So, my name is ODILI CHIAMAKA ESTHER.
I used to doubt myself a lot, especially because people had a lot of expectations from me. Not because I'm female but because of my last name. As a shy person, I felt like I was constantly trying to prove my worth in a world that often overlooked me. There was this one moment that really stands out—a time when I walked into a room full of people who weren't like me. I was the only quiet person there, and I felt like an outsider, always did. But in that moment, something clicked. Instead of shrinking or doubting my place, I stood tall and reminded myself that my voice mattered, that my experiences and my perspective were just as valuable as anyone else’s.
I remember speaking up in a meeting, sharing my ideas with confidence. To my surprise, they were met with respect, and people actually listened. That day, I realized that the world is not waiting for my permission to see me for who I am. It was time to stop apologizing for existing in spaces where I was often the only one who looked like me.
Since then, I’ve learned to trust in my power, my intelligence, and my worth. I’ve come to understand that being a woman, shy or not is not a limitation—it's a strength. My resilience, my history, my culture, and my voice are all parts of what makes me powerful.
To every young woman out there, especially my sisters from Nigeria and across the world: Don’t let anyone box you in. You are not defined by the limitations others place on you. Stand tall in your truth. Your voice matters. Your dreams are valid. You are more than enough, and the world is waiting to see all that you are capable of.
Embrace every part of you—the strength, the beauty, the intelligence, and the fire inside. Keep pushing, keep striving. The journey may not always be easy, but you are more than capable of overcoming anything that comes your way. You are a force.
Your greatness is not negotiable. Keep shining.