Interviews&profile Archives

In Interviews&profile July 21, 2021 By Esther Ijewere

“I Was Suicidal After My Marriage Broke Up”- Kemi Oyesola

Kemi Oyesola is the Founder/CEO of How2Think Global Consulting Empire , a platform she founded in 2006 in sad circumstances after she separated from her husband of sixteen and half years. A situation that made her depressed and suicidal, but the mother to 2 adult children and grandmother found hope in her hopeless situation and she uses her story to teach people how to think outside the box and control their thoughts when faced with life threatening situation such as hers. Coach Kemi as she is fondly called is a certified Gold coach and also an NLP Practitioner. In her words: “I had to think my way into the kind of life I desired. I had to accept first that I was responsible for where I found myself. Kemi shares her story exclusively with Esther Ijewere in this interview.

Childhood

I think every one’s childhood prepares them for what they do later in life even if at that time they do not know it. We all at one time or another look back at our childhood and realise that we were like that so that we can do what we do now. My childhood was very happy. What I remember very clearly is that I was a talkative and got reported to my parents by my teachers throughout my primary school years. I also remember that I always wanted to take care of people, whether it was in my home or outside my home. I did not really understand why but I enjoyed caring for people. I was always helping or serving. I did wonder why I loved doing so much work – because, yes it was work. With hindsight which is 20/20, I realise now that I was born to take care of others which is what I am doing now. I talk for a living, whether as a speaker or when I coach or consult.

Inspiration behind How2Think

The inspiration was the breakup of my marriage. I wondered, especially as I worked at it how come my marriage broke up. I knew that I have only this time to live on earth as is; there is no Part B of this life lived just this way. I had to do the best of it as I have it now. I had to be separated from my now ex-husband to live the life I felt I was called to; to do the things that kept burning in my heart to do. I could not run away from it and although it hurt to break up my marriage, I am glad I did. I would not change it for anything. And so, it was at the point of break up I asked God why when the answer I heard was, “It’s because of the way you think. ’And that was how I started the search for what exactly it is to ‘THINK.’ I realised with my findings that I would have to teach others the ‘how’ of thinking because it was this that determined how we live and the results that we get. It is a deep thing, thinking and so many of us do not pay it attention. We need to think about what we think about. And that is how I was inspired to start How2Think Global Consulting Empire.

Being Suicidal

I was suicidal after my marriage broke up and almost lost it… It was unexpected. It was unwanted. There was much pain and there was a long journey to the demise of my marriage and the consequences of such. I realised after the break up that it was my thinking that had got me where I was. Being a Christian and married to my Pastor, I knew that we had been serving faithfully and so asked God why my marriage broke. He answered, “Because of the way you think.” So, I picked up the Bible to find the word, ‘think.’ After all, I had never heard that word in church. But you know, that isn’t true. What I had not done was notice the word. After studying the Bible for a couple of days, I found the sentence, ‘… for as he thinks in his heart, so is he’ – and have been studying this ever since; and teaching it too. Many are not aware of how they think. It is the crux of everything, absolutely everything in life. Before you do anything, you think. The resultant effect of your thoughts is your character. Like any seed, thought is a seed and will grow. Therefore, you determine the harvest. But the learning was not in the study as it was in the living. After my ex-husband left, I went into depression and was exceedingly stressed but what was different was that I didn’t know.

I lost my hair and for over 10 years it did not grow until my son was almost 20 years old. I became exceedingly poor, so poor there were times I did not have heating in my house; I could not give my children pocket money to go to school; I was so poor I had to be evicted from my house. I was suicidal and wanted to jump from a very high place in order to kill myself. I brandished a knife on my ex husband – I wanted to kill him. I knew then that I was going kuku in the head and it wasn’t good. There are other things that happened to me that brought me to a low place.. That is another story. The highlight of this is that I had to come out of the depression and quit being stressed but I didn’t know how. I sought help from others, but they only told me what I already knew. I was sinking and sought to stay my head above water but I couldn’t find where or how.

A few times, I thought I needed medical help but I knew they would only tell me what everyone else had been telling me. I needed something to help me get out of the morass I was in. It wasn’t until after I knew I was the only one who could help me that it began to sink. I had the problem I was on a mission to teach. I had to overcome this problem otherwise I would be a hypocrite. I had to think my way into the kind of life I desired. I had to accept first that I was responsible for where I found myself. I had to accept that God had done all He was going to do and the buck rested with me. Nothing has been harder than that acceptance. And nothing has been freer than that acceptance. It took me a few years but I did it – and continue to do it. It is a life’s work. I know that I am on a mission, it is not just a vision – to help individuals learn how to think. I believe that your mind is set with your thoughts thus, I focus on Thought Set and not mind set. In fact, I do not teach mindset. I had no choice but to bounce back. At the age these things happened to me, I was in my early 40’s, I had read about so many tragic situations where the individuals ended up dead or their lives meant nothing because they had lost their mind. I just could not end up like that. It was tempting but it was also scary. It also felt like I would be a total failure if I did not overcome the heartache and the sense of failure that my marriage didn’t work. I knew there was a better way and it lay in how I was THINKING. I knew that no one person and no divine entity could make this happen for me. I did call on God for help, but the buck stopped with me. I remember at the point that I wanted to jump, hearing the voice of God telling me how strong the person was – who was the reason I wanted to jump to kill myself. That annoyed me. And it was enough for me to hear it, think about it and change my mind. But after that moment, I knew it had to be a daily decision to live and not give up. You see, giving up is the first step to becoming suicidal. Once one gives up, there is no reason to carry on in life; for what do you want to carry on doing? I decided to win in life; I could not be among those who lost. What reason would I give? It just didn’t make sense.

Instilling Values in my Kids

One value I have instilled in my kids and how I balance work and home life That one value I have instilled in my children is that they must win; they can do anything and they are not allowed to be stupid or poor. Winning is non-negotiable.

Balancing Home and Work

I balance home and work life by working from home and working for myself thus I have better control. Also, my children are adults now so it makes things so much easier although when they were younger, I was a housewife and worked from home when I started my business. If I had to go out as part of my business, I took my children with me. Even now, if my grandchildren must be with me and I need to speak at an event, I take them with me. It is important to me that they see what I do and learn too.

