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Ifeoma, star student, winner of the national Selma speech and essay competition, athlete, volunteer and student government president of Morris Hills High School, New Jersey, who also aces her advanced classes like they’re nothing, said, about applying to all 8 schools:

“I want to go into global health and study biology and so many of them have great research facilities, so I was like, I might as well just shoot my shot and apply.”

She says, of when she got the eighth acceptance letter:

“I was like, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, like this might be eight out of eight and I clicked it and it said ‘Congratulations’ and I was like oh my goodness!”

“I got into Harvard early action so I figured I’ll just go there, so then I got into all the others and I was like, wait now I don’t know where I want to go.”

Andre and Patricia White-Thorpe, Ifeoma’s father and mother, are leaving the decision of which school to pick up to their really, really smart daughter.

(Photo: TAPinto)

(Photo: TAPinto)

The decision might just be easier than she thinks, as she may likely be attending the school which grants her a scholarship:

“At this point none of the schools I’ve applied to said they give merit scholarships, so I’m praying that they give me some more financial aid or some money, shout out to all of those schools, please give me something.”

This is a phenomenal achievement that has only happened to only four other people in recent history: Kwasi Enin in 2014, Harold Ekeh in 2015 and Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna and Kelly Hyles last year.

Of the five students to achieve this feat, three of them are Nigerian and we couldn’t be more proud

(Photo: TAPinto)

Source: bin

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

American music superstar, Beyonce has been the most influential celebrity as her Instagram posts have been estimated to worth One Million Dollars each by photo-sharing website, D’Marie Analytics.

Using an algorithm that measures 56 metrics across Facebook, Twitter amd Instagram, Time.com determined the music star’s value. Those metrics include the followers count as well as reach, engagement, click through and action conversations.

Chief Executive of D’Marie, Frank Spadafora said Beyonce’s “limited” use of social media had boosted her earning power:

Her limited release of exclusive curated content causes such frenzy from her audience

A ready example of Beyonce’s popularity is when she announced earlier this year on Instagram that she is expecting twins. That post attracted 6,335,571 likes within eight hours, subsequently breaking the record for the most-like picture on the website.

The picture which held the previous record was Selena Gomez‘ post where she was sipping from a Coca-Cola bottle which gathered 6.6 million likes.

Photo Credit: Instagram – @beyonce

Source: Bellanaija

Women of Rubies (WOR) is a reputable capacity building and inspirational online magazine for the celebration of women of substance in the society, with a weekly publication in the Guardian Newspaper.   It is believed that women are nurturers by nature and when these women nurture their God-given abilities, the world is better for it. It is on this basis that Women of Rubies and  Rubies Ink Initiative for women and children is planning an empowerment forum for women in the grassroots that are often neglected and forgotten. This workshop will kick off on the 7th of April at the Yaba Lcda and will take place in several Local Government Areas across Lagos. The theme for the workshop is “Sensitising Grassroots Women on Domestic Abuse and Lifestyle Issues”.

According to the Founder / Editor-in-chief of women of Rubies, Esther Ijewere; the workshop is in its second phase as we kicked off in August 2016, it will be an impactful learning experience for women at the grassroots, as we are collaborating with different Local Government to address the following issues:

Knowledge acquisition on domestic abuse – In addition, they will also learn to speak up when faced with domestic abuse. Women have the capacity to solve problems and influence decisions.  They will be equipped on how to utilize these decisions at crucial times as the girl child is dependent on this knowledge as a guide when she becomes a lady, mother and even a grandmother.

Lifestyle issues – We present to you a platform aimed at providing an avenue for women at the grass root level to exchange ideas and equip them on how to grow their businesses, support their families and create a better future for their children.

Savings Culture – The workshop would teach them on how to access business loans and proper saving culture in order to empower them financially.  When the woman is empowered the society becomes empowered.

Timeline of Event:

Date: 7th of April

1st Workshop : Yaba Lcda , Panti Busstop, Yaba​

Date: 13th of April

2nd Workshop :

​Igando- ​

Ikotun Lcda

​ , Ikotun ​.

Date: 19th o April

3rd Workshop & Venue:  Kosofe Lcda

​, Ogudu​

Date: 24th of April

4th Workshop: ​Ikeja Local Government Area

Time for all workshop: 10a.m

The event is endorsed by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Supported by: Power Oil, Guardian Newspaper, Wfm91.7, Bellanaija, Channels, Goldmyne T​V​ and TVC

Log on to www.womenofrubies.com for more information.

