Stephanie Linus Daily

Category: Features

  • Together We Can! NNPC/SNEPCo Sponsors Extended Hands Foundation For VVF Repairs Of 35 Women In Kebbi State

    Hi SL Fabz!

    The past week was a very busy one for me and members of the Extended Hands Foundation Team. I was in Kebbi state for a medical pool effort for the repair of 35 women who were victims of Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF). This project which was sponsored by NNPC/SNEPCo and supported by the Kebbi State Government took place at the Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development VVF Center in Gesse, Birin-Kebbi

    I cannot express how grateful I am to be able to do something for these vulnerable women. Every time I see the extent of work that still needs to be done, I almost cringe with fear. However, I am always reminded of the fact that it’s not just about how I feel, it’s about taking conscious steps with the resources I have at my disposal. I may not be able to do everything, but I can do something significant that would set off a chain of events that could change the tides little by little.

    Here are highlights of my visit to Kebbi state:

    Our arrival in Kebbi State

    Meeting the women + The surgeries

    The project was supported by the Governor of Kebbi State Dr Abubakar Bagudu who also paid a visit to the VVF Center during our stay there

    During our visit, we were interviewed by Kebbi TV and also visited the Government House

    Visit to the women at the VVF Center with the First Lady of Kebbi state, Dr. Zainab Bagudu

    I got handmade beads from one of the beneficiaries of the free VVF Surgery. She’s such a young and beautiful girl

    The Ministry of Women Affairs Kebbi State supported VVF patients with donation of items to empower them economically

    I must thank the amazing medical team led by Dr Sa’ad Idris and Dr Abubakar Bawa for their dedication and hardwork. They are the real heroes of this project

    To round off the project, the Office of the First Lady of Kebbi State organised a closing ceremony

    Bye Kebbi! Thank you for your warm hospitality. I had a lovely time

    Many thanks to our sponsors NNPC/SNEPCo, the Kebbi State Government, Odio Mimonet and the entire Extended Hands Foundation team for making this project a reality. This is just the first step in reintegrating these women back into living healthy, normal and fulfilled lives.

  • Why I Stand for Her!

    Many people do not understand why I am so passionate about Child Marriage and Gender related issues. I have been asked several times why I chose to do a film with a strong social message like ‘DRY’. We live in a society that tells women to keep quiet and accept whatever fate is meted to them. We shame women who speak out and even more pathetic is the fact that majority of such lash back comes from other women.

    Nothing can change if we refuse to question written and unwritten norms that continually put women at a disadvantage. Having realized from an early age, the power of the media inspiring social change and political change, I have resolved to lend my voice all for ‘her’. It is beyond joining the next hashtag bandwagon which mostly ridicule the real issues.

    “Her” is a girl like Halima, who is given out in marriage at an early age and deprived of her rights to education, and freedom. She is the lady who is denied a seat at the table because there is not room enough for women. She is the daughter who is denied rights to her father’s properties because well, she is a woman. She is vulnerable and often times unheard.

    These are the real issues, and it is high time we understood that standing for her is standing for all. 

    My greatest desire is to live in a world that is fairer, safer and more conducive for “her” to live out her dreams.

     

  • 5 Famous People Who Were Rejected Before Achieving Success

    Many times, we think that famous and successful people achieved success overnight or that they got it handed to them on a platter of gold. That’s absolutely wrong! In most cases, people who achieved success failed several times before. What makes them stand out however is the fact that they did not give up even after being rejected.

    Today, I’d like us to encourage ourselves with the stories of these 5 famous people, with the hope that their remarkable stories would inspire us:

    • Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star in 1919 because, his editor said, he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”
    • Oprah Winfrey was fired as an evening news reporter because she couldn’t keep her emotions from her stories.
    • Elvis Presley was told by the concert hall manager at the Grand Ole Opry that he was better off returning to Memphis and driving trucks.
    • Henry Ford went broke five times with his early businesses which all failed.
    • Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four, and couldn’t read until he was seven.

