The Nation Newspaper

Category: Interview

  • ‘We need the best brain in our education sector’

    Alhaji Tajudeen Ibrahim, an expert in Civil Engineering and Construction Management was into Construction business for many years before he became the CEO FUNTAJ International School in Asokoro, Abuja.
    In this interview with Omolara Akintoye, he speaks about the role of education to national development and good education.

     

    Your educational background?

    I went to Omolewa Nursery and Primary School in Ibadan. After all the sojourn of my father politically where he was grounded to zero during the Operation Wet e, in those days, it was big trouble to get out of the village and come to Ibadan.

    Later I went to Children Home School and spent a short period there before going to Ibadan Grammar School. I also attended Adeola Odutola College in Ijebu-Ode.  I didn’t complete my Higher School
    Certificate (HSC) before I proceeded to America where I obtained my first and second Degree, first in Civil Engineering in Washington University, second in Construction Management before I came back to Nigeria.

     

    Your growing up

    I was born in 1960 and my parents are still very much alive. I’m a lucky one and they reside in Ibadan. I’ve gone through the thick and thin to get to get to the position I am today. I was not born with silver spoon because my parents, particularly my father was just coming out of civil service as a forest guard in our hometown, Ikire in Osun State.

    So I did not see any qualification of silver spoon in that for the fact that as a civil servant, he only relied on his salary, and struggles to make ends meet but as he was growing old, his life was getting better and I woke up and grew with his rise in achieving success.

    I got quite a lot of inspirations from my father.  He was a very hardworking man who never gives up on anything and his watchword is work hard and you will make it.  Just believe in yourself whatever you want to undertake, so I will say I really learned a lot from that.
    His own wish is that everybody, both biological and non-biological children must get the best of education and equal opportunity for everyone despite the polygamy setting.

    What was the first business you ventured into?

    I worked with my father in his construction company.   As a Civil Engineer, I had to help him shape up his company.  I had to inject some new ideas into the company which was quite challenging, but later we started getting contracts, we constructed political parties’ offices in Ondo and Oyo states.

    Eventually we got a very big contract to build one of the three primary secretariats under ACON Nigeria Limited, in Abuja.  He was the Managing Director of the company then and I was the Contract Director.

    Why did you venture into education?

    When I came back from America, I said I needed to get some qualitative experience so I worked with Strabag Construction in 1984/85 and I was transferred to Abuja. That was when I solicited contracts for my father’s company and since the jobs were many, I needed to pull out and resign from the company after taking a lot of contracts from the Federal Capital and Ogbomosho/Ikirun road aside other small contracts.

    After that I decided to be on my own because polygamy in the long run I would be looked at as if I
    was the one sitting on the chair of my father’s wealth so I had a discussion with my father and I registered my own company UJAT Nigeria Limited in 1986 which is my first name Taju spelt from the back.

    Then FUNTAJ came out of inspiration from my sojourn in the construction industry where I now know that there are challenges doing government contracts.  If you have pride, you might not be able to survive in the sense that bureaucracy is not something I would say I enjoyed even working with my
    father.

    I have passion to make sure children are getting the best out of their lives so education came to my mind. Fortunately for me, I have a wife I could put on line to run the school because I am an engineer, but I have passion for education and luckily for me she shared the passion with me.

    So we formed the school FUN stands for her name Funke and TAJ for Tajudeen; FUNTAJ International School which is 22 year old.

     

    What were the initial challenges you faced establishing the school?

    It wasn’t challenging because it was when the government had lost it at the trial period of government where the private schools were not doing well and we had a lot of elites all over Abuja yearning for qualitative school.
    So we came embraced properly and it was a very interesting story.  We started with 10 classrooms in Asokoro, we had a focus, vision and of course it’s the darling school in Abuja.

    What gives FUNTAJ School an edge among its contemporaries?

    Our belief is to make sure that whatever talent you have, we help you bring it out and develop it.  Not only about education, our orientation is to give the child total package in terms of moral confidence to stand on his or her own.  Our alumni base is very outstanding and I’m really proud of what they have done
    over the 22 years.

    In terms of teaching personnel, how do you ensure that your teachers are not among those that consider teaching as the last option which is the general practice today?

    We are noted for standard because when you get a qualitative teacher, you get a qualitative student. We don’t compromise on the standard we have set and that has really spoken for us till today.

    We ensure total quality in whatever teacher we employ and they also go through rigorous process before
    being employed and we train and retrain them.

    Talking about examination malpractice, private schools have been labeled as major culprits.  What is your response on this?

    I have a very high integrity on that particular subject.  I hear some schools do it, but it never existed to the best of my knowledge and it will never happen here. We’ve seen cases where parents would come but we tell them this is our own discipline here, if you cannot abide by it then you are free to go elsewhere. Maybe that has tagged us a pompous school but we are not moved. My pride is that the school has never produced any failure in whatever examination we partake in.

    What is your advice to the government on how to attract best brains to teaching profession?

    It’s a long journey but we need to first of all go back to the rudiments and fundamentals. We have to go

    back to the basis. We have gone off the track, educational wise and social development wise.  Corruption has grabbed the whole system and so on. The attention to what a teacher is supposed to
    give is already challenged and it starts from the government, politicians are self-centered and are not interested in any progress.

    Their manifesto is a bunch of lies.  If you want to grow a nation, you start from the education path.  It’s unfortunate that 90 percent of all our good quality professionals are outside because that’s where they can get job security and maintain all the challenges of life, because life is short and you have
    to make hay while the sun shines.

    The brain drain can be addressed if we go back to re-chart our course, give the correct infrastructure and  give the correct template for people to develop on.

  • ‘How my crashed marriage re-awakened me’

    Top Socialite cum businesswoman Olubukola Ashaolu-Shopeju re-located abroad some years ago, but she did not go off the social radar despite a marriage collapse which she said was strenuous considering the fact that “my husband and I had built a strong business which was huge.”

    After a brief stint at Chevron, she moved to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).  Bukky Ashaolu as she is popularly known went full scale into business. A Geoscientist, Bukky Ashaolu’s extensive investment covers solid minerals and non solid minerals and she boasts of extensive links in Nigeria and abroad.

    In this interview with Paul Ukpabio, the top socialite shares with us memories of her early years, how she copes with life as a single lady years after collapse of her marriage and how she has remained un-stoppable. We asked if she will re-marry. She gave a ready answer.

     

    What would you say motivated you to travel abroad?

    Essentially to search for the proverbial greener pasture, acquiring more knowledge, skills and improving myself in all areas of life. To learn more about modern and advanced technology of the western world, how it has enhanced and still enhancing their development, how it can be infused and used as a model or reference for planning, designing and impacting on our foundational and primary stage of development in Nigeria.

    As a child was education mandatory for you?

    Yes, my mother was a nurse but she ended up as a Company Secretary and later a business woman. My father was career and service man with two Masters Degrees in his twenties. Hence, evidently, education is prioritized by my parents in early years and my formative years were monitored, guided and greatly influenced by them.

    Tell us about your education at an early age?.

    l started my elementary education in Franciscan Nursery and Primary School, Ilesa (white Irish Catholic Mission School ) Oyo state then now Osun state. Then I moved after to the nursery, GTTC Demonstration School, Cappa, Ilesa, Oyo state. My Secondary School years were in Methodist High School, llesa and High School in Wesley College, Elekuro, Ibadan, in the present Oyo state. My tertiary education was at Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti. Ekiti State. (OSUA then, now Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti) where l studied Geology and Applied Geophysics. I Graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree and a Post Graduate Diploma at Debis Computer Institute, Ikeja. Lagos, now Debis University.

    Tell us about your extracurricular activities and notable achievement in your early days?

    I participated actively in athletics and interschool sport competitions, literary and debate society and interschool quiz competition, Badmington and hockey games too. So also, in my primary school days, I won many beauty pageants and several fashion contests.

    In my university days l was involved in students’ campus politics where l was the Vice President of my department in my final year. I was the Vice President of Osun State Students Association, OSUA Chapter. I was also the Vice President of Rotaract Club and an Elder Stateswoman for many years. Was also a Treasurer for Ijesa Student Union within the same year.

    My final year in the university was a very busy one coupled with my ambition and striving to pass in flying colours.

    Tell us about your growing up years?

    I was born into a staunch and devoted Christian family, with very strict and disciplinarian parents. I and my siblings’ daily life were well monitored and very orderly like a page of a book. An everyday routine rarely deflected unless another very important event cropped up. The daily routine included waking up to early in the morning, Songs of Praise and Prayers, then to school, getting involved in all school activities. Driven home in the afternoon after school, having a short siesta, home lessons, followed by private/ personal study and reading. After these, Church activities:  Bible study, Choir practice, Church Services like cleaning etc. Then followed by attending mentoring groups: Girls Guild, Girls Brigade, Young AYF and participating in interchurch quiz and Bible competition. Momentary adventure into Brownies and Girls Scout at a period. These are the standard routine in my home for many years

    What are your views about religion and how did your early years influenced you?

    Though l was born into a Christian home but my parents and even my generations in the past were liberal about religion. Hence a lot of trusted friendship ensued that lived actively to the present generation. And we in the 2nd generation are still bonded and benefitting from the bond till date. Hence, l am very liberal with religion. My family had many Muslims as family friends, very respected and appreciated for many years.  Also some very close Muslim family friends with whom we exchange visits at festive periods of both religion. And both families sew all clothes for each family at their festive occasions which we all worn. Be it Xmas, Easter, Eid Fitri, Eid Kabir and Eid Maulud.

    I have very close friends, loved ones and extended families that are Muslims. And l see no difference. We relate and bonded in love.

    How did you develop interest in business? Or was it in the family line?

    My mum was a businesswoman with many wholesale stores and warehouses. I used to  work at my mother’s stores at different locations on weekends and on holidays supporting the General Manager and Location Managers in managing, stocktaking , auditing and balancing of weekly sales, inbound and outbound accounts i.e. general inventories and placing new orders and planned deliveries, from 11yrs. My mum being a wholesaler and distributor of varieties of drinks, beverages, confectionaries, snacks etc. International distilleries and cement factories like International Breweries Plc, Omi Asoro, Ilesa , Standard Beweries Plc, Ibadan , Guinness Plc, Cocacola Plc, Pepsi Cola Plc, Lever Brothers Plc, Nestle Plc, Elephant Cement Plc, Ewekoro, etc.

    l basically helped at our different stores on holidays or took up employment with renown Multinational Companies if we ( l and siblings) were not travelling in my late secondary school and varsity days. These early experiences and tutoring built up my interest in business.

