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Yes, I Insist That #ChinaMustPay Africa Damages for COVID-19

Oby Ezekwesili is not backing down, and has re-fired her belief that China should pay African countries for the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Click China Must Pay if you missed reading her previous article.

In their prickly reaction to my April 16 Washington Post #ChinaMustPay article (a response published in the Guardian Newspaper of May 3, 2020), the Government of China through their Embassy in Nigeria missed the opportunity to responsibly address the serious issues raised.

I must repeat that Africa deserves to be paid a compensation for the damages COVID-19 pandemic is inflicting on lives and livelihoods.

Unfortunately and unfairly, my country, Nigeria, is one of fifty-four countries in Africa that are struggling to respond to the disruptive effects of China’s failure to take responsibility for a pandemic that could have been easily contained and localised to avoid the ruin it has caused our continent and the world at large.

Since Beijing failed to adhere to basic scientific and research transparency in the critical early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, it must accept responsibility with humility.

Therefore, a legitimate demand for accountability and payment of penalties by rich and powerful countries for damages their behaviours do to vulnerable people ought not to attract the kind of sour response China released.

There are six points that authorities in Beijing ought to humbly consider.

First, it is now clear to the world that China’s opaque handling of the pandemic is costing my country, our continent and people too much in lost lives and livelihoods. The unjustified suffering of the poor and vulnerable brought on by the actions of a comparatively rich and powerful country demands a new system for addressing global inequities.

I maintain that information in the public domain points to the fact that China suppressed vital information from the rest of the world on COVID-19.

The burden to present convincing counter-factual information lies with China and,so far, it has failed to do so.

Second, I assert again that China owes Africa yet-to-be-estimated compensation.

Its acts of negligence in December and early January resulted in a fast-spreading global pandemic that collapsed the continent’s economic growth from 2.9% in 2019 to negative 5.1% in 2020.

Most importantly, China should, in the interim, take responsibility and ease the severe fiscal pressure on our countries, by announcing a cancellation of over $140bn in loans its government, contractors and banks have advanced to Africa over the last two decades.

Following this debt cancelation, an international consortium made up of the G20, China, Africa Union Commission and global institutions like the United Nations, World Bank and IMF should be constituted to assess the full extent of damages and the compensation due.

Third, Chinese authorities should know that we are Africans who are not lackeys of any power.

Laying a baseless charge of “dancing to the tune of others” to an African reveals an appalling mindset toward our continent. It may in fact be this same sort of attitude that frames the extremely offensive profiling of Africans who are resident in China.

We do not dance to the drumbeat of any country or any continent — our sole tune is the African Beat.

Fourth, the spirit of transparency ought to be in China’s own interest.

It is intriguing that Beijing has so far failed to embrace my suggestion to allow an Independent International Panel of Experts to review and assess China’s handling of the COVID19 pandemic. Why? Is China afraid of full disclosure that can help the world learn vital lessons on how to manage global threats and risks better?

Fifth, this global New Normal requires faster prevention of cross-border risks and threats. The best antidotes to minimize global negative externalities that harm the weak and vulnerable are absolute transparency and removal of information asymmetries by countries.

As part of this New Normal, the global community has a duty to learn and correct past failures to penalize bad behavior. My #ChinaMustPay article is a call therefore to innovate global mechanisms that compel countries to start now to do the right things whenever risks and threats emerge.

Innovation is what China rode on to economic greatness. What then is wrong with asking for such as a legitimate part of our global New Normal?

Sixth, it should be in China’s historic and conscientious national interest to prevent future exploitation of vulnerable countries by economic superpowers. I did acknowledge previous global risks that similarly emanated from other rich and powerful countries and injured Africa’s economic growth and development.

I find it hard to believe that China, given its history and experience with colonial mistreatment, would want this cyclical pattern to continue. Do the authorities in Beijing really want Africans to simply accept harmful actions of rich and powerful countries?

