womenofrubies Archives

In Interviews&profile January 18, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

#PROFILE | CELEBRATING HUMAN RIGHT ACTIVIST DR. JOE ODUMAKIN

Dr. Joe was born in Zaria, Kaduna State, but grew up and schooled in Ilorin. Her passion for defending people’s rights started way back as a child. Growing up as a teenager, she decided to be a Nun, this decision was influenced by the Catholic educational environment she was groomed in but the fear of her father disowning her took away that zeal.

While schooling, she met with a lecturer who had keen interest in her because she was very intelligent. She was exposed to materials to read about Martin Luther King and other people like Karl Max, Malcom X. Quietly, a fire began to kindle with her very young mind.

In 1985, the position of secretary for Women in Nigeria, Kwara State branch was vacant so she applied alongside other women that had applied for the position. She won the hearts of many when she stepped out to declare her manifesto, after which she was accepted for the position.

Joe’s motivation came from all the books she read while she was in school and other interesting biographies of international activists who gave their lives to struggle for the right of people. It was then she looked within and saw that an opportunity to do the same was wide open in Nigeria, during the military dictatorship of late Abacha and Ibrahim Babangida.

Much later, fate and optimism brought her close to late Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti, who at that time was the President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights. Her relationship with him, brought her closer to late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and the Afro-juju singer, Fela Kuti. Together they gallantly clamoured for change and democracy. She was always at the forefront of rallies held against military dictatorship, and she was detained severally in prison while she suffered bruises from severe beatings. It was during one of her many detentions that she met with Comrade Yinka Odumakin, and they got married later.

After the military era, she kept on fighting for the rights of minorities in the nation, particularly women who were constantly abused in the society. She also participated in various rallies protesting for free and fair elections in Nigeria, particularly the Save Nigeria Group [SNG] campaign.

With over 25 years experience in human rights work in Nigeria, Dr. Joe Odumakin keeps showing exemplary leadership qualities, undying commitment to grassroots development, and selfless service to humanity. She has been honoured with so many awards both in Nigeria and in other countries.

In self development January 17, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

#EMPOWERTUESDAY | LAGOS HOUSEWIFE : THE “MUST HAVE” KIDS SCHOOL LUNCH BOOK

Good morning, mamas. How was school resumption yesterday? How many of you shouted Halleluyah? You see yoursefs?

I’m back today with school lunch. Because of our children. Because of you mothers.

What are we feeding our children? The healthiest meals are balanced meals. Every food group is needed by their bodies. The trick is to add each in balanced quantities.

I also don’t believe children should not eat sweet things, except maybe for specific health reasons. But it should not be an everyday thing and I believe in making those sweet treats myself so I know exactly what goes inside.

The School Lunch Menu contains all the above with easy preparation methods and prep ahead tips. That is your own part. You don’t have to worry anymore what to pack in your children’s school lunch. How to balance their meals. How to cook varieties. How to make all those tantalizing meals.

Everything has been sorted out for you. For N2,000.

For everyone who has been inquiring, there are currently 3 payment options available for The School Lunch Menu:

– PayPal for International Payments
– Paystack for Local Online Payments
– GTB for Direct Bank Transfer

All the payment options are on this link – http://lagoshousewife.com/recipe-books/school-lunch-menu-timetable-recipes/

Please send me an email after payment so I can send you your copy.
My email address is also included in the link.

Don’t forget, The School Lunch Menu is an e-book in PDF format and will be sent to your email after payment. So your location is no hindrance. If you have an email address or a whatsapp number, you will get your copy.

Follow my instagram account https://instagram.com/lagoshousewife for more pictures of school meals prepared by me for my children

****This was posted for free in line with our vision to support female owned businesses and showcase their work for free every Tuesday through our #EmpowerTuesday initiative.

In lifestyle January 16, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

ARIYIKE WEEKLY : NANNY DRAMA!!!!

On this episode of Ariyike weekly, the gist is all about Nanny Drama! Ariyike talks about some of the lies these Nannies tell. Some even go as far as lying that their Parents are dead just because they want to get off work and for most of them, no matter how nice and accommodating you are to them, they will still leave you and go to their villages for Christmas. As for the agents, most of them keep recycling these girls even when they know they are not fit for the job. When I was trying to employ a Nanny last year, I did blood tests for a lot of them and so many of them tested positive for Hepatitis B and Pregnancy. In Nigeria, you must ensure that you do the necessary blood tests for these Nannies before employing them just so that you are sure who you are taking into your home. Is it the same in other parts of the world? Please watch and share some of the challenges you have faced with these Nannies/ their Agents. Today, it’s all about Nanny/Agent DRAMA!!!!

