AT THIRTEEN, I WAS ALREADY IN THE ADULT ÇHOIR AND I WAS SINGING TILL I MET MY HUSBAND WHO IS A MUSIC PRODUCER, RITA SOUL

It was such an honour having the gorgeous Edo born Gospel Artist, Rita Soul let us in on her walk with Christ, music and family. You would love this!

How did you get saved?

 I was eight years when my mother took me to Christ Embassy Church,  ikeja Lagos and  that’s where I got born again.

How did you resolve music was the deal for you?

I had joined the Church choir  since I was twelve years and at thirteen , I was already in the adult choir, so I was singing till I met my husband who is a music producer. He saw the talent in me and started producing my songs since 2012 till date he has been tremendously a great help. 

These songs were ordained by God and became songs known to many and that’s how I began to see the light in my career.

Did you ever feel you were not good enough as you grew in the Music Ministry?

 Yes , at some point I almost gave up filling I wasn’t good enough but my husband was always there to encourage me.

What genre of music are you into?

I do a lot of genre like hip pop, rnb, church gospel, but my core genre is soul pop.

Tell us about your creative process, what's it like?

I sing to my husband , sometimes he corrects the melodies and lyrics, some times he just goes-ahead to produce the songs .

Interesting, away from music what do you get up to ?

For now I'm a stay at home mum of three wonderful kids. 

I pray and speak in tongues for hours daily

How long have you been singing?

I've been singing for twenty-three years

Wow! Totally amazing. Who do you look up to in the Music Industry?

Sinach is one person I look up to.

Can you say we are doing well in the Music Industry especially in relation to Gospel Music?

The Gospel Music Industry could use  a lot of support from sponsors.

Which do you consider your best song from all your works?

 As we pray, that's my favourite.

Are there new projects we should look out for from the amazing Rita Soul?

Yes, the video ,  AS WE PRAY will be out shortly, we are almost done with the video shoot.

What is your Philosophy of Life?

The word of God is my everything. 

This word is all I am.

What's your message to your fans and aspiring musicians out there ?

Thanking my fans for the love shown towards me .To every aspiring artiste please, don't let anything discourage you from achieving your dreams. 

If there is anything you  must not abandon , it's your work. Keep working don’t let anything distract you. Your work should be your source of encouragement. Keep working against all odds and excuses you will get there  no matter how long it takes.

No excuse is great enough to give as a result for failure.

Thanks for your time.

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STYLE FEATURE : MENA'S DESIGNS

Wondering what gorgeous looks like ? Here is more than a glimpse.

Mena's Designs is a Port Harcourt based fashion brand that serves bespoke pieces at the best prices.

We have a convenient worldwide shipping option that gets our pieces to your doorstep in a flash. 

Shop these and more by visiting our Instagram profile @menasdesigns

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BOOKS :A TOOL BY BETSY NWANKWO.

Adesuwa Asoro finds herself in a wrong relationship and this has certainly not been her first. The young man in question, Deola Adeniyi refuses to take responsibility of the child that came through the relationship.

God uses a Medical Doctor, Adamu Bankole as a Tool to bring Adesuwa out of her frustration to God and gives her testimony.

The Novel "A TOOL" brings to our mind the importance of professing our faith in our Work Place and in every sphere of life we find ourselves; whether as a Doctor, Lawyer, Tailor, Artist. God has put us in such places as tools to win others back to Him.

Available for purchase via okadabooks.com

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CEO MOMENTS : ESTHER IJEWERE, IMPACTING WOMEN THROUGH HER FOUNDATION, WOMEN OF RUBIES AND MORE

Can we meet you?

I am Esther Ijewere, a social activist, writer, author, convener of several empowerment projects. Mom to 2 wonderful girls and above all a child of God.

You are very passionate about women's rights and matters affecting the female folk, what's the drive?

Passion for humanity and affinity for change. I love to see voiceless women have a voice and thrive wherever they find themselves.

