Youngest Nobel Prize Laureate and Pakistani activist for female education, Malala Yousafzai, was born in Mingora, Pakistan, to proud parents Ziauddin and Toor Pekai Yousafzai, Malala using the pen name “Gul Makai” to protect her identity, began blogging for the BBC about life under the Taliban rule.
Yousafzai, the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize at 17 was accepted at Oxford University in August to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics, attended her first lecture today. Now 22, she has resumed lectures at Oxford university.
On the 9th of October 2012, while on her way from school in a school bus on Swat Valley in north-west Pakistan, a gunman boarded her school bus and shot her in the head, neck and shoulder. This happened because she had begun writing an anonymous diary about life under Taliban rule.
Malala was later flown to the United States for treatment and that was where she completed her secondary education after recovering.
Sharing a photo of some of her textbooks, a laptop and a pencil, Malala wrote on Twitter:
“5 years ago, I was shot in an attempt to stop me from speaking out for girls’ education. Today, I attend my first lectures at Oxford.”
Malala’s post now has 213,000 retweets and 687,000 likes, and 5,891 comment 14 hours after posting (as at the time of this report).
Most organisations today operate in a highly complex matrix structure with multiple reporting lines and different levels of expertise requiring you sometimes to be vast across a number of skills.
This can be overwhelming sometimes especially when you have multi-functional projects and your delivery is dependent on others as you are not able to do most of the tasks on your own. Thing is, the priority level of each task is different from function to function but each action adds up as an essential for you. More importantly, you need not be overwhelmed but have the ability to ask for help , that way, you spend less time struggling.
It is important to have an enabling environment that allows you to function in a way that fosters better collaboration. Asking for help should not be seen as a sign of weakness but rather, recognizing what you are good at and appreciating what someone else’s is good at. This enables both sides to benefit and gain valuable experience. The person receiving helps adds nuance and texture to their thinking, overcome cognitive biases and flaws in their logic while at the same time giving someone else an opportunity to shine and validate their knowledge – this could make someone else’s day!
In asking for help, first acknowledge that you don’t have a solution to a task/problem or that you can’t do it alone – be sure to explore possible solutions as your own first step. Remember, no one person can know everything, so allow yourself to be human. It’s also better to build a reputation to be known to give assistance to others. This paves the way for reciprocity and encourages others to reach out without incurring social debts or negative repercussions, making it an admirable trait. Additionally, ask for help smartly, as a ‘SMART’ request (Why you need it, what you need, When you need it, from who do you need help) is easy to respond to as you never know what people know or how they can help until you ask. Not only will you have the benefit of extra advice, you will also have people to share your successes with.
An enabling work environment makes it easy to ask for help by encouraging the practices and setting the tone and the norms. However, we must take time out to say ‘thank you’ and really mean it to express our gratitude for the help. It’s important to close the loop by letting the other person know how valuable your help was – people appreciate recognition and follow through. On both sides, emotional intelligence, diplomacy, self-awareness and patience are required to avoid damaging consequences to individuals and the organization.
To be successful in today’s work environment, you need to ask for what you need as it can become a powerful tool, if employed strategically – save yourself and others time by asking insightful questions that demonstrate your curiosity, inquisitiveness and your interest in understanding the process and not just performing your step of the cycle. Two heads… Or more…are better than one, strong people ask for help. Avoid muddling through a bad situation on your own, as challenges presents opportunities to cultivate our network and proactively build relationships.
Again, remember to frame the ‘ASK’ properly.
ABOUT TOLA
Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi Omotola is a Regional Marketing Manager for West Africa in an FMCG. A firm believer in empowering others for success in the work place as she is a well sought after facilitator on Marketing and Business management. She also manages Workplace Management columns and Consumer Insight columns in magazines published across West Africa as well as volunteering with NGO’s as a child educator.
Currently ranked by Forbes as the richest woman in Nigeria with an estimated net worth of $2.1 billion, Folorunsho Alakija has proven to be a successful woman both career and business wise.