What and who inspires me

What inspires me is the work ahead that I still need to do. The fact that I can, except I decide not to. The fact that the work ahead is given to me because I can do it not because I cannot do it and so must work hard at it. Who inspires me are many – individuals who have faced hardship and overcome. Individuals like Les Brown, Nick Vujicic, Eric Thomas and others like them. They have made it through tough times and did not give up. They could give reasons today for their failures or inadequacies but they forged ahead. Now, for me, that is inspiring.

Greatest reward

The greatest reward is when I see the change in those I have helped. That change, the transformation is what I aim for. I must see it otherwise I have not done my job and there is no reward.

Challenges

Not being able to reach those I would like to work with because they do not see the necessity for knowing how to think. But more than that, when I can speak to clients, I have the awesome job of helping them understand the priority of knowing how to think. This is a huge challenge, but we get there in the end.

My perception of women in my industry

Women are amazing within the coaching industry and need to know this. The ability of a woman to want to help others and to start a business despite all the moving parts, is simply wonderful.

On giving up

Oh yes, of course I have had times when I want to give up. And I did give up on my business a few times but would come back. I have stopped that now because I find that success does not come to those who give up. Success comes to those who persevere and keep doing what they must do.

I am a Woman of Rubies

First, I love the ruby. I love red, it suits me and makes me glow. Red is a personification of who I am and what I stand for and one of my brand colours. A Woman of Rubies is a strong woman, I am strong; an able woman, I am able; a woman who believes she is unstoppable, am unstoppable; an indomitable woman, I am indomitable and a Woman of Rubies is a winner, I am a winner, period.

Final word for women who are thinking of going into the coaching and motivational speaking industry

Yes, one word of caution. Mind your own business with all you have got. No comparisons. Your business is yours and it is your responsibility to make it the very best that you can make it. Excellence is a non-negotiable. But before you get into business, be it coaching or any other kind of business, count the cost and hire yourself a mentor or coach. You will need their guidance on your journey. Do not go the journey on your own. It is harder and longer that way.

In Interviews&profile November 21, 2017 By Women of Rubies

#PROFILE| MEET UGOCHI IHEZUE, MBGN 2017, WHO MADE IT TO TOP 15 AT THE MISS WORLD BEAUTY PAGEANT

Ugochi Mitchel Ihezue, winner of Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria (MBGN 2017) made Nigeria proud by emerging in the top 15 contestants at Miss World beauty Pageant.

Prior to winning the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant, she served as one of the Beth model management agents and ever since then, she has proven that there is no stopping her.

She surprised the world when she emerged Top Model winner at the beauty peagant which held in Sanya City Arena in Sanya, China on the 18th of November.

She made history at the competition as It was gathered that this would be the first time a Nigerian wins the Top Model at the competition

Check out few things you probably don’t know about her, below:

She was born on the 16th of August, 1990. She attended Army Day Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi and also Federal University of Benin where she studied Fine and Applied Arts.

She currently lives in Onitsha, Anambra state with her parents and family. She hails from Umukegwu-Akokwa in Ideato-North L.G.A of Imo State, i.e the Igbo speaking part of Nigeria.

She is from a family of 5, the first born and only daughter. Mitchel was raised from a humble family. Her mother is a banker with Unity Bank, while the father is a businessman who deals in chemicals.

She attended Army Day Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi and also Federal University of Benin where she studied Fine and Applied Arts.

On 15th September 2017 as the the 30th edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria held at Eko Hotel and Suites Lagos, Ugochi Ihezue represented Kebbi state in the pageantry. Firstly on the grand finale, she was awarded with the Model of the Year. She was finally crowned as the Most beautiful girl in Nigeria 2017.

According to the beauty queen, she is single and a Christian by faith. Her hobbies are reading, Painting, Travelling and playing

Credit: fabwoman.ng

In Inspiration November 18, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

#INTERVIEW|”I WANT VOLUNTEERING TO BECOME A LIFESTYLE FOR YOUNG AFRICAN WOMEN” – TOBBY LORDWILLIAMS

Agusi Tobby Nazaar, fondly known as Gusi Tobby Lordwlliams, is a 21 years old driven young lady, an aspirant to the Nigerian Bar and founder of one of Africa’s fastest growing female volunteering network “Girlhub Africa” . Toby is also a talkshow host, and a professional make up artist. The young serial entrepreneur who is very passionate about creating more opportunities for African women and dedicated to her humanitarian service believe women are a treasure trove of possibilities. In this chat she talks about not being tempted to give up, her eureka moment, why she created her platform and where she sees herself in five years.

Childhood
My childhood did a whole lot to influence what I do today. In fact I’m a product of the saying “Train a child the way he should grow…”My parents are my NO 1 fans…My mum is a GHAV herself (GIRL HUB AFRICA
VOLUNTEER)…They both have always encouraged volunteering to us when we were kids.. My mum will take us during school holidays and after
summer lessons, to the hair-dressers shop and tell the hairdressers that we were there to help them for free, I never understood why she did that until i was much more older, but i loved it. Eventually I
realized this was done so we could learn the hair making skill. On another holiday she will take us to the tailor, and she kept on taking us to various artisans until she found out our areas of interest,
then she encouraged us to carve a niche out of what we have learned and also to help develop our skills…especially at church events,
weddings and other programs, my mum will make myself and my sisters help the organizers, we didn’t call it VOLUNTEERING then (Laughs), my
sisters’ friends would even call us “Over sabi”, but my mum knew what she was doing. And I thank God I want through all that process. Having all those experiences, now I can bake, make hair, sew cloths, repair a generator (Laughs), make some simple furniture, to mention but a few.

Meet me
I am a 21year old Nigerian. The last born of 4 girls from a family of 6. I started volunteering for social clubs back in my school days from my first year, and the impact/advantage it had on my life made me realize that a lot of people especially young ladies needed to engage themselves in several opportunities in other to really find purpose. I am currently the lead volunteer and founder of GIRL HUB AFRICA a professional female Volunteering Network. I love meeting people, reading, teaching, and traveling. I am an addict entrepreneur. On an average day, when I’m not on the move, I’m in my shorts and top, exchanging emails and closing deals. I also spend time praising God and running my other business.

