Interviews&profile Archives

In Interviews&profile April 24, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

MEET FLORIDA UZOARU ,THE WOMAN USING TECHNOLOGY TO BREAK THE SILENCE ON SEXUAL HEALTH

Sexuality is a rarely discussed topic in Nigeria. When it is discussed, it is in hushed tones or cloaked in shame and guilt, especially among young people. Making matters worse, many health-care practitioners bring their biases onboard when dealing with clients, which has led people to make poor choices with lifelong effects. Florida Uzoaru, a public health and policy graduate and the founder of MerDroits, is leveraging the power of the internet to address these issues.

MerDroits — an amalgamation of the French word merde, which means “sex” and droits, meaning “rights” — began officially in February 2016, when Uzoaru opened a Twitter account. Now, every Friday at 6 p.m., different hosts share their stories on sex and sexuality. Some write anonymously, while others reveal their identities.

Uzoaru hopes for a time when everyone can speak freely about sex. With the byline “Destigmatising all conversations about sex,” her Twitter account now has more than 1,000 followers and over 13,000 tweets. MerDroits sparks conversations on “taboo” subjects, such as anal sex, abortion, domestic violence, rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, consent, birth control, vaginal atrophy and more.

Through regular conversations on Twitter and Facebook, MerDroits creates safe, judgment-free spaces where young people can talk about their sexual and reproductive health. #MerDroits60 focuses on personal sex stories, and #WhatResearchSays debunks sexual myths with research. Uzoaru believes that technology is central to the key goal of disseminating information about sex rights, as it is affordable, accessible, and provides anonymity.

“Technology has made things easy, cheaper. Being online, you can reach far more people than you would have offline. What about safety? You are not thinking of the dangers associated with long-distance travel,” says Uzoaru.

She also points out that in a society with a weak medical infrastructure, access to sexual and reproductive health is a double burden.

“Many ‘traditional’ healthcare spaces are clogged with cultural bias that considers some subjects taboo, and this jeopardizes access to quality treatment,” she says, adding, “Breaking through the wall is hard because many Nigerians are still uncomfortable to talk about [their] sexual and reproductive health.”

Uzoaru is busy working on a strategy for MerDroits to have an impact offline as well. With three facets to the business — an online shop for contraceptives; access to qualified, unbiased sexual and reproductive health practitioners; and access to laboratories for tests — MerDroits hopes to improve the availability of quality sexual and reproductive health care without stigma.

Composed of six doctors and a pharmacist, the MerDroits online store has kicked off in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, and Uzoaru looks forward to further growth.

“In five years, I hope we can operate nationally. I hope we can have about 100 doctors, 100 pharmacists and many nurses. There are a lot of things they can do for us, particularly some contraceptives that medical personnel can insert for us,” she says. “Many say that they had always wanted to be part of a group like this. People are also now confident to ask almost any question without that fear of reproach.”

Beyond the internet, Uzoaru looks forward to eventually running a sex clinic where all of these needs can be met.

Source: http://www.radianthealthmag.com

In Interviews&profile April 22, 2017 By Women of Rubies

I STARTED ADVOCACY WHEN I GOT PREGNANT AS A TEENAGER – BLESSING TIMIDI DIGHA

Blessing Timidi Digha is the Executive Director and also works as the Community Mobilization and Advocacy Officer at African Girl Child Development and Support Initiative, a non-governmental, not for profit organization that advocates and works towards the advancement and development of the Nigerian Girl Child through Advocacy, Research and Interventions. Her Foray into activism began actively during her stint with pregnancy as a teenager where her eyes were opened to the plights girl children faced when it came to Sexuality Education, Teenage Pregnancy and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights. Today, she has dedicated at least ten years of her life working on issues and interventions as it relates to the girl child particularly in the Nigerian and African context and with much bias to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Feminism and Gender Equality. She shares her story in this inspiring interview.

Growing up

My childhood and teenage years prepared me a lot for what I do now, in fact I will say my experiences shaped me for all I do. My experiences growing up in my family, church, my personal experiences especially with sexual debut and experimentation as a teenager , getting pregnant as a teenager, seeking for love in the wrong places, quest for knowledge and a whole lot prepared and shaped me with mostly first hand experiences and witnessing the experiences of others.

30 and daring

My name is Blessing Timidi Digha, I clocked 30 on the 5th of March, I am a mother to three beautiful children (two girls and a boy) and I advocate on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) especially as it affects young girls and women and also consult on advocacy and community Mobilization/engagement. I run African Girl Child Development and Support Initiative. I identify as a feminist because I believe and advocate for EQUAL opportunities politically, economically, socially, educationally etc for both Male’s and Females. I am an ambivert with my introvert side more domineering except of course while I am at work where I can be very chatty and in your face but I like my privacy and quiet a lot. I am a Women Deliver Young Leader, a ONE Champion, a #Choice4Life advocate which are a few of the platforms where I contribute towards the rights of girls and SRHR. I love colours and can paint, draw and do some calligraphy, I also play with simple graphic designs, I am a creative in my own right who has also learnt do different many things *thanks to my mom*. I have a strong support system in my Family and partner who supports all my work when I have to be away and need someone to take care of my kids, someone to talk to at any time or advice me. I am a polyglot (I speak a couple of Nigerian languages and learning to speak some foreign ones at the moment). I cry a lot (whether I am happy, sad, depressed, confused, disappointed, tired, anything, crying is the outlet for me). I love travelling.

Going into Advocacy

I started advocacy when I got pregnant as a teenager. My eyes got opened to the issues that girls face as a result of lack of inadequate sexuality education which leads /can lead to teenage pregnancy among other things. So I started with Sexuality education which was strictly abstinence based. Along the line while developing myself and interacting with young girls, I realised no one is thinking of the young girls that have already debuted sex and how they will wade off unintended pregnancies or unsafe abortions amongst others or just make informed choices.. Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights covers a whole of issues especially issues that we especially as Africans/Nigerians don’t like to talk about or don’t see as an issue such as Menstruation, Female Genital Mutilation, Family Planning, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), Consent, Child /Early/Forced Marriage, Rape, Unsafe Abortions and a whole lot. I also work also with individuals and organisations on issues that surround the rights and SRHR of girls and women and policies.