    How did you get into real trading and real business at an early age?

    Wow! Interesting (smiles) l followed my mum, taking notes at business meetings. By the age of 13yrs, l did represent my mum at meetings with or without the GM. And by then, l was tasked with the responsibility of taking daily proceeds to the bank on holidays. I was actively involved in negotiating our business interest with the Bank Manager and others. One day, l was invited and convinced by this young man, a staff of the bank, in person of Mr Olugbenga Ogunmolawa (now a staff of the World Bank). While attending to me with stores daily proceeds deposit. He mentioned that he knew l have personal deposit of great amount in the bank lying fallow, yielding minute interest. Why didn’t l invest the money in stocks and bonds cum other investments for quick turnaround and huge interest? That kick-started my sojourn into avid stock buyer and investment, monitoring stock fluctuation, investment and managing my money. From there l started multitasking and became a serial entrepreneur buying some of my mum’s goods and products plus other products with my money on my own. Reselling, retailing and making my own personal sales at my mother’s stores, in my secondary school days and after, dealing in Drinks, Households items, Confectionaries, Gas cookers, Gas cylinders, Toys etc. So l had my foray into business and management at my early and formative years. Moreover, my interest in business reflected in my ability and performance in my WASC result whereby l had the overall best result and highest top score in Commerce for leaving cert. exam (WAEC) in my secondary school. These experiences carved me into who l am today.

    Any other significant people in your life that influenced your business acumen and who you turned out to be?

    My biological direct father was a disciplinarian, very strict but loving and very caring. A very brilliant, real career man and successful service man with two Masters Degrees at his 20s, considered a great feat at his time. He was a warm and affable person within his socialite circle. And my two non biological fathers, mentors and guardians.

    My blood related dad and 1st uncle, my mum’s elder brother that adopted me since younger age as his only surviving daughter: Late Naval Capt. (Chief) Francis Adegbotolu of Oceansteamship Ltd, Lagos and my 2nd dad Dr Lawrence Omole JP. of Lawrence Omole and Sons Ltd. Ilesa. They are all highly successful global businessmen of high integrity, honour, respect , accolade and reputation in their chosen fields. These had impacted greatly on my future path , my believe in hard work, being resilient, never giving up until result and success or finish line and my general principle about life and career.

    In what ways did those early years impacted on the person that you are today?

    As l have said earlier, being lucky to have been born into a strict, disciplined Christian home helped in my formative years. It helped me to be focused because l was always busy, with no chance of going astray and made usual teenage mistake prone to younger ones and bend under peers pressure. Nor getting involved in the ills of the society or despicable acts that can easily distract, derail and corrupt hence, taking me from my ordained path. I was blessed with very dedicated parents, biological and non biological parents with integrity, honour and verifiable successful achievers with great track record as a result of great hard work. They were men of impeccable character, credence and principle. They had set the pace and yardstick for me to prove my worth, prepared me for the future ahead, to improve, be better and successful. And to prove myself in my work, let my credentials, potentials and quality reflect in whatever l do. Build trust, integrity and earn respect, more valuable. A golden name is worth more than the opulence and wealth amassed in the world to me. I appreciate people evaluating, embracing and accepting me based on my contribution and credentials as a measure of value and performance. Not for where l came from or any ties.

    Who will you say determined your eventual future path and career?

    My parents had wished that l became a medical doctor but l am never convinced nor see myself as one. I am conscious that l am an outdoor person, loves mother earth, nature and geography. These prompted me to research further until l discovered Geology, Geophysics and Petroleum Engineering. Discussing my career with Mr. S. S Makinde, the Managing Director, International Breweries Ltd as a vacation jobber, a temporary Secretary supporting the Company Secretary was an eye opener and enlightening on choice of career that I wanted though he wished l followed in his steps. But l discovered my potentials while searching for courses in the university listings towards my chosen path. I have preference for Geology or Geophysics otherwise Petroleum Engineering then I discovered universities that offered both as single course i.e. Geology and Applied Geophysics. Elated, here l am, the rest is history.

    You are a Geoscientist, tell us, what does that means?

    Yes, l am. A geoscientist is a geologist or a geophysicist or combine as both. A very broad and technical discipline which combines a variety of roles which involves technical, biological, chemical, physical and other science factors leading to evolution and formation of earth’s system, its components, structures and other terrestrial factors that shape them ( whether solid, liquid and gas state). A Geoscientist involves in the search and study of natural resources like solid minerals and non solid minerals like metals and non- metallic e.g. Gold, Silver, Lead, Tin, Aluminum, Limestone, Asbestos, Talc etc. Mining and Quarrying, Exploration for crude oil, natural gas for other refined petroleum components and products such as petrol, kerosene, diesel; industrial or commercial gas supply and home or cooking gas; Groundwater and its management; Energy : Renewable or Solar and other forms, used for lighting and alternative power generation/ supply; Agricultural development related. In a simple term, Geoscientists are explorers, research a lot to discover solutions to many earth challenges, problems and human needs with natural resources available that God and mother earth blessed us with. Find solution to society’s most challenging problems and natural disasters like earthquake etc, development of technical improvement to combat such disasters. Explore natural resources to generate new derivatives, funds and means of boosting economy.

    How have you applied your learning?

    Starting with my mandatory youth service programme, (NYSC) in Chevron. I crossed over to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to finish for employment. I eventually relocated abroad in the quest for further opportunities and career development. I had held many senior administrative and management positions abroad both in financial services, logistics services that l curiously ventured into as new fields to sharpen skills and gather more knowledge and experience. Also, I was at the top management executive position in Geosciences sector and energy. I was director, consultant and entrepreneur in Mining and Exploration, Renewable Energy, Petroleum exploration and Agricultural development. In my path, l have garnered so much support network, many colleagues, active partners, investors and allies in these fields.

    How has been a Geoscientist reflected and applicable in your career?

    I am on the board of Executive Management of Bukabella Global Services Ltd as The CEO. I am an international consultant, project manager and entrepreneur. I am also a stakeholder in mining development in Nigeria, participating and contributing in Nigeria Mining Week and a National Executive Council member of Women in Mining in Nigeria and others. I am deeply interested in supporting the Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals: quarrying, mining sector and extractive industry in general, to further develop from its foundational, fundamental and primary stage with my contribution, knowledge, expertise, practices acquired abroad and technical knowhow if given such opportunity to be of service (with other specialists like myself. Success is evident).

    I am working with and liaising with agencies in the mining sector in order to get involved. Mining sector is a massive economic revenue generating unit abroad. Why not in Nigeria? If l can impact abroad, l should successfully be creative and be impactful in my beloved country. We are advancing gradually with the roadmap concluded and plans in the offing to review guiding laws, regulations, protocols, bureaucracy and others in order to attract global interest and avid investors.

    What could identify as major problems or challenges confronting the Mining Sector in Nigeria?

    The mining sector remains largely unregulated, despite the large deposit of minerals, the government has not been able to  plan, design  and monitor effective interventions that would have taken Nigeria into the league of nations benefitting from the God given gift to the people. The irony is that the Government does not benefit from royalties and Taxes and the people are left with damaged environment, contaminated water, untreated effluence and  the attendant dangers to the health of the people. Evident in the earth tremors experienced in Abuja locality lately.

    Other  issues include, but it is not limited to illegal miners, now decorated with the name ‘artisanal miners’, these set of miners often go into sites under license to others and ravage the conceded sites. They are often run by a syndicate of heavily armed men who often threaten the real site owners and danger to lives.

    There is also the issue of insecurity. Most of the mining sites are often in far flung places far from inhabited villages, and towns. Miners then find themselves being targeted by miscreants, who threaten, kidnap, maim and sometimes kill staff, carrying out their legitimate business.

    The original owners are often antagonistic towards license owners, and they therefore make unrealistic demands even before the first excavation.

    Other issues that require quick intervention to harness the great potentials of Mining in Nigeria include:

    The major issue is finance, as most banks still do not have a mining desk and funding plan to help miners’ access funds at good rates

    The unregulated nature of the industry is scary to mining investors

    Artisanal miners are often on the move and have no roots and little to show for all their hard work

    Cost of buying specialized equipment for commercial or large scale operations proves impossible. Which means license holders who wish to perform at the highest level operation resolve to use local artisan and are often relegated to artisanal miner organizers and often bury their dreams.

    Without express support from the government to help miners in large numbers through support, affordable provision of equipment and assist with working capital. There must be investments in mining infrastructure too.

    Interventions to minimize environmental issues and also to train the artisanal miners, in best practices so that they can avoid dangers associated with mining

    What then do you consider as solutions to these challenges?

    Funding from Government, local and international investors will assist in boosting productivity in the sector.

    Establishing technical and training schools will eventually provide the required technical manpower and basic knowledge needed, which will assist in growing the mining industry.

    Government should intervene decisively in ongoing taxation dispute between local and state governments who frustrate the license holders.

    Supporting government measures that can be introduced, alleviate, attracting mining sector investors local and global growth.

    To develop initiative and policies that will enrich and grow mining sectors. Review of present regulatory laws and policies.

    How do you think this sector can be funded?

    The Nigerian government is a major player and decision maker in the running of the nation’s economy. Therefore, it is in the best position to guarantee adequate funding in the sector across the value chain. The government can also create the enabling environment for local and foreign investors to participate in the process of reviving mining sector in Nigeria. The current road map for mining in Nigeria should be implemented completely to give opportunities to all across the value chain. Process of doing business in Nigeria must be enhanced so as to encourage investors to come and invest in Nigeria.

    Did you work in Nigeria before relocating abroad?

    Yes, l will only streamline to the multinational and global companies that l work with leaving numerous local ones before my sojourn abroad. They are International Breweries Ltd, Chevron Plc and SPDC (Shell).

    Could you tell us the path that led you into being a Logistics Manager and Financial Analyst?

