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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260311
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260312
DTSTAMP:20260501T220225
CREATED:20260311T094520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T095044Z
UID:30945-1773187200-1773273599@madeinbenue.com
SUMMARY:✨ Woman Crush Wednesday: Doofan Atom ✨
DESCRIPTION:Today we honour a daughter of Benue whose commitment to art has been both sincere and transformative. \nDoofan is a visual artist and creative educator whose work lives at the intersection of imagination and inquiry. A graduate in Fine Arts from Ahmadu Bello University\, Zaria\, she has developed a distinct visual language that uses colour\, form and symbol to probe psychological\, social and environmental ideas — inviting viewers to think as deeply as they feel. \nHer engagement with art extends beyond the studio. Doofan is the founder of Blueflames Art Studios\, a platform through which she nurtures emerging talent and encourages artistic expression. Her public art projects — including participatory works on themes like road safety — underline her belief that art can be both beautiful and meaningful in everyday life. \nShe has held exhibitions in Abuja and beyond\, including a solo show titled Collecting Moments\, where she reflected on memory\, culture and time through a dynamic body of paintings. Her work has also been shown in Lagos\, Delta and internationally\, connecting local narratives to global artistic conversations. \nAs an educator\, Doofan brings art into the classroom and into public spaces\, reminding us that creativity is not just a personal expression but a shared experience. Her journey — rooted in patience\, curiosity and resilience — is a testament to what emerges when talent meets discipline and community engagement. \nToday we celebrate her pen — and her palette — as tools of contemplation\, connection and change. \n 
URL:https://madeinbenue.com/event/%e2%9c%a8-woman-crush-wednesday-doofan-atom-%e2%9c%a8/
CATEGORIES:Woman Crush Wednesday
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260225
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260226
DTSTAMP:20260501T220225
CREATED:20260222T204709Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260222T204709Z
UID:30835-1771977600-1772063999@madeinbenue.com
SUMMARY:Woman Crush Wednesday: Dooshima Dennis — The Firefighter Redefining Bravery and Empowerment
DESCRIPTION:In an era where influence is often mistaken for impact\, Dooshima Dennis stands in a category defined not by noise\, but by nerve. A fire officer from Benue State serving with the Federal Fire Service\, she represents a generation of African women quietly — and powerfully — redrawing the boundaries of possibility. \nRaised in Gboko\, Benue State\, Dennis studied Mass Communication\, a discipline that refined her voice and sharpened her understanding of public engagement. Yet her path shifted after a deeply personal tragedy — the loss of a cousin to a fire incident. Where others might have retreated from such pain\, she leaned into purpose. Firefighting became more than a career choice; it became a commitment to stand between danger and the defenceless. \nIn Nigeria\, firefighting remains physically demanding and overwhelmingly male-dominated. Dennis did not enter the field seeking symbolism\, yet she became one. Through rigorous training and frontline service\, she earned her place not through novelty but through competence. She responds to emergency calls. She navigates high-risk situations. She performs under pressure. Her authority is built on action. \nPublic attention eventually found her\, drawn by her striking presence in uniform. But she redirected the spotlight with intention. Rather than allowing admiration to settle on appearance\, she transformed her visibility into advocacy — educating communities on fire prevention\, gas cylinder safety and emergency preparedness. Her platforms became channels for life-saving information\, demonstrating that influence gains depth when anchored in responsibility. \nThere is also compassion beneath the steel. Dennis has spent personal milestones with burn victims and continues to advocate empathy for survivors of fire disasters. Strength and sensitivity coexist in her narrative — a reminder that courage is not the absence of feeling\, but the discipline to act despite it. \nFor young girls in Benue\, across Nigeria and beyond\, her journey carries quiet instruction: you are not confined to the expectations of your environment. You can step into spaces historically reserved for others. You can endure the training\, command the respect and serve with excellence. \nOn this Woman Crush Wednesday\, admiration extends beyond aesthetics. It honours discipline. It respects service. It recognises a woman who chose a life of risk so others might live safely. \nDooshima Dennis does more than extinguish flames. She ignites belief — in duty\, in resilience and in the boundless capacity of women\, Benue women to lead wherever courage is required. \nDooshima\, we are truly proud of who and what you are\, keep keeping it real.