    Today, their success stories are being celebrated all over the world because they dared to try again.

    Do you have any other success story you want to add? How do you encourage yourself when you’re feeling rejected?

  • Comparison: The Greatest Thief Of Joy

    This quotation, from Theodore Roosevelt, argues that comparing your work, your life, or whatever else will only serve to make you unhappy. Why? This is because, in most cases, comparison is corrosive. It eats away at your ability to be content and confident. It is a poison that kills the love you have for yourself.

    I am sure that if you think about it you have your own list of qualities you envy in others, and also a list of qualities people envy in you. The point is, we all have a unique makeup of skills, faults, blessings and infirmities that make us who we are.

    It’s so easy to compare ourselves to others. When we do that, we simply do not measure up. We tend to compare our worst with another person’s best, and that makes us feel terrible. We feel we are too flat or too curvy, too little or too big, not enough or too much. And it doesn’t feel good.

    Comparing ourselves to others simply removes focus from what we should be excited about within ourselves.

    So don’t hold yourself up to some outside vague standard of greatness. Judge your work by your principles and leave comparison out of the equation.

  • Lai Mohammed Lauds the Creative Industry at GAC Motor’s GS4 Launch

    The Minister of Information & Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the creative industry is a major driver for revenue and tourism and should be given the support it needs to develop.

    Speaking during the unveiling of the GAC Motor’s GS4 car in Lagos on Monday 12th December, he said that he was especially proud of the Nigeria’s creative industry.

    “I’m very proud to be here today especially knowing the contribution of the GAC Motors in the area of culture, especially in the area of the creative industry and I wish them many more years of collaboration,” he said.

    Alhaji Mohammed lauded GAC Motor for their innovation and creativity, adding that he admired the company’s commitment to the development of the creative industry in Nigeria. He commended the Chairman of CIG Motors’ sole distributor of GAC Motor in Nigeria, Chief Diana Chan for her generous donations to the promotion of Arts & Culture in Nigeria and called on the Nigerian people to embrace the GAC Motor range of cars.

    He further added that we should do more as a nation to teach our youth about our history and culture.

    “It is important that we must let our youth understand from a very early stage that a person without a culture is a person without a history, and a person without a history cannot have any future,” he said.

    Alhaji Mohammed was joined at the launch by the General Manager of GAC Motors Yu Jun, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, the Oludo of Ido Oba Adeen Adedapo Aderemi, the Chinese Consul General Chao Xiaoliang and more dignitaries.

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    Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Oludo of Ido Oba Adeen Adedapo Aderemi & founder of Nike Art Gallery Nike Davies-Okundaye
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    Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed & the Oludo of Ido Oba Adeen Adedapo Aderemi

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    Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Oludo of Ido Oba Adeen Adedapo Aderemi & founder of Nike Art Gallery Nike Davies-Okundaye
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    The Chinese Consul General Chao Xiaoliang
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    Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka & Chairman of CIG Motors Chief Diana Chan

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    The General Manager of GAC Motor Yu Jun
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    Chairman of CIG Motors Chief Diana Chan
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    Minister of Information & Culture Lai Mohammed & the Oludo of Ido Oba Adeen Adedapo Aderemi

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  • My Latest Movie, ‘Boonville Redemption’ To Be Released In November

    It’s been a long time coming, but I’m glad my most recent movie feature is about to be released!

    It’s an American Western production titled Boonville Redemption, where I starred alongside other talented actors like Pat Boone, Edward Asner, Diane Ladd, Richard Tyson, Shari Rigby, Kassandra Voyagis, Robert Hays, Emily Hoffman and more.

