A hybrid of many cultures, Edwina Kulego, then aged 19, moved from Sweden to the United States with the sole intention of pursuing a career in fashion and business. Ten years later, this incredible woman has worked with major fashion brands, and has become a formidable force in the world of fashion and retailing. In this interview, Edwina talks us through her major career milestones and what’s next for her.
Meet Me
Edwina Kulego is a travel enthusiast who blends the two dynamic worlds of International Business and Fashion into her own realm. Born in Sweden to Ghanaian parents, Edwina is a hybrid of many cultures, which enables her to see the world through many different lenses.
I currently manage International Business Development for the largest Fashion Trade Show organizer in the US, UBM Fashion. This role includes helping international fashion brands create pathways into the US market. I am also building my own brand Edwina Kulego and diving into entrepreneurship through public speaking and collaborations. It’s really exciting!
Venturing into Fashion
My love for fashion begun when I started working at Zara in Copenhagen, right after high school. I was looking for work while figuring out collage options and unintentionally fell into retail. While working at the store, I quickly recognized how the clothes and accessories made people feel. It could change their moods from exhausted to happy, give them a boost of confidence and make them feel beautiful. I realized the emotional power of fashion; which is what truly makes it special. After becoming promoted to assistant store manager I decided to move to New York City to pursue my dream of working in Fashion/Business.
Interning with three major global brands
My internships at Essence Magazine, Tommy Hilfiger and PROJECT Trade Show were immensely rewarding because they all prepared me for the “real world” in different ways. I started interning at Essence Magazine when I first moved to New York in 2007. I was very timid and shy but due to the strong characters and the determination from the women who worked there, I learned to grow some thick skin. At Tommy Hilfiger I learned the importance of organization and scheduling. While working in the celebrity and fashion department I managed many calendars and also participated in organizing their renowned New York Fashion Week show. Finally, PROJECT taught me the importance of curiosity. One of my former executives always encouraged me to ask questions in order to learn and I still use this advice today.
Speaking of internship, would you say it has its rewards, and would you recommend it?
I would definitely recommend internships. If you are at a crossroads and don’t know what career path to embark on, I would recommend that you intern in the field that you are interested in. Some internships and more rewarding than others but they all teach us some valuable tools or skills that we can apply to our next role. The last company that I interned for hired me and I’ve been with them for eight years now.
You are the International Business Manager at UBM Fashion Group; kindly take us through what a regular day at work looks like for you?
I usually start my day off with reviewing my schedule for the day, week or month. For example, if I have any upcoming travel I will make sure that I have all of my accommodations and meetings booked. I spend a lot of time in the office taking calls or having team meetings. I also spend time out in the market visiting my client’s showrooms and planning for the next season. When I am travelling for work, I am usually conducting presentations and meeting with trade groups to develop new partnerships.
Skills and personal qualities
Having determination and discipline is a skill that I constantly focus on improving. For example, making sure that I wake up at 6:00am in time for my morning workout session or completing a task before or by the deadline. Being organized and staying on top of things really helps me create balance in my life.
A lot of people say that business isn’t personal but I do truly believe that people choose to do business with the people that they like. Being personable and kind is an attribute that I think has led many of my successes. When you are truly passionate and interested in people; it naturally opens you up to new opportunities
Milestones
Recently being promoted to manage our International Business Development was a huge career milestone for me. I started as an intern in the company and worked my way up through many challenges in order to get to my position today. It’s rewarding to see that hard work does pay off and the importance of patience. In April 2017, we launched our first international show in Tokyo, called MAGIC Japan. This was also a career milestone for me as I had been working on this project for almost three years; it’s a major accomplishment that I am proud to say I was a part of. From a personal aspect I will be celebrating a decade in New York in September. Ten years is a long time to be away from family, but I can honestly say that leaving Sweden at 19 and getting out of my comfort zone was the best decision I have made. The risk taker in me is what has made me the Edwina I am today. Last year, I launched EdwinaKulego.com – my own platform where I can share information and connect with my audience. It’s an amazing feeling!
What I love about my work
I love the fact that I can travel the world while working in the industries that I love; fashion and business. It has taken me a while to get to this place and I am truly embracing it. I also love to dress up, so if I can do that while I’m working; I’m winning.
For women trying to get ahead in their careers, what are the top three things they should learn to do?
Set Goals: You won’t know where you are heading if you don’t have a plan. Start writing things down in order to create a sense of direction.
Examine your surroundings: If the people, places or things around you aren’t uplifting or inspiring you then it’s time to make some changes. Remove the things in your life that are hindering you from getting to your goals.