Alakija who is the managing director of The Rose of Sharon Group, executive vice-chairman of Famfa Oil Limited, founder of Supreme Stitches and a host of other businesses has shown that she has what it takes to be a power woman.
She started her career as an executive secretary who rose to the top without a college degree against all odds.
Here are 5 Life lessons every lady can learn from her.
1. Be Passionate About What You Are Doing
The first lesson you can learn is if you are currently in a position or a job that is not your dream job, do not let that stop you from learning as much as you can from that role. You never know who you may meet in that position that would help you move forward. Alakija was once a company secretary because of her fathers wishes and she excelled as an executive secretary and eventually rose to become the first director of corporate affairs for Nigeria’s International Merchant Bank.
2. Take Advantage Of Opportunities
If you intend to start your own business someday you should read alot about that industry, attend events, and talk to people who are doing what you are currently interested in. If you find an opportunity that is not currently being addressed, you should dive into it before the opportunity passes you by.
Alakija ventured into the Nigerian fashion industry at a time when things were beginning to grow. According to her, “It was a time when Nigerians were very proud of display African fashion.
3. Make An Impact Regardless Of Your Position
Regardless of your position, there is something you can share with people looking up to you as a mentor. Make an impact in your immediate community, neighborhood.
Alakija has a foundation named Rose of Sharon Foundation, a non-governmental organization that supports widows and orphan children through programs and educational grants. Even before she became a philanthropist, Alakija was involved in community programs and shared her expertise with others through speaking engagements and attending volunteer events.
4. Be Enterprising
Every lady shouldn’t always rely on her salary alone, you must have other legitimate sources of income. Learn to do a business on the side. But ensure it won’t affect your major work schedule. Alakija’s primary sources of wealth are rooted in oil and fashion. Currently, She is the Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil, managing director of The Rose of Sharon Group and the founder of Supreme Stitches, a fashion label that catered to upscale clientele.
5. What Is Worth Doing At All Is Worth Doing Well
Every lady must have the ”what is worth doing at all is worth doing well attitude”. It would help you achieve a lot in your business and career. You Must be able to juggle the competing demands of a career or business and family. Alakija successfully manages many streams of business and also keeping her home together.
Morna International Children’s Foundation will be kick starting an Initiative tagged: “The Girl Child Matters” in commemoration of International Day of the Girl Child on the 13Th Of October, 2017 at Ikotun, Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos state.
It is going to be a Seminar for adolescent girls in various Secondary and Primary School pupils.
Guest Speakers for the Seminar are Jesuleke Akinpelumi, a female Pilot with Caverton Helicopters Susan Ikegwu, a Gender Activist, and ACP. Aderemi Adeoye, an Assistant Commissioner of Police seconded to African Union Commission.
Key areas the Initiative will focus on are;
The right of the girl Child to Education
The right of the girl Child to protection from abuse
The right of the girl Child to equality
The right of the girl Child to Health & Care
The right of the girl Child to survival
The Girl child matters is subsequently going to include campaigns, rallies, and workshops in order to spreads its message.
Bukola Afolabi Ogunyeye
Executive Director / Founder
MORNA International Children’s Foundation (MICF)
Phone number: 08175625915
Email: info@mornafoundation.org
Website: www.mornafoundation.org
ABOUT MORNA INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION (MICF)
MICF is a registered Non- Governmental Organization. She campaigns against Child Abuse, it’s prevention and assist Victims of Sexual Abuse and promotes the rights of the Nigerian Child. Her vision is to build a word where Children are respected and protected from all forms of abuse.
MISSION STATEMENTS
1. MICF’s mission commits to nurture and empower Children on their fundamental Human rights.
2. To provide public awareness on the current state of Child abuse and neglect in Nigeria.
3. To spread programs that focus on advocating prevention and early intervention in Child abuse and neglect through public education.
