womenofrubies Archives

In Career Gems April 19, 2018 By Women of Rubies

ACTRESS ADA AMEH REVEALS THAT SHE DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL WHEN SHE GOT PREGNANT AT THE AGE OF 14

Nollywood actress and The Johnsons’ star, Ada Ameh, has revealed that she dropped out of secondary school at 14 when she became pregnant with her daughter.

She revealed this during her speech at the Benson Idahosa University’s 14th Cultural Day Celebration. She added she is a proud single mother. She said,

“Going through life as a single mother was not an easy thing at all but today I am proud to call myself a proud single mother because whenever I see my daughter I am glad.

I want you to understand that even though I dropped out of secondary school, I am a proud single mother. Just take it that my life is a history. If not for God, I don’t know where I would have been.

My major concern is for the young girls. I am not a victim, I am a proud single mother. Today my child is my school; she was the school that I graduated from. My first degree was that woman. Yu will not understand what it means to become pregnant at fourteen.”

In self development April 19, 2018 By Women of Rubies

CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE NARRATES HOW SHE WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AT THE AGE OF 17

Award-winning writer, Chimamanda Adichie has shared a story of how she was sexually assaulted at the age of 17.

She made this known during an address at the just concluded Stockholm Forum for Gender Equality.

Chimamanda revealed that she went to a “Big man in media” house after she wrote a book of poems who she thought would help her promote the book.

She went on to reveal how within a minute, the said man slipped his hands down her clothes and then moved on to her bra and squeezed her boobs.

She said, “I was so shocked that I did nothing for seconds but then, I pushed his hand away, gently, nicely, because I didn’t want to offend him. Later that day, I broke out in a rash on my face, neck, and chest, as though my body was recoiling, as though my body was saying what my lips had not said.”

Chimamanda Adichie has always been a passionate advocator of gender equality and also encourages women who have been abused before to come out and share their stories.

We understand her better now as she shares her own story.

Watch the video below, starting from the 3:44:08 mark.

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

FACTS ABOUT BARBARA BUSH WHO WAS WIFE AND MOTHER TO PAST US PRESIDENTS

Here are a few things to know about her:

Early Life

Barbara Bush was born Barbara Pierce on June 8, 1925, in New York City. Her mother, Pauline Pierce, was the daughter of an Ohio Supreme Court justice and dedicated to conservation efforts as a chairwoman of the Garden Club of America.

Education

Barbara attended Rye Country Day School from 1931 to 1937 and later the boarding school Ashley Hall in Charleston, South Carolina, from 1940 to 1943. As a youth, she was athletic and enjoyed swimming, tennis, and bike riding. Her interest in reading began early in life; she recalled gathering and reading with her family during the evenings.

Marriage

When Pierce was 16 and on Christmas vacation, she met George Bush at a dance; he was a student at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. After 18 months, the two became engaged to be married, just before he went off to World War II as a Navy torpedo bomber pilot.

He named three of his planes after her: Barbara, Barbara II, and Barbara III. When he returned on leave, she had dropped out of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts; two weeks later, on January 6, 1945, they were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Rye, New York, with the reception being held at The Apawamis Club.

Life As the first lady

Family literacy was Barbara Bush’s cause as First Lady, and she called it “the most important issue we have”. She became involved with many literacy organizations, served on literacy committees and chaired many reading organizations.

Eventually, she helped develop the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. She continued to be dedicated to eliminating the generational cycle of illiteracy in America by supporting programs where parents and their young children are able to learn together.

During the early 1980s, after statistics had shown that foreign-born immigrants from Latin America had nearly quintupled just since 1960, statistics showed that 35 million adults could not read above the eighth-grade level and that 23 million were not able to read beyond a fourth-grade level.

She was active in the White House Historical Association and worked to revitalize the White House Preservation Fund, which she renamed the White House Endowment Trust.

The trust raises funds for the ongoing refurbishment and restoration of the White House. She met her goal of raising $25 million towards the endowment. The White House residence staff generally found Barbara Bush to be the friendliest and most easygoing of the First Ladies with whom they dealt.

Life as the second lady

Barbara Bush’s eight years as Second Lady allowed her to become a common household name. After her son Neil was diagnosed with dyslexia, she took an interest in literacy issues and began working with several different literacy organizations.

