self development Archives

In self development August 1, 2018 By Women of Rubies

20 BUSINESSES YOU CAN START WITH 20K

Olanrewaju Salu, a Lagos based Realtor and Entrepreneur, recently took time out to share some amazing business tips and ideas you can start in Nigeria with as low as 20k on Twitter and many have commended him for sharing such amazing business ideas.

He wrote:

1. Bedsheet/Beddings Production

Pay a visit to Lagos Island, or Oshodi where they sell bulk materials, pick good designs and I tell you they guys who will sew it for you are just within the same Market. You can start will less that 100k and diligently grow your money.

2. Shirt Production

A sweet side hustle. There are tailors in Lagos Island or better learn the skill it will save you all the heartbreaks imaginable. Taiwo Street in Lagos Island is where you should be. Materials ranging from 700 – 1k per yard, sew for 1500/2k, Sell for 5-7k.

3. Sales of men’s underwear

Schedule a trip to Aba Market, The cost of production of boxers, you can get one for as low as N300, all you need is to package it in 3s, and market these babies properly beg your friend on twitter for RTs, we buy 3s pack boxers for 1500-2500 sell yours for 1200 gradually grow.

4. E-Payments and POS Business

You can a get POS machine from your Bank, and activate online banking: If you live in a place where banks aren’t much you can handle e-payments for people and make your small change. I paid someone N200 to withdraw 10k in Ikorodu. ATM queue was crazy.

5. Mobile and electronic Accessories

Mobile and electronic Accessories such Pouches, Chargers, USB cables, HDMI cables, earphones and more, can be sourced on Alibaba, Ali Express, Deal Extreme, etc. The more you buy the lower the price. And they are light so shipping won’t be a burden. Sell on here or jumia and co.

6. Popcorn Business

We all know this guy! We buy everytime. Bags of corn – Mile 12, Branded Nylon, Sugar, Salt & Butter. The beauty of this is when properly made, its aroma will attract it’s customers. Manual sealing machine -7/9k. Popcorn Machine is 65k on Jumia. Popcorn can be served anywhere.

7. Sales and Customizing of Football Team

Football team supporters always want to show how much they’re rooting for a team. Consult my sister @The_Ronke. She’ll show you how well you survived the business. She’s cheerful enough to train you too.

8. Snail farming

Snail farming in Nigeria is even more popular, due to its relatively cheap cost of start up and If you market your products well, your business will thrive. This is a business you can start from your backyard. Best in mind, snails take almost a year to mature so Patience is Key!

9. Fairly used goods

Fairly Used Goods such as Jeans, Tops, t-shirts, shoes etc. They could be sourced at Badagry, even Cotonou. 100k can’t get you a bale but you can select and mix them. Wash then and pack neatly. Marketing is all it takes, you’ll Sell and see your money multiply.

10. Cleaning Services

Some people find it hard to clean their apartments cos they’re busy from Monday to Friday and Saturday the have engagement and on Sunday all they wanna do is rest. Your tools won’t cost you up to 30k and you can clean 6 apartments a weekend.

11. Home Cooking and Delivery

You can cook a variety of meals well and apply customer service, People will pay good money for your services, You can run this from home @Soup_A_Market and @Marrgarritah are more than capable when to comes to training you on how to start up.

12. Digital Marketing

The success of any business is in its ability to effectively reach its teeming customers and this is achieved by effective marketing: Get a Used Laptop and Smartphone, temporarily your smartphone can double as your hotspot Persistence and Passion is Key.

13. Cakes and Confectionery

This is one business that always comes to play, people celebrate, and bakers are always consulted. Ask my Boss here @mycreamydelight Get the required skill, a decent oven, passion and customer service! You’ll grow! They are open to training too.

14. Aso-Oke Beading and Stoning

Aso-Oke Beading and Stoning has become sometimes in vogue now, and this is another sweet business one can start with 100k. You just have to learn how to bead and unlock your creative mind. Ask my padi @wuragold2 The Also Oke Girl. She stated from the confines of her home in IB.