What inspires me

Nature abhors vacuum and a lot of things and people fill the vacuum. A lot of things and people inspire me. I am inspired by positive events as they affect the lives of girls and women Eg policy changes, structures etc. I am inspired by people who are doing something worthwhile and impacting lives positively. I am inspired by children especially their tenacity and persistence. I am inspired by colours

Greatest reward

The greatest reward I have ever gotten for what I do is when I get feedback that what I have taught helped girls and women to make informed choices as it regards their SRHR.

Challenges

In the line of work I have faced and still face criticism from people, brick walls from girls and women whose rights especially their SRHR has been violated when I try to step in, opposition from men who feel they should have the final say in the health and life of women even when the acts are obviously endangering the girls and women involved, , opposition from many religious institutions and leaders who feel some of ‘these’ things should not be talked about by religious leaders or on religious platforms when we seek to include them in sensitization, challenges in getting the police to act swiftly while trying to educate them on existing laws or policies that cover the issues at hand which they tend to mostly see as domestic issues, challenges in interacting with cultures that refuse to see certain acts as issues that violate the rights and SRHR of girls and women and lastly insults from some family members from time to time who always still bring up my experience with teenage pregnancy to judge my work.

My projects

A reusable pad sewing hub- teenagers, young mothers are taught how to make reusable pads from clothing materials which are still neat but are no longer used to allow for dignity in periods especially as the price of sanitary pads keep skyrocketing. This way every girl and woman can manage her menstruation hygienically. We also work on issues surrounding menstruation Eg the possibility of Menstrual Leave, engaging policy makers in issues of Menstruation (WASH, availability of menstrual management products etc)
Girls Support Club under the umbrella of African Girl Child Development and Support Initiative where girls and recently we have had boys join us to learn and talk about issues that affect girls and boys while growing up and how they can avoid these issues. We run self defence classes against sexual assault, keep a toilet clean, One pack of pad One Girl, Counselling etc as activities under this club. Safe spaces!!!!! This is one project I really really love. As the name implies it is a safe space for women and girls fleeing any form of abuse and a need a space void of judgement and forced opinions to get themselves together or decide on what next to do. I have had to use a safe space myself for sometime to evaluate my options and the way forward. This was born out of the inadequate support people face in abuse especially women where they are expected to stay and pray it out, stay for the kids etc when even as little as small space would have gone a long way to rectifying a lot or saving the person’s life. Presently we use the spare room in my apartment but a place in a highly secured area is being set up for official safe spaces residence and a few friends have also offered their residences as support safe spaces. . Storytelling – recently trained by The Moth on Storytelling, I have began exploring Storytelling in Advocacy and how we can use stories to tell issues in advocacy and SRHR in a bid to reach stakeholders/gatekeepers, policy makers, organizations, individuals and the entire public.

I felt like giving up several times

A time? A time is too small to quantify when I have wanted to give up. I have felt like giving up MANY times, when my finances don’t add up, when all the things I hear on the field keep ringing in my head, when I feel I am not spending enough time with my kids, so many times I have thought of it but then the next day I am at it all over again, Infact most times in the midst of my thoughts, something will just come up and I am back to doing I love doing. I also get encouraged by people.

My view on feminism

Feminism in Nigeria has always been here since the days of our mothers who led and sought out equal opportunities in all areas. Women like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, Flora Nwapa, Queen Amina, Buchi Emecheta, were all feminists. Despite the misinterpretation and ignorance oof Feminism in Nigeria by many people and its portrayal as women being rebels and not wanting to cook or wanting to put the men under their feet by men and women alike, Feminism in Nigeria is here to stay and we will eventually get it right. Patriarchy and sadly religion has portrayed women as weaker vessels and Nigerians use religion to justify everything, good or bad but eventually we will get it right with adequate sensitization and education of concepts in demanding equal opportunities for females and males in all sectors.

Being a woman of rubies

My contribution to the society advocating for Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights of girls and women and talking about topics that won’t be discussed in my own little corner.

Final word

Women’s rights are human rights. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

In Interviews&profile April 18, 2017 By Women of Rubies

I STARTED MY BUSINESS WITH N10, 000 – IDONGESIT HARRISON UMOH, CEO OF IDONG HARRIE LIMITED

Idongesit Harrison Umoh is the owner and CEO of Idong Harrie Limited, a footwear and accessory manufacturing and retailing company based in Lagos that specializes in handmade shoes, slippers, sandals, wallets, handbags and all manner of small leather accessories. In this interview with TOBI AWODIPE, she reveals how she started out with pocket money, the challenges she faces in a male-dominated industry and how women are refusing to take advantage of business opportunities around them.

When did you decide to go into entrepreneurship and did you always think this is what you would do?
I would say I stumbled into this because growing up, I wanted to become a lawyer but I later changed my mind to become an economist. But then along the line, I found out that I could make shoes and turned out to be something I enjoyed doing. It started out as a hobby and I was just thrilled that I could create something with my own hands and I took it from there.

Starting out?
I started this as a hobby in 2005, I was in my second year in the university then and I was sitting and thinking about my life. My eyes fell on a pair of slippers someone had given my mum, it was a beaded slippers and something in me, which I believe now to be the Holy Spirit, told me, ‘Idong you can create this slippers’. I took the slippers and checked how it was made then took it to Tejuosho market and to my surprise; all the materials were there. I immediately bought all the materials needed to make the upper part of the slippers and I took it home and started trying to re-create the original slippers. Amazingly, I got it and this gave me joy but there was a problem – I could create the upper part but not the bottom. As fate would have it, there was this cobbler that had a shop opposite my house and took the slippers to him asking if he could make the bottom part and he did. However the first day I wore the slippers, which also happened to be a rainy day, I hadn’t moved 10 steps from my house when the slippers cut and all the beads scattered. I had to walk with one slipper back home but from then on; I decided I was going to make my slippers myself, with special focus on the materials being used. I went back to ask him where he got his materials from and he said from Mushin market. When I got to the market, I stood out because bearing in mind that this was in 2005 and most women hadn’t really fully gotten into the footwear industry. However, I met a God-sent fellow shoe-maker who showed me some of his works, and which turned out to be things I wanted to make. Seeing my enthusiasm, he offered to train me on how to make the bottom part properly and on the use of leather. I under-studied him for a month and at the end, I became proficient and started selling footwear I made myself to my friends in school.