Your organization, Women of Rubies is changing the narrative for alot of women, can you tell us more about it?

Women of Rubies was created specifically to celebrate inspiring women with exceptional stories, the aim is to bring the story of these women to the fore to inspire other women who are finding it hard to own their voice in the society. For us every woman counts, from the professional woman to the home maker, as long as you are adding value, your story is valid.

 

 What can we do better as women that will set us far apart from where we are right now?

To truly support ourselves, not eye service support, just to be seen and heard, but intentional support to lift another woman without telling anyone you adjusted her crown. 

Are there proven ways Christian women can achieve and conquer in a fast evolving world like ours?

Be proud of your association with God, Be proud of your faith and religion. These factors will not only open the door for you but also keep you inside. I usually tell people that many of my blessings come from publicly acknowledging God and his authority  in my life.

Away from the laudable works with your organization, Women of Rubies, what do you get up to?

I am a Mom, smiles! That’s the most important and best job I have right now. I also run a platform for men in my bid to seek balance and let people understand; Men also matter in the society and their contributions should be acknowledged. I am also a columnist and ghost writer for several media platforms, all this I am able to do with the Grace of God and because I am always willing to take my light wherever he command

What's your philosophy of life and advise for those who look up to you?

Be yourself and do you always. Never compromise your standards or values, be open to learning and growth. Don’t seek validation for your purpose. Live and breathe.

Are there any projects we should be looking forward to from your facility?

We kicked off or #CovidHero Project through our Men Who Inspire Initiative, to showcase men who are adding value during this pandemic, and to promote the culture of kindness in the world. It started on May 15th and it will run for the next 10 weeks by God's grace.

Are there remarkable life experiences you would like to share to motivate someone out there?

When God gave me the Women of Rubies vision , I hid for 2 years for fear of being seen as doing too much, Oh well God then started troubling my dreams with women who are in circles clapping or doing one activity or the other, It became so frequent that I couldn't help but make the move eventually in 2015. That's one life experience I will never forget. The same platform has won many awards than any of the previous projects, and also become like an household name , where every woman knows she is worthy of being celebrated and recognized. I want  eveeyone reading this interview to always be willing to surrender to God's assignment. When he gives you a vision, he makes way for provision. You can't run from your destiny, especially if it's tied to other people and the glory of God.

What is success mean for you personally and for your foundation in years to come?

For me success is helping someone who can never pay you back. If you can attain that position to always want to be there for others; with your time and whatever resources God has deposited in you, and your ability to fix other people’s crown without being scared of yours falling. That’s my personal view of success and it is also spreads to my organisation.

 

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RECIPES : PUFF PUFF (DEEP FRIED DOUGH)

RECIPE

3/4 cup of water

2 teaspoon active yeast

1 1/4 cup of all purpose flour

1/4 cup + 2 teaspoon of sugar

1/4 teaspoon of salt.

METHOD

Measure your yeast in a bowl, and add the teaspoon of sugar , mix with little water and allow to rest for 8-10minutes.

Pour the remaining dry ingredients in a bowl and keep aside.

After 10 minutes, add your remaining water into your dry ingredient and your yeast mix, turn together till well mixed  , cover with a cloth or foil paper and keep in a warm place for 30-45minutes.

After 30/45 minutes, it must have doubled in size, mix it again together and its ready to fry.

Fry and enjoy your delicious puff puff with a choice drink.

Source: @cakesandchopsbysusan

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CEO MOMENTS : A MOMENT WITH ONENGIYEOFORI CHINWE , THE BRAIN BEHIND GABY'S_CONCEPT

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Chinwe Onengiyeoforl. I am an accountant, a fashion designer, a makeup artist, wife and  mother to the two most beautiful children in the world. Most importantly, I am a devoted Christian.

How did you start Gabys_Concept?