15. Bead Making

I’m not sure there’s really much to say here. All you need is training, passion, creativity, unique designs and styles, then adequate marketing. You absolutely don’t need 100k to start this.

16. Home Service Barber

This is another profitable small scale business. The beautiful thing about this is you bring your services to your clients for an extra token above regular. The starting capital to get the equipments and I’m sure you know we have rechargeable clippers.

17. Tutorial Classes

No matter your age, this is another well paying job, either as part-time or full-time. Many families are willing to spend what it takes for their children’s success and there’s one subject you’re well versed at. Just close the gap, meet their need for a fee.

18. Internet Services

Forget the extensive coverage of internet and the fact that people can assess it on their phones, Do you know how much applicants pay just to have Jamb applications filled online? You need a good system, printer & ISP. People pay as much as 1k per application.

19. Production Of Zobo, Smoothies, cocktail, small chops, cupcakes and chinchin!

You’d realise the importance of this combo cant be ruled out. You can render these services with 100k startup capital + proper marketing, branding and packaging. @aisinshugga @DojaCulinary can train you.

20. Production of Hand-Made cards

Do you know people pay good money for these thing made of paper and strawboard. This is one business you can start with less than 100k. My friend @CraftsVillageNG started from his bedroom! And his cards went far.

In Career Gems July 30, 2018 By Women of Rubies

SINGER, WAJE TALKS ABOUT HER BATTLE WITH DEPRESSION

She said;

“The thing is, many times when people talk about depression, I always come from the angle where there is a difference between depression and anger. A depressed person does not even know that they are depressed, they will give every reason to think that they are not in that place. When you are depressed, you don’t want to eat, you don’t want to go out, your life stops literally.

“I have come to realise that being someone in the limelight, you have to guard your territory, I have been in that space where… I wouldn’t say mine was depression, mine was anger management, it was a kind of depression but the only way I could express myself was through anger.

“I remember that time, that was the year we got signed as Glo ambassadors so actually my career was doing really good. I just released my album, I was nominated in four categories in World Music Awards every year, money dey come. But I had anger issues, why because I just didn’t see myself the way I wanted to see myself. I saw myself through everybody’s eye. I would look at you and whatever you tell me about me is what I would accept.

“I remember one time I was so angry, I didn’t want to break my because na me pay for the tv, I broke my phone, can you imagine holding a phone and bending it like literally bending it, you can imagine the rage for being able to break a phone.

“I have come to realise that you have to guard yourself, you have to understand what is going on around you. You are in the limelight, there is Waje and there is Ebele, Waje is now, we are having this interview, Ebele is when I enter my house, don’t come and tell me anything that is happening in social media and add to a headache that I already have. The only thing a depressed person needs is your time and love, not your judgment, not telling the person that he has to pray and trust God. Trust me the person knew about that before they went into that state,” she said.

She also talked about how she had to change her environment and friends.

“I changed my environment, the people I hung out with a lot. I changed my friends, I started looking out for friends that would tell me things to boost my ego. The truth is that your friend is the person that would tell you the truth about you. What is the truth, the is that you beautiful, you are amazing, you are peculiar, you are unique, you are strong, you are bold, false, yes but that doesn’t take anything away from you.

“I started spending time with friends who would lift me up, a lot of it had to do with Uzzy because I was working with Uzzy at that time, half the time out sections would be Uzzy talking to me, he was like my sponsor, he was like my therapist. We would have conversations, sometimes it was just me talking he would not even give me any answers. And then I go to this Present House, Pastor Tony Rapu, I started going through that detoxifying and I was going through discipleship, it was just a personal thing for me. Thank God I was able to recognise love when I found it, because those that really love me, it was in their actions, not the mouth,” she said.

Credit: Pulse

In self development July 27, 2018 By Women of Rubies

10 THINGS TO LEARN FROM BETTY IRABOR’S BOOK, ‘DUST TO DEW’

After reading Betty’s book, Odion E. Okonofua of Pulse shares ten things we can all learn from Betty’s struggles with depression.