    Relocating abroad, looking to get a swift employment in Geoscience sector proved tough because Ireland is not an oil producing country. Most Oil companies have only administrative offices for sales and servicing companies. The mining sector as at 20yrs ago was not as developed and expansive as it is now. So rather than getting frustrated, l decided to explore new areas, getting in-depth knowledge about important sections that will hold and fit into my forecasted and projected vision of the company in the future. Moreover it was the logistics and IT boom period. This attracted me into Logistics first where l worked from junior level to senior level as Administrator and management level as Buyer and Demand Planner of European Headquarter of a global multinational company called TechGroup now West Pharmaceutical with Global Headquarters in the US. I also worked with notable IT giants like IBM, XILINX, 3COM, etc.  At management level in Logistics, l believe I had gained enough expertise and experience to forge ahead. Hence I decided to explore Financial Services next ,gaining employment, working from junior level again to Senior Administrative position, Technical Administrator and Consultant. I believe that at this point, l am seasoned and knowledgeable enough to put all experience to impact positively in my future engagements. I decided to find my path back to my passion: Geoscience sector and use knowledge acquired in both different fields to build future prospects. And l launched with employment in senior management and eventual executive role as a Director of an energy company i.e, Sandyford Continental Energy Ireland. The decision to start my own business emerged thereafter. I went for ‘start your own business course’, ‘auditing and account balancing’, ‘taxation’, digital marketing etc, and many other courses to prepare me and enhance smooth transition. BUKABELLA was born as a result of dedication, self inspiration, self motivation, self determination and hard work.

    What did you consider as the turning point in your life?

    The turning point in my life was the crash of my marriage which l never anticipated nor was part of my plan. It was a weakening period. I was completely lost and lonely. Derailed but on getting to the rock bottom, it was re-awakening. I rediscovered myself and capability hence fought my way out of the void and sinking hole that was consuming me. Found my inner strength and ability to forge ahead with life. Believing that with hard work, perseverance and resilience that l can still find my path back again and become what l set out to become previously before the challenges. I regained, built my strength, counted my losses and came out successful despite all the crisis and limitations.

    Big thanks to my friends, loved ones and family members, like Ozolua Giwa-Amu, Barrister Bamidele Ibironke, Lewis Agboola Ayeni, Babatope Adebayo, Oluwole Ashaolu, Vincent Adedotun Adegbotolu and others that l am unable to mention, that stood by me during the trying period, encouraged and believed in me, supporting my ambition.

    What influence did your sojourning abroad have on you?

    It has greatly enhanced and advanced my career, enhanced and improved my knowledge and technical knowhow in western world with value added courses, developed technology, experience and mastery. It has given me an exposure to modern approach, technicalities, improved services and relations. I am better in developing several possible ways and art of problem solving, keen eye, deep thinking and crucial creativity. It has also provided me with an optional method of resolution approach and application. Also maintenance culture and building a chain of highly valued and important network: business partners, allies and supports. Merchandise, sourcing products, equipment and machineries, specialists and experts networking etc

    Your being single, was it a deterrent in a way in your career?

    l will not deny that it wasn’t what l bargained for and really a huge setback but my kids were very supportive and comforting.  They assisted me to get back on my feet and keep moving. Professionalism and being good at what you do and services offered have no effect on being single and vice versa. But circumstances and situation sometimes may impede or may cause a constraint on your efforts. Being single gives you liberty to plan on your terms, work more, explore and improve to your best at your own time but having a partner and being married is the best, growing together, sharing ideas, motivate and encourage each other and a shoulder to lean on when necessary.

    You are a fashion enthusiast. Tell us about your style and how did you became one? And what kind of fashion appeals to you?

    l am a born natural fashion enthusiast. This trait was noticeable and detected by my parents at early age. I was very picky about clothes and what to wear. I designed my clothes and had great ideas about creativity since the age of 10 exploring and playing with cuts and colours, fabrics and shapes. I always sat by my tailor, talking him through cutting and sewing my dress with my drawing, graphics and design. Imaginative creatively cut segments. Till date l design most of my wears except for readymade office wears. Someday l still intends to fall back on this my natural passion. And develop this talent into reality in form of a fashion house and personal shopper outfit. Please watch out!. I have equally won many beauty and fashion pageants in my early years.

    We learnt you had a stint with modeling at mid age? Tell us more about it.

    Funny and exciting topic! What a story, my 1st daughter was the one that initiated me into modeling which l did part-time. Encouraging me that l have a good figure wasting away under cloth. At a time, she wished to get into modeling industry at below 18 thus registered online for the widely publicized and renown “Make me the Next Top Model UK, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, without my knowledge and consent but her application was refused based on her being under age. She went back to register and entered me into the competition with my details and photo. After the organizers approval of application, the next stage is global online voting. I just saw my young lady running towards me, ecstatic and screaming, ‘mum you’ve hit several hundreds of thousands votes, going to a million in few hours. I can’t remember the exact figure again. I thought she said l won nearly a million. But in my memory l was wondering when l did play a lotto, is it in my dreams or what? Because l never!. It took efforts to calm her down. Then the biggest shocker, l screamed how could you without my consent. l was dumbfounded. Well, l rebuked her but admired her for her courage. Moreso, enchanted by my little one’s believing in me, asking me to look at myself in the mirror. Screaming mum, you still look great and gorgeous, be confident, it’s someone’s loss. You can do it!. At 40, l asked myself and found myself competing with age 18- 28yrs. They never believed my age though. I made it into shortlisted, voted into the first 250 out of several hundreds of thousands entries. And into the final voted into the last 50, invited to London all expenses paid, a luxury holiday indeed and last 20 Grand finale. I got a break, contracts and worked as a model.

    What kind of fashion appeals to you?

    My designs and creativity mostly. Trendy, youthful, athletic, smart and professional cuts basically reflecting young and youthful but serious reflection for office wear while casual are fairly softer, brighter, adventurous still youthful and fitted. I treasure my cultural wear alot, Indigenous full attire buba and iro with gele and iborun ie, blouse with wrapper complete with head tie and shoulder shawl at weekends for events and occasions.

    What fashion accessories could you not do without?.

    My jewelleries: original pearls and natural stones, shoes with matching bags.

    What does family means to you and do you find time for family holidays?

    Family is everything to me. The love, care and bonding with my kids had seen us through many dark days of tribulations and overwhelming challenges. But my kids endurance, perseverance, support and their being steadfast strengthening me alot to hope, keep working towards my dream and vision. Moreso, out of the worst period. l also cherish my friends though many but few very close and my adorable loved ones. We do go on holiday once or twice a year.

    You are involved in charity work? Tell us about it.

    l was brought up to be humane and appreciate others. And because I am privileged and hard working resulting in amazing success does not make me special or that others are lazy. It is just the grace of God that I enjoyed. l am just anointed, fortunate and blessed by God hitherto had to serve as a blessing to others. God provided for me in order to be a destiny helper and support to others who are less privileged. I find fulfillment and joy in using my endowments to help people around me. Just as some people are thrown in my path to be my destiny helpers, doing same to others becomes a passion for me too. I was not trained to look down on anyone nor do l belittle or underestimate the possibility and capability of anyone’s tenacity to be better than me if given the same opportunity that l have. Instead l tend to help as far and as much as l can, touching people’s lives in a positive way quietly emulating my parents. My parents trained so many related and non –related people, from far and near. When l was growing up, you can hardly know or notice any difference between our housemaids, errand boys and we, the children infact they cook whatever each of them choose to eat, even lord over us, in an healthy manner, instill discipline and respect, you dare not question their submission nor report to my parents that you were sent on errands, my parents  wont entertain such. You must obey because they are older. Hence l have so many aunties, uncles, brothers and sisters who are my parents past employees, maids and house helps at that time that until today, we are still bonded to, like my blood relations and some l looked up to, in love and care. Some as role models and achievers, who have also impacted some values in me. I tried to provide for the needy, give moral and financial support as much as I can afford. I am involved in a lot of charity work abroad and will name few here for emphasis: Children For World Children   (CFWC), Beauty for Ashes, Donation to Children Hospitals etc, in Ireland and Nigeria. l have just been awarded and honoured as an Ambassador of Kindles Ministry (An NGO protecting the rights of girl child). I make personal donations to NGOs and my principle majorly is to assist and help the needy privately and discretely with no noise and fuss. My parents are enviable quiet philanthropists in my younger days and l followed in their foot print. Only my mum is alive now retired but this year she was recognized and given the Osun State Anglican Diocesan Distinguished Women of Virtue and Excellent Mothers Award”.

    You have been married in the past but single now. What difference has being single made in your life?

    Yes, l am single now, but l am happy. It is a great transition and experience but life continues. Each and everyone’s path has been laid out and planned by God. I am only treading and following my path to greatness as ordained by God Almighty. My former marriage lack lustre, peace and joy but l am single now, happy and brighter. And the kids are happy and at peace too.

    Do you miss family life? Are you hoping to remarry someday?

    Of course, I do. It is the joy of every woman, irrespective of the level of achievement or success to be married to the right man specially made for her. That is the way God has designed our life. l still intend to remarry someday when my love and missing rib finds me. I left all to God, He will execute at His own ordained time. Still walking my path.

    Once a businesswoman always a businesswoman. Tell us, what do you do now?

    I am presently involved in promoting bilateral trade and exchange programme, consultancy, project management, machineries and equipment procurement, installation and maintenance services, site agreement and licence procurement, human capital development i.e. expatriate and local training of staff and miners, equipment use training, expos and cross training abroad in Mining, Renewable energy and Agricultural development between European countries i.e. Ireland and other African countries like Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Cote D’ivoire and Ghana. I am engaged with team of qualified professionals, skilled experts and specialists in different fields and various departments at BUKABELLA GLOBAL SERVICES LTD , we are more focused in providing Quarry, Mining and Exploration of Solid Minerals services . We are working and expanding gradually to other related businesses for maximum impact within our scope in Nigeria. Projection oil services and exploration too in the future, as the organisation grows but a step at a time. God help us.