URL:https://madeinbenue.com/event/woman-crush-wednesday-dooshima-dennis-the-firefighter-redefining-bravery-and-empowerment/
CATEGORIES:Woman Crush Wednesday
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260121T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260121T170000
DTSTAMP:20260501T220225
CREATED:20260121T105336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T105336Z
UID:30386-1768982400-1769014800@madeinbenue.com
SUMMARY:Woman Crush Wednesday
DESCRIPTION:In a city where great food is both culture and competition\, it takes more than talent to stand out—it takes resilience\, consistency\, and an unrelenting commitment to excellence. Today\, our Woman Crush Wednesday shines on Sewuese Micheal Dooga\, the quiet force behind Sewe Kitchen. \nSewuese’s journey is not one of overnight success\, but of steady growth powered by discipline and vision. Year after year\, she has shown what it means to stay the course in business—showing up\, improving\, refining\, and refusing to be outworked. In Makurdi’s bustling culinary space\, where many renowned kitchens compete for attention\, Sewe Kitchen has earned its respect not through noise\, but through reliability and quality that speaks for itself. \nWhat truly sets Sewuese apart is her mindset. She understands that consistency is not repetition—it is evolution. From catering services to overall service delivery\, she constantly raises her own bar\, ensuring that every client experience is better than the last. That hunger to stay on top of her game is what has kept Sewe Kitchen relevant and trusted over the years. \nBeyond the food\, Sewuese represents a larger story—of women building businesses brick by brick\, refusing to be defined by limitations\, and proving that excellence is a habit. Her work reminds us that resilience is not loud\, but it is powerful. \nFor those who know Makurdi well\, Sewe Kitchen has become a familiar name along Calabar Street in High Level—a place where passion meets professionalism\, and where Sewuese continues to write her story\, one satisfied client at a time. \nToday\, we celebrate not just a brand\, but the woman behind it. Sewuese Micheal Dooga\, we see you—and we celebrate you. 💛
URL:https://madeinbenue.com/event/woman-crush-wednesday-5/
CATEGORIES:Woman Crush Wednesday
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251231T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251231T170000
DTSTAMP:20260501T220225
CREATED:20251231T073822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T073822Z
UID:30277-1767168000-1767200400@madeinbenue.com
SUMMARY:Woman Crush Wednesday
DESCRIPTION:Today\, we celebrate Angela Shimenenge Abuder — a visionary entrepreneur redefining value creation through purpose and passion. \nAn indigene of Benue State from Buruku Local Government Area\, Angela holds a B.Sc. in Accounting and is the CEO of Shim Fresh Industries\, a growing venture focused on yoghurt production and food processing. Her entrepreneurial journey began during her NYSC service year\, where a deep commitment to healthy nutrition\, innovation\, and value creation sparked what has become a promising enterprise. \nThrough Shim Fresh Industries\, Angela is building more than products — she is building impact. Her long-term vision is to grow the brand into a trusted household name\, expand its product offerings\, create employment opportunities\, and inspire more women to boldly step into entrepreneurship. \nThis Wednesday\, we crush on clarity of vision\, courage to start\, and consistency to build. Angela represents the power of women who see problems\, create solutions\, and turn purpose into progress. \nHere’s to women building brands\, nourishing communities\, and shaping the future — one bold step at a time.
URL:https://madeinbenue.com/event/woman-crush-wednesday-4/
CATEGORIES:Woman Crush Wednesday
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251210
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251211
DTSTAMP:20260501T220225
CREATED:20251210T074544Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251210T074913Z
UID:30084-1765324800-1765411199@madeinbenue.com
SUMMARY:Woman Crush Wednesday
DESCRIPTION:Some women don’t announce their strength. They live it—consistently\, quietly\, and with undeniable impact. Stephanie Sewuese Shaakaa is one of such women. \nStephanie is a purpose-driven professional\, community-minded leader\, and a renowned minority rights activist whose voice continues to matter in conversations that shape justice\, equity\, and inclusion. She is known for standing firmly for the underrepresented\, amplifying silenced voices\, and advocating for fairness with both courage and clarity. In rooms where it is easier to stay quiet\, she chooses truth. In moments that demand conscience\, she chooses action. \nA proud Benue woman\, Stephanie’s journey is deeply rooted in service. Her work cuts across advocacy\, leadership\, and community engagement\, with a strong focus on empowering vulnerable groups\, women\, and young people. She brings empathy to activism and structure to service\, ensuring that impact goes beyond speeches and translates into real change. \nBio SnapshotStephanie Sewuese Shaakaa is a respected minority rights activist\, advocate\, and development-oriented professional. She is passionate about human rights\, social justice\, inclusion\, and community development\, and has consistently lent her voice and expertise to causes that promote dignity\, fairness\, and equal opportunity. With a calm but resolute presence\, she continues to influence policies\, conversations\, and mindsets through principled advocacy and meaningful engagement. \nWhat sets Stephanie apart is not just what she fights for\, but how she does it. She leads with empathy\, speaks with intelligence\, and acts with integrity. She represents a generation of women who understand that true power lies in lifting others while standing firm on values. \nAt Made In Benue\, we celebrate Benue sons and daughters whose lives reflect purpose and progress. Today\, we honour Stephanie Sewuese Shaakaa—for her advocacy\, her impact\, and the quiet strength with which she continues to champion the cause of justice.
