If you engage in Digital Businesses as a Cover for Fraud, Your sins will find you Out - Kehinde Odeyemi

As Digital Trends get disruptive by the day, there is every chance at it that onventional work modes will exit the human space soon. We walked the talk with Kehinde Odeyemi, CEO of The Echo Digital. This is what he has to say on the importance of Digital Marketing and how to read the trending signs of our age.

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest: I am Emmanuel Kehinde Odeyemi, I have a B.Sc in Electronics & Electrical Engineering (Communications). I am a professional Digital Marketer and the founder of The Echo Digital, T.E.D, an online marketing firm, founded in August 2017. Also, I'm a humanitarian at The Echo Care Foundation Africa, founded by me in June 2018


NNI: How has the  entrepreneurship/business journey been for you so far?

GUEST: My entrepreneur journey hasn't been smooth and neither has it been rough all through. There have been big wins, small wins, big losses and small losses. But importantly, lessons have been learnt.


NNI: Like Summy Smart Francis, Bill Gates, Strive Masiyiwa and other world's business models, what and who drives your entrepreneurship/business spirit?

GUEST: My entrepreneurial spirit is actually based on the fact that I have passion to help people. Through T.E.D, we have been able to solve over 650 marketing problems within 32 months and hired people so they can earn. At the moment, our staff count is about 30.

Also, a desire to be independent and creating a better life for myself and my unborn kids is a motivation. I am commited to making lives better.

NNI: In hosting innovative brand programmes like the TED Trade Fairs, Live in Concert and the TEDInvasion, what is your experience?
GUEST:  I own all the stocks at T.E.D,. This means if it goes sour, I lose the most and if goes so well I enjoy the most. One of the major characteristics of an entrepreneur is the ability to take risks, risk is something that I have learnt to calculate. The purpose of these events are: brand awareness, education and empowerment. However, the major challenge about hosting these events is having willing hands that can make it a success. Willing hands will always generate revenues.

NNI: What do you do at the TED Academy?
Guest: The T.E.D Academy is a Division of the T.E.D Organisation in charge of training people in digital skills such as SEO, Affiliate Marketing, Page Management & Development, Sponsored Ads, e.t.c. All done virtually! The participants are issued a certificate afterwards.

NNI: How did you come about digital Skills? 

Guest: Most of my digital skills are self taught.

NNI: What do you think of many youths who claim to engage in digital businesses as a cover for fraud?
GUEST: Their sins will find them out if they don't stop that nonsense

NNI: On the price rates and excessive use of internet browsing data  (positively or negatively) for SMEs and Companies, how does it affect your productivity?
GUEST: I use tonnes of data, that I can honestly account for. In the past 4 months, I have used over 200GB. To a certain extent, data in Nigeria isn't cheap if you compare it to other world countries but at the rate of data being sold, people in Nigeria can still make a life from it by going digital. You just have to understand that if you spend much on data usage, it better be fetching you money in return.

Read: Biography of Summy Smart Francis

NNI: As a company, Can impact truly be measured? Considering your CSRs, what defines social impact for you at the Echo Digital?

GUEST: Of course impact can be measured. Most people into business are not entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are business people but not all business people are entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship has to do with innovative solution to problems and trying to make lives better irrespective of their field. It is about risk taking, especially at the initial or incubation stage of your start-up. If you can't even afford to take a little risk for your brand, you can't use that word. Entrepreneurs think about people, business people think about themselves!

When it comes to CSR, we are making impact. For instance, The T.E.D Invasion Conference allows you to pick a ticket for a token and you get trained for free in digital marketing. The whole value embedded in the ticket is almost 18,000 naira and participants are asked to pay only 3,000 naira or 1,500 for it.

T.E.D also supports foundations, most importantly, TECF Africa and we have been able to hire many undergraduates to help them build work experience with us and get paid. So yes, results can be measured as we have been able to solve over 650 marketing problems with over 82% success rate.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth? Do you think we are making progress?
GUEST: As a matter of fact, the major targets for our online courses are undergraduate youths and one of the major benefits of the T.E.D Invasion is skill and knowledge empowerment for undergraduates. If young minds can harness the power of the digital age, they would live more fulfilled in various businesses. And yes, we are making progress. We are doing that fast too!

NNI: What exceptional skill do you think every entrepreneur and business owner should have? Why?
GUEST: Simple page management & development skill that helps you to effectively portray your brand properly on social media and it also helps you to grow your audience a step at a time. Quality is better, but in business, quantity should never, I repeat never be over-looked. Some people will automatically not patronise you because of your low followers count. This means so much too.

