We celebrate our reunion, ‘Finding Ourselves’ and also, launch the maiden edition of our e-mag, Here & There with 81ners. 43 years after of leaving our great school, Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, I congratulate every 1981 set member
I pay tribute to all those who helped shape us into what we are today, especially the late Mrs Victoria Abimbola Onafowokan, our Principal who was always there and so proud of all of us.
Congratulations to all the e-mag and the Reunion Teams for jobs well done.
In Love Serve One Another shall always be what we stand for.
UP 81NERS, UP SCHOOL !!!
Meet the Editorial Team
WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE MGHSOGA ’81NERS EDITORIAL TEAM
Welcome to the first edition of 'Here & There with the 81ners,’ a publication born from a shared legacy that stretches back to when our school first opened its doors in January 1879. Our history is deep, rich, and formidable, and as members of the class of 1981, we are proud to carry forward the tradition
This publication is not just a collection of stories; it’s a reflection of our journeys Through the words of our former classmates, we invite you to explore the experiences that have shaped us, both during our time in school and throughout the years that followed. Each story is a window into the lives we’ve lived stories of triumph, perseverance, learning, and growth
At its heart, Here and there with 81ners is about finding ourselves It’s about looking back at where we’ve come from, to better understand where we are today. Whether you’re reading about familiar faces or discovering new perspectives, we hope you find the publications as engaging and exciting as we did while creating it
Our hope is that the magazine sparks reflection, conversation, and perhaps a bit of nostalgia Thank you for joining us on this journey.
It is my pleasure to introduce the first edition of Here and There with the ’81ners, the official e-magazine of the Methodist Girls High School, Class of 1981 Old Girls’ Association. This marks a key step in reconnecting us globally, allowing us to share and bond despite the distance
As we launch this magazine, I honor the rich culture and values of our alma mater, which have shaped us. MGHS empowered us to become who we are today.
This magazine will be a platform to share stories of our achievements, reconnect worldwide, celebrate diversity, and provide updates, inspirational stories, industry insights, event announcements, and a photo gallery
Our goals are to rekindle memories, inspire students, foster meaningful discussions, and strengthen lifelong bonds.
I extend my thanks to Tola Ajasin, the e-mag team, and to all contributors. We welcome your feedback for future editions.
Let’s embrace this new chapter, find ourselves, connect with one another and celebrate together
Thank you.
President,Classof’81
IbitolaGiwa
MGOGA 81NERS: HOW IT ALL STARTED
At that wedding reception, Bisola informed others in attendance that there was no representation from MGOG, 81 set in an inter generational meeting which she attended with her mum
During Bimbo Isong’s first daughter’s wedding, some of our MGOGA 81 set sisters were present to rejoice with and support the Mother of the Bride, who herself is an Old Girl of Methodist Girls High School, 81 set Some of those who attended were Feyi Falaye, Toyin Atekoja, Bisola Benson (late), Ronke Gbenro
At that wedding reception, Bisola informed others in attendance that there was no representation from MGOGA, 81 set in an inter generational meeting which she attended with her mum There and then, those sisters decided that the 81 set must start. Even though many of them were often pre-occupied, late Bisola continued to talk about it and with Feyi Falaye supporting her efforts especially with providing contacts, they took steps towards starting the group. Late Bisola demonstrated an uncommon level of commitment to make this work. Within a week or two, a few more people had come on board.
Meetings commenced at the school hall venue once a quarter with members living in Lagos
How Late Bisola Benson’s vision started the group by Stella
Ogbe as
told
by Feyi Falaiye
leading ladies
Let’s celebrate the leading ladies of the MGHSOGA '81 set, recognizing their exceptional leadership and dedication. These women have upheld the organization's values while driving its growth and positive impact within the community.
1.Tola Giwa
2.Koko Lawson
3.Yemi Sobodu
4.Ronke Gbenro
5.Folake Makanju
6.Bisola Ade-Makanju
7.Tola Giwa & Ronke Gbenro
8.Feyi Falaiye
1 6 1 3 7 1 8 4 2 5
MEET YOUR EXCO
TolaAjasin SocialSecretary
LanreRahman PublicityandMembership
ToyinOlaleru Welfareofficer
BukiOluwole FinancialSecretary
KemiAdemosu AssistantSocialSecretary
Tola Giwa President
BolanleBickersteth
FunmiLampejo GeneralSecretary
BunmiAlayande AssistantGeneralSecretary
YemiSobodu Vice-president
TinukeAkanbi AssistantFinancialSecretary
CONGRATULATIONS TO US THE 81NERS
From Koko Lawson
I rejoice with each and every one of us on celebrating this milestone of 43+ years after graduation from our esteemed Alma Mater May God continue to bind us together with cords that cannot be broken in the mighty name of Jesus May God preserve us to old ages in strength, peace, health and joy in Jesus' name In love, we will continue serving one another (Galatians 5:13) Love you all ❤
MY MGHS MEMOIRS
By Adetokunbo Olabitan
I was not a quiet teen! No! I was vivacious but friendly, so I made a lot of friends...
I attended Reagan Memorial Baptist Girl’s Primary School Most of the students in that school usually progress into it’s secondary school but I followed a different path because my favourite first cousin was in Methodist Girl’s High School (MGHS)
I attended MGHS from 1976 to 1981 Those five years were very exciting and part of my formative years too Ohh! The memories of which I am so eager tto share
My background
My father was an accountant and my mother a Teacher They were both practicing Christians and instilled in us, their children, Christian tenets I imbibed it at the time but then we were shielded from the influence of the outside world We lived in a gated community within the Nigerian Railway Compound in Ebute Meta; privileged to have school bus transportation and neighbourhood friends that were well mannered and disciplined.
I was not a quiet teen! No! I was vivacious but friendly, so I made a lot of friends; curious yet unafraid of anyone but my parents, so I definitely butted heads and rubbed a few people the wrong way, especially the teachers
Mrs Imo (whose husband I later met when I attended Unilag) was my Form 1 Class and Mathematics teacher She drove to school with her pretty daughter and Tola Giwa My thoughts No wonder Tola Giwa’s seat in Form 1 was right in the front row instead of the teacher’s desk on the front row! Behind Tola was Bunmi, (who left in (Form 1) then me, then Yemisi Rotimi
I made so many friends in no time which afforded me to be included in friend clusters and groups nowadays called clicks?
I Got Friends!!! I was friend with Tola Giwa, Kokovi Lawson, Tola Odedina, Thelma Minty’s friend, Yemisi Rotimi’s friend and Seun Sotunde’s friend Seun and I attended the same primary school
It would appear that I did not enjoy the privilege of a school mother because no one would have me. I did not approach anyone but I thought maybe I was too tall, rough around the edges or not calm enough. Whoever would be tasked with taming Katherine the shrew? Nonetheless, I was so glad to have a cousin in Form 5, along with the Etims and the Olawoyins whom I knew from the Railway Compound community looking out for me
Oh The Memories!!!
I love perfume and all I knew at the time was the Avon brand because my mum sold Avon in England and brought some samples back when we returned to Nigeria
Two sisters -Theresa & Ann Okon left an impression on me in that, 5 mins after they walked by, I would know they had been around the space because the scent of their perfume would linger One day, I summoned the courage to ask the elder one Theresa what she was wearing and she told me I would not find it around because her mother being American got it from Washinton DC Wow! I thought in my mind, one day I would go to Washington DC, if only to get that perfume!
