Category: Sunday Interview

Many find it difficult to stay in marriages these days. Interestingly John and Felicia Okafor have survived four decades together. In this encounter Mujidat Balogun takes a look at what kept them together as they count their blessings.

LOVE, they say, conquers all. This aptly describes the love story of Pastor John Okafor and his wife of four decades, Felicia Okafor. To commemorate the landmark anniversary, a church service and reception was organised in Lagos a few week ago.

Here family and friends thronged the venue to share in the wonderful story of love. Happily, Pastor John and his beau, Felicia Okafor, smiled, danced and went down memory lane talking about how they have coped with the vicissitudes of life. Instead of quitting, they weathered the storms together and the story on their lips today is ‘thank God, we survived the odds.’

As they count their many blessings, the Okafors say the union is the best thing that ever happened in their life. “The greatest joy in my heart is seeing friends, colleagues, family and neighbours from places that we lived before coming here to celebrate with us. Some people wanted to come from Abuja, Makurdi, but because of bad roads, they could not make it. Still, I feel grateful to God seeing my brethren, those that were there when we got married, people that I have seen in a long while.”

Apart from the show of love, mutual respect and dedication to each other, you wonder if there is anyone considered as a great influence in the union and you get a response like this: “That is a tough question because I don’t have any person that I can say influenced our marriage.

“The only thing that influences us is the keeping of Jesus Christ in our home. The family that prays together would definitely stay together. So, that is only thing that I can say on that. On the other hand, what I can call influence on my marriage is the fact that people in my family treasure and honour the marriage institution. So, at the beginning I was used to seeing members of my family, both maternal and paternal sides who were married for 50, 60 years, and it motivated me a lot. At that point, seeing people like that encouraged me and I used to tell myself that this is what I want for my relationship and that we were still far behind.”

Joyously, his wife recalls the happy moments and how being in the shadow of the almighty served as a great inspiration for them. “It is only the word of God that has been my inspiration from the outset and as we grew together it continued to give us direction and guidance.”

Having peace in his marriage, Okafor declared, also helped him to live and have a healthy lifestyle.  “Everything that you see now is God. I am living by his grace; if not for him I will say nothing would have been the way it is but with his blessing upon us. He is the reason why we are looking younger and healthy.”

She also used the opportunity to talk about celebrating 40 years together and what it means to her: It is God. He didn’t say He was going to give us the key of perfection. The truth about relationship is that nobody is perfect and we need to help each other grow in love. I am not perfect, neither is he perfect but because of the love of God, we have been able to make a difference, appreciate each other for little things as well as overlook the shortcomings of one another. This way, God’s blessings and favour continue to overflow and He has been in control of every situation of our lives. So, that is what has been keeping me.”

Asked to advise young couple, Okafor said: “My advice for the couples of today is that it is important to have the fear of God. It is only the fear of God that keeps a home and preserves the relationship no matter what you are going through. So, it is important to love God and love each other. In addition, we must not marry someone out of compassion; don’t marry someone you don’t know. One other mistake that a lot of young people make is that they are always in a hurry to marry and when they jump into the relationship they find that things are different from their expectations. It is very important to marry someone that loves you. When you marry someone that is your friend, things would be better and everything would appear smooth.”

Though it’s time to shed tears of joy, do they have any regrets? Pastor John replied this way: “There is nothing to regret about; it has been a wonderful experience for us. I would say that God has really blessed the marriage. My story is that of someone who has a wife that never disappointed him – a wife that loves me and together we trained our children to be on the right path. So I don’t have anything worth regretting. It has been a story of love, grace and favour.”

On her part, Mrs. Okafor said, “No, I don’t have any regrets in my marriage. I married the man that I love and also God blessed us with good children. I feel blessed to have him as my husband, so no regrets at all.”

Olori Sandra Adeseye Thomas is passionate when it comes to making women look good. This passion which started as a hobby has metamorphosed into a money- spinning venture and in this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she tells whoever cares to listen that she is happy doing this. 

WHAT inspired your passion for beauty and skin care?

I trained as a beautician in South Africa. I do eyelashes, nails, and spa treatments. I do just everything about beauty. I had my studio in Cape Town, South Africa, but when I came back to Nigeria, taking care of the family and running the business wasn’t easy but I would go back someday. I love to do lashes, though I’m not into nails anymore. I interact with people and get their problems solved and what I’m doing right now is just perfect.

The skin is one of the things that make a woman attractive. As a dermatologist, what does this mean to you?

I’m not a dermatologist, I’m a beautician. I specialise on black women’s skin and I have a presence in every state because of my clients. I do skin care assessment and it’s my major selling point in business. Even if you don’t use what I sell and you consult me, I would tell you if the product you use is good for you. I assess your skin before I recommend a product for you. It’s not just about selling my products. I’m a Makari distributor in Nigeria and I have been doing this for nine years. The store is five years old in Nigeria. I have been doing this business from South Africa since nine years ago. Coming back home, I decided to open stores in Nigeria as well and it’s been great.