URL:https://madeinbenue.com/event/woman-crush-wednesday-3/
CATEGORIES:Woman Crush Wednesday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://madeinbenue.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/stephanie.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251203T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251203T170000
DTSTAMP:20260501T220225
CREATED:20251203T064825Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251203T064825Z
UID:29704-1764748800-1764781200@madeinbenue.com
SUMMARY:Woman Crush Wednesday
DESCRIPTION:Ann Mker \n  \nToday\, we celebrate a woman whose voice carries more than melody\, it carries comfort\, conviction\, and a deep sense of calling. \n  \nAnn Mker has become one of the most reassuring sounds in gospel music\, reminding listeners that faith still has a heartbeat and worship still has a home. \n  \nFrom small gatherings to major stages\, Ann has stayed true to the mission behind her music: lifting spirits\, strengthening hope\, and pointing hearts back to God. Her songs aren’t just sung; they are felt. They meet people where they are; in their struggles\, in their joy\, and in the quiet moments in between. \n  \nBut beyond the spotlight\, Ann Mker represents something bigger for the Benue creative community. She shows what consistency can build\, what humility can sustain\, and what grace can multiply. She is proof that when purpose and talent hold hands\, impact becomes inevitable. \n  \nToday\, we honour Ann; the woman\, the voice\, the vessel. \nA true inspiration and a gem worth celebrating. \n  \nHappy Woman Crush Wednesday. \n  \n 
URL:https://madeinbenue.com/event/woman-crush-wednesday-2/
CATEGORIES:Woman Crush Wednesday
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251125T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251125T170000
DTSTAMP:20260501T220225
CREATED:20251125T090528Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251125T090528Z
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SUMMARY:Woman Crush Wednesday: Devaan Hanmation-Mom
DESCRIPTION:In the busy heart of Abuja\, where the capital’s noise often overshadows moments of quiet determination\, Devaan Hanmation-Mom moves with the understated grace of a woman who has long understood that true influence blooms not from spotlights\, but from the fertile soil of consistent example. Known affectionately as “Mom Devaan” to those whose lives she has touched\, this Tiv daughter of Benue State embodies a rare fusion of media savvy\, developmental foresight\, and moral fortitude. At 48\, she stands as a senior producer at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)\, yet her legacy extends far beyond the studio—into the digital realms where she quietly redirects the trajectories of young women toward paths lined with integrity\, resilience\, and unyielding self-worth. \nDevaan’s story starts in the warm\, sunlit classrooms of Makurdi\, the quiet riverside city where many young dreams first take shape. Born on April 9 to a public servant father and a mother who served as a chief nursing officer\, she grew up in a home where service to others wasn’t preached—it was lived. \nShe began her schooling at Nativity Private School before moving on to Mount Carmel College in 1989. There\, she went through the familiar mix of teenage pressure and academic discipline\, eventually earning her SSCE and WAEC certificates. Those years didn’t just shape her intellect; they sparked her interest in how communication can shift mindsets and move communities. \nIn 1997\, she completed her BSc in Mass Communication at Benue State University\, Makurdi—a degree that opened her up to the world of stories\, people\, and the impact that honest communication can make. Years later\, determined to keep stretching herself\, she earned an MSc in Management from the University of Liverpool. That experience broadened her outlook\, blending the grounded confidence of her Nigerian roots with a wider\, global understanding of how organisations and people work. \nIf education forged Devaan’s intellect\, her career honed it into a blade of quiet disruption. Entering NTA in 1998 as a fresh-faced newscaster\, she navigated the network’s labyrinthine stations—reporting from the frontlines\, presenting with poised authority\, and producing segments that captured Nigeria’s pulsing narratives—until 2009. Those