She spent much time researching and learning about the factors that contributed to illiteracy – she believed homelessness was also connected to illiteracy – and the efforts underway to combat both.

She travelled around the country and the world, either with the vice president on official trips or by herself. In 1984, she wrote a children’s book, C. Fred’s Story, which dealt with her family as told from the point of view of her dog, C. Fred.

She donated all proceeds from the book to literacy charities. By then comfortable speaking in front of groups, she routinely spoke to promote issues that she believed in, and she became famous for expressing a sense of humour and self-deprecating wit.

In 1988, Vice President Bush announced his candidacy for President to succeed Reagan. By this time Barbara had experienced two presidential campaigns but broke new ground by becoming the second candidate’s spouse to speak at the national party convention that nominated her husband (after Eleanor Roosevelt in 1940).

She promised voters that she would be a traditional first lady and campaigned actively for her husband. The campaign at times focused on the large Bush family, and contrasted her with the First Lady, Nancy Reagan, by highlighting her interest in domestic staples such as church, gardening, and time spent with family while placing less emphasis on style sense and fashion; she drew attention to both her famous white hair and disinterest in wearing designer clothes.

Campaigning for her son to be president

Bush campaigned for her son, George W. Bush, after he announced his presidential campaign in June 1999. Throughout the country, she met with women in support of his campaign but remained doubtful of his chances of winning.

The resentment toward the campaign continued with her rejecting any criticism of her son said in her presence and refused to watch any debates, a contrast to her husband’s willingness to listen and his watching of every debate, creating friction between the couple.

Several schools have been named for her: three primary schools and two middle schools in Texas and an elementary school in Mesa, Arizona. Also named for her is the Barbara Bush Library in Harris County, Texas, and the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. She served on the Boards of AmeriCares and the Mayo Clinic and headed the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

On March 18, 2003 — two days before the beginning of the 2003 invasion of Iraq — her son George W. Bush was President.

Awards and legacy

In 1995, Bush received the Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged, an award is given out annually by Jefferson Awards. In 1997, she was the recipient of The Miss America Woman of Achievement Award for her work with literacy programs.

In 2016, she received honorary membership in Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Houston chapter.

Barbara Bush Elementary School in the Parkway Villages neighbourhood in Houston, operated by the Houston Independent School District, is named after her.

Illness and death

Bush suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, and Graves’ disease. In April 2018, the Bush family released a statement regarding Bush’s “failing health” and how she had chosen to be at home with family rather than seek further treatment. According to family spokesman Jim McGrath, Bush’s decision came as a result of “a series of recent hospitalizations”.

It was announced on April 15, 2018, that Bush would no longer seek medical treatment and had instead chosen the option of “comfort care”. Bush died in her Houston home of complications from COPD at the age of 92 on April 17, 2018.

Source: fabwoman.ng

In Career Gems April 17, 2018 By Women of Rubies

LUXURY NETWORK APPOINTS BUKKY KARIBI-WHYTE AS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR

A leading luxury affinity marketing group, The Luxury Network, has appointed Founder and CEO of Robert Taylor Media Limited, Bukky Karibi-Whyte, as Director of Public Relations and Strategic Partnerships in Nigeria.

The Luxury Network which was launched in the UK in 2007, is an invitation-only private business club specialising in creating highly lucrative business partnerships between the world’s premium brands and high-end service providers, thereby providing access to a wider pool of pre-qualified, high-net-worth clients.

The appointment is set to bring together the finest brands in Nigeria and foster unique partnerships and collaborations in the luxury industry. The new director will be responsible for corporate communications, building brand awareness and establishing key partnership opportunities.

According to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Cas Ojo: “The Luxury Network Nigeria is delighted to welcome Bukky Karibi-Whyte as our Director of Public Relations and Strategic Partnerships.

Since our launch, we have been analysing the Nigerian luxury market and are excited to roll out some exciting developments over the coming months. Bukky will be pivotal in defining the face of the Network over the next 12 months, and we have drawn up a shortlist of the finest Nigerian companies who will be invited to join the Network.

We have commenced discussion with a number of the selected brands and high end service providers, alongside some high-profile international luxury brands and there are plans to create some truly unique partnerships for the Nigerian luxury Industry.”

