In February 2020, Omowuni Blessing Oyewole (Shona) matriculated as an undergraduate at the Polytechnic, Ede Osun State with the support of the Yes, We Are Winning Foundation. Though with a physical disability, Shona who uses a wheel chair never relented on her desire to further her education.
Her determination to succeed motivated the foundation to offer her scholarship to study Nutrition & Dietetics. Today, we are proud to celebrate Shona who has completed her National Diploma (ND1) at the Polytechnic Ede.
Omowunmi Shona on her convocation day at the Polytechnic Ede in 2020
According to her, “Disability is This-ability.” Omowunmi believes that her disability is never a limitation to her success in life. She was certain that she would overcome the challenges of going to school with her inability to walk. Omowunmi wants everyone living with disability to never give up on themselves, but to be determined to succeed as she is. “Suicide is not an option”, she enthused!
Omowunmi on the day of her final exams at The Polytechnic Ede.
Congratulations to you the Mum, her siblings and her friends who stood by her all the way. Congratulations to Omowunmi! The foundation is with you all the way, and we wish you more wins in your future endeavours!
When we focus too much on ourselves, we worsen our predicaments , and may sink deeper into despair. As humans, we all struggle with self-centeredness and selfishness. We tend to be selfish because all we can see is our own pains and pleasures, and most often we do not notice the pains of others.
We further sink into discontentment when our hearts are only concerned with our own pleasures. Whereas, we enjoy happiness and fulfillment when we notice and meet the needs of those who are desperate for help. One major source of happiness is taking our eyes off ourselves and our own desires, and focus on meeting the needs of others – the oppressed, the hungry, the homeless, the afflicted, the sick and helpless.
The submission of Danny Thomas is instructive: “Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplished for yourself. It’s what you do for others.” Still thinking about how to help? Look deeply within yourself and you will be amazed that there’s something you truly care about and would be your greatest pleasure if you get involved.
Some YWAW Volunteers at Old People’s Home in Lagos
40% of our happiness is determined by intentional activities, behaviour and practices that we voluntarily pursue, such as helping others, adopting positive attitude, exercise or striving for goals. Helping others is the secret sauce to happiness.
There are a number of voluntary causes that you can engage in that would put you on a platform to be of help to others in your little way. You can get involved in helping sex trafficking victims, the elderly who have no one to care for them, little kids who need help learning to read – there’s always something you can do.
You can also volunteer for a non-governmental organization who carry out humanitarian, social services or advocacy and join to serve the needs of others, The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation (YWAW) is an example of a charity and human capital development NGO that focuses on helping people especially in the area of education and empowerment.
We provide a platform for those who have passion to impact the world positively and be life savers while they also inculcate a winning lifestyles. You can volunteer with us today through this link. https://yeswearewinning.com/become-a-volunteer/
When you have made a choice of a service to render, then, commit to serve once or twice, and see how you feel. If you liked it, get involved in their their causes and give your service to humanity. “Non Sibi Sed Alis”; “Not for us but for others” Your becoming a well watered garden often comes because you feel good helping another human being. God has a way of rewarding your selfless sacrifice with healing and satisfaction that will surpass your expectations.
The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation joins the rest of the world to celebrate the effort of the women in the Mother’s Association of the Social mobilisation unit under the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board.
Cross section of women who are beneficiaries of the SUBEB empowerment program with partnership from the YWAW foundation
The International Women’s Day which is commemorated every March 8 is a global day to celebrate the achievements of women. The Mother’s Association held IWD in partnership with the Yes We Are Winning Foundation on the 17th of March with the theme “Break The Bias”.
From Left to Right: Amarachi Eke, Project Director YWAW, Mrs. Odubayo Comfort, SUBEB Social Mobilisation Coordinator, Sola YWAW Volunteer at the Women Symposium held in Lagos
To break the bias in the society that culturally leaves women behind, there is need for intentional growth. As women, we need to grow ourselves to the level where we can not be denied our rights when there are opportunities even in the men’s space.