Raising the needed capital?
Believe it or not, I started this business with N10, 000- pocket money given to me by my father that I had been saving. Out of this money, I used N7, 000 to buy a sewing machine (as at then, you could get a fairly-used Butterfly sewing machine for this amount) and the remaining N3, 000, I spent on materials. I won’t even call it a business then because I just knew I could make slippers for petty sales and didn’t take it too serious. After I finished my service year, I was opportuned to work with Nokia where they paid me N70, 000. I was blown away with this ‘big money’ and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and pushed my shoe-making dreams to a corner. But I knew that I would always still go back to making footwear, which I eventually did.

Business Moments
There have been so many moments, in fact, I still faced one yesterday. But top of the list has to be getting negative feedbacks from customers. However, this happened mostly when I was starting out compared to now that I am an expert (laughing). Another problem I have is with my workers.

Challenges
Getting people to recognize and believe in my brand. When I started, I was mainly making men’s products and a lot of men didn’t believe in what I was doing and asked why I woke up one morning and decided to make men’s shoes. This was long before this ‘Buy Nigeria To Grow The Naira’, so it was like me introducing something new to them and trying to convince them to buy my products. Another great challenge is getting adequate raw materials. For example, I might make a pair of shoes with a particular shade of blue and it is on my website, but by the time a customer wants to order for it and I go to the market, I wouldn’t see that shade again and then I have to start apologizing and explaining to the customer, which doesn’t look too good.

Highpoints
One day I went for a meeting and I saw three people wearing my products in the room. The fact that people still order and buy my products daily, this means they believe in what I’m doing, in the brand. When customers refer others to me, it gives me immense joy. I have customers that have been buying from me steadily since 2013 and they’re still buying till now.

Achieving goals?
Well, if it is my set out goal in the last one year, I would say yes but I have long-term goals, which are yet to materialize but I would say I have achieved my short-term goals.

Women and Entrepreneeurship
I would say yes and no. Yes, because a lot of women are now business owners. I mean, look at make up artists, they’re now beating fashion designers clearly. No, because when it comes to business competitions, seminars, putting themselves out there and applying for proper help and loans to boost their businesses, men have this cornered hands down. Despite the myriad opportunities out there, women aren’t taking advantage at all. They come crying to me about their businesses and when I direct them to places that can help, they would refuse. I was a Tony Elumelu Foundation recipient and the percentage of women to men was about 21:79, not even up to a quarter and this is how it is for every single business opportunity.

Why do you think this is so?
I would say laziness and many of them don’t believe in themselves. Judges ask some women questions about their businesses, which should be at the tip of their fingers, and to answer becomes a problem. Basic questions like ‘who are your competitors, what is your unique selling point?’ most of them claim they don’t have time to answer these questions. Some of them refuse to participate in pitching competitions, claiming they are shy but they don’t know nobody can know your business better than you, the owner.

Government support for SMES
Yes and No. Yes, they are beginning to make small efforts. Look at what Lagos State is doing, creating schemes where small businesses can apply for grants, loans and trainings in their different industries. Lagos is offering small businesses loans at an extremely low interest rate. This is a major opportunity small businesses can benefit from. No also because they have refused to provide basic infrastructure that can help us grow such as electricity, water, and the likes.

Coping with Recession
For me, it’s been a mixture of bad and good. Bad, because most of our raw materials are imported. I went to Kano in January to see about buying leather in large quantities and though I partnered with a few sellers, I can tell you the difference in price between the local and imported is very marginal. Personally, I would rather buy the imported ones because it offers varieties and proximity. It has been good because it has enabled a lot of people look inwards, buying locally made shoes instead of importing because of the forex difference. It has really boosted sales for us, I must confess.

What keeps you going?
Customers that patronize me daily, no day passes that I don’t have several orders. My staff also: they’re dependent on me for their daily bread and they have families that are dependent on them as well. This makes me jump out of bed every morning. Also, I’m building something that is made in Nigeria and we are putting Nigeria on the global map.

Advice to budding Entrepreneurs
Perseverance and persistency. Consistency is important. Entrepreneurship is not all sunshine and roses: you may be depressed, be left with nothing in your account and you would want to quit severally. Every entrepreneur goes through these phases, just keep improving and staying true to yourself. However, just start; there is no better time than the present. Your morning is when you wake up and it’s never too late to start working on your dream.

Source: Guardian

In Interviews&profile April 17, 2017 By Women of Rubies

“SUCCESS IS HELPING SOMEONE WHO CAN NEVER PAY YOU BACK” – ESTHER IJEWERE

Esther Ijewere is an enterprising social activist, youth advocate, Columnist, author, mother of two and the Executive Director of Rubies Ink Initiative- a social enterprise outfit devoted to youth advocacy, public relations and social enterprise solutions among others. An Olabisi Onabanjo University-trained Sociologist, as a social advocate, she is the brain behind W.A.R- Walk Against Rape, an advocacy initiative created to lend a voice for the victims of rape and demand justice for the perpetrator’s, an initiative endorsed by the Lagos State Ministry Of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. She is also a columnist with The Guardian newspaper with her page Women of Rubies, a platform used to celebrate exceptional women with inspiring stories. The page is a sequel to her award-winning blog www.womenofrubies.com, which is fast becoming the one stop blog for the everyday woman. In this interview with NIKE SOTADE, she talks about the strides she has made in her passion to fight against rape in the society

Tell us about yourself, education, growing up etc.
I am Esther Ijewere, the Founder of Rubies Ink Initiative for Women and Children, Convener of the Walk Against Rape Campaign and also, Editor-In-Chief of Women of Rubies, a blog aimed at celebrating exceptional women with inspiring stories. I sit on the board of The African Development Imperative (TADI) and also, a fellow with Hillary Clinton’s founded Vital Voices Global Leadership. I have been into advocacy and development work since 2010. I am the recipient of many awards – notable among them are the ‘Wise Woman in Media Award’ I received last year and my recent recognition as one of the ‘100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria’ by Leading Ladies Africa. I had my Primary and Secondary education in Lagos and graduated from the Olabisi Onabanjo University with a BSc in Sociology and Diploma in Marketing. I am also a certified ‘On Air Personality’ but that’s one of the many caps I am yet to explore. I believe in learning and acquiring knowledge as much as one can in any field of interest – if you can think it, then you can do it.