Also, Content Creation skill (SEO Writing & Branding is important too) and Email Marketing.

NNI: You also lead volunteers at The Echo Care Foundation. What is your Volunteer Experience?
GUEST: At TECF Africa, it's been awesome. A lot of people are volunteers but not VOLUNTEERS, if you know what I mean. Throughout my undergraduate days, I served people without expecting anything in return and today God is making people return the favour. Even before getting into the University, I've been involved in volunteering.

The only thing I have to say is that to volunteer isn't compulsory, nobody will beat you if you don't. But if you do out of your own volition, let your integrity show in your response to your responsibility. Integrity and Faithfulness is key in volunteering.

NNI:  Do you think funding levels for NGOs have reduced? Why?
GUEST: No it hasn't according to my knowledge, there are hundreds of organisations funding  and willing to fund NGOs as long as they can see a track record of successes and impact. Get registered, be transparent too!

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?
GUEST: Develop yourself at any opportunity. There is no time. What you don't pay 1,000 naira for today, you won't pay 1,000,000 naira for tomorrow even if you have it because having money won't chase out stinginess to oneself. Also if you don't pay a 1,000 naira today, you will be forced to pay 1,000,000 tomorrow.

Make your personal growth a priority. Having phones and gadgets are not important as what we can do with them. If you can't earn a living from them, you shouldn't invest so much in them in the first instance.

Grow and develop your mind and skills!

NNI: What new heights are you scaling at TED and TECF? What should we expect in the near future?

GUEST: The goal is to have T.E.D Invasion quarterly every year, every April in Obafemi Awolowo University though and across states or Universities at the beginning of every other quarter in the year.

We will be going public where 60 young individuals can own stocks or shares at T.E.D under our Academy, Events and Marketing Companies. They talk about investments and many young people still don't get it because they don't know how and why. Investment is the future.

We are going into awards by the end of the year where those that have done exceptionally well as individuals or organisations can be recognised. It won't be a regular event, these events started incubating in 2018. More details later.


NNI: Thank you very much for your time sir.

GUEST: Thank you very much for the honour.

Creativity is Expression to me - Timi Agbaje

In this interview with Timi Agbaje,  premium content developer, compere, Youtuber and Lawyer,  he discusses his creative side and leads us through the creative process. 

NELOC News: Can we meet you?
Guest: I am Timi Agbaje, I am an entertainer by passion, Lawyer by profession.

NNI: What defines Creativity  for you?
Guest: Creativity is basically expression to me. You conceive an idea or a concept then you express it for the world to see. Nothing is really ever new.  it’s how you express it to the world that stands you and the idea out.

Read: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole

NNI:  Is there any special skill required to create content? How have you been able to consistently create content?
Guest:  Lol. Special skill required to create? I doubt that. It’s a skill that gets better with consistency. I set a goal of many things I want to express over a period of time and I try to fill the timelines. I still even feel there’s a lot more I can achieve by stretching myself.

NNI: What's your definition of a good content? Creativity or Acceptance by your audience?
Guest:  A good content is creativity well expressed. An idea well conceived and sold to the market right.

NNI: How have you managed celebrity influence and popularity in your space?
Guest: Lol. There’s always something at the back of my mind asides the popularity and the buzz which is Relevance, I care more about that and less about the popularity and the buzz. That keeps me in check.

NELOC News: Is entertainment your alternative to Law?  What is the merger point for both?
Guest: Lol. They’re not alternatives to me. I feel both of them have huge stakes they contribute to life. Without entertainment, the world will be a dry, bland space and without law, there will be chaos.
I try to infuse law minutely in my creations so people catch a hint or two on how things should play.

NNI: There's this popular trend on Twitter that celebrates Nigerian Creatives. What do you think about celebrating Creatives? Do you think Government has a role?
Guest: I totally support celebrating Creatives.  It simply motivates to do more. Everyone has a role to do. There’s a joy that comes with your works being appreciated, you just want to do more. Government and Society must contribute to this.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth? Are we making progress?
Guest: Definitely, things aren’t how and where they used to be but there’s still a lot of work to be done especially by Africa. I mean, Afrobeats has become a global phenomenon and African artistes have been on the forefront of this and this has largely contributed to the business of music and entertainment globally. Youths across different strata of life have pushed the standards higher in different ways, it can only get better from here.

NNI: How did you strike a balance between education and entertainment, bagging a First Class at the Nigerian Law School?