The MGHS Uniform:
I presumed we had a school seamstress who made all the MGHS uniforms only to find this girl wear the uniform with a slightly different fabric Her last name was Ladega I don’t remember her first name Trust me to wannabe She told me it was purchased in London That sure kept me quiet
Teachers:
Mrs Adesanoye (General Science) always appeared to be pregnant She wore a lot of jewlery so I assumed her husband was rich Mrs Bewaji taught Yoruba She was pretty with big eyes Mrs Adesanya taught Bible Knowledge She was pretty, graceful and seasoned. Mrs Oni, agile and pretty, lived in one of
the staff quarters on the school campus She also taught Bible Knowledge and said to me anytime I am late to her class (which was every time) “Tokunbo Olabintan you will be late on your wedding day”
Mr. Aje is unforgettable! Mrs. Lawal had long hair. Mrs. Ogwo taught English and also lived in the Railway compound. Fashionable Mrs. Ukume was my class teacher in Form 3. Her husband dropped her off everyday in a convertible Benz. Benz. The highlight of my day was when she kissed him and we would all scream. Some friends and I would be waiting by the window and when she kisses him, we would all scream I think she enjoyed the attention Of notable memory are Mrs Rinu, Mr McGregor and Mrs Fisher the Administrator
I remember Funmi Agbesonwa’s sister and Bilikisu Adekola as sprinters during our inter house sports
In our set, Wunmi Awobokun was one of the fastest, if not the fastest!
Sports:
Interesting Extra-curricular Activities - I tried them all!
Sports: I was in Livingstone House Nightingale House always came last for whatever reason Unforgettable is Tokunbo who (later became Miss Nigeria) used to throw the Javelin because she taught me how to throw I could sprint but only short distances I tried high jump but I did not go far As for long jump, my hands and bum were always in the way because I could not thrust forward
Cultural Dances/Plays:
So very interesting and captivating!
We had the “Ipi Tombi” group dance in Form 1 I crammed all the songs and even bought the tape For a few yearly events, we had the Yoruba dance troop with Yemi Sobodu always playing the part of ‘Sango’ I tried to join them several times but they always threw me out because I could not dance low still can’t I usually ended up with the Ibo group only because of my dear friend Thelma
The goodies the food:
How can I forget ‘Tina special’ and coloured cake from ‘Tuck Shop’ topped up with the groundnuts from ‘Sunday Dominoes’ Forget the school dinners, there was nothing that stood out
Well, what can I say? I have been blessed all my life to enjoy every facet of my life or should I say period. I am still good friends with people I met in secondary school and believe you me, most have helped me one way or the other whether they realise it or not. GOD had a purpose and plan for taking me through that school (MGHS) and I bless HIM for those I met along the way It was a blast! I love you all and GOD bless
TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS (T2DM)
ByLanrePorter
WHAT IS DIABETES MELLITUS (DM)?
This is a condition in which there is a deficiency of insulin, either absolute (Type1DM) or relative deficiency combined with abnormal action {insulin resistance} and (T2DM). This results in chronic hyperglycaemia (long standing elevated blood glucose levels) Protein and Fat metabolism are also affected because Insulin is central in their metabolism
T2DM occurs in about 90% of cases and it is the most common type seen.
T1DM occurs in about 10% of cases It can be managed only with Insulin because there is an absolute lack of Insulin. It is caused by an autoimmune destruction of Pancreatic β cells of the Pancreas, that are responsible for producing Insulin It is more common in children and young adults. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is seen when DM is first diagnosed in pregnancy.
Here & There with 81ners
Health Corner
BURDEN OF DM
In 2019, 463m people had DM worldwide It is estimated that by 2045, this will be 700m 4 2m people with DM died in 2019 In 2021, the International Diabetes Federation put the prevalence of DM in Nigeria at 3 7%, with over 3million cases of adults with DM. The prevalence is increasing due to westernized lifestyle most Nigerians are adopting. Half of those with DM are not diagnosed, half of those diagnosed are not controlled
HOW IS DM DIAGNOSED?
It is important to note that people with DM might have no symptoms at all By the time typical symptoms occur the DM has been on for a while This is why it is important to have your blood glucose checked yearly. If there is a family history, or you are overweight you can check more often.
A blood test called Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) done first thing in the morning after an overnight fast of 8-12hrs If level is equal to or more than 126mg/dL or 7mmol/L, diagnoses DM OR
A 2 hour post prandial (after food) also called 2HPP, of up to or more than 200mg/dL or11 1mmol/L diagnoses DM OR
Glycosylated Haemoglobin (Hba1c) of up to or more than 6 5% This gives an idea of average blood glucose over about three months
SYMPTOMS
Passing too much urine
Feeling excessively thirsty
Unexplained weight loss
Feeling hungry all the time
Wound that are not healing
Vaginal fungal infections
Erectile dysfunction in men
Blurred vision
RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING T2DM
Family history of DM
Overweight/Obesity
Advancing age
Physical inactivity
Overeating/high calorie intake
Hypertension
Previous gestational diabetes
By Lanre Porter
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR DM IS CONTROLLED?
The only way is to monitor your blood glucose This you can do yourself, using a glucometer It is important to check your FBS and 2HPP at least three times a week, if you are on oral medication. If on Insulin therapy, you will need at least twice a day Glucometers are are affordable and easy to use
Generally an FBS of 3 9-7 2mmol/L (70-130mg/dL), 2HPP of < 180mg/dL (10mmol/L), Hba1c <7% is good control
Hba1c can be checked 3-4 times a year This is done in a laboratory
COMPLICATIONS
Uncontrolled DM causes damage to both the small blood vessels and the large blood vessel of the body Controlling blood glucose is extremely important in avoiding complications Blood cholesterol, blood pressure and body weight all must be under control
Small blood vessel damage leads to Kidney disease, Eye damage, Nerve damage which may necessitate limb amputation
Large vessel damage may lead to heart disease, Stroke, limb amputation
MANAGEMENT
LIFESTYLE CHANGES: This is crucial to achieving good control
Maintain a healthy weight
Self monitoring of blood glucose is essential
Exercise regularly: At least 30mins a day 5 times a week
Do muscle strengthening exercises
Eat healthy foods: vegetables, fruits, fibre Control your portions
DO NOT SMOKE OR STOP SMOKING!!!!!
