Category: Sunday Interview

Morenike Omaiboje is the Executive Director of the Women’s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON), an organisation initiated by Late Bisi Olateru Olagbegi. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she  talks about surviving after the demise of the activist last year, challenges as well  as working as an HR expert for over two decades but recently found fulfilment  here.

WHAT do you do? I am the director of programmes for the Women’s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON). I have been doing that for about five years. Prior to that, I have had 22 years’ exposure in two American companies; Texaco Nigeria and Addas Petroleum.

What were you doing there?

I was in the Administration Unit and I was previously the Personal Assistant to the Managing Director and I did this for three American MDs. I was called Executive Assistant after which I moved to the training department and I coordinated the Total Quality Management programme before I left.

How did you find those experiences?

It was a wonderful experience and they contributed to whatever it is that I am doing at the moment. It exposed me and I feel very privileged to have been in that environment for over two decades.

Was this something that you set out to do initially or was it something that you just stumbled upon?

First, I studied Bi-lingual Secretarial Administration. Then I went into Human Resources and became a member of the Chartered Institute of Personal Management. So, I am an HR practitioner. After my secondary education, I went to Lagoon College, a privately owned polytechnic run by Catholic expatriates. After that, I got a job through that organisation in 1977. That is where I started my executive assistant career.

How did you get into WOCON?

When I left the oil industry, I also worked in three different industries diversely as General Manager and after a while I left. In year 2010, I had a lot of free moments to myself in terms of time. I was on the faculty of many training bodies and when I am not training, I would not be doing anything. So, I discovered WOCON online and through the late executive director’s daughter who I interviewed at that point. I was on a panel then and I interviewed her for a particular job in Abuja. That was how I got to know about the organisation and I went on the internet to know more about the organisation.

I told them that I wanted to be a volunteer and for many years I was doing this for them. When she died last year, I took over from her. I have always wanted to give back to the society and when I discovered them online, I knew that it was something that would give me that opportunity that I have always been looking for. In my private life, I found that a number of women looked up to me as a mentor. If I move into a new church or a new neighbourhood, women naturally gravitated towards me. Somehow, I provided support or succour to them. So, when I found WOCON, I knew that this was the place. Now, talking about fulfilment, a lot of things we did in the corporate organisations won’t really bring fulfilment, if you want to give back to the society.

So, it was therefore great finding a platform like WOCON readily enhanced that desire. Mrs. Olabisi Olateru Olagbegi was highly passionate about what she did. She was not only passionate; she was also strategically aligned to what she did. I don’t know how she achieved all she achieved but she was a catalyst and Amazon in the industry. She rose in the twenty years that she ran the organisation to the peak of her career, becoming a voice on women’s issues and I would say that she is my greatest source of inspiration. Her passion keeps me going and it has really engulfed me. Looking at a woman doing all that and now that she is gone, you do not want that dream to die. Definitely, when someone dies, it would affect everyone and create a vacuum. Some of her staff decided to leave and those of us who are there decided that we were going to forge ahead and keep the flag flying. For me, it was her passion that really got contagious. Currently, along with my WOCON experience, I also trained in other areas that have opened my eyes to other aspects of life.

What were some of the things that you learnt from her?

One of the things that we share in common is that she doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer; I also do not take no for an answer. Rather than having so much in common, I learnt so much from her. I decided that I was going to succeed managing the organisation and promoting the legacies she left behind. I saw in her commitment and I saw the high level of integrity that she had. I also saw her achieve things that, ordinarily, a woman won’t have achieved in this part of the world. She moved into the corridors of power in a way that was unbelievable. Even after this woman died, a lot of people who didn’t know she had died called and talked about her good deeds. She always used her wealth of experience to enhance the lot of women.

She was always a voice for Nigerian women at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York. Was her absence missed this year?

Being at this year’s Commission on the Status of Women in New York with Mrs. Olateru Olagbegi was very emotional. This year, about nine members of WOCON had to look for personal funding; they had to go there because she was honoured by her American associates. The consortium of women groups had a special side event for her. It was to honour her, to showcase what she had done and to make others determine to keep the flag flying. It was a replica of what NGOs in Africa did for her in Lagos.

 One of the organisations in the forefront of this event was Sister to Sister and African Women Association and they all came together and that side event was really remarkable. This year, she was also nominated to be the CSW Woman of the Year. Unknown to them, they didn’t know she had died.