We are pleased to introduce to you The Heartminders Societal Advancement Initiative’s day of the girl #IDG2017 Conference for your warm consideration and coverage .
Our Objective
The Heartminders project was conceived to create a better and healthier society.
Our Aim
To offer Nigerians girls, especially the young adults and teenagers through this project, hope for a better tomorrow, upholding their right to life.
On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
For its sixth observance, this year’s Day will focus on the theme; EmPOWER Girls: Before, during and after crises’ as announced by UN.
The fulfilment of girls’ right to education is first and foremost an obligation and moral imperative.
For this reason, Heartminders Societal Advancement Initiative and United Nations information Centre Lagos will commemorate the day of the girl on Wednesday, 1th October, 2017.
Theme: EmPOWER Girls: Before, during and after crises
Time: 9am
Venue: FM Event Center, 19, Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Mrs. Princess Olufemi-Kayode
Nigerian Criminal Psychologist, founder and Executive Director of Media Concern Initiative
Proffesor Mrs. Abigail Ogwezzy- Ndisika
Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos
Guest Speaker
Pharm. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuph
Lagos state commissioner for youth and social development
Panel of Discussants
Donna Ogunnaike- Poet and Barr at Law
Tewa Onasanya – Publisher Exquisite Magazine
Esther Ijewere – Women of Rubies
Bisi Ogunwale- Junior Chamber international
Grace Ama – Actress and Movie producer
The annual Conference is aimed at raising awareness on issues facing girls in Nigeria from education, abuse, child marriage to legal and medical rights
It is our firm belief that this investment of our time and resources would be worth it and would surely get rewarded by the emergence of a children-friendly and fair society that we all yearn for.
Yesterday I spent the day at my Refresh soul sisters dental office. She had her annual free Dental day where she and her team of dentists give free dental care to the less fortunate. She recruited me to give motivation, inspiration and transformation and when Tejumade St Matthew-Daniel calls you…you feel compelled to come 😉.
They saw over 200 patients. And at the end of the day, as is her way, she asked me what the most impactful moment was for me.
There were so many but l’ll tell you what touched me the most was how she and her husband worked together. He was front and center supporting and pouring into his wife’s mission. He is a successful physician himself (He was actually on call that day) and he brought his office team to volunteer. While she was seeing patients, he was not somewhere sitting as Oga concerned. He was walking around, working with the volunteers, speaking to the people waiting for medical attention.
During her thank you speech, she honored him and whenever I speak to either of them, they speak so highly of each other. It was beautiful to see a model of a marriage fueled by purpose and bound by love.
Some might think he isn’t Nigerian but he is. They are both Nigerian and they are one of the powerhouse couples I know.
It strikes me as amazing because unfortunately, so often there is some unnecessary tension in some marriages. Some men have been socialized to believe that being a husband means controlling a woman and sometimes even suffocating her passion and drive out of her. Some are so threatened by strong women.
If you meet Tejumade, you will say she is a strong woman. She is. No doubt about it. If you meet me, you might say the same perhaps.
So many (Nigerian) men find strong women troubling. I myself have heard the phrase “be forming strong woman there o!) from different men.
But then some women get it twisted too. They are also controlling and emasculating and more. Some women become warriors at war with the wrong enemy. But these control dramas are not about gender…
They are about emotional and spiritual immaturity.
For the insecure and immature, love is often replaced by control and intimidation is used by many husbands/wives as opposed to affection and loving communication. For some men, they just want their wives to be quiet. Just acquiesce. To have no voice…as if she was not created by God to fulfill purpose…and sometimes it is the voice of your partner that will alert you to danger.
My father and I were talking last year about culture, tradition and gender relations. And he said finally…any society that doesn’t value and make room for the contributions of it’s women is like a dog trying to walk on just two legs.
Our people say that what an old person sees sitting down, a young person can not see standing up.
