Monica Tanee is a graduate of Chemical Engineering from the Univerity of Portharcourt, She was all over the news last week when she posted a picture of herself smoking cat fish on her Facebook page, a business she started while serving in Ondo state not minding the stress, humiliation and low patronage. She almost gave up on the business after her service year but later kicked it off with encouragement from her business partner ;Yinyegha Tiki who owns the firewood oven she uses in smoking fish. Monica’s biggest Inspiration is her late dad who passed away last month, in her words: “My dad didn’t have any formal education but he gave me my first degree, I will do all I can to make sure I don’t disappoint him”. The hard working orphan who also lost her mum 11 years ago shares her inspiring story with me in this exclusive interview.

Childhood
My childhood influence what I do today because my parents were seriously involved in buying and selling while I was young.
More about my fish business
I started my catfish business during my NYSC year, at 32 Artillery Brigade Barack Akure, Ondo state where I did my first primary assignment(ppa) . I studied how to trained fish, I trained some batches of catfish with a fellow youth corp members before my passing out. We harvested and took the fresh catfish to (TIkIFISH ) for his unique processing method, which is not common in Rivers state, that guarantees sand and smoke-free, tasty smoked fish. So I decided to partner with him.

I once had a fish pond…
The fish pond was in Ondo state, I rented it for a period. But because of the nature of thief and pest, I decided not to continue since I was done with my service year. it was really a wonderful experience

Challenges
The high rate of waybill from Ondo state, and poor rate of my customers not paying their debt at an agreed date. There are also series of harassment from male customers.

Other project and activities
I plan to attain professional certification in Chemical Engineering. I am also into beads making and accessories.
The reception so far…
It has been very fine and encouraging, I have a good relationship with my customers and they truly believe in my business and also refer people to me from all over the country.

On giving up
There have been times when I felt like giving up. For instance, when friends see me as a fishmonger after graduating as a Chemical Engineer. Last month, I lost my beloved daddy and I felt I already lost everything in life, living a life without parents that gave me inspiration. All the same, I thank God for everything.

How I market my smoked fish…
No, I don’t have a shop for now. I market my business through words of mouth to friends, family, neighbours and I also make use of the social media. I also go out to the market to network.

Inspiration
I got my inspiration from my dad, he is my role model in life. He was able to make it in life without higher education. He was able to give me my first degree. And I believe by the grace of God I can do better
through Christ that strengthens me.

I am a Woman of Rubies
As a Woman of Rubies, I believe in working with my hands to take care of my family, friends, and myself when there are needs. If I should throw the questions back to you.

Final word for young budding female entrepreneur and women out there
Self-determination is one major key they should work with. As for me, I told myself I’ll not stay idle after my service year, even though what I’m doing is not related to my field of study. My parents have tried a lot for me and it is high time I start doing something to take care of myself, so I can stop depending on them because my younger ones are still in school. At the point where I took the decision, I remember this portion in the Bible (2 Chronicles 2:27 and Deuteronomy 28:12). Secondly, let them rise up and be self-employed in any little entrepreneur’s skills they have. For those that are currently jobless, I’ll encourage you to pick a business or skill of your choice and start working on it, don’t be ashamed. Seriously speaking, hard work pays especially for a woman, you will gain respect from family, friends and even your husband. During a time like this, they will meet different kinds of person on their way up, some are ready to bring you down with discouragement and bad advice. Who you choose as a mentor and the people that give you
advice, matters a lot. Also listening to your spirit is one thing they should not overlook.
Lastly, they should not remove daily prayer in every ramification of their life, also payment of Tithe.

Hajia Bola Shagaya (MON)is a Nigerian businesswoman and fashion enthusiast. She is one of the richest women in Africa. She was born on the 10th of October, 1959. She is married to Alhaji Shagaya, a Kwara State-based transport mogul, and has four children. She had her secondary school education at Queens School, Ilorin, and her tertiary education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Armstrong College in California, where she studied economics and accountancy.