Take Risks: Everything was impossible until someone did it. I thought I was going to be a lawyer when I was younger. I saw an opportunity within Fashion and I took it. Don’t be afraid to dive into the unknown… it’s fun and you always leave with lesson.
As an African woman trying to make a name for herself in the western fashion space, have there been moments on the job where you felt the need to work harder and produce twice better results than your western counterparts?
The truth is that women of colour always have to work harder and produce better results. Once you realise what you are up against, you strategize and push forward. I have attended meetings where I have been completely ignored even though I was driving the conversation or when I was the decision-maker. The focus would instantly shift to my western, male counterpart. I can’t deny that it’s frustrating and hard at times but I always try to remember that I am paving the way for my nieces, cousins and the generation of young women behind me. On the upside, I am happy to see that there are more African women and women of colour in the Fashion Space. This should be embraced and I believe that if we come together and support each other we can change the standard.
In all of your travels, what fashion city captures your heart the most?
Oh, this is a tough question… my initial thoughts are Lima, Paris, Florence but I would honestly have to go with Accra. Every time I return to Accra I am filled with so much joy and humility. The love for family, culture and heritage reminds me of who I am. I always take a few trips to Mokola Market and buy print fabric that I eventually turn into my own fashion creations.
Drawing from your international fashion exposure, how would you describe the African fashion space?
There is so much excitement and energy coming from Africa right now. Countries like Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana are producing prominent events and highlighting impeccable designers. I would like to get more involved in the West African fashion space and lend my support to developing that industry and market. Africans are innovative and entrepreneurial at heart; we can make something out of anything. There are so many promising opportunities coming from the continent.
What are some of your favourite African brands, and what makes them outstanding for you?
Christie Brown is a long – time favourite; I appreciate the modernism, attention to detail and unique designs in her collection.
Kahindo – I love her designs because they carefully mix the categories of contemporary and traditional. I think that this is a hard task to accomplish but she does it effortlessly.
Kairosshoppers is an online platform that houses many awesome African designers. I love visiting their site for inspiration and shopping.
You founded your website Engage with Me, as a platform for women to share their engagement stories. What led to its birth?
I’ve always been a sucker for love stories and happy endings. I started Engage With Me years ago and it taught me a lot about the digital space. It also gave me an introduction to online marketing and social media. I have drifted away from the Engage With Me platform and I’m currently focusing more on EdwinKulego.com. I hope to revamp or revisit the site in the future.
We can’t help but crush on your fashion sense. What fashion item is a staple for you?
I love a classic look; you will always find tons of pumps in my shoe closet. I believe that a classic pump such as a suede Manolo Blahnik can upgrade almost any outfit. I am also in love with high waist pants; I have them in all prints and colours.
What would be your first piece of advice to a young African girl who’s looking to toeing the same path as yours?
I would encourage her to think big; start travelling or at least begin reading about the amazing different places in the world. Being diverse and having the ability to adapt in different environments is key in international business. Growing your knowledge of the world will help with building the confidence you need to become a global businesswoman.
Source: Guardian
Just Omomo Ibe is a business strategist and a work life balance expert. She help individuals especially women identify the various opportunities in their business to make more profit and create a balance between their work and personal life, so they can chase their dreams and make money while at it. The business coach who is also a banker is living her dreams despite been an employee. The young catalyst is living solely on the principle of defying the norm to achieve extraordinary results. She talks about her passion and work life balance in this educative interview.
Not so rosy Childhood
I had a bitter sweet experience, growing up for me taught me so many things about contentment, resilience, hard work and focus. As kids we grew everything we ate, when other kids were having fun we would go to the farm,in all these periods my parents always taught us the importance of living in your lane. I wanted all the great things of life, great shoes, nice school bags and toys etc.
Since we couldn’t afford them financially I found succour in the fact that I was excelling academically and that when i grow up i would buy myself everything I desired. So yes having to be a contributor to the family prepared me to be able to add value in every area I find myself.
Who is Just Omomo Ibe?
Just Omomo Ibe, is married to my high school sweetheart and yes we have two beautiful children. My greatest joy in life is being able to nurture children and instil values in them. My desire to nurture lead me to start teaching women how to live the life of their dreams irrespective of their schedules. I love been around women who build others up because it’s in doing so that you can truly grow.
Being a Business Coach
As a business strategist I help businesses bridge the gap between potential and performance, simply put I help you identify the various opportunities for growth and profit. No matter how well your business is doing there are so many areas you haven’t tapped that would help you operate at the optimum and of course more profit.
