In celebration of International Women’s Day 2018, we are thrilled to reveal our cover queens for this month whom we have tagged “Wonder Women”. Our March Cover features some award recipients from our inaugural Woman of the Year Awards which held on the 10th of December 2017.
Our cover queens are the Woman of the Year in the categories of Hospitality (Chiamaka Ntia), Start-Up (Adeyinka Tekenah), Social Media (Yemisi Ogunsanya) and the Overall achiever (Timipre Wolo).
In a short Q&A session, these outstanding women share their thoughts with us on what they believe women can do differently towards significant #PressforProgress, how they can use their thoughts/actions to positively change the world and more.
Read, Enjoy, Connect with them and share with us in the comment section below, how you would be pressing for progress this year!
TIMIPRE WOLO
On what she thinks is the biggest issue facing women your age today…
I think one of the biggest issues women my age have to grapple with is trying to strike a balance between starting/raising a family while also pursuing a career. This is further exacerbated by external pressures.
Once a woman crosses the 30 bar, especially in the African culture, you are usually confronted with a lot of pressures from family, friends, colleagues and even the larger society. This has often led to some women making poor choices just so they can be accepted and treated with some form of respect. I have seen some very hardworking, ambitious women give up their career/ambitions to start a family and they end up frustrated and sometimes disillusioned. Likewise, I have seen women who have given up raising a family to pursue a career and also end up lonely and unfulfilled. So finding that right balance, where you can actually have the best of both worlds and not having to choose between raising a family and giving up your dreams, is usually a challenge for women in their 30s. But this is possible because I’ve seen so many women successfully juggle both. I believe the secret is to first discover your purpose and focus on living a Purpose-driven life, while staying thankful and grateful for whatever blessings you have at every given phase of one’s life.
On the significance of International Women’s Day
The significance of International Women’s Day to me, is the fact that it is a day set aside to not just celebrate women’s achievement globally, but is it is also an opportunity for women all over the world to share their inspiring stories and highlight some of the very daunting challenges that women go through on daily basis. In 2017, I
was privileged to have been invited as one of the Speakers for the International Women’s Day Conference organised by the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, United Kingdom and I can’t tell you how inspired I was by the incredible stories of the other speakers which included Hannah Miley (Scotland’s Most Successful Female Swimmer – 3 Olympic games and world championships); Prof. Carron Shankland; Dr. Jen Warren; Dr. Fiona Pienaar and amongst others. I also remember receiving countless emails from people who said they were touched and
inspired by my story too. Thats is the beauty of the IWD! Women inspiring women to take action and join hands in changing the world and making it a better place. Piece by piece, every little effort, from every tiny corner of the world, woven together, becomes a movement and a very powerful force for good. This year we are pressing
for progress!
On what she thinks women could do differently towards significant #pressforprogress in the year 2018 and beyond…
One thing I think women can do differently is supporting each other more! Imagine a world where women actually stand up for each other and have each others backs. Imagine a world devoid of unhealthy competitions amongst women. Imagine a world where women who has gone head, actually reaches back to pull up others. Imagine a world where women actually collaborate! Then we would no longer need to advocate for Gender Equality because we would rule the world and make it what we want it to be! So as we press for progress, lets support more women to vie for political offices at all levels of government while also taking our place in the business and tech world globally.
On the change(s) she would make if her voice or one action from her had the power to change the world positively today…
It would be for every girl to have access to quality education as education is a tool for sustainable development and a weapon that we can use to change the world!
On what she finds most fulfilling and why…
Making a difference in the life of others in whatever little ways i can! It gives me a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
Her take on “Women Supporting Women”…
That is all we really need to change the narrative. If women all over the world can rise up and support each other
One important message she would want to send out to all the women around the world …
No matter who you are or where you are right now in your life, just know that you are more than enough! You are beautiful, strong, powerful and loved. You were created by God for a purpose so you are useful, you just need to figure out what problem God put you on this earth to solve. You might not feel like it right now, but you are
wonderfully and fearfully made by God. He loves you so much that he described you as the Apple of His Eyes whom He has engraved in the Palm of His Hands. So stay beautiful, blessed and powerful! And no matter what challenges you encounter in the course of the year, always remember to press for progress!
Connect with Timipre Wolo on Social Media
CHIAMAKA NTIA
On what she thinks is the biggest issue facing women your age today…
I would say the biggest issue facing women my age is fear and lack of self believe. Many of them are so scared to launch out and do things they really want to do; they are worried that some people may laugh or think their ideas are crazy.
Another big issue is the entitlement issue is the fact that many feel like others owe them, their parents, friends, employers, the government; but the truth is no one owes us anything. It is literally in our hands to determine the 
course of our lives. God has already deposited greatness in each and every one of us, but it is left to us to believe in ourselves and truly express our greatness.
On the significance of International Women’s Day
Of course, it is very significant to celebrate women. I believe women should be celebrated everyday not just on International women’s day.
On what she thinks women could do differently towards significant #pressforprogress in the year 2018 and beyond…
I would say women need to be more supportive of one another and build each other up in order to press for progress. The unnecessary competition and comparisons need to stop, instead, more collaborations need to be created amongst women. Also, those who have attained some level of success need to mentor, assist and lift up those who need assistance in their work or business. But you cannot give what you don’t have, so women need to first add value to themselves and become responsible for their own success so they can help others.