eleven years were no mere apprenticeship; they were a masterclass in ethical journalism\, where she learned to amplify marginalized voices without compromising the truth’s delicate balance. Transitioning seamlessly into development work\, she served as an Interactive TV Trainer for the BBC World Service Trust (a DFID-funded initiative) from 2009 to 2011\, then as Information\, Education\, Communication & Training Coordinator at Abt Associates (USAID-backed) in 2012-2013. Her roles expanded: Pioneer Program Manager at the Poverty and Associated Maladies Alleviation Initiative in 2013\, and Project Officer for the Federal Capital Territory Community and Social Development Project (World Bank-assisted) until 2018. Today\, as Managing Director of Firmus Communication Ventures and a senior NTA producer\, Devaan bridges broadcast legacy with entrepreneurial innovation\, her desk a nexus of policy\, media\, and mentorship. \nYet it is in her social tapestry that Devaan’s influence truly unfurls—a woman of Tiv heritage\, married to Rommy Mom\, Benue’s first lawyer from the Utange community in Ushongo Local Government Area. In a nation where ethnic loyalties can fracture as easily as they bind\, she navigates these waters with the poise of a cultural custodian\, her home a haven of familial warmth amid Abuja’s frenetic pace. Her social position is not one of ostentatious privilege but of earned reverence: an accredited management trainer whose workshops draw aspiring leaders\, a writer whose op-eds dissect societal ills—from misogyny in popular culture to the ethical quagmires of celebrity justice—with surgical empathy. In Benue’s communal ethos\, where “Mom” evokes maternal wisdom rather than formality\, she is a bridge-builder\, her voice a steady current drawing youth toward collective upliftment. \n \nAt the core of Devaan’s ethos lies her crowning quiet revolution: Mocha Beauty Monthly Digital Pageant\, the world’s first such contest\, launched in 2014 to democratize beauty beyond the red-carpet exclusivity of yore. In a landscape where traditional pageants often prioritize glamour over substance\, Mocha flips the script— a virtual arena where contestants\, aged 18 to 35\, vie not through lavish gowns or high-stakes swimsuits\, but through narratives of resilience\, intellect\, and community impact. Each monthly winner receives a N350\,000 grant (about $700 USD)\, not as a prize for poise alone\, but as seed capital for dreams deferred: funding small businesses\, educational pursuits\, or advocacy projects that echo moral imperatives like tenacity and ethical entrepreneurship. Devaan birthed this amid Nigeria’s economic churn\, observing how conventional beauty rituals sidelined rural talents or those without means. “We celebrate beauty in a non-traditional format\,” she explains\, “to discover and empower those who might otherwise remain unseen.” It’s a model of modesty incarnate: no catwalks\, no controversies—just raw stories judged on authenticity\, fostering a sisterhood where winners mentor the next cohort\, passing on lessons in perseverance and purpose. \nThis is Devaan’s masterstroke: modeling a life where modesty is not diminishment\, but amplification. In her NTA segments and training sessions\, she charts young minds toward moral north stars—urging journalists to prioritize truth over sensationalism\, development workers to measure success in lives transformed rather than metrics alone. Her pageant alumni\, from budding entrepreneurs in Benue to activists in Lagos\, credit her not for fame\, but for the invisible scaffolding of self-belief: “She taught us that true beauty is the quiet choice to uplift others\,” one winner shared in a 2020 testimonial. In an age of Instagram-filtered facades\, Devaan Hanmation-Mom reminds us that power lies in the unadorned: a Tiv mother’s whisper\, carrying the weight of generations\, guiding Nigeria’s daughters—and sons—toward horizons where virtue\, not vanity\, defines victory. \nAs global eyes turn to Africa’s rising voices\, Devaan’s story is a beacon for international audiences: proof that in the Global South’s complex weave\, one woman’s modest stride can realign a nation’s moral compass. In her words\, from a 2020 reflection that resonates today\, “Never allow today’s challenges to overwhelm you”—a mantra she lives\, and one the world would do well to heed.