    We are looking up to the government to assist us in solving so many challenges that we are facing in the mining industry. We implore governments and investors, both local and foreign to inject funds into research, in Africa particularly Nigeria in reviewing and developing this sector in order to explore the great potential of the sector and to diversify our economy.  We are making a steady progress in creating, establishing necessary business relationships and partnerships with the government and critical stakeholders in the industry in Nigeria, for instance, with a view to contributing to the growth of the mining sector and the nation’s economy.

    Are you a member of any social club and do you hold any chieftaincy title?

    No, not at all but a Rotaractor in my university days. I hope to find my path back to my family as a Rotarian someday. I have no chieftaincy title though l was honoured and offered severally but it is not yet time. There is time for everything.

    l belong to some proactive change and strategist groups whose objectives are towards the betterment of Nigeria i.e., Revive Nigeria Group. (RNG), Egalitarian Mission For Africa, New Dimension Group among others.

    What other passions or hobbies do you have?

    l love reading, researching, digging into archaeological facts and an antique collector. In addition, l love travelling, social media and meeting new people.

    How would you describe yourself?

    l am a very simple, easy-going, pleasant, amiable person and a fashion die hard. I express myself in writing more at leisure, poetic. I am a cut between extrovert and introvert but more introverted depending on circumstances but generally a very warm, gentle, humble and sociable person. I am affable, easy to talk to, people connect with me easily, open minded and easily accessible. I do relate well.  I am a thinker, dreamer, good listener, creative, visionary, hardworking and a problem solver. A resilient person, l hardly give up on any task or challenges until solution is found. This does not, or should not project me as being perfect. No, God has never created a perfect man or woman. We are all work in progress. I have my weaklings, too, like a every human. Others can judge or comment about the rest. You see yourself through others evaluation more.

    You are also very passionate about Nigeria. What future do you see for Nigeria?

    l am very passionate about Nigeria relentlessly. As a strong stakeholder in Nigerian project, working assiduously with people, experts and professionals in my chosen field of  Geoscience : especially Mining- solid minerals, Energy and Agriculture, Extractive industry in general, supporting agencies, liaising with and working together for progress in the Mining sector to develop the Nigerian economy.  We are working and strategizing on the way forward to grow and develop these aforementioned critical sectors of the Nigerian economy where I am evidently endowed, professionally trained and equipped to contribute my quota for the overall growth and development of our dear country.  I am also involved in research and reviews in conjunction and supported by some renowned global mining companies, world great players for technical development, support and partnership. Moreover, support and partnership of some foreign countries e.g. Ireland, etc who are willing to support me with research tools and technical materials using western model and technical knowhow to develop strategy and blueprint to upscale and develop Nigeria mining sector.  I am very optimistic that all these potentials will be harnessed by the present and future government of Nigeria for growth of these sectors. Thereby improving Nigeria economy extended effect on living conditions of our people

    We learnt that you belong to some Pro-Forward Nigeria, Change and Strategist Groups. Would you like to tell us more about these groups?

    You are absolutely correct.  l was invited and proud to be a member of some proactive, real positive change oriented and strategist groups which aim towards betterment of Nigeria such as the  Revive Nigeria Group (RNG), Egalitarian Mission For Africa, New Dimension Group among many. These groups are positive change oriented associations or group, strictly by invitation comprising of intellectuals and notable achievers in their chosen fields, local residents, global and diasporas, all over the world coming together to research, ruminate, formulate, strategize and derive ways of improving all aspects of living conditions of our people. They also focusing on being actively involved in growing the nation’s economy for the betterment of average Nigerian citizens. Revive Nigeria Group (RNG), organizers of “Mad4Naija” was founded by Barr Aisha Waziri Umar, a lawyer, politician and public figure.

     

     

  • My encounters with Margaret Thatcher’s men as a college principal in UK –Tourism Practitioners President Odusanwo

    Oyo high chief, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, is the President of the Institute of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ITP) as well as the Vice President, Federation of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (FTAN). He lived in the United Kingdom for many years imparting knowledge. Apart from being a director of Education Qualification Agency, he represented Black and Minority Ethnic Groups in Lewisham Strategic Partnership. He spoke with OKORIE UGURU about his life, career and his passion for empowering people through education.

    MY background really is that I am an educationist in terms of the fact that most, if not all my post-graduate experience, has been in education. I started in 1982 after my MBA in England. I was a lecturer at the London College of Further Education. I also lectured in a number of further and higher education institutions. I taught virtually everything when it comes to Business Administration, apart from teaching Law and Statistics. I taught Marketing, Tourism, Business Administration, Principles of Banking, and so on. I have been into human resource development; that is my main trust. I saw myself as an agent of change. I want to see people transformed into achieving competences that would enrich their lives.

    Have you always lived in England? I left for England in 1976. I was born in Lagos, but I am a native of Ijebu Ayepe. I had my secondary education at Remo Secondary School, Sagamu. It was an Ionian schools. In fact, my school was really the first mixed secondary school in the whole of West Africa. It was established in 1945 or thereabout. I was actually meant to travel. It started with doing some correspondence courses in those days. I actually worked with the Nigerian Airways as a commercial officer. By that time, they had not built this new international airport. It was under construction. That was actually my first step into tourism and aviation industry. This stimulated my interest in the industry. After working at the place for some time, I travelled to Italy in 1976 and moved to England mainly because of language, because I always knew that I was going to study Business Administration.

    On getting to England, I went to City Polytechnic and studied Marketing and then International Business, specialising in tourism. What was life like as a growing up child? My dad sold Lino, what they call carpet, at Idumagbo Avenue in Isale Eko; Jankara to be specific. You know, all those Baba Ijebu (Ijebu indigenes) are into big commerce. I was in fact born into a Moslem family. I even studied the Koran in primary school. I actually went to Ahmadiyya, where we wore white uniform. But what changed all that was that I went to Remo Secondary School, Sagamu, which was a pure Christian school. It was then I opted to become a Christian. It was a matter of choice.

    That time, having gone from Lagos to study in Ijebu, I was one of the flamboyant students. We bought things from Kingsway and so on. Is that to say that you were born with a silver spoon? Not really, but with a very nice spoon. Going to secondary school in Remo made me become a Christian, because when I want to pray, I want to pray in a language I understand, and that made things easier. When I left school, the idea was really to travel out despite the fact that my dad wanted me in his business. But I had made up my mind that I was not going to go into business. Was there any special reason for that? Really, my dad had a couple of houses in Surulere and so on, but I really wanted to go to school. My dad was very disappointed that I refused to join him in the family business. Any reason for that? I was well mannered, very enterprising. That was why after secondary school, he wanted me to join him, but I refused. I ran to go meet my grandmother and reported to her, that this was what my daddy was saying.

    She asked me: ‘Why don’t you go?’ She said people were actually praying for such opportunities. I told her I didn’t want to. Was your decision based on the secondary education you acquired? It was just a matter of choice really. I wanted to actually get something that is mine, something I can say I generated this. In other words, you wanted to run away from your father’s shadow? Yes. Also being from a polygamous home, I just said I didn’t want the rat race. When he went to report me to my grandmother, she appealed on my behalf. Then I started working.

    In the City Hall, my uncle, Sanwo, was the paymaster. I went to him to engage me. My father called him and warned him not to give me a job; that he was going to disown him if he did, and that if I wanted a job, I should join his business. I said okay. Then, there was labour office where after you left school, you could just go and queue and you would get a job. I went there but I did not like the offers available. I then went to meet my aunt who took me to the old Nigerian Airways. The Personnel Manager, Mr. Makinde, told me, ‘Your sister is such a nice person. Nobody can terminate your appointment in Nigerian Airways unless you steal.’ That was where I started my career. While working, I started correspondence classes and then I travelled to England. In our own time, education was a meal ticket. So long as you had your qualification, you were okay. That means your motivation was the meal ticket… I was not looking for a meal ticket. I just said I must be educated to be independent. I started studying for my qualifications. I was interested in developing and contributing to my environment. When Federal Polytechnic, Bida, was established, they came to England to interview people and I attended the interview.

    That time, I was actually a part time marketing lecturer in England. When the interviewer asked me my definition of marketing, which is making profit through customers’ satisfaction, the man was looking for one long definition but I didn’t go with that. I didn’t take the offer because I was not ready. At that time, I was hoping to do my PhD as well. The second interview I had, which was equally interesting, was for one bank, BCCI or something like that, because I also taught banking. They wanted to employ a trainer for banking. They got my name through the Institute of Bankers because they had a directory of banking teachers in England. I got the job, but the man said: ‘Sorry, we cannot employ you because one, you are not from the North; two, if we employ you, you will be the highest paid Nigerian and you are the general manager of the bank. I told him you people came here to employ me as a British person. He said unless they bring me in as an expatriate, and I said I didn’t mind.

    I continued with my part-time and full-time lecturing. As at that time, there were so many Nigerians in London, but only a few of us managed to do proper jobs like being lecturers or part-time lecturers. Many of my contemporaries worked as security guards, cab drivers and so on. Through my part-time lecturing job, they started asking, so this man can do this? So, it was like blazing the trail, because not many black people were into lecturing, not to talk of Nigerians… Yes. So, how did they react to seeing you in an area that was like an exclusive preserve of the white? They were quite pleased. There is a college called Central London College. I was the head of department. Somebody came out looking for the department, because they couldn’t call my name, Biodun, they called me Mr. Abbey. They told him to go and see Mr. Abbey.

    The man was asking me who Mr. Abbey was. Because you were black? Yes. Some Nigerians that I came across, I tried to assist them to excel. In 1989, I think I was a lecturer then also. I told them that no Nigerian person should come to me to give them reference for security jobs. If you want reference from me, you must apply for a proper job. Through that, many of them applied for proper jobs. Why did you decide to do so? They were qualified to do all these jobs. They were qualified to work in the office as opposed to marking time doing cleaning and so on. So the idea was for you to push them to go for better jobs? Yes. It helped enormously. It created a pool who would say if it were not for that man, I would have still been doing those menial jobs. It was not just Nigerians, but blacks generally.

