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Adekelu Ogunleye

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These women have been able to break the barrier that prevents black women from reaching the top of their careers. They have been celebrated for their accomplishments, and recognized for changing narratives and making room for other women to thrive through their various endeavors.

In celebration of International women’s month, we highlight these 8 Nigerian women who are making us proud In Canada.

  1. Esther Ijewere

Esther is the founder of Women of Rubies, a newspaper columnist, author, public relations and media strategist, and women’s advocate. She uses her online platform as a storyteller to highlight the contributions of Nigerian-Canadian women across the country.

Her work as a community builder and activist has been instrumental in helping to bridge the gap between the Nigerian and Canadian communities, creating a sense of belonging and connection for those who have immigrated to Canada. As a gifted storyteller, Esther uses her storytelling skills to raise awareness about social issues and inspire others to take action.

Esther’s stories often focus on the experiences of women, particularly those of Nigerian-Canadian women, and the unique challenges they face as immigrants in Canada.

She also anchors  a talk show_ “Get Talking with Esther” an online talk show aimed at helping individuals put their thoughts to words, promote positive living, and find their voices

She was recently recognized as of the 100 Most Influential Female Founders in Africa.

Inspiring Nigerian Women In Canada
Esther Ijewere-Founder-Women of Rubies

2. Chioma Ogamba

Chioma is one of the most sought-after Immigration consultants in Canada. She addresses Business Immigration, Student Visas, Residency by Investment, and Citizenship. The amazon is the founder of Kisha Immigration, a licensed immigration firm found in Alberta, Canada.  Her brand was formed out of her drive for assisting people to look for greener pastures abroad and put smiles on people’s faces through their dream actualization.

Chioma is a first-class honors graduate of Applied Business Computing in the UK. She also schooled in four other countries: Canada, Nigeria, Malaysia, and the  United Kingdom. She moved to Canada as a permanent resident and obtained certification in Information Technology, Immigration Consulting, and an MBA in Business Administration.

Immigration Consultant in Canada
Chioma Ogamba- CE0-KIsha Immigration

3. Eno Eka

Eno Eka is a business analyst and change manager based in Calgary, Alberta. She is an award-winning career coach and speaker who has been recognized for helping more than 20,000 professionals around the world kickstart their professional careers.  She is a business analysis content developer and course instructor at the University of Manitoba. She is the CEO of Eny Consulting Inc and the Founder of Business Analysis School.

Eno Eka Miss Pragmatic
Eno Eka

4. Adedoyin Omotara

Adedoyin is a life coach, business coach, speaker, women empowerment advocate, and beauty entrepreneur. Born in Uk to Nigerian parents, her passion to live a purposeful life made her abandon her thriving Corporate Engineering field and turn into a women’s empowerment advocate and beauty entrepreneur.

The inspirational icon founded her well-structured company Adoniaa Beauty which can stand the test of time after retirement by attending business courses and investing in business coaches.

Adedoyin extends the business knowledge gotten from running her own company to others and she has helped a lot of business owners start, structure, and grow their firms productively.

Inspiring Niigerian women in Canada
Adedoyin Omotara | Image: Sheleads

5. Beauty Darosa

Beauty Darosa is the owner of Naija Jollof, a Nigerian food counter located in Westwood Square Mall in Mississauga, and other locations across Canada.  Naija Jollof is a business that serves Nigerian dishes. Their food counter was birthed with their goal to prepare Nigerian traditional food and street food that Nigerians in Canada can enjoy especially Jollof rice.

Beauty Darosa
Beauty Darosa- Co-founder- Naijajollof

6. Moyosore Sadiq-Soneye

Moyosore Sadiq-Soneye is an accomplished and versatile professional, holding dual qualifications as a lawyer in both Nigeria and Canada. She has obtained a Master of Law degree from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom and holds two diplomas in Paralegal Studies and Immigration Consultancy, asides from her LLB & BL.

In addition to her legal career, Moyosore is a writer, movie producer, and coach. She has produced three Indigenous Yoruba-language movies: Isipo, Ebi Mi Ni, and Asepamo, which are currently available on AfricaMagic (DSTV) and YouTube platforms.

Inspiring Nigerian women In Canada
Moyosore Sadiq-Soneye

7. Adekelu Ogunleye

Adekelu a.k.a Kelu is an entrepreneur who owns Kelu Cooks, a business firm that focuses on tantalizing Intercontinental and African meals. The serial entrepreneur also owns other businesses, called ‘international Obioma,’ and Kelz cleaning services because of her passion for cleaning and organization skills.

Adekelu has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Lagos, in literature. She obtained a diploma in developmental service work program from Cambrian College, Canada from which she was given the ‘Leadership Award,’ and ‘Building Momentum Award.’

The talented fashionista obtains a style consultant certification to take her potential to another level. Adekelu Ogunleye’s passion for humanity ignited her interest in social work.

Nigerian Women in Canada
Adekelu Ogunleye

8. Monisola Kusanu

Monisola is the founder and CEO of fast-growing Sugartowndesserts, a cakes and desserts catering brand that provides custom cakes, desserts & chocolate-covered treats for all occasions and celebrations.

The brand has since grown in leaps and bounds. Sugartowndesserts is known for its unique tastes, colorful designs, and Customer-centric offerings which stand them out from the pack.

Monisola has a BSc in Statistics from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria. Her statistical knowledge helps her to better understand her customers, optimize her production process, improve her product quality, and increase profitability. She is revered for her commitment to excellence, eye for detail, and innovative ideas.

Monisola Bukola Sugartowndesserts

See the first list of 16 Nigerian Women making us proud here.