    In the movie, I play the role of Doris, a lady from the second generation of slave trade in America whose parents came from Nigeria. Doris is no longer a slave and she lives with her Uncle in this community where people are not judged by their race or colour. She forms a bond with a young girl, Melinda, who grew up not knowing her father.

    boonville-redemption

    Here’s the synopsis:

    13-year-old Melinda is angry about the hand life has dealt her. Being born out of wedlock and scorned by many, she struggles to find out who she is in this world, to herself, her family and to God.

    Melinda desperately wants to know what happened to her real father. Determined to do all within her power to find her father, Melinda’s bravery compels some of the townspeople to reveal the dark secrets that they have kept to themselves for years.

    Her example gives them strength to bring the truth to light and ultimately to find forgiveness and redemption. Along with Boonville’s residents, Melinda learns that when you look for the truth, that’s where you’ll find grace.

    The movie will be released in November and I’m so happy about this. Watch the trailer below:

    CLICK HERE to see some behind-the-scene photos from the movie set. It’s one movie you shouldn’t miss!

  • 21 More Reasons To Smile

    I woke up to the happy news that 21 Chibok school girls who were abducted by Boko Haram in 2014 have been released. According to news reports, they were freed after negotiations with their captors.

    These girls are among the over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamist insurgents in April 2014. After 2years and 6months in captivity, they have finally been released to join their families! What an awesome news.

    Well done #BringBackOurGirls group for the continued advocacy, and all who have been praying for their safe return all over the world. I must also commend the brave Nigerian soldiers who have been putting their lives on the line for our safety. God bless you all.

    I can’t imagine how their families and loved ones must have felt during this trying period. It’s such a relief to hear this news. Let’s not forget the rest of the girls and others who have been held captive. I sincerely pray that God will comfort and strengthen the rest of the awaiting parents and bring all the girls back home.

  • #GirlsTakeover! Let Girls Be Girls

    Hi there! Let’s stop for a minute to talk about the girl child once again.

    Today marks the International Day of the Girl Child, a United Nations led initiative supporting the more than 1.1 billion girls worldwide who are a powerful force for shaping a sustainable world.

    It’s another important day for us to remember the human rights of every girl child. A girl is a powerful agent of change for a better and equal world, but her potential is constantly undermined by violence and discrimination. I’m very glad that theme for his year addresses that.

    “Girls’ Progress = Goals’ Progress: A Global Girl Data Movement”, calling for action on increasing the availability and analysis of girl-focused and sex-disaggregated data.

    All adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated and healthy life. Indeed, if they’re effectively supported during these critical formative years, girls have the potential to change the world.

    When adolescent girls are empowered, it benefits all. Empowered girls grow into empowered women who can care better for themselves and their families, increase their earning potential, serve as active and equal citizens and change agents, and spur economic growth for communities and nations. Girls worldwide are stepping into the shoes of presidents, business leaders, stars and more. This is very encouraging, but we need to do more to demand a fair world where girls and boys have equal opportunities.

    October 11 is not just a day; it’s a movement. A worldwide revolution.

    So on this International Day of the Girl Child, I stand with the global community to support girls’ progress everywhere. Let girls be girls.

  • Team Nigeria Is Doing Us Proud At The Rio Paralympics 2016!

    Ever since the Rio Paralympics 2016 began, I’ve been reading about the excellent performance of our Nigerian athletes day after day and it really warms my heart. The Nigerian Paralympic team is doing the most and making us proud, breaking world records and grabbing up medals!

    Despite their physical limitation these athletes have been able to distinguish themselves in physical activities through sheer grit and determination. They have not allowed circumstances get in their way but rather they have honed their skills and gone ahead to excel.

    Today I read that we’ve now won up to 12 medals. This is so impressive. I celebrate all the athletes, their coaches and everyone who has supported them in this journey.