The Luxury Network Nigeria will be working with The Luxury Network UK and renowned brands and organisations in the British Luxury industry to build an international perspective on the business of luxury.

Source: Guardian Newspaper

In lifestyle April 17, 2018 By Women of Rubies

TOBI AMUSAN MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST NIGERIAN TO WIN GOLD AT THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES 100M HURDLES

Nigeria’s Oluwatobiloba Amusan has made history by becoming the first Nigerian to win gold at the Commonwealth Games 100m hurdles.

The 20-year-old put up an impressive run to come out tops with 12.68 seconds at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Amusa is the reigning American Collegiate 100m hurdles champion, her gold becoming Nigeria’s 8th at the games, pushing the country to 8th on the medals table.

Source: fabwoman.ng

In self development April 17, 2018 By Women of Rubies

MEET NIGERIAN AMERICAN DANCER DIDDI EMAH, THE BATON SOLOIST IN BEYONCE’S COACHELLA PERFORMANCE

Beyonce Knowles made history with her iconic performance at the Coachella. As it turns out, the lauded baton solo during “Like To Party”, was done by a Nigerian dancer, Diddi Emah.

Diddi Emah is part of the dance group, Bad Girls Club, who are directed by Sean and have worked with the likes of Missy Elliot, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar and others.

Speaking about her experience at Coachella, Diddi said on Instagram:

“From a small village in Nigeria to the big stage with Beyoncé!!! You can’t tell me God isn’t real! This one is for all the small girls in villages back home in Nigeria. God is alive and kicking! Dream as big as you can-and then believe it!

Thank you for all the support. To perform behind the first black woman to SLAY the stage at Coachella-to slay the world. All hail the QUEEN Beyoncé . She is a true masterpiece, I’ve never watched someone work that hard- have her empire and family and move with so much grace.

Thanks for showing us all how to STOP THE WORLD. Thank you to all the Historical Black Colleges-you made this possible. I’m so proud to be African and American”

Credit: konbini.com

In self development April 16, 2018 By Women of Rubies

MEET 16-YEAR-OLD MAUD BENSON WHO IS DETERMINED TO BE THE FIRST FEMALE GRANDMASTER IN GHANA

16-year-old Maud Benson is determined to be the first female grandmaster in Ghana and she’s doing everything possible to achieve her goal. She’s already being hailed as Africa’s Queen of Chess.

(Photo: Achimota School via Facebook)

Benson only started playing chess at 14 after her French teacher got her to join the chess club. Once she realized the game was helping her strategize perfectly, she stuck to it. Playing in junior competitions, she was the only girl who could comfortably compete with boys.

At age 13, she beat all the best female chess players on the Ghana team during the 2015 Team Championships. She gradually made her way into national competitions, like the Women’s Championship where she easily pushed adult players aside to win the tournament.

She soon moved on to international competitions like the African Junior U20 Chess Championship in Togo where she scored an impressive 6/9 last December.

On how far she wants to go in the game, she said:

“I want to be the first female grandmaster in Ghana. Yes, yes, chess will be a constant feature and, so far, it has taken me here.

I believe that chess will give me the platform to help in creating awareness for female chess in Ghana and Africa as a whole.”

Last February, she secured a spot on the national team representing Ghana at the Chess Olympiad in Georgia come September 2018.

(Photo: Ghana Chess Association)

In lifestyle April 16, 2018 By Women of Rubies

FLORIDA COUNTY DEDICATES A DAY TO HONOR NIGERIAN-AMERICAN ACTRESS SOPE ALUKO

Florida County has decided to dedicate a whole day to Nigerian-American actress, Sope Aluko to celebrate her rise in Hollywood.

Following her Black Panther role as the shaman, she will also be appearing in the movie Venom.

According to the news Aluko excitedly shared on her Instagram, Miami-Dade County has proclaimed April 10, 2018, as Sope Aluko Day — an honor she was presented by the county’s mayor and vice chairwoman.

Sope Aluko is also set to appear alongside Taraji P. Henson and this year’s ‘Best Supporting Actor’ Oscar winner, Sam Rockwell, in the upcoming period drama, The Best Of Enemies.