 

Adebola Adefioye  and Adekelu Ogunleye were recently recognized  as Women of Distinction by YWCA Sudbury  along with six other women, for their achievements, accomplishments, leadership, and the impact they’ve had on girls and women.

Adekelu Ogunleye and Adebola Adefioye

In 2020, Adekelu emigrated to Canada  during the pandemic as a single mother.

She runs  Kelu Cooks, a business venture that majors on delicious African and intercontinental dishes. The astute entrepreneur also runs an alteration business, known as ‘international obioma’. Her passion for cleaning, creating order and staying organized inspired her to start Kelz Cleaning Services.

Her passion for humanity made her enrol for a diploma in developmental service work program from Cambrian College in Sudbury Ontario, Canada. The stylish mother of two is currently studying Indigenous Social Work at Laurentian University, Canada.

YWCA Sudbury is recognizing Kelu as a woman of distinction for her achievements.

Speaking on the recognition, the entrepreneur had this to say to Cbc ;

“I was able to study developmental service work, and I’ve worked with a school board where I supported kids who have intellectual disabilities, I’ve been able to create job opportunities for a lot of international and domestic students,” she said.

Adekelu Ogunleye

She will receive the award for entrepreneurship at the gala on January 28th, 2023.

Activist Adebola Adefioye will receive the social justice award, for founding the Afro Women and Youth Foundation, which provides mentorship and leadership for Black women and youth.

Adebola very passionate about building authentic relationships with racialized, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) children, families and communities and collaborating with them to reduce inequities, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and improve mental-health and wellness.

She holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Seneca College, Master’s in Child and Youth Care, from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and a Certificate in Advancing Women’s Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding for Community Development from Coady Institute, Canada.

She is also a final semester student in a Graduate Certificate program in Mental Health Intervention (MHI).

In 2016, Adebola’s daughter was bullied because of her skin colour, this  inspired the activist to start her foundation.

Adebola Adefioye
Adebola Adefioye

Speaking  to CBC on how that situation impacted her daughter, Adebola had this to say; “By the time she got to Grade 5, she won the award for the most confident child in class because she had learned self-advocacy, she had learned how to be a leader, she had learned to say no to people.”

We are proud of these amazons, and celebrate them for adding value to humanity.

The Women of Rubies team  will be on ground to cover the award gala in Sudbury.

Related:

Adekelu Ogunleye better known as Kelu is a serial entrepreneur who runs Kelu Cooks, a business venture that majors on delicious African and intercontinental dishes. The astute entrepreneur also runs an alteration business, known as ‘international obioma’. Her passion for cleaning, creating order and staying organized inspired her to start Kelz Cleaning Services.

Kelu has a BA in English literature from the University of Lagos. Her passion for humanity made her enrol for a diploma in developmental service work program from Cambrian College in Sudbury Ontario, Canada. The stylish mother of two is currently studying Indigenous Social Work at Laurentian University, Canada.

Read Also: Helpful Tips for Single Parents-How to Stay Sane While Doing it All

Filling the vacuum

Shedding light on why she started Kelu Cooks, she said: “Kelu Cooks started as a hobby. Honestly, not that I liked to cook but because there were lots of bachelors and young male students in Sudbury who needed Nigerian food. So I decided to venture into the business to cater to them. It’s a side hustle where I make extra income”. She saw the business opportunity and decided to fill it

Kelu the risk taker

In the same vein, she started Kelz Everclean during the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I started the cleaning business during the heat of the pandemic. A lot of cleaners quit their job due to the risk involved. But I saw it as an opportunity and keyed into it. I mean life itself is a risk”.

Read Also: 16 Inspiring Nigerian Women Making A difference In Canada

Kelu Ogunleye

Awards

Kelu’s sterling qualities hasn’t gone unnoticed. As a student at Cambrian College, she has gotten two awards, ‘Building Momentum Award’ and a ‘Leadership Award’.

‘Building Momentum Award’ is an award for single parents who juggle their academics with parenting yet have good grades. The leadership award is for students who demonstrate leadership skills both within and outside campus”, she said.

Chasing Diamonds

Kelu was twenty five when started her fashion styling business in 2008. Never satisfied with being ordinary, Kelu decided to be a certified style consultant in 2010. Her love for humanity, providing emotional support and being a listening ear ignited her passion for social work.

“My love to provide emotional support, to be a listening ear and to advocate for those who can’t speak for themselves motivated me to study social work”.

The single mother of two believes having passion and a dream alone cannot run a business. Her business growth can be found in her ability to embrace consistency and effective business strategies”.

On the lessons she has learnt in the cause of doing business, she said:”Effective communication is key. I have learnt never to undermine the smallest job. Even if my profit is $5, it has to be done properly. All communication must be documented and agreements must be done properly for clients signature to avoid any issues in future”.

Adekelu Ogunleye
Kelu Ogunleye

The fitness enthusiast

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things one can do for one’s health. Kelu doesn’t miss out in this department. She works out in the gym two days a week. At home, she works out three times a week.

Read Also: Single Mom Of 7 Turns Her Last $5 Into A Million Dollar Cupcake Business

Motherhood

Kelu noted that the joy of nurturing another human being, to see oneself in one’s kids, cannot be overrated.

” It’s a joy to be intentionally diligent just because you have little ones who look up to you”, she said.

She believes strongly in being
her own biggest competition.

 

” I like to do better than I did. So if I accomplish a project, I make an effort to do better in the next one”.

The former fashion stylist loves to dress according to the occasion.However for her, it has to be comfortable and classy.

When she is not working, Kelu loves to practice self-care. She goes for pedicures and massage.She finds it refreshing and rejuvenating.