womenofrubies Archives

In Career Gems May 22, 2018 By Women of Rubies

100 EDO SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN TRAFFICKED TO LIBYA IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS

This was disclosed in Benin on Sunday during an advocacy programme by the Senior Special Assistant to Gov Godwin Obaseki on Human trafficking and illegal migration, Mr Solomon Okoduwa.

Okoduwa said this fact was disclosed to him by some teachers in the school, concerned about how the institution has become the harvesting ground for traffickers.

Okoduwa said government will not allow the evil to continue to thrive in the state.

Government will step up its campaign against trafficking, he said, and the state Task Force Against Human Trafficking will be on the trail of the human traffickers.

He warned the students to be wary of the antics of the traffickers who are bent on deceiving them into embarking on the dangerous journey.

“Henceforth, report anyone who tells you to travel to Europe. They are simply taking you through Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea and you may eventually end up in Libya.

“The number of students that have been trafficked from your school in this short period is overwhelming.

“The truth is that many of them might have been imprisoned there or facing one challenge or the other.

“Taking the route of Sahara Desert and other illegal routes is hellish.

“Many died of hunger, many were drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in search of greener pastures.

“Worst still, the families of those people that died on their journey were made to pay for the travel expenses, when unknown to them their loved ones have gone to the great beyond.

“If anyone tells you to travel abroad through Libya, tell him or her capital ‘NO’. If you must travel for any reason, travel the right way.”

NAN reports that the state government had received no fewer than 3,400 Libya returnees within the last six months.

Credit: NAN, Pulse News

In self development May 22, 2018 By Women of Rubies

“WOMEN WILL NO LONGER BE CONTROLLED, MANIPULATED OR ABUSED” -JANET JACKSON

Janet Jackson has said she supports all the women around the world who “have made it clear we will no longer be controlled, manipulated or abused”.

Janet who picked up the Icon Award at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, used her acceptance speech to praise those who have come forward and given prominence to the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements.

Before taking to the stage, Bruno Mars introduced her as the “the youngest member of the Jackson family” while the audience was shown a short film outlining her numerous accolades, including being the first black woman to receive the coveted award.

After performing a vibrant medley of three of her best-known songs (“Nasty”, “If ” and “Throb”), Jackson – amid an overwhelming “Janet” chant – then addressed the arena.

“I am deeply humbled and grateful for this award. I feel that for all the challenges, all of our challenges, we live at a glorious moment in history,” she said:

“It’s a moment when at long last women have made it clear that we will no longer be controlled, manipulated or abused.

“I stand with those women and with those men equally outraged who support us in heart and mind – This is also a moment when our public discourse is loud and harsh.”

She ended her speech by thanking God, telling fans that “everything we lack, God has in abundance.”

Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep and Chadwick Boseman recently joined forces with British counterparts Letitia Wright, Michael Sheen and Thandie Newton to pen an open letter to world leaders demanding an urgent push for global gender equality.

The letter warns leaders they are being put “on notice” and asks for a commitment to help every girl get an education. It hits out at the inequality between women and men, particularly in the poorest countries of the world.

Amy Poehler, Amy Schumer, Chelsea Clinton and Ryan Reynolds are also among the 140 signatories – as well as Neil Patrick Harris, Natalie Dormer and Robin Wright.

Jackson is one of the famous Jackson siblings and her older brother, Michael, is widely considered one of the biggest-selling musicians of all time.

Watch Janet Jackson’s acceptance speech on https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbma/8456860/janet-jackson-icon-award-speech-bbmas-2018-watch?utm_source=twitter

Credit: www.billboard.com

In Interviews&profile May 22, 2018 By Women of Rubies

MEET ALETHEA BORMAN, THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL BODYBUILDER TO REPRESENT NAMIBIA AT AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT

Legal adviser and bodybuilder, Alethea Borman succeeded in putting Namibia on the map two years ago by becoming the first professional bodybuilder from the country to win a medal at an international event.

(Photo: Informante)

Borman took part in the just-concluded Arnold Classic Africa in Johannesburg. It was in the 2016 edition of this bodybuilding and fitness contest that she got the chance of becoming the first International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness (IFBB) pro-elite athlete to represent Namibia. She did well with that chance by taking the second place at the competition.

38 years old and making her way to the top in professional bodybuilding, Borman is arguably Namibia’s foremost female bodybuilder. Speaking with The Namibian, she said she was inspired to go into bodybuilding because she wanted to take care of herself – and since taking part in her first bodybuilding event in 1994, she’s been hooked.