I have seen a lot of young ladies breaking forth in their career. I believe if we have more intentional women who refuse to act as a victim despite the challenges, we can break the bias.
According to Dr. Mrs Adesola Falaiye, the MD/CEO of Afkar Prints & Publishing Company during of an interview on IWD she said, Nobody will give it to you, you have to take it!”
It means we need to keep striving until we get to the top putting out other voices that may want to stop us.
The need to be diligent in your work and dealings. This will leave the people with no option than to give you your rightful place.
There’s need for women to acquire relevant skills and qualifications to compete favorably with the male counterpart as so break the bias of gender inequality.
The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation joins the rest of the world to celebrate our women. The theme for the International Women’s Day is “Breaking The Bias”.
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.
Dr. Mrs. Adesola Falaiye, MD/CEO AFKAR Prints & Publishing with Amarachi Eke, YWAW Project Director
“Nobody will give it to you, you have to take it!” These were the words of Dr. Mrs Adesola Falaiye, the MD/CEO of Afkar Prints & Publishing Company, when The YWAW team met with at her Lagos office. She shared with us about her exciting journey to the top of her career, and the challenges she faced as a woman operating in a male dominated space.
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
In commemorating the 2021 edition of the World Youth Skills Day (WYSD), the Yes, We Are Winning Foundation recognised and awarded certificates of Achievements to some outstanding entrepreneurs who have distinguished themselves in business, through their vocational and technical skills.
The them of this year’s celebration is: “Reimagining Youth Skills Post pandemic.” In post-COVID-19 societies, young people are called upon to contribute to the recovery effort, by being equipped with the skills to successfully manage evolving challenges and the resilience to adapt to future disruptions.
As part of her mandate, the YWAW foundation continues to promote acquisition of relevant technical and vocational skills, especially among Youths as a way of mitigating the effect of unemployment. Furthermore, we provide sponsorship opportunities to youths to learn and acquire relevant entrepreneural skills in their areas of interest.
In no particular order, here are our top eight young entrepreneurs:
JIMOH QUDUS OLAWALE
Jimoh Qudus CEO QDJ Graphics
Jimoh Qudus Olawale is the CEO and Creative Director at QDJ Graphics Studios. Jimoh is a professional graphics designer and digital artist with a passion for excellence. His passion for drawing and creative designs spurred him to establish QDJ Graphics studio where though hard work, sponteinity and devotion, he provides services to his numerous clients as well as offers training for young entrepreneurs.
Jimoh is a muslim, and a talented artist whose creative works have endeared him to many celebrities like Omawunmi to mention a few. You can contact QDJ Graphics on the following handles: Facebook: Qudus Jimoh, Instagram: @qdjgraphics. Here are some of his works:
Mina Musa
Mina Musa CEO Mina Leather works
Mina Musa is the CEO Mina leather craft, located at Mowe Ogun State. In addition to manufacturing leather products, she also runs a leather work vocational centre where she train leather artisan aspirants in the craft. Training include all leatherware goods as well as training teachers who can teach leather work in High Schools and tertiary institutions, since the subject is among the compulsory trade courses.
Mina has been running this business for six years. Her challenges includes lack of funding, lack of motivation, and harassment, especially being a lady. In spite of the challenges in the business, Mina is inspired by her goal to be among the top most influential women in Africa. She sees her challenges as stepping stones to greatness.
On the relevance of skills acquisition for youths, she believes that skill acquisition is important because it helps individuals to develop new ways of thinking and generate problem-solving attitudes. Furthermore, skill acquisition also helps to be effective, reduces crime, reduces unemployment, and also boosts individuals’ self-esteem to cope and thrive in our dynamic world.
Her advise to the Youth is to divert the amount of energy and investment in fraud to acquire relevant skill that would empower them and place them in the position of impacting the society positively.
