Treasures are not found on the surface, they are often concealed and needs to be sought, mined and dug up. As three young ladies, we came into the university to get a treasure (an education); we ended up getting far above that. Our journey to and through the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, was not one of convenience. It was birthed from the determination and the need to finish well and strong. However, in it, we saw and found God.

The name F.A. rubies means far above rubies. It is not just a name but an expression of our lives. The name was gotten from proverbs 31:10 where it was used in describing a woman whose worth is far above rubies. It says: “A capable, intelligent and virtuous woman- who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.” While there have been emphasis on the finished work, a lot of people ignore the process which usually involves a lot of pruning, cleaning and moulding. It takes God to see darkness and call forth light. This is because, a bruised reed will he not break and a smoking flax will he not quench. God saw us in our crude state, chasing after ambitions and what we felt were treasures and he raised us up, gave us a new life and ambition.

Now, rubies are precious stones consisting of corundum in colour. They are pink to red gemstones. Ruby is a stone of nobility and has been considered to be the most magnificent of all gems. It is believed to surpass other precious stones in virtue. So what could be more precious than precious gems itself? It is THE LIFE we have found. This is the life we desire to share. This, to us, is far above rubies.