Guest: Simply, Time management. I set my priorities right and I knew when and what to sacrifice for the other. And for something I would love to add, I put a very unbelievable work rate into preparing for my bar exams, studied my books and I studied the system too, the psychology of the examiners, past questions…  I understood what the courses were really about beyond reading them to pass and all of that.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?
Guest: Lol. I would love to tell everyone out there to set crazy goals and smash them. There’s no limit to things we can all achieve. Sometimes, it’s not that it’s not working, the dream and work being put in might not just be big enough.

NNI: What should we expect from you in the near future?
Guest: More, More and More

Thank you very much for your time sir.

Impact is giving Hope to Someone who cannot Repay You - Oyeleye Kehinde Emmanuel

 

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest:  Oyeleye Kehinde Emmanuel hails from Ikun-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government of Ondo state. I hold a bachelor's degree in Local government and Development Studies from the Obafemi Awolowo University, and I'm presently running my masters degree program in Public Administration though working as an administrative officer at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Ondo state. I am a Global Goodwill Ambassador (GGA), Peace Ambassador for YCAPF, Child Protection Ambassador at My Body is My Body and just recently I was named a Global Youth Ambassador at TheirWorld.

 

NNI: How has the social entrepreneurship journey been for you so far?

Guest: (Smiles) Hm.. My social entrepreneurship journey has been quite tasking for me such that it has helped to develop me better. I must say that the sacrifice committed to birthing result isn't a small thing.. But many thanks to God who had afforded us Grace for the journey

 

 

 

 

NNI: What does managing an NGO entail? Are there any special skills you have to learn?

Guest: Managing an NGO is like managing a corporate business outlet which requires skilled workers but in this case, Volunteers. However, soft skills are of utmost importance... Time management skills, problem solving skills, Emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills. Let me say that in this business, Passion, commitment and resilience is what makes a successful NGO.

 

 

NNI: In pulling up innovative programmes and schemes, what is your experience?

Guest: Innovative programs are at the mercy of the Volunteers and leaders we have as a family. The creativity and innovation isn't a one man thing. We relate as a family where everyone's voice is recognized and respected. Gaining mastery of how to relate with your team will by default ease the innovative process. For me the experience has been amazing.

Read: Everything You Should Know about Female Genital Mutilation

 

NNI: What do you do at the Acalypha Initiative?

Guest: Acalypha Initiative is a non governmental organization that seeks to bring hope to children living in low income communities through our tripartite programs, ranging from Educational Sponsorship, Advocacy and Sensitization, and Charity Project.

 

NNI: What do you think about NGOs and Awards & Recognition? 

Guest: I have not been so desperate for Recognition and fame. However, what I see in this day and time is competition between and among NGOs and not collaboration. Many are so conscious of awards and Recognition such that they loose the very essence of why they started out. Many well meaning NGOs are doing well but have deviated from impact to ways of getting recognized. That is why many do not leave behind a legacy.

NNI: Can impact truly be measured? What defines impact for you at the Acalypha Initiative?

Guest: Impact can be measured depending on the parameters individuals use to measure it. For us at Acalypha Initiative, impact for us is when can minister hope to a child who can never repay us back. Our Impact isn't defined by number but by that one life who for his or her cause such project was organized.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth? Do you think we are making progress?

Guest: Global Youth development is actually progressive in this day and time with access to the internet, opportunities, training, conferences, fellowships etc.

NNI: While NGOs revolve round people, recent World Health Issues have affected NGO operations. What role do you think NGOs can play as regards Global Health Problems like the Coronavirus?

Guest: NGOs at this time should work alongside the WHO to rase awareness and focus on ways to harness the use of technology for their advantage. Possibly, NGOs can distribute sanitizers and nose masks to affected citizens. Online summits, trainings etc are needful at this time.

NNI: Managing an organisation requires funding. Do you think funding levels for NGOs have reduced? Why? 

Guest: Yes running an NGO requires funding however, if we all have to wait for funding no one would change the world. I must say that the government is not even helping in funding at all safe for embassies, banks and private firms who through pitching competitions have to select those that become beneficiaries of the grant.

One who runs an NGO must then leverage on other currencies that can create such result. For me money is one of many currencies one can use in running an NGO.. (smiles)

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: In this day and time my advice is that we all take precautions necessary with respect to the Covid 19 that has ravaged the globe. Also, individuals must be intentional about growth and self development through learning and relearning

NNI: What new heights are you scaling at the Acalypha Initiative? Any bigger plans?

Guest: There is no foundation without a plan, it's either it's realistic or not. 