Let’s talk about life as an entrepreneur

I’m a wholesaler and I distribute directly from Makari. I import their product lines from New York and I don’t just distribute, I have one-on-one relationships with my clients. I trained to become a beautician. It’s not about you going to the store and buying the product and you get home and it’s unsuitable for your skin type or your skin tone or it doesn’t address your problem. If you pick products that are unsuitable for your skin, you add to your problems. We have some clients that doctors recommend Makari for and when they come with their doctors’ prescriptions we ask which one the doctor asked them to buy. Some of our products are medicinal and you don’t just pick anything for your body, otherwise it would turn the other way round.

What are some memorable moments in life and your career?

I have so many memorable moments but the most encouraging one is having the upcoming entrepreneurs asking for ways to start, where to start from and where I think they will be in years to come. I tell them with God the sky is their starting point if they can pray, work hard, be honest, dedicated and above all never relent or give up.

What advice do you have for Nigerian entrepreneurs?

I know the economy is not encouraging at the moment and most especially hit are the people in business. But as upcoming business people, one just has to be persistent and keep pushing and maybe invest in what we think the people will be more interested in…having two or three businesses or income at this time may not be a bad idea. If you feel your present business is not booming as expected, looking into other aspects may not be a bad idea. I know this too shall pass and we will not be in this situation for a long time.

At what point did you become an olori?

Well, my husband is a prince born in Lagos. He is from Balogun Thomas family in Lagos. Someday, he will be a king and I’m his queen. I call him oba-in-waiting.

Do you remember some memorable moments while growing up?

I grew up in Ibadan in my grandfather’s house. He was a reverend, so I grew up in the vicarage. We’re Anglican and I converted my husband into an Anglican. Today, he calls himself an Anglican. I’m a secretary by profession and I trained at Speedwriting International College, an affiliate of Speedwriting Institute London. When I left Nigeria, I delved into business because I couldn’t continue with my 8am-5pm-work routine anymore with my little children. I thought of something else to do that would give me time for my family and that was how I became a beautician.

As a young lady, what were your dreams?

I actually wanted to be a PA with a giant company, because my aunt was a secretary with the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State in those days and she was really good. I admired her as she went to work elegantly dressed and I told myself I would become a secretary like her. I just wanted exposure, I wanted to relate with people.

What has life taught you?

Life has taught me to take one day at a time. Wherever you are today, whatever you are today, it’s not by your might. I have learnt that whatever you know how to do, do it well. If it’s worth doing, do it well but if you know it’s not worth doing, don’t bother.

So how and where did you meet your husband?

I met him here in Lagos through a friend and as I was looking for a job after graduating from secretarial school. He was working for Schlumberger then and I gave him my CV and he promised to get me a job and here we are today.  He never got me a job but he got me a better life and we are blessed with lovely children.

What’s your assessment of beauticians in Nigeria?

The business has picked up in the past ten years. It wasn’t this lucrative when I left Nigeria. Now everybody is beauty-conscious and wants to look beautiful, they want to take care of their skin. Women have realised that even if they have money to buy 20 clothes and their skin is not beautiful they have not started. These days, women now invest more in skin care. It’s really great.

Tell us about your journey into being a skin beautician

I wanted a cream I could use that doesn’t contain hydroquinone and I Googled it. The name Makari popped-up. That was how I discovered it. Nobody told me about the product. I took that name to my doctor in Houston, Texas, and requested to change my cream. He told me to bring one sample and that he would check it. That time they only had about three or four product lines. I bought the lotion and soap. My doctor ran a test on them and a week later, he told me that they’re free from hydroquinone. It was after a year of using the lotion and soap that people started asking me what I was doing to my skin. When I went to the mall people asked me what I was doing to my skin. I didn’t know skin care products had such impact and influence on people like that. People told me I was glowing and I told them the name of my cream and I started selling it.  When I was moving back to Nigeria, the manufacturer suggested I start distributing in Nigeria and I was licensed to do so. I want to give Senator Florence Ita-Giwa the credit for bringing Makari products to Nigeria. She started it. When I wanted to become their distributor, they told me that she was the first person to launch it in Nigeria. I think she laid the foundation for younger ones like us to follow. It’s her footprints that I’m following, so I respect her for that.

What is your definition of style?

I like to look good. People think I’m fashionable, I don’t think I am, I just like to look good. I like to wear what suits me and when I stand before the mirror and I look good, I’m okay. I don’t step out without looking at the mirror and it has to be perfect. Fashion to me is evolving and I just roll with it. I like changing my wardrobe often.

What about makeup for you?