On the change(s) she would make if her voice or one action from her had the power to change the world positively today…
Education for everyone, not just for young girls really but every single person living on earth. The power of education cannot be explained in a few words. Simple basic education transforms lives. Literacy liberates a society. It’s not just about the four walls of a school but the orientation and opportunity it gives, being in the same environment and learning with like minded people. So, I would ensure everyone can get quality education if I had the power.
On a woman that inspires her the most and why…
Hmm this is a tough one. Honestly, any hard-working woman getting her own and being responsible and making waves even in the midst of adversity and difficult situations, especially in a country like Nigeria inspires me.
On what she finds most fulfilling and why…
My work. I’m so passionate about my brand Social Prefect tours and all we do. My work makes me so happy and enthusiastic about life. I find fulfilment in doing this great work that God has called me to do.
Her take on “Women Supporting Women”…
I believe it’s so necessary that women should support one another instead of tearing each other apart. There’s no need for unhealthy competition and envy really because we are all unique and have all been uniquely gifted.
One important message she would want to send out to all the women around the world …
Believe in yourself my dear, live confidently, be yourself, smile, be gracious, don’t be scared to get your hands dirty in order to get the job done, be a hard worker, be kind, help others, have Faith, but most importantly LIVE. Don’t just exist but live. Leave a legacy on earth.
Connect with Chiamaka Ntia on Social Media
PRINCESS ADEYINKA TEKENAH
On what she thinks is the biggest issue facing women your age today…
Embracing Self Awareness is a major issue. Culture and societal pressures can be a constant measure for how successful or not a woman should be and a woman may lose her sense of self worth in the process.
On the significance of International Women’s Day
It remains imperative to celebrate Women achievements around the world. It is a constant reminder about the 
intricate roles of women within the fabrics of society, regardless of her social background and location.
On what she thinks women could do differently towards significant #pressforprogress in the year 2018 and beyond…
Women are already doing things differently globally. However more women must band and work together for strategic progress and development.
On the change(s) she would make if her voice or one action from her had the power to change the world positively today…
I would use my voice to propagate the Inclusion of more women in politics and lawmaking positions. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Noble Prize winner and Former president of Sierra Leone is a shining example of this allusion.
On a woman that inspires her the most and why…
My Mother. She is an amazing tower of strength and Grace. She constantly pushes herself to ensure that the less privilege have access to basic needs.
On what she finds most fulfilling and why…
Whenever I get the opportunity to impart knowledge or share my experience , I get butterflies. It shows the fragility of the human experience yet resonates the power that lies within.
Her take on “Women Supporting Women”…
It remains one of the world’s untapped resources. It’s our vibranium; #wakanda if you understand what I mean.
One important message she would want to send out to all the women around the world …
One Woman is enough to impact four generations. Find your place and just shine.
Connect with Princess Adeyinka Tekenah on Social Media
YEMISI “SISI YEMMIE” ODUNSANYA
On what she thinks is the biggest issue facing women your age today…
I believe women in my age still struggle to break the “glass ceiling”. There is still sexism at play especially in the workforce and in our day-to-day lives. Women are rarely seen as capable of taking on important roles and are often subjugated. Once we can break these barriers life would be better.
On the significance of International Women’s Day
Women’s day is celebrated to honour the inspiring contributions of women in the society and around the world. It is important to set a day aside to acknowledge the role of women, and to shine the light on more issues that plague women like discrimination and inequality. I celebrate it because it is a day for the world to see how women have broken barriers and this inspires, gives hope to the generations after and is a catalyst for change.
On what she thinks women could do differently towards significant #pressforprogress in the year 
2018 and beyond…
What we can do differently as women is to stop complacency because this year’s theme is a serious call-to-action to unite communities to press forward and progress gender parity. It is possible and we can do it.
On the change(s) she would make if her voice or one action from her had the power to change the world positively today…
If I had the power to change the world positively I would like peace to reign. There is so much negativity and violence going on; killings, kidnapping, abductions, and so on. It is depressing to watch the news. So If I had the power, I would like us to live in peace just for our sanity.
On a woman that inspires her the most and why…
My mother inspires me the most because I know her history and all she had to do to get from where she was to where she is now. While I was in the University she also strived to finish her education and was not deterred by challenges. Her life is a constant reminder that you can always do better and it is never too late.
On what she finds most fulfilling and why…
I find what I do now fulfilling- which is creating content online and offline and adding value to those that engage with my content. It brings me a lot of joy when I get feedback from those who try my recipes and who are inspired by my life in general. It makes me realise that what I do, even though I feel it is little, it is in reality bigger than me.
Her take on “Women Supporting Women”…
I have been inspired by many women from my childhood and in adulthood I have been open to opportunities because other women paved the way indirectly or directly. I feel it is important for women to support our own kind; it is not restricted to physically connecting with other women but also with decisions that are made that can have an effect on other women and by being generous with knowledge.
One important message she would want to send out to all the women around the world …
The most important message I would like to send to women is that it is okay to take a break. As women we tend to do a lot and often sacrifice our happiness for others because we care about them. Now it is time to put yourself first, self care because if you don’t love yourself and care for yourself you can not truly care for someone else. Take care of yourself.
Connect with Yemisi Odusanya on Social Media