While she’s juggling her time between training and attending bodybuilding events around the world, inspiring other women to take their health seriously keeps her going. In her own words:

“I’m a legal adviser, a mother of three children, married for nearly 16 years, but I find time to look after my body. It does take a lot out of you sometimes, but we women need to take care of ourselves too.

I have been dieting since July 2017. I train two times daily from Monday to Friday, and Saturdays only once.”

(Photo: Arnold Classic Africa)

Credit: konbini.com

In Interviews&profile May 21, 2018 By Women of Rubies

PROFILE| MEET PRINCESS FIFI EKANEM EJINDU, ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED ARCHITECTS IN NIGERIA

Fifi Ekanem Ejindu is a Nigerian Architect, businesswoman and philanthropist.

She is featured in the 2018 edition of the Famous African Women Architects published by People Maven.

Fifi, as she is popularly known, is one of the most celebrated Architects and businesswomen in Nigeria.

Educated at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, USA; Pratt Institute School of Architecture, New York, U.S.A; Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, Senior Staff Primary School, University of Ibadan, she is the Chairperson of StarCrest Group of Companies; CEO, Building Support Systems; Executive Director, Delmar Group of Companies, Principal Partner of StarCrest Associates, an Architectural Firm, 1995 till date.

Fifi worked at a private firm, Grant Associates in New York, USA. She is the first black African woman to graduate with a B. Arch from the prestigious Pratt Institute School of Architecture, New York. She holds the title of Her Highness Obonganwan King James. Recipient, African Achievers African Arts and Fashion Lifetime Achievement award, 2013.

Appearing on CNN’s African Voices in 2013, Princess Fifi has been ranked as one of the African female pioneers in the fields of Architecture and Business. She has been inducted into the Global Women Leaders Hall of Fame – African Charter, as one of Africa’s top 20 Women of Influence in 2013.

She has also received a commendation from the American state of Georgia House of Representatives for her achievements and has been awarded African Female Economic Champion 2013, She is also a winner of 2014 African Child Nobel Prize and has been named as one of the 2015 Top Twenty Inspirational Women by the African Diaspora Professional Women In Europe (ADIPWE) 2015.

Princess Fifi describes her style of architecture as Neo-traditional which she defines as “building a new project [with] new materials, but with traditional and old style details and features” and hence most of her projects, as she explains, bring back the Renaissance period.

In self development May 21, 2018 By Women of Rubies

FIVE LIFE LESSONS FROM OPRAH WINFREY ON GETTING OVER FAILURE

Oprah Winfrey is no doubt the undisputable Queen of Media. She went from a 19-year-old news anchor for a Tennessee TV station to a billionaire with her own television channel, even though her former boss once told her that she was too emotional and ‘unfit’ for TV!

However, Oprah widely known as the “Queen of Media” encountered a number of hardships in the process of cultivating her media empire.

Amidst criticism over the Oprah Winfrey Network’s low television ratings following its 2011 debut, Oprah Winfrey told People magazine she had reached her “breaking point.” But Winfrey overhauled the company, took on the CEO role, and went on to help make her network a fixture on cable television. Through it all, she learned some valuable lessons on how to overcome adversity. Check out her quotes below.

On the inevitability of failure:

It doesn’t matter how far you might rise. At some point, you are bound to stumble. If you’re constantly pushing yourself higher and higher, the law of averages predicts that you will at some point fall. And when you do, I want you to remember this: There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to move us in another direction.–Harvard Gazette

On failing more than once:

“Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire.”—Forbes

On coping with hardships:

“Now, when you’re down there in the hole, it looks like failure. When that moment comes, it’s okay to feel bad for a little while. Give yourself time to mourn what you think you may have lost. But then, here’s the key: Learn from every mistake, because every experience, particularly your mistakes, are there to teach you and force you into being more who you are.”–Harvard Gazette

On failure as a blessing in disguise:

“Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a different way to stand.”–evancarmichael.com

On the power of “you”:

“Although there may be tragedy in your life, there’s always a possibility to triumph. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.”–Achievement.org

Credit: inc.com

In Interviews&profile May 19, 2018 By Women of Rubies

I AM INSPIRED BY PEOPLE WHO GENUINELY MAKE GREAT IMPACTS – TEMITOPE BALOGUN

Temitope Balogun is the founder of Temmy Balogun, an online media firm that renders content development, public relations and digital marketing services to individuals and businesses. The 24 years old graduate of mass communication from the Lagos State University was the youngest graduate in my set, currently a postgraduate student of the Herriot Watt University, UK where she is studying a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree

A native of Epe, Lagos state, She enjoys surfing the internet in search of Africans who are doing well in their chosen fields and also impacting the continent positively with their ideas, through her motivating Temmy Balogun Motivates 45 minutes interview, where insights, career tips and practical entrepreneurship knowledge are given by men and women of African descent who are leading lights in their fields. The initiative has in no little way helped a lot of young entrepreneurs online , especially LinkedIn users. Temmy has not only carved her niche for herself but she is gradually becoming an household name in the entrepreneurial world. In her words : “Believe, work hard, read, learn, and do not let the world or anyone define what you can and cannot do. Here is my inspiring interview with the young woman who is so confident that she will interview Oprah Winfrey one day.