After I graduated, I got Married, got a job,  and started a family. As one who is very eclectic I wanted to do more for myself and  attain fulfillment. With my love for makeup, fashion and luxury items

I started up Gaby's Concept  In 2017 then I sold basically Jewelries and other high-end luxury items. In  2018 I ventured into the beauty industry and birthed my own makeup brand. As my kids started growing up , I wanted them to be styled in certain designs but I couldn't get what I wanted from the tailors  around me so I tried my hands  on sewing in  an amateur way. I started designing the kind of clothes I wanted for them with the help of videos from social media. People loved it and wanted me to produce same  for their kids so I said to myself "hey I could add this to the Brand" and that was how our kiddies clothing line came up. In 2019 I  then attended a prestigious fashion academy to gain professional knowledge on kids design and every other details on the fashion industry. That same year 2019 was a breakthrough for me as I officially launch Gaby's kiddies  clothing line with top-notch senator  piece for boys  (Prince Collection)  and Haut  couture dresses for girls (Princess collection). we have made over 200 garments so far. I will say it's been  pretty amazing how far we have come.  

 

Impressive, can you kindly share with us some challenges you have encountered pioneering your brand?

 There's no business without a challenge.  so yes there are challenges as a fashion designer. for me the major challenge is accessibility to the right fabric needed for production as well as prompt delivery by the courier company  to our clients outside the States/ country  where our facility is located. 

 

 What motivates you as a fashion designer?

Fashion designing  is all about creativity and having  artistic mind. It is the  dream of every designer to be the best in the world. What motivates me basically is the ability to make unique designs with good quality fabric such that I can be proud of and eventually make good sales and get more good  recommendations.

 

Where do you see your brand in the next five years? 

In the next five years I see Gaby's_concept becoming a household name. A brand to be reckoned with. I see more man power added to our team. I see all-round growth and expansion and Grace to achieve targets goals.

 What's your advise for young designers out there?

My advise to young entrepreneurs is they should be patient and focused.  Master their craft and keep being the best at what they do.

 Where is your facility located ?

My facility is located at Alianz Arena Mall, (Shop 9)along NTA/Mbuoba Road, Port Harcourt. 

 

What is leisure for you , away from designing ?

I love shopping, I love having a good family time with my kids. I enjoy  travelling and visiting beautiful places around the world ,swimming , playing games such as Scrabble and Chess.

How do you balance the homefront and the demanding lifestyle of an enterpreneur?

 Being an  Entrepreneur is hard work. when you have to juggle balancing family and business , trust me you have to give it your best shot, to succeed. As a serial entrepreneur , showing up daily, putting my best in all  I do, not allowing myself to be pressured but seeing both roles I have to play (in my business as well as my family)  as blessing . 

Also, acknowledging the fact that I cannot do all by myself, I tried to delegate the workload  with capable personnel whom I can trust .

Having  a dependable workforce has been the benchmark in achieving target goals and creating a balance both at the home front and as an enterpreneur.

 

Thanks alot for your time.

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"...ONCE YOU MEET CHRIST, YOU CAN NEVER STAY THE SAME." JOY EDJEREN , SHARES HER EXPERIENCE ON A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST AWAY FROM THE MOVIE INDUSTRY.

Can we meet you?

 

My name is Joy Edjeren, I live in Texas USA and I'm originally from Nigeria and a citizen of United States of America. I have been residing in Houston Texas since I was 13 years old. I had an early start in the entertainment business through acting, singing and writing movies. I was known as JJ bunny. I had my personal production company called JJ bunny movies and I produced and directed several Nollywood movies before I had an encounter with the Lord in 2012. Since then I stayed out of the spot light until my recent move to evangelize.

 It was such a remarkable transformation from a front liner in the movie industry to a life of relentless pursuit for God's kingdom. Can you tell us about it?

Well, once you meet Christ, you can never stay the same. After I encountered the truth and was set free by Christ, I now have a deep desire to expose the truth of Jesus to as many people as it is possible. It’s like when a person finds a hidden beautiful island and you don’t want to keep the place to yourself alone, you want the whole world to come in and enjoy the Island with you. So my pursuit is the desire to see people set free and be connected to the creator Himself.