See pictures from previous edition here : http://womenofrubies.com/2017/01/13/photos-women-of-rubies-grassroots-women-sensitization-workshop/

He is pestering me for sex. He said if I love him, I will agree to sleep with him’….. And she gave in…
He broke her hymen, making her just another conquest.
I am sure a good number of us have heard a tale as this. The narrative is sometimes different…
…A disgruntled spouse is ‘appeased’ with a round (or more) of sex…
What exactly is sexual intercourse? Simply defined as the penetration of a woman’s vagina with a male penis, typically resulting in orgasm and ejaculation.
A very bad age-long lie traded by people to fulfill their selfish desire is saying ‘sex is a demonstration of love’ in premarital exemplar.
The act in itself is not a foolproof display of love. The activities leading on to it may be related to great admiration or likeness or love under the right circumstances.
Sex is largely a demonstration of how much of the others ‘mess’ a partner is willing to take. (You can allow your imaginations run really wild).
Sex can be ‘done’ with ‘no iota of feelings’.
Sex workers who do business with say 5 people on a daily basis feel nothing towards them. The feeling usually transmitted is one of disgust and repulsion. They don’t even recall names, that is if it was volunteered in the first place.
What guarantees a continued ‘delusion of love’ after a one night stand?
Sex only strengthens a bond! It doesn’t guarantee love.
No wonder sex is not intended to be casual.
You have sex with the one you love and are married to NOT have sex in the hope that love will brew.
No long lasting love will grow on a wrong foundation.
When a person (usually a woman) shows her vulnerability by accepting to have sex with another in the hope that a love-relationship will be birthed, she is simply being taken advantage of, of her OWN accord. *Note carefully the choice of words*
The second scenario….
However a couple decides to settle their dispute is not and should not be the public’s decision as along as no one is getting hurt. However, I have found that sex is not really a superior arbitrator in marital disputes. The issues leading on to the squabble often remains till a ’round-table’ discussion.
Our attention today is largely on casual sex.
It is not surprising that Gary Chapman wrote on ‘The Five Love Languages’ (Arguably the most popular book on love languages).
and did not include Sex. The closest to it being ‘Physical touch’ which may as well just be a bear hug.
When we discuss sex in religion, we often discuss it in relation to its foreordination before the pep talk on the release of bonding related hormones and finally, maybe, a show of love.
There is a reason for that.
The aftermath of sex is more serious than the flimsy moments of pleasure.
Should we begin to consider the completely avoidable health exposures? Or much talked about unwanted pregnancies? How about the unhealthy soul ties that are not decided on at all?
‘Unhealthy soul ties are the consequences of sexual encounters with partners who life-long bonds are created with’.
Of note particularly is the emotions women tend to bring to the table. We cannot effectively discuss a subject without its intricate details and in this case; women and  their emotional make up.
Several studies have shown that the psychological well-being of women is more likely to be affected than men after sex. Just because.
More importantly, a higher negative impact is recorded after casual sex in women, though this researches are still in infancy, hence, the inability for adequate referencing.
In this world of uncertainties, sexual relationship requires a responsible decision. The seemingly casual adventure should be engaged in with more serious thoughts because, it may not be as casual as intended after-all.
Sex is not casual.

Big cheers to Chimamanda Adichie as her novel, Americanah, makes history as the winner of the first One Book, One New York Programme.

The programme which was launched in February 2017 and is tagged the largest community reading programme in America, is aimed at getting New York book lovers to vote and read a uniform book at a time.

Americanah won the highest votes amidst 4 other highly competitive choices. The 2013 novel is certainly not new to such huge wins.

Source : Leading Ladies Africa

In recognition of Nigerian women who’ve made strides in Leadership, Enterprise, Advocacy and Business, Leading Ladies Africa recognized Nigeria’s 100 Most Inspiring women at the LLA 100 Women celebrated 100 Most Inspiring Women at a special gala and awards night tagged the LLA 100 Women Gala.

The LLA 100 Women Gala is a follow up to the 100 Most Inspiring Women In Nigeria list published on March 8, this year in commemoration of the International Women’s Day.Themed “Celebrating Leadership, Diversity & Impact,” the #100 Women Gala recognizes and spotlights the achievements of Nigerian women who have made tangible impact and contributions in four unique spheres of the society.

“At Leading Ladies Africa, our key objective is to promote leadership, diversity and inclusion for African women – a call to have them participate in activities that ensure they lead better, fulfilling, and ultimately more productive lives,” says Francesca Uriri, Founder, Leading Ladies Africa.

“As Nigerian women and Africans, it is important that we begin to tell our own stories. We need to begin to craft the narrative that we want the world to know about us – that we are successful, courageous, determined and bold! At LLA, we have a clear intent of inspiring a new wave of Nigerian female change makers, leaders and entrepreneurs, and recognizing these 100 Women is an important way to achieve that objective” she emphasized.

Speaking at the event, Omotola Oyebanjo, Head Strategic Communications and Media, Union Bank said: “This year, Union Bank celebrates its 100th anniversary and for those 100 years, we have supported and empowered women to achieve their dreams,both within the bank and externally. It is therefore a pleasure to support this amazing list of 100 impressive ladies making an impact in Nigeria. As their bankingpartner of choice, we look forward to supporting them and other such industrious women as they move on to the next phase of their incredible journeys.”