She wrote:

1. She wasn’t aware of problem at the early stage

For Betty Irabor, she had always found it difficult sleeping at night even at an early stage of her life. Even though she didn’t take it really seriously, it got worse as she aged. She was elusive of the fact there was a problem, rather she found solace in taking drugs from the pharmacy counter especially Valium 5. Apparently, it became a norm for her and it really didn’t do much for her, rather sleep became a luxury that she couldn’t afford.

2. The effects of an absent dad

In her very explosive book, Betty Irabor had a very strange relationship with her late father. Coming from a home where her father was always present, to watching your father send you away with your siblings to your mum, it must have been traumatic for her. Just like every child who grew up with a love and hate relationship with their dad, Betty mentioned her dad in almost every chapter making it look like she really liked him.

3. She had a strong family bond

One cannot ignore the fact Betty Irabor apparently has a very united and strong bond with her mother, two sisters, two brothers (one of them was her half-brother). From growing up with their dad to moving in with their mum who later got married again, she had an eventful childhood. They were all aware of her sleepless nights and tried as much as possible to be involved in getting her help. Even though they tried, it was obvious they too, were unaware of Betty’s ailment. They unconsciously had a specific way of starting up conversations with her “Did you get enough sleep?” or “Did you sleep at all?”

4. And a supporting husband

» moreBetty Irabor and her husband, Soni are celebrating 34 years of marriage. (Instagram)

In the first and a bit of the second chapter, Betty sounded like she was fighting her sleepless nights alone until she began to mention how her husband and veteran journalist, Soni Irabor became a part of the journey through her fights with depression. In the book, Soni could read her body languages, he alone understood more than anyone when she wasn’t alright. Even when she wanted to left alone, Soni knew the right buttons to get to his beautiful wife. He was present in almost all her visits to the various doctors and therapist.

5. Betty Irabor the workaholic

From childhood, Betty Irabor had always been the hardworking one even among her siblings. According to her, her mother preferred her doing the house chores and errands to her other sisters. Guess it played a major impact when she started off Genevieve Magazine. All through her struggles with depression, it didn’t affect her work as she put in so much work even when there were delays and little distractions. It took a lot of pressure from her staff for her to go on a two months break in the UK and allow them to run the affairs of the publishing house.

6. When she lost her brother

If you haven’t seen a copy of this book, then you should know it was dedicated in loving memory of her late brother, Fred Bello-Osagie. Fred and Betty had a very close relationship right from childhood so she was always there when he got ill (Sickle cell anemia). In the book, Betty had just gotten back from the United Kingdom and was making a recovery from depression when her brother fell ill and passed on. It gave her recovery a big blow as she relapsed in depression again.

7. Nigeria has a ”failed” medical system

After reading the book, you would see a clear reason why the government has to declare a state of emergency in the health sector. Betty gave instances where she visited hospitals with power facilities, like the time she describes a ceiling fan at a doctor’s office which looked really bad and old. The effects of a failed health system also came to play in the book when her late brother’s friend revealed that he (Fred) didn’t get urgent medical attention when they got to the hospital as he was left on the floor until a nurse was bribed to get a bed for him.

8. Discovering the exact problem

In the book, Betty Irabor wanted a solution to her inability to sleep and sought for help which kind of give the good, bad and ugly results. At some point, some hospitals made as much as almost half a million naira from treating her and it didn’t solve anything. She got really despite to finding a solution, she even visited a hypnotist while in the UK which amounted to nothing. It took the intervention of a Professor of psychiatry to discover that she was actually suffering from depression.

9. Depression ruins self-esteem

In the social circle, Betty Irabor is known to be a fashionista and is always a toast to the cameramen on the red carpets. Well when she began to fight depression, it took a toll on her physical appearance as she lost a lot of weight. Well, it really gave a big blow to her self-esteem as she began to hide for cameramen by always covering her face with a hand fan. A major blow to Betty’s self-esteem was when she traveled for the New York Fashion Week and didn’t leave her hotel all through the duration of the fashion event.