We have got plans on ground before the Corona outbreak. However, we are looking at how we can leverage on this perilous time to still create change and impact the world. I must confess that we would be limited in our results if the situation stands as it is for the next couple of months. But in God we trust. All will be well. All we do isn't for fame but on an account of that we are sent by God, we are to retreat at this time to strategize and come back strong.

Thank you very much for your time sir.

   

Progress is Not Measured by Stardom - Olalekan Olatunbosun

NNI: Can we meet you? (Personal, Education, Career-wise)

GUEST: My name is Olalekan Olatunbosun Onaopemipo, fondly referred to as Catalyst. Second of 4 Children. A native of Makun, Sagamu LGA, Ogun State. Born and bred in Lagos.

I completed my Senior Secondary School in 2011/2012. Bagged a Diploma in Public and International Relations from Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2015. I'm a graduate of Guidance and Counselling in Obafemi Awolowo University. By career, I'm a Personal Development Enthusiast, Public Speaker, Digital Marketing Strategist, and Business Development Executive.

NNI: How has your Social entrepreneurship journey been so far?

GUEST:  Well, maybe I should say it is about how well not how far. However, the parameter for measuring progress is not necessarily how much we have earned or risen to stardom. I think it is how fulfilled we have felt doing what we love doing. So, permit me to say that, my social/entrepreneurship voyage has brought me a feeling of fulfillment and life to a significant extent.

But the undeniable truth is, the journey gets tougher and sweeter.

NNI: In managing multiple businesses and initiatives as a student, how do you manage your time and balance academics and extracurricular activities?

GUEST: It's not easy I must confess. Time management is a skill that requires a lot of discipline. Managing businesses, initiatives, academics, faith and relationship is strenuous but it demands a lot of commitment. Sometimes, I feel like giving up some of these things but John Mason's words, 'The best place to start is where you are'. I just feel obliged to keep doing these things basically because I found joy in doing them.

NNI:  What is your worst business experience?

GUEST: Hmm. Worst business experience. I think that was sometime in 2016. I got a contract to make over 200 souvenirs, 3 roll-ups for a Bible conference in Ijebu Ode. I was also expected to handle the media presence of the conference online. Due to my busy schedule that period, I gave the job to one Shola at Nepa Road in Abeokuta and he really messed up with those things. It cost me my credibility to the organizer of the conference.

NNI:  Last year you organized The Catalyst Conference 1.0. What inspired and birthed your passion for the conference?

GUEST: The Catalyst Conference has been my dream since 2016. I attempted organizing it in August 2016 at the open space in the palace of Alake of Egbaland in Abeokuta but all efforts proved abortive. Three years later, I was able to achieve my dream. I used the same theme I wanted to use in 2016 last year. The theme was, 'The Youths Nigeria Deserves.'

The conference was actually borne out of the passion to reach the minds of young people and transform their consciousness for positive global influence.

NNI: On Youth Development and growth in Nigeria, do you think we are making progress?

GUEST: Well, I can't say outrightly that we are making progress or not. But I think there are many risk factors exposing us to regression in youth development and growth. It is pathetic that today, the government will rather use youths for hooliganism or the entertainment industry gives us something to nurse. Efforts are rather channeled towards fighting one-sided corruption, getting foreign loans among other anti-growth policies. Little is done to improve the lives of youth. Go and check our educational system.

I can't deny some individuals and organizations are committed to youth development in Nigeria. Ogbeni Dipo, Sunny Smart of African Youths Enterprise and others are really doing their best.

 

Peer influence and Social Media are two notable factors that have a great influence on youths- positive and negative. To what extent can you measure these influences?

Guest: We need no soothsayer to tell us how much these factors have influenced us. Peer pressure is almost becoming archaic. Social media is making this go worse. Cybercrime is flaunted on social media, erotic videos and lifestyles are uncensored. The influence is massive. This has been the basis of which many youths are living their lives.

NNI: You run The Learnaholics Academy.  How do you operate? Can you tell us more about the academy?

GUEST: The Learnaholics Academy is a personal and professional development-oriented institution. The academy is established as a result of cravings to raise the bar at helping people create values that will propel their personal and professional life. The Learnaholics Academy adopts both physical and electronic classroom learning mechanism to accommodate prospective students far and near.

At The Learnaholics Academy, we believe life is a continual learning exercise. Hence, we simply believe in education and information as a crucial recipe to scale new height, personally – in chosen professions. We want to help our students build enviable professional achievement, mature personality, better relationship, happiness, success, and prosperity in their endeavors.

NNI: As an inspirational speaker and life coach, what do you think fuels societal impact?