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in an April 2020 report on coronavirus pandemic stated that “over 300,000 Africans may lose their lives due to COVID-19.” According to the Africa Union Commission, the coronavirus is already collapsing many economies in Africa and worsening poverty.

Already, the livelihoods of hundreds of millions on the continent, especially children, young people and women are already lost to the damaging economic disruptions caused by COVID-19.

The IMF calls the impact of the pandemic on Africa as “the worst reading on record”. It went further to state that Africa’s “Fiscal space is limited, and fiscal financing needs to address the crisis are large – at least $114 billion for this year”.

International rating agencies have massively downgraded the credit ratings of African countries making investors more skittish.

I proposed a penalty system in the form of a Global Risk Burden Tax that will from now be payable to weaker and more vulnerable countries and their people whenever forced to bear a disproportionate burden from preventable global risks that emanate from rich and powerful countries.

Such a penalty tax would also serve as a disincentive to prevent the kind of unbecoming actions and decisions that escalated the spread of the deadly virus out of Wuhan.

China must know that where our lives and livelihoods are concerned, no country, regardless of how powerful it may be, can intimidate us Africans ever again.

Beijing should do the right thing now and accept the debt it owes Africa as a result of its failures on COVID-19. That is how responsible world powers should behave in the 21st Century if they are to be taken seriously.

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Regina Askia, A mother and a healthcare heroine

Regina Askia is a woman who has proven herself to be diversely talented. From been a Nigerian beauty model, to an actress and now a health worker as well as a mother.

In the Genevieve Magazine’s latest Digital Issue, which is focusing on celebrating healthcare heroes around the world, the spotlight turned on Regina , who is one of the medical professionals at the epicenter of the COVID-19 virus in New York.

Regina revealed her experiences on the frontlines, how she has coped with the surge in patient deaths, how she and her family have had to adjust to the new normal, and the mental health challenges that have come with it.

When asked about her experience, she said:

We are often in an enclosed space with [sick] patients, who are coughing, [with] oxygen levels dropping. You turn them on their stomachs, you put them on 100 percent non-rebreather. When that doesn’t work you call for high flow; when that doesn’t work you consult for ICU. With those who sign a DNI/DNR, you start a morphine drip and organise a Zoom-meet with the family, so they can say their goodbyes. The Covid patient dies the loneliest death. No family, no loved ones by their side. You hold your patient’s hands and comfort them as they pass. Then you go to the bathroom and cry. The nurses are going to need therapy sessions to deal with their PTSD after this.

The gorgeous mother of three, actress and former beauty queen also took to her Instagram page on Friday, May 8, 2020, to share a photo she took with beautiful daughters. The photo that has gotten quite some attention.

 

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How to keep up a good health as a woman

To live a prolonged and happy life, getting healthy habits should be the goal. These habits are the best way to avoid disease, and complications in a woman. A woman’s daily life as we know is very busy, filled with tasks, house chores and on.

However, these simple steps below, would help anyone acheive a longer and healthier life.

Move(Exercise)

This is a good way to have your bones remain strong as a woman. Your mental health also needs this. Get about 30 minutes of movement at least four days per week. Aerobic or cardio, which could be

  • walking
  • jogging
  • dancing
  • swimming

Make it fun, it can mean taking a long walk with a friend instead of using a car. Train your muscle, you need them as a woman because you loose muscles and bone mass as you get older.

Eat a balanced diet

This is so important to your over all health. A good food provide vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are important for growth, well-being, and development.

Avoid unhealthy foods like packaged and processed foods that are often full of sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and calories.

Go for living foods like

  • fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Freshly cooked fish
  • whole grains
  • fiber-rich foods such as beans and leafy greens
  • lean cuts of meat and poultry
  • healthy fats

Take Women’s vitamins

You can take a daily multivitamin but eating vitamin-rich foods serves up the extra benefits of healthy fiber and minerals. Eat a variety of foods in a variety of colors and you should meet your vitamin, mineral, and fiber requirements without the need for a supplement.