She started her career with the audit department of the Central Bank of Nigeria before venturing into commercial activities in 1983. Her business experience started with the importation and distribution of photographic materials and she introduced the Konica brand of photographic materials into the Nigerian market and West Africa and that was the birth of another of her companies – Fotofair (Nigeria) Limited. Today, Fotofair is a leading photo laboratory company in Nigeria with over thirty laboratories spread across the nation.

Hajia Bola Shagaya is also the managing director of Practoil Limited, one of the largest importers and distributors of base oil in Nigeria, serving local lubricant blending plants.

Over the years, her oil and gas companies have operated as dealers and independent marketers of oil, petroleum products and gas, engaged in petroleum product sales, marketing, storage, haulage and transported oil, petroleum, kerosene and cooking gas. They have also acquired licence and engaged in oil and gas prospecting and exploration, acquiring or owning oil fields and also lifting crude oil and associated products.

Around 2005, she became the managing director of  Practoil Limited and in 2011 she founded another exploration company, Voyage Oil and Gas Limited.

Her businesses also includes huge investment in real estate, spanning across major cities in the country with over three hundred employees.

She is currently on the board of Unity Bank plc (formerly Intercity Bank) and has been for over eight years. She is also a member of the recently inaugurated Nepad Business Group – Nigeria. Hajia Bola Shagaya is a patron of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), and a fashion and art enthusiast who supports and encourages the fashion and art industry. She also loves sports, especially polo.

On 22 July 2010, she was awarded by the then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR), the title of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

“Ogiriwoman” is a brand created as an expression of Ifeoma Uzoma, a woman whose unique style of selling Ogiri, a natural African spice, went viral after a customer put up her video on Facebook.

The viral video attracted comments and admiration from Nigerians, home and abroad. She quickly became synonymous with Ogiri woman in Google searches.  Mumpreneur.ng, a networking and support group for mothers who run businesses was one of the admirers of this woman. She was contacted and invited  to Lagos. A team led by Branded.ng was put together to build this woman’s brand and give her a platform to express her unique marketing talent in the field of cooking.

Ifeoma Uzoma represents hope for every Nigerian mother working hard with their heart and mind to support their homes. It’s a hope that whatever you set your mind to, you can achieve. It’s a hope that no matter how small your beginnings are; you can be big if you do it with your heart and stay with it.Maya Angelou had Ifeoma  in mind when she said: “You will face many defeats in your life, but never let yourself be defeated.” Here is my exclusive interview with the very inspiring and famous “Ogiri Woman”. Be Inspired!

Childhood Influence

Yes it did, now that I think of it. I am the first daughter of a family of five girls and so I was never allowed to be lazy. I worked so hard, my parents nicknamed me “Oshite” meaning the cook. I enjoy cooking and we were raised to live naturally. Healthy eating and living was part of us.

Meet Me

My name is Ifeoma Uzoma, I am a proudly Nigerian Ogiri seller. I am a happy go lucky person by nature. Right from my childhood, I was always one to cheer everyone around me. I have always been industrious.

Viral Video

I was surprised because I wasn’t expecting it until people started calling me to tell me. I really thank God for everything, because I was just doing my thing as usual.

Choice to hawk Ogiri

I was just using what was available to me in Imo state. The open market is the best place to sell things like that because people come in and out all the time. Also, I started the business with just 300 naira and was determined to make something out of it. My life philosophy is that Rome was not built in a day, no matter the circumstances I find myself, I do what I have to.

Life before hawking ogiri

I had tried several businesses that were moving very slowly. The last venture was nylon bags. It was when I stepped back to ask God what exactly I should do that he gave me the inspiration to take up ogiri.

The fateful day   Ugoma Rach recorded me

I am a very jovial person by nature, infact in the market where I sell, I was able to differentiate myself because of my unique style of selling with a song. People look forward to my coming with the usual “O.G.I.R.I Ogiri” song. On this day, I was in the market doing my usual selling when a customer Ugoma Rach (I remember her name) approached me to buy. In my usual way, we exchanged jokes and laughed so much that she said to me “I have to record this and put you in Facebook”. I didn’t think it was a serious thing, I let her record and forgot about it. She bought her Ogiri and left. About a month later, I started getting calls and messages from people who had watched the video. I even got orders from Nigerians abroad. I couldn’t believe that the simple video I did a month before had led to this. It hasn’t been the same since then.