URL:https://madeinbenue.com/event/woman-crush-wednesday-devaan-hanmation-mom/
CATEGORIES:Woman Crush Wednesday
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251115T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251115T170000
DTSTAMP:20260501T220225
CREATED:20251115T184506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251115T184506Z
UID:29239-1763193600-1763226000@madeinbenue.com
SUMMARY:Woman Crush Wednesday: Meet Pauline Atser\, the Nurse Who Sings Hope
DESCRIPTION:Deep in Benue State\, Nigeria’s “Food Basket\,” where green fields stretch wide and the Benue River flows gently\, lives a woman who heals with both medicine and music. Her name is Pauline Atser. By day\, she is a senior lecturer in nursing at Benue State University. By night and on weekends\, she is a gospel singer\, a child evangelist\, and a youth counselor. To many in her community\, she is simply “Aunty Pauline”—a kind voice that teaches\, sings\, and prays. \nPauline is from the Tiv people\, one of the largest groups in Benue. The Tiv are known for their love of storytelling\, dance\, and strong family ties. Growing up in this rich culture\, Pauline learned early that music is more than entertainment. It is a way to share faith\, lift spirits\, and bring people together. \nFrom Classroom to Choir\nPauline worked hard to become Dr. Pauline Ngufan Atser. She earned a PhD and now teaches nursing students how to care for the sick with skill and love. But her heart has always been in two places: the hospital ward and the church stage. \nAs a nurse\, she knows pain is not just in the body. Sometimes it’s in the heart. That’s why her songs feel like a warm hug. She sings about God’s love\, healing\, and hope—things she sees every day in her work and her faith. \nHer Music Journey\nPauline has been singing since time antiquity; however\, she started sharing her songs online around 2015. That year\, she released four albums that touched many hearts: \n\nZege-Tor – Sung mostly in Tiv\, full of local beats and praise.\nYou Are Worthy – Simple English songs that lift up God’s name.\nIn Your Presence – Soft\, peaceful music to help people feel close to God.\nMy Nigeria – A short album with powerful messages like “God Heal Our Land\,” “Love One Another\,” and “Fight Corruption.”\n\nThese songs came out at a time when Nigeria needed hope. After the 2015 elections\, many felt worried about the future. Pauline’s voice became a calm call for unity and change. \nIn 2021\, during the tough days of COVID-19\, she released I Hail You. The launch event was held at NKST High Level Church in Makurdi. People danced\, clapped\, and cried. It wasn’t just an album—it was a celebration of survival and faith. \nMore Than a Singer\nPauline doesn’t just sing. She mentors young musicians like Benedict Bako\, who now makes gospel music in local languages. She talks to children and teens about staying strong\, avoiding trouble\, and trusting God. In a state where fights between farmers and herders have hurt many families\, her song “Love One Another” feels like a prayer for peace. \nShe also speaks up about real problems—corruption\, joblessness\, and mental health. As a nurse\, she knows stress can make people sick. As a Christian\, she believes prayer and love can help heal. \nWhy Her Story Matters\nIn big cities like Lagos\, gospel stars get bright lights and big stages. But in places like Benue\, singers like Pauline touch lives in quieter ways—at village churches\, school events\, and family gatherings. Her music may not trend worldwide\, but it changes lives where it’s needed most. \nOver 60% of music listened to in Nigeria is gospel. That’s a big number! And women like Pauline are a huge part of it. They sing in their own languages\, tell their own stories\, and keep culture alive. \nPauline Atser is proof that you don’t need fame to make a difference. With a stethoscope in one hand and a microphone in the other\, she shows that care and faith go together. \nOne line from her song My Nigeria says it all: “God heal our land.” \nShe doesn’t just sing it. She lives it—every day\, in every song\, in every life she touches.
