Blog - November 10, 2020

Day 10: The November Happiness Challenge 2020

I always wanted a gathering of women doing their thing and having fun while at it. I nursed this idea for a long time and then in 2018, I went for it. I organized an event called Meet and Greet with Omotolaniee and it was successful. Since then, it’s been beautiful events back to back in different locations and I’m grateful for this. We’ve had two events in Ibadan, one in Lagos , one in Abuja and recently, we had a virtual event that covered all locations. Our themed events always have women coming together to learn, teach, bond and network over food and drinks. It is a free event which has garnered support over the years as it evolved. I have very huge plans for the event and hope that very soon, we will cover many states in Nigeria and even take it out of the country because women everywhere deserve such soul lifting events. After the Lagos event we had last year, I then decided that we needed an actual safe space to continue our conversations. It wasn’t enough that we were consistent with our events, we needed an everyday platform where women could feel comfortable to purge all of their feelings, rant on what is bothering them, , announce their successes and achievements, share their guilty pleasures without fear of being judged, learn life lessons from first hand experiences, network with other women to build their social capital, and so on. This birthed the virtual platform called MAGWO Safe space and it is one of my best projects so far. Talking about happiness, I wake up everyday with excitement, knowing that there will be one topic or the other to be discussed on the group and everyone would have a say according to their perspectives. There is always something to discuss on MAGWO! My ladies are beautiful, intelligent, heartwarming and magnanimous. These ladies are doing big things in their different chosen careers and businesses and they are always willing to share tips and tricks with others. We talk about everything you could imagine and those you can’t imagine, we share recipes, ideas and more. We narrate personal experiences and happenings without holding back because we know that the conversations won’t leave the space. People like to ask that how did I select these ladies because they are top notch but I tell them that seriously? I did my part and God just blessed me with them. The recent event we had in August 2020 was a Zoom event, and my ladies showed up and showed out.. You’d think it was a physical event and that we were all headed to a 1000 capacity hall for an Owambe. We arranged for physical meetups in little groups and we all converged on zoom. There was food, we had drinks, and we made merry. We held conversations on topics that are dear to us and people shared intimate stories they would share with nobody else, and there were lessons and takeaways from the conversations.
L to R: Myself, Rhamah, Ameerah at Our all white themed Zoom event.
The event and the Safe space are very dear to me and I do not ever allow anyone to talk down on them ( who would even dare?). I have realized that people need an outlet for what they go through on a daily and I am indeed glad that I’ve been able to create such outlet. We give ourselves sound counsel while letting the person know that their decision is best for them as they want it, we teach ourselves to be patient and to be firm as appropriate, we teach ourselves strength, positivity, and how to radiate happiness. We learn meaningful topics ranging from health to finances to education to relationships to career advisory and more. Fam, I did a thing with MAGWO and MAGWO safe space! We are on Twitter and Instagram, so if you need information on when our next events will be or how you can be a part of the safe space, those are the accounts you should follow for updates. These are my happy pills, and I swallow them day in, day out. Shoutout to all my MAGWO and MAGWO safe space ladies, I can’t mention everyone’s names, but you already know that my heart carries you everywhere. Thank you for being awesome, and staying so. Today, we are going to give ourselves a minimum of 30 minute break from Social media or from pressing our phones, I know that many of us already do it without even seeing it as a big deal, but today, we are going to make conscious effort to do it. Call it 30 minutes for self care. Pick a time of the day and make sure you abide by that time, drop your phone, take a nap or just sit and meditate. Note that it can be more than 30 minutes, but it shouldn’t be less than. Do anything that would make you feel relaxed even if it is just staring into space. I’ll be back. OBA

Comments (27)

  1. Beebah

    November 10, 2020

    I’m glad and excited and every other word that means happy to let everyone reading this know that I’m one of those women you just read about.

    Thanks for the safe space Mama, now I have so many beautiful sisters and I love love our relationship.

    You are doing an amazing job and I’m so proud of you. Well done sis

  2. Arafah

    November 10, 2020

    You already that I am deeply proud of you… Thank you for been the best on this safe place, its awesome to be a part of that sweet family… I love you sissy.

