Farida Yahya, a social entrepreneur, is the founder and chief executive officer of Lumo Naturals – a healthy hair care solutions brand. She is also a lifestyle blogger at northernlife.ng. In this chat with ENE OSANG, she canvasses equal opportunities for all irrespective of one’s gender status.
Can we have further details about you?
I am from Mubi North, Adamawa state. I am the chief executive officer (CEO) and editor-in-chief at northernlife.ng, a one of a kind online media platform designed to showcase the diversity of the people of Northern Nigeria, using multimedia channels, citizen reporting, and creative writing, exploring the rich cultural history of its people, changing the narrative of region as one of under-achievers, and engaging the citizens on collective responsibility to solve the region’s challenges.
You convened a mentoring session for women recently; what inspired this?
When the salon started to grow, we decided to create a community for our clients and grow the network by organising quarterly events where we can relax, connect and support one another. However, when I read Sheryl Sandberg’s book, ‘lean in’, I was struck by the lessons and really wanted to share with my network. Then while planning our first lean in circle event, I met Mrs. Eugenia Abu at an event, and when I heard her speak about the lessons from the book, I thought to myself, she should naturally be the first mentor to be our special guest so that she can share from her wealth of experience as a former executive director (ED) at Africa’s largest television network, and an ace broadcaster spanning two decades.
As an advocate for women, what would you say the today Nigerian woman craves for?
I think that is a very broad question. But the women I interact with, in my age bracket, truly want it all. They want to be given better opportunities for putting in as much as their male counterparts, but they also want to be the cornerstone of the women and share their lives with people who see them as individuals with a purpose to fulfill with the many gifts nature has bestowed on them.
The quest for leadership positions has formed the core of most women discussions today, why is this so?
Again, this is long overdue. Today’s generation is riding on the enormous amount of work put in by their mothers and grandmothers, and they are not as willing to keep compromising for what they believe is their due. Strong women raise strong women, and these conversations are at the fore today largely because we have a generation that wants equity and fairness.
It’s said that the pursuit of challenging careers by today women is why the society has changed from good to bad, as children are no longer well-groomed. Is this true, and who should take the blame for youth restiveness?
I tend to disagree with that. I think we are at a point where gender roles are not as defined as they used to be. And depending on how you look at it, I will argue that our society is better for it. Raising a child is a partnership, and once we understand this dynamics, then we will stop pointing fingers when a problem comes up. And if we look at youth restiveness, in most cases, it is as a result of lack of proper communication channels and a high rate of unemployment; these two problems are much bigger than the way a home is run.
Where should a woman draw the line between her job and family?
Every case is different. A woman should be able to make choices; if she wants to be a stay at home mum or a full time housewife, or even pursue a career only, then she should do so because it makes her happy and not for external pressures. When that is done, drawing a line will be unnecessary because she will be able to maintain both without sacrificing one for the other.
Your educational background; any gender struggles?
I actually studied Biochemistry in University, but as a woman myself, and having been involved with a few women-led networks, I know where the shoe pinches.
In 2010, I received the HoD’s prize for second best research thesis on eucalyptus which explored using the plant as a biotechnological resource and how it can be harnessed as a biofuel. This was an eye opener for my faculty, and was used as grounds to explore green energy production in Nigeria.
How were you able to get this far educationally as a northern girl-child?
In my case, I had a father who believes education is the bedrock of any meaningful development. So, it didn’t matter that I was a girl; he had a strict approach to completing my studies first before anything else. He also wasn’t just there by paying school fees; he was available for assignments, pick up and everything in between, which goes to show that having men as partners in the campaign for equal access for education, especially for the girl-child, is very important.
What would you say are your achievements so far?
I will say that I am honoured to create impact in my community, supporting more women to be financially independent and able to cater for their families. As difficult as the Nigerian business terrain is, I have been able to successfully run my business for five years now, and we have a customer base of over 500. Also, in the year under review, through our CSR programmes, we have sent more girls to school from homes that can’t afford it. We have also received two awards for the work we have done.
I co-founded and I am the project coordinator for Ja muje; a platform for citizen-led, community-driven action towards achieving sustainable growth and development of Northern Nigeria, with focus on education, health, business and innovation.
In February 2017, I convened a roundtable on education for the Northern states with the lowest literacy rates in Nigeria; this led to the creation of a network of community leaders, with each representative working on a project to increase literacy rates by 10% in the next seven years. The common goal was to find ways to sustain these solutions while engaging communities.