Inspiration Behind Girls Hub Africa
I noticed there is a gap in our society where we preach being our brothers keeper but we don’t teach or encourage it. Our schools and society don’t necessarily provide a structure or avenue neither do they have a curriculum for people to give their time to a cause or movement without monetary reward. Our generation gradually have become self centered unlike previous generations, this days its all about financial gain or celebrity status, we are becoming desensitized, then I realized when we volunteer, that humane side of us grows, we become more humble and value our place in society as someone who can do their little bit which adds to a collective achievement with the objective of a positive influence. I was also tired of seeing a lot of young ladies after school/NYSC say “My sister work no dey”, Yes I believe things are not so easy in the country, but life itself is not a bed of roses, you have to go out there and create what you want for yourself. There are alot of opportunities out there to engage these youths if only they are willing to be selfless about it. I am glad to say since we started in April this year, we have recorded a 30% increase in employment among our volunteers, because what you do well for free can eventually bring you your fee.

How I feel about my achievements so far…
Graced… its simply a proof that there is more to be done. All these have made me realize that the sky is truly my starting point.

Projects and activities
I do have a lot of projects at the moment, but my pet projects which I have passion for are;
a) The TOUCH ME NOT CAMPAIGN by the AMAZING AMAZON INITIATIVE –
Speaking and counseling children in upper primary schools and secondary schools on the prevalence of rape, domestic violence and child sexual Abuse.

b) The GHAV project – engaging young minds in the act of volunteering, hence our *TEENS WHO VOLUNTEER* campaign,We basically make them understand that they can find purpose early in life as well as give back to their society simply by rendering a selfless service.

Greatest reward
That would be seeing my volunteers find purpose and also become successful at any niche they carve for themselves simply because they volunteered.
It brings me so much joy that these opportunities we provide are properly utilized by them.

Where I see my brand in the next five years..
As the Ministry of VOLUNTEERING in Nigeria 😄 (Laughs) Well we do have a plan…
We are currently talking with our partners.
our focus is people development, we haven’t crystallized our strategy but we have the resource to evolve and identify growing trends and
building up the relevant skills in our volunteers so that stay relevant.

In 5 years, we intend to have GHAV in all West African countries with a good membership strength of professional volunteers.

On giving up
Have I ever felt like giving up? Not at all, but this is true, I have always loved this and as the day goes by, I want to do even more until VOLUNTEERING becomes a lifestyle for young African women.

Who inspires me
God is my first inspiration, and then my mother. She is a typical example of a virtuous woman. I would also say my GHAV’s (GIRL HUB AFRICA VOLUNTEERS), they inspire me a lot, you need to experience the
feeling of seeing ladies unite just to render selfless services in our present day Nigeria. The joy and hard work they put in inspires me alot, now I believe that women are a treasure trove of possibilities. This one itself is so much more than inspirational.

I am a Woman Of Rubies
I am a WORrior because I believe the potential every woman has can be resourceful if given the right opportunities. Personally, I look beyond the ordinary, what every other person will deem impossible is
what’s possible to me.

Final words for women
What’s your passion? find it, work and focus on it, you are the best thing to happen in your community, you need to take advantage of every
opportunity so you can shine brighter than you can ever imagine but in doing that, learn to support every woman around you.

In Interviews&profile November 11, 2017 By Women of Rubies

#INTERVIEW: “LOSING MY HUSBAND TO CANCER INSPIRED ME TO START MY FOUNDATION” -ENIOLA SALU AKINTUNDE

Eniola Salu Akintunde is a native of Agbede town, Etsako west of Edo state, Nigeria. Second child in a family of seven children, single handedly brought up by her mother a primary school teacher.

She attended Fazil-Omar Ahmadiya Primary School Onike-Iwaya. She then proceeded to Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Yaba, Lagos, where she got her O’levels. Eniola worked briefly at the University of Lagos Medical Center, and later gained admission as a student into the same university, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel management.

Eniola lost her hubby to colorectal cancer, her in laws blamed her for her husband’s death and she was accused of giving him Cancer, the physical and psychological abuse she faced from them before and after his death informed her decision to kick off her NGO; Niola Cancer Foundation , an organization that advocates for better cancer care and accurate diagnosis. She also campaigns against rape and child sexual abuse because of her experience of being a sex slave at the age of 5 till age 6 before she was rescued by her mother.

She is also a multiple award winning Gemstone designer, Head Creative Director & CEO of Styles By Saennys – a company founded over 11 years ago , which deals in rough Natural stones and designing ,situated in the heart of Lagos. She is a member of NECA – Network of Entrepreneurial Women, the Nigeria Association of small scale Industrialist(NASSI) , a member of the NDLEA Celebrity Drug Free Club and also a member Fashion Designer Association Of Nigeria (FADAN ).

She shares her life journey in this interview.

Childhood Influence

While growing up ,l never knew lm going to be a gemstone designer or go into cancer advocacy,working in an NGO

Meet Eniola

Eniola Salu Akintunde is a native of Agbede Town Etsako west of Edo State, attends Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School Yaba for my O Level, worked for a few years at The University of Lagos, Medical Center Akoka,Studied Industrial Relations and Personnel Management in the same University .

I have great passion and desire for the cancer cause ,l’m committed to it, working so hard in my own little way with our NGO (Niola Cancer Care Foundation )to reduce death rate from cancer in Nigeria.an award winning gemstone designer the CEO and chief head designer at Styles By Saennys, we design jewellery using well polished and high grade gemstones.

Losing my husband to cancer inspired me to kick off Niola Cancer care foundation?

The year 2012-2013 The life threatening and bitter experience l had when my late husband had colorectal cancer, his final transition in Indian at a young age of 39 and I brought back his corpse for final burial.

How he was managed in Indian was different especially when it comes to latest development to his deteriorating health, His Doctors in lndia do not hoard information from me, l was carried along,l asked all sorts of questions,they answer and replied with empathy and compassion,compared with some of the Doctors that first managed him in Nigeria, also there was NO COLORECTAL NGO IN NIGERIA then, apart from his oncology Dr nobody to talk to ,how we handle health lssues and cancer management here in Nigeria is sadden, l understand and know better now , why most doctors and nurses in our public health institutions are sometimes hostile towards their patients and their relatives,Nigeria health worker are under utilized, the workload on them is too much with low income, Nigeria has very brilliant and qualified doctors and nurses but no tools and equipments to work with,their take-home pay does not quantify their workload.