    Here are some of the athletes doing us proud:

    Nigeria's Latifat Tijani has won the country's first medal at the ongoing Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. She won silver in the women's 45kg powerlifting event.
    Nigeria’s Latifat Tijani has won the country’s first medal at the ongoing Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. She won silver in the women’s 45kg powerlifting event.
    Lauritta Onye, a Nollywood actress who is also known as Laury White threw a shot put 8.40m, winning not only a gold medal but breaking a world record.
    Lauritta Onye, a Nollywood actress who is also known as Laury White threw a shot put 8.40m, winning not only a gold medal but breaking a world record.
    Flora Ugwunwa set a new world record in the women’s javelin – F54 event at the Rio Paralympics to give Nigeria its seventh gold medal.
    Flora Ugwunwa set a new world record in the women’s javelin – F54 event at the Rio Paralympics to give Nigeria its seventh gold medal.
    The Captain of Team Nigeria is leading by example and has won a gold medal in Power-lifting 61kg. Lucy who is representing Nigeria for the 5th successive time at the Paralympics has shattered the world record three times over.
    The Captain of Team Nigeria is leading by example and has won a gold medal in Power-lifting 61kg. Lucy who is representing Nigeria for the 5th successive time at the Paralympics has shattered the world record three times over.
    Paul Kehinde lifted 218kg to beat his rivals to the gold medal, setting a new world record in the process. As if that was not enough, Kehinde went on to beat his own record by lifting a massive 220kg!
    Paul Kehinde lifted 218kg to beat his rivals to the gold medal, setting a new world record in the process. As if that was not enough, Kehinde went on to beat his own record by lifting a massive 220kg!
    Ronald Ezuruike set a new record in powerlifting for the men’s -54kg event.
    Ronald Ezuruike set a new record in powerlifting for the men’s -54kg event.
    Nigerian power-lifter, Josephine Orji shattered the world record of the women’s +86kg power-lifting event with a lift of 154kg to win the gold medal.
    Nigerian power-lifter, Josephine Orji shattered the world record of the women’s +86kg power-lifting event with a lift of 154kg to win the gold medal.
    Eucharia Iyiazi brought Team Nigeria’s medal tally with a Bronze medal in the women’s F56/57 shot put.
    Eucharia Iyiazi brought Team Nigeria’s medal tally with a Bronze medal in the women’s F56/57 shot put.

    Well done Team Nigeria, you rock!

  • Monday Musings: How I cope with stress

    The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of work, meetings, presentations, targets and more. While I’m very thankful to God for the opportunities that have come my way, it can sometimes get so overwhelming.

    Everyone experiences stress at times. Research has shown that short term stress can be beneficial by helping us develop skills to cope with threatening situations. However, when stress is severe enough to overwhelm a person’s ability to take care of themselves and family, the benefits diminish. Don’t forget that the bills won’t stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day, and your work and family responsibilities will always be demanding.

    Here are some of the lessons I’ve learnt in managing stress lately. Feel free to add yours in the comments section below.

    1. Express your gratitude
    I can’t go a day without saying how thankful I am to God. Just the simple act of counting your blessings is very relaxing and makes you smile even when you think things are bleak. You could also write down your feelings of gratitude daily in a journal, or send little notes to friends or family letting them know how much you appreciate them.

    2. Avoid Drugs, Caffeine & Alcohol
    Drugs and alcohol may seem to help with the stress. In the long run, they create additional problems and increase the stress you are already feeling. Avoid, or at least reduce, your consumption of nicotine and any drinks containing caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants and so will increase your level of stress rather than reduce it.

    3. Talk to Someone
    Just talking to someone about how you feel can be helpful. Talking can work by either distracting you from your stressful thoughts or releasing some of the built-up tension by discussing it. For me, talking to my husband always does the trick. There is nothing more calming to your nervous system than communicating with another human being who makes you feel safe and understood.

    4. Find distractions
    During long periods of working, distractions are crucial. I always find relief from stress when I’m with my ever smiling son.

    5. Take a break
    Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out. Do something you enjoy every day. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be music, playing a game, or watching a movie.

    I’d love to hear from you. What do you do to relieve stress when you feel stressed out?

    Have a lovely Monday!