The Woman's Place

This is Cicely Tyson!.   I remember seeing her first in Roots in her role as Binta, Kinta Kinte's mother.  I would later see her other movies, Sounder and then Sweet Justice where she played the role of Carrie Grace Battle, the no-nonsense lawyer who runs a progressive law firm. Watching that movie got me nursing the ambition of becoming a lawyer! Cicely was born in Harlem in 1924, to Caribbean immigrant parents, Frederica Tyson, a domestic worker, and William Augustine Tyson, who worked as a carpenter, painter, and at any other jobs he could find. Both her parents were born in Nevis, the sister island of St. Kitts. Her father arrived in New York City at age 21 and was processed at Ellis Island on August 4, 1919. Cicely Tyson was discovered by a photographer for Ebony magazine and became a popular fashion model before she became an actress.  In 1963, she became the first Black actress to star in a television drama when she starred in the celebrated series East Side/West S...

 Despite the challenges in the world, a lot is happening. Believe it or not, women are taking over. Whoever  coined the phrase, "the future is female" definitely saw tomorrow. Women are coming, period!

There is still a lot to live for. While watching a short video of a man named Paul who has lived 52 years bedridden by Polio but achieved his dream of being a lawyer and a good one at that, I understood that life is what we make of it and this quote by George Eliot explains it beautifully. You can start right now! Mary Ann Evans, known by her pen name George Eliot, was an English novelist, poet, journalist, translator and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. She wrote seven novels, Adam Bede, The Mill on the Floss, Silas Marner, Romola, Felix Holt, the Radical, Middlemarch and Daniel Deronda  . Be inspired!

This poem from Alice Walker is everything this Monday morning. A lice Malsenior Tallulah-Kate Walker is an American novelist, short story writer, poet, and social activist. In 1982, she wrote the novel The Color Purple, for which she won the National Book Award for hardcover fiction, and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Be Inspired! “Expect nothing. Live frugally On surprise. become a stranger To need of pity Or, if compassion be freely Given out Take only enough Stop short of urge to plead Then purge away the need. Wish for nothing larger Than your own small heart Or greater than a star; Tame wild disappointment With caress unmoved and cold Make of it a parka For your soul. Discover the reason why So tiny human midget Exists at all So scared unwise But expect nothing. Live frugally On surprise.” ―  alice walker

Like I mentioned last week, 2020 was a year of all sorts. Alas, 2021 is here and feels like a huge window of opportunity. A fresh start with the same challenges, and I want us to be ready to tackle them head-on. Let's grab 2021 by the horns and make the most of it, even though the pandemic is still here with us and may be for a long time to come. So instead of dwelling on what won't change, let's focus on what CAN change: you. Your professional and personal development. You can succeed  because  of 2020, not  despite  it.  Lindsay Gilder, the  Editorial  Producer of Thomas Insights captures the following helpful ideas quite beautifully. 1. Start Networking Many of us are now well-acquainted with remote work and don't plan to change anytime soon. As such, you won't be running into coworkers or upper-level management next to the water cooler, or meeting anyone interesting at an industry-specific conference.  However, you CAN work on your online netw...

Excuses are the holes through which result coins slip through to oblivion. Many times, we find ourselves giving excuses about tasks we are meant to work on. It is like the escape route for the lazy mind. I believe that the best time to take action is when you should. In this new year, beyond the decision to take action, take action and now!  May this words by Florence  Nightingale inspire you!  “I attribute my success to this – I never gave or took any excuse.”    Florence Nightingale  (1820-1910), known as “The Lady With the Lamp,” was a British nurse, social reformer and statistician best known as the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale came to prominence while serving as a manager and trainer of nurses during the Crimean War, in which she organised care for wounded soldiers at Constantinople. Be  Inspired!

I am particularly proud of these beautiful and brilliant ladies.  Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, whose tenure formally commenced on January 1, 2021, has assumed office, becoming the 4th Chief Executive and first female to occupy the position since the inception of the bank in 1988. Onyeali-Ikpe was formerly the Executive Director, Lagos and South-West Directorate of the bank and has been an integral part of management in the last 6 years. She is vastly experienced and has spent over 30 years working across various banks including Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Citizens International Bank/Enterprise Bank, where she held several management positions in Legal, Treasury, Investment Banking, Retail/Commercial Banking and Corporate Banking. The Board of Directors of Starzs Investments Company Limited (SICL) has approved the appointment of Ms Iroghama Obuoforibo as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company with effect from February 1, 2021.Obuoforibo’s appointment is...