In Career Gems January 16, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

“YOU ARE THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL GIRL” – JOHN KERRY TELLS ZURIEL ODUWOLE

As the chief foreign affairs executive in the Obama Administration, the US Secretary of State – the Rt. Hon. John Kerry in between managing global trouble and flashpoints China, Syria, Iran, Israel and Brexit, has met with 14-year-old Zuriel Oduwole in his office at the U.S. State Department in Washington DC, to honor her.

He commended Zuriel for her ‘clarity of purpose’ in her fight for Girls Education in Africa through her Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up project and her other secondary initiatives such as her filmmaking class for unemployed youths. She has now taught filmmaking to more than 305 youths across 4 African countries – including Namibia, Kenya, Mauritius and Nigeria. The secretary was impressed that a student from her first film class workshop in February 2016 – 24 year old Namibian Anna Kalola, produced her first documentary just 9 months later, in November 2016 in Windhoek.

“I don’t believe there is anyone out there under the age of 35 doing anything nearly as much as what you are doing,” the Secretary told Zuriel. “It is incredible you have seen clearly the importance of these global challenges, and taken bold steps to do something about them. As far as I know, you are the world’s most powerful Girl, but you probably just don’t know it! You are inspiring and empowering Africa’s youth, and that is powerful”. “I try, Zuriel replied,” but Secretary Kerry responded saying ‘No, you are not trying, you are a doer, and we like to recognize talent like yours”.

Zuriel asked Secretary Kerry what his most difficult challenge was in the last four years as Secretary of State. In one word, he replied ‘Syria’. He explained the difficulty was because of the various proxies and complexities of dealing with many factions with varying interests in the country.

Secretary Kerry told the young, independent filmmaker, who has now met one-one-one with 23 World leaders, addressed more than 24,900 children across 11 countries on Education, and who was invited to speak at the UN last September, that because of her continued development work, she might one day be a future U.S. Secretary of State, or as many in the diplomatic circles now believe, perhaps the youngest UN Secretary-General in history.

Zuriel thanked the Secretary for not leaving out the issue of Girls Education in his programs over the last 4 years, and hopes the next US Secretary of State continues with Secretary Kerry’s policies, when he or she takes over after January 20th.

In Interviews&profile January 16, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

#PROFILE| MEET MAKY BENSON, THE ECONOMIST TURNED PARENTING BLOGGER

Maky Benson was born Chiamaka Araraume into the household of Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume of Imo state, Eastern Nigeria. She is a graduate of Energy Economics and a chemical engineer.

She is happily married to Yomi Benson and the duo is blessed with two children, Micah and Eliana. Recently, the economist turned lifestyle and parenting blogger (www.makyscorner.com) published her cook book titled ‘ Micah’s meals’. Micah’s meals is a book which contains several recipes for babies, toddlers and beyond. Her book was inspired by her decision to feed her first child, Micah home-made and healthy food.

Maky (@makybenson on IG) is also the host and co-founder of The Little Foodie Sessions, a series of cooking sessions where you learn everything you want to know and more about how, when and what to feed your little ones.
We celebrate you, Mama Micah and Eli as she is fondly called, here at women of rubies.

In self development January 15, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

TOKE MAKINWA : “WHEN IT’S OKAY TO WALK AWAY”

Media Personality Toke Makinwa is out with a new episode of Toke Moments.

On this episode, she talks about when it’s okay to walk away from a relationship and how leaving is always an option.

In Interviews&profile January 14, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

I WANT TO SEE GOVERNMENT ENACTING LAWS THAT WILL GIVE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS – YETUNDE TANIMOMO

A graduate of Mass Communication from the Nigeria Institute for Journalism, Yetunde has worked in various sectors including Construction, Manufacturing and recently resigned from a bank to focus on her passion to care for girls and women with special needs.

After several meetings with Founders, Executive Director Foundations, NGOs, and government agencies, Miss Tanimomo and her team are convinced that a change in peoples’ perception of what they term ‘disability’ will help in pushing for policies that will create an environment that would foster proper care for people with special needs.