I’m not into makeup. I allow my skin to breathe. When you are in this kind of profession and you pile makeup on your face every day then you have something to hide. If a beautician wears makeup every day you need to question the authenticity of the products she uses. You should not use makeup to conceal your identity. I don’t wear makeup every day.  I wear my makeup to parties or on weekends, not every day. When people see me at parties and say I look good, it’s not my makeup that looks good, and it’s my skin. It’s my skin that brought out the makeup. Makeup is the least on my budget, because my skin is okay to bring out the beauty of the clothes I’m wearing.

Salma Phillips is a writer, producer and host of the Salma Show which airs on DStv. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, the energetic lady talks about life as a TV show host, things that motivate and inspire her and a husband that is a pillar of support.

WHAT was early life like and how did it influence what you do now? A look down memory lane and I would say that growing up was fun and quite memorable. I have nothing but wonderful and loving memories of my childhood. I grew up in Jos, Plateau State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State. My parents, they are late now, gave us nothing but the best in life. The memories of childhood are so sweet and I remember playing hide and sick with my siblings and cousins. Interestingly, we also used to act plays at home where I would act the role of the mummy and we gave others different roles. Those kind of plays that children act and I guess it all helped to give me the boldness that I have now.

Our parents gave us the best and they invested in our education because they believed it was the best legacy they could give us.  I went to Adrao International School in Lagos for my nursery school education. I later proceeded to Kiddy Joy Primary School in Jos, Plateau State. From there, I moved on to the Federal Government College Jos, where I completed my secondary education. This was a very memorable part of my growing up years and I got admission into the University of Jos to study law (Diploma). Just while I was thinking about this, I got another admission, a direct entry to study law at the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt.

At what point did you decide that you wanted to go into broadcasting?

After graduating from the university, I started a facility management company and it was a very interesting and exciting experience for me. Here, I offered services to individuals, top government and media organisations, parastatals and banks. I did that for about five years and made up my mind to go after my dreams and aspirations which is where my passion for broadcasting comes in. So, I went into being a media producer; presenting on television and directing programmes.

Interestingly, my passion for television presentation started when I was nine years old. I was inspired the first time I saw Femi Oke on CNN reporting the weather. On that fateful day, my late dad said to me ‘that’s Femi Oke, she is a Nigerian woman just like you.’ I fell in love with her immediately and I told my dad that I was going to be like Femi Oke when I grow up and probably work for CNN too. After that day, every time Femi Oke came on screen, my dad would scream ‘Salamatu’ and ask me to come and see my favourite woman and that subsequently became a passion for me.

When it was time for me to pick a course in the university, my parents didn’t let me study Mass Communication. I was shocked when my dad said I was never going be on television and I might as well just forget that. So I studied law and for years I just focused on being a good business woman because we all know that northern parents are very hard to convince once it has to do with the media.

I lost my parents when I was 18 years old. First, my mother passed away and my father also died three years after. That was a very trying period in my life. I became depressed and had to put all my energy on graduating from the university. It was at this point that I starting a facility management company. I had a lot of challenges along the line; sometimes I didn’t have enough because I was running a new company and paying staff and was still trying to get the contracts coming in. I struggled for about two and the half years, but luckily I was able to cross that bridge and things started to get better. Along the line, we got bigger and started to make a lot of profit.

At what point did you go back to your first love and passion for television?

Just when I thought the dream was over, it came back again.  I met my husband and he encouraged me to follow my dreams and ever since he has been a very strong pillar of support. Then I always watched and talked about how I loved and admired people like Funmi Iyanda, Mo Abudu, Christine Amanpour. These are women in the media that are focused, determined and dedicated to what they do. They are strong women and I looked up them. Determined to succeed, I decided to do something interesting and unique. I started in 2011 and did two pilots of the Salma Show. Unfortunately, it was turned down by DSTV. I went back in 2012 and was rejected again. I was down for a short while and disappointed but still did another pilot for them This time around, I shot six episodes. This was in 2014 and I was rejected and turned down once more.

At this point, I made up my mind to go back to my facility management company. Somehow, my husband was able to convince me to try one last time and he also suggested I go to the BBC academy and study media/broadcast and come back and give it a shot. That was exactly what I did. And guess what? I came back and shot 13 episodes; I was that confident that they wouldn’t say no. And the rest, as they say, is history. They just loved it.

Where do hope to be in the next five years?

My desire is to reach out to as many people as possible. So, I do not see myself as the face of Northern Nigeria television alone; rather I see myself as a northern woman, someone who wants to touch lives and make a difference in her own little way. In doing so, there are no limits, as to my reach. Rather, every new terrain is seen as an opportunity to reaching the next. The world is a global village, there are numerous northerners spread around the globe and The Salma Show is one of the platforms that connect them back home. The beauty of The Salma Show is that it cuts across the entire country, and is aired on the global platform of African Magic Urban on DStv. It is our unique niche that stands us out and sets us apart. This has worked for us thus far.