URL:https://madeinbenue.com/event/woman-crush-wednesday-meet-pauline-atser-the-nurse-who-sings-hope/
CATEGORIES:Woman Crush Wednesday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://madeinbenue.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/pauline.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251112T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251112T170000
DTSTAMP:20260501T220225
CREATED:20251112T082726Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T082726Z
UID:28874-1762934400-1762966800@madeinbenue.com
SUMMARY:WomanCrushWednesday:Tarkaa Shidoo – The Quiet Frequency That Rewires Futures
DESCRIPTION:On this Woman Crush Wednesday\, we turn the spotlight on a woman whose presence defines poise and purpose — Shidoo Tarkaa\, the undisputed Queen of the Benue Airwaves. \nAt a time when noise often drowns out substance\, she remains the calm in the storm — steady\, principled\, and unshaken. Shidoo doesn’t just hold a mic; she commands respect\, setting a rare standard of consistency\, grace\, and quiet power in a world too quick to trade them for trends. \nWhen we think of the kind of storytelling that transcends local airtime and taps into the global pulse of change-making\, Shidoo Tarkaa stands out. In the vibrant but often under-reported media landscape of Nigeria’s Middle Belt\, she has quietly carved out a role that merits international attention.  \nAt the heart of Tarkaa’s craft is a deeply rooted sense of place. Working at Agate Radio & Television in Makurdi\, Benue State\, she speaks from within a community—rather than parachuting in. As the station’s site explains\, Agate is “people-driven … committed to upholding the finest traditions of professionalism defined by fairness\, accuracy\, equity and balance.”  \nTarkaa’s significance is not simply that she is a broadcaster\, but that she is a broadcaster embedded in the soil of her listeners’ lives. That alignment gives her voice the legitimacy to issue prompts like: “Today\, somewhere in Guma\, a girl is choosing between fear and a future.” Such a sentence does more than fill airtime—it invites collective responsibility. \n  \nMore than headline-chasing\, Tarkaa models media as a mechanism for social investment. Consider how\, beyond her on-air presence\, she engages with the structural side of change: in one reported instance\, she was connected with community developmental programming via a business-grant initiative where she served as “Coordinator\, Ezzycare Community Initiative.” \nThis dual role—on-air and community interface—means her output isn’t just read or heard\, but felt and responded to. For instance: the moment a teacher pledges transport fare\, or a tailor offers uniforms—those are the ripples of broadcast meeting action. \n \n  \nThe “girl-child” focus in Benue and similar rural wards is often under-resourced and overshadowed by more visible urban narratives. In regions where educational continuation for girls is still a challenge\, Tarkaa’s broadcast space becomes a subtle but essential platform. By inviting listeners to act (instead of simply reporting)\, she reshapes the relationship between media and gender outcomes.\n\nShidoo Tarkaa\, for all you do within your capacity to amplify the voice of the girl child. For the embodying what many young girls out there see\, respect and admire; we say thank you and we celebrate you most sincerely. \n 
URL:https://madeinbenue.com/event/womancrushwednesdaytarkaa-shidoo-the-quiet-frequency-that-rewires-futures/
CATEGORIES:Woman Crush Wednesday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://madeinbenue.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1762934017313.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251110T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251110T170000
DTSTAMP:20260501T220225
CREATED:20251110T150525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T150525Z
UID:28756-1762761600-1762794000@madeinbenue.com
SUMMARY:madeinbenue
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URL:https://madeinbenue.com/event/madeinbenue/
CATEGORIES:Featured,Man Crush Monday,Sights and Sounds,Upcoming,Woman Crush Wednesday
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ORGANIZER;CN="OD Woods":MAILTO:info@example.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251105T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251105T170000
DTSTAMP:20260501T220225
CREATED:20251105T100404Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251105T100404Z
UID:28542-1762329600-1762362000@madeinbenue.com
SUMMARY:Woman Crush Wednesday
DESCRIPTION:Meet Dr. Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu\nAt 51\, Dr. Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu\, OFR\, stands as a shining emblem of purpose-driven leadership — a woman whose rise from modest beginnings in Nigeria’s Idoma heartland of Benue State to the helm of a multimillion-dollar enterprise defines resilience\, intellect\, and vision in motion. \nBorn on January 22\, 1974\, to retired Captain J.E. Adole and his wife\, Dr. Achimugu’s formative years were grounded in discipline\, education\, and the belief that success must serve humanity. She attended Federal Government Girls Science College\, Kuje\, before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from the University of Jos (1998)\, a Master’s from the University of Belize\, and an Honorary Doctorate from Commonwealth University — achievements that broke barriers in male-dominated spaces and paved the way for other women in business. \nA Trailblazer in