She was one of the few women that made the last national conference; what were some of the things that she brought back?

At the national conference, she had a committee that she was part of. What she brought back to the organisation was focus and renewed commitment because she felt that if at the national level, she was recognised for what she was doing, it was worth pursuing. She came back with much vigour, she was ready to do much more, but then God knows best.

Let’s talk about her last days, what was it like?

She died of a terminal illness and she was in the United States for a while. When it got really bad, she came back to Nigeria and I saw her in her last days. When I was going to visit her, I took my pen and paper, and as usual I wanted to get some instruction about the things that we wanted to do. She was always telling me what to do, teaching me the language because the NGO world has its language. I went in there but when I saw her, she was not able to talk and it was very emotional for me. She couldn’t say anything; she looked frail and was not able to talk.  It was really moving for me. Her last days were remarkable because we had so many programmes on hand. One of them was a UNDP programme, the other was an ION-funded programme and they were held in cross border towns like Badagry, Idi-Iroko and this woman was given her direction and the programme ran for three consecutive weeks. She did not give up until the last day of the project. She guided us till the end.

What is it like stepping into her shoes?

It is a great privilege. Stepping into her shoes would be an understatement. I just believed that I should just do my bit and make sure that I leave WOCON better than I met it; to take up the challenge and make sure that the vision runs. The civil society is diverse but the unique thing is that they are out to solve problems and create solutions.

What advice do you have for women?

They should endeavour to ensure the dignity of women. I do not agree that we should be treated specially; we should be treated like human beings. Human rights are women’s rights. I am looking at women having a high level of discipline, high level of commitment without necessarily being fraudulent.  Integrity and womanhood should go side by side.

Charles Nzechi is a businessman and philanthropist. The CEO of Multiple Travels Limited is also passionate about empowering women and young people all over the country. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, he talks about creating jobs for jobless Nigerians, the anti-corruption crusade, as well as the role of Nigerians in making the country a better place for all.

WHAT keeps you going? I run a travel service company and we provide travel services to multinational companies, governments and individuals. I have been in it for over two decades and I am well-travelled. I use my connections to affect the lives of people around me and those that I run into. I am into real estate and it is something that I love doing because I meet people on a regular basis. The experience has been really good. Even now that we have some economic challenges we cannot complain.

How did you get into this line of business?

I studied International Relations in the university and I must say that I have enjoyed the exposure I got from the field. A lot of young people are coming into this sector.

Would you say that we are doing well when it comes to the nation’s image abroad?

Yes, we are trying. What we try to do with our foundation, The Charles Nzechi Foundation. Here we try to be good ambassadors of Nigeria. Through this, we have been able to give Nigeria the kind of quality image that we need. As a nation, we must make efforts to improve on the nation’s image in everything that we do.

If you have to advise Nigerians especially in terms of our image, what would you tell them?

We must all be good ambassadors for the nation. In whatever we do, we should promote Nigeria. In addition, I would say that in whatever profession that you find yourself, always have it in mind that you are an ambassador for Nigeria and give Nigeria a good image.

What motivated you to start a Foundation?

We live in a society where we need the help of people who are privileged in the society to help the less-privileged. We would always have the less-privileged around us and we need people to help them. Our targets are mostly women and young people. Every man today came from a woman. Every man who has become a man today passed through the youth level. So, if you take care of the woman and the youths, then you have taken care of the society tomorrow. That is why they are our targets.

How long have you been doing this?

We have always been there and this is our tenth year of affecting people in the society. We have empowered women by providing skill acquisition programmes, women empowerment programmes specifically for women who are into trade. For instance, we provided sewing machines for those in the tailoring business and we are also providing materials for those in small businesses and so many other areas. For the youths, we have scholarships and we are making sure that they obtain at least the primary and secondary education which is the standard.

How do you reach out to your target and identify them?

Basically, the essence of the empowerment is to make sure that the youths are empowered and we try to help them with their entrepreneurial skills for them to realise their dreams and be who they want to be. The essence of the programme is to ensure that they are independent and compete favourably with others.

The Foundation has a board of trustees with experts in the education, finance and other sectors. They meet to discuss the requests received from people that are in need; they analyse the request based on the needs and take decisions on who should get support and all that. We have been sponsoring school fees and taking care of their accommodation and other things. This also includes international scholarships for people to go to places like the United Kingdom for their Masters’ Degree programme.