 

 How has the experience been? For you and those around you.

It started as a huge shock, when the Holy Spirit convicts you; He turns your world upside down with the truth. For instance, what you think is sexy becomes sinful, what you see as beauty becomes ugly, what you used to value becomes worthless and what others run after, you run away from. The bible says that as the Heavens are higher than the Earth so are the ways of God. His ways are truly not our ways and when you become a child of God, He imparts you with His nature and your ways will definitely be changed. The Bible declares that “if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 

 Can you tell us more about your recently published book, The Birth and Death you of JJ Bunny?

The book is a very personal book that details my life in the entertainment business few months before my encounter with Christ. The story seems like a movie itself and the story entails not just life before encounter but the transitions and interactions that took place between me and The Lord while I was trying to make sense of my new reality and to stand as a Christian. 

 

 Is this your first publication? 

Yes, my prayer is that more books will follow but with less personal accounts.

 

  Are there tales of tremendous impact already?

I bless God because people expected the book to be a “thou shall not do this or that” but they were so surprised by its contents that people write me that they could not drop the book once they started reading it. The adventurous content keeps the reader so engaged that they can’t wait to read what would happen next and at the end of the book, most of my readers were so shocked on the information they found out that they write me and resolve that it would be hard to remain nonchalant about the secular entertainment industry after reading my book. So yes, God is really using the book to transform lives. 

 

 

What's your philosophy of life and advice for aspiring story tellers around the world? 

As a star actress, you are often praised and admired by those without spiritual understanding yet the spirit realm is what controls the physical realm therefore my life declaration is “who is in control of your life”? What spirit are you being lead by? 

Young artist and story tellers need to be aware that there is no middle ground. You are either with God or with the devil, and if you think you can play both sides, you deceive only yourself. So it’s important for you to discover where you stand in Christ and live by His words so that when your life comes to an end, you will not be shocked that you are going to Hell fire. You see, the world can celebrate you as a star, place your face on magazine covers, present you as an important person and many people both young and old may want to be like you. However, such a person can be an enemy of God all along and spend eternity in Hellfire because they have been working for the devil all their life but blinded by the fact that they were being celebrated by the world. 

 

 Are there any new projects we should be looking forward to?

Well, many things had to be shutdown because of the corona virus pandemic and so I have no big project in the works right now, but evangelism messages and videos will continue until this pandemic pass by then I can begin to book different projects again. 

I believe that God gives us kingdom responsibilities. What's the one thing you have resolved to do in pursuit of leading people to Christ? How have you set about achieving it?

I feel very drawn to the evangelism of young people especially those who are mesmerized by the secular entertainment industry. I realize that this group of people find it difficult to sit and watch a boring sermon so the Lord has given me the wisdom to make videos that are entertaining and engaging, videos that seem funny or silly or just crazy but all the while preaching and warning this group so that hopefully they can be converted and saved from the chains of darkness by the Holy Spirit. 

What's the drive behind your passion?

May the Lord strengthen all true Christians around the world to arise and be fierce in snatching souls from the pit of hell through various means of evangelism. The kingdom of darkness is relentless and fierce in their hellish pursuits, so why should Christians sit back and watch souls being deceived into Hell? I was one of those souls being lead to the slaughter and thanks to the mercy of God and prayers of true born again Christians, the Lord saved me from such great destruction. It’s only fair that I work relentlessly to see that others can have the same opportunity that I had. 

 

 

 Where do you see your Ministry in the next five years?

Before I became a born again Christian, I could have easily answered this question with ambitious answers such as, I will have large Christian studio, large congregation etc but the truth is that I cannot tell where my ministry will be in the next 5 years because we walk by faith and not by sight, so wherever I am in the next 5 years, as long as I am in the Lord, then I am where I should be.

Thanks for your time.

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