Battle from In-laws

My other strange and personal experience was from some of my in-laws, especially my sister-in -law during the periods he was ill and after his death, despite l was the sole care-giver to my late husband, l was responsible and l solely looked for funds from friends, from our church and one of my late husband’s uncle to pay for his treatment, every 10 days he will need N350,000 for his chemo,he was on this for a year, and the cancer came back , then l took him to India after doing all this , l was accused of given my husband cancer, that l killed him and my Sister-in-Law abused and attacked me physically and emotionally, while still mourning his death, she beat me up, l was under treatment too , no strength ,l was trying to recover too, because taking care of last stage cancer patient is draining, l wish death could come and take me, l was tired of life, l questioned my existence, whats happening ? Death of a child after waiting on the Lord for years, with several miscarriages and now the death of my husband, my classmate in University ,one of the best hubby in the world, the odds from my childhood….but God stepped in, He restored me and gives me hope of a new dawn…for God to have kept me, I do not have any choice than to serve humanity .HE KEPT ME FOR A PURPOSE….we birth NIOLA CANCER CARE FOUNDATION, The first colorectal cancer NGO in West Africa, from my personal experience.

Venturing into gemstone design

From childhood l got fascinated to colors, l love art, now as an adult ,l’m fashionable, love looking good, l never knew l’m going to end up been a gemstone designer, also an award winner, l started like every other beads designer in 2004,l went into research on natural stone, l got hooked, l travelled to other countries to know more on stones, on those journey l got to know Africa as a continent is the most blessed in the world with natural stone and diamond, Nigeria is one of the countries in Africa with large deposit of gold and natural minerals. our designs can compete with any other designs in the world, my outfit Styles by Saennys started using Chains and mounting gemstones on precious metals way back 2006, our designs are timeless, l represent our company annually in one of the biggest gemstones and diamond Exhibition in the world with over 70,000 visitors and over 2,000 Exhibitors from all over the world, The Hongkong Gem Fair. l pray Nigeria will have something similar someday. Our government needs to look into our mines make review and build standards lapidary, make power supply stable ,this will create more jobs and takes people off the streets, Zambia runs their economy on natural minerals and gemstone mined from their country, South Africa too we all know they are blessed with diamond, their mines is managed by their government and their economy is stable to some extent.

My experience as the official accessories designer of the MBGN 2010

Well it was really another experience for me as a designer taking part in MBGN 2010,Styles By Saennys been the official jewellery designer that year…No monetary compensation from the organizers,we struggled with the organizers at some point before they could mention our outfit in their brochures after providing and designing Jewellery for 36 contestants, my late husband was my manager then ,he represented us in the meeting with the organizers,we were determined to make best out of the situation,we count it all joy today…

What and who inspires you?

First My inspiration comes from God ,for grace and strength to do great exploits, From people around me and great mentors,some l have mention in the past,and some are my secret mentors and they inspire me a lot

Greatest Reward

The greatest reward For our NGO was when an older friend of mine was surprised that we run Niola Cancer Care Foundation from my jewellery showroom, she paid for Niola Cancer Care Foundation present office that Reward for me, also people who smile when they see you even in pain the cancer patients and their family

Those that was screened and the disease was picked early,They are saved -that’s reward for me

For my jewellery outfit Styles By Saennys clients that are happy for making them look gorgeous and appreciating our creativity ,that’s rewarding

For those that has given up on life and they come to meet me and tell them my story, l tell them they Shouldn’t, they got inspired and get back on their feet and face life head on-That’s rewarding.

Challenges of running my NGO

On The Cancer NGO our religion believes is not helping matters at all, Nigerians won’t allow you talk about cancer before they shot you down and tell you ‘it’s not my portion’ l asked WHOSE PORTION IS CANCER ? We are still in denial ,but we still go ahead with preaching and creating the awareness, Or when they notice something is wrong with their body ,they keep quiet,till when it’s bad, eventually when they know ,they run to churches or mosques ,even shrine instead of seeking medical help first,and take to instruction from their doctor,when the case is beyond the churches they push them out, by the time they get to hospital it’s late ,please Tell your pastor or lmam about your health and seek medical help immediately,their prayer with God on your side will make it easy for the doctor to found solution. When the cancer patients are in their final stage nearing ,End-to life , the society, the system even families and friends disappear ,they gives up on them before the patient died,this is so so wrong, they have a right to treatment,lots of love, support, care and they should be comfortable.That is the reason Niola Cancer Care Foundation visit Cancer Patients on admission in the hospital Twice a year, where we pray with them ,donate gift and show them love. We do this On Niola Founder’s Day which is my birthday every 18th of June Tagged ‘Celebrating With The Victors’ and on Christmas Day ‘Spending Christmas With Champions

-Another major challenge is Funding ,but we don’t allow that to affect us, we are doing our bit, with the little we get from few people, who really appreciate what we doing

Giving up

Giving up is not in my dictionary …not at all, when Nigeria has the highest death rate from cancer, over 300,000 newly cases every year and over 200,000 death annually from cancer this are recorded case , statistic from WHO, we are in country where people died and Autopsy are not carried out on most of the corpses, so the figure above is far more than that, with all this put together Cancer is an Epidemic , No Cancer Machines, No Radiotherapy machine working in Nigeria, A country with population of over 180m people, no cancer centers, it’s scaring …of course no cure as they make Us to believe but l know early Detection Saves. Get Screened , Go for check up, Nigeria buys aso Ebi, goes to party, that money should be put aside and use it for medical check up, not all checks up are expensive, they should pay attention to their body.

I am a rare gem, a woman of Rubies

Well…. even the bible says ‘the price of a virtuous woman is far above Ruby. Ruby is a gem with high value

Advice to women

We women are powerful,compassionate, resilient and strong, we should always support each other, my sister-in -law is a fellow woman, no competition at all, we should lift ourselves up.

In Interviews&profile November 9, 2017 By Women of Rubies

#INTERVIEW: ”DO NOT DEFILE YOURSELF FOR WHAT YOU CANNOT DEFEND” -QUEEN ENIOLA CHRISTABEL, MISS IDEAL NIGERIA ECOWAS 2017

Eniola Christabel Amuzat is a model, make up artist, philanthropist, and a student. She is the current Miss Ideal Nigeria ECOWAS 2017, and she will also be representing Nigeria in Miss West Africa 2018 in Ghana.

Read her exclusive interview with Women Of Rubies, below:

Childhood

My childhood influenced what I do today. I didn’t wish to go into modelling but I have always wished to be a beauty queen. Right from primary school, I loved fashion and always wanted to be outstanding. I remember that I used to cry to be the Queen of my House during inter house sport. Getting to this stage now is more like a manifestation of what I have craved for.

Meet Me

Eniola Christabel is a model, a student & a make up artist. I was born on December 17 in the 90s. I am the first child of a family of 3. My parents are Mr and Mrs Folaseye Amuzat. I derive joy in photo shoots, inspiring young girls and children, meeting new faces and make overs. I like honesty, humility, trustworthiness , I so much hate lies, disappointment and deceit.

