Yes, women are not allowed to give birth in the village.
What happens is that when a pregnant woman is in labor, she’s taken out of the village and allowed to return only after the child is born.
A pregnant woman spoke to the BBC, asking that the practice be abolished.
Watch the documentary below:
Credit: Bella Naija
Actress, Bisola Aiyeola was part of a charitable group from The Temple Company, who visited a health center to donate relief materials to the victims of the Ita-Faji three-storey building collapse that happened on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.
She was joined alongside a singer Jeff Akoh and a comedian who is known as Mama Tobi, on a visit to a hospital where those who were affected were receiving treatment.
It was a sad day on Wednesday, when pupils attending the Ohen Nursery and Primary School, were covered in the debris of the building collapse.
In response on her Instagram, Aiyeola captured a mood of appreciation while mourning over the deaths that were recorded after the building collapsed.
“That we wake up and go about our daily activities is a special gift/grace that we must not take advantage of. What I saw today almost broke me till I realized that it was meant to strengthen me and remind me of how lucky/blessed I am.
“If you are reading this from the comfort of your home, office, school, club or on your way to or from one of them, you should be thankful too. May the ill and wounded be healed and the departed Rest In Peace.
“May God also console the bereaved,”she concludes in her Instastory.
In a report by Punch News on the day of the accident confirms a comment from a member of the family that own the building that collapsed confirming that the structure had given signs of an imminent disaster.
The comment was made by Erinoluwa Akinmoladun, the family member who shared that the house had close to 110 primary school pupils attending the learning center located on the top floor of the affected building.
Credit: pulse.ng
The business of tech continues to be redefined by innovators in a wide array of professional fields. Some are developers, with extensive backgrounds in programming. However, many of the people growing tech-enabled businesses, have little to no work or academic experience in the field.
From art and law, management to finance, the non-techies below, have all discovered a way to use their unique expertise to create value for customers through technology.
Sandra Oyewole
Partner & Head, General Practice Group, Olajide Oyewole LLP
Complex, ever-changing laws and regulations that guide the use of technology, require someone knowledgeable to help navigate the legalese. Sandra Oyewole, a lawyer with more than 25 years of experience, is a Partner at Olajide Oyewole LLP, where she heads the intellectual property, technology and telecommunications areas for the firm.
Technology’s impact on all sectors has made it imperative for her to consider digital technology when advising clients, citing the evolution of music distribution for redirecting her focus to technology, “The crash of the CD and the rise of digital distribution of music was a trigger for me in terms of technology.”
For women considering a career in technology, Sandra offers her two favourite quotes, “Rome was not built in a day.” and “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Lola Kassim
General Manager, West Africa, Uber
Good management is vital to the success of any company, inside or outside of tech. Lola Kassim, has found a space within one of the world’s top tech companies, leading the Uber West Africa team, overseeing operations, marketing, communications, legal and policy for the organization in two countries.
Before Uber, Lola worked with McKinsey & Company and the Liberian government, but was drawn to the world of technology because it has “the power to
impact lives and enhance how we live day-to-day.”
“Don’t feel that you need to have a tech-heavy background to succeed in the industry. Learn about things you’re interested in and explore your passions. You can’t predict now where your experiences will lead you to along the way. So dive in, and make the most of all opportunities to grow,” she advises.
Mohini Ufeli
Media Manager, Paystack
Mohini Ufeli’s superpower is multimedia storytelling. As Media Manager for Paystack, she leads media efforts for the rapidly growing, Lagos-based, fintech company crafting stories that create an emotional connection between the brand and its customers. Before Paystack, Mohini held a similar position with Andela, another tech company.
Mohini “fell into Nigeria’s tech scene by serendipity”, after a photo shoot with Andela developers led to her employment there as Media Manager. “Own your voice. You have value and perspective to add to the conversation,” she says.
Lexi Novitske
Principal Investment Officer, Singularity Investments
When tech companies require investment, they look towards venture capitalists and other financial funnels that help funds flow. Lexi Novitske is the Principal Investment Officer at Singularity Investments, a firm that has invested in several African tech startups including Paystack, Flutterwave, mPharma and Asoko Insight.
