11.11.11: LETS STAND TALL

Hey people, it’s good to be back here. I’ve actually missed writing on my blog. Thanks to the never ending preparation of Divas’ Dynasty program tagged “Lets Stand Tall”. Finally it has come and gone. It was held on the 11.11.11. And it was indeed a success.

At the early stage, it seemed very easy to achieve. But at the eleventh hour, it became very impossible and stressful. I almost gave up, but God stepped in, He turned the table around and impossible became possible.

Now what is the program all about? “Lets Stand Tall” is our yearly empowerment and educative seminar designed to promote sexual integrity and character development among teenagers. And our focus is to invite students from secondary schools to be educated by women of substance who are successful at what they do and are good examples of women with dignity.

This year Lets Stand Tall program kicked off at exactly 11am at Terra Kulture on Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island. Female students from Methodist Girls High school, Eko Akete Secondary School, Aunty Ayo International School, Ikeja Senior High School and other notable faces from the business and entertainment industry graced the event.

The first speaker, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma (CEO of Project Alert), spoke on how to speak against domestic violence and abuse. The second speaker, Pastor Eno-Abasi Unogu (GM of African Insurance Brokers), spoke on teenage sexual integrity. The third speaker, Bridget Elesin (CEO of Grace Perspective Limited), spoke on the dignity of womanhood. And the last speaker, Dr Queen Elumaro (CEO of Dental Plus Limited), spoke on personal hygiene. The peak of the event was when star actress, Uche Jombo, gave the closing remark by encouraging the students to aspire for greatness.

On the faces of the students, I saw an expression of fulfillment and excitement as they posed for pictures and expressed their gratitude in front of the camera in a short interview with Divas’ Dynasty TV Crew.

11.11.11. As memorable as that date was to the entire world, it would forever remain a day to be remembered by Divas Dynasty crew and organizing committee. If you missed out, don’t worry as we are already planning the next one, which is coming up in April 2012 and we intend to invite from Austria the CEO of NGO EXIT, Joana Adesuwa Reiterer, as one of our speakers. Keep a date with us as you don’t want to miss out on this one as Joana will be revealing the untold truth behind human trafficking.

Before then, we are taking this opportunity to say thank you to our partners: NGO EXIT, Zamar Entertainment, Wisdom Ways, BusinessIQ magazine, High Society soft sell magazine, 2Much Music Entertainment Record, PPBF Concept, LEAP Africa, Vircot Infantil Montessori, Dental Plus. Our special thanks goes to Wale Reflector who performed a dance, Femi Jubal (a guest artiste who performed a song), Sammie Okposo (who couldn’t get a flight to Lagos to be there in person), Uche Jombo (left behind her busy schedule), Julia Odia (CEO, Wow Magazine) Princess Bibiana Nwankwo (part of the mastermind team from inception), Yinka Almona, Virginia Charles O’Tudor, Pastor George Unogu, Martins Ogunsakin (CEO of Cornerstone), Bobhope Iregbu, Emma Okilo, Emmmanuel George, Ojei (LEAP Africa), Sandra Balarabe, Uduak Umoren and Gloria Erumegbe (EcoBank, Ghana). Oh, I will not forget to mention Ini-Abasi Inyang and Omolara Olawale you guys are the bomb. Thanks once again.

Jospehine Effah-Chukwuma

Pst. Eno-Abasi Unogu

Femi Jubal performing

Bridget Elesin

Uche Jombo and Julia Odia of Wow Magazine

Dr. Queen Elumero

Ngozi Ijimakinwa, Chief Host

Princess Bibiana, Julie Odia, Ngozi Ijimakinwa and Uche Jombo



Ngozi, Uche and Aunty Ayo Intl. Sec. School



State Senior Secondary School, Ikeja

Eko Akate Senior Secondary School, Lagos Island



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Martin Ogunsakin, CEO Cornerstone Youth Dev. Center

Alfred Ade-Ijimakinwa, Editor-in-Chief, BusinessIQ

Gloria Erumegbe, EcoBank

Ricahrd, NGO EXIT representative

 

Divas’ Dynasty: Lets Stand Tall

With the Western civilization gaining ground in our society, the teenagers are gradually loosing their values and dignity. That is why Divas’ Dynasty is bringing together 300 female students from different government secondary schools to be part of a life-changing program tagged LETS STAND TALL.