GUEST: Let me put them in three words, 'Purpose, Information, and Conviction'.

When a man finds his purpose, he can easily influence his society because his purpose will serve two main purposes, 'For the glory of God and benefit of Man'.

Information is second. When you are not informed, you will be deformed. The right information on societal needs and how to reach them will definitely fuel social impact. Lastly, the conviction is important. It is an ardent commitment and determination to raise societal values.

NNI: As it is, you manage different things? What is the fusion point between TOON (The Olalekan Olatunbosun Network), The Learnaholics Academy, Youth Empowerment and Support Initiative and your business brands itself?

GUEST: Everything here revolves around one thing... 'Growth and Development'. TOON is dealing with individuals on life demands. TLA focuses on personal and professional growth using an academic approach. YESI is reaching out to a group of people - youths, to influence them for positive global influence. My business brands still revolve around development and growths for other businesses, individuals or corporate entities.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

GUEST: Keeping doing what you love. It doesn't have to make sense to everybody. The vision is on tours. Keep striving. You are closer to your destination than you think.

Bill Gates was Insane to Sacrifice Schooling for his Dreams - Kingsley Ndimele

NNI: Can you tell us about you?

Guest: Kingsley Ndimele is a young Nigerian. I hail from Abia State, though born and bred in the ancient city of Ibadan. I'm a graduate of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University. I'm also a writer, event planner and a business consultant.

NNI: You recently released a book, titled "Rituals". What prompted you to writing?

Guest: Yes! RITUALS is my first book. And I'm happy it's really making wave across Africa. I perceived the crave for success and a better life nowadays like never before. However, I decided to study the daily habits of highly successful people and I saw this small but profoundly striking resemblance. There are strong similarities in their daily lives. There are things they must do everyday which I  call RITUALS. Thanks to Elijah Ajibade who innocently challenged me to write a book.

NNI: Asides writing and your duties at Novel Nigeria, what else are you into?

Guest: I'm a member of an NGO known as Impact Africa Foundation founded by Taiwo Oyedele (Tax Partner, PwC). We travel yearly to selected secondary schools across Africa to support education and give scholarships to indigent students.

I'm also the President of Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economics Students, OAU. Lastly, I'm a member of several committees across Nigeria .

NNI: What is Novel Nigeria about?

Guest: NOVEL Nigeria is a subsidiary of NOVEL 1095 BIZFIELD (a registered business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria). NOVEL Nigeria is an organized, purpose-driven conglomerate. NOVEL Nigeria is a fast growing international brand. At NOVEL Nigeria, our commercial service system is all encompassing and characterized by highly efficient concepts. NOVEL Nigeria is an expert in diversity, coupled with a committed pursuit of excellence which makes us who we are. For now, we do everything that has to do with events. We hope to expand our commercial horizon very soon.

NNI: What prompted the establishment of Novel Nigeria?

Guest: I started NOVEL Nigeria in my second year in the university. I felt a need to build an institution and brand that will outlive me. Impacting and building lives across borders means a lot to me. It's all I'm committed to do till death takes me away. The generation of Dangote, Otedola and Alakija is gradually exiting the entrepreneurial planet. Who will replace them? These are the drives that triggered me to start NOVEL Nigeria. By God's grace in less than two years, NOVEL Nigeria became a registered company with the Federal Government of Nigeria. Today, we worth over #2million. We've reached over 20 countries so far. We are making progress. We just started.

Read: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole

NNI: You said that you owe your success to your mother. How is this? Do you have other mentors and role models?

Kingsley Ndimele: My mother was less than 30 years when I lost my father. Since my age 4, she's been there for us. She never remarried, though she had the opportunity. Through thick and thin. Catering for 3 kids is not easy coupled with the battles she faced from my paternal side. She struggled to give us the best. That's why it's very difficult to believe that I have no father.  Even some with both parents alive cannot stand us in anything. We went to the best schools. Before Dad's demise,  she was just a school cert. holder with no O'level results. Today,  she's an NCE holder and a graduate of University of Ibadan. As a widow,  she did this alongside catering for our education. She's full of optimism. She's been a teacher all her life. She's won several life battles. She's hardworking and very prayerful. She'll never force you out of your will.  No matter what you do today, she believes you can do better. I have other role models, but my mum na my biggest motivation.

NELOC: How have you managed all of these activities at Novel Nigeria with your studentship?