Industry\nDr. Achimugu began her professional journey in the oil and gas accounting sector\, where her sharp financial acumen and commitment to excellence distinguished her early on. Today\, she is the Chief Executive Officer of Felak Concept Group\, a thriving conglomerate with eight subsidiaries spanning engineering\, maritime\, oil and gas\, ICT\, and skills development — all contributing to national growth and generating thousands of jobs across Nigeria. \nAmong her major milestones is the 2025 Deep-Sea Port Project in Nigeria’s South-South region\, a multi-million-dollar development positioned to revolutionize trade and logistics in West Africa. She also leads operations at Bluewave Exploration\, where her commitment to sustainable oil practices underscores her forward-thinking approach to industrial leadership. \nChampioning Innovation and Empowerment\nBeyond boardrooms and contracts\, Dr. Achimugu is deeply invested in human capacity development. Through the Felak ICT Initiative\, over 5\,000 Nigerian youths have received technology training and career support\, preparing them for roles in an increasingly digital economy. Her visionary leadership and commitment to youth advancement earned her the 2025 African Female Business Leader Award — one of many accolades recognizing her blend of enterprise and empathy. \nA Heart for Humanity\nIn 2013\, she founded the SAM Empowerment Foundation in memory of her late husband\, creating a platform that continues to touch countless lives. The foundation supports widows\, orphans\, and patients\, with notable 2025 achievements including the payment of hospital bills for 51 patients\, financial empowerment for 51 widows\, and scholarships for 416 students. \nHer unwavering compassion has earned her numerous honors\, including Philanthropist of the Year (2024) and a U.S. Lifetime Volunteer Award\, solidifying her reputation as a global humanitarian with local roots. \nLegacy of Inclusive Leadership\nIn Benue State\, Dr. Achimugu’s investments continue to boost education\, skills acquisition\, and export development\, reinforcing her lifelong dedication to community growth. Nationally\, she advocates for women’s inclusion in STEM and champions a model of inclusive capitalism — one that balances profit with people\, and success with service. \nThe Benue Echo\nUltimately\, the story of Dr. Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu is one that echoes through the valleys of Benue — a story of grit refined by grace\, of a woman who rose from the quiet strength of her roots to illuminate pathways for others. Her journey is not merely one of achievement\, but of impact\, reminding the world that greatness is not where one begins\, but what one builds for others along the way.
URL:https://madeinbenue.com/event/woman-crush-wednesday/
CATEGORIES:Woman Crush Wednesday
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UID:26675-1761552000-1761584400@madeinbenue.com
SUMMARY:Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Margaret Icheen’s Rise to Greatness
DESCRIPTION:In the sweltering heat of June 26\, 1957\, amid the verdant hills of Ute in Vandeikya Local Government Area\, Benue State\, a girl named Margaret Mwuese Icheen entered the world—a quiet arrival that would one day echo like thunder across Nigeria and West Africa. Little did her parents know that this child\, raised in the fertile cradle of the Benue Valley where the river’s lifeblood nourishes yam fields and yam tubers swell like promises of abundance\, would grow into a force capable of reshaping the contours of power itself. Margaret’s early years were woven from the simple threads of rural resilience: the rhythm of school bells in far-flung classrooms\, the chatter of Tiv dialects under trees\, and the unyielding belief that education was the great equalizer in a land where opportunities often favored the bold over the born. \nAs a young girl\, Margaret navigated the dusty paths between villages\, her curiosity as boundless as the Benue River. Born into a Tiv family where tradition whispered of communal harmony and quiet fortitude\, she was no stranger to the subtle hierarchies that sidelined girls. Yet\, from her first steps into formal learning at Our Lady of Apostles Primary School in Kaduna (1963–1965)\, followed by St. Williams Primary School in Keffi (1966–1969)\, she exhibited a knack for excellence that seemed almost predestined. By her teens at Gye Commercial College in Jos (1970–1974)\, Margaret was honing not just skills in commerce but a steely resolve\, absorbing lessons in perseverance amid Nigeria’s turbulent post-colonial flux. Her higher education—a B.Ed. from the College of Education in Katsina-Ala (affiliated with the University of Jos\, 1982–1985) and further studies at the University of Calabar’s Institute of Christian Studies in Mkar (1988–1990)—cemented her as an educationist extraordinaire. Teaching wasn’t merely a profession for her; it was a philosophy\, a sacred duty to ignite minds in the shadows of inequality. “Education is the seed of revolution\,” she would later reflect in quiet moments\, her words carrying the weight of someone who had tilled those very soils. \nBut Margaret’s personal life bloomed in the tender interplay of love and legacy. Married to Ute John Akegh Icheen\, a man whose roots in Kwande Local Government Area intertwined with her own Vandeikya heritage—making her\, by marital bond\, an indigene of Kwande—she built a home that mirrored her values: steadfast\, nurturing\, and expansive. Together\, they raised two sons