Divas Dynasty is an organization known for her trademark thirty minutes edutainment / inspirational TV show created to inspire its viewers through successful women’s stories. As part of her corporate social responsibility, Divas Dynasty goes beyond TV to FREELY educate teenagers through this life transforming seminar, LETS STAND TALL.

LETS STAND TALL is an empowerment and educative seminar to promote sexual integrity and character development among teenagers. The speakers include women of substance who are successful at what they do and are good examples of women with dignity. And to grace the occasion as special guest of honor is her Excellency, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola. Date: 11th November, 2011. Time: 10am – 2pm. Venue: Terra Kulture @ Plot 1376, Tiamiyu Salvage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

More partnership or sponsorship, contact Ngozi on 01-8540542; 08035181897 or email: divasdynasty@hotmail.com

Damage by Ngozi Kalu Ijimakinwa

Domestic violence can happen to anyone, anytime and anywhere, regardless of your size, strength and gender. Domestic violence most times occurs when a party (either husband or wife) in a relationship or marriage wants to control or dominate the other party. In most cases, one person is always the victim. But in the case of Damage, the movie produced by A-list Actress Uche Jombo and directed by Moses Inwang, we were further enlightened that domestic violence can take another turn. The victim can also be the abuser.  

Damage, is a must watch advocacy movie that deals with the issues of domestic violence and its psychological effects on the victims and their children. It tells the story of a couple who are truly in love with each other. But they lived like cat and dog on a daily basis. This movie has been premiered across Nigeria, United Kingdom and soon to be in United States. Two thumbs up to Uche for the brilliant master piece. We should, like Uche, speak out against all forms of abuse to save lives for recently in Lagos, Nigeria a man killed and mutilated the body of his wife who he claimed to have loved so very much. Was she truly loved? Does love abuse?  I don’t think so.

Signs of domestic abuse

There are many signs of domestic abuse that you need to watch out for in a relationship, but fear of your partner is what you shouldn’t take for granted.  If you have to walk on eggshells around your partner or constantly considering what you say and do in order to avoid blow-ups, chances are your relationship is unhealthy and would become abusive in the future. Other signs that you may need to watch out for are when your partner belittles you or tries to control you, feeling of self-loathing, helplessness, and desperation.

Speak out against domestic abuse and get help

If you noticed any of these signs in your relationship, try talking to your partner, letting him or her know what bothers you. Point out the signs you have noticed. Let your partner know you will always be there to talk about any issues that is relating or leading to abuse. Reassure your partner that you will keep whatever is said or discussed secret and that you are willing to help in whatever way you can.

Remember, abusers are very good at controlling and manipulating their victims. People who have been emotionally abused or battered are depressed, drained, scared, ashamed, and confused. They are most times isolated from extended family and friends.  Such person needs help to get out. Endeavor to speak out against it.

Na Wa Festival in Lagos by Ngozi Kalu Ijimakinwa

What is the first thought that comes to you when you hear the word “human trafficking?” Trading of inexperience and underage teenagers without the consents of their parents or guardians into a foreign land. Maybe you are right, but human trafficking is more than you know. Thanks to the NA WA Festival held in Abuja, Benin and Lagos.

On the 18th of June 2011, I was invited by Nollywood top actress, Uche Jumbo, who was recently appointed as United Nations Ambassador. She gave me an invitation to be part of the Na Wa Festival held in Victoria Island, Lagos by EXIT, a non governmental organization founded by Joana Adesuwa Reiterer. The event was graced by intellectuals from different social class to discuss and find lasting solutions to the cankerworm that has eaten deep into our society—human trafficking.

At this grand event, Joana and her team revealed that human trafficking is a crime against humanity and is being carried out in different forms. They extensively explained that the crime ranges from tricking people to illegally travel abroad with false living and working terms. These ignorant travelers go through the desert and Pacific Ocean where they are exposed to countless risks and harsh conditions. In the desert, the men most time suffer hunger and untimely death. The women are more privileged. They would be force to serve as sex workers in Europe if ever they survive the series of rape in the desert.