Challenges

The smell of Ogiri is always an issue both in the market square, on the bus and in the home. But that’s the nature of Ogiri. Every good Ogiri has that smell that people say is awful. Sometimes, I get dropped off before my stop because of people complaining about the smell. Even when I take a taxi, it is the same reaction.

Secondly, hawking is not easy because of the hot sun and sometimes the rain, but in Imo the easiest way to get the product to those who need it fast is to hawk it in the open market square or rent a shop where there is footfall. However, shops are expensive and I don’t have a private car to do deliveries.

The other challenges are with the production process with limited equipment. I am stretched thin because, when I get orders, I am the one that produces, packages and I still have to go to the market to sell. It can be a lot sometimes, but I keep going.

“Mumpreneur.ng” Influence

I have been receiving calls from people who want to meet me and know me. This is one of the reasons why I am in Lagos on the mumpreneur.ng platform. Although I had to leave my family and Ogiri customers from the market where I sell, I see it as a temporary sacrifice to move my business to the next level. I appreciate Mofolusade Sonaike who is the founder of the platform for going all out to locate me after seeing my video and also bringing me to Lagos and rebranding me

Greatest reward

The greatest reward for me is peace of mind. I am at peace.

Reception while  hawking

One thing about me is my cheerful approach to life. Whenever I arrive at the market, I forget every worry I have and start to sing and sell my ogiri with joy. My unique style of selling attracted attention to me such that on days when I don’t come, people start calling and looking for me.

Balancing family life with hawking

Everything is placed in its priority. I do what I have to do when I have to do it. And yes my husband is in support of my work.

Who inspire you to be better

My strength is mainly from God. Also, the reactions of people that purchase from me, keeps me inspired because my ogiri is unique.

Rebranding process

It makes me want to sing “To God be the glory, To God be the honor, To God be the adoration Amen!” Who would have thought Ogiri will bring me here.

Instant Fame and What’s next?

I never saw this coming, so for me, I am not dwelling on the fame as you would call it, I see it as a charge to do more. I really was just doing what my hands found to do with all my heart. My dream is to increase my production capacity and set up what you would call a village soup kitchen, for native soups made with Ogiri. Ogiri is usually looked down on and when I got the inspiration from God to take it up, he reminded of a song about Ogiri that goes like this – “Onu ahun gboro Ogiri asu emecha ya roro ya ra” which means, “The mouth that spits on Ogiri, will later pack it and lick”.

Joy of knowing my video inspire many

It makes me want to keep going on and never stop till God says its over.

I am a woman of Rubies

I would describe myself as a Proverbs 31 woman, a woman who takes care of her family, works hard, builds her home and does not destroy it.

Final word for young budding female entrepreneurs who want to go into the biz

The advice I have for them is that quitters never win but winners never quit. Good, better, best, let me never rest, until my good is better and my best.

Not only does the exclusion of young people from the labour force perpetuate generational cycles of poverty, it also breaks down social cohesion and can be associated with higher levels of crime and violence among the youth.

In 2013, Misan Rewane along with other West Africans who were passionate about curbing the rise of youth unemployment, founded the West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE).

WAVE tackles youth unemployment by identifying motivated but underserved West African youth, training them on crucial employability skills and connecting them to entry-level job opportunities.

Admission and training in the WAVE academy is free, as they only charge a placement fee when they’ve secured their students with a job.

Speaking with The Guardian about her driving force, Misan said:

“I have been passionate about helping young people realise their potential for as long as I can remember.

From community service in secondary school to volunteering to tutor children in reading and math during my university years, most of my extra-curricular activities had involved working with children and youth.”

By 2019, WAVE aims to train 25,000 youth annually, having already trained over 50,000 youth in marketable skills – helping them reach their true potential and finding stable jobs.

Mary Winston Jackson was an African American mathematician and aerospace engineer at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which in 1958 was succeeded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She worked at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, for most of her career. She started as a Human Computer at the segregated West Area Computing division. She took advanced engineering classes and in 1958 became NASA’s first black female engineer.