What we do is to analyse your business and draw out a visible growth plan.
As a work life balance expert i help you deconstruct your otherwise busy schedule and teach you to integrate all aspects perfectly so you can chase your God given dreams and make money while at it.
My Inspiration
My number one inspiration is President Barack Obama, I love the way he commands the stage when he speaks, he further explains the importance of just allowing your talents pave way for you.
I can almost say he spoke his way to the WHITE HOUSE.
Then Oprah Winfery. I also have a talk show that is aired on you tube, and Oprah has taught me that you can truly change lives by sharing knowledge from experts around the world with people.
In other words if you have access to an important person that can add value to your audience, by all means let them share from their wealth of knowledge. Be a blessing to the world and you would be blessed in return.
Motivation
This for me is a journey of purpose. Speaking and teaching gives me joy, most rewarding is when people are blessed by your message or the value you bring to the table.
Rewards
Your voice is unique, it doesn’t matter your educational background or your qualification. If you have a message there is someone out there that needs to hear it to survive and your job is to go out there, find those people and speak to them. Once you do the rewards are priceless.
Challenges
Truly it can be challenging to juggle your role as a wife, mother especially when you have toddlers and then a career.
You need to pray to God for a loving and supporting spouse because you may not be able to do it alone without breaking down.
You must also be weary of distractions, in your pursuit of your dreams, everything may seem like the real thing but prayerfully seek Gods face for directions both in business relationships, the choice of a mentor and the right application of your ideas.
I have seen a lot of women start well and end badly because of poor judgement and bad associations.
Other Projects
Recently I wrote a book “RULE AS A BOSS,ROCK AS A MUM,SLAY AS A WIFE”, the book is actually a step by step guide to creating a work life balance for women to enable them chase their dreams and make money while at it. see below link to the book. https://okadabooks.com/publication/my-publication
We also created a ROCK, RULE,SLAY CONFERENCE and we are starting the 1st edition in Abuja Nigeria by august. The Just Ibe Show also has room for partnerships and sponsorship including adverts for start-ups.
Positivity overcomes any Challenge
In chasing your dreams most times you would have to spend your own money to finance it until you can start making returns. When i first launched the show it was costing me so much and bringing in little. It was very frustrating, than i met a lady who reassured me that it would only get better, that is why I always stress the need to surround yourself with positive people
Are Nigerian Women Business Oriented?
Nigerian women are great business women, look around you everything we thought was impossible women have made it possible. Pap is now been exported, moi moi, pounded yam, fufu, amala, stockfish, ugu leaves, the list is endless.
Nigerian women are revolutionizing the face of entrepreneurship in Africa, just give us a mole and we would make an anthill out of it. I love my country and i love my Nigerian women..
I am a Woman of Rubies
Women of Rubies nurture people to growth, we support one another genuinely and that is my overall mantra. I live by genuinely supporting my sister.
Advice to Women
Whatever you feed your mind with would occupy your thoughts and that my friends is what would manifest in your life. So it’s pretty easy, ask yourself where do you want to be in 5 years?
What resources do you need to achieve this? Start feeding your mind with those resources and gradually your life would take that shape.
Gospel artistes have really ‘upped’ their game to meet up with the competitive and changing environment, which has seen corporate sponsors and promoters opting to support other genres to leverage their businesses.
This ‘upping’ has so revolutionalized gospel music that, save for the lyrics, it has received much criticism from people who feel that gospel music has been taken too far and too wide to a point that differentiating it from secular music is difficult.
They believe that the gospel industry is driven by the desire to reap profits and attract corporate sponsors at the expense of evangelism.
Beyond the criticism, there is no doubt that gospel music has been upped in terms of standard and professionalism like the secular’s – but despite that, there is little or no presence (at all) of endorsement deals or corporate sponsors and promoters, who incidentally, swarm on secular artistes like bees on honeycomb.
With these sponsors’ coldness to the gospel music, many gospel artistes are now finding it hard to survive or switching to other opportunities to eke a living – these are worrying signs indeed for the gospel music industry.
With a view to unravelling the reason for this dearth of corporate sponsorship, the Women of Rubies was privileged to run into the pretty ‘JUBILEE’ – a fast-rising gospel artiste, who just organized a successful gospel concert (IGNITE).
She talked on that and more….
Why Jubilee? Is that your stage name or real name? If it’s your stage name, what’s the concept behind it?
Jubilee is my stage name; my real name is Akinboboye Oluwafunmilayo Helen. Jubilee is a name God gave me few days to my 25th birthday. Then, I was thinking it was a name of a business but 5 years down the line, it became a burden and God used a brother for me to birth Jubilee.
