womenofrubies Archives

In Interviews&profile April 24, 2017 By Women of Rubies

MEET LUBEE ABUBAKAR, THE LAWYER TURNED ACCLAIMED PHOTOGRAPHER

24-year-old lawyer turned photographer, Lubee Abubakar, is definitely a talent to watch. After graduating in 2015, Lubee worked as a lawyer, a photographer and an art director before deciding to focus solely on photography and art direction.

Now working mostly with portraiture and fashion photography, Lubee’s visual style is striking and inimitable – rightfully landing her work on the likes of Vogue Italia and The FADER.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BO7qk9jFtcS/

Speaking with Okay Africa about leaving law to become a full-time photographer, Lubee continued:

“I decided to fully immerse myself into growing as a photographer and art director because I have a genuine, raw passion for visuals.

That kind of passion is rare and I reckon it’ll be a disservice to myself if I don’t utilize it.”

Lubee’s passion is definitely paying off since she now shoots lookbooks for major fashion brands like Orange Culture and recently won the 2016 award for fashion photography at the Nigerian Fashion and Style Awards.

You can check out her work on her Instagram and her website.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BN7WqyVhEhR/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPNmz-yliuy/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMhd0NmBVIZ/

Source: Konbini

In lifestyle April 24, 2017 By Women of Rubies

OZI MORDI : KNOW YOUR PARENTING STYLE

A woman I know thinks she knows what works better for her; she tells her story: “With my children, nobody can tell me what to do or tell me how to bring them up. I understand them and I think they know me, too. They know that concerning some of their behaviours, that I would never give in to their wishes. Still, my objection does not prevent them from trying to do just those things.

“I have three of them; two girls and one boy, ages six, nine and 12. Bringing them up is not easy, not when you are worrying or feeling tired then one or three of them decide to annoy you.

“Mummy, she pinched me so I have to beat her. We have a fixed time within which they could watch television, but it does not stop them from switching on between the time they have to do home work or help with housework.

“Sharp scolding works sometimes but many times when they have decided to have it out with you, you might just be speaking to the wall. When threats and shouts don’t work, that is when you take the final resort to drive home your point. I match to the sitting room and switch off the television myself.

“But that is a problem sometimes, normally, when I have taken this step, they feel ashamed and try to make up by playing with me or plead that I should “aw, mummy! Give us 30 minutes, now.”

“When I throw my ‘tantrum’, I wanted children who felt ashamed and guilty enough to try to make up to me. Sometimes, however, the reactions I get worsen my already frayed nerves. The result is sulky children; my daughter, the oldest would lie flat on her stomach, closes her eyes and refuse to listen to me; she switches off entirely. My son walks disconsolately to a corner and sulks while my youngest sheds silent tears.

“Do I give in to their wishes when I need their help? Should I allow them to disobey rules without permission because they have to see a favourite programme?

“I have used beating as discipline without success. I have concluded that children would always want to do what they want. I tell them that, but I also tell them that if all of us were to do what we wanted at the wrong time that chaos would be the result.

“What I do? I know it is time to look at the cause of the rebellion. In normal and happy times, one of them would be in the kitchen helping me while the others are hitting each other playing in a friendly way if home has been done. If I told them to put off the TV, they never needed to be told twice.

“When they resist, I know there is a problem somewhere; it may or may not have to do with school. One of them may have lost money or something valuable and feels bad and they want to discuss it with me but don’t know how to start.”

“How do you deal with it exactly?” we asked her. “I keep quiet and stare at them, I have not used words but my body language tells them that I am really angry with them. By the time I am ready to talk with them, they are calmer, too, and very willing to talk.

This mummy told us her story after we witnessed a scene between another mother and her 13-year-old daughter. We were sitting with the mother when the girl bounded in from outside-nose in the air and partially blinded with fury. “Mwn…mwn…mummy…mummy”, she wailed then stamped into a corner and yanked at an electric cable. All the appliances in the room went blank.

Before her action, she had been asking to use the mother’s phone which she refused her. The girl was remorseful and tried to put things in order again without success. She knew she had annoyed her mother but she did not leave the room; she went to her mother and stood wordlessly by her side. It was plain that she was imploring and asking for forgiveness.

The mother on her part had reacted to the disaster by drawing in her breath; she carried her head in her chest to show her distress. Mother and daughter stayed wordless for a few moments more, and then the mother went and put her connections back again and spoke kindly to her before she left.

Our summary is that you can get there by following your children calmly. Try to understand what is behind their actions; you may find it difficult if you think that children should obey you all the time. You should not always expect them to know that you feel stressed and expect them not be children.