and two daughters\, a quartet of young souls who witnessed their mother’s alchemy of domestic grace and public audacity. In the evenings\, as the sun dipped below the Sahel’s horizon\, Margaret balanced lesson plans with lullabies\, her laughter a bridge between the hearth and the horizon. Yet\, beneath this idyll simmered an restlessness—a divine discontent with the status quo. “I don’t know if it’s luck\,” she once quipped with a wry smile\, “but I’m always first among men.” It was this unassuming fire that propelled her from the blackboard to the ballot box \nMargaret’s foray into politics was no calculated gambit but a clarion call born of conviction. By 1977\, she was already shaping futures as a teacher and pay mistress at the Local Government Education Authority Primary School in Adikpo\, later ascending to principal of the Women Education Centre (1991–1993). These roles honed her administrative prowess\, teaching her the art of consensus in fractious councils and the power of advocacy for the marginalized. In 1994\, as a ward delegate to the National Constitutional Conference under the Social Democratic Party\, she tasted the thrill of national discourse—a prelude to greater stages. But it was the dawn of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic in 1999 that catapulted her into immortality. \nElected to the Benue State House of Assembly on the People’s Democratic Party ticket\, Margaret didn’t just claim a seat; she seized the gavel. In a chamber thick with masculine energy and skepticism\, where men in agbadas dismissed her as a novelty\, she was elected Speaker—the first woman to helm a state House of Assembly not only in Nigeria but across the breadth of West Africa. The moment was electric: lawmakers\, many twice her age\, rising in a mix of awe and reluctance as she took the chair. She served from 1999 to 2003\, navigating impeachment whispers and gender-fueled barbs with the poise of a river stone—smooth\, unyielding. “Once a woman goes into politics\,” she advised in a voice like polished mahogany\, “there is no insult that would not come her way. But that shouldn’t deter them… Forge ahead; whatever name they tag on you\, ignore them and go ahead\, because once what you are doing is right\, at the end of the tunnel\, you will succeed.” \nHer philosophy? A blend of faith\, feminism\, and fearlessness. Grounded in a solid “fear of God” that she credits for her moral compass—”We as women are not comfortable when associated with failure or ill-dealings\, and that is why we are the best leaders\, best administrators”—Margaret viewed politics not as a zero-sum game but as a symphony of shared destiny. She railed against the “male muscle” that choked women’s ascent\, urging her sisters to shun financial fatalism and electoral thugs: “Most women think they can’t play politics because they don’t have the financial muscle… but when you get into a system\, then you will know how to play it well.” Her tenure wasn’t flawless—resignation loomed amid political tempests in 2002—but it was transformative\, chairing the North Central Speakers Forum and coordinating women’s political participation across the North Central zone and FCT. Awards cascaded like monsoon rains: the International Woman of the Year 2000 from the UK Human Rights Organization\, a John F. Kennedy Fellow Doctorate from the US\, and the Ambassador for Peace from the Inter-religious Federation for World Peace\, among a pantheon of honors that affirmed her global stature. \nYet Margaret’s story doesn’t end in legislative halls; it pulses on the pitch. A lifelong football aficionado—her evenings often spent glued to matches\, dreaming of unified cheers—she channeled that passion into action. As the pioneering female Chairman of the Benue State Football Association (the lone woman among Nigeria’s 37 chairmen)\, she birthed clubs in every local government\, scouting talents for Lobi Stars and sponsoring trailblazers like Naija Ratels Abuja. Elected in 2022 as the first northern Nigerian woman on the Nigeria Football Federation’s Executive Committee\, her mission burns bright: a female football club in every northern state\, grassroots glory that outshines the men’s game. “Women’s football has the potential to surpass men’s\,” she declares\, her eyes alight with the same fire that once lit Benue’s assembly chambers. It’s her philosophy incarnate: excellence isn’t gendered; it’s earned through sweat and strategy. \nToday\, at 68\, Margaret Icheen resides in Makurdi\, reads voraciously\, and watches football with the fervor of a convert. Her life\, a mosaic of firsts—from Federal Character Commissioner to PDP leadership envoy—embodies a creed: “Women should rise to be part of the development of this country. Let us get up and be recognized as being part and parcel of the nation.” \nAnd oh\, how the Benue Valley swells with pride for its daughter. In a region where the river carves canyons of history and the people till earth with hands calloused by hope\, Margaret stands as more than a pioneer—she is the valley’s beating heart. From Vandeikya’s hills to Kwande’s fields\, her name is invoked in folktales and election anthems\, an inspiration for every girlchild eyeing the gavel or the goalpost. The Benue Valley\, with its yam-scented winds and unbowed spirit\, doesn’t just claim her; it celebrates her as its eternal triumph.
URL:https://madeinbenue.com/event/breaking-the-glass-ceiling-margaret-icheens-rise-to-greatness/
CATEGORIES:Woman Crush Wednesday
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