so I can stretch and reach for more. He never looked at the fact that I was a lady….he believes a woman can also carry out tasks that men are involved in. Growing under his tutelage has been an adventure and it was his mentorship that made me decide I won’t settle for anything less than God’s best for my life in marriage. When I met my husband, He wasn’t a member of my church. He was a campus pastor in another church when we met so there was the little concern on my part on how I will leave my church to join him as the custom is. I chose to pray about it and I allowed God’s will to be done.

Other Project and Activities
There are books presently being worked on which will be published soonest. In the month of May, we will be having an online campaign called the #Hergracestory campaign. It’s a campaign where different women will post their grace stories on social media with the #Hergracestory. We had one last year and a lot of lives were positively impacted through it. It’s all about Real Women! Real Stories and Real Victories!

Greatest Reward
My greatest reward is the testimonies of transformed lives. I’ve seen prostitutes become purposeful and successful business women. I’ve seen abused ladies become mentors to other ladies. I’ve seen single moms pick up the pieces of their lives and make significant progress. I’ve seen bitter women become channels of joy to others. I’ve seen the worst of people become better and that for me makes a whole lot of difference. It’s a privilege God gave me and I’m forever grateful. When someone sends me a text message about how his or her life is better because of my involvement, it touches my heart. That for me is the greatest reward anyone can give me.

Unveiled Woman Network in the next five years
I see Unveiled Woman Network becoming a household name with global recognition due to its impact in lives both within the country and across the continents. We have plans to engage in projects like helping sex workers have a chance at a better life, community outreaches and global conferences to empower the millennial woman. As for me I see myself with a larger sphere of influence and a wider global coverage for more impact. My joy is to keep touching lives.

Giving up
Several times! I’ve passed on several opportunities to quit especially times when the going was tough. Times when I had my personal struggles but yet had to stay committed to the set goals. Times when it felt like things weren’t moving as fast as it should. I remember in 2012 when I had my very first unveiled woman meeting. It was supposed to be a gathering of about 50 people but it ended up being a gathering of 8. I felt so discouraged that I wasn’t excited about taking pictures. Some people I shared the vision with back then weren’t excited about it. I literally felt the ministry won’t see the light of day. I was so discouraged that I did nothing about the vision till 2014. God surrounded me with people who fired me on in the pursuit of the vision. I planned another conference with the goal of having about 150people but at the end we were about 60 people in attendance. The discouragement wanted to set in again, but God used the people around me to help me see the brighter side of things. Today the network has reached about two thousand ladies via its online groups and onsite meetings. I look at what God is doing now through the network and I’m elated. If I had quit, I won’t be here having this interview. *smiles*
Who Inspire you to be better
My Mum

Unveiled woman Conference
The Unveiled Woman is organizing the third edition of its Valued, Treasured and Loved Conference on Good Friday 30th Mar, 2018. We have an amazing line up of speakers like Rev Jumoke Adeyemi, Pastor Mildred Okonkwo, Pastor Folashade Fadeyi, Pastor Lola Tewe and my humble self. It’s a FREE conference and it would be my joy to have everyone there. The theme for the conference is LIMITLESS. The goal is for everyone who will be present at the conference to leave with a better and higher version of themselves. There is much more to us than we know…we just need to reach deeper and not stay within our comfort zones.

Being a Woman of Rubies
My desire to help women see the gem within them. Every woman is a walking treasure and as many as I come across, I’m committed to helping them see that.

Final word for Women all over the world
Be your authentic self. Don’t try to be like anyone else. God has made you unique with potentials that when harnessed will be a blessing to lives. Don’t be caught in the competition-game. The only person you should be better than today is the person you were yesterday. Make Christ your anchor and follow every of His leading. As long as you don’t stop or quit, you will get ‘there’.

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