Age with grace

Getting older is a blessing, so embrace all that comes with it by been positive. With healthy aging, there are things you shouldn’t do, such as using tobacco products and drinking excess alcohol. To slow aging, You can learn to manage stress and cope with mental and difficult issues that will naturally arise throughout life. Slather on sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. All this can only slow the process of aging though, so enjoy it getting older.

Avoid stress

With a career, kids, family and friends a lot of responsibilities are left in a woman’s hands which can manifest more than just gray hairs. Excessive stress can translate to:

  • high blood pressure
  • upset stomach or other gastrointestinal issues
  • conflicts in relationships
  • sleeping difficulties
  • abdominal weight gain
  • Waist and back pain

You can manage stress with relaxation techniques like, prayer, mediation and exercise. Plan and share duties to your kids at home, organise your activities.

 

 

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#RubyGirls | “People tend to look at young models as sex objects sometimes and that has to stop.” -Adesola Adebayo Chioma

Adesola Adebayo Chioma is a second year Botany student in the University of Lagos. She is 5’9 model, brand ambassador and influencer.

Adesola is an only child of Yoruba and Igbo parents. She loves online shopping, watching movies, surfing the internet and trying out new foods at restaurants.

*1. Let’s meet you. Who is Adesola?*

My name is Adesola Adebayo Chioma. I’m a 200 level student studying Botany in the University of Lagos. My mom is Igbo while my dad is Yoruba which explains the combination of my names. I’m also the only child of my parents.

I love to watch movies, shop online, surf the internet and go out to restaurants to try out new foods.

 

*2. One accessory you can’t leave home without?*

My phone.

*3. You recreate pictures of female icons almost perfectly. What inspires and informs the styles you work with?*

The recreation of female icons isn’t usually planned. Mostly happens that after the pictures, I look like them.

Nothing actually informs my style. Once the photographer sends the mood board and it’s something I’m comfortable with and something I know I can do I just go ahead with it.

*4. One thing you’ll like to change about yourself?*

Nothing

*5. Modelling for you started when? What inspired you to be a model?*

Modeling for me started in 2016. My aunt was a makeup artist while I was in Js3, she’d always take me to her makeup training as her model until one day I met the CEO of MUD (Makeup designatory) who told me I had a very great skin, nice facial features and also told me I had the height to become a model. Ever since, I had always had the thought and the passion of being a model.

*6. You are a model. Bolt ambassador. Social media influencer yet a Botany student. How do you juggle the demands of your academics with other areas?*

To be very honest, it has not been easy, but my only motivation has been success. Sometimes you want to give up, but the hope for success won’t let you so I make sure I balance everything.

*7. Any major challenge for young Nigerian female models?*

There’s a lot of pressure on young models nowadays. School, social media influences, plus people sometimes tend to look at young models as sex objects and these things have to stop.

 

*8. You are passionate about fashion and modelling. What other creative fashion business ideas do you have and may want to venture into in the nearest future?*

I have always wanted to start up my own bag business but let’s see how that goes.

*9. If given the chance to be the President of Nigeria for a day, what will you change?*

Everything wrong with the present state of the country, definitely.

*10. What was growing up like for you? Did your upbringing in any way prepare you for everything you do now?*

Growing up was a bit boring! Lol but my mum was the typical African parent, and yes my upbringing did prepare me for most of the things I do now.

*11. Mention 3 women who inspire you and why?*

Hmm three women, to be honest, my biggest inspiration is my mum because she’s the strongest woman I’ve ever known.

*12. Where do you see yourself and your brand in the next 5 years?*

I don’t think I’d be a model in the next 5years. I have other plans to go into Tech and few other things.

*13. If you were given the opportunity to address a group of girls five years younger than you, what will be your advice to them?*

Do what makes you happy, but do not damn the consequences and also pray.

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Coronavirus Updates: Nigeria

Nigeria Covid-19 update: 07:00 WAT, Friday 8 May (08:00 CEST).