Let’s meet you and your kind of music.
My name is Akinboboye Oluwafunmilayo Helen; I’m in my early 30s. I have an OND in Mass Communication. I am from Ondo town in Ondo State. I am the 2nd in a family of 4.
How long have you been in the music ministry (you know it’s a ministry and an industry altogether)?
I started singing in the children choir at the age of 8 and since then, have graced so many platforms. I once had the privilege of backing up Ron Kenoly, Sammie Okposo and a few other notable gospel artistes, but I started my ministry 4 years ago.
Have you released any album, or working on one? How soon do we expect it?
I have already released a single titled: MARVELOUS GOD. I have no album yet, but working one or two more single tracks this year with the help of God.
Are you a ‘performing musician’ or a ‘performing worship/praise leader’? Many people seem to get confused about both?
I am not a performing musician or a performing praise leader – I am a minister with God’s mandate to liberate, restore and inspire people of God to rejoice in spirit and in truth.
You recently organized a programme (IGNITE) – how would you grade the turnout and performance?
It was an awesome experience! God blew my mind with the success of that programme. I received several testimonies during and after the programme. The turnout was incredible. It was a confirmation that God is with me.
Has your music been favourable to you so far?
Yes, because God is with me always. He has got my back and performs everything He has spoken to me about the ministry. I am grateful to Him always.
What’s your assessment of the Nigerian Gospel music Industry so far?
We are doing well so far but people are not encouraging us. Sponsors are not forthcoming. So, we make use of what we have, to do what we need to do.
What is your genre of gospel music?
I don’t have any, sincerely. I talk to God per ministration and He gives me key songs to do. I do worship songs most of the time.
Are you on any label or under any management?
No, I am not. I am under God’s label and management.
If you where asked by a major recording company to do a collaboration with any Nigerian gospel artiste, who would that be?
That will be Wole Oni or Cobhams Asuquo.
Who is your most influential international gospel act?
Kim Burrel
There has been this misconception about gospel music and secular music, sometimes you get to listen to some gospel music and you be like “is this really a gospel music?”, some gospel songs are rap and some sounds very ‘worldly’ – what’s your definition of gospel music?
God knows who He has called. Heaven alone will judge. I don’t talk to judge others. I do my thing the way the Spirit inspires. 
The gospel music seem not to be capturing the attention of the corporate industry in terms of endorsements and brand modelling, what do you think is the problem and what do you proffer as a solution?
We are not doing things merely to attract their attentions. That is not our primary mandate. But gospel artistes also need to improve on the quality of their production, including video. Because it is gospel does not mean it shouldn’t be of excellent. This is one area I am hoping to make a huge difference. It is the only way we can get corporate sponsors to take us serious.
Are you married or in any relationship?
I am not married. I am relying on the direction of the Holy Spirit with regards to relationship.
You are a pretty woman, how have you been able to cope with advances from your male fans?
My male fans are a part of the people God has sent me to minister to. So, I consider every contact an opportunity to minister. I do not see advances from male fans as a problem or challenge. Rather I see it as an opportunity to fulfil the mandate God has given to every believer.
The Money or The Message? These days, if you don’t do music for the money, you do it for the fame. Did you also look at the fame part of it and the money and said “I will do it”?
Both are important. The message is more important than the money. I will never compromise the message for money.
What has been the biggest challenge so far?
Organizing IGNITE posed a lot of challenges. But I thank God for His faithfulness. I thank God because today I can testify to the success of the concert. I thank God for all the helpers He used to make the concert a success.
How can we get to follow you on social media platforms like facebook, Instagram and twitter etc?
JubileePraise on Facebook, jubilee_praise on Instagram and jubilee_praise on Twitter. I can also be reached on: 09058999082, 09098949690
Here’s a weird statistic for you: The percentage of women working in tech has decreased since the ’90s. So basically, technology fields have become more male dominated as more women have joined the work force.
In the ’90s, women made up more than a third of the tech workforce, but that number has since dropped to just over a quarter in the past 20 years.
Over half of the professional workforce is female, but women make up only a quarter of all jobs in computer and math professions – and that needs to change because if we’re being honest, girls kinda run the world.
A homegrown solution
Born out of this need to see more African girls in science and engineering disciplines, Chinenye Ezeakor founded African Sisters in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (A-SISTEM) — a platform where young girls can interact with female professionals in the science, technology, engineering and mathetmatics (STEM) industry
Chinenye organizes outreach programs for teenage girls by focusing on areas such as energy, ICT and physical sciences; as well as organising workshops and training programs to expose them to potential mentors.