You can contact Mina on https://www.facebook.com/musa.motunrayoaminat
Victoria Eke
Victoria Eke, CEO veequiexquisitecraft
Miss Victoria Eke, is the owner of veequiexquisitecraft. Her journey started 7 years ago with bead making and other craft work such as Adire (Tye-die), Ankara bag and Accessories, hat making, macra bag making etc. After acquiring relevant skills at the Lagos State Skills Acquisition Center for 6 months, she decided to also acquire fashion skills.
Being motivated by her love to see things decorated, and come together beautifully, she learnt fashion designing for 3 weeks, where she learnt basic sewing for skirts, gowns and padded blouses. Her versatility helped her to diversify into fashion designing when the bead-making business was no longer profitable.
Despite learning fashion designing for just 3 weeks, Victoria mastered her sewing skill by watching and practicing videos on YouTube. Even though she never intended being a fashion designer, she is glad she ceased the opportunity she had to acquire the skills that now pays her bills. Though, her challenge includes access to funds, and relevant sewing equipments, yet she is determined to keep pushing her way to the top.
Her advice to the youth is find what they love, put in the best of their time, learn and keep learning. She further enthused, “Today’s reality has proven that the cooperate world isn’t doing much for us, and acquiring relevant skill has been a surviving ground for young people. With the rate of unemployment, dissatisfaction and unhappiness in the land, the only way to escape not being a con artist is by being skilful and virtuous.
Here are few her works:
You can contact her on her handles: Instagram and Facebook @Veequiexquisitecraft
Edem Nelson Ikechukwu
Edem Nelson Ikechukwu, CEO FOS Creation
Edem Nelson Ikechukwu is a creative graphic designer and social media manager. A graduate of Computer Scientist from the Lagos State Polytechnic, Edem is a lover of Christ and music, and also enjoys cooking and adventures.
FOS Creation was founded in 2018, as an online brand that is created to help SME’s, Personal brand, Big brands and Businesses create designs, bringing their imagination to reality and promotion. FOS is a greek word meaning light. And the first creation of God was light, as such at FOS creation seeks to light up businesses through design and social media management.
Nelson has worked as graphic designer with several organisations that has fuelled and sharpened his passion towards designing and online management. As a start-up he has faced lots of challenges such as- lack of resources and equipment, Low turnout of clients, trust issues, lack of funds and the country’s challenges too such as electricity. In spite of these, Nelson is determined to get better at what he does.
His word of encouragement to young entrepreneurs and the youth is to patiently learn the process and pursue excellence in their life’s endeavours. He advised young entrepreneurs never give up in spite of the challenges.
Check Nelson on his instagram handles @foscreate
Adigun Victor Fiyinfoluwa
Adigun Fiyinfoluwa CEO Fagskills photographie
Adigun Victor Fiyinfoluwa is a documentary photographer and a storyteller who began photography 3 years ago. He was the documentary photographer and a storyteller to black diamond support foundation a non governmental organization founded to cater for children in the slum of Lagos. He also currently works as documentary photographer and storyteller for the office of the SSA to the governor on persons living with disabilities in Lagos state.
Fagskill, as he’s popularly called has been passionate about photography since the age of 7. He choose documentary and story telling as his specialty, because it helps him to know the people closely, and he gets to understand their happiness, their joy, their pain, their suffering and he’s able thus tell their stories better.
Victor, who has recently volunteered to work with The YWAW as a documentary photographer, has faced severe challenges from Lagos boys who tries to task him or even struggle for his camera when taking pictures in the public. In spite of the economic hardship and its impact on business, Victor’s passion and love for photography keeps him going.
You can connect with Victor on the following social media:
Facebook – adigun Pheyinfoluwar Fagskill, Instagram @fagskills, LinkedIn @adigun Victor
Abiola James
Abiola James, CEO JACKSandXLRS
Abiola James is a mix engineer for Jacksandxlrs Maryland, Lagos. James have been into sounds design and Audio engineering for 8 years professionally. For him, it has been a roller coaster story since day one with lots of challenges ranging from access to funding and the economic situation of the country.