Avoid or Limit alcohol
Manage Stress
Get enough sleep
MEDICATIONS
Take your medications everyday as prescribed by your doctor You might also need to be on Insulin
Your blood pressure, blood lipid levels must be controlled
Keep your doctor’s appointments
Look after your feet Wear well fitting shoes
Keep a good dental hygiene
Educate yourself
Health Corner
YOUR EYES AND YOU
It is said that the eyes are the windows to our world The way we choose to see the world also creates the world we see The eye captures visible light from the world around us and turns it into a form which the brain uses to create our sense of vision Next to the brain, the eye is the most complex organ in the body Seeing is so important that it takes up to fifty percent of the brain’s functionality It is therefore of utmost importance to know about your eye and how to take care of it
or an artificial len, images prescription is high
By Edwina Agoreyo
Structure of the Eye
The eye is basically made up of an anterior segment and a posterior segment. Parts of the eye we should be familiar with are:
The Cornea – this is essentially the eye window or the eye shield of the eye. It is the transparent part over the pupil and iris It allows light to enter the eye and controls three quarters of the eyes focusing power. Corneal damage is the leading cause of blindness especially in undeveloped countries
The Pupil - this is the round opening in the center of the iris (the colored part of the eye) It allows and regulates the flow of light to the retina The pupil gets bigger and smaller in response to changes in light
The Iris - this is the colored part of the eye. The color is caused by pigmentation and determined by genes The muscles of the lris controls the pupil
The Lens - this is the clear curved structure at the front of the eye behind the pupil It controls the incoming light through the pupil to get a sharp image on the retina It is also flexible and changes its refractive power to focus at far and near
The Macular - this is part of the retina about 5mm across This is known as accommodation Without a natural or
The Retina - this is the light sensitive layer at the back of the eye Images that come through the lens are focused on the retina which then converts these images to electrical signals and sends them along the optical nerve to the brain It is responsible for central vision, most of our color vision and fine detail.
The Optic nerve - is a bundle of more than one million nerve fibers It is located at the back of the eye and sends signals from the retina to the brain to register them as images Damage of the optic nerve leads to loss of vision
Disorders of the Eye
The shape of the eye can give rise to refractive errors such as: Shortsightedness or Myopia: The images seen at distance are blurry Farsightedness or Hyperopia: The images at near are blurry and at far when the prescription is high
Farsightedness or Hyperopia: The images at near are blurry and at far when the an artificial lens images are not clear and the eye is functionally blind at distance
Amblyopia: also known as ‘lazy eye’ is when one or both eyes does not develop properly during childhood It usually occurs in one eye Eye disorders such as Strabismus ‘crossed eye’ could give rise to Amblyopia Treatment is most effective in children from ages seven to twelve
Presbyopia: This is a natural age related change in the eye that affects our ability to focus on near objects. This is due to changes in the lens composition The lens is no longer as flexible as it used to be This change starts from the age of forty years and is easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses
EYE-MAZING FACTS ABOUT THE EYES
Our eyes are clearly amazing! We definitely need to take care of them.
By Edwina Agoreyo
Our eyes are amazing They work round the clock 24/7 They never turn off even when we are asleep hence bright sunlight can wake us up
Brown is the most common eye color because it is a dominant gene
The exterior of the eye is the fastest muscle in the body hence the saying ‘in the blink of an eye’ A blink last a split of a second A person blinks fifteen to twenty times a minute
The eye can detect thirty six thousand pictures of information in an hour That’s five hundred and seventy six thousand pictures in sixteen (16) hours Approximately one in twelve men are color blind or color confused. Each of our lashes last about five months before they fall out
Eye scanning system are some of the best security features available today because the Iris has more than two hundred and fifty six unique characteristics The Iris can provide insight into our physical and mental wellbeing This study is known as Iridology The liver actually controls the blood flow that reaches the eye When we blink or move our eyes, the liver sends a message to increase blood flow circulation to the eye
We are not born with tears. Though babies cry when they are born they start producing tears from one to three months of age.
We are not born with tears. Though babies cry when they are born, they start producing tears from one to three months of age Our tears production then begin to decrease as we get older Shark corneas are similar to human corneas so they can be used for human corneal transplant
The Cornea is the only part of the body that receives oxygen from the air and not the lungs The cornea is the only part of the body with no blood vessels
Your eyes are clearly amazing! We definitely need to take care of them especially with all the information we have read and you will ‘see the difference.’
I wish to appreciate everyone who has contributed in one way or another to making our forthcoming event of FINDING OURSELVES a reality at last We have been on reuniting ourselves for quite a while now Some of us, though have worked tirelessly to ensure it’s a huge success
Some of us,though not attending have encouraged and supported the event financially and in kind
You are all awesome sisters and I say, God bless you The 5 day event will start on Wednesday the 23rd of October 2024 and end on Sunday the 27th of October when we shall all disperse to reunite sometime again. Let us all remember our prayer points for the event to make it a huge success.
Nigeria these past few days has had and will continue to have the privilege of the arrival of MGHS women of timbre and caliber from all over the world����Wow This will be an experience to remember Praise God We will keep the whole group posted Once again whichever way you have contributed, cash or kind, I pray God's blessings in a million folds and even more. Amen ��
Thank you all my sisters
Presido
81 set at the carnival
81 set at the Carnival
Finding Ourselves Click on the links/;
By Kemi Ademosu
“The closer to bedtime you eat sugar, the more destructive to sleep.”
Health Corner
FOODRECIPES TOAIDSLEEP
Did you know that your diet could be key to getting a restful night?
Kiwi magic
This Fuzzy little food is a powerhouse of sleep promoting ingredients with high antioxidants levels Try eating two a night
Sip some cherry juice
If you wake up several times a night try sour cherry juice an hour before bed it contains high levels of sleeping promoting melatonin
Make time for tea
It’s found in green tea and matcha amino acid L-theanine has been shown to have a relaxing effect, but it’s best to go for decaffeinated versions before bed
Avoid late night sugar
The closer to bedtime you eat sugar, the more destructive to sleep. Sugar causes micro-awakenings, which people might not even realise they are having but their sleep will not be as beneficial as they spend less time in the deep, restorative stage
Fill up on fibre
Fibre can improve sleep largely as it keeps blood sugar stable, causing fewer spikes. Wholegrains particularly oats buckwheat and rye bread are beneficial.
Eat at the right time
When you eat is as important as what you eat It helps to eat within 12 hour window from breakfast to your last meal Our system have evolved to consume in daylight hours, our digestion slows down in the evening so if you eat late at night you disturb the natural rhythm of insulin and hormones production which can make sleeping problematic.
Supplementing with vitamin B6 may improve sleep quality and duration as well A 2019 study also found that taking the supplements of magnesium, melatonin and vitamin B complex for three months improves sleep and can help treat insomnia Thankfully vitamins either obtained from diet or in a pill form can play a vital role in promoting healthy sleeping patterns
Low Self Esteem Lifestyle Solutions
By Olaide Sokoya
Self-esteem is your overall sense of personal value and self worth. Find out what self-esteem is and why it matters.
Self -Esteem is the opinion you have of yourself When you have healthy self -esteem, you tend to think positively about yourself and optimistically about life in general People with a healthy self -esteem know that they are valuable, and will be able to name at least some of their positive qualities such as “I am a good friend”, “I am kind”, “I am honest”, “I am good to go”, “I am a good parent”, etc
However, when you have low selfesteem, you tend to see yourself, the world and your future more negatively and critically You might feel anxious, sad, low, or unmotivated
When you encounter challenges, you may doubt whether you will be able to rise to them.You may talk to yourself harshly in your mind, telling yourself things like, “you are stupid”, “I am stupid”, I’ll never manage this, or “I can't do this anymore”, etc. See the diagram.
WHAT CAUSES LOW SELF -ESTEEM?