Apart from my passion and dreams, I would say that my husband helped to give me a better direction. I met him at a friend’s party in Lagos. He is kind and generous and he has brought a lot of good things to my life.  The best gift he has given me is his love, friendship, and support. These are things you can never pay for.

 What are the other things that occupy your time?

I would say that the Meena Shehu Foundation is something that I am passionate about and it occupies my time. It is a non- governmental organisation which is named after my late parents to immortalise them. They are gone but not forgotten. My mum taught me how to give to the less-privileged and made me understand having the basics in life is a gift and a blessing from the almighty Allah, and that doesn’t make me better than the orphan in the orphanage or the sick who has no funds to get the necessary medical attention that is needed. What better way to make them proud. This foundation means a lot to me; it is my own little way of giving back to humanity. What I intend to do with Meena Shehu Foundation, Insha Allah, is to raise money for the sick and under privileged; to organise vocational training for the girl-child to empower them to become independent; to create jobs for the youth who are unemployed.

If you have to advise young people coming into the sector, what would you tell them?

I would tell them that it is important to believe in themselves. They need to believe in themselves because if you do not believe in yourself then no one will. For me, the most important lesson learnt is there should be more action and less talking if you must stand out.  Now, I am happy that I have achieved wanting to have my own talk show and to be a media personality. I still have aspirations that I have not yet achieved but I strongly believe that with Almighty Allah by my side, hard work, faith, tenacity and patience, I will achieve them one by one.

What is your definition of style?

I would say that I am not really a fashion person, but I have what I call my distinctive style. My definition of style, therefore, is expressing myself through the clothes and the accessories that I wear. On the fashion scene, I have some style icons that I admire and the list includes Rita Dominic and the late Maryam Babangida. For designers, I admire people like Lanre da Silva, Deola Sagoe, Wana Sambo, Fattush and a couple of others and international Zuhair Murad, Dior, Sergio  Rossi, and Azzedine Alaïa.

I also love to pamper my skin because your skin says a lot about who you are. So, I exfoliate my face three times a week using oatmeal, granulated sugar, raw honey and lemon.

How do you relax?

To relax, I read a lot of books, watch movies with my husband and I like to bake (bread and cakes). In addition, I also love music.  Sometimes I ask my kids to just dance and I have a good laugh and a wonderful time just watching them.

Vivian Okafor is the CEO of Vicharles, a baby and children’s accessory outfit based in Lagos. Interestingly, the journey into this sector of business started when she combed the nooks and crannies for jobs but the search turned out to be endless. In the midst of her frustration, she found a passion in knitting and gradually it became a money spinner for her. 

How did the idea begin?

This was not actually what I set out to do at the beginning. Interestingly, it started when there was no work available and the more I searched for a job the more difficult and elusive it became. It was so frustrating and people were just not ready to help. Then one day, I visited my aunt and there I saw a woman wearing knitted-shoes for her baby. It was very attractive and it inspired me and opened my eyes to the untapped potential here.

What were the initial challenges?

I began to do some research on how to do this and I started on a small skill. I worked all day and almost all nights to perfect skill and gradually it got better by the day.

The first few customers were impressed and gradually I got referrals and patronage increased. However, there were a few challenges like every other start-up. The major challenge for me was that some customers were not pricing the products well. But I later overcame the problem. It actually took me like one year to do so.

How did you overcome the challenges at the beginning?

My gratitude goes to my sister and my husband. They helped me to start the business by giving me some money.

Who are your targets?

I get inspiration from the things that I see around me as well as the colours that I make use of. They are things that are colourful and attractive for my targets who are basically pregnant women, grown up people, and children both male and female.

Let’s talk about some of the memorable moments in the business for you

My memorable moment was the day I discovered how to make baby shoes with wool. It was very exciting and that took me to the next phase of the business. It increased the company’s visibility and more people started buying my product. In addition to these, I get inspired each time I see people wearing my products.

Let’s talk about your mentors or role models

My mentor is God; this is because I learnt the skill from no one. God gave me the wisdom to think deeply and create something unique out of wool. So I really appreciate and thank God for that.

Where do you see your business in the next five years?

In the next five years, I want to establish the business very well.

My advice to Nigerian women is that there is nothing as important as learning a skill. It is something that would see you through difficult times like the recession.

Even though our husbands are there to help us, we should try and help ourselves by empowering ourselves; it would help you to stay focussed, add value to your family and be respected by your spouse.

Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?

For me, I would say that the greatest influence in my life is my husband. He has been a great pillar of support and he is always pushing me to get better with what I am doing. I also appreciate some of my friends who have helped in marketing the product.

Let’s talk about people that you consider as your role models or mentors

My role model goes with the sobriquet mama crocheting. I love her knitting style so much, and I get a lot of inspiration from her.