  She was my confidant, my best friend, she was my go to one stop shop for anything at all. She was my mother. I am yet to know a woman so passionate and resilient. An embodiment of beauty and brilliance. She was emphatically an exceptional human being. I was rarely privileged to call her mother. Her death has been my greatest pain and regret. I don't know if the pain will ever go away but I am persuaded that her absence has spurred me on to build my faith in God for I had faith in her faith in God. I do not have words weighty enough to describe this woman I once called mother nor the pain of her loss. I can however, say that she lives on in my heart. Ezinne m, Udo!

I am almost certain that most people wished 2020 ended quicker than it did, really. It was such a year! Most times, I am not even sure how to describe the year, full of all sorts, the good, the bad and the ugly. Anyway, I am thankful for this brand new year. I am optimistic, looking forward to soaring. Take a chance on your gifts and talents, let them speak to the world through you. This is the year I am definitely doing just that! Happy New year from all of us at the Woman's Place!  

    Amba is a Digital Strategist, Trainer and certified Coach . She helps experts create and launch digital products and programs so that they can reach more people, make more impact and earn more money.     She is the founder of  I.Dare.Not.Dread, a Social Enterprise promoting innovation, creativity and enterprise in Nigeria which started out of identifying her fears and facing them square in the  eye, this company has the  primary aim of  building women communities and empowering them with creative and innovative skills for business growth.    One reason, she is our woman crush is, Amba has gone from transforming ordinary people who would have never thought of writing their own books, to making them authors. She has also been supporting small businesses to achieve scalability and growth especially, by helping them identify and understand the importance of “target markets” and “market validation”.

  Knowing this Friday is Christmas gives me goose-bumps, everyone wants to impress his/her guest, so preparing  an unusual meal like this would definitely wow your guests;Spice Chicken Spinach and Potato Stew contains warm spices that have low fats, low calories and highly rich in fibre.   Ingredients for 2 servings *6 sweet potatoes ( This should be cut into chunks) *2 Small bunch of spinach *2 tbsp sunflower oil *16 chicken thighs, (This should be shredded and grilled) *1000ml size pot of chicken stock The Spices to be used include: *3 chopped onions *2 diced red chilli *2 tsp of grated Ginger *2 Derica sized can tomatoes *3 preserved lemons, *Deseeded and chopped Pumpkin seeds to serve * 4 Toasted,preserved , deseeded and chopped Lemons * 4 warmed naan bread Procedures: *Put the sweet potato in a large, deep saucepan over a high heat. Cover with boiling water and boil for 10 mins. While, it is boiling, put all the paste ingredients in a food processor and b...

    Businesss Environment is a combination of  factors such as employees/ customers needs and expectations,management policies,employee and customers relationship,innovation adopted by the institution including the social trends, market trends and economic changes experienced. A good Business environment helps employees to  identify business opportunities, utilise useful resources found in the work place, it enhances the overall performance, growth and profitability of the business.  Factors that influence good Business environment or decisions can be direct or indirect, but it is important employees and bosses take note of these namely: * Geographical  Factors: A company/industry that is close to people who needs what it can offer will not have problems getting customers, if it is also closer to where it can obtain it's raw materials then such an industry will likely not run out of production which affects performance. A company that adheres to...

       Sometimes, it is an Herculean task looking for where to thrive in but it is important to note that the best place to thrive in is in your natural habitat, according to Loza Maleomboh " Do what you can with what you have, where you are. I think that’s applicable to everyone. It’s calling on creativity: use what you have at hand and create something". Loza Maléombho is an Ivorian American fashion designer. Be Inspired!!

    Morin is the daughter of the late Emeritus Professor Adeboye Babalola.She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences from Sheffield Hallam University. She then proceeded to obtain a Masters Degree in Business Administration. Morin is a Reader and a Writer, a Music Lover and keen Golfer. She is a Chartered Insurance Practitioner, an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London and a practicing Insurance Professional. She manages Risk Watch Insurance Brokers Limited in Lagos and is the Chairperson of Risk Finance Options Limited, a risk management consultancy practice. Morin is an alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School having attended the Chief Executive Programme. She is a volunteer for the Mentorship Program of the Fate Foundation; a Trustee of The Samaritan's Wallet and a member of the Board of EFINA (Enhancing Financial Innovation & hi) after she got her Master's degree. She  founded  Risk Watch Insurance Broker, whic...