10. Finding help at the right place

After searching for help from different quarters, spending so much on prescription drugs without any solution, help finally came. Soni Irabor was able to drag a reluctant Betty to a doctor who was different from the other doctors. She got more than just prescription drugs, rather, it was more like taking different approach to getting help. Her new doctor wasn’t just interested in writing drugs or putting the blame on her but helped through the journey to a lasting solution to depression.

Credit: Odion E. Okonofua, Pulse.ng

In lifestyle July 26, 2018 By Women of Rubies

CHUKWUNETA OBY: UNDESERVING OF YOU….

Sometimes, what hurts when a relationship goes south isn’t really the end of the relationship but the emotions and resources invested!

As one grows older, you become aware of people who are undeserving of your presence in their lives and those whose absence (from your emotional space) is rather a relief.

This maAs you ‘feel’ your way through life, you will also begin to understand that real CARE is never in grandiose displays (a.k.a ‘assurance’) but in the little but consistent gestures of another towards you.

If whoever you are prioritizing in your life falls below the category before…he/she belongs to the category of PEOPLE WHO DON’T DESERVE YOU.

If all you have tried doing is ‘be a friend’ but what greets your efforts from someone who hasn’t even lifted a finger towards you, is being treated like a nuisance…he/she doesn’t deserve you.kes life a lot easy!

You are single-parenting but all your “love interest” seems to care about is YOU. Nobody who hasn’t shown sufficient interest in your “baggage” deserves you.

If the love is genuine, it should take all of you into perspective.
“Love me…love my dog,’’ remember?

When a relationship is strained, only a true friend would NOT wait for words to read the reconciliatory tone of your body language. But the one who would always want you to grovel for ‘peace’ doesn’t deserve you.
The spouse, to whom nothing (marital commitment, respect for your- person/feelings, concern for your health/family, etc) is enough to make him/her hold back from certain “misdemeanour” has long stopped deserving you.

The sanctity of marriage is expressed in the temptations out there that we hold back from yielding to.
Listen…
Everyone gets tempted to ‘misbehave,’ especially in marriage, but the one who has upheld his or her own side of the bargain simply chose to respect what he/she has with you.

And such disposition is NOT exactly borne out of weakness.
The ‘family’ that will rather resent your loving gesture, which has not come in monetary form, does not deserve you-frankly.
Of all the places where ‘money should talk’…the family should be the LEAST of such.

A family is where everyone should come as he/she is bringing along their vulnerability.

But when a family begins to carry on as if the only thing that can confer ‘worthiness’ on their own is some economic worth, such a family has become toxic to the selfless soul.

I had this conversation with a young man, recently. He feels so unworthy because he is not as comfortable economically as his siblings.
I pointed out to him that what (compassion) he is blessed with is even greater than any material worth.

Also, compared to most of them, his health is excellent and he’s been the one that is always there to help care for the ailing.

I am surprised that he has not seen how life has chosen to reward him. The combination of good health and a caring heart is a huge blessing!
If a supposed friend treats you any differently than how he treats any other-based on a social class…you are not safe with such a person.
“The worst custodians of LOYALTY are social climbers’’…says a friend.

They are the types who are constantly editing their life stories to ‘belong’.
Anybody who is incapable of cherishing the memories of little beginnings and the various actors in such settings isn’t trustworthy.

Don’t invest your emotions in that person who is all ‘caring’ only when they have a need for you.

You see that friend who makes efforts to keep in touch when he or she can conveniently look the other way?

That’s a friend to treasure for life! The age we live in has turned most of us to ‘users’ in one way or the other.

Any ‘close’ friend whose vulnerability (low moments, etc) you have never experienced isn’t on the same ‘emotional page’ with you and is most likely not as close as you think.

Sometimes, those that make you feel ‘not good enough’ are actually those that you do not belong with.
“If they don’t see anything wrong with their action…they will never stop the madness.

A toxic person, group or entity usually cannot see the fault in their actions.

