It was all pomp and glee yesterday during the graduation ceremony of Funmi Ilawole at the University of Lagos Akoka.
This ‘beauty and brains’ graduated with a First Class Degree From the Department of Economics.
She couldn’t contain her joy throughout as she celebrated while giving thanks to God for seeing her through a most tasking four years.
Ada Osakwe is a creative food entrepreneur and passionate agribusiness advocate. As the Founder and Chief Executive of Agrolay Ventures, an investment firm targeting early-stage agribusinesses, Ada seeks to redefine the food production and retail opportunity across Africa’s large consumer markets. Agrolay invests in food start-ups as well as incubates its own new agri-ventures. The company currently has four investments including The Nuli Juice Company, Nuli Foods, Nature’s Bounty and African Courier Express. For three years, on a secondment from the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Ada served as the Senior Investment Adviser to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. There, she advised the Minister on agriculture investment-related activities involving private sector investors and led investment policy and financing initiatives including the development and launch of the Fund for Agricultural Financing in Nigeria (FAFIN).
Prior to her role at the Ministry, Osakwe was a Vice-President at Kuramo Capital Management in New York, where she led the firm’s Private Equity investments. For four years, she was a Senior Investment Officer at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), based in Tunisia. She began her career as an Analyst in the Debt Capital Markets team of BNP Paribas investment bank, London.
Ada received her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, holds an MSc in Economics and Finance from the University of Warwick, U.K. and a BSc in Economics (First Class Honours) from the University of Hull, U.K.
Osakwe is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and on the 2016 Choiseul 100 Africa list, a unique ranking of young African economic leaders. She received the ‘Achiever in Agriculture’ Award in 2015 and in 2014, was named one of Forbes 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa.
A lover of nature and food production, she likes to describe herself as a creative food entrepreneur.
Olushola Pacheco is a visionary young Nigerian woman passionate about illuminating the business growth of Africa through inspirational business conversations and interviews. She is a business graduate from the University of Wales and Founder of Whoot Africa. Shola hasn’t had it all rosy. Her parents separated when she was just 17 years old. This made her get a grip on life and shaped her outlook towards life. Her unpleasant life stories have contributed to making her a woman of rubies who is passionate about telling the business success stories of Africa.
Early Preparations
Growing up through some tough situations surely had its impact both positively and negatively. Negatively because I wish things were a lot easier, but positively without a doubt; I wouldn’t be the woman that I am today. I learnt how to be determined and resilient even in the face of challenges, I learnt how to not expect anything from anyone, especially when it came to things and decisions that affect me and where I see myself in the future and most of all I am grateful for how a tough life birth my compassionate side, I never miss out on the opportunity to encourage anyone going through tough times, that was something I didn’t have much of during my struggles. My parents separated in my teenage years, so I understood that one of the constant things in life is change, whether we like or accept it, change happens to everyone and just how well you handle these changes determine just how far you are willing to go to rise above your circumstances. I Picked up my first job at 17, a cleaning job for an amazing woman whose career life inspired me to push for the best I could ever be, and I realized how much of what you get out of life is what you are willing to fight and work hard for. So, yes these events influenced me a lot. Also, I have seen people’s lives change and that helps me to stay grounded because nothing is promised. And the fact that your decisions will always be your cross to carry whether someone made the decision for you or not, you get to live with it. I am also not easily influenced; I do what I want irrespective of what anyone thinks.
Discovering my passion for business and online marketing
It is amazing how they say your worst times often birth the best journey of your life, right from an early age, I wanted to be an accountant, I was good at it and it was everything I knew. In fact, I was already helping out university students with financial accounting assignments as at my 5th year in secondary school. Unfortunately for me, life happened and I struggled to get into the university here in Nigeria because of the nepotism in the system at the time. I was heartbroken about it, but never gave up on what I truly wanted. I got into marketing from an early age out of necessity, but somehow I found my true passion. When I finally got university admission, I quit accounting for a business degree because I enjoyed strategic management courses and the likes. I owe this passion of mine to my best friend, Ladi Tokosi. He was such a brilliant man who knew something about every business topic you could mention, he taught me almost everything I now know about the business world, he not only mentored me, he helped shape me and I am ever so grateful to him.