    That time, as a Commonwealth citizen, one was allowed to work for 20 hours a day as a student. So, I told them, for those 20 hours, why not go for proper jobs? With that, many of them got the necessary experience for future employment. Then after you have lived in England illegally for seven years, you get your stay. I also encouraged them to do short training programmes. At the time you moved to England, by virtue of your qualification, you could apply for other jobs. Why settle for teaching? I think it was my drive to improve the lot of people. Like I said, according to my background, work was not an issue. I thought having done all these, why not assist other people? That helped because it brought in better understanding of blacks. Also at that time, I started getting more interest in tourism and I applied to many institutions for a PhD in tourism but they refused. I was asked to do tourism in either of two countries: Gambia or Spain.

    Those were the areas they wanted me to focus on. I told them I wanted to focus on Nigeria and they said Nigeria was not a tourists’ destination. So, I asked myself what I could do. I said I must study tourism. I knew also of many doctors and professors who were my senior colleagues in the academia. They said the two were the areas they could easily get supervisors. These supervisors were also working for their own research interests as well. While working for my PhD, I got so involved in lecturing. That is why I have not yet completed it. I became a college principal during the Margaret Thatcher era. You can imagine what Margaret Thatcher was to black people. I mean she was a conservative prime minister. Being the head, there were so many issues with immigration and I didn’t deal with so many of those guys; I dealt with the policy. I called them.

    Many were able to regularise their stay in England through our establishment. So, at what point did you decide to focus more on Nigeria? I actually represented Britain when it came to the harmonization of tourism education across Europe. I was also involved in educational development. In fact, vocational education development generally. I travelled to many parts of Africa as a member of British team. During the Abacha era, we were discouraged from coming to Nigeria. But after that, I started coming back to Nigeria, spending few days at a time. Despite not frequenting Nigeria for so many years, my mind was still in Nigeria. Why do you think you were honoured by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, with the Aare Soludero of Oyo chieftaincy title? It was because of my contributions to Nigerians in the Diaspora.

    I featured in so many publications. I supported lots of good causes which had to do with Nigerians in European communities. I was an employer also because I went into consultancy training for blacks. I grew a very large base of Nigerians in my support for the community in London, helping people to stabilize. But the honour from the Alaafin came as a surprise to me. When top Nigerian dignitaries came to Europe, I was among those that would represent the Nigerian community in meeting with them. When Alaafin once came, we went to meet him. He told me he had heard about me; about how I was supporting the black community in London. When the letter came that the Alaafin wanted to honour me for my contributions to the Yoruba race, I was shocked, because I was not expecting it. He said they were proposing to make me the Aare Soludero, meaning ‘the person that helps in making life more conducive’. But they said I could not have an Alaafin title without being a chief somewhere. Then the Oba of Akinmoorin gave me a title in his domain before the Alaafin’s title.

  • How we regained top spot in Nigeria market- Patrick Henchie, HMD Global

    Patrick Henchie

    The Head of Product and Operations, Sub Sahara Africa, HMD Global, Patrick Henchie serves the African market from the Republic of South Africa. In this interview, he speaks about his company’s mobile phone portfolio and how they have diversified from feature phone to smartphones within a short time frame. Excerpts ….

    Footsteps in the Nigerian market

    I remember the launch event we had in Nigeria a little over a year ago, and I have been back since. It has been amazing to know what’s going on in the market, to realize the brand love for Nokia. And we are really excited about how Nokia pure secure and up to date smartphones has been accepted in the Nigeria market. I think we as Nokia Mobile producing Nokia 6, it’s always key sticking to our basic principle of pure secure up to date android technology for everyday life and designing craftsmanship. We have seen the market grow. We have continually introduced new devices over the last year. We have raved up our portfolio to keep up to date with market trends and what is required. And it’s really exciting time to be in Nigeria and, indeed Africa at this time. You probably already know that our three key markets in Africa are Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa and we also distribute into other market in Africa.

    Launch of HMD Global’s first Nokia phone and place of feature phones

    Our first phone was launched in January 2017 in China, and it was the Nokia 6. It was a very exciting day for us and the rest of the world. The announcement was made at the mobile world congress same year.

    We were still selling Nokia feature phones. But, it’s just over a year we have been selling our pure secured up to date smartphones in Nigeria.

    Present position on feature phones segment in Nigeria

    We are still very much in that segment. It’s still a very key part in our business and what we are looking at is that is building a portfolio that we can always service any comfortably. So now we have got a wide portfolio rather than just having one device for one individual. So all the way from Nokia 1 to Nokia 5 which is a voice focus device all the way up to Nokia 8.we really feel like we can afford the entire market and there’s also opportunity with our connectivity devices which is our Nokia 250, Nokia 3310. It also provides the users the opportunity to move into entry level smartphone and with that opportunity we have the Nokia 1 in the market.

    Ambition to grow in the feature phone segment or ….

    The feature phone segment is key to growth in our business. We see them as a very important part of our business. This year we announced 8110 4G which was a feature and smartphone that was also part of our originals. We reloaded the old Nokia 8110, so we are certainly committed to the feature phone space.

    Product in the Nigeria market presently

    Our products in the Nigeria market are Nokia 1, Nokia 2.1, Nokia 3.1, Nokia 5.1, Nokia 5.1 plus, Nokia 6, Nokia 6 and we have Nokia 7plus.

    Marketing strategy and product available in Nigeria

    We work through partners and in Nigeria we have our local team based in Lagos that help us serve the Nigerian market.

    Frequency or regularity of updating OS on Nokia smartphones

    That is a really important story for us, what we are bring to the market is the pure version of android, and our promise to the customers is that, we will have monthly security update  coming through to the devices and we have a range of devices that are part of android-one program, from Nokia 3.1,Nokia 5.1, Nokia 6 and Nokia 7plus are all part of the android-one program, and we are also committed to platform update as well, so many of those devices will get update and the key there is to keep the devices relevant. You don’t want a situation where you buy a device and in 3 months your handset is outdated and that is why we have made conscious decision to commit to those update and we feel it’s very important for the users to get the monthly security update to ensure their device is secured and up to date.

    Impact of Nokia 3310 on smartphone

    I was there at the mobile world congress when Nokia 3310 was launched; it was really great to be there and see the excitement around Nokia 3310! Certainly, it brought back a lot of nostalgia for people bur in terms of overshadowing I wouldn’t call it overshadowing smartphones in anyway. I think it will be helping to bring focus to the fact that at HMD Global, we are bringing Nokia phones to the market and it allows us to tell a great story around our new smartphone range. So it was really an exciting product, really exciting to be part of it, but it also really allows us to tell people the story of the pure secured up to date Nokia android smartphones.

    Progress from a feature segment to smartphone segment

    That speaks to the Nokia brand heritage of always being able to supply devices to full range of or full portfolio and a range of devices. We are very much about catering to a wild range of end users and the way we have done this in progression is very simple. We are known for reliability, and in our feature phones we are known for quality and actually what we have done is we’ve taken that recipe and replicated it with the smartphone segment, where we have really reliable devices. The Nokia design has always played a key role in our devices. So it is really about making devices that can be used in everyday, better screen and good battery life that can get you through the day, those are kind of key elements we focus on for smartphones. And what has happened is that people have started to understand and I will say that quality is long game. For people, once they use their devices, they are getting security updates, they are getting their platform updates, so Nokia quality comes through every time and we will continue with that formula going forward. That shows the way we have progress from dominant in feature phone to growing in the smartphone space.

    Do you make market specific devices?

    We do have some regions where we have market specific devices. For example, at the moment in China, we are selling the Nokia H5, Nokia H6 which are particular to the China region.

    Why is this so?

    There are different market dynamics and different drivers in each market, so we will always look to see if a device suits a market and if it does, we will drop it for sales there. But it is also about catering to that local market needs and we will investigate and bring the device into the market. And also, there’s the different band to entry point of view, so we also need to take that into consideration.

    Efforts at delivering pure android experience

    We have conducted a lot of market research. We have spoken to a lot of consumers and a lot of customers. And one of the key things that came through from the conversations was that people want something simple, something uncluttered. Again, looking at the amount of work Google has put into android over the years there has been many alterations, where a lot of devices are all running on android, it was the perfect time for us when we came into the market to bring to the consumers the pure clean uncluttered user experience exactly the way Google intends it to be without any third party applications. We gave the users the choice of the applications they want to use on their device. Once we did that, we ended up saving some space for the users to enjoy. So the users are in complete control of their devices.

    Commitment to monthly security update for Nokia Mobile devices

    In the world we live today, there’s a lot of focus put on security and people want to trust that they are secured Nokia has always been at the forefront in the delivery this.

    Willingness of HMD Global to stand alone

    Nokia started working with Zeiss in 2002, they could add something to the devices and it has really been a privilege to work with them again in bringing a great camera experience to users of Nokia phones. With the android branding at the back of the devices, which is an extra assurance to customers that your device is part of the android-one program, which we are committed to the security updates and platform updates. All these show that we are committed to giving you the absolute and best android experience on our device. So I wouldn’t say it is not standing on our own, essentially, it’s about celebrating our partnerships and the company is happy to work with us.

    A bit more about android one

    Clearly, when we came into market with our devices, we had the pure secured and always up to date android one of our distinguishing factors. Probably, we were the first company to make this commitment to the security update android. Android-one is a program by Google which manufacturer can sign up to with a commit to having a pure and clean user interface with a commit to the security update. We are proud to be part of the android-one program and it sort of show our commitment to the security update.

    On limited number of pre-installed app

    You can look at pre-installed app in different ways, but our policy on this is essentially that the devices come with the apps exactly how Google intends it. It has the Google services pre-loaded on each device. We also do have a Nokia support application where customers can interact with our help team in case anyone has challenges with the device. But other than that, there are no other third party applications on the device, but you get to choose what app you want on the device and what you want to download from the play store.

    Strategy for Nokia to reclaiming the number spot in the market

    We will stick to our, trusted smartphone that people can rely on. We will stick to using technology in everyday life. We will stick to using quality materials. We will also stick to the pure secure and always up to date android. It’s very easy to get cut up in a ‘spec race,’ where people just talk about the biggest or the amount of mega pixels. I think the Nokia magic is how we use the screen, how we use the processor, how we optimize the battery to give the absolute best overall user experience to the consumer.

    Any new device in the Nigerian market soon

    We did have something for you guys, the Nokia 6.1 plus is in Nigeria and it’s about to go on sale. We are very pleased to announce that it will be available for #95,000 and this is testament to the fact that if we launch a device in one region we can bring it to other markets. So it almost identical to Nokia H6 that’s on sale in China that have some of the features and we are very happy to bring the device to Nigeria.

