Empowering Women, Empowering Our Communities

One woman can change anything but many women can change everything...There is something about the economic empowerment of a woman which changes the dynamics of her destiny and those around her. When a woman can afford to do what she wants with her life and contribute to her society, you can be assured that more people stand to gain and have a better life because of her.

Empowering Women, Empowering Our Communities

Who Were Fela’s Women?

The fact that a woman was so fearless and on a mission, and no one was going to stop her as she was very much of the Malcolm X philosophy – by any means necessary. You fight for what you believe in even if it means jail or death – I think for a man to hear that from a woman, who knew what she was about and believed in it with every fibre of her being, especially as it is the kind of thing, he would have expected another man to tell him, changed everything for him...

Who Were Fela’s Women?

Stella Damasus: More Than A Pretty Face

More than a pretty face, Damasus is politically conscious of the challenges which besiege Nigeria, as the nation enters a new era. “Nigeria is the way it is right now because of our mindset and attitude towards everything around us. Everyone wants to acquire wealth by all means at the expense of others. There’s a lot of impatience, dishonesty, and injustice,” she says. Earlier this year, she joined the youth movement and took part in the rally, Enough Is Enough, in Abuja, the nation’s capital. Asked if she was concerned about the impact it could have on her career, Damasus said “No, I was and I’m not afraid at all. I believe in freedom of speech, so I didn’t feel threatened that my career would be at stake. I wanted to express myself, and I have no regrets whatsoever. I took part in the rally because I was tired of sitting at home and complaining. I have children, nieces and nephews, who are going to grow up in a country where things are not right. I decided to stand up with the youth of the country and let my voice be heard for the sake of my children and the upcoming generation.”

Stella Damasus: More Than A Pretty Face

In Conversation: Lola Shoneyin

We must remember that polygamy does not only exist in Africa. It is acceptable in several Islamic states and is even practiced, surprisingly, by certain religious sects in America, hence the successful television series, Big Love. Where polygamy is practiced has little bearing on the devastation it causes. The novel is set in Nigeria but its focus is on some of our most basic instincts as human beings — to love and to protect. These instincts are universal and, unfortunately, they are the very ones that polygamy mutates. In today’s world, we know far too much about the way the mind works to subject or invite women into institutions that chip away at their self-esteem and ultimately dehumanise them.

In Conversation: Lola Shoneyin

Hip Hop Honeys: The Commodification of The Female Bootie!

No disrespect, I am all for being empowered, from the body to the mind, as well as embracing your sensual and sexual side but if this is what it means to be quote on quote “liberated,” I don’t want it. I am very happy to be liberated one-one-one with my own dark chocolate or white Adonis when he comes. Until then, the clothes stay on and all forms of shaking and dropping it like its hot will be done in the privacy of my bedroom and in front of my mirror! Thank you!

Hip Hop Honeys: The Commodification of The Female Bootie!

In Conversation: Bill T. Jones

He is very…he is an extremely complicated character. I call him a scared monster. He is not a saint and I do think that he stood for the right things. In a democratic society, you need to have people who strive to speak truth and to be interested in the average person. He had to teach himself, how to speak Pidgin English. He had to teach himself how to because he is very educated and comes from an educated background and he had to, in a way teach himself how to think and speak like the people on the streets, the market women, the areas boys and all of that…which shows a real commitment to a social vision that justifies a lot. It is interesting that some of those men that he criticised, the generals are still around.

In Conversation: Bill T. Jones

A Life Stolen But Not Lost

I would like to think this could never happen again but we all know that is not feasible…Nevertheless, it is worth being grateful that he is alive to tell the tale. Without a doubt, it is sad and beggars belief that his life was stolen from him but it is not lost. He is still physically alive and one hopes that he survives mentally and emotionally after his ordeal because Cornelius Dupree Jr, needs all the help he can get to have some form of normality though that does not exist but at least, he is able to build a life again.

A Life Stolen But Not Lost

Playing God by Michelle McKinney Hammond

An absorbing and worthy read, with insightful lessons about life; Hammond really does open your eyes to the issues which everyday people face, christian or not. She takes the mask off. This is what I love and appreciate about her style of storytelling, she gives you real characters not some perfect human beings, who qualify for sainthood.

Playing God by Michelle McKinney Hammond

Becoming One With My G-Spot

Have a great 2011, it has so much in store for you. Don't sit by and watch time and your life slip away. Don't become a spectator in the affairs of your life. Discover your G-spot and get high on your dreams, living life and loving life. It is possible if you would just sit and plan it out.

Becoming One With My G-Spot