What advice do you have for female entrepreneurs in the country?

My advice is that we need to be more dedicated and put in our best no matter the odds. The business environment is tough at the moment but that should not distract us from our dreams. If

you believe your business is going to be worth millions in future, then the journey to success should start now. Hard work pays but many do not believe in hard work and dedication these days.  This way your business would get bigger and better and it is obvious that you will not want to come out with nothing at the end of the day.

 We can also get better if we partner and network with people in related businesses. As an entrepreneur, it’s best to go for someone who is interested and who knows much about your business so they can add value to what you do and will enlighten you better.

What are the other things that occupy your time?

Apart from this, I sew but I do not sew for the public. Most times, I just make clothes for myself, my family and a few friends. In addition, I make some trendy accessories with beads and it is a very interesting aspect of life because it also helps to bring out my passion for creative things.

Motherhood is one of the best moments in life and it is something that motivates and inspires the things that I do. I also have great concerns for womanhood. I am happy because a lot of women are doing so well, motivating others and bringing new opportunities that make things better for others.

So, whenever I see a woman winning laurels, making new discoveries and standing out amongst her peers, I am inspired. On the other hand, when I see women in conflict I get worried and pray for things to get better. Personally, the most important thing is to open your eyes to opportunities, learn about how to develop your skills, as well as be friends with people that can open doors for them.

There is no point hanging around people who would take away from you instead of adding value to your life. I also believe that everything is possible and that there is always a way out of every problem. We need to be connected, we need to help ourselves and stand out in whatever we are doing.

If you had to advise Nigerian women, what would you tell them?

As Nigerian women, I believe that we have a great role to play in the home, family and the development of the society in general.

The truth of the matter is that we have a lot of women who are talented and those who should mentor others. We don’t have to sit on the fence because there is so much to do.

We just have to come out and touch lives because God has given us different talents and we are expected to use them to develop others.

This way, we would create a multiplier effect that would turn things around. If you do not talk to your sister next door, if you do not help to build and develop her potential, then you have failed in your life journey.

Lillian Ikem’s reputation as a creative designer and entrepreneur in the fashion industry is something you cannot ignore any day.
After succeeding in turning her passion to a thriving business, the Economics graduate of Edo State University recently expanded her Lily and Gees business group with the establishment of Lil-Gee salon chains. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, the amazon shares the secret of success, challenges, as well as her new passion for the bone china plate collection trend.

HOW would you describe your experience in the business and fashion scene?

I have been a player in the Nigerian fashion industry for about 10 years and the experience gained has been worthwhile. In the process, I met a lot of people and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, growth and relationships that have been fostered over the years with my numerous clients.

What is trendy for women at the moment?

The fashion scene has grown really big and we have a variety of trends evolving simultaneously. We also have a lot of women going for African wears these days. However, we also have a number of trendy corporate wears especially when it comes to suits. This is interesting because we all have different parts of our bodies that we are trying to hide. Some of us are into trousers, because we do not want parts of our legs to show. For some women, it is their shoulders. Suits are still good. You can decide to get them in the three-quarter sleeve, the jacket. If you are able to do that, it is still interesting.

Isn’t it tough moving from a familiar terrain to an area that is totally different?

As I said before, I am not leaving the fashion industry. I love it too much to abandon it. I am merely expanding my frontiers. As a woman, when you have worked so hard and achieved your goal, then the next step is to think of expansion. The salon franchise like the fashion world is beauty-based. The dishware business is beauty-based in a sense. What Lille and Gee is positioning to do is to raise the overall aesthetic appreciation in Nigeria.

The focus should not just be on what people wear and how they look but also on how they live. As for the plates, it started also as a passion. Once my husband travelled, on a good day, I would go straight to a store and just change the household dishware, the plates and cutlery before he comes back home. I used to go as far as change the bed sheet. So it’s a love, a passion.

Are you going to be manufacturing them here?

Eventually, I would be designing the plates. For now, I am in collaboration with some major manufacturers on this. I am going to be importing them from China.

Bone China is one of the highest premium qualities of plates that you can find.  Imagine very good quality China plates with beautiful delicate prints on them. In the collection, you would find flat plates, saucers, cups, trays, wine glass all in the same motifs, but in variety of colours.

Such might appeal to a few connoisseurs. Why would an average Nigerian leave the plate in the supermarket to buy one of your exquisite Bone China?

Nigerians’ aesthetic appreciation has really shifted.  Bone Chinas are beautiful plates, on a different echelon altogether. Imagine plates for royalty that is being made available to the middle class!

Do you think there is a market for this now?

There is a market for it. Though things are really expensive these days and people are running away from spending money, that is why I will be making it available to people that are like me.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. When you see the plate, nobody needs to cajole you. Merely looking at them says everything. They market themselves. It is something worth saving up for. The plates are on a different ladder and that is why I said, imagine a tableware meant for royalty that is now being made available for the middle class, as simple as that.