My childhood didn’t prepare me for Media
Yes, it partly did. My childhood played a role in the creation of my motivational platform. I grew up listening to inspirational songs, which I still do and I find that they always seem to lift me up when I need that extra boost. Growing up, I felt I should, in my own way, help lift people, motivate them in the same manner that music and my family did and still do. I, at a point, wanted to do this through music too. I was very passionate about building my music career and started writing my own songs and got a studio in Bariga through a Facebook friend where I went to learn about songmaking after lectures. I was 17 years old at the time, I auditioned for MTN Project Fame but was scared off by Uncle Ben’s height and tough look.
As time passed, I got caught up with school work and my passion for a musical career waned though it’s still part of me. The passion to inspire still burnt bright, so I started writing and in 2015, I created the motivational platform that is now Temmy Balogun Motivates.
On the other hand, my childhood didn’t prepare me for the media career and entrepreneurship journey I embarked on. I didn’t grow up surrounded by entrepreneurs or media personnel. I owe my parents for my self-confidence though especially with my early enrollment into school which I believe helped me grow into this decisive and focused woman.

Meet Me!
My name is Temitope Balogun. I hail from and was born in Epe, Lagos Nigeria on the 17th of August 1993. I am a focused individual who believes there’s no unattainable dream as long as the dreamer is ready to make it a reality. I am a strong lover of Christ, and I try my best to live by the word of God daily. I appreciate creative, hardworking, humble, and impactful people.
In 2016, I founded Temmy Balogun, a media firm that renders content development, branding and digital marketing services to individuals and businesses. We also have a motivational platform called Temmy Balogun Motivates, where we share content geared towards driving youths and entrepreneurs in Africa to be innovative, not lose hope and become better versions of themselves.

Inspiration behind Temmy Balogun motivates
Temmy Balogun is a brand focused on adding value and impacting lives and brands positively. It was established to provide media-related and bespoke solutions to Individuals, entrepreneurs and organisations within and outside Africa.
Temmy Balogun was established as a solution to the lack of a one-stop channel for quality content development and publicity services for Africans within the continent and in diaspora, especially Nigerian independent consultants and entrepreneurs. I made this discovery during my stint as a freelance content development provider.

The creation of Temmy Balogun Motivates was driven, among other things, by a desire to correct misconceptions most Africans have about the entrepreneurship journey. It’s also to fill the motivational gap as both problems play significant roles in the fall in numbers of promising entrepreneurs as a large number of those that decided to venture into businesses give up and return to job searching.
After speaking with a few Nigerian entrepreneurs who experienced this and strategically observing online African youth communities, I discovered two major reasons for this. Firstly, many don’t get have clear picture of the journey before venturing into it. So when they face many unplanned challenges, they get demoralised and give up. For instance to be self-employed in Nigeria, in addition to all known skills, one needs a thick skin to overcome the many unique unexpected challenges that will surface while running the business. But many young entrepreneurs don’t know this, as business books don’t extensively discuss these challenges.

Secondly, most African entrepreneurs surf the internet daily but they hardly find indigenous motivational content uniquely created to keep them going while in this tough time.
I believe the misconception and lack of motivational support for African entrepreneurs needs to be eradicated, so we don’t continue losing promising entrepreneurs. Africa seriously needs more employers of labour in order to grow at a geometric pace.

I decided to solve these problems by providing insights into the entrepreneurial journey in Africa, including Nigeria on my motivational platform, Temmy Balogun Motivates. The motivational contents will hopefully enlighten and inspire youth both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to persevere till the journey becomes fruitful.
Our Interviews are targeted at Africans living within and outside the continent.

Being of the 43 semifinalists in Sterling Bank’s Meet The Executive Series in 2016
It was a memorable one for me. I felt so happy that an idea I coined based on the problem I was facing as a full-time worker could pass through the intense screening conducted by the Bank of Industry (BoI) and still get selected. When I got the selection mail, I was dumfounded. The experience actually boosted my confidence enough to get me started my entrepreneurial journey. The two-day training we received at Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) helped shed more light on the practical side of the entrepreneurship journey, and preparedme for the journey ahead.