Irrespective of your being worn out by them, children will make demands on you and they will fight or play roughly sometimes to your annoyance. But that is the truth.

Source: Guardian

In self development April 24, 2017 By Women of Rubies

SUPPORT GOOD NUTRITION AND GET A COPY OF “CHILD NUTRITION” TODAY

Nigeria is the country with the 3rd highest absolute number of children who are stunted( a condition that affects a child’s cognitive; mental abilities).

41% of children under the age of five are stunted, 23% are underweight, and 14 % are wasted.

Dowlan Concepts has continued to be at the fore front of sensitizing parents on how to give proper nutrition to their children, our nutrition advocacy campaign has yielded beautiful results, but we are not satisfied. Each time we see malnourished children, our hearts bleed.

Dear parent, can u please join this worthwhile campaign of “good Nutrition” to end hunger, stunted growth, wastage for our children.

We are counting on you parents. Get our newest book on “children nutrition” today and save the lives of the children God has given you and the lovely kids around you.

To get a copy please talk to Joy on: 07064442274 or Seyi on: 08084619284.

This is for our children…..
Dowlan Concepts, our children’s health, our goal

In Interviews&profile April 24, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: http://www.radianthealthmag.com

In womenofrubies April 24, 2017 By Women of Rubies

GOODNEWS! PARENTS OF QUINTUPLETS DELIVERED IN ABUJA TO GET A HOUSE FROM FG & PROVIDE JOB FOR DAD

The Head of Service of the Federation Winifred Oyo-Ita has promised to give a house to the couple who newly delivered quintuplets at the National Hospital Abuja.

Oyo-Ita made the promise while visiting the children on Saturday in Abuja.

She said that the house will be given under the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Scheme.

She also promised Imudia Uduehi, father of the quintuplets who is a graduate from the University of Ilorin, Kwara state a job with the Federal Civil Service. Uduehi, at the moment is unemployed.

She described the children as great blessings given to the couple by God on a platter of gold. She said the job offer to Uduehi will enable him cater for the children.

“I am very happy for you and I am standing here this afternoon representing the entire civil service of Nigeria. Today is a day of joy for all of us. Indeed you are a couple that has been so blessed by God. You have been married for just two years and God has blessed you with five children at once. I want to tell you that the Federal Integrated Staff Housing programme will be made available to you, we will give you a house that can accommodate you your husband and your five children,” Oyo-Ita said.

Oyo-Ita also presented cash gifts and diapers to them, thanking the doctors for their efforts in ensuring the babies and mothers are alive.

She applauded the medical team for taking care of the mother through the period of pregnancy and delivery.

Oluwakemi Uduehi, mother of the children who spoke on behalf of her family thanked the Head Of Service for her kind gesture. She is a staff of the National Population Commission.

Dr Bunmi Ladipo who delivered the babies said they were delivered through caesarean section and there was no complication.

He added that the mother had some challenges before delivery but was managed very well by the hospital. Oluwakemi gave birth to the babies when the pregnancy was eight months.

Ladipo added that this was his first time of delivering a set of five children.

Also Dr Audu Lamidi, Head Neo- Natal Intensive Care Unit, National Hospital said that the babies are very tender and more time is being devoted to their care.

According to him, many hospitals in Nigeria do not have the capacity or facility to cater for such multiple births.

He also called on government to provide the hospital with more specialised facilities and equipments to care and monitor this kind of birth.

“These babies are seen as blessings from God and we need more specialised facilities to enable us monitor them effectively in the first few months of their life. We need equipments such as incubators, ventilators and so on to support them. Though we have the basic tools for now, we need the specialised ones as these multiple births require more attention, time and care.’’

Also Yemi Adelakun, Permanent Secretary Common Services at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation said that the house would be immediately given to the couple as directed by the Head of Service.

He added that the urgency was necessary to help them settle down and take care of their babies adequately.

The five children, all girls were born on April 12, 2017.

In Career Gems April 23, 2017 By Women of Rubies

FORBES WOMAN AFRICA LAUNCHES FIRST TELEVISION SHOW

Against The Odds With Peace Hyde”
Forbes Woman Africa, the continent’s first-ever women’s interest magazine from the highly successful FORBES stable, launches its very first television show through FORBES AFRICA TV, in partnership with Ecobank.

On Friday, April 28, Forbes Woman Africa’s Against the Odds with Peace Hyde will premieres on CNBC Africa, adding another thought-provoking and inspirational lifestyle show to their arsenal. The show will feature women who are trailblazers in their respective fields of business and who inspire younger women to be bold and break boundaries, contributing to the narrative of growing female power on the African continent.