How is your salon franchise doing?

The salon is under the Lily and Gees Group. Having looked around, I noticed that for women to get their hair or nails done, they most often travel some distance. The idea behind Lily and Gee Salon is to turn it into a franchisable brand so that in almost every hub, every locality within the metropolis, you can find a Lily and Gee salon. Here you have at your service best braiders, best nail technicians, best wigs specialists and the likes.

What are you doing differently, apart from assembling the best team?

For me, I would say that the most important thing is affordability. Imagine coming to the salon where you are going to meet the expert in hair and hair care, where you have products available as well and it is all affordable – the best of everything at affordable prices. That is really what the salon is about.

Given your background in the beauty industry, what areas do you want to fill?

There is a hair knowledge gap, and Lill and Gees is motivated to fill that. Nigerians are excelling at making hair look good. Lil and Gees want to combine that with maintaining healthy hair that retains its lustre, length and nutrients to old age. Nigerians are lacking in knowledge. We are not lacking in the appreciation of good hair when we see it, but it is usually at the neglect of our own natural hair. Right now, it is fashionable to have multiple wigs, but then, what are we really doing about our natural hair?

What products suits fine or coarse hair? Those are the things we are bringing into the Nigerian market. We want to begin to educate, so the stylists and the dressers are trained to educate the clients of Lily and Gees to knowing the particular products that they require for the different hair textures.

Take for instance, women who seem to be going bald. I have seen people use very expensive products, such as weave-on but had it on too tight and too long a time, and perhaps failed to apply a little bit of coconut oil, Shea butter or something that could help.

This is not about expensive products; it is about knowledge, and two, consistency. That is why we are coming into the market. Our franchise is not about just taking customers’ money but also educating them on what to do to the hair.

Do you have business trainings in these areas that we are talking about?

I have had multiple personal development training.  I have consistently done business. If a person finds that her interest lies beyond one thing, and she has the capacity to do more than one thing, then why not? That is essentially the motivation. The capacity is there, so is the willingness to do all these, and what’s more, the market is there also.

Angel Oluwayimika Adelaja is the CEO of Fresh Direct Nigeria, a city farming initiative using stackable containers. Even though she trained as an epidemiologist, she has always had a passion for farming and related businesses. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde she talked about what motivated her go into the sector, initial challenges ,being one of the 30 start-ups recognized by the Presidency a few months ago and the other things that occupy her time.

WHAT inspired your passion for farming and agro allied products?

Over  the past 5 years, I have worked with organizations to develop strategies for economic development and job creation. The most impactful solutions focused on ICT and agricultural sectors. As a consultant working on large scale models in agriculture for private sector, it is actually easier, but was a totally different story for small or medium scale local players to do individually. When I decided to invest in agriculture, it was then I realized how difficult it really was to effectively enter a sector that should be so accessible. So, if I could face such challenges, what about other youths? I really was pushed more by a need to make it simpler for others. My passion grew as I started to use science and business to build sustainably within the sector. I must say also that the ability to create something, to grow something, to build something, is quite rewarding. These are things that fuel my passion.

What were the initial  challenges ?

I started with traditional agriculture and faced many of the same challenges others face in African Agriculture. Finding land as a youth was difficult, but I was able to rent. Access to technology was expensive, so I decided to build them myself. Investing in infrastructure was expensive, land clearing, digging a bore hole, electricity, staffing, building structures and more. Once I began, finding my market but here again I also discovered that  transport was also a challenge.

How did you overcome the challenges?

With all of the challenges I faced,  I chose to make it easier with urban farming. I’m blessed to know when to stick with something and when to pivot the business. We pivoted to focus on urban farming because it was a better, more eco-friendly, cost effective, sustainable solution.

 What were you doing before this?

Even though I’m trained as an Epidemiologist, I’ve always had a love for agriculture and promoting the opportunities available within the sector in Africa. I served as Technical Assistant and Research Consultant to the Director General of the Office of Economic Development and Partnership in the Office of the Governor of the State of Osun. I was also the Special Assistant to the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Poverty Alleviation and National Coordinator of the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) and the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Wealth Creation. Under these roles, one of my major pushes were for programs that funnel youth into emerging sectors, especially agriculture. My goal is to create pathways to ease other young people into profitable agricultural ventures to empower them with employment and strengthen them to also be successful employers of people. I’m not just focused on agriculture, but youth entrepreneurship in general. I also co-own Zahara Empresa which owns Zahara Spa and Salon in Abuja.

You were one of the 30 entrepreneurs selected  by the presidency a few months ago, what does this mean to you?