In the last one year, the economy has been tough. How has this affected what you do?

We all know that the economy has been tough but, somehow, we try to pull through. We did the basics this year considering scholarships. Apart from this, we also had the health outreach which was very educative and an eye-opener for a number of our target. If we do not take care of our health, this would also affect the economy. We also have professional bodies like the Medical Women Association partnering with us to achieve our objectives.

A lot of the young people are very restive at this point, what advise do you have for them?

The advice I would give to them is that they should keep calm and hope for the best in future. Everybody is being affected; it is not just the young people. The most important thing is that we should all do our bit. To meet our target, we usually raise funds from members who have been quite supportive.

Are there some of the people that you had supported in the past, who are now giving back to the organisation?

Yes. There are some women that were sponsored and have now opened their own businesses and they are doing very well. We have about ten of such women who have each employed at least three staff. If you multiply three in ten places, you see that we are talking of about thirty people. That is how it works and it is a source of motivation for so many others.

There is always the talk about Nigeria being synonymous with corruption. How can we get out of this?

The president, General Muhammadu Buhari, is doing a very good job of fighting corruption now. We have the right person in the right place, doing the right job. In the next one year, you would see the impact of what he is doing and, believe me, we would have a better society soon.

For a lot of young people, there is the get-rich-quick syndrome. How can this attitude be changed?

Always have it in you that you are an ambassador appointed into a country. Every individual has Nigeria in him or her and it is important to always put this in your heart that you are an ambassador for the country. This means that whatever you do would affect the country positively or negatively. It would affect the entire people of the nation.

One common trend these days in marriages is spousal abuse leading to death. What advice do you have for men?

My advice for couples is that they should be fair to each other. Life is about relationships; we should always have good relationships with others. There are different types of relationships and we should understand what we want and what we are going into. It could be marriage relationships, formal or informal relationships. One thing is common in every relationship and that is respect. So, I would encourage women to respect their husbands, while men should respect and value their wives, if they do this, those things would disappear.

Using flute as a lead wind instrument in a band is not too popular in the Nigerian music terrain. For many, it is known as an accompaniment to other musical instruments like the saxophone, piano, trumpet and used especially in classical, jazz and orchestral performances.
We have a few notable personalities blazing the trail with this instrument. One of them is Ebelechukwu Ezeamakam, known as Ebele the flutist. She is a singer, songwriter, composer and an instrumentalist. She plays flute and keyboard, and her genre of music is contemporary gospel and jazz.
In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about the inspiration behind the instrument, challenges as well as life as a professional flutist in Nigeria.

TELL us about life as a female flutist

I must say that it has been really challenging , but quite interesting too. There are so many memorable moments and this gives me motivation all the time. A lot of people usually want to see me play, and are wowed to see a female playing the flute so well. Some are challenged when they see me do my things, especially the men who see me in action. So I have to do my best to keep up with the challenge.

What are some of the things that make you different?

One of the unique points that I have is that I play and sing as well. When I am on stage performing, it’s a full artistry for me, because I do both together on stage.

Why did you decide to go into this line of business?

 It’s a passion. And the passion is really powerful, that actually keeps me going. When you have a strong passion for something nothing can stop you from attaining your goals. Interestingly, I read Accounting as my first degree in school and Business Administration for my post-graduate course. It’s been very exciting and so my music is a passion from God.

When was the first time you touched the flute and how did the interest develop?

I started playing the flute at age 13yrs and by 14yrs I was a master in flute. That, for me, was when the interest began and developed. I grew older with my flute; it’s my physical best friend. All the while I never knew I would go professional with it, because after schooling, I worked as an accountant in an oil firm. It was while I was working in the group as an accountant that God planted the passion to take my music seriously. I was even willing to let go of my job because the passion was very strong.

How did the passion start?

It started at a tender age and I pursued my childhood passion courageously. I then joined a music group called The Agape Voices. The group performed frequently at local functions and mostly in concerts around the country and in churches as well. I later withdrew from the group and relocated to Lagos to pursue my dream. My future aspiration is to fulfill God-given destiny, and to influence people and make a difference in their lives especially the youth. I want to tour the world and play on the biggest stages and to become a mega star and best female flutist.