Jackson served for more than thirty years as a Girl Scout leader. She was noted in the 1970s for helping black children in her community create a miniature wind tunnel for testing airplanes.

In 1953, she accepted an offer to work for engineer Kazimierz Czarnecki in the Supersonic Pressure Tunnel. The 4 by 4 foot (1.2 by 1.2 m), 60,000 horsepower (45,000 kW) wind tunnel used to study forces on a model by generating winds at almost twice the speed of sound. Czarnecki encouraged Jackson to undergo training so that she could be promoted to an engineer. She needed to take graduate-level courses in math and physics to qualify for the job. They were offered in a night program by the University of Virginia, held at the all-white Hampton High School. Jackson petitioned the City of Hampton to allow her to attend the classes. After completing the courses, she was promoted to aerospace engineer in 1958, and became NASA’s first black female engineer.She analyzed data from wind tunnel experiments and real-world aircraft flight experiments at the Theoretical Aerodynamics Branch of the Subsonic-Transonic Aerodynamics Division at Langley.Her goal was to understand air flow, including thrust and drag forces, in order to improve United States planes.

After 34 years at NASA, Jackson had earned the most senior engineering title available. She realized she could not earn further promotions without becoming a supervisor. She accepted a demotion to become a manager of both the Federal Women’s Program, in the NASA Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, and of the Affirmative Action Program. In this role, she worked to influence both the hiring and promotion of women in NASA’s science, engineering, and mathematics careers. She ultimately authored or co-authored 12 technical papers for NACA and NASA. She worked to help women and other minorities to advance their careers, including advising them how to study in order to qualify for promotions.

Jackson’s story features in the non-fiction book Hidden Figures: The Story of the African-American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race (2016). She is one of the three protagonists in Hidden Figures, the film adaptation released the same year.

She earned several awards and honors.

Mary Jackson was married with two children. She died on February 11, 2005, at age 83.

While the world focused on the negative effect of Boko Haram in the northeast.  She was compelled to show and tell the virtues of resilience and the collectivist African culture displayed by the refugees. Nelly lived through the surge of Boko Haram;  slept in a house once occupied by the terrorists.

Nelly Ating lives with the story, as a Photojournalist working in these high-risk zones, She h has heard the sounds of the bomb blast; it has become a motivation to tell the positive side and personal stories of survivors. More of putting faces to the personal stories, a show of dignity in humanity, this is why her story is unique. In her words “ I am fearless, something must kill a man”. Nelly shares her inspiring story as a Female Photojournalist documenting liberated Boko Haram Communities

Meet Me

My name is Nelly Ating, I am from Akwa Ibom State, but I like to identify myself first as a Nigerian before any ethnic group or tribe. I am a 28-year-old female Photojournalist based in Yola, Adamawa State. A graduate of Journalism from the American University of Nigeria, Yola.

How the journey started…

I left my job in 2014 as a Video Coordinator in a small Multimedia company based in Port Harcourt to return to Yola. This was at the peak of the insurgency. The drive was stirred from a curiosity of the actual situation on the ground. I came back thinking that from the plane I would be dodging mines, but that wasn’t the case. Life was buzzing only with a strong visible security presence.  Mainstream media had painted the image that the northeast was red zone. Quite well, the insurgency, but we had beautiful stories there were underreported.  Stories such as a ‘Peace model ‘ used in addressing violent extremism that no one was thinking about. A university using research drawn from community development projects to approach resolution in a volatile zone. This was not in the news,  I began documenting all the University activities.

Most of my images that are viral now were taken in 2014 as they were no actual people who were reluctant to visit.  The peace model had given us stories such of how people were thriving on soccer to bring unity between two religious groups. Churches that opened up their cathedral to feed refugees. Muslim prayers were said in church cathedrals and same with Christian prayers. Instantly, I knew history was set and these stories would be needed.

Full nature of my job

My job as a photojournalist is a risky one as right now I am considering visiting Sambisa and this is a plea to Nigerian Army to allow us to tell the stories of the war from both the people and the military perspective. But however, something must kill a man so I am not afraid.