Four major reasons came up in a recent poll in America and they are as follows:
1. Experiences such as Punishment, Abuse or Neglect. These are very powerful experiences Children who experience them often jump to the mistaken conclusion that they are bad and must have deserved what happened to them; which of course is not true
2 Insufficient Praise, Love, Affection or Encouragement Sufferers usually don’t remember much about their negative experiences They however wonder why they feel the way they do about themselves It is possible to develop low self-esteem without specific negative experiences; but simply through a deficit of enough positive ones Without enough reinforcement
that they are good, special or loved, children can form the impression that they are not good enough
3. Failure to meet other people's expectations In this category, I am referring to bosses, parents and mentors Low self -esteem may set in when you don't meet someone else's expectations, your parents’ standards or some other authority figure (like the ones mentioned above) or even situations (debates, exams, projects, driving test, etc)
4 Inability to fit in with your peer group Belonging to a “group” or a “tribe” is important no doubt It's one of our survival needs Being different or the “odd one out”, especially during adolescence when you are forming your identity, can most powerfully impact your sense of self.
Here & There with 81ners
IMAGE:WALLPAPERCOM
Low Self Esteem
"Positive thinking isn't about ignoring the challenges, but about focusing on the possibilities and believing in your power to overcome them.
When we are feeling badly about ourselves, we tend to take it out on ourselves This may take the form of junk food binges, constant poor health, depression, anxiety, criticism of others, inability to receive and enjoy affection, failure to give affection, over-indulgence in alcohol or drugs, starving ourselves of luxuries unnecessarily, nonacceptance of compliments and failure to give compliments, not handling criticisms well, anger issues, experiencing guilt, jealousy - envying everything that moves as well as engaging in negative talk about ourselves
CONCLUSION
It is of prime importance that we do all in our power to keep thinking positive thoughts
Visit the following scriptures:
Philippians 4:v4 says:
“Rejoicein the Lord always.”
Psalm 118:24 says: “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 91:1-16 says:
“Whoeverdwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the Shadow of the Almighty.”
Isaiah 12:2 says: “Surely God is my Salvation; I will trust and not be afraid The Lord Himself is my strength and my defense; He has become my Salvation.”
Proverbs 3:13 says: “Blessed are those who find wisdom,those who gain understanding ”
Redefining Your Life By Thinking Positive Thoughts.
Thinking positive thoughts with help from the scriptures listed and more, will ensure that we stay happy people
A bad self-image leads to a person subconsciously sabotaging his/her own happiness We must start out on the road to selfimprovement whileabsolving ourselves from blame, guiltand selfdenigration
Culled from: Being Happy by Andrew Mathews 1988.
Jokes & Trivia
I What goes “oom oom”? A cow walking backwards. - Matthew Smith, Sheffield.
Why do seagulls fly over the ocean? Because if they flew over the bay, we’d call them bagels - Chortle.co.uk
I once tried to run a dating agency for chickens, because I was struggling to make “hens” meet – Paul Beilby, Lincolnshire.
A baker always put too much flour in his bread He was a gluten for punishment
-James Cooper, Devon
Justice is a dish best served cold. If instead, it was served warm, it would be justwater.
– Mariana Z (@mariana057).
I read a book about super glue yesterday I couldn’t put it down - Darren Jacobs, Kent.
I used to be addicted to the hokey pokey, but I turned myself around - Chortle.co.uk
Why did the physics teacher break up with the biology teacher? There was no chemistry!
-Luke Russell, Leeds
1 The first ever YouTube video, posted in 2005, featured what animal at the San Diego Zoo?
2 Which Nigerian state is known as the Food basket of the nation?
3 Due to wartime metal shortages, Academy Award winners from 1943 to 1945 were given temporary Oscars made of what?
4. What kind of nut can spontaneously combust making it dangerous cargo in ships?
5 Which is the most produced food crop in Nigeria?
6 What language has the most letters in the alphabet?
7 Adolescent mammals (teenagers) share what feature that causes them to fall asleep and wake up later than adult populations?
8 Which English author is credited with linking St. Valentine’s Day to love and romance in his 14th century poem “Parliament of Fowls”?
9 The largest dam in Nigeria is?
10 In what state is it located?
Answers on page 34
By Biodun Koleoso
I asked my boss what he wanted me to do with this six-metre roll of bubble wrap He said, “Just pop it in the corner ” It took me four hours! – Scott Coope, London.
How do roofers celebrate getting some work? With drinks on the house!
– David Coulthard, Tyne and Wear.
My dad recently suggested that I register as an organ donor He’s a man after my own hear – Comedian, Masai Graham
TRIVIA WORD POWER
Choose the correct meaning:
Brain teasers culled from Reader’s Digest.
MORE BRAIN TEASERS
1 A doctor and a bus driver are both in love with the same woman, an attractive girl named Sarah The bus driver had to go on a long bus trip thatwouldlastaweek Beforeheleft,hegaveSarahsevenapples Why?
2 I left my campsite and hiked south for 3 miles Then I turned east and hiked for 3 miles I then turned north and hiked for 3 miles, at which time I came upon a bear inside my tent eating my food! What color was thebear?
3. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him underwater for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go outtogetherandenjoyawonderfuldinnertogether.Howcanthisbe?
4. I am taken from a mine, and shut up in a wooden case, from which I amneverreleased,andyetIamusedbyalmosteverybody.WhatamI?
Answers to Brain teasers on page 21.
Here & There with 81ners
Crossword Puzzle
Poems by Gladys Lawson.
B- commotion; The debate over the podcast Serial started quite a kerfuffle at our family dinner.
A-showing initiative; Seyi showed gumption by writing directly to the company manager and telling him why she deserved to get the job.
D-an overly complicated process; To reset my password, I had to remember a dozen questions. What a rigmarole!
C-sorrowful; Kemi is shipping out tomorrow. I’m woebegone at the thoughtof not seeing him for the next six months.
C-utterly astonished; The waiter’s aggressive reaction when I told him the chicken breast was under cooked left me gobsmacked.
B-talk loudly and at length; Lanre tends to yammer on, unaware no one is listening.
C-call a meeting; Seeing the dire quarterly report, Funmi decided to convoke her advisers to discuss the future of the firm.
C-aggravate; The tour guide’s superior attitude nettled Tola, but she soon grew to appreciate his depth of knowledge.
A-impossible to imitate; The baby quickly charmed the whole room with his inimitable toothless smile.
UNEXPLORED NIGERIA
Complied by Funmi Lampejo
Find out beautiful places in Nigeria that you may never have seen before
THE GREAT WALL OF BENIN
You have all probably heard of the Great Wall of China
But what about the Great Wall of Benin? This wall encircled the Edo Kingdom and was constructed between 800AD and 1460AD according to the historians It is believed to stretch for 16000 km and enclose 6500 square km of land It is second only to the Great Wall of China which stretches for 21,196 km.