Any experiences in life that propelled you into sexual violence or anti-rape advocacy? You’re a mother of two girls, are they your inspiration too?
At the time I started the anti-rape campaign, I realised a lot of people were scared of reporting cases of rape out of fear of being stigmatised and judged. The number of reported cases was very low. This propelled me to start the sensitization awareness and lend my voice while complementing the work of the Government in curbing rape and other forms of sexual violence. Being a mother of two girls also deepened my passion for the cause, as I can’t imagine any of them having to go through such ordeal in life.

You’ve been working with government agencies in what capacity? Do you think Lagos State government is doing enough in its anti-rape campaign?
I have been working with the Lagos State Government through its Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation since 2010; we partner with them annually to organise our Walk Against Rape Campaign and also refer cases of rape and domestic abuse to them, while we follow it up to a justifiable end. As such, I’d emphatically say that Lagos State is the only State that has shown the most concern on issues that affect women, particularly rape. The Governor, for example, has a zero tolerance policy for all forms of violence against women, and he works hand in hand with the necessary government agencies to make sure offenders are prosecuted. The Lagos State Government is doing enough at the moment; I just hope they can create more Help Centres in every local council across the State to help victims get help faster. This is one thing I have been advocating for since 2010.

Have they prosecuted any offenders? Kindly give figures if you have them.
In 2016, 4, 035 cases ranging from rape, child abuse, sexual assault, sexual abuse to defilement, were handled by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice; this, being a cumulative figure alongside the previous year. The number of unreported cases is obviously higher than that as 140 offenders were prosecuted last year. I believe the figure will increase as time goes by.

What kind of advocacy do you take to the schools?
Sensitisation and Awareness through our College Acquaintance Rape Education workshop (C.A.R.E) where we educate these young kids on how to identify an abuse and the need to report such cases to the necessary authority. I also wrote an information Handbook on Rape called “Breaking the Silence.” We use it as a toolkit to sensitize them – a book that contains all the necessary information they need; from help lines to help centres across Lagos. The feedbacks from the kids in the last few years have been great; we have more kids reporting such cases in confidentiality now.

Who are the potential or likely rapists?
Undisciplined men, who do not have self-control, are potential rapist.

Kindly share with us some of the tips you’ve offered school children on defending themselves against predators.
I have a personal code I teach them with called L.I.E.S: L stands for ‘Learn to say NO’, I – ‘Identify the situation’, E – ‘Expose the perpetrator’, S – ‘Say it as it is without conceding information’. I encourage them to write this in their exercise books or we give them stick on papers they can paste on their wardrobes.

More rape cases are being reported in the news nowadays. What do you think could be responsible?
It’s still indiscipline and lack of self control. There is no justification for rape or any form of sexual abuse. Some have argued that the economy is one of the reasons but I beg to differ: how will raping or defiling a child change your financial status? It’s also good we have more reported cases lately – this goes to show we have not been lending our voice in vain.

Do you counsel rape victims, too? What advice do you have for them to move on with their lives?
Yes, I do. First, I take them through a healing process; the biggest stage of healing is ‘breaking your silence’ and I also encourage them not to ever blame themselves for getting raped or dwell on it.

You’re also a blogger and columnist with the popular Women of Rubies interviews. How do you go out of your way to get these exceptional women?
Blogging, through the Women of Rubies Platform, has been very interesting. It avails me the opportunity to be more inspired and challenges me to even do more. We often have people nominate women they feel are worthy of being celebrated; we get nominations weekly for a ‘deserving woman’ whose story deserves to be brought to the front-burner.

What’s relaxation for you?
Sadly, I hardly relax but lately, I’m beginning to learn how to have some time for myself. I go out to see an interesting movie or just stay indoors and watch one – zero-attention to social media; just that alone-movie time to relax the head.

Who are your role models?
My mum, because she had every reason under the sun not to bring me to the world, but against all odds she did and made sure I become the woman I am today. Another person is Kate Henshaw. She is one of the very first people who believed in me, she made sure I got more tutelage from more experienced women in my line of work and she also became a mentor in the process. Aunty Kate as I fondly call her is one of my biggest support systems in the industry. Her selflessness and humility inspire me a lot. I also admire Remi Shonaiya, the presidential candidate for KOWA Party for daring to be different and standing up tall, for showing that a woman can contest and one day sit at the highest level of authority in this country. I am inspired by her courage and the way she has positioned herself even after losing the election. I also admire Ini onuk and Betty Irabor. On the International scene it’s Oprah Winfrey and Hillary Clinton.

You’re the daughter of a renowned accountant in the country, why didn’t you follow daddy’s career? What life’s lessons have you learned from your dad?
For me, this is what God wants me to do; this is the path He wants me to toe – I am living my own purpose. My dad’s purpose is in accounting and other fields he has excelled in; he respects my vision and is very supportive of my aspirations in life. One life lesson he taught me is to always stay and think positive, no matter what life throws at me.

What’s your philosophy of life?
I am not scared of lifting other women up; I am not afraid to help other women and see them succeed. My thing is: “as long as I wear the crown, no one can take my throne”. You can’t boldly say you have succeeded in life till you help someone who can never pay you back.

Advice for young women out there
Women, stand up! Go out there and be all you want to be. Be strong and bold, do all you can to have a voice and an identity. Let your name be the solution to a problem you solve.