According to Lexi, she is “investing in and partnering with African entrepreneurs that will change the world. Strong talent driving new tech models in Africa would generate the continent’s next wave of economic growth.”
Lexi arrived Nigeria in 2012 and managed investments at Nigerian private equity firm Verod Capital Management. Before Verod, she worked at New York-based Sandler O’Neill Asset Management.
Lexi points out that risk aversion, a trait that is identified with women, make female-backed businesses solid investments.
Temie Giwa-Tubosun
CEO, LifeBank
Coming up with life-saving services is one half of Temie Giwa-Tubosun’s job. Management is the other. The Founder and CEO runs LifeBank, a company that leverages technology to improve access to medical products in Africa, and says she looked towards technology when she decided to improve access to life-saving blood and oxygen resources after a traumatic experience.
Having worked at different management roles in the health sector, including stints at the United Nations and the Lagos State Government, her knowledge of the health sector was a key differentiating factor for starting her company. She already knew the market and had the right relationships. When asked for her thoughts on women in technology, she responds, “We are just getting started.”
Damilola Marcus
Art Director, Dá Design Studio
Damilola Marcus and her Dá Design Studio team make things look good. Working in the space where aesthetics and tech intersect, they create the visual branding technology companies need for products and collateral. “Design and technology have ‘problem-solving’ in common,” says Damilola, who holds her passion and knowledge of design as a strength.
“Chase excellence,” she recommends. “It is extremely important to find a niche and own it. The easiest way to do this is to do what you love and learn it hard.”
Anike Lawal
CEO, Mamalette
Not being a techie did not stop Anike Lawal, CEO and Founder of Mamalette, from finding a tech-enabled solution to a social problem. After having her child, Anike’s interest in building a community of mothers led her to explore connecting via technology.
The Mamalette web-based platform delivers information about health services in local communities and provides support for expecting mothers, as well as infant care. Although she worked in business development and has a master’s degree in law and accounting, Anike decided to learn the basics of coding and graphic design when she started her business. Currently, she provides strategic and operational direction for Mamalette, while also managing programs and activities.
On getting more women to consider using tech to build products they need, My pet peeve is seeing men building and developing tech platforms for women or mothers, that could have been built by us.”
Solape Hammond
Co-Founder, Impact Hub Lagos
Developing tech products or services is one thing, developing a model that sustains the business is another. Impact Hub Lagos is part of a global network that provides the support and community emerging entrepreneurs need while growing their businesses.
Solape Hammond, CEO and Co-Founder of the co-working and innovation space, has a background in management consulting, strategy and social entrepreneurship. “I worked for one of the world’s largest technology consulting firms and saw firsthand how technology transforms businesses. This led to a determination to do the same for startups. To help new businesses solve problems in new innovative ways and scale fast.”
At Impact Hub Lagos, Solape works with entrepreneurs to accelerate their businesses, and contributes to ecosystem initiatives such as hackathons, innovation roundtables and studies. She encourages women seeking a career in technology to be bold, “There’s never been a better time.”
Eloho Gihan-Mbelu
Managing Director and CEO, Endeavor Nigeria
Eloho Omame Gihan-Mbelu is a former investment banker and private equity investor. As Managing Director and CEO of Endeavor Nigeria, she supports startups by mentoring high-impact entrepreneurs leading tech ventures. Meeting founders like Sim Shagaya of Konga and Tayo Oviosuof Paga, “who were building pioneering tech companies in Nigeria and were determined to succeed against all odds” helped her understand the value of mentorship for founders early in their journey. Under her leadership, Endeavour supports tech companies like BitPesa, Cars45 and Paga.
“Don’t wait until you have all the answers or even know all the questions, to build an effective network,” she recommends for those considering a tech career.