I was one of 30 Entrepreneurs selected to showcase my business to the Presidency. I’m honored to be selected over the thousands of start-ups who participated. It’s great to have such accolades for our business and we hope that government can work to build an enabling environment for indigenous start-ups, indigenous technologies and innovations to compete internationally. Right now, my company is in a position to get investors to further develop our technology and scale our business not only in Nigeria but Africa, it would be amazing for the Nigerian government to protect that opportunity by preventing a foreign company from coming to compete with more money and influence. I hope Aso Villa Demo Day would be the first step in not only recognizing local start ups, but helping to scale and protect them for a competitive advantage.

What would you describe  as the turning  point in your career ?

I don’t feel there’s been a turning point. Rather I’ve been on a long journey where every experience has moulded me and gotten me to where I am today as an entrepreneur.

Who are your role models and mentors?

I have quite a few mentors in different sectors, professional, personal, male, female. I was raised to seek mentorship. My mother is a great mentor to me and she encouraged me to always seek mentorship and would make sure I had close mentorship from my teachers, professors and employers. I have four advisors on my board who are mentors and father figures to me (one being my actual father), I have “aunties” who are pioneers and the epitome of success in a variety of fields such as governance, business, media, agriculture and in my faith.

What is the focus of Fresh Direct Nigeria and what makes it different  from others?

Fresh Direct Nigeria is city farming using stackable container farms! We bring fresh premium organic produce closer to market with our Container Farm Technology. Using hydroponics and vertical farming within a shipping container, our Container Farms are able to grow directly in urban areas. This means that production is brought closer to market or at market with ease.

We are developing and managing Urban Farm Campuses as Nigeria’s first truly “urban farm” with our Fresh Direct Container Farms. Eco Friendly Agriculture using less land and water but guaranteeing 15 times higher yield! A 20 ft container can grow the same amount as a football pitch and a half. That’s 3000 heads of lettuce or more every month. This means that if I dropped a fresh direct farm in someone’s house today, they could be making their first sale in four weeks time or less.

This is the solution that youths are looking for. It’s not back breaking, it’s fun, and there’s less set up costs compared to rural agriculture. Plus, there’s no headache getting produce to market when growing in the city!

The high-end produce market is relatively untapped in Nigeria and demand is currently serviced through the import market, which is rapidly becoming inaccessible due to the high cost of importation and foreign exchange.

Customers such as luxury hoteliers, restaurants, supermarkets and specialty stores are looking to source these highly perishable products from reputable providers without having to source foreign exchange. That is where we come in!

Let’s  talk about some memorable  moments in life?

The most memorable moments for me come from my childhood, experiences with my teachers, the fun of just being a child, the simplicity of it all. Fast forward and I think the most memorable moments for me in Adulthood have been my work in Osun at the Office of Economic Development and Partnership, working with a boss who believed in me and gave me great responsibilities. It was a phenomenal experience to be part of a team whose goal was to build sustainable development programs in the State and to tangibly see results.

Who or what do you consider as the greatest  influence  in your life?

God! God is the greatest influence in my life followed by my parents.

What types of books do you like to read?

I read mostly motivational books for business development, leadership and personal development but I read a lot of online articles from Foundr, Forbes, TechCrunch, AgFunder to stay current in my industry and in startup space in general.

You look trendy, what is your definition of style ?

I have no definition for it. I wear what I like based on my moods so I can be casual, classic, indie, chic when and where I want.

Does farming affect people’s outlook and style?

What if we could make agriculture exciting for youth, lower the risk, do it year round regardless of location, with little to no Land… no SOIL, cutting out long transportation times with the use of a simple technology? Fresh Direct is solving the problems typically seen in traditional farming using our Container farms. Fresh Direct Nigeria is focused on helping youth enter agriculture in a way that’s not backbreaking, is fun and lowers the risk of failure with the use of technology. So yes, we are radically changing people’s outlook on agriculture … in style.

What advice do you have for young people in the recession?

We are more talented, wise and resourceful than we are given credit for. We just need to use our creativity to look at things differently. For every problem, there is a solution and for every  crisis, there is an opportunity. If we can take advantage of such opportunities, we can build needed business that can stand the test of time.

Where do you hope to be in the next five years?

Right now we are an early stage company but we hope to be able to onboard 10,000 youth in areas that cut across agriculture and urban farming, distribution, sales/marketing, ag-tech and automation and much more. By God’s grace, in 5 years time, we will be a company established across Africa as a solution for high quality premium produce.

Apart from helping and serving young people, he is an entrepreneur with the drive to teach students how to harness their leadership skills in all areas of life. Joshua Oluwaseyi  Ajitena, a UK-based Nigerian, aka Mr. G, in this interview with Omolara Akintoye,  speaks extensively on what inspires him to motivate the young ones, among others. Excerpts

WHAT inspires you to motivate the young ones?