I started modelling in 2011, because of my huge passion for modelling and love of being in front of the camera. I am charismatic, bold and courageous.

Achievement so far:
– Miss Ascom in 2013,
– Top 10 miss charismatic Nigeria 2015,
– Top 5 Miss Oyo state 2015,
– Face Of Fashion Africa Culture 2016,
– ANUCA awards; Campus choice student model of the year 2017,
– Cover page of Travelscope Magazine South Africa,
– Africa Icon awards; Most Famous queen of the year 2017,
– Brand face for luxe and elan,
– Presently The Miss Ideal Nigeria ECOWAS 2017

As a make up artist : i can transform you to look exceptionally beautiful.

Miss Ideal Nigeria

Miss Ideal Nigeria is a pageant that is always in search of A QUEEN WITH A BIG HEART. My role is to champion charity and empowerment programmes throughout my reign. I will represent Nigeria in Miss West Africa 2018 in Ghana.

Challenges

None.

Project and activities

I am working on a project centered on Women and girl child. It will entail seminar, medical check up, charity and vocational training.

Greatest reward

Winning African Icon Award Most Famous Queen Of The Year 2017 in July.

Who inspires me

My Mum inspires to be accomplished far beyond my previous heights.

I Am A Woman Of Rubies

I am a Woman of Rubies because I am an ambitious, independent, and enterprising lady. Also, my ability to make great impact in my society and engage in humanitarian projects, makes me a Woman of Rubies.

Juggling schooling and modeling

Mostly, I try to go about my modelling and make-up business on weekends when school is in session.
During holidays, I fix media tours, events, shoots during the holiday. I make sure I use my holidays judiciously.

Words of advice for aspiring models

Put God first in anything you do.Always get your parent’s support. Never allow anyone to intimidate you. Don’t defile yourself for what you can’t defend.

Facebook : Queen Eniola Christabel

Twitter : iamlilposh

Instagram: missidealnigeriaecowas2017

For jobs, special appearance, contact House Of Twitch 08096630454, 0803 579 8746

In Interviews&profile November 6, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

MEET MARY AWOH, THE YOUNG UNDERGRADUATE WHO IS THE CEO OF SWEET INDULGENCE

While a lot of youths out there are getting involved in criminal activities and rebellious acts, blaming the society for their shortcomings, a 20-year-old Mass Communication student of Babcock University, Awoh Rosemary, whose father passed on at age six, leaving her with single parenting, has become the CEO of Sweet Indulgence, an organic skincare enterprise. She has become an entrepreneur today.

During a press briefing in Lagos recently, Rosemary said she started making skincare products in December last year and decided to do something unique by using cup cakes to mold soap with crested flower designs to get something attractive that would get people to indulge in it, and that was where the name Sweet Indulgence emanated.

She said: “I make soap, body waters, body lotion, body scrub, olive balm and facial oil and they are all organic with natural products like honey, Shea butter and other natural contents with no preservatives.”

Business-minded Rosemary who hails from Delta state now juggles between working and schooling with ease as she is already accustomed to hard work from her childhood, when she would help her mother, a senior lecturer in the Department of Industrial Design at YABATECH, with keen interest in her baking workshop and decorating event centers.

Her life as an entrepreneur started from primary school: “I would buy things from stores and take it to class to sell, and my class teacher encouraged me by mandating my classmates to buy everything they needed from me. While in high school I stringed simple beads and sold to my friends,” she said.

She added that she got inspired to make natural skincare products from compliments about her glowing skin on her TV show on Arcadia mobile TV- The DIY Slab With Awoh Rosemary.

“I was using natural products from the market and I would spend a lot of money buying them, so I decided I could make something as nice and tell people I use my own product.

“I searched for the recipe online but the first time I tried it out, it turned out bad because I did not get the right chemical measurement, but with time I got it right and improved immensely” she said.

She got her friends to experiment her first liquid black soap and bar soap by selling to them. “They were basically my first clients; I would sell to them and they would complain about mild reactions, but in no time it became perfect with no reactions.

“I started receiving positive feedbacks from customers and now I have a good number of customers with frequent orders home and abroad and in less than five months the turnout have been impressive”.

“I won an Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in school this year and that got me publicity from Radio station. My department did a biography on me and people were surprised that an undergraduate has the time and passion for creativity and business. My picture is in my VC’s office and this attracted interviews from the media,” she said.

Rosemary concluded that she looks forward to exporting her products to more countries and advised Nigerian youths to get creative with distinctiveness, as that would go a long way to make them useful to themselves and the society at large.

Credit: Guardian Woman, interview by Maria Diamond

In Inspiration April 3, 2021 By Esther Ijewere

Hawking At Age 10 Made Me More Determined- Adeola Olubamiji

Adeola Deborah Olubamiji was born oin Ibadan to the family of Mr. & Mrs. Isaac & Juliana Olubamiji. She attended Alafia Public Primary School and St. Gabriel’s Secondary Commercial School in Mokola, Ibadan, Nigeria. Despite her humble beginning as a child hawker, she surmounted all odds to become the senior prefect girl of her secondary school. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Physics (with Electronics) from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria in 2008 and a Masters of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland in 2011. In June 2017, Adeola received her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada and made history as the first black person to have received this PhD from the university. Dr. Adeola is currently the Lead Metallurgist / Material Engineer at Burloak Technologies (The Advanced Additive Manufacturing Division of Samuel Sons & Co) in Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Adeola is a consultant and the founder of 3D-Tech Centrix, Ontario, Canada: A consulting firm specializing in development of 3D-printing technology and related manufacturing solutions for use in different industries. In July 2017, Dr. Adeola was chosen and celebrated as one the top 5 of 150 black women making Canada better for her contributions in Science and Technology by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. She was also recently presented a prestigious award as the Woman of Outstanding Achievement in Education by the Nigerian-Canadian Community in a ceremony held in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Adeola’s passion for community building through volunteering is limitless and unquantifiable. Dr. Adeola is an “ardent” STEM advocate and she has continued to serve as a positive role model to the inner-city black youths in her Canadian community and around the world. From her savings, Dr. Adeola organizes regular STEM events and industrial tours for black youths in Ontario’s black communities to help youths discover what engineers do, and to expose them to STEM career opportunities available to them. Adeola whose story went viral two weeks ago shares her inspiring story with me in this mind-blowing interview.