When you bring it up to them, do not be alarmed if they hit you with manipulations and tactics to avoid accountability.

The older you get, the less stress you accept in your life.
You keep your circle small and you just overlook things you would have flipped out on- in the past.

When people want to leave your life, you just say “OK.’’ Ultimately, you are more peaceful and family oriented.

You just care less about the scene, fitting in and meaningless connections.

“You level up and really care about enjoying life every single day.’’ -Sylvester Mc.Nutt

Source: Guardian

In Career Gems July 25, 2018 By Women of Rubies

NINE-YEAR-OLD EMMANUELLA OZIOFU DEVELOPS APP AND WEBSITE TO EMPOWER NIGERIAN CHILDREN

Nine-year-old Emmanuella Oziofu has successfully developed an app and website to empower Nigerian children. Her website, www.emmas academy.com, aims to empower young Nigerians with skills in area of coding, web development and graphic design. Her mobile app, Emma’s ICT Academy which is available on google playstore, is aimed at encouraging both fellow kids and even parents to imbibe a culture of eating healthy local and international dishes.

Emmanuella who is a fifth Grade student of Skycrest Schools enrolled at Mikon Institute of Information Technology, where she bagged a Certificate in Basic Training – Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and later, a Diploma in Desktop Publishing in 2016. She also has certificate in Web Design from Complete Computer Technology Institute (CCT), in 2017,

Her journey into Information Communication Technology started when she was just seven years old, and at nine, she already has a diploma in Desktop Publishing, Advance Excel, Adobe Page Maker, Advance Power Point and Corel Draw. In 2018, despite her routine class work she also enrolled to study Web Development and Graphic Design at NIIT.

Emmanuella went ahead to enrol for Mobile App development at Tech24 and developed her personal mobile app, as well as designed and hosted her own website, known as Emma’s ICT Academy. She claims to have mastered operations in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, WordPress, PHP, Mysql and Graphic Design after successfully completing online courses at SOLOLEARN, California and acquired Certificates in HTML Fundamentals Course; Certificate in PHP Tutorial Course; Certificate in CSS Fundamentals Course; Certificate in SQL Fundamentals Course; Certificate in JavaScript Tutorial Course and Certificate in JQuery Tutorial Course.

Emmanuella reveals that she would like to help teach young children about ICT and also broaden her knowledge about the field in future. Speaking with Hi-Tech at the unveiling of her mobile app and website, she said that her passion to impact lives meaningfully informed her decision to acquire knowledge in ICT.

She said:

“My target was to become a professional web designer and analyst at age nine, and I have accomplished it. I have developed over 12 websites, static and dynamic for my school. I also want to project my skills, among which is a web agency (www.emmas academy. com) to teach people how to build a website. “Another is to teach young ones how to prepare healthy Nigerian food.”

She had previously created a chat site, a personal website and had at the age of eight, created three websites for her former school, Fortune Schools in Benin, Edo.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/07/incredible-tech-feat-nine-year-old-girl-develops-app-website-to-empower-fellow-kids/

Source: Vanguard

In self development July 24, 2018 By Women of Rubies

DR. EZINNE MERIBE: FAT IS NOT YOUR ENEMY

In recent times, thanks to the increased awareness for healthy eating and largely due to increased efforts to combat the ‘obesity epidemic’ and heart disease in the West, low fat foods flooded the market. You may ask what has West got to do with how we all eat? We are largely influenced by Western media and since in the world of science, we always look up to them for new frontiers in research, we swallowed the low-fat evangelism – hook, line and sinker. Note that the rise in obesity and heart disease may have had more to do with the increasing sedentary lifestyle.
The argument against fat was that fat was making us fat and we needed to replace all that fat with carbohydrates. Fat was kicked out from food production, food manufacturers had to come up with a better way to make the foods more palatable – what did we get? Processed low-fat foods high in sugar.

This led to a lot of misconceptions and sadly an increase in the same diseases that we set out to prevent. (please note that carbs are not the enemy either. Good nutrition basically entails having a sizable amount of all classes of food during meal times). Contrary to what the manufacturers say, “low fat” foods contain as much calories as the ones that contain regular fat (if not more). The low-fat label was simply a guise to sell more products.