According to the latest figures published by Johns Hopkins University, 3,847,047 cases have been detected worldwide, with 269,594 deaths and 1,285,946 people now recovered.

In Nigeria: 3,526 cases / 107 deaths

Currently, South Africa now has: 8,232 cases / 161 deaths, Ghana: 3,091 cases / 18 deaths and Kenya: 607 cases / 29 deaths.

Here are some high lights from the Nigerian NCDC.

States Affected No. of Cases (Lab Confirmed) No. of Cases (on admission) No. Discharged No. of Deaths
Lagos 1,491 1,052 406 33
Kano 482 450 19 13
FCT 316 272 40 4
Borno 125 111 0 14
Gombe 109 109 0 0
Katsina 106 89 9 8
Bauchi 102 96 6 0
Ogun 100 80 18 2
Kaduna 92 77 14 1
Sokoto 89 80 1 8
Jigawa 83 82 0 1
Edo 65 51 10 4
Zamfara 65 62 0 3
Oyo 55 42 11 2
Osun 37 3 30 4
Kwara 24 16 8 0
Kebbi 18 18 0 0
Rivers 17 13 2 2
Akwa Ibom 17 5 10 2
Delta 17 12 2 3
Taraba 15 15 0 0
Adamawa 15 15 0 0
Yobe 13 12 0 1
Ondo 13 7 6 0
Ekiti 12 9 2 1
Nasarawa 11 10 0 1
Enugu 9 7 2 0
Niger 6 5 1 0
Plateau 5 4 1 0
Bayelsa 5 5 0 0
Ebonyi 5 5 0 0
Benue 2 2 0 0
Imo 2 1 1 0
Abia 2 1 1 0
Anambra 1 0 1 0
  • On the 7th of May 2020, 381 new confirmed cases and 4 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
  • No new state has reported a case in the last 24 hours.
  • Till date, 3526 cases have been confirmed, 601 cases have been discharged and 107 deaths have been recorded in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory
  • The 381 new cases are reported from 18 states- Lagos(183), Kano(55), Jigawa(44), Zamfara(19), Borno(9), Bauchi(19), Katsina(11), Kwara(8), Kaduna(7), Gombe(6), Ogun(5),Sokoto(4), Oyo(3), Rivers(3), Niger(2), Akwa Ibom(1), Enugu(1), Plateau(1)
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“Women are better leaders, The pandemic proves it” – Michelle P King

Michelle P. King is the director of Inclusion at Netflix and the author of The Fix: Overcome the Invisible Barriers That Are Holding Women Back at Work.

She is a leading global expert in gender and organizations. A keynote speaker, researcher, writer and advocate, she has significant international experience advancing women in innovation and technology, leading global diversity and inclusion programs and advocating for women at work.

She believes women are better leaders while expressing her opinion to CNN, she wrote “As the entire world works to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the role of effective leadership has been brought into razor sharp focus. What people need now are leaders with empathy, compassion and an ability to show support — skills that women leaders tend to exhibit more than men. While it may take a global pandemic to finally acknowledge the unique talents and capabilities women leaders offer, companies shouldn’t wait until there is a crisis to afford women an opportunity to lead.”

She continued, “While there is insufficient data to conclude that women world leaders are managing the Covid-19 pandemic more effectively, the emerging trends are hard to ignore. New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has been widely praised for her clear, bold and supportive approach to flattening the curve. The results of her clear communication — 20 deaths in a country of nearly 5 million people — speak for themselves. Or consider German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has called for and established unity in the nation’s response to the virus. Taiwan and Norway’s national responses to this crisis have also proved to be effective to date, and they all have one thing in common — women leaders.
It’s a trend we’ve seen before.
Research examining risk-taking behavior finds that men are more prone to taking higher risks. Increased collective risk-taking behavior contributed to the crisis, which was an outcome of male-dominated workplaces that valued individual achievement and competition rather than collective well-being. Subsequent research found that women tend to adopt a more relational approach to leadership, which is more effective in a crisis compared to the more traditional command-and-control style of leadership typically adopted by men. Overall, women leaders adopt a relational style when leading through a crisis, which is highly effective as they focus on building trust, alleviating fears and managing the crisis at hand.”
Michelle currently leads UN Women’s Global Innovation Coalition for Change.
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Gospel artiste Sinach, becomes first black person, and first african to rank no 1 on USA billboard chart

Award-winning gospel artist and songwriter, Sinach has become the first African and amazingly the first black person to rank at number one on the Christian Songwriters’ category of the USA Billboard, for her song ‘Way Maker’.