Tosin Dada-Faniro
Head, Startups (Lagos Innovates) LSETF
Government participation in infrastructure innovation is an important part of impacting communities. Tosin Dada-Faniro gets to do this as Head of Startups for Lagos Innovates, a set of programs, initiated by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), aimed at making it easier to build a successful tech startup in Lagos. With a strong background in finance and project management, Tosin finds that she is “in a unique position to make a difference” through technology. “Women deserve a seat at the table. We have worked hard, continue to work hard and we should not be afraid to put ourselves out there.” Tosin says.
This post is brought to you by TechCabal and BellaNaija
Culled from Bella Naija
The writer tells Vanity Fair in a chat that proceeds from the sales of the neckpieces will go to PEN America, whose mission is to protect worldwide free expression.
Adichie explains the meaning of the design:
I was thinking about what I wanted to remember of this time. We’re living in a time where I feel a sense of urgency because—and it’s not just America—I think the Western world is moving to the right. I sometimes wonder if this [is] what 1937 was like, where people in Europe felt this sense of a shift. The reason that I find it really troubling is that the idea of dehumanizing your fellow human beings has become almost acceptable and casual. The crossed arrows represent the idea of living passionately and living knowing that our time here is short and that we need to make the most of it. I feel that every morning, actually. Every time I look at the pendant I want to think about this urgency—and that one must live in a way that is meaningful.
I grew up thinking of America as a place where certain things would never happen, politically. I no longer think that because all of the things that happened in Nigeria when I was growing up, which was a military dictatorship, are happening here. You can just sense it, there really isn’t the rule of law. You get the sense that institutions are not as strong and resilient as you thought, you even get the sense that the president can just bring in anybody from his family to become part of [the] government in a way that makes no sense. That’s classic in many African countries. I’m mourning an idea of America that I used to hold very close.
Chimamanda Adichie has advised women to do whatever pleases them including wearing whatever they like.
She made this known during an interview with CNN‘s special program on Africa, ‘African Voices.’ The award-winning author said it is important that women do not have to do anything to please anyone.
“Wear what you want to wear. I say that as kind of a joke. But in a larger sense, I think it would be, don’t think you have to do what people want you to do. Increasingly, in part of growing older for me, I’m 41, and when I was 30, when I was 27, I think I was a lot more invested in kind of thinking about what people expected and what people wanted. And I think it’s mentally exhausting to do that.
“And, you take away from yourself, the energy that you could have used to do things that are actually meaningful to you. Now, I feel old and wise and I would say to that younger version of myself, and actually, I’ll say also to young women all over the world to, it’s so important not to think that you have to perform for somebody else. It’s really important to, what I like to call own yourself,” she said.
Credit: pulse.ng
In celebration of the International Women’s Day, Pulse Movies highlight some of the most inspiring female directors and producers who are making impact in Nollywood industry, in no particular order.
Mo Abudu
Ever since Mo Abudu ventured into filmmaking, she has turned herself into a reputable auteur and a force on both the big screen.
Her magic wand produced top Nollywood blockbusters like ‘The Wedding Party’ franchise, ‘Fifty,’ ‘The Royal Hotel Hibiscus.’ Abudu was also responsible for some TV production that includes ‘The Governor,’ ‘Desperate Housewives Africa,’ ‘Sons of the Caliphate,’ and ‘Fifty the Series.’
‘The Wedding Party’ and ‘The Wedding Party: Destination Dubai,’ which grossed hundreds of millions of Naira, are huge success currently ranking as the top two highest grossing Nollywood movies.
In 2017, Abudu was mentioned in The Hollywood Reporter’s annual list of the ‘25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television alongside Angelica Guerra (Latin America), Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner(United Kingdom).
In 2018, Abudu made headlines again with ‘Chief Daddy’ after which she got herself a seat as one of the academy directors for the prestigious Emmys.
Biola Alabi
Biola Alabi is notable for spearheading the berth of one of Africa’s biggest movie awards, Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, while she worked with Multichoice Nigeria.
After her exit from the cable TV company, Alabi began working on her production house, Biola Alabi Media. The company delved into movie production and have successfully found space as a major player in the industry.