    Nigeria’s ranking when HMD Global is releasing products

    If we do a regional approach, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa all ranked equally as we launch our products.

     

  • ‘I’m contesting as Osun governor to prove women are better managers’

    Mrs Mercy Ayodele is the candidate of the Restoration Party of Nigeria (RPN) in the September 22 governorship election in Osun State. In this interview with BISI OLADELE, she describes politics as “very hectic and deep,” but said it should not be left to professional politicians alone. The finance expert and mother -of-three also reveals why women are better managers and the reason behind her hope of becoming the first female governor of the state of the virtue (Ipinle Omoluabi)

     

    What made you join the governorship race?

    What actually bought me to limelight is just because of the situation of the state and the country at large. We must accept that women are the most endangered specie in politics. So, I felt it’s time we women stood up  and stop being in the other room and come out . We have the potentials and we have what it takes.

    A woman is always like five-in-one; we are the home managers, we are always into career, we take care of the children, we take care of our husbands. If we can do that ,we can as well manage a nation.

    You refer to leaving the other room. What did you mean by that?

    Well, most people believe that women are meant to be at home taking care of the home front, taking care of the kitchen and not coming out like this to face the big wigs who are mostly  men. So they believe we are meant to be in the room or in the kitchen serving them . But nowadays, the current president of Germany is a woman, a mother . And I must tell you , a mother  is always emotional. A good mother will always take care of the family. For example if she cooks and wants to dish out the food, the first food she will dish is for her husband, the children,even the visitors. Sometimes the mother at home will not even eat or may be left with just a little. She is always in charge of taking care of people. So, I felt it’s time we came out and take good care of our people instead of deceiving them.

    Governorship race is a big project. How did  you come about your conviction that you deserve to be a governor, not a councilor, House of Assembly member etc? 

    Well it’s all about vision. If you have vision you are going to get there. Like I always say, I’m giving it to my husband. When this race was about to start, he was the one that said “you can do it.” By saying that he knew I have the potentials of doing it. He said you can do it and when I look back I will always say “thank you” to him for giving me the opportunity to be where I am today in the political terrain.

    Is he still supporting your ambition on this project?

    Yes. He is very, very supportive. We are i nto it together. He is always there.

    When it settled in your mind that you needed to vie  for governorship, why didn’t you join one of the popularly parties such as APC, PDP etc?

    I always tell people that when you want to join any political party or any organization, you have to first of all check the ideology of the organization. I think the ideology of Restoration Party fits my own ideology. RPN is a female-friendly political party and also it’s very very friendly to those who are physically challenged. It is a very good platform for us to vie for any position.

    Apart from the administration fee, the nomination fee for  every female aspirant to presidency level is free in RPN. And then it’s a party for the youths .They use the wisdom of the elders and the strength of the youth. So that’s why I decided to pitch my tent in Restoration Party.

    Are you among the people that registered the party?

    No

    Did you go through primary through which you emerged as the party’s candidate?

    Yes

    How many of you contested? 

    We were three – a particular aspirant stood down for me. So, only two of us went into the primary. INEC officials were there, the state officials and INEC official from Abuja.

    We had media houses on ground and we even invited other political parties to come and witness the way we did our primary, which was very fair and peaceful.

    You said you were three initially. Is the one that stood down for you a male or female aspirant? 

    The two others are male.

    Since you emerged as governorship candidate, how has it been?

    Well, I must tell you politics is very, very hectic and deep. It is very, very deep. I just want to thank God for the strength and I also want to use the opportunity to appreciate my state Chairman, Dr. Tosin Adeyemi , who is a very vibrant youth. He is the youngest party chairman in Osun State. I want to give it to him, he has been there and I must tell you politics is very very sweet and it must not be left to the politicians. It is high time we got involved.

    When did you join politics?

    I have been into politics for quite a long time, more than a decade but I was doing it partially.

    Did you join any political party?

    I did not but I have my soft spot for some political parties. And I have been following the trends whenever they were having campaigns. I’ve always been partially involved. But I came in fully on board to RPN.

    Which party or parties did you ever participate in their activities before?

    I didn’t participate directly but indirectly. I just had flair for some parties.

    Which parties?  

    I will mention KOWA because KOWA is  the first political party that gave us a female presidential candidate. So I have soft spot for KOWA. I was following the trend when the professor, Remi Solaya, emerged as its presidential candidate.

    Judging by your experience so far since you  threw your hat into the ring, do you think this terrain is meant for women? 

    It’s meant for women. It all depends on the individual and the readiness of women and the supportive aspect of the men, because I must tell you we cannot do it without men. We need their support and we just have to help our women to be in politics . It’s just like having an aeroplane engine that is having 50\50 capacity and it’s flying on the capacity of just 50 percent.  In due time, the 50 percent will wear out and then the other one will just be there without being tapped. We have not actually tapped into getting our  women  to going into real politics. And its high time , that’s why I have this respect for Goodluck Jonathan. During his tenure, we had more women given political appointment or in elective positions. But now,  it’s going gradually down. That is why I call them most endangered species in politics. We are the most  endangered specie. People are scared of all these thugs and that’s why I pitched my tent with RPN.  It’s not a political party of thugs, we all have our careers, we are professionals in our field and when it’s politics time we come out and do the needful. It’s not  a do-or-die party. We have professionals in the party. It’s a party to pitch tent with because they will give you your voice as a woman.

    Are you just for the cause of women or you have much more, reasons why you are in this race?

    First, I must confess, I’m in it because of women. If you look at the history of Osun State we have another woman now  that’s vying  for the same position. I’m the first that actually aspired for this position and  that is to tell my fellow women that we can do it.

    Secondly, it is not that we should just sit down, we are intellectual people too. We have professional women there, like the formal Finance Minister, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala. She is one of the people I look up to in politics. I love her, I love her doggedness, I love the way she operated.

    Since you started your campaign after the primary, have you ever imagined yourself on the governorship seat? 

    We are taking over from Governor Aregbesola. He knows that he’s going to hand over to me.

    Why are you so sure he’s going to hand over to you?

    One, we have the strength of the youths. We have women and I must confess women are the one that vote most. So It’s high time we stopped  just voting. I have been voting  for more than a decade . it’s now time they vote for us, we can do it.

    How are you keeping the home front during this period of campaign?

    Thank God I have understanding children. They know what I’m into and I’m always balancing it . When I’m at home, I make sure I do my home chores – cooking and taking care of them . So, they know when I’m not around, I’m not around. When I’m around I make sure I do my roles as a mother.

  • Oracle blockchain technology will boost Customs revenue by 50%

    The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has partnered with Oracle to deploy its Blockchain Cloud Service to boost efficiency and grow revenue. In this interview, Assistant Comptroller-General, Modernization, at NCS, Aber T Benjamin, said the initiative promises to grow revenue by over 50 per cent. He speaks with Lucas Ajanaku.

     

    Why did the NCS reached for Oracle’s blockchain technology?

    NCS needed a technology, and partner, that could help us automate as many processes as possible – securely and efficiently.

    How long has it been deployed?

    The pilot on Oracle Blockchain Service was started in August of 2017 for the automation of Customs Excise Trade and Free Trade Zones.

    What has been its impact on optimising running cost? How is the technology going to help NCS meet the revenue target set by the Fed Govt?

    The successful completion of this Proof of Concept (POC) shows that, the entire business environment of Nigeria Customs can be migrated to Blockchain, to automate as many customs processes as possible, creating transparency and predictability. With Information Communication Technology (ICT), NCS have been able to improve revenue collection from about $195,000,000 per month to over $280,000,000. It is expected that once the Excise Trade Automation on Blockchain is fully completed, NCS will see a revenue growth increase of about 50 per cent.

    Generally, what has been its impact on the NCS?

    Oracle’s Blockchain-as-a-Service is used to provide Nigeria Customs Service with a trusted platform for the full automation of Customs Excise Trade business processes and procedures that improves transparency by allowing us to document and track products that are manufactured locally, right from the source of licensing and permits for manufacturing, to distribution and point of sale. An automated Excise will enable Nigeria to have reliable statistical data of its manufacturing base, and goods produced in Nigeria. In addition, it will help control the manufacturing industry, and create standards for global competitiveness; as well as regulate illegal manufacturing of products not fit for trade and consumption.

    With your experience so far with the technology, would advise other MDAs to embrace it?

    Yes, technology is required to drive transparency, trust, and predictability. To ensure reliable and irrefutable data required for all government services.

    In what particular way, if any, would this technology boost the anti-corruption war of the President Buhari led administration?

    Technology brings about inclusive understanding of all parties involved in that business process or service, and when it comes to the business process of Government the transparency attributed to this technology will instantly make it difficult for corruption to survive. Corruption survives where there is a lack of knowledge and understanding of policies, business process and procedures especially where this is not made transparent to all parties involved.

    How is the technology complementing the efforts to boost the efficiency of the Service?

    The area where this technology is being applied is currently manual, but with the full automation of the manual process leveraging Oracle Blockchain Service, the outcome will only be a win-win situation for the Service and the trading public in general.

  • Online firm introduces new social life for students

    Student Serve NG (SSN) is Nigeria’s first dedicated discount service for students in universities and secondary schools in Nigeria helping them save a minimum of 10% per transaction in their favourite online and offline stores.

    In this interview, Chief Executive Officer (SSN), Kunle George shares how he birthed the dream to connect students to thousands of exclusive discounts from different online and offline stores, both locally and internationally with Everistus Onwuzurike.

    Tell us about Student Serve.ng

    Student Serve Ng is a students’ discounts platform that exposes Local students to exclusive discounts through the year in their preferred restaurants, hotels, transport, events and more in Lagos. These students range from secondary to university levels of education. All a student needs to do is to visit our website, Click on GET CARD fill the required information and proceed to pay. The card is then delivered within 3 – 5 days including Saturdays and Sundays. After which the student can now visit any of our partner stores and just swipe your card to get allotted discount.

     
    In an era where students are majorly concerned about grades and certificates, what birthed this dream?