She has dominated the chart for the past seven weeks. At 148 million views, ‘Way Maker’ is currently the third most-streamed song in the world on YouTube.

Since the release of the song, ‘Way Maker’ on 30 December 2015, it has been covered by a number of globally acclaimed Christian music artists such as Michael W. Smith, Leeland; and others.

While speaking on the ranking, Osinachi Joseph also known as Sinach, said, “It’s truly exciting to know from Nigeria, we are reaching far and dominating in the West. It basically chronicles what God can do when you yield to Him. Just thinking of it is really humbling and to know it’s a song of hope, faith in God, and trusting in Him that has brought us thus far. I’m sure you’ve seen the videos of ‘Way Maker’ being sung in many hospitals, car parks, garages – everywhere this period! God has used it to strengthen many around the world, not to give up, but believe that He is the rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. So I’m truly happy, excited, and glad Jesus is glorified once more.”

Sinach who is a senior worship leader at Loveworld Incorporated,has an overflowing catalogue of 9 studio albums with a very special Worship EP in the works. Her unrecorded songs but written, are in thousands.

‘Way Maker’ is her first song to gain global critical acclaim and peak on the Billboard.

She also expressed gratitude to God, for being the first black person and first African to achieve this.

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Naomi Campbell Makes History takes shoots Herself with an iphone for essence 50th Anniversary Issue

The Essence magazine in a wake of a new era is putting a mile stone to celebrate the 50thAnniversary of the ESSENCE brand

While halfway through their production, they unexpectedly finds themselves in the middle of a worldwide crisis, which prompts an indefinite work-from-home mandate.

Well, like Naomi Campbell, you rise to the occasion like never before—and make history.

“It was a very special honor and unusual experience for me to be able to shoot and style my own cover for ESSENCE’s 50th anniversary issue,” Campbell says. “While it was a sad reminder for me of all the people in media and production who are not able to work due to the coronavirus, it also brought me hope and encouragement to know that our people and our infrastructures are resilient.”

Against all odds these women chose to improvise working as a team.

For ESSENCE Chief Content & Creative Officer MoAna Luu “Bringing this issue to life in the midst of a global pandemic represents everything that Black women are and illustrates how we will continue to show up for them in the best and worst of times, as we have done for the past five decades,” she said. “We are resilient and we wanted to show that resilience. The same resilience that motivated our team to make this cover happen. The same resilience that resulted in Naomi and I relying on FaceTime to talk through how this shoot would be brought to life because I couldn’t be there with her in person. The same resilience that allowed us to close this issue while working entirely remote for the first time in our brand’s history.”

Impressively, ESSENSE Deputy Editor Allison McGevna was home navigating new motherhood while simultaneously working.

PHOTO BY NAOMI CAMPBELL

“It was a challenge to have our major shoots canceled, all showrooms closed and not be able to physically produce such a historic issue in the traditional sense,” McGevna said. “We spent the weeks leading up in a sea of shoots and late nights editing copy for the biggest issue in our history. But just a few days before our shoot with Naomi, the world as we knew it, quite literally, stopped. Everything closed down and people in the office and our communities started getting sick as COVID-19 began to wreak havoc around the world. But we knew we had a responsibility to our audience, maybe more than ever, to inform her and bring her joy. So, we put our heads together.

Nigerian Lola Ogunnaike, an ESSENCE alum was also a part of the success.