I cringe when I see people promote low fat foods as part of a healthy diet or for weight loss. Thanks to this trend, it is common to have clients tell me on our first coaching call ‘oh I have been eating low-fat A or low-fat B’. My advice is always, ‘throw it away, you don’t need it’. You are better off eating your full fat in moderation, getting all the amazing benefits of good quality fat and ditching all that over-processed sugar (too many chemical bonds) that your body has to struggle to digest.
The fat you want to avoid are the fats that raise cholesterol levels, clog the arteries and cause overall problems to the heart and organs. These are the trans fats usually on the ingredients list as partially hydrogenated oil.

Most foods labelled low fat contain trans-fat. This fat is gotten by adding hydrogen to the natural fats to make it solid that way, it can stay longer on the shelves. Trans fat increases risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

Again, low fat foods contain stunning amounts of sugar which keeps the consumer hooked on the product – think food addiction & cravings. These sugars also come from refined carbs. Our bodies digest refined carbs more quickly. As a result, this will cause a spike in the blood sugar, increasing the risk of diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol levels.
They are also laden with salt/MSG to enhance taste. High salt content can cause high blood pressure. (Also note, not your regular table salt).
The good news is fat is essential for blood clotting, muscle movement, maintaining healthy blood vessels and the correct functioning of the nervous system. It helps the body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K and minerals. It is also a great source of energy.
Did you know your hormones are made from fat? Eliminating good quality fat from our meals will result in deficiency of these vitamins and that can impact your immunity and limit the body’s ability to heal itself.
Here are some foods that contain the healthy fats your body will be grateful for.

Seeds and nuts – walnuts, flax seeds, chia etc.
Fish – Salmon, mackerel, sardines, cord, are great sources of healthy fat. They are rich in Omega 3 which is essential to maintain optimum health.
Avocado – Full of healthy fats, they’re also abundant in vitamin K, B vitamins, potassium and much more. If you cannot stand eating it alone, there are so many ways to incorporate it into your meal daily – using it as a spread on your toast, adding it to your smoothie blend (powers up your smoothie and keeps you fuller for longer), adding it to a salad or having it as a side dish.

Eggs: Rich in protein and healthy fats. Be sure to always include the yolk as well as the egg whites, to get the best of both worlds. In the past we were made to believe the yolk was full of cholesterol and not good for the body. Just in case you haven’t read the latest news/research, egg yolks are good for you. I mean what is an egg without the yolk?
Don’t forget your oils too. Oils like extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil and palm oil.

And if you love a warm glass of milk like me (except you are lactose intolerant), please say goodbye to skimmed milk, that is the height of punishment.

In summary, there is a lot of evidence to show that healthy sources of fat improve heart health. There is no long-term benefit of low-fat diets with regards to weight loss and disease reduction.

Eating your fats from whole food options is your best bet, but if you must get it in packed foods, ditch the low-fat labels in front and inspect the food label at the back closely. Reading your food label is a great way to ensure that the food actually contains the promises on the packet. Most importantly, get active. Make it a habit to take ‘walking breaks’ while at work. Find an activity you love and get in your feeling with it.
The problem is not that we are eating fat, the real problem is – we are not using it for fuel.

About Ezinne Meribe
Dr. Ezinne Meribe is the host of Beyond A Dress Size podcast; a podcast series that creates stimulating conversations to pull down misconceptions on nutrition, weight loss, health and body diversity while empowering women to live life beyond the numbers on the dress label, scale or tape.She is the Lead Wellness Coach/Founder at Zinnyslifestyle, where she leverages her professional qualifications and personal experience to teach women how to OWN & LOVE their bodies and LIVE in it fabulously; having successfully won the struggle with being overweight and loving her body. A UK certified Wellness Professional with a Bachelors in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), she completed her postgraduate training in Public Health at Kumamoto University, Japan. As a Medical Doctor and Public Health Specialist, she continues to promote preventive medicine as the number one way to combat the severe health system constraints in developing countries.