Growing Up

I have 3 brothers and my only sister is late. I was born in Mokola Ibadan and attended Alafia Primary School and St Gabriel’s Secondary Commercial School in Mokola, Ibadan. We didn’t have much, so my siblings and myself learned to share and work together as a team quickly. My parents worked hard to ensure that we had food to eat, clothes to wear and made it a point of duty to get us to our schools on time. My mom is a workhorse and she woke up at 3 am daily to go to “Shasha Market” in Ibadan to conduct her pepper buying business.

Although my dad was unable to attain tertiary education, he is from a well-educated extended family. A few of my dad’s family members had PhDs, so my dad hung their photographs on the wall in our living room. At every opportunity my dad got, he regaled us with their success stories and explained how education took them abroad. Therefore, I ended up following the footpath of one of my uncles, Professor Abiodun Francis Oluwole who is a Professor of Nuclear Physics, to obtain a BSc in Physics with Electronics from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

Hawking at age 10 made me more determined

Looking at my parent’s life, they both worked hard to care for us but we didn’t have any form of luxury. So, I learned quickly as a child that “to earn more, you must learn more.” In addition, the daily reminder was on the wall of our living room and it was clear that I needed to be “EDUCATED” to make valuable contribution to a knowledge-based society, to earn respect and to earn more money than my parents. As such, I promised myself to strive to know more critical facts, gather more information than the average person and be the best and nothing but the best.

First black person to bag a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the university of Saskatchewan

Biomedical Engineering is a recently added branch of Engineering with capability to bring us closer to huge healthcare-related innovations and inventions. However, Nigerians and the black population in general are slowly just breaking into the field. In fact, it is almost impossible to find journal papers or conference proceedings authored by Africans (at least from the last names or first names) in the field of Biomedical Engineering. The shortage of blacks in this thriving field and shortage of women in engineering makes me feel “lonely” sometimes among my peers. Therefore, I will to continue to advocate for the introduction of the branches of Biomedical Engineering to Nigerian Universities, encourage and advocate for admission of more women into engineering disciplines, and to continue to encourage other engineers who are willing to transition to come and join me in this limitless, exciting and innovative field.

Choice to study biomedical engineering

Several health impairments and issues of failed diagnosis that could benefit from Biomedical Engineering technologies face Nigeria and Nigerians. With a BSc in Physics with Electronics, the Biomedical Engineering career path paved way for me to acquire the knowledge needed to help develop solutions to tackle the above-mentioned issues. Some of the areas that I am currently vast on are medical physics and clinical engineering, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, material development and 3D-printing, and e-health and telemedicine.

What and who inspires me

What Inspires me: As a Scientist, I am challenged and inspired by the possibilities and potentials of technology, and the fulfillment I get from solving difficult problems. As an engineer, I am inspired by industry 4.0 (e.g. 3D-printing) and its design and manufacturing capabilities. As a Nigerian, the complicated problems that I faced or my people in Nigeria face inspire me. On a daily basis, I go to work knowing that I am paying the price to acquire the knowledge and the skill-sets required to help bring back innovative manufacturing solutions to fix, improve, and tweak Nigeria’s mostly dead metal and plastic manufacturing industries.

Who inspires me: The humble background and huge historic contributions of Jesus Christ made Him my first inspiration. My middle name is Deborah and the realization of Deborah’s role as the First Female Judge in Israel, a Warrior, a Wife and a Mother made me choose her my second role model/inspiration. Furthermore, one of the men on the wall of our living room, Prof. Abiodun Francis Oluwole, inspired me to study Physics. At the moment, I have chosen Dr. Ndubuisi Ekekwe as one of my inspirations for his ability to combine successful academic credentials, technology and entrepreneurship.

Greatest Reward

There are a few of them, after many years of research and development; the ultimate reward is receiving the PhD honour itself. Seeing my narrative go viral to touch lives around the world provided me with the re-assurance that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers, hard work and prayers are not old school and they in fact can make you a superstar. Then, securing a job as a lead engineer after my PhD and starting my career in a company that allows me utilize most of my acquired knowledge and skills made the whole process well worth it. Lastly, the smiles and tears of joy that rolled down my father’s face when he heard that I successfully defended my thesis was rewarding and very satisfying.

Recognition

In terms of recognition, I was recognized as 5^thof 150 black women making Canada better during the celebration of Canada at 150 (link:http://cbc.ca.mevn.net/radio/upclose. I was also recognised by the Nigerian Canadian Association as a “Woman of Outstanding Achievement in Education” in celebration of Canada at 150 and the award was presented to me at a Gala attended by Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Bar. Ahmed Hussen, the Ooni of Ife HRM Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Mama Nike Davies-Okundaye of Nike Art Gallery and so on.

Challenges

My PhD was not plain sailing; there were setbacks, frustrating moments, doubts, failed relationship and several failed experiments. The isolation that comes with embedding myself in research and making it my boyfriend, family and best friend was a challenge. There were moments when I slept at the University for several days in order to collect data and only went home to shower. But the most challenging aspect of the PhD by far was the job search that comes at the end of the PhD by far was the job search that comes at the end of the PhD.

Perception of Hawking

Child street-hawking is often driven by poverty, deplorable living conditions, illiteracy and unemployment. According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, it is an offence to involve children in child-labour practices such as child hawking. However, this is the only mean of survival for some families and its eradication will be very tough.

Has there ever been a time that you feel like giving up?

The thinking of giving up is inevitable for every PhD student. Half way through my PhD, I felt like I could do something else with my life. I felt like the PhD was standing in the way of me starting my life, buying a house, finding love and getting married. I felt like it was a shear waste of time and energy and that an MSc was already more than enough.

Unfortunately, I lost my sister to cervical cancer during that time and that gave me the motivation to carry on. I thought I would do it for my sister and my dad who already started calling me doctor and never stopped encouraging me.

Contributing to Nation building back home

In recent times, the society and social media has continued to showcase role models who make education look ‘old school’, who make science look too hard, abstract and for the exceptional ones. Africa as a continent needs to start projecting scientists are role models and investing in productive education and technology aside entertainment, fashion, and cosmetics. As a STEM advocate, I’m willing to help develop hands-on programs to help motivate these students to learn and love Sciences and get exposure to Technology in a fun way. Since kids learn by doing, these programs will provide an avenue for them to connect the theoretical science taught in schools with practical science that results from these theories.