     I have heard people say they are tired of rice, but here are ways you can cook your rice, one of such ways is cooking rice with Coconut flakes or coconut milk, which is called Coconut rice. INGREDIENTS: *3 cups long grain rice (feel free to substitute it with  brown rice) *3 (15 ounce) can coconut milk or 2 large coconuts  *1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes *4  medium habanero peppers *1  small green pepper (diced) *1  small yellow onion (diced) *1⁄4 cup  vegetable oil *1  teaspoon sea salt *1 teaspoon of black pepper *5 green Chillies *2 seasoning cubes *1 tbsp. coconut oil *1 clove garlic *1 tsp. chopped ginger *2 tsp. ground crayfish *1 cup chicken stock     I prefer the Coconut Rice having a semi green color to a brown color Procedures : *If you're using fresh coconuts, break it and separate the softer inner part from the hard shell using a small knife. *Chop the coconuts into tiny bits and then put it in a b...

      While we are reflecting on the  success or short-comings made so far in our place of work,  It is important we consider the following work  Etiquettes written below, to ensure we obtain maximum success in our  future endeavors:    * Don’t have personal conversations when you are around your fellow Colleague,  try not to have the conversation at your desk where others can hear you, this will prevent grievances and manipulations * Possess Emotional Intelligence at your workplace: Avoid bringing issues from home or outside that can interfere with your work activity, Also learn to reach out to relevant authorities to resolve issues affecting you in your workplace rather than contemplating or gossiping  about it with fellow Colleagues because gossiping can portray you as someone who cannot be trusted or someone who isn’t a team player, It can also be duly harmful if it gets back to the object of the gossip. * Always us...

  It is such a tough time for almost everyone alive today! So tough that it seems like the world has been overtaken with darkness but I dare to encourage you to let your light shine forth for it could very well be the only light in the midst of this darkness. At a time like this, I cannot but be reminded of the words of the legendary Maya Angelou: " Let nothing dim the light that shines from within" Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Be inspired

       Kaothar Ajani is a  16-year-old girl that went viral for catering for her siblings from the money she realises through the Tricycle business.   The story of Kaothar is one that provokes compassion and commendations. Women who were regarded solely as Home makers are now taking the driver's seats in areas of human endeavours formally reserved for men. Kaothar is a secondary school student  of SS2,  in Osun State, Gboyega Bakare, that went into an unusual trade of commercial tricycle riding, her  preferred route was Total Market road in Apomu, in the Isokan local government area of Osun state because of the death of her  father who had bought the tricycle on higher purchase about seven months ago and was only able to pay a little more than half of the total cost of N750,000 before he suddenly fell sick and died and so as the eldest child of the family with siblings much younger, she took up the responsibility of riding th...

     This yummy dish is a fusion of Yam, Plantain and Tomato stew. It is known as Asaro by the Yoruba's while it is called Nji Ahiaraya by the Igbo's of Nigeria. I will be preparing this dish with assorted meats and Saint leaf. Ingredients( For one serving) * 1 big tuber of yam  * 5 big pieces of semi- ripe plantain( for sweetness and nutrients) *¼ cup of chopped onions *Blended Bell pepper (tatashe) * Blended tomato fruits * ¼ cup of palm oil * 2 cubes of maggi * Salt (to taste)  *Shredded Smoked fish  * Diced Beef( Preferably the intestines) *1 tablespoon of blended crayfish * Chopped fresh Saint Leaf Procedures: * Peel the back of the yam and chop into clean water * Peel the plantain back, cut the plantain lengthwise,  Chop into chunks, rinse and set aside. * Wash and boil the meat with Maggi and salt *Add the palm oil to a large pot and allow to bleach for 2-3 minutes * Add in the chopped onions, then the blended pepper and tomatoes,Cov...

     An entrepreneur is an initiator, an innovator and  challenger . An entrepreneur creates something new, either in terms of service or  business for profit or for social needs. To be a good entrepreneur, you have to be:  * Passionate about your job, As an entrepreneur, you may have to put in long hours and make sacrifices for your business especially if it is a side hustle.  * Well  organized; T hey should be able to  Keep up with client records, manage business funds and run day-2-day office activity as much as  they maintain an orderly environment. * Be realistic ; Not every business succeeds.Entrepreneurs must understand that there is no guarantee to a business success, he/she has to keep learning and keep adjusting. Having establish who an entrepreneur is and should do, let's consider why we need entrepreneurs in our nation: *For a developing country like ours, Entrepreneurship is needed  to break the vicious circ...