Unlike women in several African cultures, the women in Nigeria are
daring and are not afraid to be who they know they are meant to be.
They are hardworking, driven and very ambitious. From time to time, some
of these women who have made their mark are recognized and showcased in
the media to serve as inspiration to others who aspire to aim higher.
CNN’s African Voices, a weekly show on the international network
that highlights Africa’s most engaging personalities – people who are
shaping change in Africa, exploring their lives and passions, is one of
these media platforms upon which some of these Nigerian women have been
showcased. If you are visiting Nigeria and looking to meet up with any
of these female celebrities who have graced this show, we point you to
4, from whom you are bound to garner great inspiration.
Omotola Jalade
Although featured on CNN African Voices about 2 years ago, the
Nollywood superstar who is also a UN ambassador, in an interview with
Vladimir Duthiers opened up on the challenges she faced and experiences
garnered starting out as a model, getting her first role, starting her
reality TV show –
Omotola: The Real Me
, raising her children, and more. She also revealed her passion for activism and future plans:
“I’ve
reached a point in my life where I’ve realized I have to leave
something. I have to have a legacy. I decided I will be an activist for
Africa. My experience with the UN and other humanitarian organizations
inspired me to want to speak out and say more and there’s so much you
can just say with words. This was my motivation for singing.”
Tara Fela Durotoye
Chief Executive Officer of House of Tara,
Mrs. Tara Fela Durotoye,
who is unarguably, one of the pioneers of the Make-up and beauty
business in Nigeria as she is reputed for setting up the first make up
studio and first make up school in Nigeria in the year 2004, is another
Nigerian celebrity who has been featured on CNN’s African Voices. In
her episode, she talks about her brand being Nigeria and indeed Africa’s
leading beauty brand, her passion for empowering young women to build
businesses and blazing a trail for young Africans and young African
women especially to believe in themselves and to build their
communities.
Olajumoke Adenowo
Once described as the “face of architecture in the Nigeria”,
Olajumoke Adenowo
is one of the few females in Nigeria recognized in the
architecture/building sector of the country. Involved in the design and
construction of over 70 buildings, she is responsible for breathing life
into several institutional facilities, auditoriums, residences, estates
and cutting edge corporate offices both within and outside the country.
In her interview with CNN African Voices, she revealed how she goes
about her designs:both functional and beautiful structures across the
continent, gives top tips for her success and explains why and how she
intends to inspire the next generation.
Waje
Most recently featured on the show, Nigerian female famous vocalist and UN ambassador
Waje
talked about several issues including the African Women project, her
mission to help homeless kids in Nigeria through her Waje Safe house
project partners with Child Life and her forthcoming album as well as
what her fans should expect from it, while on the show. The 35 year old
singer also threw light on how she uses her music platform to impact
lives and be a voice to several Nigerians.
Hmmmmm let the countdown begin, 5 days to go…we dey wait!
Chika Ikehas disclosed why she does not have a child yet. According to
her, the only reason why she is yet to have a child is because she is
still very young.
I am still very young even though the impression people have is that I
am old.
My manager once told me ‘Chika, slow down; you are still a young girl’
so I am still young in some sense. Definitely, someday I will have a
child of my own but in the main time I see all street kids as my kids,
she said.