You can connect with her on
Instagram @zinnyslifestyle
Facebook @zinnyslifestyle
Read more on Medium @ezinnemeribe

In self development July 23, 2018 By Women of Rubies

JOY EREKPAINE: MY LUPUS STORY

My name is Joy Ogheneovo Erekpaine. Am 35yrs old. I was diagnosed with SLE in 2014. In October 2014 I was rushed to one of the General hospital here in Lagos Nigeria due to heavy bleeding. I had fibroid issue. I bled to the stage of needing a transfusion. I was in that hospital for 17days and I was given about 10pints of blood. The more I was transfused the more the blood comes out.

At a point, the consultant that came to see me said am anemic and they needed to carry out a procedure to ascertain what was really wrong. They couldn’t do this because I was still bleeding, so instead of keeping me, they transfered me to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). On getting there they were on strike, and they recommended for us to go Island Maternity at Marina Lagos. Getting to Island Maternity, I was attended to. Tests carried out and they were able to stop the bleeding. I was discharged and asked to get back for check up the following week. I was discharged on a Monday and by Friday same week, I was rushed again to Island Maternity.

How we got there is still a miracle because i couldn’t breathe through my nose but my mouth,I lost my voice completely,couple with the heavy traffic on third mainland bridge. God came through for me that day. On arrival at the hospital I was taken to the ER, placed on oxygen and later the consultant came to see me, was asked so many questions, tests were run again and the consultant said he couldn’t place his hands on what was happening so another referral came. I was given two referrals. One to LASUTH and the other to Lagos University Teaching Hospital – LUTH. We got to LASUTH that night and no bed space, we were told to go to LUTH. We were told if no bed space we should ask for “Spill Over ward”.(It was also the Ebola crisis time with Nigeria). Eventually I was admitted at the Spill Over ward in LUTH.

That night I was attended too- different teams of Doctors came, asking questions and running series of tests on me. It was devasting but God showed Himself mightily in my Life. I had rashes on my neck, I had blood patches all over my body. My platelets were about 10,000. I was transfused again totaling 28pints in LUTH. Series of tests were carried out. My blood sample was taken to South Africa too. Blood was coming out of everywhere it could flow out from my body- I was vomiting lumps of blood, there was blood in my brain, blood in my stool, my eyes were bloodshot, my nose was running with blood gushing out, my menstrual flow won’t stop too.

With the series of tests carried out I was told I had West Nile Hermorhagic fever which is under the Ebola disease but not as deadly as Ebola. I was isolated there at LUTH and treatment going on. It was horrible, so horrible. At a point all i was thinking about was dead. Some family members had started saying it was spiritual, I was told I offended someone etc. At a time, the doctors had to set up a central Line for blood transfusion and giving of drips as all my veins had collapsed. I didn’t eat for five days as I was being monitored. I gave up on myself as I couldn’t understand what was happening again. I sent messages to my Pastors and they came over. Shiloh was fast approaching and I kept telling God I wanted to serve Him again and I needed to be well to do that. On one of those days, I told my pastor I wanted to be discharged and be taken to Canaan land so I could die in The house Of God, Yea it got to that. My pastor put a call through to Bishop, he prayed for me and that very day the vomiting of blood ceased. Then tests being carried out began to make some sense. Eventually the tests results from South Africa came in and it showed LUPUS. Haaaa what is lupus again?The doctors tried to explain it all but I wasn’t taking it. All I wanted was to go home. I got well and was discharged.

When I was being lectured by the doctors on lupus, I didn’t really pay attention. My medications got finished in Feb 2015, I was so happy(Ignorance got me) and by March I was admitted again. After I was discharged I Google and began to study all about it. My life changed. It’s not been a easy journey with lupus. Depression keeps creeping in. I stopped work and still not working till now. At a time my own father said it’s better am dead than living and wasting people’s resources for a sickness that can’t be cured. I’ve lost friends and relationships. But I haven’t lost myself. Lupus has taught me to LOVE me more. I keep more to myself. When people around start behaving funny because I have lupus, I shot them out of my life. It’s not been easy oooh but it’s been God. I used to have this nonchalant attitude towards things but it has all changed now. Even when I get depressed and frustration creeps in, I still remember I have God in me, and I keep moving up.