Challenges
There were quite a number of challenges when I started my brand fully in 2016. Though they have reduced now, I will touch on few. The first issue I had was the paucity of funds. There wasn’t adequate funds to set up as a startup, and I had to rely heavily on my knowledge of operating a lean model. At the time, we had no physical address and had to wait till this year before getting an office space and studio in Ikeja, Lagos state. Output was adversely affected during this period but we beat the odds.
Then, as a media firm in the online space , we need to get our content out there more, but Nigerian banks wouldn’t allow us use our Naira card for promotions, except we open as dollar account which has vigorous process . So after going through the stress of production, we can not promote the content as much as we desire as we run on a lean budget.
But I count these challenges as part of a phase we have to pass through as a growing firm.

New project coming up
I have few ideas which are going to be in the tech space. One of them, which I hold dear to my heart, will be my next baby when I am done putting Temmy Balogun on its two feet. I also have bigger plans for Temmy Balogun Motivates, as I want to impact more lives and brand positively. So I and my team are working on innovative motivational concepts.

Greatest Reward
Positive feedbacks from clients I work for, people whose stories I tell and the audience who read our content are my greatest rewards so far. Youths and entrepreneurs following my platform frequently talk about how we inspire them to continue working on their dreams. All these are priceless to me because my brand is out to impact lives and brands positively.

My brand in the next five years
I am on a mission to build a globally-recognised brand that in five years would be known for the provision of bespoke content development, branding and digital marketing services as well as production and sharing of impactful content in Africa.

Giving up
Yes, there were times I felt like giving up but the thought of not posting in a day, not conducting interviews to inspire more people, and not rendering services that I have the skillsets for does not sit well with me.

Who and what inspire me
I am inspired by people who genuinely make great impacts in their field against all odds. I am inspired by the works of Chimamanda Adichie, Mo Abudu, Tunde Kelani, Kunle Afolayan, and Oprah Winfrey. Their works speak creativity, originality and add value.
I am also driven to do better on my platform because I understand that values placed on hard work and creativity in this part of world has deteriorated, but I still want to see youths who are interested in giving their best in Africa, so my platform has to grow to the extent that when they are celebrated on it, the world will become aware of them.

Being a woman of rubies
Have been faced with situations that should have driven me back to paid jobs which I get offers for frequently, but with my focused, determined and relentless spirit, I chose to stick to my entrepreneurship journey as it is where I believe I can make the most impact.
Final words of advice for women all over the world
If you truly believe in your ability that you can get something massive done, you will. Remain focused, be your number one cheerleader and let no one define what you can and cannot achieve.

Reaching me
You can get through to me by sending a message to baloguntemitope60@gmail for your content writing, branding and digital marketing services. You can also reach out to me if you want to be on our interview series on Temmy Balogun Motivates.
To keep up with my motivational contents, visit www.temmybalogun.com daily and follow me on:
IG: @temmytadabalogun; @temmybalogunmotivates
Twitter: @temmytadabalo
Facebook: Temmy Balogun’s Platform
LinkedIn: Temmy BalogunMBA (HRM)

In Career Gems May 19, 2018 By Women of Rubies

#JUSTICEFORNOURA: CELEBRITIES ARE CALLING FOR SUDANESE 19-YEAR-OLD NOURA HUSSEIN’S DEATH SENTENCE TO BE PARDONED

People are calling for 19-year-old Noura Hussein to be pardoned after a Sudanese court sentenced her to death.

She had stabbed her husband, who she said raped her, to death.
The relative of the man she was forced to marry had held her down, she said, while he raped her.
Her husband’s relatives refused the option to pardon her, and rejected compensation. They requested that she be executed.

According to CNN, Noura had been forced to marry at the early age of 15, and ran away from home.
She was tricked into returning by her dad three years later, who promptly handed her over to her husband’s family.
One of her lawyers, Adil Mohamed Al-Imam, told CNN that she was raped after she refused to consummate the marriage. He said:

His brother and two cousins tried to reason with her, when she refused she was slapped and ordered into the room. One held her chest and head, the others held her legs.
When her husband attempted raping her again the next day, she stabbed him to death.

Noura’s lawyers had 15 days to appeal after the ruling. 7 days are left now.
People have been calling for her to be pardoned, trending the hashtag #JusticeforNoura.
The hashtag has been trending on social media, and even supermodel Naomi Campbell has tweeted her support, sharing a photo of herself holding a piece of paper with the hashtag written

She says:

“I, Naomi Campbell, urge the Sudanese government to pardon rape victim Noura Hussein and show the world that women who are brutally raped are the real victims. #JusticeForNoura,’’ she said in the tweet.