Challenge

My worst challenge was having a congestive cardiac failure last year from pursuing this route in life. And coming face to face with a live IED in Michika local government area or listening to bombs go off few miles from Madagali while people went on with their normal activities.

Fearless Nelly!

I have heard the sounds of the bomb blast; it has become a motivation to tell the positive side and personal stories of survivors. More of putting faces to the personal stories, a show of dignity in humanity.  Just like three days before September 11, 2015, Malkhoi IDP bomb blast in Yola, I had accompanied some university students who went to mark World Literacy Day with the refugee children. Last year, I was diagnosed with Tuberculosis and Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF) which was traced to my constant visit to various concentration camps. None of the above deters me, I woke up from being bedridden for nine months to host a photo exhibition in honor of those lost their lives, the INGO who have worked tirelessly to relief the suffering of the refugees.

The world has a lot to learn from the tales of Boko Haram insurgency which started like a joke until millions of Nigerians in the Northeast became internally displaced suffering from hunger, trauma, and deprivation.

This war will fade, but in managing conflict/peace resolution, history must be revisited, our children must learn, unlearn, and relearn from the mistakes of our government. The path of war lives trails that last forever, especially in the minds of children who are the most affected as their education and future are cut short. Exactly why we shouldn’t take the growing Biafran agitation for granted, the effect of war is pain and trauma.

Social Media as a tool

I have been able to use social media to keep pushing this work out there, of which has proven a success. Last year, I hosted an exhibition themed “The Refugee’s Prayer” in honour of the victims who died. Monies generated were use to support eight Boko Haram orphans residing in Yola, Adamawa State through completing their Junior Secondary Education  (Grade 7-9). The campaigns were mostly on social media and the reviews were positive. Recently, another generous Nigerian has decided to support more children in Michika local government area, Adamawa State.

Greatest reward

I have eight children who are victims of this war in school. One is very dear to me, his name is Mahmoud. He was captured by the insurgents for few days and has lost contact with his family. He was a truck-pusher in the market hustling for N150 daily to survive. With help of friends from Facebook we bought Mahmoud, school supplies and paid in full school fees from Jss1-3. And, recently I had a couple from Lagos sent money to a Pastor who is harboring orphans and supporting Boko Haram widow in Michika. I also link NGO’s with direct help through my images and stories.

I once slept in a house full of terrorists…

I went to Michika for an assignment and spent a night in this house that was occupied by Boko Haram when they had seized that town in 2014. I listened to the widow who owned the house tell me the things she discovered in her house when she returned right after the military liberated that community. She said they had changed her toilet from the water system to pit toilet. Stole her China wares and generator.

The house was so dirty, the left behind sanitary towels. It was eye opening to discover that they terrorists move with their own families in groups when they seize towns. But honestly sleeping with such information in that house, I felt hunted.

Life in bomb blast IDP camps

The government in conjunction with the international NGO’s are doing a lot to support the IDPs, though there is more to be done, the situation is much better compared to 2014 when some IDPs would prefer to live in the host community than living in the camps. Although, some IDPs have started going back home, especially those from communities that have been liberated.

Greatest fear?

Nothing, I would have said failure. I have failed so many times that I see it as a step to success.

Inspiration

I am inspired by these IDPs who are living despite what they have gone through. To understand the true meaning of happiness, one should listen to these people’s stories and watch them live life. It is called resilience. Then, of course, knowing that you were called to serve humanity.

My Philosophy

My philosophy is not just capturing these faces, but as a creative artist, development impact to the community through photography is my motivation. With my camera, I am creating impact one picture at a time.

Final words to the government and well-meaning Nigerians

We have more people in need of help, you can help a widow by adopting a child. It is a lot easier to be a widow in the south than in the North which has a religious and cultural undertone stigma. They have to work twice as hard to support their families. Most of them have assumed heads of household responsibility; a reality they were not prepared for. We also have young girls who were forcefully married to Boko Haram soldiers. They need rehabilitation, they complain of being stigmatized. Then instead of NGO’s supporting just farming, can we train young people who are interested in Suya making on how to make package Kilishi etc. Let’s find ancient trades that the northerners have been practicing and teach them how to grow that business. Did you know that Mubi has an International Cattle Market? We need to think of leveraging the opportunities here to create employment for youths instead of giving them just food. Lets, go to financial literacy training and break it down to the street food seller etc.