    There’s more to education than just academics. People need to socialise, network and build relationships. All these aren’t taught in the classroom. Being a socialite myself, I perceived “fun” in Lagos isn’t pocket-friendly so I put myself in the average student’s shoes and realised I will not be able to partake in any social activities due to the cost.

    So I thought to myself, service providers should be able to structure and offer something exclusive to these students simply because they live on budgets and generally don’t have a second source of income. I felt this service has been long overdue and it is the right time to give our students a voice through student pricing. That was how I birthed the Student Serve Nigeria (SSN) – a subsidiary of Kuncard Discount Enterprise.

     What impact have you made so far?

    In terms of impact, I would say I’ve made students realise value for money, which has always been the objective. There’s really no service that solely caters to students’ needs in the market. The feedback we received so far has been great but we can obviously get better.

    About the 10percent discount, do you in any way feel it’s too small and are there plans of increasing the rate?

    The 10% discount is the minimum discount you get on our platform. Our discounts range from the minimum of 10% to 25% depending on the service providers. We have partnered with hotels that offer up to 30%. We can negotiate better discounts for our students in the future, which solely depends on the growth and responsiveness of our market.

    To what do you attribute your success?

    I don’t think I’m successful yet. There’s so much work to be done. We haven’t fully devised the perfect blend of services for this market. I would say we’re still in the research phase. However, in terms of progress since launch in July 2017, I would say persistence and grace.

    We sold over 600 discount cards between July and December 2017 and we were able to partner with Oxbridge Tutorial College in that span. We are currently in talks with another sixth-form college and a few secondary schools to buy into our initiative.
     

    What are the major challenges?

    So far, I would say we have two major challenges. Most students think our service is too good to be true. They think it’s a scam. They do not believe that at N2,500, one can get access to this many discounts for 12 months, which is funny to me.

    Secondly, representatives of major companies are not readily accessible. They have no working emails and phone numbers, they do not reply emails, no functional websites, can hardly locate their head offices, and to ice the cake, the security guard tries to do the job of a desk officer. To be honest, the list is long.

    What is unique about your business?

    To be honest, there’s no company that solely caters to the needs of local students. We are doing something unique. We want to create a discount culture. We want it to be the prerogative of the average Nigerian student to get access to exclusive discounts simply because he/she is a student.

    Where do you see your company in few years?
    We will definitely be the state’s leaders in offering student services. Not just discounted services but in other aspects that interests the student. These could be legal, medical or even accommodation solutions.
    How many companies have you been able to partner with?
    Currently, we have about 17 partners, which include restaurants, hotels, entertainment and transport.
    Since your business is all about partnerships, have you ever turned down any client?

    Yes, we have. We haven’t been approached by major companies, however.

    We turned down a few because we just didn’t see how those partnerships would benefit us.

     What do you look for in prospective partners?

    We do not randomly approach service providers for partnerships. Most times we consult our students about where they want to experience discounts then we contact that company and sell our initiative to them. If you’ve seen our logo, our motto is “For students, by students’. This simply means our students influence a lot of our partnerships.

    So to answer your question, it is really the student that has the answer to this. We just do our job, which is to negotiate a discount for the students.

    Do you have competitors and how do you deal with them?

    I think I do have competitors and believe me, I pay close attention to them. We all need competition in this space because it’s healthy for businesses and can improve in areas in which they’re underperforming and so on.

    All I can say is, we have the better service because it works and is suited and tailored in the interest of the students.

    Tell us about your greatest moment of success?
    When I got the Oxbridge Tutorial College order, I was overjoyed. I was dead chuffed. God bless the Managing Director, Dr, Ogunsanya, and Vibha.
    You are always around school environs with students, so If you were the Minister of Education, tell us what you would want to change in our education sector?

    The entire system needs a revamp.  But what I will do is start with the primary schools. We need to reset our way of thinking in Nigeria. We need to teach these young ones to ask questions, to be brave, to express themselves properly, to be confident amongst many others. We don’t know our rights and are the definition of hypocrites, and that’s why we are a failed state. Uneducated people under democratic leadership will elect incompetent leaders.

    If we focus on a new generation of Nigerians, we can influence change to a certain extent. We can introduce a new line of thought, a generation of curious and brave individuals who will always question authority because they know their rights.

    However, I don’t think I would have the power to change anything as the Minister for Education. I would rather become a billionaire and open affordable schools with my billionaire friends, introduce loan schemes and offer affordable quality education so everyone can attend.

    The Nigerian government isn’t ready to effect positive change in any sector so I don’t think I will entertain the thought of becoming a politician, let alone a minister anytime soon.

  • Why we launched pay per day – StarTimes Boss

    Why we launched pay per day – StarTimes Boss

    On Wednesday, November 1, StarTimes officially commenced its much anticipated daily subscription plan tagged pay per day. In a brief chat with the media, the Chief Executive of the company, Mr Justin Zhang gave more insight into the birth of daily and weekly subscription in Nigeria.

    Q: When was the decision to launch the pay per day taken?

    Answer: We reached a decision to introduce pay per day in Nigeria late 2016. Although at that time, we were still testing the service in other African countries where we operate and in the South-West region in Nigeria.

    Q: Some people believe the pay per day service was introduced as a result of competition in the industry:

    Answer: That is not the case. Nigeria is our biggest market and so it would not be a wise business decision to launch a product or service without proper testing.

    The launch of our pay per day service had to be properly done so as not to cause any technical disruption, hence the need to test for months and make corrections where needed before rolling out a hitch-free service. Also, as a highly innovative company, we continually seek new ways to improve our customer experience and satisfaction and pay per day is one of such.

    Q: How was the service received by subscribers?

    Answer: Positively, as expected. Many of our subscribers have already started embracing the service. We get calls daily from customers seeking to get more information about pay per day so that they too can subscribe. I would say that this service has been much anticipated by Nigerians so we feel very happy to have pioneered the introduction of daily payments from as low as N60 in the pay-TV industry. Our aim is to ensure that we deliver digital entertainment to every Nigerian home at very affordable rates and we will ensure that this is done in the coming years.

    Related: TSTV vs DSTV: StarTimes pay per day, coincidence or strategy?

    Q: Is pay per view to be expected soon?

    Answer: I think many people misconstrue the pay-TV industry for the telecoms industry. Technologically speaking, for the pay tv industry, it is almost impossible to select individual channels based on customer preference and charge for each. While we are not ruling it out completely because things may change in the future, I know this may not be happening anytime soon given the technology on the ground.

    Q: What has StarTimes done recently to improve content?

    Answer: A lot. For example, we have upgraded our movie channels list and now have more safe channels for the kids to also enjoy. We also broadcast fairly recent new movies very new series from Hollywood. For our Nollywood fans, there are many channels dedicated to Nollywood movies and series now on StarTimes.

    Very worthy of note is that we will be broadcasting the Russia 2018 world cup live on StarTimes and this is in fulfilment of our promise to ensure than Digital entertainment is delivered to every home. All our subscribers will be enjoying live matches of the world cup from the comfort of their homes without putting a hole in their pockets come 2018.

  • How national assembly can turn Nigerian economy around – Oloniboko

    How national assembly can turn Nigerian economy around – Oloniboko

    Oloniboko Sesan Isaac is an Oil and Gas expert with over 20years experience in the sector desiring to run as Member of the House of Representatives to represent Ekiti North Federal Constituency 2 comprising of Moba, Ido/OSI and Ilejemeje Local Government Areas of Ekiti-State in 2019.

    In this interview with Opeyemi Samuel, Oloniboko speaks on his commitment to socio-economic development as well as his idea of a better Nigeria.

    With your experience, how do you plan giving back to the society?

    I work as a developing geologist in one of the IOC’s in Lagos, I am a technocrat that has put in over 20 years working experience in the oil and gas  industry and with this experience, I am aspiring to see how I would be able to give back to my community and to my nation in the area of service. It has been in my system, it has been part of me to give back to the community.

    In my secondary school days, I happened to be one of the representatives in Ekiti Parapo College then and to God be the glory, when I was admitted into the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), I became the Chief Whip of the student representative council in FUTA and there and then we achieved quiet a lot of things like freedom of press and we were able to get scholarships and bursary awards that has never happened in history.

    I could vividly recollect while I was in FUTA, and Ekiti State was created then, we led the first set of delegation to the then Governor and the Military Administrator of the Ekiti State we engaged him on the need to get bursary across to the students and we were successful. As a leader then, we were the first set of people who were able to get bursary, because it was N500 then from Ekiti State to all Ekiti students schooling all over Nigeria.

    Since then it has been in me to give back to my community and as a person, I rose to the cradles, grew up in Ido Ekiti my university was in Akure, every other thing put together; I am an holistic person who see things holistically, who see things the way it suppose to be so that the community can benefit from what we have on ground, thank you.

    How do you see this as a Call to service?

    At this level with my technical exposure as a technocrat based on experience, based on age and exposure, I am competent to vie for the office or to be a Rep member at the Federal House of Representatives come 2019. This aspiration has been in me as far back as 2011, I was a party man then, moving from ACN to APC.

    I approached my constituency because you don’t stay in Lagos and say your are vying, I am from Ido-osi, and it is one of the Local Government that constitute Ekiti North Federal constituency 2, we have Moba, we have Ileje-Meje and we have Ido-osi and in those constituencies we have about 32 wards, and there and then I was able to meet with all the Chairmen of my ward in my local government and I told them this is my aspiration, this is what I want to do for you, I want to go and represent you the way others have not done before, I tried then but it didn’t work out; that was when my elderly colleague Baba Robinson got the post and as a party man you stay within your party to make sure you build the party.

    Build experience to make sure you are able to deliver as the time comes. Recently I approached them and told them I still have a lot to offer based on my experience, based on my exposure; you know like I said before I have been out of this country on different trainings, and when you are on a technical training in such manner, you are not just focusing on the trainings because you are meeting people from different environment and different climes and you are trying to understand how things work on their side, those are the things I have in my memory in my capacity, in my capability to be able to go to the Federal House of Representative in 2019 and deliver the dividends of democracy to my people.

    What’s your dispostion of present political dispensation?