View her post below.

In Interviews&profile April 14, 2018 By Women of Rubies

#INTERVIEW: “I HAVE GONE THROUGH FIRE AND CONQUERED” – LAYO EMMANUEL, BESTSELLING AUTHOR & COACH

Layo Emmanuel is a Medical Doctor, Transformational Speaker, coach and a Bestselling author, For more than 6 years, she walked through life not knowing who she was or where she was headed. Her self esteem and confidence plummeted. Her studies were jeopardized and her marriage tethered on the brink of divorce. Layo got indebted due to a fraudulent business partner and became the joke of the town in far away Ukraine where she lives with her Pastor husband

Layo almost lost it but decided to take her fate into her hands and took the long lonely road of finding herself and God given purpose in life. She wrote a book that became an overnight Number Bestseller and got featured by some of the most coveted media houses in the world – FOX news, ABC news, NBC, NewYork Chronicles and some others. In her words “I re-wrote my life story and turned my pain into passion . Here is my inspiring interview with her

Childhood Preparation

I grew up with a mum who was a banker and a dad who worked as an Engineer. I and my siblings grew up sheltered. Oh! My mum is the strictest of “Yoruba mothers.”

She wouldn’t even allow usrelate to the house helps we had living in the house with us. Neither will she let us speak with other neighbors in the compound.

So, I found myself growing up in the company of all manner of books alone. I mean educational books, magazines, novels etc. Those were the only things permitted in the house.

Meet Me

I am a #1 Bestselling Author and an international speaker. I trained as a Medical Doctor from a University in Europe. I’m also an ordained Pastor, a Pastors’ wives coach as well as a certified beauty coach.

But in reality …

I am simply a young woman who is determined to enjoy the best of three worlds and passionate to see that other women enjoy the same as well.

By the best of three worlds, I mean, I’m looking at women who are sound in their faith/spirituality. But then, they are disrupting the financial playground because they are loaded.

At the same time, they are living for and fulfilling a definite life assignment. Their home front is thriving. They are emotionally balanced and yes, they are stunners, in the sense of drop dead gorgeous.

All these for me sums up, enjoying the best of three worlds – Spirit, Soul, andBody.

My Best Selling book ‘The Survivor’

“The Survivor” details my journey on how I found my way out of the dark pit that life threw me into.

The goal is for anyone facing giant oppositions to get a hold of that book, apply the insights shared to their lives and come out winning.

Even, if a man has been condemned to spend his life in the worst Syrian prison, if he gets a hold of that book, he will be able to find his way out with the insights I share in it.

And believe me, Esther, the responses from people all over the world makes me believe that the book is achieving its aim.

In there, I detailed all the helpful secrets, truths, principles and tools that I stumbled upon in my lowest moments in life that helped me to “reinvent myself and transform my life.”

Serving pastors’ wives by helping them to find their place in the Ministry and shine in all their authenticity’

I do that through my mentorship program for young pastor’s wives where I get one-on-one with the woman in question. With a series of tools and exercises, we come up with what her unique assignment ought to be in ministry and in life generally.

I also have a Young Pastor Wives Academy” which is an on-going membership community where I basically hold the pastor’s wives hands along their journey in ministry.

There, I aim to shed light on the peculiar challenges most Pastor’s wives experience at one time or the other. And I also proffer God approved solutions to the particular challenges and struggles members of the academy are experiencing.

Being a happy and fulfilled pastor’s wife is one of the hardest things to be in life. Truly, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

Other activities

I hold training and Masterclasses around programs whose aim is to enable women to thrive in their spirituality, finances as well as their physical wellness.

To this end, I created my flagship program

“Reinvent Yourself In 90 Days Like A Boss(90 Days To Your Best Version Yet)” as well as “Turn Your Story To A Source Of Income In 30 Days.”

With this, I teach women how to leverage their stories as their greatest platforms in life. Both to impact others as well as turning their stories into a financially rewarding venture.

Greatest reward

I have been invited to the Ukrainian Parliament to speak on National Transformation. I havebeen featured in world-class media, Huffington Post, FOX News, ABC News, New York Chronicles and several others. I have shared stages with Media Influencers, Diplomats, Entertainment Stars, widely respected Pastors and all.