The birth of WhootAfrica.com
While I was a student at the London college of Accountancy, I ran into financial difficulty at some point and had to talk to my school’s accounting officer. While at the office, the Asian lady who headed the accounting office made a statement about how beautiful I looked for an African, compared to the others she had come across, accompanied by a few more distasteful remarks; while offering me an affordable payment plan and discount. As condescending as she sounded I had two choices, defend Africa from her distasteful comment or take her discount and let mother Africa defend herself. Unfortunately, I chose the latter; I walked out with a good discount on my fees, but failed to defend my own. With that guilt in one hand and my degree in the other, even though Africa hadn’t given me much in terms of opportunities; I still felt guilty. Six years later with the emergence of E-commerce and start-up opportunities, I decided to find one good thing about Africa via the business world of start-ups and inspirational CEO conversations. Whoot Africa was born out of a need to right a wrong and to also convince myself that there was an important story to tell about Africa, beside the scams, financial aid and the poverty in the continent. In my quest to find one, I found many inspirational stories. And somewhere along my discoveries, my journey was born and my life continues to take shape towards my vision everyday.
Challenges
I am not sure I have challenges with running Whoot Africa or maybe I just don’t see my challenges anymore. I am doing something I absolutely love and walking through doors I never thought I’d ever be able to walk through and sitting down to interview people I am constantly learning from. I would say, I am exactly where we need to be right now, every stage is a lesson and how well I learn determines how much growth I get to experience. As cliché as this answer sounds, it is the absolute truth. I have since stopped chasing those I thought would help push my dreams and vision of telling the African story; now I am telling the stories that I can and ensuring to enjoy the process. It took me a long time to understand that my rewards and everything I hoped for come in the little jigsaws pieces that are adding up every day towards the bigger picture. Would I like for bigger organisations to support me in telling the inspirational stories out there? Off course yes, but I am not waiting for anyone anymore, those who need to support this vision, can feel free to catch up with me when they are ready. 2017 is about pushing entrepreneurship education by sharing the best voices that will inspire the next generation of Nigerians and African’s, we have started on a great note and we plan to keep pushing.
Temptation to give up on the cause
Oh, every day. I am tempted to give up, dust my certificate and find something with steady monthly rewards. But one of my best qualities remains my determination; without sounding cocky, I am a very dogged and determined person. I don’t stay down for too long, irrespective of how I feel or how bleak things look; I wake up, hope and try again. When you have a vision and not just a wagon you jumped on because it felt cool, and you play your part, when you want something, the universe conspires to make things happen for you. From one person referring you to someone else for an interview or related opportunities, to someone emailing you to say “great job and that you inspire them” on your worst day, nothing great comes easy and I have such a beautiful and vivid imagination of where I see myself and my dreams, so what’s there to give up for? Besides I have the greatest support ever, my immediate family. And an inspirational story being birth to tell my daughter someday.
Testimonies of changed lives
Whoot Africa will never be just about me and doing business interviews, I believe that for every door opened to me, I am not meant to walk in alone. I make sure that I always have CV’s of people in need of jobs, especially for those who are currently unemployed, having someone’s life and story change because they got something through a door that was opened for you is everything, to go to bed knowing you are not hoarding your opportunities means the world to me. I went through some of the worst times of my life growing up. If one person gets to smile and be inspired from my work, then I am a fulfilled woman.
Nigerian women and enterprise
Nigerian women are some of the most enterprising women you will ever meet, from the woman who sells tomatoes in the market to the corporate CEO, Nigerian women are phenomenal. Despite our challenges and cultural barriers as a result of the hierarchical system we were used to, women who are determined to succeed are pushing through every day. A good percentage of Nigerian women are not waiting for handouts, they go out and try to make things work, and those are the women who daily inspire me and whose stories I am daily seeking to share.
I am a rare ruby
I am a rare ruby; I understand what it means to first believe in myself, believe so passionate that I don’t bother anymore with what anyone has to say. I focus on my focus and try to do my best. I am not perfect and I don’t plan to be, but I will always do my best and try to ensure that my quest to be a better version of me every day means more to me than anything else.
Final words
Find the people who inspire you in ways that are unique to you, don’t ever let anyone convince you that you deserve less, those who think so little of your efforts and all you stand for today, will one day have no choice than to acknowledge how awesome you are, if you keep working hard and smart. The only validation needed are yours and those who truly deserve the front row seat in your life, those who see so much greatness in you that you are forced to start believing in you too. Keep oiling the squeaky wheels of your life, and soon your ride will be effortlessly smooth.