In order to conquer the extreme dependency of Nigeria and Nigerians on China and the West for metal and plastic goods, Nigeria must invest in digitized manufacturing now. The combination of “3D-printing technology” and some other manufacturing techniques will allow achievement of faster product development and consequently enable manufacturing of polymeric and metallic products at reasonable costs. This will also foster raising of young entrepreneurs and enable creation of more jobs for our engineering graduates who are forced to work in the banking sector, wait for years to secure a position in the energy sector, or move abroad to seek greener pastures.

As a scientist who has a large network of professionals, has explored both plastics and metal 3D-printing and tried several conventional manufacturing techniques, my team is capable and able to help with the set-up of a “Manufacturing Hub for Africa” in Nigeria if given a chance. 3D-printing technology is rapidly growing across multiple industries and applications: medical applications (e.g. surgical implants, prosthesis, dental, and tissue-engineered tissues and organs), aerospace applications (OEMs for airplanes and fighter jets), automotive applications (OEMs for car engines), energy industries (customized valves, heat exchangers), tooling for plastics processing, and manufacturing of customized consumer plastic products and decorations.

I am a Woman of Rubies

My life and my journey so far have made me conclude that I am an unrepeatable miracle of God.

Final word for women who have or about to lose hope because of certain setbacks.

Dear woman, with the advent of technology, the world is at your fingertip. Do not wait to be served information on a platter of gold as your power lies in how much information you acquire. Dear woman, who are you and why are you here? My go to quote is “if you don’t stand for something, you will stand for everything or anything, and when you stand for everything or anything, you stand for nothing”. My dear women, let’s altogether renew our minds, be our own saviours, our own rescue and love ourselves enough. Finally, I beseech you to dare to be limitless, dare to start that business, dare to launch that company, dare to channel that cause, dare to be different, dare to study science and dare to be innovative
—

In Interviews&profile November 3, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

Meet Udeme Mfon-okon, the woman who quit banking for pig farming

Mrs. Udeme Mfon-Okon is a pig farmer who recently emerged as the winner of the Diamond Bank Building Entrepreneur Today (BET) Award, the bank’s initiative to ensure that entrepreneurs in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are properly trained and equipped with business knowledge and capital to stimulate sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria. In this interview, Mfon-Okon talks about her experience as a pig farmer before and after BET. Enjoy.

Tell us about your educational and career background
I had my first degree from the University of Uyo where I studied accounting and did my MBA at the University of Calabar. I am also an alumnus of Lagos Business School (LBS), where I did a Senior Management Programme. I was in the banking industry for 13 years and I left Stanbic IBTC as a manager.

At what point did you decide to quit banking for piggery farming?
I left the bank in 2012 and went into exporting charcoal and Shea butter. Though the returns were good but the rigours was too much for me and I couldn’t cope with it, so I decided to go into farming because I had always loved it and I decided to try my hands on it. I had a piece of land somewhere, I thought of doing poultry because I have a sister-in-law who does poultry. But when I ran into a friend of mine, he said that he had gone into poultry business and got his fingers burnt. He introduced me into piggery since that was what he was doing and I followed him to his farm. I loved it the moment I saw it and I decided to go into piggery farming in that instant.

It was interesting when I saw my friend’s pig farm, I never knew much about pigs, I just knew there was puck and I used to eat it, but never knew anything about its rearing.

How did you start in terms of funding?
I started with my savings and got 60 animals, then I rented five rooms initially, but when I realised that the business was something I loved and would like to continue, I then got my first Pen. However, I usually fall back to my husband for money when mine finishes and I had a lot of support from family and a lot of friends.

Has it been a very lucrative business? What are the challenges of doing piggery and livestock farming in general?
Yes, the business has really been lucrative. One thing about pig farming is that you have to stay in it for you to get your returns. It is not something that you give yourself a timeline saying ‘within six months or a year, if I don’t make my money, I am leaving it.’ You will not reap the benefit of the whole thing. You have to stay in it to reap the benefit.

One of the major issues of livestock farming is getting quality feed for them, what happens is one day you’re able to buy corn at a certain price and by the time you go back it is a higher price. And if you’re doing it as a business, you’re watching your bottom line also, so what we do is, we try to find different alternatives that you can feed them with, so if there’s no corn what can you use alternatively? If corn is not in season, if it is too expensive, what else can you use to feed? You have to have a wide range of things to feed your animals.

Feeding and taking care of livestock is not a child’s play, how did you get the funding to expand in a short time?
I got the help of Diamond Bank eventually but before then, I had grown. The secret is you have to remain focused and know what you are doing. You have to plan, that is how I was able to grow like you have said. You need to have proper plans financially for you to be able to expand. So, at the beginning of the year I do a budget; this is what I am thinking I should be able to do. I know the number of animals I have, I know the number of sows (female pigs) I have, so I am expecting that this females should provide a certain number of animals for me within a given time. At the same time, I have an average idea of how much I spend on feeding every month, so I ensure that I have that money available and that was why I said when I use my money, I fall back to my husband’s money, family and friends. I actually took loans but they weren’t expensive loans, they were interest free so I could actually keep and run for as long as possible.

Tell us about your Experience at the Diamond Bank BET
Initially when I applied for the Diamond Bank BET grant, it was all about the money for me, I was just interested in collecting N3million and coming to expand my business. I didn’t even know we were going to go for training at the Entrepreneur Development Centre (EDC), but on getting there, I realised that there was so much I did not know. Initially, I thought I was doing really well and I knew a whole lot, because I did so much to get my business to where it was at that time. But from the first day of my training, my mind just shifted and I realised that, if I take with me what I have learnt from the training, my business will get better.

I learnt so many things like strategy and branding. I never thought branding was important in pig farming because I had my customers walking in without so much effort to source for customers, so I didn’t think that branding would be important. But it turned out that branding is a strategy you can just tweak in your business and there would be an amazing transformation. The first month I attended the training and I implemented one of those things, I made a savings of N270, 000 just that first month.

So it is something that Diamond Bank has provided and we all need to key into it, but unfortunately, they might not be able to extend it beyond 50 people but so long as they implement whatever they learnt, it would be a wonderful experience for them, because their businesses will definitely change for the better.

So I would encourage people, even if they are not going to for the Diamond Bank EDC 1, get some kind of entrepreneur training because it would turn your business for the better. That training alone has impacted my business and up till now, I still go back to my notes once in a while to get information to stream my business processes and work on my human resources. I even advice friends around to take a course in the EDC on human resources just for their staffs and I give advice from what I have learnt because it is a very exciting and mind-blowing experience and Diamond Bank do not know the gravity of positive impact they are having on people’s lives with the BET.