I Am a Woman of Rubies

Oh, being a woman who is fearless!  The humility to accept challenges and learn daily.

Final word for women all over the world

Go to the world and do exploit! We are in no competition with men. Our world is gearing towards artificial intelligence, especially as African women, we need to set the pace for the next generation women to grow! The best resources Nigeria has, is not in its mineral resources, but the PEOPLE. I am challenging a generation of women to fill in most of those spots.

Ginika Okafor is a lawyer, art lover and a Motherland Mogul showing that young Nigerians can wear #MadeinNigeria with pride. In between trying new foods, visiting new countries and experiencing their culture, Ginika designs and creates footwear. Her brand Yili is fun, colourful and Nigerian-made.

Read her exclusive interview with She Leads Africa;

Why did you decide to start Yili

I love colours. I like to be surrounded by bursts of colours and as a result I infuse a lot of colours in my everyday outfits and surroundings. With this in mind, I started Yili because I wanted Nigerian-made and sourced footwear, which infuses bursts of colours in its aesthetics.

Furthermore, I notice colours have positive effects on moods and I wanted to create colourful products that are uplifting in every way. This is why you find most of Yili slippers are combinations of different bright colours.

Also, there is an option for customers to choose the particular materials and colours that will go with our existing designs. This makes each footwear more personal, unique and more meaningful to each customer.

How have you (or do you) overcome challenges that your business faces?

One of the many obstacles I faced so far is the sourcing for materials locally. We get our leather from the local markets, and what is available this week may be sold out the next. I overcome this struggle by widening my local contacts.

This means I travel across Nigeria in search of good local manufacturers selling quality materials. This also affords me the opportunity to see different parts of country and to better understand the culture and everyday living experience of many Nigerians.

Also, due to the exchange rate crisis, the prices of a lot of our raw materials have increased in price thereby forcing us to increase our prices. In this forex instance, I can’t really do much but hope the price of forex comes down. All in all, I have learnt to continue to push through in spite of various obstacles. #andyetshepersisted.

Can you share the process of sourcing for materials as a 100% made in Nigeria brand?

Our products contain different materials from leather to adire to calico etc. What many people don’t know is different parts of the country specialise in different goods/material. Take

ake adire for instance. The best adires are found in Abeokuta. So, when I’m buying my adire I don’t buy it Lagos; I travel to Abeokuta, speak with different families and vendors that have produced adire for decades. I learn from them on what is new, how they come up with new designs and so on.

This applies to all the materials we use. Sourcing for local materials have taken me to very, very interesting parts of Nigeria and I hope to tell the different but amazing stories in a memoir one day.

Where do you see Yili in the next two years?

Expanding. This expansion includes opening a local manufacturing plant, having our own standalone stores in in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano as well as in three African countries.

We would like to partner with various independent retailers to stock our products. However, we want to ensure that whichever store we stock in must understand the ethos and vision of the brand. Also, we want customers to be able to order Yilifootwear from our website and have it delivered anywhere in the world.

What do you think is necessary to take Yili to the next level?

We need funding. Expanding the business requires a lot of money we don’t have now even though we are open to investors. Also, we believe having a e-commerce website will not only give the brand the visibility it need but it will improve accessibility too.

We are currently working on our website, once that is up and running anyone can order Yilifootwear and we be shipped worldwide, thereby expanding the brand presence globally.

What’s your favourite Yili footwear design?

The Max slippers because I named it after my eldest sister who has been a huge support and inspiration in my life. #loveyouMaks

What three words describe being a young female entrepreneur in Lagos today?

Being an entrepreneur is no child’s play in Lagos. It is a wilderness out here and every day is the survival of the fittest.

That said, being an entrepreneur (especially a female entrepreneur) can be described thusly

• Perseverance
• Hardworking
• Hopeful

Source: She Leads Africa; sheleadsafrica.org