Guinness made an awesome video to mark International Women’s Day on the 8th of March 2021 and we’re throwing it back, remembering all the things we loved about it:
1. The audacious women
This short documentary film, titled “No Apologies” featured five fearless and dauntless Nigerian women who also happen to be our favs: Guinness brand ambassadors ex-BBN housemate Nengi Hampson, actor and producer Beverly Naya, Barcelona Femeni footballer Asisat Oshoala, the CEO of Reel Fruit, Affiong Williams and musician, Niniola.
2. The theme
Following this year’s theme Choose to Challenge, Guinness inspired women to stand up against prejudices and stereotypes that attempts to put them into cages and stifle their ambition. Who best to challenge stereotypes than our no-nonsense Nigerian women?
Speaking on the inspiration behind the selection of the IWD champs, Odinakachi Njoku, Assistant Brand Manager, Guinness, when telling us about the reason why they selected these bad ass women as their IWD ambassadors had this to say: “Beverly raised the bar to become a documentary producer with her work – Skin which details the challenges Nigerian women go through due to colourism. Nengi has proven she is more than her face with her foray into entrepreneurship as CEO of Shoes by Flora.”
“Affiong Williams defied odds to build a thriving business with a 100% female management team. Niniola went from being an audition reject to Queen of Afro-House at a time when the genre was uncool. Asisat overcame massive rejection from family and friends to play at the highest level with the National team and FC Barcelona.”
E choke!
“We profiled a wide range of women across various verticals to demonstrate the unrelenting spirit of Nigerian women,” Odinakachi said.
3. The lead
The film leads with the amazing Beverly Naya earnestly seeking answers to change and achieving the extraordinary. All the women slowly unbottle stereotypes they have had to deal with on their journey to achieving the extraordinary, answering Beverly Naya’s questions.
4. The stories
The short film documented some of the challenges the women had faced while on their path greatness; Nengi dealing with haters, Asisat having to deal with school boys who wouldn’t let her play the game of her dreams, Affion who dove headfirst into uncharted territory, Niniola who was never given a chance by the judges, and Beverly who had to deal with sexist assumptions that she lacked substance just because she looks good. These super women all went beyond to change their narratives. We love to see it.
5. The message
The short film encourages women to own their turf, challenge stereotypes and never take no for an answer. Our presidents have spoken!
Words really can’t do justice to the video. See it for yourself.