Speaking about what inspired her to create A-SISTEM, Chinenye said:
“I believe that given the right opportunity, orientation and guidance, the pipeline of young African women venturing into STEM related disciplines will be increased.”
Since A-SISTEM was founded, over 500 girls have been impacted by her program – and the numbers only keep growing.
Source: Konbini.com
Maureen Nkeiruka Mmadu is living her dream in Norway where she is the first Nigerian women’s football coach attached to a top European club at Avaldsnes and the former international told PATRICK NGWAOGU that she’s the best woman to lift the Super Falcons from their present quagmire state on the continent.
MAUREEN Nkeiruka Mmadu was born on May 7, 1975 and hails from Onitsha in Anambra State. She is a Nigerian football coach and former midfielder. As a player, she most recently represented Avaldsnes IL, a First Division team based on Norway’s west coast. She played for several other teams in Norway’s Toppserien as well for Linköpings FC and QBIK in the Swedish Damallsvenskan.
She previously played for Klepp IL in the Norwegian Toppserien. Mmadu played for Kolbotn in Oslo, Norway, for the 2010 season, helping them to third place in the Toppserien league. She was seen playing for Avaldsnes IL in an off-season tournament in Oslo on 5 February, 2012.
She was the first Nigerian player to make 100 appearances for the Nigeria women’s national football team including appearing at four FIFA Women’s World Cups as well as the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.Today, she is the only Nigerian women coach handling a premiership club in Europe.
“From 2012 to date, I have been the assistant coach in Avaldsnes team and chief coach of the same Avaldsens 2 division too,” said Maureen. “So, I’m in the Premier League as assistant and chief coach of 2 division in this same team.
“The club have a lot of respect for me because of my immense contributions to them as a player; I have my UEFA C license as a coach. I’m also a chief coach with a Division 2 women’s team here and an assistant coach in a premier league women team.
“I am also a coach developer in my team since 2012 and I think Nigeria should tap from my wealth of experience as a player and as a coach too.
“I have gathered experience over the years, having played in Europe for 13 years and also as a coach for the past three years with a Premier League women’s team and also a Division 2 women too.
“If I am given the opportunity to handle the Super Falcons, I am going to bring in my best with a lot of experience and teach them how modern-day football is played.
“We have good talents but we lack a lot of things about modern-day football but I will change their African mentality and ways of playing because football now is not only kicking the ball, you also have to teach them what to do when we are not in possession of the ball too.
“I have worked with some of the best coaches in Europe as assistant in the premier league women here in Norway and I have also learned a lot at various coaching courses I have attended,” she revealed.
Speaking further, the former Nigerian international said she was not oblivious of the problems befuddling the Super Falcons following their failure to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as well as missing the soccer Gold Medal at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.
“I’m not boasting, and I think I can help the Super Falcons at these challenging times when the team is really struggling,” she said. “I will do my best to change their mentality to the way modern football is played now but I have refused to lobby anybody for the job.
“My job should be able to speak for me and If you check the line up of my team, you would see the Colombian player that played in the last World Cup is here with me.
“We have players from different countries like Brazil, Iceland, Ireland, Colombia, USA and Norway too in the team; if the NFF wants the best for our female team, I should be given the job and honestly I will turn the team around; I don’t talk much but my work should speak for me.”
The amiable former hard working midfielder said she already has a strategy in place should she be given the Super Falcons’ job: “I would only take players who are between the ages of 20-28 years and honesty, I will not tolerate any player who is not ready to work for the team and the country.
“I want to be realistic here. There is nothing a foreign coach is going to teach that I can’t but I would want to stop at that. The difference would only be the colour.
“I have played football at the top level and I have worked with top coaches and I have also played under top coaches and I am now a coach too, so what quality of coaching does the Super Falcons need that I don’t have?
“We have talented players but we are missing a lot in formation, organisation, collective and tactical things to make our women football grow, and I think I have what it takes to handle the Super Falcons at this time,” she concluded
Source: http://thenationonlineng.nethttp://thenationonlineng.net
Asmau Benzies Leo is an Ambassador of Peace and Humanity, a Gender Advocate, Women’s Right Activist and a Vital Voices Fellow (a Global network of established women leaders from across the world which was founded by the former US Secretary of State, Senator Hillary Clinton). She is the founder and former Executive Director of the Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN). Presently, she heads the Gender and Vulnerable Group Care Unit of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Abuja, In this interview with TOBI AWODIPE, she reveals how her background propelled her into the life of service, caring for the most vulnerable people in society including the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and victims of Sexual and Gender-based Violence and why rapists deserve life imprisonment.