Interview originally published by Guardian

In Interviews&profile April 15, 2017 By Women of Rubies

#INTERVIEW: ”IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT SIZE YOU ARE, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL IN YOUR SKIN” -DR ASKDAMZ, NUTRITIONIST AND WEIGHT LOSS EXPERT

Dr Damola Ladejobi is a professional nutritionist and weight loss expert. She also has a law degree from the University of Exeter with a BL from Nigerian law school. She once had a severe case of started Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease which doubled up her size and weight. She got inspired to start ‘Ask Damz’ after her personal experience with weight loss, to help people going through similar issues

Read more about her inspiring interview with Women Of Rubies below;

Childhood
As a child, I always knew that I wanted to help people in any way that I could so that’s probably why I chose to study law but as we will have it I’m currently in the nutrition field so I still get to do what I grew up wanting to do.

Meet Me
I am a professional nutritionist and weight loss expert. I am a UK certified personal nutritionist with a diploma in nutrition. I have a law degree from the University of Exeter with a BL from Nigerian law school. I am the first child of my parents; I have one amazing sister (Farah). I am married to my best friend Mr Adebisi Ladejobi and the mother of two lovely children Ifeoluwa and Oluwatobiloba Ladejobi.

What’s the inspiration behind “Ask Damz”
The inspiration behind Askdamz will have to be my personal experience with weight loss. Earlier in my life, I had severe GERD (Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease) and my size affected not only my health but my passion for fashion as well because I couldn’t fit into most of the outfits in the stores. Also knowing that a lot of people are going through these same issues as I did and the drive to want to help people live a healthier lifestyle, look and feel better about themselves hence the birth of Askdamz.

Why I chose nutrition over practising Law
I wouldn’t say I completely chose law over nutrition as I still advise people in a way or the other on legal matters but nutrition is more or less like a God-given passion. Also, through my personal experience with weight loss and the drive to help people going through the same situation as I did thus me choosing nutrition.

Other projects and activities
I do have other projects in works but they are not completely finished, once they are ready it will be made known to the public.

Greatest reward
I wouldn’t say there has been one reward I will call the greatest, but whenever I have clients who say I have helped them reach their desired weight goal or body goal and how I helped them improve their diet and also live a healthier lifestyle, the joy and fulfillment I have in my heart can’t be contained. That alone is the greatest reward.

Nigerians views on Nutritionist
I do think Nigerians appreciate nutritionists.The world is evolving and people are becoming aware of the need to eat healthier and ultimately live a better lifestyle. Nutrition is not a one size fits all approach because our bodies and systems react differently, you’d need a nutritionist to advice on the kind of food you should be eating and what quantity or portions you should be having in order to live a healthier life.

Women who inspires me
Ibukun Awosika, Fade Aluko, Omilola Oshikoya and Foluso Gbadamosi just to name a few. These are women who inspire me considering how successful they are in their different fields and they make me want to do and be a better person and give me the urge to contribute to the society at large.

On whether Nigerian women are well informed about their diet
There is literally information out there for everyone but what works for A will most likely not work for B. So I will say there is information but not everyone knows how to tweak it in a way to better improve their diets.

I am a Woman Of Rubies
It’s the God in me.

Final word for women all over the world
It doesn’t matter what size you are, you are beautiful in your skin. Don’t try to be like the girl in the magazine, the girl in the magazine doesn’t look like the girl in the magazine.

In Interviews&profile April 14, 2017 By Women of Rubies

THE INSPIRING STORY OF BLESSING LIMAN, NIGERIA’S FIRST FEMALE MILITARY PILOT

33 year-old Blessing Liman made history as the first female military pilot in the sub-region in the Nigerian Air Forcein . She was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force in July 2011 and was commissioned on 9th December, 2011.

After passing through various training programmes said to have cost billions of Naira ($650, 000 each) within the country and abroad in countries such as United States, United Kingdom, Greece, Pakistan, and Egypt include 14 fighter jet pilots, Flying Officer Blessing Liman and 29 other combat flying officers were yesterday decorated at an elaborate ceremony in Abuja.

Excerpts from media reports:

History was, Friday, made in Abuja as the Nigerian Air Force produced the first female combat pilot in the sub-region following the badge decoration (winging) of Flying Officer Blessing Liman and 29 other pilots as combat flying officers at a well attended ceremony hosted by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar.

The Pilot officers who had in the last 12 months undergone various training programme said to have cost billions of Naira ($650, 000 each) within the country and abroad in countries such as United States, United Kingdom, Greece, Pakistan, and Egypt include 14 fighter jet pilots.

History making Flying Officer Blessing Liman, an indigene of Zango Kataf, Kaduna state, was born on 13 March, 1984. She enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force in July 2011 and was commissioned on 9th December, 2011. Her outstanding performance helped her in attaining the historical height.

Present at the ceremony, to add colour to the feat achieved by Liman were minister of State for Defence, Erelu (Dr) Olusola Agbeja Obada, the leadership of the National Council for Nigerian Society (NCNS), the Presidential Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Dr. (Mrs.) Sarah Jubril, Mrs. Appolonia Petirin, Mrs. Ihejirika and Mrs. Dikko Umar.

In her speech, she disclosed her awareness of the enormous responsibility on her shoulder as a record maker but was optimistic that God would help her to live up to the expectations of the society and the Nigeria Air Force. According to her, “I am going to work, with prayers, dedication and hard work, I know I will succeed.”

To see a lady achieving such feat in the midst of so many men is truly inspiring. Her achievement goes a long way to show that nothing is impossible with determination and hardwork.

She might have gone through her training as the only female in the group and with no other female combat pilot in the Nigerian Air Force to look up to, surely, what she achieved is totally admirable. Now, she serves as a role model to any other female wanting to follow in a similar path.

Well done Blessing. May you continue to soar even higher!