I was also selected as one of 10 youth leaders to meet the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, to discuss development, climate change and the role of the youth in promoting the sustainable development goals and increasing momentum and ownership in Nigeria; produce and communicate key messages to influence national political actions towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and increase the knowledge of young people in Nigeria and across Africa on the new development agenda, especially on its opportunity for dealing with youth development issues.
I was a member of the technical working group for SDGs Nigeria, a group of young leaders selected by the UNDP to inspire the next generation of leaders on their roles in promoting sustainable development, and localisation of the SDGs in sub national levels is a great achievement as well. This has made me instrumental in amplifying the voices of the youth in policy making decisions that cover the 17 goals, and conversations around multi stallholders’ dialogue to influence action towards climate change and development by 2030.
In 2016, I was selected as a young achiever by the young achievers summit which features the convergence of young achievers and business executives from different spectrum of our economy; where she presented a paper on the challenge of excellence in Nigeria; where she explored the threat of climate change, the need for active community participation and ensuring that no group is left behind towards the goal of attaining sustainable development.
I was named in the Arewa 100 list of people of 2016 by Arewa history, and 50 influential Northern women by Women founders’ group. Farida also won the 2017 I am Nigeria award for corporate social responsibility.
I am also a mentor for the skills outside school (SOS) foundation, and ‘I am Nigeria’ initiative; she mentors over 200 young girls on career choices, skills acquisition, and political inclusion using creative writing, workshops, and peer education.
She is a member of Beta business forum and Kudirat Abiola initiative for democracy for young girls through which I had presented papers in community outreach programs to educate young girls and women on the importance of women’s inclusion in political leadership.
Any regrets?
Regrets: Not really, lots of lessons though. Which is why we started Jungo, mentorship and support are very important for budding entrepreneurs, I had an amazing support system in my family, but coming into entrepreneurship from a civil service background, I had to learn a lot of things on the go. So, I wish I had more financial literacy and human resources skills, but that has also given me the opportunity to earn a masters on the streets, doing what I love.
On this note what is your take on the Nigerian polity and why do you think inclusive leadership is necessary?
I believe we are seeing a gradual change in civic participation. We have a lot more awareness campaigns, and citizens are no longer willing to mortgage their future to leaders they don’t believe can deliver the future they want to see. Nigerian women and youth are more aware of their rights today, and are demanding their rightful seat at the table.
What is your view on how to create inclusive work spaces for women, to unite workers for social and economic advancement?
Two things: policies and programmes that look at the welfare of the woman. Flexible working hours, better benefits for maternity leave, basic health insurance for single parents, capacity building aimed at developing their skills set, and also less hurdles in accessing loans and grants for MSMEs.
Do you think gender equality is achievable in Nigeria considering our cultural and traditional beliefs?
I believe gender equity is very much possible because it is in fact as nature intended. When you read through the good books, and even through African history, you will find that African women have always been leaders and nurturers; it is neither new nor strange. Although we find ourselves now in a highly patriarchal system that tends to frown on women’s rights and access to opportunities, I am confident that if we stay the course, and continue this dialogue about balancing the odds, then we will definitely create a fairer world.
How would you describe the Nigerian woman?
I will describe the Nigeria woman as strong, versatile, and multi-talented. We are queens, combining pursuing a career while raising a family, but still making it all look easy.
What is your assessment of the elections as they affect women?
I am hopeful that there will be concrete change soon particularly in the involvement of women. It’s a long road ahead, but we have seen women rising up to the podium with good support systems and even sponsors. Therefore, whatever is not achieved in 2019, can be worked on and consolidated in 2023. However, from various reports across the country, I will say again that it leaves a lot to be desired. We still have a long way to go, but at least we have our foot is in the door.
Any hobbies?
I have interest in volunteering, charity, manufacturing, agriculture, and women empowerment. I also love to read, write, create and network.
Advice to women
My simple advice will be that they shouldn’t wait for anyone to validate them. They should take the time to know and explore their passion and potential as individuals, then work on sharpening that God-given gift to bless the world with. They shouldn’t be afraid to pursue their dreams, it doesn’t matter what the past says or what their story was. It can be rewritten, but they must be the drivers of their own destiny for that to happen. They should surround themselves with a good network of like minds. They say your network is your net worth; this is true as it will help them when they have challenges.