Tell us about yourself, educational achievements, growing up etc.?
I was born in an average home into the family of Mr Benzies Gangsomense and Mrs Mary Benzies, middle class civil servants in the mid 70s in Ganye local government of Adamawa state. I am Chamba by tribe. Growing up as a child was so interesting. I was so adventurous, I could do many things boys do, I could climb mango trees; make my own toys from the scraps around the house and stand up to any bully that wants to intimidate me. These traits in me from early childhood have helped me build a strong character as an adult and have made me always speak up and defend people that have no voice.
My father had 12 children and I happen to be the fourth child. He treated each of us equally; he never discriminated against us being girls but invested a lot in our education, in order that we might become useful to the society and ourselves. This was his cliché till death took him two years ago. I grew up as an independent minded child because we had a lot of other people staying with us in the house. My mother was taking care of us her own children and still catering for many others but you can hardly differentiate between her own biological children and the other children under her care, because she treated us all the same. I grew up seeing my mother take care of the sick and needy because my father was working as a Chief Nursing Officer in the hospital and when sick people come and they couldn’t afford to pay their hospital bills, they usually went to my mother for assistance and she went out of her way to help. Seeing my mother’s compassion for humanity made me develop the passion to become a humanitarian myself. My family was not rich but we gave out of the little we had.
For my education, I started my early childhood education at Capital Primary School, Birnin Kudu now in Jigawa State, and then when my parent left for Kano state, I continued there but finally concluded my primary education in former Gongola state (now Adamawa State). On finishing primary school I got a scholarship as the pioneer set of the Exchange Program (Unity Schools) in Government Girl’s College in Maiduguri, Borno State and from there, proceeded to the University of Maiduguri where I obtained a degree in Sociology and Anthropology. During my one-year compulsory youth service (NYSC), I was posted to Dutse, Jigawa State where I served. During the service year, as part of my community development project, I carried out a sensitization campaign on the ‘Importance of Girl-Child Education, Prevention of Early Marriage and HIV/AIDS’, which earned me an award. This was what spurred me to establish an NGO that would address the needs of women and girls, advocate for gender parity and the protection of the rights of women and girls especially in disaster situations, hence the starting of Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN).
Again, because of my passion for female involvement in peace and security I went further to pursue a master in Conflict Management and Peace Studies from the University of Jos. I’m still hoping to get a Ph.D. soonest in gender, conflict and peace development very soon.
I have also worked with the United Nations as well as several local and international bodies and agencies as a consultant.
As the head of the gender and vulnerable group care unit of NEMA, tell us briefly what your job entails?
The unit I head is situated under the relief and rehabilitation department of the agency. Speaking personally and not officially, I facilitate the process of mainstreaming gender and inclusion of women and other vulnerable groups into disaster management programs and activities in the country. We work with several partners in the discharge of these duties.
What would be the role of women in the prevention and response to gender based violence that you are promoting?
Disaster affects both men and women disproportionately. There is no doubting the fact that cultural barriers, patriarchal norms and impediments have increased the risk and vulnerabilities of women to disasters more than their male counterpart.
Of course, not all women are equally vulnerable or exposed to the effects of hazards and disasters in identical ways. Women’s lives, like men’s, are shaped both by gender relations in a particular culture, or by everything else about them; their age, their physical capacities, their ethnic or racial status and economic conditions, to name a few.
Research conducted around the world from a gender perspective does suggest that women are likely to be especially vulnerable to disasters, simply because gender inequality is so widespread. The daily lives of girls and women may increase their exposure to all kinds of unsafe conditions and hazardous events. Women also tend to have less power in household decisions, just as they are under-represented in political decision making. When their voices aren’t heard, their immediate needs or long-term interests may not be taken into account.
This is why we need more women and girls to be involved in disaster management activities and humanitarian response in the country especially at the highest levels of decision-making.
Would you say your background in NGO and similar roles are helping out today?
I belong to a lot of professional bodies both locally and internationally such as Professionals in Humanitarian Assistance and Protection (PHAP), International Association of Emergency Managers, Global Network of Women Peace builders, Chartered Institute of Human Capital Development of Nigeria and Nigerian Institute of Training and Development, amongst others. I have also obtained a certificate in Executive Leadership from Howard University and attended the commission on the status of women at the United Nations among others.
So, looking at all these and considering how far I’ve gone in the NGO field, I can boldly say that it has set me on a good pedestal and guiding me to where I am today. It has been quite rewarding because through that, I’ve been opportune to work with a lot of people in government, private sectors, development partners, local NGOs, media and the academia. In fact it was because of my achievement in the NGO field that I got my present job.