Source: Vanguard

In Interviews&profile April 11, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

I WANT TO LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN FOR OTHER WOMEN TO SUCCEED – OSAYI ALILE

A facilitator/management trainer, she is also a consultant on non-profit management and strategy. A Sustainability Expert and Speaker, she is the founding curator, Global Shapers Forum Nigeria. Owing to her experiences, Osayi sits on the board of several organisations that includes Immediate past Chairperson Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), House of Tara, Chairperson Zapphire Events, Culinary Academy and Global Dignity, an affiliation of the World Economic Forum in Norway impacting the lives of over 100,000 students over the last five years. In this interview with TOBI AWODIPE, she talks about juggling several responsibilities, why women are not doing well in business and her plans for the future.

Tell us about yourself briefly
I am Osayi Alile, CEO of ACT Foundation, a subsidiary in partnership with Access Bank. I have been doing this for 18 months and before taking up this position, I was CEO at FATE Foundation for nine years. Before joining FATE, I worked at Junior Achievement where I was the Vice-President of programmes. I have always been in this sector: non-profit community development and it is something I have enjoyed doing over the last few years.

I had my primary school education in Lagos before moving on to FGGC, Warri for my secondary education. For university education, I have a degree in Sociology from the University of Lagos and a master in Public Administration from Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA. Notwithstanding, I have done several courses and executive programmes at Yale Univeristy, Harvard Business School, Stanford and so on. I believe it is necessary for everyone to try as much as possible to always continually take themselves to the next level and that is what I have been trying to do in the last few years.

Do you think that is where you are now? The next level?
Life is a journey and you never know where you are going to but I just feel I am practically just starting my life; it’s still at the beginning stages and we will see how it goes from here.

How has your journey been like, getting several educational qualifications, sitting on the board of so many companies and industries?
It has been very eventful and interesting and I have learnt a lot, faced a lot of challenges, and had some successes and quite a few failures as well along the way. I have never told myself, “This is exactly where I want to go,” but when the environment throws different things to you, you learn to cope. Gathering knowledge and education I believe is necessary. I was once asked at a conference if it was necessary to keep getting and education and learning and my answer is: learning is continuous, it doesn’t stop. No matter how much you think you know, there is always something new to learn. I have been CEO of a company for nine years, but this is a new challenge and there are new things to learn here. Education and knowledge is constant.

You mentioned challenges you face; how do you handle them?
I always take a step back. In the past, when things happen, I rush around, trying to find solutions, but now I take a step back and think things through. Challenges would come and you have to be ready because things cannot go smoothly forever. In my mind, I know they will come, I might not know which challenge or where it is coming from but my mind is prepared that if it does happen, how will I manage it? You also need strong people around you and I always employ people that I think are smarter than me, a bit more knowledgeable than I am so that when challenges come, you can have the right people around you to get ideas from.

Also, it’s always good to have a strong board that you can go back to and mentors that can help so you can run to them for help. Even on boards I sit on, we are always available to help because we are not in the grind constantly and they can come to us for another perspective.

You talked about mentoring and truthfully, a lot of women going into entrepreneurship have mentioned the difficulty in getting good mentors. How can female entrepreneurs access good mentors and how can it help them grow?
Mentoring is key and I cannot talk about my success today without talking about all the wonderful people that have walked with me and held my hand. Of course, the major foundation for me is God but there have to be people around you that guide you along the way. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have people guiding me. With FATE Foundation, I had Mr. Fola Adeola and he was such a great mentor to me and he still is. So many things happened in my eight year journey with him, so many mistakes I could have made but he guided me and pushed me to do things I never thought I would be able to do. It is essential, especially if you want to get into leadership position, to have someone you can speak to. You need to have a critic and a coach at all times. A critic would tell you what you’re doing wrong and your mentor can be both to you. However, you must be mature enough to accept correction and work with them and plot the direction you want to go.

After your exit from FATE Foundation, is it still serving the purpose for which it was set up?
Yes. I am still close to FATE and still relate very well with the founder. The present CEO is someone I talk to constantly. I believe it is one organization that has pushed itself out there, constantly working with entrepreneurs. This has been my field in the last few years, building businesses, working with entrepreneurs and helping businesses to be sustainable long term.

Tell us about ACT Foundation and the purpose it is serving?
We just started recently and it is my new baby. We are working in four major areas of health, environment, leadership and entrepreneurship. We are trying to work with communities, give them grants and see how they can improve the communities they’re living in. in a few months, we are hoping to expand and push it out more, work with other NGOs and other community based outfits and see how we can improve communities based on those four pillars.

You’re a facilitator and management trainer as well, what does this aspect entail?
It is not my full time job but something I love to do. In a week, I teach at one or two places, schools, conferences, seminars and so on. I would describe it as a calling because I believe there is so much to share with people and also an avenue to learn. There is no way you can sit in a room with thirty people and you’re speaking to them about something and not get something in return.

How do you joggle all your responsibilities: sitting on several boards, being a full time CEO, teaching and mentoring?
(Laughing) I am a very organized person and like to plan everything. Also, I have a passion for small businesses and once you have a passion that you feel obligated to, it becomes easier, doesn’t feel like work. I sit on several boards and enjoy seeing them grow, I enjoy seeing them enjoy what they do and this doesn’t feel challenging. I will put it down to organization, preparation and time management. Relationships are key as well; I can’t work with you or sit on your board if I don’t have any form of relationship with you. We don’t necessarily have to be best friends but we need to have some form of understanding, the same values system, be on the same page to some extent. It is necessary and easier because when you’re saying something or trying to make changes, they know it is coming from a good place.

A lot of women are going into businesses now but several fold up quickly. What do you think they can do differently to change this?
I believe there are several factors responsible for this. I have been involved with small businesses and enterprise for 14 years now and I am happy to say many women are going into businesses and from my observation over time; women tend to enter businesses from passion or a hobby. Most don’t realize that though it is a small business, the foundation has to be in place from the onset. Just like building a house, you have to ensure that the foundation is done properly. Even if it started out as a passion, once it becomes a business, you have to do things properly. A lot of women don’t know how to handle the financial part of their business, taking it day by day. There are no defined structures or plans in place and it is difficult for an investor or bank to take this kind of business serious.

