Woman of Substance, Never Underrate her.

In Nigeria, after graduating from a 5years professional course  in 2009, the pursuit of earning an income seems difficult, every endeavors was so hopeless, till one day, I received a call from an agency requesting for immediate interview for the role of a personal assistant to a Chief Executive Officer of a shipping company in Togo, I went for the interview, I was selected, thinking it was from merit, probably I impressed the interviewer, the pay was really motivating. I got home, thought about it again, from Nigeria to Togo, no mummy, no daddy, no sisters, no friends, how do I cope, especially if I get to Togo, I don't feel comfortable with the job as I remembered the saying "Not all that glitters is gold", so I prayed about it.

I called the agent, fixed an appointment to meet. To my shock, the agent told me things that were unimaginable, when I start the job, the chief executive officer may ask me to rub his back, be his sex partner officially cause am a lady, that is more reason the pay is good. I felt degraded, so being a lady I don't deserve to get a more decent job, even as a graduate.

I stood up and told the agent to keep his job and said "am a woman of substance, don't underrate me!", to add more insults to my dismay, he said "think about it", I left the place.

Few days later,  i told my friend, former school mate, we both studied same course, about my horrible experience with agent, I was feeling unhappy how such job could be given to a second class graduate and a lady, she was moved, shared an information about a vacancy. I applied and was selected, that was how my journey started in humanitarian service 5 years ago, till this moment, which is all  about women's rights.

I currently work as a program officer, I still feel the need to support women, especially the young girls, from work experience, some young girls and women are trafficked and sexually exploited against what they were being promised, it reminds me of how I took my stand, saying " am a woman of substance, don't underrate me". Even though I don't know the next move, I simply shared my story with an old friend, and my journey began.

How I wish more girls and women are being empowered intellectually, it will help them more. I still stand to be a support to every other woman, don't underrate yourself.