Early Preparation

Initially you feel nothing did but I have come to realise that our past prepares us for what lies ahead. Because we do not see the future we tend to feel the present is just passing by. However, I have come to understand that we are shaped by experiences for what is to come. Losing my dad showed me what it means to be needy, having children around me brought out the love and care. Both attributes are necessary for what I am doing.

Meet Me!

I am Yetunde Tanimomo, a graduate of Mass Communication from the Nigeria Intitute for Journalism Ogba. I have worked in various sectors including Construction, Manufacturing and banking. I am also deep into Interior Decorations.I have a passion for Children and women with special needs. A passion specifically targetted at care for girls and women with special need

Inspiration behind Miss Ability Pageant

I saw a very beautiful young lady. She was strikingly beautiful and though she had special needs I noticed what I saw first wasn’t how she was? For several years that face never left me and I kept thinking about how to showcase such beauty to the world starting from home of course. That is what gave birth to Miss Ability Pageant.

Future Plans

I intend to work with other NGOs, Foundations to advocate for a better living condition for people with special needs. This will involve a lot of public sensitization on Mass Media, Social Media and the likes. We intend to hold seminars for parents with children or loved ones with special needs.

Leaving banking for social work

I wanted to stop talking about my passion and start to do something about it. I needed time away from ‘work’ to be able to face the project. So at that point it was the right move. I will get back to working. I need the time to lay a process in place for the foundation. To put structures in place. I believe I will need to work to also fund the project. I don’t want to rely on Government, organisations and other individuals alone.

Giving Up

Giving up for me is never an option. Whatever I take up I give all I can to see it through. I won’t deny the fact that there haven’t been times when I felt overwhelmed when I look at how huge the task is. For this I have been able to assemble people who share the passion so it’s easier to share ideas and strategize for upcoming programmes and the next move.

Another challenge is that you have to manage people who already have a set mind concerning people with special needs . Many of them are dumped in trash heaps. Some are probably terminated before birth because of the stigma associated with having a child with such needs. It will take some time but pretty soon we will get people appreciating them.

Challenges

Many folks are ashamed of their children or ward with special needs and as such they keep them locked up away from society. It’s hard to reach such children or persons.

People feel a sense of pity. They go ‘eeyah’ whenever they see anyone with special needs. They do not need pity but encouragement and love.

Getting Government and corporate organisations to support the move is proving a bit difficult. So many promises. Do you know what can be achieved if corporate organisations start to get people with special needs as brand ambassadors? Let them start with the Paralympians who have done the Nation Proud at the Olympics. That single feat will encourage others can and start to change people’s perception of ability in what they term disability.

Nigerians compassionate enough to kids with special needs?

Compassionate? yes, enough? No. What they need is not pity. They get a lot of that. But encouragement, empowerment and a chance like they give to everybody else. I want to see people with special needs having equal opportunities at getting jobs like the other folks. I want to see government enacting laws that will give enabling environment for people with special needs to move freely and have access to facilities like others. Look at virtually all public and commercial buildings, only few have parking spaces or entrances for people on wheel chairs and the blind.

Advice to women in same field

It’s all about passion driven by love and care. So do not look at how huge the task is. Just start one step at a time. Keep the passion fire burning. Get people who can help you. If a dream requires only you to carry it out then the dream is small.

I am a Woman of Rubies

I refuse to be limited by situations and circumstances. I have chosen to devote time to loving people with special needs especially girls and women. I want them to know their life shouldn’t necessarily be determined by what society thinks about them. They are worth much more. I intend to empower them so that society will view them differently and help out.

In Career Gems January 13, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

TIWA SAVAGE TO PERFORM AT THE 2017 ESSENCE “BLACK WOMEN IN MUSIC” GRAMMY WEEK

Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has been announced as one of the artists that will perform at the 8th annual Essence “Black Women in Music”—an official GRAMMY Week event – this February.

The event is being held to salute the year’s extraordinary GRAMMY nominees and fête four-time GRAMMY winner Erykah Badu on the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut album, “Baduizm.”

Talking about having Tiwa sing at the event, Essence President Michelle Ebanks says “Our collaboration with The Recording Academy underscores the mission of our ‘Black Women in Music’ platform. Essence, like the GRAMMYs, has always been at the forefront of recognizing the genius of so many artists and influencers—from iconic legends to the next generation’s international rising stars, like Tiwa Savage. We also applaud our event sponsor, Lincoln, for returning once again to support the vision of this event.”

Big ups to Tiwa Savage!