I cry! Yes to ease the tension In me. It’s been a sweet and sour experience. I see myself these days more of a warrior. Lupus cannot and will not pull me down but I will pull it down. I’ll defeat lupus. I’ll shame lupus. Things may not be as they should, but I always remember I’ve got God in me. Life is beautiful so don’t allow your challenges define you.
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In Career Gems July 19, 2018 By Women of Rubies

MARY AKPOBOME, COMEDIAN ALIBABA’S WIFE, LAUNCHES PURPLE GIRL FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT GIRL-CHILD EDUCATION

The Purple Girl Foundation has been established to help young girls who lack the means to further their education by reason of their family background, location, or social status.

According to the board of trustees, the launch of the Purple Girl Foundation is intended to bring together key stakeholders in the education and social development space from both the private and public sector to provide more insight around the issues around girl-child education in Nigeria. One of the major goals of the foundation is to proffer conceivable resolutions to these issues that will significantly assuage the plight of indigent young girls in Nigeria who face obvious challenges in pursuing their education.

The theme for the event was “Girl-Child Education for Nation Building” and it gathered together industry experts and professionals in various aspects of social development and education. Mrs. Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa delivered the keynote address and Mary Akpobome addressed guests on major reasons why the foundation has come alive.

The panel discussion session involved Professor Yomi Fawehinmi, Advisor, Horizons & Pathways, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Dr. Abosede Lewu, Founder, Girlsaide Initiative; Mr. Mohammed Ahmed,Director, Schools, Education & Society, British Council; and Mrs. Chinedum Oluwadamilola, Head of School, Corona Secondary School.

Other guests in attendance include ace comedian Alibaba, DayStar Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Nike Adeyemi, representative of the Lagos state deputy governor, former deputy governor of Lagos, Mrs SarahSosan, retired AIG of police Tunji Alapini, Richard Mofe Damijo, amongst others.

For more about the event, visit www.purplegirlfoundation.org or write to info@purplegirlfoundation.org

Culled from Pulse

In self development July 19, 2018 By Women of Rubies

SEUN ADIGUN BECOMES AFRICA’S FIRST-EVER WINTER AND SUMMER OLYMPIAN

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially recognized the captain of the Nigeria Bobsled team, Seun Adigun as the first African to compete at both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games.

Seun and her team represented Nigeria at the 2018 Winter Olympics, and made history as the first bobsled team ever to qualify from Africa.

Before appearing at PyeongChang 2018, Adigun had represented Nigeria in the women’s 100-metre hurdles at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

According to Temple Management Company, Adigun’s confirmation came alongside that of Tonga’s Pita Taufatofua, who was a taekwondo practitioner before switching to skiing.

Seun Adigun said:

“This is a real-life example of what it means to represent African excellence and a true testament to the fact that impossible is nothing. This milestone is truly a blessing.”

Credit: konbini.com

In self development July 16, 2018 By Women of Rubies

MEET IRENE AUMA, THE YOGA INSTRUCTOR USING YOGA TO REHABILITATE FEMALE PRISONERS IN KENYA

Yoga Instructor, Irene Auma is inspiring female prisoners in Kenya through the country’s first-ever yoga-in-prisons program.

Using her initiative, Peace Within Prison Yoga (PWPY) Auma gets female prisoners to come together for yoga and meditation. This creates a relaxed environment in which the inmates openly reflect on their crimes, thereby making their rehabilitation easy.

Speaking about what inspires her to do more in her work, Auma said:

“[The female prisoners] are here with different cases and some are sad, some are missing their families. They are missing their normal lives and I do it because it is a service to humanity.”

You can follow PWPY on Instagram.