Hello WORriors! Today is #OwambeSaturday and our Aso Ebi style inspo is the ever beautiful Omotola ‘Omosexy’ Jalade Ekehinde! Check out pictures of the many times Omosexy wowed in African prints!
photo credits: google.com, Bellanaija
I went out late yesterday evening for a meeting with my dear sister Oluwatoyin Olokun Onigbanjo of August Secrets and decided to take tricycle since the meeting point isn’t far from home and to relax my muscles a little, on my way back I took another tricycle, the guy at the edge wanted me to sit in the middle and I politely asked him to move inside , immediately I settled in the guy in front who had a red like material he held like an handkerchief winked to the two guys at the back ( one decently dressed , the other had the look of a street urchin) at that moment I knew something wasn’t right and I asked the driver to stop , just before I put my second leg out the guy who refused to move inside initially tried pulling my top back forcefully but I wrestled and freed myself from his grip, I saw another tricycle stopping at the same busstop, ran and jumped in , at that moment the other one branched into a street and ran off.
I explained to the driver of my “saviour” tricycle and he told me there have been reports of missing persons as regards tricycle kidnap in the last two weeks and I should be grateful I didn’t sit in the middle and the one in front didn’t put the red clothe on me before I had the grace to get down.
I wasn’t myself till I got home , looking back now I think God himself made the driver stop because with whatever charm they had on them they would have taken me into that street perhaps. So many “what ifs” but I’m more grateful for the “what didn’t”.
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadows of the Almighty, I will say of the LORD he is my refuge and my fortress , My God in him will I trust”.
Please let’s be watchful , wicked people ain’t smiling this hard time.
No evil shall befall anyone of us.
Dr. Dedunmola Oluwo – 24 started 4 business ventures while studying to become a medical doctor in Hungary. She is a baker, a makeup artist, a cook, and a hair stylist. Yes… all that while undergoing the gruelling task of going through med school. Dedun’s multi-faceted reach into the world of entrepreneurship was the result of her determination to survive economically – as a student. This grew into something else when the spectrum of services she provided increased, and she became beholden to the needs of her customers.
Her work ethic is admirable, and behind it all she says was the unwavering love and support of her mother, brothers and friends.
Dedunmola, graduated in 2016 and has now embarked on her Masters degree. She was nominated as the Young Person of the Year at the 2016 The Future Awards, and in an interview recently, she said: “I was able to combine all these without repeating a year in the 7 years of medical school. I was able to make enough to pay for my Masters. I’m sharing my story to inspire others that it doesn’t matter what your situation is, you can always challenge yourself to achieve great things whether you are a 17 year old (like when I started) or older.”
Dr. Oluwo’s passion for hard work and her CAN DO spirit is what makes her a woman of rubies
Glory Edozien is back with a new episode of her “Discovery with Glory” Vlog.
In this episode she talks about a personal experience dealing with a guy she met on Tinder who unknown to her at the time already had a boo!
She share the steps she took in getting out of that situation and also some mindset shifts that women need to take so they can enter into more wholesome relationships.
She says “Bottom line ladies, before you get into any kind of relationship, ask yourself if this is REALLY what you want. Don’t believe the lie that there aren’t good men out there or that you have to manage ‘whatever’ just to join the relationship bandwagon.”
Watch below:
In 2008, Michelle Obama was tentative on the campaign trail, wary of saying anything to jeopardize her husband’s historic bid to be America’s first black president.
Eight years later, the self-assured first lady — back on the campaign trail — electrified Democratic Party faithful with a passionate takedown of Donald Trump and what she called his “frightening” attitude towards women.
“It has shaken me to my core in a way that I couldn’t have predicted,” Obama told a rally for Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire.
“This is not normal. This is not politics as usual. This is disgraceful. It is intolerable.”
The speech cemented the transformation of Obama, who turns 53 on Tuesday.
Once a reluctant ‘mom-in-chief,’ the tall, toned Princeton and Harvard graduate — America’s first black first lady — has evolved, becoming a singular voice for women and a political dynamo
During her husband’s two terms in the nation’s highest office, the native of Chicago’s South Side — who grew up in a one-bedroom apartment with her parents and older brother — has also become a style icon and global role model.
“One of the most intriguing things about Michelle Obama is that she represents so many things to so many different people,” Peter Slevin, a professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and the author of “Michelle Obama: A Life,” told AFP.
