The October issue was themed, “Beyond Disabilities” which was in line with the annual event of La Mode Magazine “Green October Event” which had several celebrities in attendance.
The aim of the theme is to inform individuals and communities that a disabled fellow is like anyone else, they’re just living life in a different way.
Nigerian-American, Nkechi Okoro Carroll is the showrunner of All American, the CW acclaimed new teen drama.
Nkechi Okoro Carroll took over as showrunner after the show’s creator, April Blair stepped aside last week for personal reasons. Nkechi plans to take charge of the storytelling by getting the show to tackle serious issues, ranging from gang violence to NFL protests.
Nkechi grew up in four different countries, Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire, England and the US. She created several short films that were featured in film festivals on multiple continents, including Africa, Europe and North America.
The success of her short films caught the attention of certain executives in Hollywood, which moved her from working as a senior trader and analyst to taking on several roles at the Fox Broadcasting Company — from story editor for Bones to producer of Rosewood and The Resident.
According to her, when she read the script for All American, she believed in it and wanted to see it through:
“As the mother of two black boys, I want to see this show on television. So I’ve been involved since the start, and when April stepped down and Greg asked if I would be interested in stepping up into the showrunner position, I was happy and excited to do it.
We’ve got an amazing creative team here, and we look forward to continuing to tell these stories that I think haven’t really been told on network TV.”
Daniel Ezra and Samantha Logan in ‘All American’(Photo: Jesse Giddings/The CW)
All American is based on the real events of former pro football player, Spencer Paysinger’s life, and the show follows Spencer (Daniel Ezra), a rising football star from who is recruited by the football coach at a prestigious high school, introducing him to a world vastly different from his.
But Spencer isn’t leaving his home behind – he’ll live and study in Beverly Hills during the week, then go home to Crenshaw on weekends, creating a more complex fish-out-of-water story, in which they show the ups and downs of both worlds.
On the cover of Elle USA November issue, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and Angela Bassett are part of the eleven honorees of 2018 as the magazine marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of Women in Hollywood.
These black women all played important roles in the hit movie, Black Panther.
Danai Gurira displayed strength in her character in the movie and as Clover Hope Of Elle interviews the trio, Danai speaks on their role in the blockbuster.
Read excerpts from the interview below.
Angela on black female representation in Black Panther:
The women were integral to the storytelling and the wisdom that the main character possessed. It was really important in terms of the representation of black feminine strength.
Danai on her wig-snatching scene:
I loved doing that, from the minute she’s wearing that wig and complaining about it, to the minute she gets rid of it very pragmatically. That spoke to so many things about feminine aesthetics.
Lupita on relating to her character:
Nakia was a departure from the character you see in the comic books. She is an independent woman and a bit of a rebel but also a loyalist to her country. I am also someone who depends on my family and friends and feels a connection to my people, and maybe has a sense of responsibility to make them proud. So I really related to that balancing act within oneself.
Photo Credit: Elle
Fixing Healthcare in Nigeria is a 40-page book written by Dr. Ola Brown. She is the CEO of Flying Doctors Nigeria, the first indigenous air ambulance service company in West Africa. Her new book, Fixing Healthcare in Nigeria, is her third book and she has made it available to download for free.
Speaking on the inspiration for the book and the format it was presented in, she said:
“It’s my sincere wish that you consider the modest proposals I forward in these chapters. Perhaps they will spur you to take a fresh look at how we manage healthcare in Nigeria and you might refine them even more or see other steps that we should consider.”
Read an excerpt from the book here:
***
My younger sister died when she was 12 years old. Her death was so shocking, so earth-shattering, that we did not hold a burial or a memorial service. We did not speak of it at all.
It has been over a decade since her death, and I want to tell you about the person who brought so much joy into my life. I want to tell you about the sweet little girl who so deeply loved her family. And I want to tell you about the way she died—and how we could have saved her. She was born in 1992. When I first laid eyes on her, I fell in love. One of the most striking things about Busola was her kindness. Even at a young age, she tried to make breakfast for the entire family—an act that was both entertaining and incredibly touching. She was always trying to help, always serving, always thinking of others.