With the production of ‘Banana Island Ghost’ and ‘Lara & the beat,’ the company has made an impactful contribution to Nollywood.
Alabi went a step further to host a TV show on Arise Network. She has since been a host of the TV station coverage of the Academy Awards, Oscars since 2017.
Kemi Adetiba
Kemi Adetiba carved a niche for herself after shot series of music videos for top Nigerian musicians that included Olamide and Niyola.
A graduate of the New York Film Academy, Adetiba has worked as an On-Air Presenter, TV show host before she started shooting music videos.
A filmmaker, and television director whose works have appeared on Channel O, MTV Base, Soundcity TV, and BET, Kemi Adetiba made her entry into Nollywood when she worked on ‘Wedding Party 1’ for EbonyLife films.
Adetiba was also responsible for some issue based series and documentaries that include ‘Brotherhood’ and ‘King Women.’
The success of the feature film saw her making her second feature film, ‘King Of Boys,’ a political thriller that ruled 2018.
Aside from breaking her own record with ‘The Wedding Party 1,’ Adetiba was listed as a game changer in 2019.
According to a Nigerian economist, Bismarck Rewane, Kemi Adetiba amongst the 15 people who he believes will shape the country’s economy.
Tope Oshin
Tope Oshin was the only female director on M-Net’s hit soap opera ‘Tinsel’ in its first five seasons – she shot about 350 episodes of the show.
She has produced and directed several acclaimed movies such as ‘Fifty,’ ‘Journey to Self,’ ‘In Line’ among others.
She is also known for directing series such as ‘Hush,’ ‘Hotel Majestic,’ ‘The Apprentice Africa,’ ‘Shuga’ (Season 3 and 6).
Oshin has also directed several short films including ‘The Young Smoker’, ‘Till Death Do Us Part’ and ‘New Horizons.’
In 2016, she directed the documentary, “Amaka’s Kin: The Women Of Nollywood,” a memorial to influential filmmaker Amaka Igwe, who died in 2014, and had before her death, paved the way for most female filmmakers.
In 2017, she shot the critically acclaimed movie, ‘We don’t live here anymore’ and in 2018, she returned to the cinemas with ‘Up North.’
Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji is one of the accomplished Nigerian movie stars with mentions in international media.
The actress has featured in over 200 movies since her career kicked off 20 years ago. She also featured in the film ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ based on Chimamanda Ngozi’s book of the same name about the Nigerian-Biafran War from 1967-70.
In 2015, Nnaji made her debut as a producer when she co-produced ‘Road to yesterday’ which she also featured in.
In 2018, she made her directorial debut with the movie, ‘Lionheart.’ The movie became the first Nollywood movie to be acquired by Netflix before release. It was premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and got good reviews.
Nnaji has since signed a management deal with a top US talent management firm and has been working on new grounds to break into Hollywood.
Bolanle Austen-Peters
The managing director and founder of renowned Arts and Cultural organisation, Terra Culture, Bolanle Austen-Peters ventured into filmmaking with “93 Days,” a stirring depiction of how the deadly Ebola virus was contained in Lagos.
Bolanle Austen-Peters Production is popular for producing critically acclaimed musicals such as “SARO the Musical,” “WAKAA!” and “FELA and the Kalakuta Queens.”
In 2018, Bolanle Austen-Peters took it a notch higher as she made her directorial debut by shooting her second feature film, ‘The Blings Lagosians.’
Biodun Stephens
Biodun Stephens resigned her job as an On-Air Presenter to study filmmaking and scriptwriting at the London film academy.
Upon her return, she immersed herself into making a change in Nollywood and partnered with Koga Entertainment to make the movie, ‘The Visit,’ which went on to open doors for her.
Working with several individuals, Stephens made headlines again with the interesting drama, ‘Picture Perfect’ in 2017.
In 2018, Stephens joins Tope Oshin as one of the female filmmakers working with M-Net and Multichoice Nigeria to create content for Africa Magic.