For those who found themselves in humans packed ship, it would be an unforgotten experience if they ever make it through to their dream land. Again, the men are less privileged and could end up at the bottom of the sea if they become sick or faint. For the women, they always pave their way with their bodies. This is like a dress rehearsal for the real sex work that lies ahead of them in the harsh weather of an unknown foreign land.

Uche Jumbo and Na Wa Team

Joana and her team from Austria did not just reveal this ugly truth in words; they aroused the empathy of the audience through non-fiction short stories and documentaries that will leave lasting impression in the mind of the audience. Like many in the audience, I was in tears when I saw the short documentary titled “Sisters of No Mercy”. And I knew we have to work together to stand against human trafficking and build the already collapsed value system in Africa.

After the short stories, the audience was giving the opportunity to speak extensively on how to combat the issue of human trafficking with the assurance that every contribution will help in improving the good deeds of the non-governmental organization. I contributed my quota and look forward to working alongside EXIT organization soon. Later on, I was introduced to Joana, the brain behind EXIT, the organizer of the Na Wa Festival.

Joana Adesuwa Reiterer

Joana Adesuwa Reiterer is an iron lady of many passions. She is an author, film maker and human right activist. And Her NGO, EXIT, is a non-governmental, non-religious and non-profit organization based in Vienna, Austria. Her dedication is to combat human trafficking from Africa to Europe. Joana, through EXIT, seeks to educate Africans and Europeans about the crime of human trafficking for sexual exploitation. This she is doing through awareness campaigns in Nigeria and Austria. She employs a preventive approach, providing Nigerians with appropriate accounts of life in Europe, illegal migration and possible negative consequences that awaits ignorant victims.

For more information, visit: http://www.nawa.org/

see photos

Na Wa Team

Uche Jumbo and Joana Adesuwa Reiterer

Ngozi Kalu Ijimakinwa @ Na Wa Festival

Uche Jumbo and Na Wa Team

Ngozi Kalu Ijimakinwa, Uche Jumbo and a guest

Successful Character Traits will Aid Growth by Ngozi Kalu Ijimakinwa

What is growth? Growth is the process of becoming larger, longer, numerous or more Important. On the other hand, intellectual growth is the expansion of your mental abilities to reason and show good judgment or become emotionally mature. Growth starts from birth and can only cease at death. But you can remain dormant if you refuse to adapt to changes. The successful character traits chart will or can contribute to your growth.

Beyond Physical Consequences by Ngozi Kalu Ijimakinwa

“The action you take at any time has its consequences"

During the *W.A.I.T. training course, we were taught with a code (P-I-E-S-S) which makes the learning process very easy and interesting. I have decided to use the same code in this article.

P-I-E-S-S is an acronym. It means “Physical. Intellectual. Emotional. Spiritual. Social”

When young people take negative actions, most times, only the physical consequences are preached, this has made young people to misunderstand what true consequences of their negative actions are really about. A young girl is only afraid of the fact that when she gets pregnant, her protruding stomach will bring her and her family shame. She worries about the physical consequence only, which is the protruding stomach. But the truth is that she is also suffering the other consequences of her actions.

For example, when a young girl starts getting involved with a boy, physically she risks getting pregnant or infected with STDs, which are the only consequence mostly preached. But she will also suffer the other consequences of her action. Intellectually, her education will suffer as her attention will be on the boy at all times. Emotionally, she will be distracted whenever she gets hurt. Spiritually, she will loose her moral values. And socially, the community will no longer trust her. It is not only the girl that will suffer these consequences. The boy will in turn suffer the same consequences. Further studies shows that, when a boy starts taking alcohol or hard drugs, he will suffer the P-I-E-S-S consequences too.

At this point, you need to know that when you make a wrong choice, the consequences are not just the physical ones. It goes beyond that and would affect you intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and socially. And most of all you won’t be the only one that is affected, your family, community and the society at large will be affected as well. So, it is very important you weigh your actions at all times.

Benefits of not taking negative actions

Physically                                 Healthy

Intellectually                              Stable

Emotionally                               Balance

Spiritually                                  Sound

Socially                                     Supported

*W.A.I.T. (Why AM I Tempted) is a certify teenage counseling course