Even as she lay dying in the hospital bed—alone in Nigeria, without any family around her—she made a simple
request: “Pray for the other sick children around the world.”
Kindness. Empathy. Self-sacrifice.
These were what the world lost when she died. I lost my angelic baby sister. And even though her death continues to influence me, I know that her story is not unique. She is, quite literally, one in
a million. Children die every day in Nigeria. In fact, nearly one million Nigerian children die each year before their fifth birthday, according to the UN. To put this into proper perspective, imagine a Boeing 777: one plane carries approximately 350 passengers. Now, imagine a single Boeing 777, filled with 350 children,
crashing. There would be an international outcry, a full investigation, and a vow to make safety a national priority. To equal our national health crisis, you would need 3000 Boeing 777 plane crashes—every year. 10 crashes per day.
Every year, children like my sister continue to die—yet there is no press coverage, no national attention, all
while our sisters, our daughters, our brothers and sons continue to die in record numbers.
***
To read more, download a copy here. It is a quick and informative read. Highly enlightening and it is something all Nigerians should read. So pass it on, share it with your friends, family, colleagues.
The Nigerian star actress signed the deal with UTA for representation in film, TV, and production recently, Deadline reports.
The agency also represents Gwyneth Paltrow, Channing Tatum, Nicholas Hoult, Ewan McGregor, Kim Soo Hyun and Liv Tyler.
The deal, it is also been suspected, will see the actress collaborating with top Hollywood filmmakers to produce movies from African and Nigerian stories.
UTA is one of the biggest talent agencies in the world that represents many of the world’s most acclaimed figures in every current and emerging area of entertainment and media, including motion pictures, television, music, digital, broadcast news, books, theatre, video games, fine art and live entertainment.
The agency is also globally recognized in the areas of film finance, film packaging, branding, licensing, endorsements and representation of production talent.
The Nigeria Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (NBSF) now has two new athletes, Linda Okoro and April Young.
In Nigeria’s Winter Olympics debut at PyeongChang 2018, the country was represented in bobsled by the trio of Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga. It’s not clear which of these athletes will be making a comeback at Beijing 2022, but Okoro will pilot the team as a driver.
The Houston-based athlete has been a part of NBSF for a couple of months now. Having successfully trained in a bobsled driving school in New York, she looks ready to build on the achievements of the first team and possibly break new ground.
Once Beijing 2022 kicks off, Simidele Adeagbo won’t be slaying alone in the skeleton competition. Young will be joining her as Nigeria’s second representative in the sport. Based in Denver, she has already joined NBSF’s pre-season camp and is warming up for the games.
Nadia Murad is a German based Iraqi human right activist who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize awards at the age of 25. She is also the first Iraqi woman to win that award.
She was awarded alongside a Congolese doctor, Denis Mukwege for their efforts in ending the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.
Murad and about 3,000 other Yazidi women were kidnapped and sold into sex slavery by ISIS in 2014, as part of the terrorist group’s genocidal campaign to wipe out the religious minority.
Here are 9 things you should know about Nadia Murad:
Credit: Fabwoman.ng
Grace Alele-Williams (born December 16, 1932) is an Educator who made history as the first Nigerian woman to become the head (Vice Chancellor) of a Nigerian university, the University of Benin. She is also the first Nigerian woman to receive a doctorate degree. She is a professor of mathematics education.
Alele-Williams was born in Warri. She attended Government School, Warri, and Queen’s College, Lagos. She attended the University College (now the University of Ibadan), the University of Vermont (U.S) and the University of Chicago (U.S).
Her teaching career started at Queen’s School, Ede Osun State, where she was mathematics master from 1954 until 1957. She left for the University of Vermont to become a graduate assistant and later assistant professor. Between 1963 and ’65, Alele-Williams was a post doctoral research fellow, department (and institute) of Education, University of Ibadan from where she was appointed a professor of mathematics at the University of Lagos in 1976.