Also, women find it hard taking risks and so you see a business a man and woman started at the same time with the man’s own doing better after a while. However, I wont say it is all bad because things are changing steadily. You sit in a room with ten women, seven are running businesses and at least four are doing exceptionally well with strong foundations in place. Any woman that wants to venture into business must realize that every business is a risk but must ensure the foundations are in place from the beginning.

The ratio of women to men taking advantage of available opportunities like loans, grants and the likes is still very lopsided and poor. In your experience, why is it so?
It still boils down to the risk factor mostly when it comes to loans. Out of 10 people looking for loans or grants, eight would be men with two women. Women are sadly averse to taking risks and it is sadly being passed from generation to generation. Women can take loan from friends and family members but when it comes to structured loans, they are absent.

Regarding trainings, sometimes it is lack of information; women are not following and reading what they should be reading. When I was chair at WIMBIZ, we had so many opportunities available but we had to consciously make noise about them to get the women to follow through. Even with the YouWin programme then, I can tell you confidently that 85% of the people that applied were men and the government was puzzled. This was free money, there was no repayment needed and still women didn’t apply. They had to do another programme for just women alone and WIMBIZ had to get involved to ‘force’ women to apply. I tell women that the same force they use in bringing up children, they should apply it to their businesses and the difference would be clear. Happily, the younger women coming up are pushing and trying to change the status quo.

You’re affiliated to the World Economic Forum (WEF), tell us how it applies to Nigeria and what benefits can be derived from it?
It is an international body and I became a member and Young Global Leader several years ago. It is a platform for coming up with suggestions on how the world should be run. In it, you find private sector, government, non-profit, everyone is there, coming up with different solutions with issues and it affects every single country. Nigeria hosted the WEF Africa four, five years ago. I started the Global Shapers Forum here in Nigeria and it is mostly for youths, to come up with unique solutions to issues peculiar to them. We have a few YFGLs and Global Shapers and everyone is doing their own thing. I have a forum, Global Dignity and it has held in 13 states, reaching over 100, 000 students in the last six years. This is my pet project and it is affiliated to the parent WEF.

What has been the impact of Global Dignity so far?
Global dignity is all about dignity of labour, of life, and trying to push the students to think outside of the classroom. We try to open their minds to think big, to think beyond where they are presently. We teach them on the dignity of working to fend for themselves, to be independent and innovative. We have set up clubs in different schools called Global Dignity Club and we now have ten in the different schools we work with.

How do you think we can make the economy more appealing to foreign investment?
The world has become a global village and no country can work in isolation. Over the last few weeks, some changes have been happening and I’m hoping it continues like this. It is a slow process and everyone is feeling the pinch. There are opportunities out there and despite the recession, people are becoming billionaires daily, new businesses are taking off and doing well. Things are hard but there are opportunities and we have to remove our eyes from problems and think on managing available opportunities. This is where foreign collaboration is good because nobody can do it alone, you never know what can happen.

How can SMEs and startups be encouraged in doing business, as the environment and present infrastructure is not exactly favourable?
I believe this government has started making little efforts in this regard. The amount of days to register a business has gone down and things like that. The process would take time and there are several new policies in place now to help SMEs; the government is thinking in the right direction and we need to remain patient but insistent on what we want.

What can be done on the issue of double taxation, which is crippling a lot of startups?
Not to support the government but when you go and find out, a lot of people re not getting their information from the right places. Someone says he has six taxes to pay and the next person beside him says the same thing or even increases the number. If you do diligent checks, it is not as much as people claim they are. I always tell entrepreneurs to check everything for themselves and not depend on word of mouth. Once you pay all necessary and legal taxes, anybody that comes to you asking for extra money, bring out your phone and record the transaction. Ask questions, find things out for yourselves, do your own research so that you don’t fall victim to thieves.

On another note, how do you relax?
I’m a spa addict, I like massages and going to the spa. Every person has to take time out to wind down. Lagos is stressful, Nigeria is a stressful country and you wont realize until you leave the country and come back. I either go to the spa or watch series all day; it helps me de-clutter my mind.

What legacies do you want to be remembered for?
I am a helper; I don’t believe that because one door has been opened to me I cannot now take other people along with me. One of the things I want to walk away with is looking back and saying to myself that along my journey, I helped X number of people and they themselves helped others. I want it to be like a ripple effect and I tell others this as well. When my time is up, I want people to be able to say I was gracious to them and I opened doors for them and their lives and businesses became better by virtue of meeting me. In another ten years, I might think differently but at the moment, I believe God has called me to help and to work with people.

For women that look up to you, what would you tell them?
I haven’t started yet so they shouldn’t look up to me (laughing), I’m just starting my life. This generation thinks things must be immediate and fast but it is a journey, there is no easy way to get things and we all have to work hard to get what we want. Of course, there would be challenges but always put your best foot forward and do the best you can. I will tell women: life is a journey and as you journey along, enjoy the process, enjoy every moment and live in it. You don’t want to look back and begin to have regrets of what you wanted to do but were afraid of doing.

Culled from : Guardian

In Interviews&profile April 10, 2017 By Women of Rubies

#PROFILE| MEET ACHENYO IDACHABA, THE ENTREPRENEUR CREATING BEAUTIFUL THINGS OUT OF WATER HYACINTH

Achenyo Idachaba is an entrepreneur, computer scientist, and business analyst born in United State. She moved down to Ibadan, Nigeria, in 2009 to set up an environmental consultancy, and discovered a specie of weeds called ‘Water Hyacinth’ (Eichornia crassipes). This aquatic weeds pose a major challenge to local communities and have been a target of government initiatives to stem the damage they cause for some years. Their extensive, knotted root systems tangle together and and clog waterways, which are a key transportation network to inland populations. They also deplete nutritional resources in their surroundings, leading to a drop in the fish population, which impacts food supplies and livelihoods for riparian communities, who are reliant on fishing.

Having read a book about how communities in southeast Asia afflicted by the water hyacinth had harvested the weed and transformed it through weaving into marketable products, she determined to make this method work in Nigeria also. She visited a community in the city of Ibadan and moved close to a couple of artisans who had experience in weaving doum palm and rattan. She worked with them to develop the company’s first products – a table tidy and a wastebasket: two fitting products to make from a tangled weed! She collaborated with local craftspeople to set up a range of products that were woven from the dried plants. The company was called Mitimeth. She developed products such as a waste basket and a table tidy which were made from plants that are usually only known for being invasive. In 2013, she won a grant from the government and employed seven staff. The weeds are harvested, dried and then made into rope which can then be made into products.