“She chose her issues, she stayed true to her values and she made the role uniquely her own.”
– From the South Side to Harvard –
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson was born in Chicago on January 17, 1964 to a stay-at-home mom and a father who never missed work at a city water plant despite a battle with multiple sclerosis.
She received an Ivy League education at two of the nation’s most elite schools — Princeton and Harvard, where she studied law, as her future husband would also do.
Michelle joined the Sidley Austin law firm in Chicago upon graduation and it was there that she met Barack Obama — a young associate she was asked to mentor.
That meeting would change her life. Obama’s political career skyrocketed, and by January 2009, their family would move into the White House.
– Her causes –
At first, Michelle Obama focused her attention on getting the couple’s two young daughters, Malia and Sasha, settled into their new home.
“Those early years in the White House were a real adjustment for Michelle,” David Axelrod, a former senior advisor to Barack Obama, told CNN.
“She had to start over in so many ways and she had to do it under the watchful eye of the world. And that’s a lot of pressure.”
The first lady soon found her stride, and steered clear of controversy, embracing causes with universal appeal.
Her “Let’s Move” initiative to stamp out childhood obesity through healthy eating and exercise earned praise, as did her work to promote the wellbeing of military families.
Jennifer Lawless, the director of the Women and Politics Institute at American University in Washington, told AFP the “strong argument she made for being active… resonated in a way that a lot of first ladies’ issues don’t hit home.”
In 2015, Obama went global with the “Let Girls Learn” campaign, a cross-agency effort to improve education for teenage girls worldwide.
“She connected powerfully with a wide array of audiences — as a working mother, as a progressive Democrat and, as she herself put it, as a ‘little black girl from the South Side of Chicago’,” Slevin noted.
Throughout her time at the White House, Obama has also emerged as a beacon of support for the US fashion industry.
She turned once little-known designers such as Jason Wu into major style stars, and made it acceptable to wear a cardigan to meet Queen Elizabeth II.
And she embraced social media and pop culture — dancing with late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon, rapping with Missy Elliott in a “Carpool Karaoke” sketch, or doing the mannequin challenge with NBA superstar LeBron James.
“She’s just fundamentally cool. She is comfortable in any kind of setting. She seems real,” Lawless said, adding that her television appearances or viral videos did not seem “artificial — just her embracing the way people communicate.”
– Political force –
Last year, as Clinton and Trump vied for the presidency, Obama took on a new and somewhat unexpected role: political powerhouse.
She was a natural on the campaign trail and a forceful surrogate for Clinton, herself a former first lady.
In October, Obama — a first lady who once shied away from controversy and endured racial slurs throughout her time in Washington from a small fringe of Americans — unleashed a fierce attack on Clinton’s Republican rival.
“This was a powerful individual speaking freely and openly about sexually predatory behavior. And actually bragging about kissing and groping women,” she said of Trump’s comments caught on video, which he dismissed as guy talk.
“The men in my life do not talk about women like this,” she said. “This is not how decent human beings behave.”
That day, Obama knowingly stepped into the political limelight she had long shunned — and people listened.
“She spent eight years developing a relationship with the American people and they came to trust her,” Lawless told AFP.
– Moving on –
In an exit interview with CBS, the president admitted his wife was looking forward to regaining some semblance of a normal life.
“Michelle never fully took to the scrutiny,” he said. “She never fully embraced being in the public spotlight — which is ironic, given how good she is.”
Obama has repeatedly said she is not interested in a political career for herself, but could she follow in Clinton’s footsteps, from the role of first lady to elected office?
“In 12 years, if an Illinois senate seat is open and the Democrats have no one to run… who knows what can happen? Life changes and she’s young,” Lawless said.
Source: Guardian.ng
Hello WORriors! Today is #ThrowBackThursday and so we are throwing back these old photos of Genevieve Magazine publisher and entrepreneur, Betty Irabor.
Beautiful Actress Viola Davis is the first black woman to receive three Academy Award nominations after her nomination for a supporting role in “Fences.”
Not new to making history, in 2015 she became the first black woman to win an Emmy for a lead actress in a drama series for her role as Annalise Keating in “How to Get Away With Murder.”
Read Also : 9 Things confident women don’t do
Viola Davis got her first Oscar nom for a brief but scene-stealing appearance in the 2008 film “Doubt.”
She got her second Oscar nom in 2012 for her role as a maid in the Southern period drama “The Help.”
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