I love young people and I remember when I was young, I was not opportune to go through leadership training. So, growing up and going through life, I discovered that only hard work pays off. It’s not enough for them to look up to celebrities. I believe in inspiring the next generation by adding value to their lives.

Is this your first outing in Nigeria?

I’ve spoken on some other platforms in churches, but this is my first major outing in Nigeria and I intend doing more. My whole speaking ministry has been on the platform of the church. I intend making a lot of positive impacts among the young ones in Nigeria.

 Tell us about life in the United Kingdom; what do you do?

My job in the UK is to speak, I work with schools, colleges, universities and even prisons. I travel in and out of the UK speaking to young ones. I assist a lot of children round the clock and speaking is my fulltime job. I run a lot of seminars, workshops, deliver trainings for corporations, businesses. It’s not just only speaking but so many things that come with it. But the joy in it is when people give you a smile as a sign of encouragement to show that they appreciate what you do.

What is your growing up like and life in U.K?

I was born in Kano State. I lived in Ibadan, before we relocated to the U.K. My mum is from Ife, while my dad is from Modakeke, both in Osun State, Nigeria. So I’m real ‘omo Ibadan ki ni so re’ and I understand Yoruba language very well. So growing up in the UK, I lived with my parents. My dad is the pastor of a church, so I can say that I grew up in the church. It’s not as glamorous as it sounds but I thank God because we are reaping the fruits today. Life in London is okay, there are so many opportunities over there which are properly utilised, though not applicable here in Nigeria. Be that as it may, Nigeria is where my heart is, and I’m in Nigeria now for good.

 I have a Masters Degree in Marketing Communications and Consultancy, run a public speaking network called ‘Genero Living’, which means ‘Creative Living’.

Tell us some positive impacts made so far in your course of speaking

Outstanding one is when a young chap that worked with me in the UK while he was in prison, I was able to mentor him and take him through a coaching programme and turned his life around. Today, he is no longer in prison and he is doing really fine. There is another one that walked up to me one day and said, “You’ve turned my life around I have been able to do a lot of things myself as a result of your seminars.”

How do you relax?

I like to take things easy every now and then. I like the gym, watching movies, especially our Nollywood movies. I play chess a lot, it’s my favourite game, monopoly too.

How do you measure progress in your life?

Referrals, testimonials and partnerships. Progress and success are often linked with money, but not when you’re dealing with people’s lives and destinies. The money is the bonus.

What are some of the challenges you face in your industry and how have you been able to overcome them?

This speaking industry is saturated with a plethora of so called speakers. One of the challenges I’ve observed is being able to decipher whom to associate with. Breaking into the market is not as hard as people think it is, it’s a matter of content and authenticity. If there is no substance, the speaker will fade out in no time. Overcoming it for me has been a bit easy; observation is the best tool to have in this industry. This industry requires passion, knowledge and being clued up with the things that are happening in society and what matters in people’s lives.

Tell us your style of dressing

I believe in the message I carry to these young people and that people will address you the way you dress. Before they listen to me, they will size me up and if I’m wearing rag they won’t listen to me. I’m a very stylish person and I dress myself. I like to wear suits a lot. I have about 47 of them, but you can never have too much of suits. I don’t have a style for anything in particular.

And why do you like to keep your beard?

It is the only option that I have. I have to keep it because my hair stopped growing. I guess it is a good accessory for me to have. The beard to me is fashionable at the moment.

 When did you realise you had the gift of motivational speaking?

 (Laughs).Well, it started in church, but to me I was just edifying the hearts of people as my faith instructs. However, I didn’t even realise this until I started the dance group. I would drive the team in a minivan all over town. I would commit the team to doing things that were crazy. But all in all, the team of 15 were watching me and were inspired by the things I do (very humbling). Before we went on stage, I would deliver the pep talk and the team would be fired up. I’ve always believed that words are powerful; words are the fuel that can set the mind of any individual ablaze. I was good with that and filled with passion, I loved it. People thought I was a street dancer but I cannot even dance to save my life. Funny enough, when I was younger in my teens, I sang in a boy’s band called NBT with my brother Caleb who is a major gospel artist now and H Money the producer of Say yes by Michelle Williams and my good friend Orakle, amazing singer. I was the shy one of the group, I never sang any leads, and I just helped with harmony. But every time we had a meeting, I would say a thing or two and our manager at times always said to me and the team, ‘watch Joshua, your words are powerful and you will use words to change many people’s lives in the future’. It’s amazing. Here I am today.

What is your definition of the Nigerian youth?

Nigerian youth have all that it takes to excel but they lack the platform to express their creativity. I expect Nigerian youth to be on fire, expect positive changes towards their education; work on your weaknesses, know your strengths and make the best use of it.

 If you are to write a letter to President Buhari, what will you tell him about young ones?

 I will tell Mr. President that young ones have the answers in their own hands. It’s all about innovation and innovation is doing things in different ways.