In 2014, her creative initiative was recognised when she was given the Cartier award. This was the women’s initiative award for sub-Saharan Africa. She has been featured on CNN and her TED talk in 2015 achieved over a million hits.

According to Wikipedia, ‘She has taken an environmental problem and turned it into a win-win solution for her business, local communities and the country’. Each hand-crafted piece is created from the weeds which are harvested from the local waterways and dried out in the sun before they can be used for weaving into highly intricate and beautiful finished products such as baskets, tableware and even jewellery

In Interviews&profile April 8, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

PEOPLE’S SUCCESS STORIES ARE A GREAT SOURCE OF INSPIRATION TO ME- OLUBUKOLA ADIO

Olubukola Adio is wife, mother and a business owner. A graduate of business administration from Yaba college of Technology. Bukky worked in the banking sector before relocating to south Africa to pursue a career in nursing, On her return she started a clothing store out of her passion for humanity, after encountering several kids who were clothe less, she started donating to these kids and some orphanage homes, this informed her decision to start her clothing store “Clothezoo”. Bukky shares her inspiring journey in this interview.
Childhood Influence
I will say a yes to that because I practically grew up not knowing my mother. I lost her early in life and I have a polygamous background, even though I have a caring father the absence of a mother growing up meant I had to do a lot for myself . I have always looked inwards rather than look in the wrong places to fill the void. So growing up I had a little poultry in the house and I sold eggs, made and sold clothes, I sold cold drinks, marketed computers and a host of other little businesses that bred the entrepreneurial spirit in me. So I would say yes my childhood had a major part to play.

Meet Bukky!
My name is Olubukola Adio nee Okoya. A wife, mother to 3 wonderful kids and a business owner. I attended Yaba college of Technology. Studied business administration and I’m also a chartered administrator. Prior to now in terms of work experience I had my industrial attachment at First Bank then my Service year at Tantalizers. I worked at This Present House as an admin staff before temporarily relocating to South Africa to pursue a career in nursing .

Starting “ClothesZoo”
I have always had a thing for clothes; it has always been in my head that I will do this one day as I was compelled to go into this business when I saw a lot of clotheless kids when I returned to Nigeria and So there was no looking back once I started . I started by giving free clothes to some street kids before delving into this business full time. I hope to come out with our own branded clothing soon that will match quality with affordability and also support people who can’t afford to clothe themselves. With my clothing store “Clotheszoo” I hope to be able to make an impact not just as a clothier but one who also gave hope to those who can’t afford to clothe themselves.

Women Who Inspire me to do more
People’s success stories are a great source of inspiration to me .It works like a rush of adrenaline in my system. People like Oprah Winfrey who I think is a standard of success for women inspire me, also Iyanla Vazant, Nkoyo Rapu, Grace Aiyedogbon and every striving and thriving woman out there.

Reward
It gladdens my heart when people walk into my store but also make reference to hearing about me by or two people I clothed for free. This make me realize there is something I am getting right and that’s my reward.

Challenges
Finance is always a major issue and it’s further compounded by the seeming uncertainty in the financial market. Funds for expansion is readily not available, interest rates are most unfriendly and the lack of support for growing businesses from regulators

Giving to the less privileged
I run a socially responsible business that gives back at every given opportunity .We’ve and are still supporting orphanages with clothes for the children. We do a regular give away during festive seasons and clothe street kids

Never felt like giving up
It has never crossed my mind to want to give up. Primarily because I’m living my dream, to be successful one has to be happy on the inside and that’s what propels me in addition to having a wonderful and supporting husband. Not forgetting an amazing family and friends.

I am a woman of Rubies
A woman of rubies exemplifies moving from adversity to a position of strength. I started from nothing then from a suitcase, to a shop to where we are right now and we still aspire to be bigger than this. Just like an airplane that takes off against the wind I keep breaking through adversities and a shining example to other women. The fact that I also give freely to the less privileged makes me a woman of rubies.

Women are not weak!
I want women to understand that we have a role to play in the scheme of things. God created Man then Woman as support .What we must understand is this; what must support another object should also be stronger or of equal strength as the object. God did not create women weak; we are not the weaker vessel.

In Interviews&profile April 3, 2017 By Women of Rubies

MEET OMOYEMI AKERELE, FOUNDER OF LAGOS FASHION AND DESIGN WEEK

Omoyemi Akerele is a Nigerian fashion designer, founder and artistic director of Style House Files. She is the founder and creative director of Lagos Fashion and Design Week. Her creative development agency gives African brand the opportunity of showcasing on Pitti Immagine in Italy and the Lagos Fashion and Design Week. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of Lagos. She also has a Master’s degree in International Economic Law from the University of Warwick. She worked at Olaniwun Ajayi a Nigerian law firm & Co from 2000 to 2003 prior to becoming a fashion designer. She was the fashion editor for a Lifestyle magazine called True Love.

Style House Files is a creative development agency for Nigerian and African designers. The agency is a pioneering agency in image consultancy and creative direction within the West African country, Style House Files works with Nigerian brands on brand positioning and retail strategies.

Founded by Akerele in June 2011, Lagos Fashion Design Week (LFDW) runs a four day schedule featuring a select list of talented up and coming designers and fashion entrepreneurs. Partnered with the British Fashion Council, the show has been instrumental in raising the profile of the Nigerian fashion industry, and has drawn international attention and acclaim from journalists such as Suzy Menkes and Cristina Manfredi, as well as attracting a host of international buyers.

Omoyemi Akerele is widely regarded as a driving force behind the burgeoning Nigerian fashion industry. She has successfully positioned Nigerian fashion industry right in the center of the global spotlight which she continues to do annually. Her initiatives have created platforms to celebrate and showcase Nigerian fashion while setting the pace for others to emulate.

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