The walls surrounded Benin City and are thought to have provided a defensive barrier from the outside world Parts of the wall operated as water-filled moats, further hindering any assault campaign by invaders wih stretches for 21,196 km
The building of the Wall is thought to predate the establishment of the Ogiso kings and the current Oba system of rule but a lot of the detail is lost in the past Each successive ruler seems to have added and further reinforced these mammoth earthworks, built long before mechanization and power tools There were inner and outer walls, each additional layer of wall affording greater protection for the buildings they surrounded. Soldiers of the kingdom were placed on the ramparts to further discourage any encroachment on Benin City land
The moat is thought to have been about 35ft wide with a depth of 35-50ft for over 21,000km The wall itself is as high as 60ft in some areas and there are thought to be 500 interconnected sections of the wall along its length
There were two distinct sections of the moat: the primary moat around the urban core and the sacred palace, and a secondary moat constructed later, encircling an area to the south
These moats were complemented by a defensive wall constructed of limestone blocks Together, the moats and walls constituted defences (source: Wikipedia)
The Great Wall of Benin was destroyed during an attack by British forces in 1897 The Benin Bronzes were stolen during the same attack Thousands of Benin citizens were slaughtered, palaces were looted and burned down and an estimated 2500 artifacts were removed from Benin City, including over a 1000 metal sculptures and plaques that comprise the Benin Bronzes. Parts of the Great Wall of Benin can still be seen running through the neighbourhoods of Benin City
In 1974, the Guinness Book of World Records recognised the walls of Benin City as the world's second-largest man-made structure by length, following China's Great Wall The series of earthen ramparts was acclaimed as the most extensive earthwork ever constructed (Source: Ancient-Origins net)
If you search online for The Great Wall, you will definitely see entries for the Chinese Wall. That is because the Benin Wall is titled as a Moat In fact, you will see the Great Wall of Britain which runs for 73 miles as a suggestion before the Benin Wall Currently, large areas of the moat are ditches filled with refuse It would be wonderful if our leaders instituted a programme for the reconstruction of the Wall
OLUMO ROCK
Olumo Rock is a mountain in Ikija, Abeokuta, Ogun State I have a personal interest in this one as it is opposite my a opposite my ancestral
Here & There with 81ners
home, and the tourist centre is built on land leased from my family by the Ogun State government
Olumo Rock is a mountain in Ikija, Abeokuta, Ogun State I have a personal interest in this one as it is opposite my ancestral Olumo Rock lore is interwoven with Egba history and the rock was used as a shelter and natural fortress during the inter-tribal wars particularly between 1825 to 1830s around the time of Lisabi’s death
The name ‘Olumo’ can be translated as God formed or moulded, and this is the rock that Abeokuta (under the rock) takes its name from. The rock is 449ft high and has many spaces and crevices that came in handy when the Egbas were planning ambushes or hiding from their deadly enemies, people of the Oyo kingdom (my mum’s people, but that’s a story for another day) It is well worth a visit as a day trip from Lagos or Ibadan, and the panoramic view of Abeokuta from the top is wonderful
Sketch of the Great Wall of Benin
Lisabi Gardens, Olumo Rock, Abeokuta Photos: Folu Oyefeso
NSUDE PYRAMIDS
The Nsude pyramids are situated in Enugu. South East Nigeria. They are a group of ten solid mud pyramids about 1.25 miles from Nsude. They were circular and estimated to be twenty-seven feet in diameter, 18-19 feet high and in two rows twenty yards apart and seventy yards long. In each row, they were about 12 feet apart.
(Source: Wikipedia)
They were constructed by the Igbo people, although the timeline is unclear They are known as Nkpuras in Igbo and were photographed by British visitors in the 1930s They were constructed from earth and clay, forming stepped terraces into a pyramid shape of circular stacks that narrowed at the top to a point The Nkpura are thought to have been sites of religious and ceremonial rituals Unfortunately, they are mostly lost due to erosion aand degradation Another one for the proud children of Nigeria to reconstruct in the future.
ETHIOPE RIVER, DELTA STATE
All Nigerians know about the River Niger
But do you know about the beautiful blue waters of the Ethiope River?
Ethiope River is a beautiful, crystal-clear River located in Abraka, Delta State, Southern Nigeria It is just to the south of the Urhonigbe Forest Reserve and its source is in Umuaja from where it flows for 50 km Local legend says that the source of the river is mystical because it flows from under the root of a massive tree.
River Ethiope is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and rich biodiversity, supporting an array of plant and animal species The river provides vital ecological functions such as flood control and climate regulation, as well as being a source of clean water and food for the surrounding settlements (Source: TourNigeria)
You can go fishing, on boat rides or go swimming in the designated areas along the river One for the bucket list
TWO RIVERS RUN SIDEBY-SIDE BUT NEVER MIX.
The mysterious Oguta Lake is a favourite Two rivers run sideby-side but never mix It is the biggest natural lake in Imo State, southeast Nigeria, and is located in the Niger Delta’s tropical rainforest The lake is located near Oguta, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) from the point where the Ndoni and Orashi Rivers converge From east to west, it is roughly eight kilometers (five miles) long and 2 5 kilometers (one and a half miles) wide It is formed by clay, sand, and silt deposits that dammed the lower Njaba River, Imo as well as water inflows from Uju, Awbana and Urashi rivers (Source: Igbo language and culture)
The main input to Oguta Lake is a stream from the Njaba River The Awana, Utu, and Arashi are the remaining three tributaries The southwesterly part of the Arashi River passes via Oguta Lake
The two rivers are thought by the natives to symbolize man and wife, or masculine and female Ogbuide, considered to be the female, is the green water The male Urashi is the brown water According to the legend of the lake, Urashi and his wife Ogbuife quarreled and because of that they don't flow together.
OGUTALAKE
Compiled By Funmi Lampejo
Photography: Oguta Lake Curtesy of Google
OWU WATERFALLS
Owu Waterfalls can be found between Owa Onire and Owa Kajola in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria This marvel is the highest waterfall in West Africa measuring 120m above water level. The ice-cold water gushes 100m down the slope, with the sparkling water gurgling over the rocks to settle in a beautifully clear pool at the bottom of the falls
THIS MARVEL IS THE HIGHEST WATERFALL IN WEST AFRICA MEASURING 120M ABOVE WATER LEVEL.
In the usual ridiculous story, the waterfall is said to have been discovered by a hunter named Jimoh Aremu in the 19th century. The story is that it was then brought to prominence by a missionary 40 years ago, presumably because the people who had lived around there for several millennia had overlooked a cascade of water falling down 120m from a height 590m above sea level I’ll leave you to decide how likely that story is Either way, add Owu Waterfalls to your mustsee list Watch a video about the Owu Waterfalls here
MY NEW HOME
In the embrace of twin Isles, I find my place
Whereas your azure waves kiss shores with tender grace
Trinidad and Tobago, my heart’s new home
Beneath your skies, I gladly roam
From bustling Port of Spain to Tobago’s calm Your vibrant hues, my soul they gently balm
Calypso beats, Steelpan’s sweet refrain
In every rhythm, I’m born again
From the waves of the sky blue beaches to The beauty of Argyle waterfalls my soul is
At rest when my birth home comes to Remembrance
The warmth of your people, a welcoming song,
In this mosaic of cultures I belong
Here, in your embrace, I’ve found my way
In Trinidad and Tobago, I’ve chosen to stay
“THE WARMTH OF YOUR PEOPLE, A WELCOMING SONG, IN THIS MOSAIC OF CULTURES I BELONG.”
BevAnn Rago-Baptiste - My Trini Sister Roxan Lalchan - My Trini Daughter
By Edwina Agoreyo
GuessWho?