She has held and served in various capacities. By serving in various committees and boards, Alele-Williams had made useful contributions in the development of education in Nigeria. She was chairman of the curriculum review committee, former Bendel State 1973-1979. From 1979-1985, she served as chairman of the Lagos State Curriculum Review Committee and Lagos State Examinations Boards.
Alele-Williams was a member of governing council, UNESCO Institute of Education. She is also a consultant to UNESCO and Institute of International Education Planning. For a decade (1963–73) she was a member of the African Mathematics Programme, located in Newton, Massachusetts, United States. She was also vice-president of the World Organization for Early Childhood Education and later president of the Nigerian chapter.
Alele-Williams has published a book titled Modern Mathematics Handbook for Teachers. After serving as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, she joined the board of directors of Chevron-Texaco Nigeria. She is also on the board of HIP Asset Management Company Ltd, an Asset Management Company in Lagos, Nigeria.
Professor Grace Awani Alele-Williams was a force to reckon with in the dark period for Nigeria’s higher education. Then, the activities of secret cults, confraternities and societies had spread within the Nigerian Universities especially in University of Benin. She made valuable impacts, with combination of courage, ingenuity and strategy that the growing tide of cultism was stemmed in the university.
Hannah is a 29-year old fashion designer who is contributing to girl-child education in Makoko, a floating slum in Lagos.
Hannah is helping the girls build a better future by sharing her skills with them and also engaging the services of her husband who works as an English Language tutor.
Hannah, who is also a teacher and an entrepreneur, makes clothes for people living in Makoko and elsewhere in Nigeria.
Hannah is trying to help women by sharing her skills with them, so they can succeed in business as she did. She speaks to BBC Minute about her work.
Watch below.
Childhood Influence
My childhood did not prepare me in anyway to be a Female Mechanic. My childhood dream was to be Medical Doctor, But while growing up, I have always loved cars.
Read Also: My Dream Is For Every State In Nigeria To Have Facility For Special Needs Children
Meet Me
I am Bunmi Solabi CEO of Ladymek Stores, a mother of two adorable children, Biologist and a trained Mechanic. I started my career as banker, I resigned after a while and later joined a pharmaceutical company where I worked for over five years to later pursue my passion for cars.
What made me quit my job to become a mechanic…
My inspiration comes first from my passion for cars and also the need to
make an impact and difference in the society. I just wanted to make a difference and pitch my tent in a sector where you hardly find women.
The reception so far
Because it’s a male dominated terrain the reception and reactions from
people especially the men have not been encouraging even some ladies, the attitude is beyond horrendous especially when I was a trainee. But I soldier on because I know I can’t afford that distractions from my dream.
Challenges faced
Right now my major challenge is setting up a standard workshop. I will like Ladymek stores to be in at least Five States in five years time.
Read Also: How Chioma Ogamba Is Helping People Achieve Their Dream Of Relocating To Canada
Other projects and activities
Apart from being a mechanic, I am also a public speaker especially on women/Girl empowerment. I have been opportune to speak at Women conferences organised by First Ladies, Organizations, and women in Technical Education. I am also an advocate for Girl Child Education.
Greatest reward
The greatest reward so far is being able to impact my knowledge to women, girls and boys who are my trainees.
Ladymek in five years
I see my brand Ladymek Stores in five states in Nigeria. I will like to have a Standard workshop in at least five States across the nation where we can offer Premium Services and train more Youths and unemployed Graduates to be certified Mechanics.
On giving up
First of all, I will like to say I have never regretted quiting my 8-5 job. However, I must say, there are times I have felt like running back to it because of the on and off challenges I face in this profession. What keeps me going is that I always remember why I started this journey in the first place. There are a lot of ladies that I am mentoring in this Profession who I cannot afford to let down.
My inspiration
My Mother inspires me a lot to be a better version of myself everyday. I also get inspiration from circumstances around me everyday.
I am a Woman Of Rubies
I am a Woman of Rubies because I have dared to break limitations place on women in my profession. I have made the society believe that a woman can do more.
Advice for aspiring female mechanics
My advice for aspiring female mechanics are three words: Determination, Patience and Honesty. Sometimes Comfort Makes us complacent your oars and keep rowing. #findyourself
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