The Flute is a unique instrument. It is complex to operate and melodious in sound. It’s usually handled by some church musical groups or philharmonic orchestras but well restricted to band rules and pattern. Majoring with the instrument as a soloist has not only endeared me to some great audience and fans but has brought influence and recognition from quarters including presidential command performances. For me, it is a special gift which I believe God gave me to use for his glory. “Most of my songs are in flute including my most popular gospel hit, a jazzy praise song called, “Jawaa Chineke” which featured Mike Aremu on sax. My songs come in different genres – Jazz, classic and urban beats. But my newest single, “Dream Come True”, produced by Cohbams Asuquo is an urban song done in a particular manner to reach out to the main stream which has flute as an intro to the song. As a female flutist, I believe in excellence and in putting my best where my passion lies. It is wonderful seeing people appreciate and value what I do on stage.

The most difficult part of flute is the learning process. You don’t blow or play, rather you have to strain and shapen your mouth to produce the rhythmic sounds. It causes a lot of pain though, but the moment you become fluent with it, it flows easily and renders any song creatively and professionally. Besides flute, I play a little bit of the keyboard but not on a professional level.

What do you consider as some of the achievements over the years?

A lot has happened that I should be grateful about. God has been faithful. I have been nominated in several awards, and the most notable one was that I was recognised with an award the Classic African Merit Awards (CAMA). Also, another organisation, the Symbol of Hope Foundation, gave me recognition as the Nigerian Female Flutist with “Inspirational Awards” at their annual women conference and awards in June. I give God all the glory for this.

What are some of the challenges you have encountered?

As I said earlier, a lot of them. But it’s the way you handle challenges that would ultimately determine how it turns out. By God’s grace, I have turned a number of my challenges to stepping stones.

If you have to compare what you do with your counterparts in other parts of the world, what would you say?

Well, in the other parts of the world flutist are well paid because it’s a very unique and complex instrument to handle. So, you can imagine the kind of support and attention you would get as a woman doing it professionally and playing different genres of music. Here in Nigeria, I would say that I have shown the stuff I am made of and I am now well appreciated. However, if I have to compare the way I am paid outside the country, then it would be a different ball game altogether. That is why I am taking my time to build my brand here in Nigeria. This is important because I want Nigerians to respect flute players.

Let’s talk about some of the memorable moments in life and on the job

The truth is that there have been so many good memories even though I can only share a few here. I remember one of my performances when everyone gave me a standing ovation and I just could not believe that I was the one that was being recognised at that moment. I must confess, that was a memorable moment and it spurred me to give my best at all times.

What are the other things that occupy your time?

At the moment, l am working on my new project titled “Ebele’s World “. It’s a young company which includes the other parts of me. These include music training, health and fitness, and a talk show. I plan unveiling this at my concert and album launch soon.

What things would you like to see done differently in the entertainment industry?

 The entertainment industry in Nigeria has really grown, much better than it was before. I also believe that there is so much room for improvement. I will like to see a situation where every artiste or singer is careful and mindful about the lyrics of their songs as well as the song themselves. This is important because we are setting examples for the next generation of singers and what we say matters a lot. It is quite important for people to hear our songs and be motivated or influenced positively by the words in the songs.

What is your assessment of the impact of the sector on the economy?

Music plays a vital role in the economy of any nation, as well as the Nigerian economy. The federal government of Nigeria should pay more attention to the music industry in Nigeria and release funds to enhance the growth and development of the sector. If you take a look at what is going on in other parts of the world, you would find that entertainment bridges the gap for any economy.

If you have to advise young women, what would you tell them?

I will advise young woman to follow their passion. They should not neglect that one thing that God has put in them; their talent.  Young women should follow their God-given purpose in life, and make sure that they have a career pursuit before embarking on marriage. Its pays more to pursue your purpose in life before getting married so that the man can key-in into what he already sees you doing.

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

Jesus!

Oliver Enwonwu is the son of the late Ben Enwonwu, one of Nigeria’s most renowned Fine Artists.  His initial dream was to become a Biochemist; he studied Biochemistry at the first degree level.  Today, his natural lure for the visual arts has taken hold of him.  He told Edozie Udeze how he uses this platform to train the youths, reach out to the world and how he combines fashion and designs to dazzle and create positive impressions.