Journey of My SisFriend
Reading, England, when you told me about all escapades (ahem), swiftly followed your MG days Then there were music nights, events, and late-night study sessions filled with laughter and the partying during Unilag years, where we tried to outdo all others painting Lagos in many beautiful colours Your contagious smile and determination and entrepreneurial spirit were evident even then, laying the foundation for the incredible woman you would become
My dear sisters, at times, turned friends �� I thought I should dedicate this piece to my dear school friend (and 'egbon') of over 40 years who this year marked her Diamond Jubilee. I would have preferred to track her full life from childhood to date but, alas, my editors are permitting a few words and clearly, by bothering to tell you this, I have I have wasted precious words�� So I'll quickly celebrate her in pictures in this piece entitled *Journey of My SisFriend*
THOSE WERE THE DISCOVERY YEARS, AND I’M GRATEFUL TO HAVE SHARED THEM WITH YOU
Oluwunmi 'Wunmistic' Awobokun Ajakaiye
Looking at your early years when pretty dresses were the thing, I can see the delight in your eyes. That picture of you is one of pure joy! It perfectly captures your beautiful, playful spirit Those were the days of carefree laughter At MG, you transitioned into your teenage years, and although you were fairly quiet you had a beautiful carefree spirit embracing a whirlwind of changes. Didn't we all? I still cherish you were absolutely beautiful from head to toe - long lustrous hair which you are still rocking until today (see pic) Wunmistic, my pen pal from your A Level days at Padworth College, near
Entering adulthood brought new adventures The pictures from Unilag university days are filled with unforgettable moments along MG friends remember ankara days, late-night nd the sheer joy of newfound freedom Those were the years, and I’m grateful to have shared them with you In ture years your journey took on new dimensions The f you surrounded by family, celebrating milestones, and business goals are inspiring You balanced it all with howcasing your strength and resilience Those family s filled with love and laughter highlight how important hips are to you
u dived deeper into your passions - pursuing your es, tending to your family with your sweetheart hubby (RIP), ing your time to help others, traveling etc - your ous spirit shines through all your pictures The joy on your ectious, reminding us all to embrace life fully
Those were the days of carefree laughter At MG, you transitioned into your teenage years, and although you were fairly quiet you had a beautiful carefree spirit embracing a whirlwind of changes
Thanks Wunmi, you are a beacon of inspiration for those around you As you approached and then turned sixty I praised God for His remarkable hand on you The photos here capture a woman who embraces each moment, cherishing her wisdom and experiences You’ve become a mentor to many, sharing your stories and guiding others with kindness The laughter-filled gatherings with friends and family highlight a spirit that continues to embrace life, filled with love and connection.
From those early childhood snapshots to the vibrant moments of nowadays, your journey is a beautiful tapestry woven with love, friendship, and resilience. Thank you for being a constant in my life over these 40+ years Here’s to celebrating you darling your journey, your achievements, and the countless memories Happy 60th, and beyond, sister!
By Bisola Ade-Makanju
HOPE
My pessimistic friend says that I am a joke
That I am too optimistic because I am called Hope
We were once ‘one’ before but he made a choice one day
To remove me from his life, now he lives in a hope-less way.
He blames me for the pain and misery he suffers from all the time
I have tried to tell him to change because his choices are his not mine
You see I am what is considered a good thing I have lost count of the many joys and anticipated blessings I bring
There are so many people that look forward to a brighter day
So I am constantly called upon to show them the way I work hand in hand with a wonderful loyal dedicated friend
His name is Faith and he is strong, resilient and does not bend
All good things come in threes so I am told That probably explains why we have a third partner who is so glorious and bold
He is the greatest of the three of us, full of passion and so strong
There is nothing He cannot do, and when you repent He forgives your every wrong
His name is Love and He is truly the Great of great Our mission: I, Hope, have Faith and with Love we operate.
By Gladys Lawson
Taken from ‘Despite All Odds: A Dream Fulfilled Part 1’
Puzzle Solutions - from page 21
HIS PERFECT LOVE
I pushed and pushed and pushed the car Knowing that I had to go far Anxious, impatient, agitated was I To get beyond the present I did try.
The clouds engulfed, the waves they rose Yet, be still I could not, instead I chose To push and push with all my might, To get beyond my present sight
For in this present I saw no hope No answer, no message, nothing to help me cope
With the fear, the anxiety, the need to be loved The hurt the pain the silence I felt from above
Sweating and panting I pause in my strife I stop for a breath and reflect upon my life Behold, as I stop pushing, as I stand still The car moves in the opposite direction, as if, by its own will
Amazed, I watch it go, fast along the road In fascination, my surprise I cannot hold All that effort, all that might I had used to push, thinking hope was not in sight
Instead of standing still and letting go Instead of giving control to the One that knows Instead of trusting in the promises from above Instead of letting God drive and direct me with His perfect Love!
Taken from the book ‘Truths, Lies And Untold Secrets.’
By Gladys Lawson
My name is Oluwunmi Ajakaiye, nee Awobokun I graduated from the University of Lagos in the year 1986 I studied Political Science After my NYSC, I started preparing my CV to commence job hunting, but my parents encouraged me to go into business as they always said I could sell snow to an Eskimo ��
I grew up helping out at my mum's bookshop at any available opportunity, and I loved it So, I abandoned the idea of seeking employment and joined my mum's business to run ‘Baba Odu bookshop’. We expanded it to include gift items, household items, men's clothing, etc. This I enjoyed doing for a while, but later left to set up my own computer training centre/ business centre, video club and sale of fabric - ankara and laces and also jewellery
My friends call me 'Gbogbolowo’ �� I always had things to sell in the trunk of my car
Guess Who Games’ Clues
Hangoutwith
WUNMI AWOBOKUN
Sometime in 2012, one of my nephews asked if I'll be interested in running a gas station, and I told him it was not my field, but he assured me I can do it and that was how I began my journey into the oil and gas business
My first station was a dead station in Ibadan, Queen Elizabeth station which by the grace of God I resuscitated bringing ‘Lagos Swag’ into it, did various promos and trained my staff in customer relations, beautified the environment and made the place lively, we soon became one of the best in town and received various awards and accolades After about 2 years in Ibadan, I was reassigned to another station in Lagos It was a Comatose station at Bombay Crescent Apapa This I accepted as I was happy to move back to my base in Lagos By God's grace, I was there for a few years before I was reassigned to my present station in Alausa Ikeja All through this period, I've had to deal with various challenges, including infertility for over 12 years and later on my husband's illness and eventual passing
I'm grateful to God for all the challenges because I learnt various life lessons through them all Instead of lamenting and missing the lessons, I faced them with FAITH and PERSEVERED on pointedly knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel
My motto is to be positive, always knowing I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me I realised early in life that your attitude is what opens doors for you and draws God's blessings to you, so don't let opportunities pass you by Be positive and optimisticalways.
Embrace all tasks big or small, already believing you have succeeded We are the architects of our lives After all, faith without works is dead being alone
Thank you, dear sisters, for giving me the opportunity to share a bit about myself
By Wunmi Awobokun
TheReunion
By Yemi Shobodu
It was late afternoon and the sun was setting in the sky, casting a golden hue through the windows of the school hall, Tomiwa stepped through the doors for her 40th high school reunion The echoes of laughter and the familiar faces brought back a flood of memories. She noticed the banners and balloons, the tables laden with photos from their youth, and a magazine titled “Our Journey,” which was filled with stories from their classmates’ lives.