    • November 10, 2020

      Yaaaay. I love you too my Arafat with the cutest name

  3. Hauwa

    November 10, 2020

    Butterflies in my belly😍 Being a MAGWO lady is something I’m proud to say anywhere anytime! All thanks to you, mama. It’s indeed a safe space with awesome and beautiful ladies. I have healthy relationships with my so many MAGWO sisters and guess what! I’d be meeting one of my sisters today. I’m so excited 💃. Thanks for MAGWO safe space, sis. You’re doing amazingly well!

  4. November 10, 2020

    You are doing great. You ladies care for yourselves so much. I am so jealous.

    • November 10, 2020

      Ahn ahn don’t be jealous 😂. Thanks so much bro

  5. KHADEEJAH

    November 10, 2020

    I personally enjoy conversing because it helps teach and learn, that’s exactly what Magwo depicts. We’re ready to come through for our own anytime and it is exciting to have a sisterhood to share life experiences with.
    One thing I especially love is the diversity, women from different backgrounds, ethnicity coming together to become one. It’s a no judgement zone, no one is above the other, every individual is just as important as the other. There are rules and days picked for different activities. You can’t ever say it’s boring, because there’s always something to learn or teach. Oh there’s laughter, whoever said women aren’t funny haven’t met us. You did that sis, amazingly beautiful and truly a safe space. Keep going

    • November 10, 2020

      This is such a heartwarming and beautiful comment, Khadee. I should frame it.

  6. Olajumoke

    November 10, 2020

    MAGWO and MAGWO safespace!

    I remember when you shared the vision with me and how brilliant I thought it was. Shortly after, we started planning the first event, and we even had a committee😀.

    Despite the gIitches encountered in planning that suggested a few things might go wrong, you had the support of everyone and it turned out a very beautiful event; we had lots to learn, talk about, eat, drink and take home.

    It’s amazing to see how much MAGWO has grown since that time. What’s more amazing is how much more growth, success and expansion is ahead. It’s a beautiful, beautiful initiative.

    You see MAGWO safespace? The chillest ever ladies’ group. The love, the bants, the lessons, the sisterhood; all that we share is priceless.

    Indeed, you did a thing with MAGWO and MAGWO safespace. Well done, my Star Girl❤

  7. Toyin

    November 10, 2020

    See MAGWO safe space is everything she described and so much more. I’m so glad to be a part of this community of women supporting women. Knowing that I don’t have to go through my pains alone is very comforting.

  8. Mrs Busari Titilayo T

    November 10, 2020

    Greater you Omotolanie.Thanks for all you do.Brilliant,beautiful, intelligent ladies at MAGWO.Proud of you all.You’ll grow international insha Allah.

  9. Mariam

    November 10, 2020

    MAGWO is an amazing community, being a part of it is even more beautiful. Thanks for creating a safe space 💚💚

  10. Olatoun

    November 10, 2020

    I took a break from my phone like you suggested and felt so calm & at peace. You’re the best

  11. Bookie

    November 10, 2020

    Thank you so much Tolani for the MAGWO safe space. I sometimes wonder how you put together such very smart, intelligent, pretty, beautiful, women. I’m so happy to be a member of the community. ❤️

    • November 10, 2020

      I’m so glad you are a part of it, Bukky. You make me feel better everytime ❤️

  12. R

    November 11, 2020

    Thank you for creating a safe space where one can rant and talk about how we feel without getting judged.

  13. Oluwaseun

    November 11, 2020

    I’m a witness to the awesomeness that is the MAGWO safe space. A community of beautiful women, sharing knowledge and experiences and having fun while at it.
    You really did a thing with MAGWO and MAGWO safe space. Thank you mama!.

  14. Umm fadhmah

    November 11, 2020

    Thanks for the opportunity to be able to reckoned with amazing ladies. Magwo safe space is truly as describe and more. Proudly magwan lady

  15. Kawthar

    November 12, 2020

    MAGWO to the world. It’s my favorite place to be and I never get bored. I have met amazing women, who have turned to my sisters. You did a great thing Tolani, and may God continue to bless you and lift you higher.

  16. Maryam

    November 12, 2020

    Thank you for the opportunity to meet such awesome, strong and intelligent women. It is truly as you described and even better ❤️🤗.

  17. Ameenah Alabi

    November 14, 2020

    MAGWO Safespace ❤❤❤
    I am happy to be one of the women on this group as in I have learnt a lot, met amazing women, made new friendships.

    Omotolanie you did this and may God bless you abundantly, I am proud of you❤❤❤

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