You read Biochemistry. But today you are a painter. How did you make the switch? I studied Biochemistry as a first degree, and later Geophysics. I also hold a Masters in Visual Art and I am currently pursuing a PhD in Art History. Making the switch to painting wasn’t very difficult because art has always been a huge part of my life. As the son of a world famous artist, I observed him painting and grew an appreciation for art. While growing up, I also drew a lot, winning prizes in art at St. Saviour’s Primary School. I later attended King’s College, Lagos, for my secondary education. Here, I continued to excel in fine art, and was a utility decorator for the school when we had important events like prize-giving ceremonies. As well as gaining a distinction in all the sciences including mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, I graduated from King’s College with a distinction in fine art. My love for the visual arts continued at the University of Lagos, and while still studying for my first degree, I showed my work with leading galleries in Lagos. In 1997, I participated in my first group show at the Alliance Francaise in Lagos and the following year, I held my first solo exhibition in Lagos. Since then, I have participated in numerous group exhibitions and held several solo shows in the UK, at the Royal Commonwealth Society, London, Johannesburg, Dublin and the United States. My work can also be found in significant collections of art including those of the National Gallery of Art, Nigeria, the Bank of Industry and the Delta State Government, Nigeria.

Has Fine Arts really defined your life as the son of the famous Ben Enwonwu?

Yes, fine art has defined my life. Art is very broad in its scope; it encompasses the way you speak and articulate your thoughts, the way you adorn yourself, braid your hair, and write. There is an art to even your carriage. Fine artists by their calling have a higher degree or developed sense of these facets of life, and so in everything I undertake, I seek more creative solutions, constantly striving towards perfection.

In what ways have you used your work to mentor or influence the youth of today?

I mentor or influence the youth of today in several capacities. I own Omenka, one of the leading galleries in Lagos and indeed Africa, where we represent not only established artists, but also emerging ones. We have shown their works not only in Nigeria, but all over the world at some of the most prestigious fairs including LOOP in Barcelona, 1:54 African Contemporary Art Fair in London, the Johannesburg Art Fair, Art14 and Art15 in London, Art Dubai and the Cape Town Art Fair. We also have an internship programme at the gallery where we develop young students studying art at the nation’s tertiary institutions. In addition, we organise gallery tours for children in primary and secondary schools, as well as art classes.

I am also the President of the Society of Nigerian Artists. It was established in 1963 and is the professional body for all practising artists in Nigeria. Members include historians, painters, sculptors, curators, critics, writers and students. Prior to this, I was Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter. In these roles, I have organised numerous exhibitions, workshops and lectures to encourage young and aspiring artists.

Through The Ben Enwonwu Foundation, where I function as Executive Director, I organise The Ben Enwonwu Foundation Young Artist of the Year competition (BEFYART) to promote art appreciation among secondary students in Lagos State. The Foundation also awards scholarships to deserving art students in four of Nigeria’s leading tertiary institutions.

What is mentoring to you?

Mentoring, to me, is about taking responsibility to nurture and groom not only professional skill and competence in a younger or less experienced colleagues, but also the moral values, discipline and commitment to achieve excellence and contribute to shaping society positively.

What makes you different from other artists?

I am different from other artists because my practice is multifaceted. Not only am I a competent painter and art administrator, I also promote the visual arts through my gallery, my publishing company and my online website, omenkaonline.com.

As a man, how does your fashion make you who you are?

I think your fashion style is a personal statement of who you are; it embraces your thoughts, aspirations, and how you want to be viewed or addressed. It is what makes you stand out as an individual. I aim to look smart but yet relaxed because of the nature of my work, which doesn’t require me to be always so formal. I like a lot of blazers and sports jackets, which I dress up or down with formal trousers and French cuffs, or more relaxed chinos, khakis or corduroys with button-down shirts, depending on the occasion.  To accessorise, I go with silk-knitted ties and pocket squares, and a pair of sunglasses when necessary. For weekends, I don casual shorts with a polo top.

Do you have a special designer and what are your colour preferences?

I patronise a variety of designers for different items of clothing. For example, I prefer Hugo Boss blazers and suits because they flatter my physique. For shirts, the old English tailors like Thomas Pink, TM Lewin, Charles Tyrwhitt and Hawes and Curtis appeal more to me.  Loafers are a firm favourite for me, in leather or suede or with the tasselled or horse bit variations. Here, brands like Gucci and Pierre Cardin are a staple in my wardrobe.