This reunion was especially poignant as, this set of students were the first set of co-educational experiment in the country. The school used to be an ‘Boys Only’ school Tomiwa and a handful of other girls were the first female students in the school, hence competition was rife among the students On the other hand, Tomiwa and her female counterparts felt comfortable among their male classmates, some of whom became lifelong friends
Among the happy chatter, Tomiwa spotted an old friend, Muti, standing alone by a display of sports trophies
Muti had been the star athlete, always surrounded by friends and admirers Yet tonight, he seemed pensive, almost melancholic
“Muti, it’s been so long,” Tomiwa greeted him warmly. He turned and smiled “Tomiwa, it’s good to see you ” They reminisced for a while, sharing stories of the past, when Tomiwa noticed the sadness in Muti’s eyes “What’s on your mind, Muti?” He sighed. “Life has been different than I imagined I had all these dreams and plans, but things didn’t turn out the way I hoped My career didn’t soar, my marriage ended, and I’ve been feeling lost ”
Tomiwa thought for a moment and then shared a story that had guided her through her own life’s ups and downs “Muti, have you ever heard the story of Joseph from The Bible? Joseph was his father’s favourite, which made his brothers jealous He had dreams of greatness too, shared it with his family which made his brothers more jealous of him*
43 years after leaving school, we find ourselves... Greeted with a myriad of emotions, laughter, tears, gratitude and nostalgia fill the air As we embrace and celebrate one another, I invite us to reflect on the central theme of one my favourite poems, 'Love After Love' by Derek Walcott Some words and phrases are extremely insightful and special Beyond the euphoria of finding our friends during our 1st reunion in 43 years, lies a deeper quest to rediscover and reunite with my inner self
This brings to mind the legendary M People's inspirational lyrics 'Search for the Hero inside yourself, Search for the Secrets you hide, Search for hero inside yourself, until you find the key to your heart'
Like Walcott suggests in his poem, It's time to 'welcome', 'greet' 'smile' and 'feast' on YOUR life
This, my sisters, is my perspective on finding ourselves!
Here are videos from two of our sisters who dared to rediscover themselves:
Yanju Odukoya - Retirement
https://youtu be/UopSmuEHJ 0? si=jctsGfWrk7XMf5yI
https://youtu.be/3GyuxYDLVgw? si=HKhLpYLFyqdNNV3Z
Toyin Subair. Journey to Permanent Secretary (Tourism)
https://youtu be/vpQbmABywh4? si=T3cKUDmOZtDmp9gw
Watch this Reflection Video
ANSWERS – Trivia on page 20
1. Elephant
2. Benue State
3. Painted plaster
4. The pistachio nut
5. Cassava
6. Cambodian (Khmer) 74 characters
7. Temporary circadian-cycle changes in the brain
8. Geoffrey Chaucer – remember him from The Canterbury Tales?
9. Kainji Dam
10. Niger State
Answers to more Brain Teasers on page 20
1.An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
2.White, since the only place you can do that is the North Pole and polar bears are the only kind of bears that live there.
3.The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, and hung it up to dry.
4.Pencil lead.
Here & There with 81ners
It’stimeto ACCESSORIZE
Tola AjalaAccessorizing that simple plain outfit is our thing and theme.
Step it up, dress it up from casual, add on two or more accessories and walk it.
Adding bits gives life and colors making a plain coloured dress, skirt, top, trousers and more look more vibrant; a more Fashionable piece emerges andreduces clutter in your wardrobe (we do not keep buying but change the look each time) with diversity and a unique look each time you step out
Looking good at work, indoors & more in a plain outfit to going straight from work to meeting friends, dinner, bbq, a get together and more
Let’s add a nice belt, sleeves, scarves, shoes, bag, jewellery, hair accessories, painted nails, lipstick, cardigan, heels, platforms and off we go to that place looking great
Sustainable clothing is what we need, not too many dresses/ clothes, just 2 or more small pieces to transform our look
Ladies it could be from a black, white, red, navy, green, yellow or
any color dress skirt/trousers, top, mini, anything PLAIN COLOUR
Pleass bring out your belts, Scarves, sleeves, jewellery (chunky coloured earrings etc) bright lipstick whatever you got, have a look in your wardrobe, drawers, in your closet it lies, let's accessorize ourselves Be it leather, ankara, fabric etc Add it on to that plain outfit and do that cat walk.
BYTOLAAJALA
OurTopFashionFinds
1 Gladys Lawson
Ojumu
Bunmi Alayande
Oluwole
FromMGHSOGA‘81Set GlamourGals
6.Bose
7.Folake
8.Bolanle
5. Tinu Onipede
Koku
Makanju
Akeju
OurTopFashionFinds
GlamourGals FromMGHSOGA‘81Set
13. Kokovi Lawson
14. Lanre Porter
15 Yanju Odukoya & Lanre Caulcrick
16. Wunmi Awobokun
OurTopFashionFinds GlamourGals
I’veGotFriends
I’veGotFriends
I’VE GOT FRIENDS
Sixty Sassy and Classy
Toyin Olaleru
Tinuke Akanbi
Tokunbo Ilupeju
Wunmi Awobokun
Tokunbo Olabintan
Ngozi Ozoro
Sola Oke
Nola Akala
Olu Opesan
Ngozi Ozoro
Bunmi Alayande
Kunbi Peters
Bose Koku
Bukky Oluwole
Bolanle Akeju
Ekaete Umoren
Kemi Oyesola
Moji Haroun
Kemi Oyemade
TheReunion
Continued from page 32
shape us, teach us, and prepare us for something greater It’s about faith, perseverance, and seeing the bigger picture Maybe, like Joseph, you’re being prepared for something important, even if you can’t see it yet ” At the same time the meeting was called and they were all asked to observe one minute silence for their classmates who have died, a list of these were read out This put things into perspective for Muti Muti’s eyes brightened a bit “Thank you, Tomiwa That’s a good reminder It’s easy to get lost in what’s gone wrong and forget that there’s always hope and purpose ”As the night went on, the reunion became not just a celebration of the past, but a rekindling of old friendships and a reminder that every twist and turn in life has its reason As the night went on, the reunion became not just a celebration of the past, but a rekindling of old friendships and a reminder that every twist and turn in life has its reason And for Muti, it was a night of renewed faith, inspired by a timeless story of resilience and trust in a greater plan.
This story draws from the biblical narrative of Joseph, highlighting themes of faith, resilience, and the belief thatthereisagreaterpurposebehindlife’schallenges
So, friends, as we meet for this reunion, let us not get caught up into comparison, but camaraderie, thanking God for sparing our lives, and let’s revisit our childhood again for these few days For those of us with hair still, let down your hair, for the rest of us, let down your wigs Woohoo!!!!!
*Genesis37:5-28/**Genesis41
They sold him into slavery, and he ended up in Egypt Despite his hardships, Joseph remained faithful and worked diligently. He faced many trials, including being falsely accused and imprisoned But he never lost hope or faith In time, Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams brought him to the attention of Pharaoh, who made him a ruler in Egypt When a famine struck, it was Joseph’s wisdom and foresight that saved many, including his own family. What seemed like a series of unfortunate events was actuallypartofagreaterplan ”
Muti listened intently, nodding “I remember that story Joseph’sjourneywastough,buthealwaysstayedtrueto
his values and trusted that there was a purpose behind his struggles.