James has had to source for Funds from family and friends to buy some gadgets and workstations that he needed to start his business. In spite of this, the talented mix engineer is thankful to God for helping him secure a job to jointly work on a project for “Mr Music”, a private owned studio in Lagos.
You can reach Abiola James on: Twitter @5MFR2020, IG: emix_the_deal
Sharon Salami-Abiola
Sharon Salami-Abiola, CEO Glitteringstars12 have been in the fashion business for ten years now.
Her journey into the fashion industry was spurred by her dissatisfaction she got from fashion designers who could not deliver to her expectation. This made her to venture into acquiring skills in fashion designing whilst in the university.
About her challenges, she’s battled with getting a perfect location for her business, as well as the problem of funding for acquisition of fashion equipments, as well as getting apprentists.
Sharon’s advice to youth is that it pays to be skilful, because it is the future for us to be independent since our country is not equipped to provide jobs for us all.
Sharon who is also skilled in hat making can be contacted on:IG: Glitteringstars12
FB:Glitteringstars12
Areo Oluwaseun Evelyn
Areo Oluwaseun Evelyn is the CEO Farm Fill NG, an Agribusiness established with the aim of providing neatly processed farm products to satisfy the rising demand for food in the country. The major product is catfish and they desire to own the largest catfish processing plant in West Africa. The Farm Fill NG is determined to achieve this feat through endless practice of excellence, wholesomeness and unrivalled customer satisfaction through the sterling quality of their products which is never breached..
Other products from Farm Fill NG include: Smoked catfish, Smoked chicken, Catfish pepper soup, Catfish barbecue, Tilapia pepper soup, Croacker pepper soup, Tilapia barbecue, Goat meat pepper soup, Chicken pepper soup. Evelyn whose vision is to make farm produce available to consumers (in urban areas) hope to include processed chicken, snail, beef, pork, rabbit etc in the future.
You can reach out to Oluwaseun on Instagram @velyn_kitchen, Facebook Areo Evelyn, LinkedIn Oluwaseun Areo
The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation is partnering with these entrepreneurs to empower interested youth in any area of interest. Should you want to benefit from our scholarship, Kindly send your application to info@yeswearewinning.com.
The YWAW foundation embarked on the second edition of the project 555 Educational scholarship program in which indigent students of primary, Junior and Senior secondary students are provided with relevant school kits like textbooks, notebooks, uniform, sandals, writing materials and bags.
With the aim to make Education accessible to all, The Yes We Are Winning Foundation through the 555 Educational Project provided students with books and textbooks for a new term in the academic session. Principals, teachers, beneficiaries and the parents were excited and thankful for this great support we have given this students because many of them find it difficult to cope with their studies.
There are so much more grounds to cover, so much lives to impact. Tbe YWAW foundation believes that we the supports of partners and volunteers, we would be able to reach out to more indigent students.
You can join us to make Education Accessible to All by sending your donations to Account name: Yes, We Are Winning Foundation. Account number:1016026769. Bank name: Zenith Bank
According to her, “Disability is This-ability.” Omowunmi believes that her disability is never a limitation to her success in life. She was certain that she would overcome the challenges of going to school with her inability to walk. Omowunmi wants everyone living with disability to never give up on themselves, but to be determined to succeed as she is. “Suicide is not an option”, she enthused!
Areo Oluwaseun Evelyn is the CEO Farm Fill NG, an Agribusiness established with the aim of providing neatly processed farm products to satisfy the rising demand for food in the country. The major product is catfish and they desire to own the largest catfish processing plant in West Africa. The Farm Fill NG is determined to achieve this feat through endless practice of excellence, wholesomeness and unrivalled customer satisfaction through the sterling quality of their products which is never breached..