My colour preferences vary in much the same way. Though I like colours that stand out and express my individuality, I would prefer them tempered down. For example, instead of a pair of bright red socks, I’d wear burgundy. I also love complementary colours and try out different textures in the same outfit. A fine example would be a cotton pocket square with a silk-knitted tie. My colour preferences include brown shoes, navy blue blazers for formal occasions and lighter, softer hues like cream, white and pink for more casual sports jackets.  Generally, I don’t like too many patterns or colours on my shirts, though I love decorative pocket squares in more complex patterns or designs and colours like paisley.

What kind of wears do you always prefer – native or English – and why?

This depends on the occasion, but generally I prefer English wears because of the nature of my job.

How are you preserving the Enwonwu legacies?

Through The Ben Enwonwu Foundation, established to preserve and build on his life and works through which he forged a philosophical basis for contemporary Nigerian art by fusing Western techniques and indigenous traditions. The Foundation has since established its annual lecture series, currently in its 11th year, where renowned academics, policy makers and key players in the cultural sector speak about the role of art in shaping society. Previous speakers included Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN, Vice President of Nigeria, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Oscar Onyeama, Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Through scholarships and grants, the Ben Enwonwu Foundation supports research, exhibitions and publications that foster innovative and scholarly artistic expression. Currently, the scholarship scheme benefits students of Yaba College of Technology; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and University of Lagos, Lagos.

Plans are also in place to publish Enwonwu’s writings and contributions to the development of art in Nigeria and Africa.

 

Julia Shinaba is the Managing Director of Skiddo Foods. Her culinary skills started with a father who was a chef. Interestingly, the amazon is also very passionate about issues that affect women; a passion which earned her a degree in Women Studies. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she speaks about gender, family life and more. 

WHAT do you do at the moment? I am the Managing Director of Skiddo Foods. It’s a subsidiary of Fumman Group. We branched into doing corn-based snacks for both adult and children. The major raw material is corn and we fused it with chocolate which is also produced in Nigeria.

How long have you been doing this?

Skiddo Foods Limited started about five years ago. This pop snack came in last year and the experience has been wonderful.

What were you doing before this?

We were doing a partial snack, the Papiya Corn chips, which is like Doratoes which is very common abroad. When we saw that Nigerians were not very receptive to it, we had to redesign another one that is more Nigerian friendly.

Tell us about your background

I have a background in Hotel Management. I studied Leadership Studies in Canada and when I came back to Nigeria I did Hotel Management. I have always been in foods. Then my father, Pa Dennis Udenze, was a chef. He died at the age of 100 years, about seven years ago. When Queen Elizabeth came to Nigeria in 1956, he was the head chef of those who served her. I wasn’t born then.

What are some of the things that you took from him?

Basically, I took his genes for the love of cooking and spicing foods. That is the major thing that inspired me to study Hotel Management. He used to bake all what we ate in the house. So, we all got interested in baking from as early as age three or four. You had your own chopping board and rolling pin to do your own meat pie and he would do your filling for you. You put it in the oven and it was ready.

Would you say that he was competing with your mother in the kitchen?

My mother liked food too, but basically what he did for us was that he made sure he gave us special foods when we were young. We were used to eating good food at home, particularly confectionaries. We never bought bread outside. He would bake all the bread and pasteries for the house. And then he used to cook this roasted chicken that was so nice, it really inspired me. I got so used to the spices that he used in those days. Now, I am looking at the indigenous things that we can use in Nigeria; that is what I am also working on at the moment.

What are some of the challenges of working in the sector?

The challenges are numerous, for example energy. I must say that at Skiddo Foods, we have never used PHCN because once it goes off, the whole line is destroyed. So, we have always been on generator and because our raw materials are indigenous, that has also helped us, even with the new policy. Recently, we also had some problems with the policy on foreign exchange. It is affecting us in terms of packaging materials. This is because most packaging companies say that they need to source their raw materials abroad or outside Nigeria and they need foreign exchange.

So that is really slowing us down a little bit. Also, there is the challenge of employability of the personnel that is needed. We find that most young people these days are graduates but not employable. The skills are limited, unlike when we were in school. We were always after the skill but these days they are after the certificates rather than the skill acquisition. Even though when they see someone who is hardworking and surviving, I won’t say making it because it’s so hard to make it now. They just think that you can survive overnight. They do not think of the hard work that somebody has put into it for years. That is a big challenge.

As an expert in Women Studies, what are some of the things you discovered during your programme?