How does your present position help in supporting victims of gender-based violence?
I work with women and girls and other vulnerable groups and I discover women suffer a lot in silence when they face violence, either domestically or in the public sphere. For instance, rape has become a major concern in our society today and many of us are keeping quiet about it, pretending it doesn’t exist.
Even the persons directly affected usually keep mute instead of seeking justice. The victims rationally fear the potential negative short- and long-term consequences for themselves and their families if people know their identities. Rape is a violation related more to power and violence than to sex, and yet cultural practices often unfairly place shame on the rape victim rather than the perpetrator, or consider rape victims as tainted or unmarriageable, creating significant consequences for victims’ psychological, physical and emotional well-being. Again, cultural and familial after-effects of stigmatization due to rape provide a significant disincentive to women and girls to publicly reveal their identities when discussing their rape before the law enforcement agent.
Women and girls who suffer from any act of violence need to be supported through trauma counselling, psychosocial support services, economic empowerment and encouraging them to speak out.
Rape in conflict situation is a crime against humanity just like genocide and the international community is taking it very seriously unlike here in Nigeria, we cannot continue to ignore the issue. I strongly believe and advocate that rape should carry a life sentence.
Who are your role models/who do you look up to?
I have great respect and admiration for a lot of Nigerian women and women who have dared to venture into fields that are usually perceived as male-dominated. I celebrate the courage and determination of most Nigerian and African women because it is not easy to be a female achiever in Africa because of the environment we find ourselves.
I look up to a lot of women locally and internationally and they include Hillary Clinton, she is a woman that stands out for me any day. I happen to be a Vital Voices Fellow and she is the Founder of Vital Voices Global Partnership and I happen to be a beneficiary of her mentorship. Another woman is Amina Mohammed, the current deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, she is a woman that has stood the test of time, Senator Binta Garba-Marsi and several other Nigerian women, both in the political sphere, in government, in all spheres of life in general. In short, any Nigerian woman doing great exploits. I consider her a role model, because it is not easy.
Your advice for women looking up to you and anyone that wants to do what you do?
I would simply tell them to have faith in God, for with God all things are possible and also very important, believe in your dreams and work hard to achieve them.
Source: Guardian
Lilian is one of Nigeria’s fine minds when it concerns ideas and strategy in today’s business,a trained project management and brands analyst with a penchant for all things that require indepth analysis and communication,she is the chief errand officer of Lillyville Management Company,a 7 years old marketing communications outfit. She has worked in varying sectors and has functioned as a professional and manager in diverse roles,these experiences have helped shape her approach to providing viable and sustainable solutions in whatever business challenge she is open to. she is also the Head .Corporate Comms of women shaping Africa (W.O.S.A) and co-founder of Women in sustainble enterprise (W.I.S.E)she was recently nominated as a “brands to watch” in the upcoming BTW 2017 Awards,she has a flair for Tv production and has featured in some series,she debuted her column “High heels with Lillian” in Timeless Magazine ,a column dedicated to motivating young women in business,through the inspiring stories of trials ,temptations and success stories of thriving business women across the land, She is married with a daughter. Lilian shares her success story in this insightful interview.
Childhood Influence
We all have a background and my background set the precepts for what I do today. I had a moniker ‘accredited’ because even as a child I always did things with clockwork-precision. And I think I got that from my father who was the head of Nigerian Army intelligence core in those times
Meet Me
I am an unrepentant advocate for social change and impact, from the home front to our businesses, career and the society at large. Whenever I take up a task, I stop only when i am done, not when i am tired. I don’t know how to give up.
Inspiration behind High Heels with Lilian
To showcase to the world, the trials, temptations and triumph of women who dare to be different, who are passionate about contributing their own quota in ensuring a viable economy, who can inspire and awaken that spark in other ladies, I like to see myself as a mouthpiece and also a listening ear, we ladies need to know we can be the best version of ourselves.
Projects
I think I like to get my hands full because nothing I loathe more than being idle, like my father would say “an idle mind is the devils workshop”. Having said that I make it my duty to always look for a cause to take up, challenges to confront. That’s why today, I am a co-founder of W.I.S.E, Which is a Non-Governmental Organization geared towards real time supports and collaboration that impact society. W.I.S.E stands for Women In Sustainable Enterprise.
Also a certified project management consultant from the London school of Business and Finance I make bold to say when it comes to event project production, execution, and management, our resume speak volumes ,not because we are the best @ lillyville Mgt company, but because of our creativity, aggression and ability to deliver timely .