Source: Bellanaija.com

In womenofrubies January 13, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

KANO BACKS MOVES TO KEEP GIRLS IN SCHOOL TILL 18

Kano state governor Umar Ganduje has backed moves to ensure girls spend more years in school and delay marriage.

In talks with United Nations Population Fund executive director Babatunde Osotimehin, Ganduje called for “public enlightenment so that the age for marriage is shifted at least to 18.”

He said the move to peg an age had challenges that were not necessarily religious but required legal backing.

“We will go for legislation to give it strong backing based on religious injunction so we carry our people along,” Ganduje said.

He added that the Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II, named grand patron for women and children’s health, was championing the cause.

Osotimehin is visiting Kano and Kaduna in efforts to shore up state government support for interventions that will reduce maternal mortality, improve girl-child education, increase investment in girls and promote their rights and access to reproductive health services.

“When it happens in Kano, it happens in Nigeria. If Kano succeeds, Nigeria succeeds,” said Osotimehin.

“We should work toward getting girls to go to school and stay in school. A girl who goes to school and stays in school till about 18 is a better mother than a girl who has a child at 10.
Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/education/kano-backs-age-18-bar-to-keep-girls-in-school/179807.html#disqus_thread#MZfLlbVqApxjA4RP.99

In tolaspeaks January 13, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

#TOLASPEAKS : MY NEEDS, MY WANTS…..

And what’s wrong with a little girly lust over a lipstick?

You and I consume; we are consumers. The global economy is set up to enable us to do what we innately want to do—buy, use, discard, and buy some more.

Yes, absolutely buy some more. My latest resolution is trying to live a minimalist life. Seriously, no jokes. But that doesn’t mean I still don’t own stuff. Now, stuff here is very subjective as I’ve realised my decisions to buy were based on several factors and emotions at the time. Although I’ve also come to realise that excessive consumption promises happiness, but never delivers. True life must be found somewhere else and am now in search of that…..Wish me luck!

The greatest challenge I see as consumers is why we keep actively searching the web and our Malls/ Supermarkets in pursuit of something to buy? And honestly, most of the time we aren’t in “need” of anything, like practical work trousers; we are simply trolling for something. Anything. We may be seeking to live a minimalist life, but we are still consumers. After all, to live is to consume.

Consumption is necessary, but excessive consumption is not.

It is time to take a step back and realize that excessive consumption is not delivering on its promise to provide happiness and fulfilment. And life can be better lived (and more enjoyed) by intentionally rejecting it. More importantly the ability to distinguish between a need and a want which is fuelled by desire.

Our Personal credit limits allows us to make purchases beyond our income-level coupled with several marketing advertisements which subtly reshape our desires around material possessions.

To crown it all, keeping up with the consumption culture that surrounds us begins to make excessive consumption appear natural and normal – A desire for more… a desire which is promoted by the world around us which slowly begins to rob us of life consuming our limited resources. Excessive consumption leads to bigger houses, faster cars, trendier clothes, fancier technology, and overfilled drawers and wardrobes. It promises happiness but as usual never delivers.

Consider these practical benefits of escaping excessive consumerism in your life:

1) Less debt. Staying out of debt should be the goal of every consumer. Debt causes stress in our lives and forces us to work jobs that we don’t enjoy to keep up with our lifestyles. ….Truth is, you can do without it!

2) Owning Less. The never-ending need to care for the things we own is draining our time and energy. We are far better off owning less.

3) Less desire to upscale lifestyle norms. The television and the Internet has brought lifestyle envy into our lives at a level never before experienced in human history. But today’s media age has caused us to envy (and expect) lifestyle norms well beyond our incomes by promoting the lifestyles based on brand proposition which are superior and enviable. Fulfilment is not on sale at our local stores—neither is happiness. It never has been. And never will be. We all know this to be true. We all know that more things won’t make us happier. It’s just that we’ve bought into the subtle message of millions upon millions of advertisements that have told us otherwise.

Hence, my new simple rule: Fewer things, more peace. The less we have, the less overwhelmed we feel. And the less overwhelmed we feel, the happier we are.

The grey area between these two is when the desire to obtain a particular thing is so extremely great, that a person may misinterpret a want, and see it more as a need. In order to know whether what you desire for is a want or a need is to basically ask one fundamental question: “Have you been able to survive without it?” If your answer is ‘yes’, then what you desire for is a want, no matter how much you crave for it right now.

By: Tola Elatuyi

Email : alottola@gmail.com

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