In Career Gems May 19, 2018 By Women of Rubies

MORTEIN PARTNERS WITH WITH LAGOS & OGUN STATE TO ORGANIZE THE ANNUAL MALARIA QUIZ COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS

In furtherance of its continuous efforts to stopping the spread of Malaria in Nigeria and in commemoration of 2018 World Malaria Day, leading insecticide brand Mortein, has strengthened its partnership with Lagos and Ogun State Governments through the States’ Ministry of Health and Education, to organize the annual Malaria Quiz Competition for students in public Secondary Schools in both States.

Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, RB West Africa, Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi (left); Director, Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Erinosho Eniola (middle) and National Professional Officer, Malaria, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tolu Arowolo with participants at the 2018 Mortein Malaria Quiz Competition in Lagos.

The primary objectives of the competition were to promote and enlighten the students on the malaria scourge in the society, highlight best ways of prevention, treatment, and cure of malaria. The quiz on Malaria Prevention saw over 15 public secondary schools in participation who were pre-selected from secondary schools across the state.

Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, RB West Africa, Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi (left); Director of Public Health, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr. Qundus Yusuff (2nd left), Ogun State Malaria Programme Officer, Mrs Olamide Adeyinka and Senior Brand Manager, RB West Africa, Mrs Kuburat Sanusi, with participants at the 2018 Mortein Malaria Quiz Competition in Ogun State.
Speaking at the events, Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, RB West Africa, Mrs. Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi, said the partnership with the states demonstrate RB’s commitment to the anti-malaria fight towards a malaria free nation emphasizing the unalloyed support of the RB to the Government on the prevention of the scourge.

According to her, this competition is designed to arouse and re-awaken the interest of students in the knowledge of malaria and how to prevent it. “This competition is not just to identify winners and reward them accordingly, but to ultimately have advocates who would be championing the course of malaria prevention in their respective schools. Our expectation is that the Mortein Malaria Quiz Competition will continue to re-awaken the interest of students and teachers as well as educate the general public on preventive ways towards the eradication of mosquitoes in their immediate environment instead of curing it.

In his remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olajide Idris, charged students to engage their host communities in combating the malaria scourge.

Dr. Idris, who was represented by the Director, Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Erinosho Eniola, noted that the students have the power of influence on their mothers and siblings which they can maximize in waging war against malaria for healthy society.

In his remarks, Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Babatunde Ipaye, represented by the Director of Public Health in the Ministry, Dr. Qundus Yusuff, enjoined the students to put to use the knowledge they have acquired during the competition, tasking them to be committed ambassadors of the anti-malaria campaign.

He further expressed appreciation to Mortein for their initiatives and efforts in the fight against malaria in Ogun State.

In Lagos, five Secondary Schools in the State participated in the quiz competition, and was won by Agidingbi Senior Grammar School Ikeja, while in Ogun, 12 Secondary Schools participated and the 1st place trophy was won by Itoki Secondary School, Ifo.

In Interviews&profile May 18, 2018 By Women of Rubies

#PROFILE: MEET PRINCESS ADEYINKA TEKENAH, FOUNDER OF “HAPPY COFFEE”

Adeyinka Tekenah is the founder of one of Nigeria’s premier indigenous coffee franchises: Happy Coffee, and a recipient of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs Foundation award.

Adeyinka is a Bachelor of Arts graduate with high honors from the prestigious Harold Washington University, Chicago. She also went ahead to acquire a Business Management degree from the University of Phoenix.

Her career has traversed government, charity and business development. A life member of the Phi Theta Kappa honours roll call and Dean list, she serves as an advisory member of “Apple of All Nations Nigeria and UK” (a charity for the needy and fatherless).

She is currently the Business Designer for Ochaoptasia Limited and Lead Consultant for Reywal Ventures. Adeyinka previously served as a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on CSR, PPP and MDG to the Amuwo Odofin LG Chairman.

She’s passionate about business designs and advancement leading to sustainable growth and development for African women.

In Career Gems May 18, 2018 By Women of Rubies

CHIMAMANDA ADICHE RECEIVES HONORARY DEGREE FROM DUKE UNIVERSITY

Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has received an honorary degree from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Adichie was one of the 6 conferred with the degree at the ceremony, all of them describes as people who have changed the world in extensive ways.
“Few writers have captured the challenges of immigrants and others navigating those changes as Adichie,” the university said.

Others honoured with the degree are: the CEO of General Motors, Mary Barra; former Durham, Mayor William Bell; Phil Freelon, lead architect for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; Dr. William Kaelin, professor of medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School; and Attorney Russell M. Robinson II.

womenofrubies