Back to the couple of the hour. I have been blessed to spend time with them and they are both purpose driven, sold out to God and constantly investing in their own growth. This I believe is the key. They are both yearning to be the best people they can be. Individually and together and they support each other’s growth.
We are all meant to be strong in the Lord. To be of good courage is not a mandate only for men. For God has given us all (men and women alike) a spirit of power, love and a sound mind.
When a strong man and woman unite = 💥💥Powerhouse couple.
Yesterday, because of the efforts of a powerhouse couple and their teams, hundreds of lives were changed.
Olabanke Banjo is a writer, Digital strategist and all round creative. A graduate of Foreign Languages (French) from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife Osun State, Olabanke always stood out as an artistic child with an unmitigated interest in literature and fine arts.
Born in the 90s to a family of 3 children, Olabanke developed an interest in the Arts at the early age of 9.
At the age of 10, she was selected out of over 400 students in her primary school to participate in the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting organized by UNICEF, where she reported on street hawking and child exploitation.
However, Olabanke took her passion for all things art-related in 2016 to another level while living with her elder sister in Lagos. During her stay there, she developed an idea to recycle/upcycle tyres into artsy and ultra-modern furniture after a pile of about 20 tyres were about to be disposed by her sister’s neighbours.
Today, Olabanke has set up a creative outfit, Cyrus45 Factory, which focuses on not only recycling but also producing bespoke and ultra-modern furniture and products for the art savvy Nigerian. She also works as a Digital strategist and content writer at an Advertising agency in Lagos. Here is her exclusive interview with us..
Childhood
I have always been inclined to arts and crafts from my early years. As a child, my mother nurtured my flair and talent for the arts by buying me paint brushes whenever she travelled and enrolling me in Art clubs to encourage me in building my skills. I can recall having a number of sketch pads when I was just 9 which contained drawings of Beyonce, rock band Green Day and Disney characters. My childhood fostered my creativity and love for the arts to a large extent.
My interest in arts
My interest in arts is actually not limited to just furniture making from recycled items. I also perform on stage from time to time, I draw/doodle and I also dance. I like to say art and creativity were planted in my DNA right from conception, it is a God-given talent. When I try to explore other fields; I find myself always being drawn to the Arts. It is and will always remain one of my first loves.
I was selected out of over 400 students to participate in a Unicef programme at the age 10…
At the time, I was very nervous and surprised that I was even chosen. But looking back, the experience helped tremendously in boosting my self-confidence and opening up my creativity. I am indeed grateful and glad that I auditioned and was selected.
Inspiration
I became inspired to start using tyres to make bespoke furniture sometime last year. I have always been a lover of the arts and have dabbled in several art-related handiwork like bead making, bag making and greeting cards making to mention a few. However, last year May, while living with my elder sister in Lagos, I came across a pile of about 20 used tyres in her compound. Her neighbours intended to dispose of them because they had been lying fallow for almost 2 years. But being a lover of revamping old items, I asked them to give me the tyres. The initial idea that popped in my head was to make a coffee table, so I did the necessary research on recycling and reusing of old tyres. Then I made a coffee table for myself and when I saw the response from people, I came to a conclusion that this could be a way to reduce environmental pollution while also being a profitable business venture.
Challenges
Production is really the main challenge for now, especially being a startup. There are a lot of equipment and resources Cyrus45 needs for seamless production. But I believe God is more than able. I will not run it with my blood but by His Grace.
Other project and activities
I am working on launching a new collection of furniture soon, most likely in November. I am also working towards having a mini art exhibition next year. But my long term plan is to change the general perception of Made in Nigeria products by creating more functional and avant-garde furniture and art designs. I look forward to being named one of the game-changers in the creative industry.
Greatest reward
My greatest reward is knowing that I am fulfilling purpose through what I do and also impacting my society positively.
Nigerians appreciate people with creative mind enough…
I think there is growing appreciation and interest in people with creative and unconventional ideas. Appreciation of the Arts or creativity has not been a thriving idea in our culture but with the influence of the western world, we are gradually beginning to not only accept the idea but also own it.