Stephens is billed to released a faith-based feature film, ‘Joba’ in 2019.
Credit: pulse.ng
Riley Morrison is just 9 years old and she’s changing the game for female athletes. In November, the young girl wrote a letter to three-time NBA champion Stephen Curry expressing her concern over the lack of girls’ sizes in his Under Armour kids‘ basketball sneakers.
Not only did Steph write back to Riley about how he was going to “fix the issue,” but they worked together to design a new pair of basketball shoes for International Women’s Day.
Stephen Curry
✔@StephenCurry30
Appreciate you helping us get better Riley! We got you. #MoreToCome
On March 7, the day before the release of the new sneakers, Riley (who coincidentally has the same name as Steph’s oldest daughter) joined the Golden State Warriors player to debut their hard work.
Under Armour Hoops
✔@UAbasketball
Look at what the power of a voice can create. 9-year old Riley Morrison wrote a letter to @stephencurry30 to let him know she could not find his signature shoe in girls sizes. 5 months later, she co-designed theE #Curry6 for International Women’s Day. #UnitedWeWin
Riley and Steph worked together on the UA ICON Curry 6 United We Win purple shoe, which features a sockliner designed by Riley. The liner has inspiring quotes like “Girls Hoop Too,” “Play With Heart,” “Girl Power,” and more.
“I WAS IMMEDIATELY IMPRESSED WHEN I SAW RILEY’S LETTER; THAT A 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL HAD THE COURAGE TO USE HER VOICE TO CALL ATTENTION TO AN ISSUE AND KEEP US ACCOUNTABLE,”
Steph said.
“SHE WAS FOCUSED ON THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL GIRLS, NOT JUST HERSELF. SHE’S BEEN AN AMAZING CATALYST FOR CHANGE – NOT ONLY WITH MY PRODUCT BUT ALSO WITH THE ENTIRE UNDER ARMOUR BRAND. SHE IS INSPIRING, AND WISE BEYOND HER YEARS.”
The sneaker’s colorway that blends purple and deep orchid with white is also reflective of International Women’s Day, as purple is the internationally recognized color to symbolize women, according to the IWD website.
Credit: Fab Woman
Nollywood actress and producer, Toyin Abraham has reacted to the report that Nigerian entertainer, MC Galaxy allegedly asked ladies to strip and touch themselves intimately on his Instagram live video in order to win the sum of #50,000 cash prize.
Reacting to this act, Toyin Abraham spared no words in criticizing the singer while condemning the act. In a lengthy letter, she described what he did as despicable, debasing of women and urged him to be more like other celebs who focus on helping people.
She wrote:
“Dear MC Galaxy, what you did asking girls to go naked for 50k is despicable, debasing, and bad in every way. You just further strengthen the believe that the easiest way women can get things is to sell their bodies. I sincerely can’t fathom what you need or gain from this despicable act when you could have checked in on p*rn sites.”
“I am not trying to be a moral judge, I am the least qualified to judge a fellow human, but just the way you used your influence and platform for this woman-debasing act, I am also using mine to stand against an act ridiculing women and further prove that some men are scum. See what people like LindaIkeji, KemiAdetiba, Chimamanda, (Even your friend, LauraIkeji), and other women are doing with their platforms, they lift other women by living, giving and not asking for n*des.”
“You can as well follow examples of young men like Davido, TundeEdnut, Wizkid, and Banky W. My message to those girls that went naked on your page is this -please let’s do better, let’s stop making men like Mr. Galaxy think everything about women is money. Don’t sell yourself short because of 50k, its the least of the money you will make in your lifetime. We are women, we are powerful, we are not cheap. With love always, Toyin Abraham.”
I know it’s a natural tendency for the mature single woman to cling to any semblance of love that comes her way-once loneliness sets in.“No relationship” remains better than “anyhow relationship” in my books. I am compelled to discuss this issue due to the alarming rate at which a lot of “mature single ladies” leave their emotional wellbeing/destiny in the hands of men-that do not deserve them.