However, the greatest reward I have gotten is the gift of being free to be me.

I mean , there was a time in my life where I never thought I could amount to anybody outside my husband. There was a time, I didn’t think I could do anything by myself without the involvement of other people and it would succeed or thrive.

I would never have thought I could speak and people would listen simply because they believe I was dishing out something of value to them.

So, just being able to display my authentic self and gifts imperfectly to the world like I sometimes do is the greatest gift.

Managing It all

There is no “one size fits it all” answer to this question. There’s no perfect answer. But what I know is that I have a supportive husband, a supportive team and an understanding child.

They all make it seemeasier. Though, there are days I feel like I am drowning and there are days I feel like a boss, on top of it all.

I simply put one foot in front of the other per day and try to take each day as they come. Although, it helps that I’m a workaholic. I keep on working most times until I am stopped by my husband or one of my team members.

Giving up

I feel like giving up every now and then. Life just has a way of throwing darts at you especially when you are gunning to live a life of purpose.

So yes, every now and then, I feel like throwing in the towel but then I have trained myself not to enjoy such luxuries. At such times, I only resort to affirmations and confessions. Or I just put on an upbeat music and start dancing like a crazy woman.

Dancing like that has been proven to help release the happiness hormone in the body called serotonin. It most times combats cortisol which is the stress hormone.

Who and What inspires me to be better

It’s a nexus of things that inspired me. Firstly the intense dissatisfaction I felt in my soul for living an empty life.

Secondly Ted McGrath (one of my coaches who is also one of the highest paid transformational speakers in the world)

Lastly, funny enough, a Yoruba movie I watched a couple of years back also informed my desire to be better. The star actor in the film was “a down and out guy” who turned his experience in that movie into a book.

The book became an overnight hit – a bestseller.

As I watched, I thought to myself “girl, you can do this” that is, turn my life’s story into a Bestselling book. And it happened.

I am a Woman of Rubies

I have gone through fire. I have conquered. And every day, I keep defeating life’s demons that show up at my doorsteps in the name of challenges.

I also keep seeking to improve myself daily, to get better.

Also, like Dr. Myles Munroe said, I am pushing to see that I die empty haven blessed humanity with all that God has given unto me.

Besides this, I am living a life of freedom, one that is authentically me. I play as I want, laugh as I want and do the things I want to do no longer bothered about “societal acceptable standards.”

Now, I get on the pulpit in my ripped jeans and use words like “yeah” or “def” when I am preaching and God is still present strong in the meeting.

And I, on the other hand,feel super comfortable, no longer feeling inferior that I don’t talk or look like the picture-perfect pastor’s wife.

Final word for women all over the world

To young women, the world over, know that no one makes the rules by which you must live in this life. You make the rules by yourself with the sum total of information you expose yourself to and the purpose you were given to live out.

I recommend first, the Bible to you as your primary navigation system in life. Then, every other book. Please, don’t forget financial education in all ramifications.

And if you don’t read any other fiction in your life, do read – Master Of The Game by Sidney Sheldon.

While at it, plan never to be defined as Mrs. Somebody. Rather, ruthlessly invest in yourself and be all that God will have you be on earth.

Then carry a value that not even the richest oil reserves in the United Arab Emirates can pay for enough in terms of bride price.

Even as a woman, the world is a magical garden but you will have to create your own magic with your own hands. A good place to begin from is the thoughts of your heart and the utterances of your mouth.

If I can go from losing myself in my marriage, losing over a hundred thousand dollars in debt, and becoming pregnant right at the verge of a divorce to finding myself where I am today, then anyone can do the same too.

You too can do the same.

In Career Gems April 13, 2018 By Women of Rubies

MO ABUDU REVEALS PLAN TO PRODUCE NEW SERIES ABOUT WOMEN WARRIORS FROM THE 19TH CENTURY IN LATEST INTERVIEW WITH CNN

Two weeks ago, media mogul Mo Abudu announced that EL TV had signed a distribution deal with Sony Pictures and are already in talks to distribute three series around the world.

In her latest interview with CNN, Mo talks about what to expect with the TV series about women warriors of Dahomey as it will be the first to be produced.

Watch her interview below.

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