Kingsley Ndimele: Hmnn. At a point in his life, every man will decide what he actually wants for his life. I think I've gotten to that point. Bill Gates and Zuckerberg were insane and passionate enough to sacrifice schooling for the sake of their dreams. I'm not gonna drop out. But I'm gonna make the required sacrifice to become a champion. Being in school is a priority, but I don't hesitate to make sacrifices when necessary. Some of my classmates and lecturers know this.

NELOC: Do you intend to work in your field of study upon graduation?

Kingsley Ndimele: If the opportunity comes. Why not? However, I'm a very restless person. I'm not used to sitting down doing one thing in a particular place for a long time.

NELOC: By our background information, you're interested in politics. What's your political stand at the moment, especially for the 2019 elections?

Kingsley Ndimele: 2019 just like several election is not going to be any different. The ancestral politicians are coming back in a recycled personality. The young ones are only social media noisemakers. Imagine 72 presidential aspirants. Two old politicians and seventy young aspirants. If not for personal greed, what stops this seventy from merging to one. So it will be two old politicians versus one young candidate. As far as I'm concerned, Nigeria is going to move round the circle again for another four years.

NELOC: By current trends, is rulership for the youths in 2019, a workable project?

Guest: In 2019, rulership for the youth is not feasible at all. This generation of youth seems to be worse than our ancestral politicians. Some of the aspirants are more clueless and empty. They lack facts and figures. They are zealous without knowledge. I've always said, Not Too Young To Rule is not for mediocres.

NELOC: You also organised the first online business summit for Africa- the YES festival. What's the story behind it?

Kingsley Ndimele: One of our mission at NOVEL Nigeria is to build aspiring entrepreneurs and brand owners. We had to make use of what we had. Initially, it was a biweekly online interactive session on whatsapp. Before we moved it to a bigger platform. Luckily, it was the first in Africa.

NELOC: Tell us about your personal life and relationship

Kingsley Ndimele: I'm a very daring person and very playful. In fact, when you see me play, you'll doubt if I ever work and when you see me work, you'll doubt if I ever play.

Relationship...hmnn it's not time for public display. I'm still working towards it. By God's grace, I hope to get married by 2022.

NELOC: What do you think are your achievements so far?

Kingsley Ndimele: I've only achieved one-tenth of my dreams. NOVEL Nigeria, YES!  Festival and RITUALS are my testimonies. The lives I've affected positively are my greatest achievements.

NELOC: How have you dealt with challenges overtime for your company?

Kingsley Ndimele: As an entrepreneur, you have to get use to challenges. In difficult times, i'm often calm. Business growth takes time that's why I don't rush the process. I think through rather than worrying. I discuss with like minded people also.

NELOC: How have you managed Novel Nigeria and your other activities?

Kingsley Ndimele: I'm a very crazy person - Very strict with time. I give my attention to things that matters alone to my direction. Every other thing is considered a distraction.

NNI : What do you think about Nigerian Startups and funding?

Guest: Funding for start-ups in Nigeria has been an issue for a long time. However, I believe money is not the capital you need to fund a business, ideas are the greatest funds. You need ideas to fund your business and you need discipline to keep it flowing.

NELOC: What do you, personally, spend most of your time on?

Kingsley Ndimele: I spend most of my time reading and attending to various needs of people.

NELOC: 2019 is right before you. What are your hopes for the new year?

Kingsley Ndimele: It's going to be a busier year. I'll be going more into photography and Graphics design. I also hope to learn an international language. In all it's going to be a great year. I hope to write more, be more focused and serve more.

NELOC: What advice do you give to individuals who have a passion for entrepreneurship as yours but lack the ideas and ways to go about it?

Kingsley Ndimele: Be definite for what you want for your life and pursue it with insane passion and resilience. The sky will be their starting point.

NNI: Thank you for having us.

Family Plays a Huge Role in Language Appreciation - Olagunju Modupe

Olagunju Modupe believes that our Local language generally brings about cultural identity. As Founder of Yoruba Learning Initiative, Asalewa, the future of indigenous African language is safe. In this interview she tells us more about the need to promote indigenous languages.

 

 

 

NNI: Can we meet you? (Personal, Education, Career wise and everything else you want us to know)
Guest: My name is Olagunju Modupe, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University. I am an entrepreneur and a teacher.

NNI: What prompted you to teaching Yoruba language in your unique style?
Guest: My love for the language prompted me.

NNI: To you, what is the relevance of local language in communication and how can we leverage it for growth?
Guest: Our Local language generally brings about cultural identity. As long as you can identify yourself, language barrier is broken. That way, it will be easy to communicate without hindrances.
Also, we can leverage it for growth by promoting it in ways that will be beneficial to the owners of the language in the long run.