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“Boldness and courage are synonymous with leadership” said keynote speaker, WISCAR Founder, Amina Oyagbola, who spoke on ‘Leading with Boldness and Courage in times of Change.’ “As leading ladies, we must banish all negative conditioning from our lives.  We must fight for the change that we seek in our nation and in our world.Now more than ever, the proper response to the challenges we face lies in principled, resolute, imaginative, courageous, and focused leadership by each and every one of us.”

Harping on the need for women to collaborate with and support each other, Ndidi Nwuneli, Founder, Leap Africa, and Co-Founder, AACE Foods, said: “The concept of “small is beautiful,” is overplayed, and we women need to learn to be authentic, to be vulnerable to ask for help. On leading and creating a succession plan, she said: “A great mistake any leader can make is to take the thought of succession for granted. As a leader, you must think beyond now. A woman must have a succession plan regardless of how young her business is.”

In addition to the 100 honourees, the Leading Ladies Africa Gala was also attended by Power Women in the Corporate and Business sector, including: Adesuwa Oyenokwe, Publisher TW Magazine, Aishah Ahmad, Chair Person, WimBiz, Chizor Malize, CEO Brandzone Consulting, Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, Head Marketing Communications, Stanbic IBTC, Osayi Alile, CEO, ACT Foundation, Ini Abimbola, CEO, Thistle Praxis, Tampiri Akemu, MD, Sesema PR, Okaima Ohizua, Executive Director Transcorp Nigeria, Owen Omogiafo, Chief Operating Officer, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Esther Ijewere, Founder Women of Rubies, Sasha Alabi, Glory Edozien, Founder Inspired By Glory, Ewemade Emokpae, CEO Shakara Couture, and others.

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The Leading Ladies Africa Gala was made possible by the support of Union Bank Nigeria, Avon HMO, Aramex Nigeria, Fidelity Bank, Gazmadu Photography Studios, Sesema Public Relations and Zerophur Concepts.

See more photos from the event;

Adetuke Morgan during her performance

Osayi Alile, CEO ACT Foundation

Ozoz Sokoh

Stephanie Obi

Kene Rapu receiving her plaque of recognition

Somkele IdhalamaAdesimbo Bello-Ukiri, CEO Avon HMO

Adesuwa Oyenokwe

Eleanor Goodey, Founder, Eleanor Goodey Photography

One more for the roadGuests having fun!

Stephanie Buhari of CNN

Amina Oyagbola, Founder, WISCAR during her Keynote Speech

Crystal Chigbu, Founder, Irede Foundation (1)

Mfon Ekpo, Founder, The Discovery Centre (1)

Hello WORriors! Our Woman Crush for this week’s edition of #WomanCrushWednesday is Funke Akindele Bello.

Funke Akindele, popularly known as ‘Jenifa’, is an actress, writer, producer, and director. She was born on August 24, 1976 in Ikorodu, Lagos State. She has an Ordinary National Diploma in Mass Communication from Moshhod Abiola Polytechnic and a Law Degree from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba.

She started her acting career in 1998 when she featured in the then popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) sponsored sitcom; I Need To Knowwhich ran from 1998 to 2002. She played Bisi, a curious but highly intelligent secondary school student. Her major big break in Nollywood came in 2009 from the movie titled ‘Jenifa’, which she wrote and produced by herself. She has over a 100 movies to her credit as actress, writer and producer.

She runs a non-governmental organisation known as THE JENIFA FOUNDATION, whose aims and objectives involves nurturing talents and acquiring vocational skills.

She has been nominated and won lots of awards. Some of her awards includes, AMAA (2009) -Best Actress Leading Role, NEA Awards (2009) -Best Actress, 2012 NEA Awards -Best Actress, 2014 AMVCA Awards -Best Actress (Comedy), ELOY Awards -Brand Ambassador of the Year, 2016 Naija Fm Awards -Best Actress In Comedy, 2017 AMVCA Awards -Best Actress In A Comedy Series, Best Comedy Series (Jenifa’s Diary), among others.

Funke Akindele has a lot of endorsement deals to her name, the most recently is her being signed as Ambassador to Iroko TV. She is married to Nigerian Rapper Abdulrasheed ‘JJCSkillz’ Bello.

 

Women Of Rubies celebrates you, Funke Akindele Bello!

 

Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) a non-profit high level and structured mentoring programme for entry/mid-career professional women, held its fundraising cocktail at the Ruff n Tumble premises in Ikeja GRA last Sunday.

The event was also a testimony time as mentees, who have been mentored by other women in the organization, revealed how their mentorship have helped them in their various careers.

Here are the faces at the relaxing evening on Mother’s Day.

Source: Guardian.ng

American reality star Mama June Shannon has revealed her incredible weight loss transformation after months of keeping it a secret.

With a gorgeous first photo released exclusively in People Magazine, the reality star shows that she has gone from a Size 18 to a size 4 following months of intense workout as well as surgeries to get rid of the loose skin on her arms, neck and body.

She will also be documenting her journey on a new show called “Mama June: From Not to Hot”

Source: Bellanaija