How I felt when my story went viral…
My first reaction was overwhelming surprise. It was a mixed feeling of excitement, joy, shock and anxiety because as much as I wanted exposure, I didn’t expect that immense level of reception and interest from Nigerians. Frankly, the Lagos State MSME Exclusive fair opened a huge door for me, giving Nigerians a glimpse of the uniqueness of my products.
Do Nigerians utilise social media positively enough?
I will say Nigerians can try to utilise social media more positively. There are a good number of men and women who are leveraging on social media as a means of making positive impact and empowering people. However, we can’t shut our eyes to the fact that many spend more time using social media as a tool for cyber-bulling, trolling and endorsing negative ideologies.
Who or what inspires me to be better
God inspires me to be the best I can, He created me for a specific purpose and I am driven by my resolve to fulfil that purpose. I also believe that it is my responsibility to leave the world better than I met it, for the sake of the next generation. I am also inspired by great, resilient women such as Jumoke Adenowo of AD Consulting and Ibukun Awosika, First Bank of Nigeria Chairman and CEO of the Chair Center.
I am a Woman of Rubies
Being an inspiration and motivation to young African women to be the best they can be, using my gifts to contribute towards impacting my society positively and being a role model to every woman who has been told by the society that she is not able.
Final word for your young women who are still trying to find their voice in the creative industry
Do not let fear of striking out keep you from exploring your talents and creativity. I once read a woman should be two things, who and what she wants to be. Keep your focus on God and you will surely stand out. Finally, be you, be original because everyone else is taken.
It may seem like your friends are entering the next phase of their lives — and many are — but a lot of relationships don’t work out and a lot of your friends who are in relationships may eventually start wondering what else is out there. After all, the grass is always greener… or so we think.
As a product of how much people change throughout this period, I’ve come to realize that it’s not such a bad thing to wait, to find out who you are first and to find love later.
So while you’re figuring this out, you might as well enjoy being single. Here are ways to do just that:
Be spontaneous.
This may be one of the only times in your life when you can do whatever you want, when you want and not be restricted by someone else’s desires.
Travel.
It’s one of the best ways to discover who you are; you’ll meet lifelong friends and make lifetime memories along the way.
Spend as much quality time with friends and family as you can.
Having another person in your life leaves less time for others you love, so make the most of being able to give current loved ones as much of your time now as you can.
Work hard, play harder and take time in between to reflect.
Your only responsibility is yourself, so enjoy having time to focus on what you want.
Learn to be okay alone.
You’ll get to know yourself better and it’s a quality you’ll need throughout your life.
Go on as many dates as you want.
The more, the better because the more guys you get to know, the easier it will be to know when you’ve found the right one.
Read hundreds of really great novels.
It’ll expand your knowledge and provide you with life lessons that will help to guide you along the way.
Experience what life has to offer — get out there and do it.
Appreciate being young and free because eventually, when you do settle down, you’ll feel far more content and have less of a desire to look back. You’ll be ready for the next phase if you make the most of your youth.
Enjoy the freedom of being able to make decisions based solely on what you want.
This right once belonged to your parents and soon, you’ll make decisions with your partner. But right now, you hold all of the power.
Buy the expensive bag or the overpriced shoes you love.
Eventually, your hard-earned money will have to go towards more important, less exciting things. Right now, however, it’s all yours. Treat yourself.
Figure out what you enjoy most and use any spare time you have to focus on it.
Learn to surf, get fit, write a book and take advantage of the time you have. It belongs to you and no one else.
Move to a new city.
If there’s nothing tying you down to where you currently live, don’t waste the chance to experience a new place, new people and new challenges. Home will always be there for you when you need it.
Be a “yes” person.
You have more space in your life now than you ever will; don’t let any opportunity pass you by.
As cliché as it is, try not to look for love.
It will only distract you from what you could be enjoying during the here and now… just let it happen.