Kindly tell us how they can access the BET fund
Right now the portal is opened for BET 7, you just log in, you upload your 1minute video stating what your business is about. The video has to be concise and captivating, so that when they are selecting people for the process, hopefully you would get selected. Once you get selected, you go for training at the EDC and you just might get picked.

What are the EDC selection criteria?
I really did not know the criteria EDC used to make selections, I am sure they have their guidelines. What you just need to do is put out your best footage and with that I am sure you will get picked.

Is piggery business very time-consuming? How do you handle diseases?
Initially it was time-consuming because you have to be there to set your structures properly but after a while, once you have proper business operations, it is no longer time-consuming.

As per diseases, what we do is more preventive, because once you have an outbreak, you lose your animals and you don’t want to get into that. So we do preventives by making sure our pen is always clean, make sure you treat your animals, give them their vitamins when giving them their food. Also, on a monthly basis, there are some medicines we give them and once you are giving them healthy food, the idea is that your pigs will be fine. I actually had an outbreak last year but it was quickly contained, we were able to quickly contain it

Who are your customers? Tell us your supply chain?

We have a lot of customers right now but my major customers come in from Benin Republic to buy. We have customers that come in from Warri to buy and we also have customers that supply restaurants.

What advise would you give anyone who wants to go into this business?
Well, I would say you should plan properly, because initially when I started, I didn’t plan well and I ran into financial hitch. I had a little extra money so I just boomed and started expanding, forgetting that I am going to feed this animals for a couple of months before they get to maturity for me to sell them out and because of that, I had cash flow problem and that was when I had to run to family and friends to borrow.

If you were not doing this, what would you be doing?
Right now I don’t know, I have given it a thought many times and nothing has come to mind but perhaps teaching. I could be a teacher.

Interview by: Maria Diamond for Guardian Woman.

In Interviews&profile November 2, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

Invest in yourself and increase your value so you can be valued – Uzoamaka Okorie

Uzoamaka Letticia Okorie serves as the Managing Director of the bespoke cleaning servicing company, Nikolasjay Global Services Limited. Uzoamaka is a result driven, self-motivated and resourceful MD with a proven ability to strengthen management teams in order to maximise company profitability and efficiency. Possessing excellent communication skills and able to establish sustainable and profitable relationships with customers and stakeholders. With her Human Resources Background she has served in various executive management roles from Fine and Country (International) West Africa, MTN Nigeria Communication where she was the Human Resource Advisory Executive to three departments in one and two Divisions within the Business. Her more than 15 year career spans from HR Management with Lotus Capital Limited and Quantum Communications Limited, Program/Administrative coordinator with FATE Foundation to her Customer Service skill delivery in the Airline Industry.

Uzoamaka holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Botany from the University of Lagos and certified HR courses with Cornell University, USA. She is Happily married with kids. She shares her story in this interview.

Childhood Influence

I would say yes. I grew up watching my Dad excel in the corporate world even as he sought ways to make a difference, add value and give back to his community. He did not just talk the talk but he walked the walk. He started successful multiple entrepreneurial ventures and had a balanced family life.

Meet Uzoamaka

If I have to describe myself, I’d say, dynamic, relentless, and unapologetically a lover of the most High..

Nikolasjay Global Services Limited

Nikolasjay Global services ltd was born out of a need to add value and impact my generation. We are a multi faceted boutique company catering to the environmental services industry. We offer a wide range of services, from janitorial and cleaning services to the manufacture and retail of consumer products.

Challenges

line of work? – A constant challenge in the industry is Human Resources. Sourcing and retaining competent staff is a continuous balancing act.

Other project and activities

At NikolasJay, we have many projects in the pipeline that we are very excited about. We just launched a line of Multipurpose liquid soap that comes in different fragrances. We also have other projects that would be ready by next year God willing. Truly exciting times for us.

Greatest Reward

There is an old saying that referrals are the best complement. It is truly rewarding when I get referrals from a satisfied client.

Where do you see your brand in the next five years?

In the next 5 years, by His grace we plan to establish ourselves in the industry as the one stop shop service provider for everything related to janitorial, environmental and Dry cleaning services.

Was there ever a time you felt like giving up?

Oh yes… dare I say every other month lol, however, it’s a feeling that lasts but a moment. Giving up is NEVER an option.

Who and what inspire you to be better

My children inspire me to be better. I want them to see that through hard work and perseverance, they can achieve and accomplish their hearts desire.

What makes you a woman of Rubies

My desire to see other women grow and flourish in their respective fields, supporting each other and making a generational impact.

Any final word for young women all over the world?

Invest in yourself and increase your value so you can be valued…

In Interviews&profile November 1, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

The Hollywood reporter lists Mo Abudu among 25 most powerful women in global television

The Hollywood Reporter has released its annual list of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television and Mo Abudu is the only African woman listed, amongst those from North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Australasia. The Founder and CEO of EbonyLife TV is being recognised as an influential woman in the media industry for the second time.

The category recognises female executives from around the globe who are rewriting the rules of TV, during a time when “women have to work twice as hard for the same recognition” as men. The article describes Abudu as a woman who “has been at the forefront of media innovation on the continent and whose goal for the coming year is to successfully produce Africa’s first sci-fi TV series.” The first time she was included in this list was in 2013, immediately after the launch of EbonyLife TV.

Since those early days, EbonyLife TV has created over 4,000 hours of original, high-quality content, including landmark drama series The Governor, Sons of the Caliphate and Fifty (the series), along with the first pan-African talk show, Moments, with different versions hosted in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. EbonyLife Films made its debut in 2015 at the 59th BFI London Film Festival with Fifty, the highest-grossing Nollywood movie that year. In 2016, EbonyLife co-produced The Wedding Party, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and went on to become the biggest movie in the history of Nigerian cinema.

Ms. Abudu does not take the recognition from the renowned entertainment magazine for granted. “It’s an honour and privilege to be acknowledged again by The Hollywood Reporter. I am proud to represent Nigeria and the thousands of women in Africa, striving to make their mark in a male-dominated industry,” she said.

The Hollywood Reporter publishes its list of Most Powerful Women in Global Television annually, with luminaries deemed by its editors to have made a significant impact on what audiences are watching worldwide and how women are represented on TV.

To see the complete list, click here: https://goo.gl/Xghfas

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