NNI: How did you come about Asalewa? How did it begin?
Guest: My dad's name is Awelewa. He noticed my passion for the language so he adviced me to provide  solutions to interested people who want to learn. That way, I can earn. Awe is mainly used for an handsome male child and to think  of it, Culture is beautiful! That's how I found the name Asalewa.
 

NNI: How receptive are students to the Language? Especially for first timers?
Guest: So far, the Yorubas in diaspora that I teach are excited to learn their mother language. The joy is in them to learn and understand.

NNI: In what ways do you think government and learning institutions are doing enough to promote cultural heritage?
Guest: The Government is not helping. In all settings, they prefer to speak  foreign languages even to their people.
Some learning institutions are enforcing it, especially at the Primary and Secondary level. In the curriculum of many schools, it is compulsory for students to learn a language but many still prefer to take courses in French than Yoruba.


NNI: Teaching the Yoruba language is not very recognised in our society. What ways do you suggest to improve the appreciation of Yoruba language?

Guest: Speaking the language. It all starts from the family. Families makes a society. So if a family doesn't feel their mother language is too local to speak to their children, then there will surely be an improvement. Family Plays a huge role in Language Appreciation.

NNI: By what you do, what defines social impact for you?
Guest: With Asalewa, I have impacted lives, I have made people see their language as a necessity and I have changed few people's orientation about Yorùbá language.

NNI: As a Yoruba Distant Learning Initiative, do you still intend to spread across other languages?

Guest: The Asalewa logo says it all. The design depicts Africa and our aim to teach all African languages. We have only started with Yoruba Language.

NNI: How do you run your classes at Asalewa.
Guest: Our classes run in sessions. There is a curriculum based on the student's level of knowledge about the Language. However, our basic goal is to meet individual needs as much as possible so that the class is not redundant for our students and to afford great fun while addressing their level of proficiency.

 

Read: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole

NNI: How do you think Language and Arts affects Global Youth Development and growth?
Guest: Cultural Art works, Shows, Exhibitions and Music in circulation is one good way through which Language is Language and Arts affects Global Youth Development and growth.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?
Guest: Be smart. You only have a second to give an impression; get skilled and be informed.

NNI: What new heights do you hope to scale in the near future?
Guest: I hope to achieve more career wise

NNI: Thank you very much for your time.
Guest: You're welcome. Thanks for the opportunity.

I have Learnt from Every Challenge - Abayomi Adeola Della

Abayomi Adeola Della is a certified product manager, life coach and entrepreneur. She is also the founder of Taion Academy, a tuition free school in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. In this exclusive interview with our team at NELOC News, Della shares her story with us.

 

Can we meet you?

Guest: I'm Abayomi Adeola Tolulope. I'm a law graduate, blogger, entrepreneur, teens coach and humanitarian.

NNI: Could you tell us more about your brand, My Fine Wears?
Della: My Fine Wears isa brand that stands for a fashion store that is concerned about how people (with no age or sex limit) look in all affordability.

 

NNI: How challenging is running a business amongst other things?

Guest: Well, very challenging. But because, I've learned from every challenge, it makes the journey more interesting and helps my focus.

NNI: What motivation drives your businesses
Guest: I tell people that the big picture I have for my business, keeps me going. That's my driving force. Until I get there, there's no giving up.

 

NNI: Do you intend to practice Law or go the business way?
Guest: Both. I'm going both ways powerfully. They both cannot be a waste for my future. Law is my passion and it has every alignment with my purpose and so is Entrepreneurship.

 

NNI: A lot on your hands there, and still a student? How do you manage all of these?
Della: I just plan my time deliberately and I discipline myself to follow it squarely.

 

Read: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole

NNI: What's your view on advertising?
Guest: Advertising plays a vital role in promoting a business and could be cheap or expensive too. Either ways, calculated risks should be taken. Its worth it if its going to promote the business.

Read: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole

NNI: What do you think is the future of the fashion industry in Nigeria? Plus what sustainable advice do you have for studentpreneurs, fashion entrepreneurs and business men/women?
Guest: The future of the Fashion industry in Nigeria is comprehensively a growing one. Everyday, things come and on in vogue and I think in the future, we should be able to boast of international set up brands even from Nigeria.

My advice to fashion entrepreneurs is to be innovative and creative with it because whatever stands them out, can never be taken from them. I advice every other student entrepreneur like me to trust the process. It might not be so easy or smooth but focusing on tomorrow makes the journey smoother.

