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| Do we say another 'missing' beautiful daughter of Nigeria is finding her way back home? This is because her story sounds so. Victoria Naashika Adebisi Quaye was born to a Nigerian dad and Ghanaian mum, but she has lived most part of her life in her motherland, Ghana. In her late 30s, she has achieved so much for herself in personal and business life. Today, she ranks among the Promising 100 Young People On the (African) Continent, according to Thabo Mbeki Foundation (South Africa) and the Uongozi institute’s (Tanzania). She was the Social Entrepreneur of the Year for the 40 under 40 Awards in Ghana in 2018. To cap it all, she has got a stunning beauty to compliment her personality. Interestingly, had grown into all these from a young kid selling water on the streets on Karneshie in Accra, about 3 decades ago. |
Right now, a new passion is boiling inside NaaShika. She believes its high time her efforts and exploits are extended to her fatherland, Nigeria. Her dad, Mr Amingo Adewale Stephen is from Lawoore's compound, Ogbomosho, Oyo state. Her mum is from Bukom, in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. She has since reunited with her paternal family in Nigeria after few visits recently, and she now she has her hearts in Nigeria.
The key focus of this Ogbomoso princess has been all about water. That everyone gets access to clean water is her calling and in doing that, she has also hit gold. She runs NaaviQ Company Limited, which has become a major player the water industry in Ghana within the last 15 years. The company is a leading name in Ghana in the business of borehole drilling, water treatment and production of mineral water.
Part of he endeavours in Nigeria would also include how she can support the rural population who are in dire need of clean, potable water. 'I dream of a world where everyone would have access to safe and clean water, this passion has steered my life’s work' she said about what inspires her.
'When I was starting, I asked myself, what could I do to improve lives in our society. I remembered the hardships I encountered selling water on the streets of Accra at a very young age, so my team and I decided not to just have a company that makes water but also improves the lives of the people and helps reduce poverty and build capacity. So that is what we do. We also came up with a training system where we went to the rural and urban areas to provide training connected to making water a business', Adebisi said. All these she is about replicating in Nigeria.
Naashika studied Communication Studies at Ghana Institute of Journalism and later went for a course in water treatment at the Center for Education and Advanced Training, USA.
Her interest in pursuing excellence has earned her national recognition and global accolades, including: the United Nations Youth Ghana Ambassador for clean water and sanitation at UN youth Ghana (SDG6) for 2017-2018; nomination among WATER WOMEN by Stockholm International Water institute (SIWI) in July 2017; Female Social Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Young Entrepreneur Awards (YEA) 2018.