”Tomiwa smiled “Exactly Sometimes, life doesn’t go as we plan, but every challenge can shape us, teach us, and prepare us for something greater It’s about faith, perseverance, and seeing the bigger picture Maybe, like Joseph, you’re being prepared for something important, even if you can’t see it yet ” At the same time the meeting was called and they were all asked to observe one minute silence for their classmates who have died, a list of these werereadout ThisputthingsintoperspectiveforMuti Muti’s eyes brightened a bit “Thank you, Tomiwa That’s a good reminder It’s easy to get lost in what’s gone wrong andforgetthatthere’salwayshopeandpurpose ”
As the night went on, the reunion became not just a celebration of the past, but a rekindling of old friendships and a reminder that every twist and turn in life has its reason And for Muti, it was a night of renewed faith, inspired by a timeless story of resilience and trust in a greaterplan
This story draws from the biblical narrative of Joseph, highlighting themes of faith, resilience, and the belief that thereisagreaterpurposebehindlife’schallenges.
TheUnseenChallengesofBeinga WomanEntrepreneur
Introduction:
As a woman entrepreneur, I've faced my fair share of challenges From societal expectations to gender bias The journey has been paved with obstacles which I have managed to overcome, not completely though, but eventually turned to my advantage
In this article, I'll share some of my experiences and my challenges as a woman entrepreneur
Personally, I will say the biggest challenge any woman can face as an entrepreneur is balancing work and family lives.
Women are often expected to prioritize family responsibilities over career goals. Finding a balance between work life and family life is crucial for any women entrepreneur to be successful A woman might discover that she is not able to have a stable business untill she is in her late forties by which time, the children are grown and require less attention from her and she as a person have a better way of organising herself while taking care of the family.
Another challenge is finance
Women entrepreneurs face significant barriers when seeking funding The society don’t really respect startups by women
This is as a result of lack of assurance of getting returns on investment The belief that the primary responsibility of a woman is the family hence a woman might not be able to put in as much that is required to nurture and grow a business to a success firstly and then give returns
Networking and Mentorship
Women often lack access to building relationships with other entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts which are all vital for success It still boils down to the fact that she is to spend her time taking care of family rather than be out there networking and growing a business
Put together, all the challenges are all as a result of the very first one
Another challenge is self-doubt With all the above running against a woman’s dreams, she starts doubting herself and might even give up on her aspirations But from my experience, all the above can be turned around to become advantageous with a lot of patience and perseverance
To overcome these challenges, women entrepreneurs must be resilient, adaptable, and determined
My experience
My journey began when I got into the university of Ife to study as a pharmacist By my third year as an undergraduate, I realized that I wanted to have my own business I identified a demand for a fast food joint at the University of Ife and wrote a business plan on it to start my own As soon as I finished as a pharmacist, I launched my first venture which was a fast food joint, while going through my internship which is a prerequisite for the professional certification This was very demanding, combined with building a new business I did not mind the work load because of my vision and zeal I put in all my effort into the business and it was a success from day one I ran and grew the business until I got married 4 years after
Despite the initial success, I faced challenges balancing work and family life My business kept me out till very late in the night as my customers, mainly students were only available after their lectures from 5pm till about 11pm This became a big challenge to me because I was the main person of the business The only logical thing I could think of then was to find someone to take over the business The only person I got wanted to buy off the business eventually I had to sell it to focus on my family life, keeping a little for myself Business No 1 down!
After a while, I realised I had to get busy while keeping in mind that I had a family now I decided to turn my passion for sewing into a business venture, specialising in bridal wears I enjoyed every minute of it, going out to dress the bride and the bridal train This demanded being out during weekends as clients in Nigeria will always want to deal directly with the business owner at the initial stage of the business I eventually had to give it up due to family commitments which I couldn’t keep up with as the business required a lot of my attention and I hadn’t built it to the level where I could hand over to someone else I again took a break for the family as the children started coming at this time
A woman might discover that she is not able to have a stable business untill she is in her late forties by which time, the children are grown and require less attention from her and she as a person have a better way of organising herself while taking care of the family
After a long break, I thought of going into my professional career and i started a retail pharmacy outlet in a high brow area in Lagos No sooner had I started this venture than I realised I was not interested in a retail business but I pushed on while it grew over a period of 5 years I pushed it to the stage where it was running successfully and then decided to sell I got a good buyer, keeping a little of the business for myself again
Business No 2 down!!
Next, I ventured into water bottling which was quite challenging Looking at the capital involved, getting a NAFDAC registration and having loads of already big industry competitors With a lot of perseverance and good standard operating procedure to give good quality product, our customers base grew and the growth was fast It was so exciting seeing our product all over the place and knowing the business was growing This continued for me until my children had to leave the country to study abroad Our product was all over the place that it was easy for me to get a good buyer By now I had mastered the art of building a business and selling while holding on to a little bit of the businesses to earn regular income
I sold again
Business no 3 down!!!
I now decided to focus on my children’s education abroad This required me to be away from Nigeria a lot of times
Continued on the next page
By Ibitola Ogunmefun.
After selling the third business venture, I realised I had to consider my family needs in anything I was going to venture into again This made me really think deep about a business that I could do from any part of the world that does not really require my physical presence in Nigeria. A business that I can see my office from any part of the world and I’ll be able to give it my all That was when the idea of travel agency jumped into my mind. It was so exciting to know that I could be with my children in any part of the world and still be able to be in my office once I get on my laptop
The travel industry is such a big and interesting one I never realise I have a passion for travels until I started training as a travel consultant and I learnt so fast. The training was very interesting and I saw a very big industry where I could carve out my niche and thrive Also, the children are now much more independent and required very little attention and I have a better grasp of happenings around me I was now able to give it all the attention a new business requires This was 15 years ago and I’ve enjoyed every bit of the business We have expanded from just tickets and hotel booking, to visa services, cruise booking, tourism, destination party organisation and so much more It has given me the opportunity to travel and see so many cities and cultures
At a point during the travel business journey, I decided to go back to my childhood passion which is sewing
Of all the five businesses I have ventured into, I’ve kept the two
Conclusion
that am very passionate about, sewing and travels while I sold the other three, keeping a little part of each
The sewing business has also grown into a small factory of ready to wear while we consult for the Lagos State Government for MSMEs that are the Fashion industry
The journey has been challenging but all interesting
Being a woman and the challenges faced has turned me into a serial entrepreneur It was not by choice but by demand I have turned challenges into advantages. I did not allow anything to stop my zeal to be busy and to fill a gap in the society with a lot of patience and perseverance Attaining your goal starts from inside you, not outside, not the money you have or don’t have but on your zeal and passion
Build a support system for yourself. For example dropping the children with grandma or have a trusted domestic help, etc
Embrace challenges having it at the back of your mind that everything is a phase and it will pass away
Stay focused on your vision and goals This need a lot of patience and perseverance
Celebrating your successes no matter how little This usually encourages you to do more
Learn from failures If after doing all due diligence and the result is a failure, don’t throw pity parties Learn from your mistakes and move on to doing it better
But the fulfilment is worth every effort you put it into achieving it your successful business