NNI: What do you for see in the future for My Fine Wears?

Della: A whole lot that words cannot describe yet. Basically, we want to satisfy every need in fashion in our best way. My Fine Wears is becoming more than a brand.

NNI: Thank you for having us.
Guest: Oh. The pleasure is mine.😊

We Are Only Familiar with What We Know' - Yemisi Ajeojo

Yemisi, 23, is passionate about community development, business growth and guiding young people to recognize and maximize the resources within and around them for growth, impact and fulfillment. Join Opeyemi Tifase on this interview with Yemisi, telling how Social Media is the new CV.

NNI: Can we meet You?

Guest: My name is Yemisi Ajeojo,  author of “Social Media is your new CV” a book where I shared how I have  gotten amazing opportunities from social media and how anyone can position themselves online for amazing opportunities. From what to share, how to connect with the right people to how to use Linkedin, the book covers it all. I am also the co-founder of Triift Africa, a social enterprise that provides easier access to low interest loans, business support and advisory. 

In addition, I am the co-founder of Cirkle Labs a digital social enterprise Leveraging on community and collaboration to influence education, enterprise and employment at the grass root level with digital tools. I have worked in private and public sectors in both Nigeria and the UK in roles that cut across innovation, community development, project management, economic development, governance, strategic leadership and business development. At the heart of it, I am  passionate about making social impact- influencing people and systems, community development, business growth and ecosystems.

 

NNI: Kindly tell us about your book, ''Social Media is Your New CV''

Guest: I will always remember moving back to Nigeria in 2017 filled with a lot of uncertainties because almost everyone that heard that I was coming back had made sure to remind me of the unemployment statistics in Nigeria.

So, imagine my surprise when I got over 5 job offers in less than 2 weeks from people that I had met on social media. In addition to job offers, I have gone on to receive an invitation to speak at Tedx, speak at other amazing events and even sponsorship for some of the community projects  I have done from people I only met on social media. I wrote this book to share what I did right with other young people.

Majority of young people are on social media, and these platforms provide access to a  lot of opportunities and that is why I wrote this book.

Yemisi Ajeojo

I shared not just my story, but the story of other amazing people I know who have gotten job opportunities and even scholarships just by connecting with the right people  the right way and sharing the right content online. In my book, I have shared how anyone  can achieve this too.

From how to set up a profile that stands out, to how to network correctly on social media and even how to use and get results from LinkedIn.

NNI: How can you leverage on opportunities that digital media provides?

Guest: When you continue to develop skills, and acquire knowledge that adds value to the community, as well as clearly communicate this value on digital platforms and intentionally engage with the right people you will find it really easy to leverage on opportunities that digital media provides. 

NNI: What views do you hold as regards social media strategy?

Guest: A social media strategy whether as one created for an individual or business goes a long way to create an intentionality with being online and having a voice.

Read: OAU Final Year Student sentenced to Jail for Cybercrime

NNI: It is really strange how the older generation believe social media cannot earn one a living. What are your comments about this?

Guest: I don’t think it is strange, to a large extent we are only familiar with what we know. The job market is changing, 10 years ago or even 5 years ago a lot of the jobs that exist now with digital tools did not exist then. So, imagine growing up thinking that the only key jobs that provide financial security is to be a doctor, accountant, engineer or lawyer. But now you have a daughter or son who just sits all day with a laptop and earns money by working for  companies in countries  he/she has never been to. I can only imagine how hard it is to come to terms with.

NNI: What was your first experience as a TEDx Speaker?

Guest: I had the opportunity to speak at the first Tedx that took place in Bowen University in 2018. There are different ways to be a Tedx speaker, but the first thing is to have a message you want to share and be sure that you can share it as articulately as possible within a short period of time, maximum 12 minutes. This is very easy to achieve with practice. You can put yourself forward to speak at a Tedx event or just make sure that everyone around you knows the things you are passionate about and you would like to share this knowledge at Tedx event. That way, people are able to recommend you for opportunities when they arise.

NNI: What would you say is the biggest lesson failure ever taught you?

Guest: Failure has taught me to never define myself by a happening at one point of my life. That it didn’t go well today doesn’t mean I do not have a life to leave tomorrow.

NNI: What motivates you?

Guest: I am really result driven and passionate about making social impact. 

The poverty rate in Nigeria is very alarming . Each time I watch the news, it is like a big weight has been put on my shoulders  and I am staring at a ticking time bomb that will affect me and generations to come if I do not put my own effort towards addressing it. 

Thank you very much for the audience. Your story is quite inspiring.