Connecting her with TV host and writer, Lola, who’s presently in Nigeria, became a juggling act of time zones and WhatsApp chats. Lola, conducted the interview.

“This cover is the epitome of a full circle moment for me.  My very first internship was at ESSENCE Magazine,” she said. “I was a junior in college with dreams of making it big as a writer in New York City and landing at ESSENCE felt as if I’d won the publishing world lottery.  All these years later, I feel deeply honored to have penned this historical cover. Many models have come and gone. Many magazines too,” said Lola.

Click here to read full issue

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#Interview | “I love to see successful industrious women hang out” – Oluchi Harrison

Oluchi Harrison is a multimedia
personality with a passion for
connecting industrious women from
diverse industries. She founded the BayLife Travel & Tour company, the first Nigerian all female tour company, with the sole aim of uniting women of different spheres of life, empowering, growing ,mentoring while still having fun.

With a sassy and lively personality, her experience span through a variety of professional services which are, Radio presenting (OAP), TV Presenting, Red Carpet hosting, News Anchoring, Reaction videos, Interviewing, Writing, Scripting and Production Assistance for organizations like EbonyLife Television, Flytime Televsion, First Bank of Nigeria amongst others.

Speaking with Women of Rubies, she shared her journey.

Childhood Influence

My childhood didn’t exactly prepare me for what I do now. I like to think I prepared myself. Growing up, I used to say I wanted to be a chattered Accountant, because I loved seeing my mum dress up and get out to work daily. But I was much more creatively inclined. I was great at Art (This was a Business for me in my first/second year in the university. I’m still a pencil artist today at my leisure), I loved designing and creating things, I was also a face model, I danced and sang a lot as well, I learnt how to sew in home economics and my mum bought me a sewing machine as a gift, then I started knitting sweaters & making beads in my second year in high school – I’d make beaded jewelry, bags, flower vases and the likes. I’d make some for my mum and sell some ( I started making money for myself in high school even though I didn’t need it). I was that kid that was into almost everything, but there was one thing I did effortlessly, I talked. I didn’t just talk, I talked like I was on TV! I’d take some of my textbooks and read it like I was reading the news. I remember doing this with my cousin in different accents, practicing how fluent I was on each accent (both Nigerian accents – Igbo, Yoruba & Hausa – and international accents) – this was in my first year in high school. At my second year in high school, I knew I wanted to study Mass Communication – I used to say I wanted to be a ‘Mass Communicationist’ (lol) until I learnt it was ‘Mass Communicator’. At my second year in the university – studying Mass Communication, I auditioned for my first radio job and I got it, and that was the beginning of my media career.

Inspiration behind BayLife

Honestly, I just love to see successful industrious women hang out (lol). BayLife was born out of the idea to connect the industrious women in my life. If there’s one thing that drives me, it’s seeing another women thrive! The success of another confident woman – it gives me this rush and puts a smile on my face. And I realized in the course of my life and in my line of work that I have had the privilege of meeting some really industrious women who work so hard and hardly have any time for self care.

I was also one of those women and even when I wanted to hang out, I didn’t want to be surrounded by just anybody, I wanted to be surrounded by women who had the same drive as myself, women who would inspire me, women who could understand me, women who could reason on the same level or even higher levels.

And I found out that there were quite a number of women in this same category. I thought about the magic that could come out of these women from diverse industries and my mind could not contain it. At first, it was just going to be a Girls Time Out with the industrious women I knew, who really needed a break from all the hard work to focus on self care, then it became more than just that, it became a unification of the strong force that industrious women are together, it became Magic, it became The BayLife.

On choice of career

I actually didn’t choose it, the career chose me. I was good at a lot of things at the time, but that was what I could build a career of. I was actually an OAP at a radio station when I got invited for a photoshoot at Philip Trimnell’s photography studio. I believe I mainly stood out because of my blonde hair as Philip Trimnell, who is the owner of Music Africa TV, checked out my Instagram (@theiboblondie) and figured I was in radio and then called me to audition to be the presenter for Music Africa TV and that was how I landed my first TV job. I later went on to start my own YouTube channel (The Ibo Blondie) before contracting to FlytimeTV as a presenter. Of course, in between these were other jobs that came up.