There are so many reasons why the “mature single woman” should be careful about where and from whom she seeks love. At certain age, it becomes safer to date someone you are introduced to (by loved ones) or someone you operate in the same social circle with and have mutual friends with also.
Young men of this age can smell “loneliness” from afar and are usually quick to move in for the kill. There is nothing wrong with meeting a man elsewhere (the social media, etc.) but I take such relationships serious only when it is taken beyond such platforms and until you get to know more (via carrying out your own findings) about a man, please still consider yourself super single and searching…and you will find. Just don’t be desperate -lest you fall into the hands of “anybody” with a third leg.
One thing you must understand about life is that love does not elude anybody. There is always a lover for somebody. It’s just that most of us look in the wrong places and desperately so. Another thing is the tendency to give in to despair-too fast. How much can anybody truly achieve in life with a mentality of ‘my own is finished’?
At certain age, I encourage every single lady to “play big”…join elite recreational outfits (learn golf, tennis etc.) or certain humanitarian societies, where you meet and make friends with people: of substance/with reputation to protect (you should know what I mean).Stop giving every man that flashes the ‘L’ word at you powers over your emotional wellbeing. Any worthwhile relationship should be aimed at mutual fondness and respect, not one in which one party feels he is doing the other a favour by being in the relationship.
The best way to beat loneliness is to keep busy, go back to school if you have to, continually seek to improve yourself intellectually. If you don’t travel –please start doing so. Don’t limit your chances…love can be found anywhere. And what better way to find your love, than in the course of bettering your lot? If you are busy “getting better” with yourself, you will not be keen to entertain desperate measures towards love.
Cultivate good exercise regimen to take better care of yourself. Overhaul lots of things in your life-including unhealthy diet and social circle. A woman that takes good care of herself does not lack admirers-at any age…quote me.
Finally, keep a positive mind-set…it is everything!Marriage doesn’t really solve anyone’s problems because it comes with its own challenges, like every other phase of life. If you don’t lead a fulfilled life as a single, you are not likely to do so as a married person. While single, spend a lot of your time improving yourself and having fun while at it.
I don’t encourage anybody to get saddled with someone they are not down with because of societal pressure. It takes very little for such unions to pack up and when it does, you will be back to square one…being single is much more tolerable than being in a bad marriage. Marriage does not define anybody, “who” you are defines you!
Source: Guardian
The #MeToo movement has found its way to this part of the world, and the essence of it, is to remove the shame that’s typically associated with speaking out as a victim of sexual assault.
The end goal is to turn male-dominated and abusive power structures on their heads, and the Nigerian fashion industry has woken up to this, with models naming and shaming abusers they’ve come across in the past.
Nigerian models recently rallied together in a bid to stop the casual sexual violence they suffer, by calling out rampant perpetrators — specifically photographers and booking agents — as well as giving advice to young, aspiring models.
The success of a model’s career is largely dependent on the rooms her booking agent can get her into, and from the testaments shared on an Instagram page dedicated to this cause, it’s clear the men in these positions realised their power and used it to prey on these models.
Speaking to Konbini about this, top model Aduke Bey said:
“I’m lucky enough to never have experienced any sexual violence in fashion so far, but I know so many people who have. In fact, more people than not have been assaulted and it’s such a shame.
First of all, we need more women in the industry as photographers, cinematographers etc, so that we can feel more comfortable around each other, and we won’t always be at the mercy of sometimes wicked men.
I’m glad that people are speaking up now, but we really need more people coming out and saying their stories. There’s still so much to uncover, and we’ve just scratched the surface. Silence gives these abusers more power”
Nigerians have a very limited understanding of a model’s importance in the fashion industry, and therefore cast the job aside as indecent and unserious. As a result, models sometimes feel pressure to entertain unwanted sexual advances in order to get ahead in their careers.
Models are actually crucial in fashion, as there would be no catwalk or runway shows without them. Designers need them to model their clothes in campaigns, and publications need them when creating their content. Given the importance of their role, they should be protected by those in power.
Credit: konbini.com
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