Do all of this and more.
One day, when you’re telling your children about life in your 20s, you will be able to tell them how much you truly lived and how ready you were when you brought them into the world.
Yetnebersh Nigussie is a blind Ethiopian lawyer who was recently named a joint winner of the 2017 Right Livelihood Award, also known as Sweden’s alternative Nobel Prize.
The 35-year-old lawyer was honoured for her inspiring work in promoting the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. She was awarded 3 million Swedish crowns ($374,000) which will be shared among the three joint winners.
According to her,
“With this award comes international recognition, but with recognition comes responsibility. You cannot sleep once you are recognised”. Women with disabilities in Ethiopia face multiple layers of discrimination. My role is to link the two communities, of disabled and able-bodied women, that have faced historical discrimination.”
Nigussie co-founded the Ethiopian Centre for Disability and Development, a driving force for inclusion, and is now an adviser for Light for the World, an international organisation working to reduce preventable blindness. She lost her sight after contracting meningitis as a baby but said she was lucky to be educated at a special primary school for blind people run by nuns.
“We didn’t know that we would face isolation and segregation, as we were all blind. It was mixed, boys and girls, but all the women were leaders so for me, women were leaders. I didn’t understand until much later that women were considered to be of lower rank in society,” she says.
Her story changed at the age of 12, when she joined a mainstream school for the first time. She reveals,
“I had no friends for six months. Everyone played in the playground and no one noticed me. I was different. But I scored the best grades in school, and then everyone wanted to be my friend so I could help them. I became popular and I thought: ‘If I can excel, if I can bring about my own change, I can help others.’’
In a recent post which Content creator and positivity advocate (HIV/AIDS), Mary Ero, shared on her Instagram page, she narrated a short story of how life dealt with her andd how Banky W helped her.
See what she wrote:
“So today this happened. On the surface it might look like an ordinary celebrity /child-of-starstruck-parent photo opp but there is a deeper story here.
About 8 years ago, while about 6 months pregnant with this little girl here, I fell onto terribly hard times. I have chronicled most of it on my social media platforms but to summarise it, I was abandoned by my child’s father, lost my house, was kicked out unceremoniously from my job at MTV for no reason, and to crown it all, diagnosed HIV positive.
Shortly after that, my then best friend, with whom I was staying, decided she had had enough so I was given an eviction notice.
Long story short, I began to reach out to my friends and acquaintances to try to pick up the pieces, get a place to stay, deliver safely and move on. Suffice it to say that practically none of my celebrity ‘friends’ ever came through. These were people who would call me non-stop when I was in MTV but suddenly, I was invisible.
The only people that did were this man, @bankywellington, and @funlolafar. (Funlola I don’t consider a friend but a sister, or worst case my cousin anyway.😊) What was funny is that both of them had no knowledge of the situation I was in. I think this will be the first time Banky will be hearing of it. I just told him I was trying to raise money for a place, I think.
In those days @bankywellington had not even come close to being as successful as he is now. Yet the next morning, before 7am, he had driven from his place in Lekki, to my house in Magodo with cash for me. And as usual, a hug.
Now one reason people are scared to ask for help especially money from friends is that the dynamics of the relationship changes after someone has helped you out. People who give suddenly feel somewhat superior to the receiver or even feel that the receiver is a tiresome distraction. Not all the time but a lot of the time. However, with Banky there was never that awkwardness. I met him several more times as I managed to get back on my feet over the years and he never behaved like anything like that transpired between us. He was always warm, always hugging, always kind.
Today at ICM which I took my daughter to entirely by coincidence, I ran into him doing his ambassador duties at the Samsung stand. This would be the first time he would see my daughter ever. I had no intentions of her taking pics with him but he just grabbed her and asked ‘where’s your camera’? Then he began to tell her how he and I go way back. It was all I could do not to cry a little. As we left, my daughter asked “Is he a famous person”? I said “Yes. But more importantly, he is a good person.”