FORBES WOMAN AFRICA has teamed up with leading Pan African bank, Ecobank to launch the 12-part series celebrating the achievement of exceptional women in business.

Award-winning presenter and journalist, Peace Hyde, joins Editor of FORBES WOMAN AFRICA, Methil Renuka, in the premiere episode to discuss the vision behind the series.

Commenting on the importance of having a strong platform like FORBES WOMAN AFRICA translated from a print to a television platform Renuka noted: “Why only talk about the glass ceiling when you have ceiling-crashers who have done it all and can show the way. They may be very few, but they have had significant successes and a discerning show like this will be lessons from those who made it, to those who would like to scale those same heights and more, very much in line with FORBES WOMAN AFRICA’s own rich content philosophy.”

“The essence of the show is to really celebrate exceptional women. It’s about women who have tapped into their courage and persistence, and chosen to keep going in spite of all the hurdles. I think that in order for you to do that you need to have a very strong understanding of your purpose,” explains Peace Hyde.

“Against the Odds with Peace Hyde” premieres on CNBC Africa, Canal Plus Channel 171, DStv Channel 410 and StarTimes Channel 309 later this year.

In Career Gems April 23, 2017 By Women of Rubies

KENYA’S MARY KEITANY WINS WOMEN’S LONDON MARATHON

Kenya’s Mary Keitany won a third London Marathon on Sunday posting an unofficial time of 2hrs 17min 01sec — the fastest time in a women-only marathon.

The 35-year-old, who also has three New York Marathon victories, beat Ethiopian track great Tirunesh Dibaba by almost a minute.

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

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

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

Growing up

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

30 and daring

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

Going into Advocacy

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

What inspires me

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

Greatest reward

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

Challenges

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

My projects

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

I felt like giving up several times

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

My view on feminism

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

Being a woman of rubies

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

Final word

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

In Career Gems April 22, 2017 By Women of Rubies

PRESIDENT ZUMA, OTHERS GATHER AS SOUTH AFRICAN ‘TINY GIANT’ ONTLAMETSE PHALATSE IS LAID TO REST

Hundreds of people including South African President, Jacob Zuma and other high-profile mourners gathered in Hebron in the North West on Friday for the funeral service of motivational speaker, Ontlametse Phalatse.

The 18-year-old ‘small girl with big personality’ as she was fondly called, died last Tuesday at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa, outside Pretoria after experiencing breathing problems.

Phalatse suffered from Progenia, a rare genetic disorder which causes rapid premature aging. She was one of the two South Africans living with the disorder. Her doctor predicted that she would only survive until her 14th birthday but on March 25 she turned 18 after finishing her matric.

Her ambition was to see her family living in a decent house and owning a car. During his 75th birthday celebration, President Zuma presented Phalatse’s family with a car. Last month, the President also fulfilled the young girl’s other wish which was to meet him on her 18th birthday.

More photos below…

In Career Gems April 22, 2017 By Women of Rubies

TOKE MAKINWA SHARES PICTURES OF HER SPEAKING AT NYU

When something is beyond some people’s comprehension, they call it a lie. It’s called Grace…:-). Media Personality, Toke Makinwa who is currently in USA for her book tour lectured a group of graduate students in NYU on Wednesday, April 19th. She shared new photos from the lecture and addressed people who claimed she lied about it. She wrote;

Aww…thank you Prof L.

Getting feedback of my guest lecture at NYU warms my heart. This was my first attempt at teaching and it went really well. To share my knowledge on brand building even while I’m still learning can only be a blessing from God and I am available to be further used by him. Was I nervous? Hell yeah. But just the thought of a Nigerian girl sharing her success story to a room full ofI multinational students was enough to push me. Funny thing is while the lecture was going on God used the ignorance of many to further illustrate my point to the class. The students checked me out online and found out I was trending and it led to questions about dealing with negative feedback from customers and how to deal with the not so great comments and it was nice to use a practical example. You can’t take the good alone, try as much as possible to cater to every customer there will be some that are completely hard to please and that’s ok! Keep working on your product, keep evolving and pushing the envelope, don’t get distracted, keep at it till you perfect your craft and even after you think you have, there’s still some room to become some more.

I pray my life inspires someone out there to be BOLD in the face of storms, I hope you take a chance and live unapologetically. #onbecomingaglobalbrand#NYU #guestlecturer #TMtotheworld #ProfessorTM

womenofrubies