    I must be frank with you, the present National Assembly is doing their best, but for now their best is not enough to pull Nigeria out of the present economic situation we have found ourselves, and they can still put more effort. Recently we have seen quite a lot of bills that has been passed and if those bills find themselves into the economy of Nigeria, if their impact is felt, Nigeria will come out of this present economy imbroglio and we would put our feet in the committee of nations in the world.

    They are quite a lot of very intelligent people in that house, when I listened to their open discussions in the senate on Channels I know we have quite a lot of intelligent people who can push positions in that place, they need to up their game; they need to do more, of course they are trying but they can still do more.

    If someone like me coming from the oil industry, from energy and environment find myself in the committee on energy in the house, you should expect constructive contribution that will make sure that our oil industry in Nigeria would be one of the best in the world, and to make sure that a lot of youths are engaged because one thing I have realised in recent time is that there are quite a lot of young guys coming from other countries to come and work in Nigeria; why don’t you have more guys in Nigeria going out there to work as experts because when you work as expert you make yourself internationally marketable and you will be called everywhere to come and work and with that we are trying to reduce some level of unemployment in the system. We have the capacity; we have what is needed to equip those guys so that they also can be experts the way also experts are working in Nigeria.

    Kindly brief us on your developmetal agenda?

    As far as we are concerned today in Ido-osi, our major hold is agriculture, however on the other hand there are quite a lot of things that have fall into place. I was discussing with a colleague recently that as far as that local government is concerned it is possible to venture into quarry. The federal government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has recently approved and funded the construction of a lot of rail lines.

    If you see where rail-lines are constructed you will see very viable granites that are used in the rail construction. It is just for investors coming in and it is just for us to approach our leader who is the present minister for mines and mineral development because they are the ones that grant license for quarry; it is just to sign a memorandum of understanding that I would be able to supply you a tonne of granites.

    Imagine if they are getting that tonne of granite like let say 10,000, and say because of what we have, we have the raw materials and using all the facilities we have presently in Ido-osi, I am telling you Ido-osi alone will be able to supply all the granites that are needed for all the construction of all the rails we have in Nigeria, and you know the level of employment that will generate, and the level of engagement it will generate for the youths in my community.

    These are the things that kept crossing my mind and I believe with good leadership in Ekiti State, good leadership in Nigeria we would be able to get the youths of Ido-osi employed, and with that there would be reduction in restiveness. Another thing that I am looking at is the way at which drug proliferation has continued in that area is unprecedented.

    If our youths are engaged, if they are re-oriented they do away with those things then you can engage them. They are quite a lot of artisans in Ido-osi who can do their work without being engaged in criminalism, they are a lot of guys who are fashion designers, who are masons and bricklayers and those who construct aluminium windows. Those guys can be fully engaged, and when they are engaged, criminality is reduced; guys are employed even if they decide to go to school, then there is a better chance for you to make sure that you are somebody in life. Give you agood career talk on courses to do, even the courses that people think they are irrelevant; there is no course as far as this country is concerned that is not relevant, it is a function of the person that is doing it and the eagerness and the effort one has put to what he is doing. They would be relevant, they would be useful and the community would be less restive, you can’t eliminate criminalism, but you can reduce it drastically and before you realise people who are still interested in doing crime would withdraw their selves and the community will be free and we will be part of the system that we want to represent.

    Putting Ekiti in perspective, what do you think?

    Well to me as of today, the present administration of his Excellency Governor Ayodele Fayose has not lived to people’s expectation because I remembered quite a lot of things he said he would do while vying for the post in 2014, today they still remain a mirage. Based on my discussion recently, it is not Kebbi State that should partner Lagos State in rice production; Ekiti State has older history of rice production compared to Kebbi.

    We produce rice in Igbemo, while I was growing up in secondary school I was doing my holiday job in rice farm, because they are quite a lot of rice farms and the birds are there to disturb; yours is to be there during the day and dislocate those birds. Imagine if Lagos State had partnered Ekiti State in rice production, I cannot imagine the volume of money that will be in Ekiti State now.

    Last week about 70 trailers of rice came from Kebbi State into Lagos State and even if those bags of rice are sold for N6,000, imagine the volume of rice that will come to Lagos from Ekiti, it should not be Kebbi partnering Lagos, or Lagos partnering Kebbi. If the administration we have has taken agriculture with all seriousness, with all concern, Ekiti State by now should be smiling.

    Look at the development in Taraba State, Taraba State has irrigation but they are making fruits like lettuce, cucumber, carrots and many other fruits and they are bringing them to Lagos for quick market and then you realise the volume of money in Kebbi, Taraba and Adamawa now. Ekiti state is in the best position; it is on the pedestal and has a better advantage to bring those things to Lagos than those areas because the distance between Lagos and Ekiti is 3 hours.

    Imagine if 70 trailers of rice are coming from Ekiti bringing rice to Lagos, my people in Ekiti will be smiling now but it is not the order of the day. Federal government has silos in Ekiti, it is for Ekiti to make us of the opportunity by going into agriculture and fill those silos.

  • ‘Why I dumped legal practice to become a PILOT

    ‘Why I dumped legal practice to become a PILOT

    Twenty-nine-year-old Olamide Oyindamola Akinfolarin is one of the few female pilots in the country and the first to be produced in Ondo State. She became a pilot after she had trained as a lawyer; the profession her parents actually desired for her. The young and vibrant pilot, who was awarded the best private pilot progress trophy in South Africa, spoke with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI on her passion and the challenges she faces in a male-dominated profession, among other issues.

    What does it feel like to be the first lady pilot from Ondo State?

    To be honest, I had no idea until I was told a few weeks ago. But it feels really good to achieve such a feat. And I don’t plan to stop here. There are many more to come, God willing.

    Has the government in your state accorded you any recognition for this achievement?

    No they haven’t. But I’m sure it’s no fault of theirs. They’re probably not aware of the achievement. I’m sure they would want to be a part of this success story.

    Why did you have to relocate to South Africa?

    To be honest, aviation schools in Nigeria are too expensive. The payment plan is not flexible enough. They have stringent requirements which can discourage the faint-hearted. Lastly, I can’t vouch for their national, much less international, recognition.

    What was the feeling the first time you flew an aeroplane?

    Flying as pilot-in-command for the first time was exhilarating, to say the least. It was all I ever dreamt it would be and more. It met and surpassed my expectations.

    Did you feel you would achieve more being a pilot than being a lawyer?

    Well, if I had pursued a career as a pilot rather than a lawyer, I would definitely be way ahead in my career by now. But I don’t for one second regret pursuing Law first. It might not have been my first love, but I also grew to love it. I’ve always believed in the importance of education and I’m eternally grateful to my mother for making me graduate from the university before going to aviation school.

    My experience as a lawyer has made me grow and mature in a special way, and I still intend to acquire an LLM in Aviation Law in order to merge both fields of study and make it one. My goal is to one day be in a position to make great change in the aviation sector through, for example, implementation of laws. And my law degree will go a long way in helping me to achieve that.

    Since you are based in South Africa, what are you doing at present?

    I have just acquired my private pilot licence, so I’m currently working on my commercial pilot licence.

    You look very young. Does this in anyway undermine your strength in the midst of male colleagues?

    Wow! Thanks for the compliments. Well, looking young and being a woman always puts me at a disadvantage anywhere I go as would most women, particularly in such a male-dominated profession. It however does not slow me down or intimidate me. Rather, it fuels the motivation I need to prove my worth.

    I came to South Africa with no formal or informal aviation background, but I was able to excel exceedingly in both theoretical and practical aspects. My exams were way above average, and I finished my practical in a record time. I was also awarded the best private pilot progress trophy. So I dare say I earned their respect.

    What motivated or inspired you to take this path after your law degrees?

    To be succinct, passion for aviation. Aviation has and will always be my first love. Before law was aviation. Even my final year project at the University where I bagged my Diploma in Law and Bachelor of Law degree was centered on the Fly Nigeria Bill. Information is power. Without it, we are lost. I was, unfortunately, ill-informed on the requirements for pursuing aviation and it slowly took the back burner while I pursued my law degree, which I do not regret for one second. I always felt a vacuum which my law degree could not fill.Everyone thought well, after Law School, she’ll probably get a job and let it go. That was however not the case. I drew up a plan with set goals and timelines, did proper research on all that was required and started saving up for the execution of my plan.

    When I informed my mother, she was initially against it. I can’t say that I blame her though. I’m her only child. That is why I’ll be eternally grateful to Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) who succeeded in getting her on board. When the time for executing my plan came, I did, and the rest is history.

    What barriers did you encounter and how did you break them?

    First barrier: aviation is a very expensive dream, so funding posed and still poses a threat to my passion. But I didn’t and won’t let that stop me. I’m however lucky to have the most supportive mother who puts my needs before hers. After I had saved up to sort out things like the initial deposit required by the school, visa application processing fees and air ticket, my sweet mother parted with her valuables in order to raise funds for my private pilot training. I also got some financial help and support from well-wishers like Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), His Excellency Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, Her Excellency Dame Bimbo Fashola, Uncle Adeleke Adefala, my sweet Aunty Magdalene Lasode, Aunty Fanni Aisien Osana and my surest Uncle Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome aka Alibaba.

    There was discouragement from people I thought could help with funding. Someone actually told me not to think of aviation but rather live a simple life and become a secondary school teacher, which I thought was hilarious. For the records, I have absolutely nothing against teachers, but it is just not my passion. Notwithstanding, I persevered and didn’t lose hope or faith in God. God’s favour has been endless and I cannot praise Him enough.

    What is the most important lesson you have learnt so far?

    With God, hard work and perseverance, the word ‘impossible’ does not exist.

    Any plans to settle down soon?

    If I had a penny for every time I’ve been asked this question, I’d be wealthy right now. Hopefully, sometime in the future.

    You have only been referring to your mother. What about your father?

    He is alive and well. Thank God.

    Tell us about your background?

    I am 29 years old, daughter of Mr. Collins Funsho and Mrs Gladys Nwabuaku Akinfolarin. I am from Ondo town, Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo State. My mother is originally from Arondizuogu, Ide-Ato North Local Government Area, Imo State. I have a Diploma in Law, LLB, BL, private pilot licence and commercial pilot licence in the works. I love driving, swimming, playing tennis and watching movies. I’m passionate about Aviation and Law.