I am also a voracious reader, so I have this urge to divest myself of the things I learn hence I write for several magazines, I have SME diagnosis.(my pet project) Like I said earlier I like to get my hands full, but i am afraid they aren’t full enough, as there’s still a lot to be done.
Not giving up
On giving up. It’s good to fall down as long as you don’t stay down, because it gives you the opportunity to pick something up, and do things differently this time around…You see experience has taught me that it’s not the hundredth blow that breaks the wall, but the 99th you thought did not! #failingforward
Reward
As modest as it might seem, it’s that rush of fulfillment. I am fulfilled each time I accomplish whatever I set out to do.
I am a Woman of Rubies
Every woman who knows her onions, who appreciates herself and serves God and humanity with altruism, is a woman of rubies.
Final word
Make a conscious effort to be the best version of yourself, then you can take it a step further by being contributory to the development of the people in your sphere of contact! You owe yourself that much.
Haben Girma is absolutely inspiring. She dazed the world when she became Harvard Law School’s first deaf and blind graduate in 2013. Since then, she has remained a global phenomenon.
Born in the United States to African parents, Haben was not the type to give in to self-defeat. At the young age of 15, she got involved in Voluntary work by helping to in developing countries on the non-profit platform of Build On. Upon her graduation from the Harvard Law School, she became a Skadden fellow at the Disability Rights Advocate in Berkeley. Thereafter, she took up work as an attorney for people with disabilities.
Haben’s greatest passion is inspiring a positive attitude in people towards those living with a form of disability or the other, and to help disabled individuals gain as much access to books and digital information.
Some of her outstanding global recognitions include Forbes 30 under 30, the BBC Women of Africa Hero and White House Champion of Change.
Indeed, we could not agree more that she is a champion of CHANGE!
Gbemisola Boyede, a consultant neurodevelopmental paediatrician at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, sees children with a variety of medical conditions. And every day, the child development specialist sees mothers making health decisions that they think best for their children, only for those decisions to become the beginning of nightmares.
In Nigeria, according to the World Bank, there are 69 infant deaths per 1,000 births; Boyede believes one of the reasons for this high number is late presentation to hospitals. Mothers will ask advice from other mothers, grandmothers or even the often times contradicting Dr. Google before heading to a hospital. Recently, this trend moved to social media, and Boyede was shocked by the wildly incorrect responses many women got to their questions.
Boyede, who is a fellow of the West African College of Physicians in paediatrics, responded by creating the Facebook group AskthePaediatricians (ATP). When the group started in 2015, ATP’s only member was Boyede; today, it has over 95,000 members and 10 active paediatricians.
“Ask the Paediatricians was born out of the passion to provide accurate information on childcare to mums, dads and caregivers,” says Boyede.
“Doctors in the house, pls how many months can a baby boy sit down?” asks one member of the group. In less than 30 minutes, a paediatrician responded with a link to a thread with information on child development.
ATP has hundreds of photos and posts, as well as a website with educational articles on child health care and responses to health questions specific to its Nigerian audience. The articles reveal an important phenomenon: broad local terms are often used to refer to a variety of different health conditions. “Jedi-jedi,” for example, could refer to diarrhea, dysentery or hemorrhoids, depending on the child’s individual case. ATP stresses the vital importance of visiting a qualified practitioner rather than self-medicating.
On October 1, 2016, ATP organized its first medical outreach to Makoko, a Lagos slum community with limited access to quality health care. Over 1,000 children were attended to by 155 volunteers, both medical and non-medical. The outreach featured health talks, health and nutritional assessments, deworming and a good meal for all of the children. Funding for the event was raised through a GoFundMe account and individual donations from friends.
Boyede is the recipient of multiple merit scholarship awards, including the Provost Prize and College Prize for the Best Overall Student of the College of Medicine at the University of Lagos in 1997-98. She was also named the best senior registrar of the Department of Pediatrics LUTH in 2010. These days, the busy mother of two is even busier with her ATP schedule, but she is excited about its impact.
“We are improving child survival in Nigeria, one mother at a time, through access to the paediatricians on social media who are providing evidence-based information at no cost,” she says.
Boyede has big dreams for ATP, which will soon be registered as a foundation in order to be financially sustainable. She also sees it as an avenue for the dissemination of information about children’s health care.
“I see us running child health education programs on radio, television, internet, TV. We are also planning to have the ATP app for people on smartphones,” Boyede adds.
You can join the Facebook page here : https://www.facebook.com/groups/askthepaed/