Feedback so far on the recently held Baycation event in view of the International Women’s day, impact made.

The Baylifeng on a cruise – Sup With the Queen

The ‘Sup With The Queens’ IWD 2020 Cruise was everything the BayLife is about and more! We had Lawyers who had other businesses, Filmmakers, Bankers, Copy/Creative writers, Business Executives, Civil Servants, Business owners / Serial Entrepreneurs, Stylists, Singers, Media Personalities, Women with NGOs supporting women, Talent managers and more!

The support from women led organizations as well as Nafisa Atiku and our speaker of the day, The Unstuck Mentor, Banke Sotomi, who is a Life & Executive Coach, was overwhelming. It was blissful to watch these industrious women come together to share ideas and opinions, support each other, learn from the amazing Life Coach and share their experiences, all while sipping on some wine having a good time.

Do you think female Media Personality are given enough room to soar?

I believe there are more females in the media as a matter of fact. What we need is more informed media personalities in general because a lot of people this days believe they do not need any training to be on air personalities – they believe it’s just about speaking and looking good.

Challenges 

Professionalism is a major key and under that is a whole lot. Productions (studio & red carpet) sometimes do not come out right due to some unprofessional decisions, which may include not having a productions assistant or a runner and everything that makes for quality production.

You are the official red carpet host for First Bank event, how do you feel being a voice in such a reputable organisation?

I feel privilege to represent such a reputable organization. The FirstBank of Nigeria prides itself in making room for young professionals to soar and being a part of this goal is an honor.

Projects and other activities?

I am majorly working on The BayLife, steadily working on ways to make us better. We have been working on a project, Girl Up! which creates an avenue for industrious women to let their hair down after a month long stress and network in a relaxed atmosphere. This project was supposed to be launched this Easter but we have now postponed it due to the pandemic at hand. We have some Baycations coming up which includes: Girl Up! Cape Verde which is the highlight of the Girl Up! project, Baycation Dubai (Expo 2020) which is an amazing mix of business & pleasure and much more. The new dates of these Baycations would be announced as soon as it is possible to travel again.

What makes you a woman of rubies

I believe my desire to see women prosper in their chosen profession, working alongside their male counterparts and not in competition – this is the passion that founded the BayLife.

Advice for young women out there who want to have a voice in the media, Kindly share some success nuggets to encourage them chase their dreams?

First things first, you must have it in you! It’s important to know that you are fit for the role role you want. It’s just like asking Michael Jackson to be an engineer – he might do it, but may have not been as successful as he turned out. Now when you find that you have it in you, the next step to take is to get properly trained. Don’t just be a TV girl, be an informed journalist/broadcaster, know the job, learn everyday, and the sky will be your starting point.

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Beyonce & Tina Knowles Set Up Free Mobile Coronavirus Testing For Mother’s Day Weekend

Beyonce is supporting her mom, Tina Knowles Lawson, with her initiative   BeyGOOD.

The mom and daughter will be with the mobile testing sites for the upcoming weekend, with the #IDIDMYPART initiative, which encourages residents in Houston, Texas to get tested in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyoncé supported her mother’s efforts when her philanthropic initiative agreed to take things a step further by including grocery card gift cards and hot meal vouchers for healthcare workers and staff, as well as providing up-to-date information on staying safe during the pandemic.

The campaign will launch on Friday, May 8 and continue over the weekend. It will provide 1,000 test kits, as well as face masks, gloves, vitamins, and household supplies to Houstonians.

They will ensure the testing facilities offer test kits, face masks, and other essentials to citizens.

The test is free and will be administered under safe conditions as participants will never have to exit their vehicles.

“We are all in this together. But we have to look at what is happening in our Black and Brown communities and how they are being decimated by COVID-19,” Knowles Lawson said in a statement

 

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