When I was doing my research, I found out that Nigerian women are really strong. I found that most women actually hold the homes. They hold Nigeria. Africa was built on entrepreneurship, women working, holding homes, supporting their husbands. They told me that a lot of their husbands work in the civil service and they are in the markets. My research looked basically at women and entrepreneurship. Those women in the markets, I found out in my interaction with them that they actually hold the homes. They paid the fees, they take out the children and support the men. But, ordinarily, they make the man look as if he is the one who holds the family.

These days, you have a number of cases of spousal abuse in the home. How can this be checked?

I think it is an ego problem on the part of the man. Their orientation is that the man is this and that. So, when there is a challenge and the man cannot meet up with his responsibilities, it becomes an ego problem for him and he becomes violent. So, what I would advise is that women should still remain as women. They should be as supportive as they can be but should also remember that the African culture says that the man is the head of the family. So getting into competition should not be a priority for the woman, it is something that you should do with humility. In doing that, the children would not grow in an environment of violence. Interestingly, I did a bachelor’s degree in Women Studies.

What inspired your interest in this area?

I was inspired because I saw my mother as a very strong woman and my father was a very supportive man. You can see what happened in their kitchen. My father wanted to do this for the family and he did it joyfully. And they were married for over 70 years. He had ten children from the same woman; they stayed together until he died. My mother is still alive, she is 96 years old. So, whether a man is able to support his family fully or not, a woman has to be humble. Even the Bible says so. We should not get all this career or position into our head to the point where it becomes challenging for the man and it affects the man’s ego.

Where would you like to see Skiddo Foods in the next five years?

We are looking at having about 20 different brands of our products and very soon we would be coming out with different fillings. In addition, we would have developed more of our products to be more African friendly.

If you have to advise young women looking for white collar jobs, what would you tell them?

From my experience, entrepreneurship is very interesting. Most of them have skills which they have not been able to use or identify. What I would say is that we the adults, those already in entrepreneurship or their lecturers, should try to explore their skills and identify what they are good at before they go into the institutions. Parents should also try to be closer to their children and explore their skills, identify them and also support them. So, when they know their passion and strengths, there is a likelihood that they would pursue it. They would therefore see it as not just work but something they are interested in.

The economy is tough at the moment. What is the thing that keeps you going?

What keeps me going is that we have a product that is acceptable. The children and adults like it. What also gives us the drive is that the little that we make is sustaining us. Also the fact that the majority of people enjoy what they eat is really satisfying.

When you are not doing all of this, what occupies your time?

Dancing. I love dancing and I use that as a form of exercise as well. I also love partying.

Olatorera Oniru is an entrepreneur who is passionate about everything African. She is also the CEO of fast rising online fashion store called Dressmeoutlet. Prior to setting up her company, the energetic lady worked at the Bank of America, General Electric and one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, Lars Maguns Ericsson. She was recently named as one of the 2016 Most Promising Entrepreneurs in Africa by FORBES. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about life as an entrepreneur, the things that inspire her and more.

WHAT is exciting at the moment?

The team and I are very focused on growing Dressmeoutlet and the fashion industry in Africa. We are currently looking into innovative patents and are developing our in-house research and development (R&D) unit. Dressmeoutlet.com continues to expand into new territories. We now have customers in over 15 states in Nigeria and over five countries worldwide including USA, Uganda, Ghana and France. We are growing and increasing our product lines. Within the next two quarters of 2016, Dressmeoutlet.com plans to commence retailing kids and home goods. We continue to ensure that we are providing our customers with the very best of designer fashion products sourced locally and internationally at the best prices.

What inspired you to go into the fashion sector?

I love fashion and I have a very strong passion for creativity. I like to see raw materials transformed into something unique. I love when people start from the base and work their creativity up to something magnificent. I love art and everything pretty. I respect the likes of local handbag designers whose business process flows are organised in-house from rearing the cattle all the way to finalising a market-ready handbag. Fashion is exciting and there are so many aspects to fashion that make the industry great. It’s amazing that we get to impact the world and have fun doing it. People love to look good and feel good and Dressmeoutlet.com is at the forefront of enabling our customers and the general population find the best clothes with the best quality and fitting.

What are some of the memorable moments as an entrepreneur?

My entrepreneurial journey is actually very young. Prior to Dressmeoutlet.com going live in January 2016, I worked globally for over 10 years. I can probably speak more of memorable moments from my work experiences. Nonetheless, Dressmeoutlet.comhas made some remarkable moments within only six months of going live. One such moment would be the Cocktails & Dresses made-in-Africa movement that was held in conjunction with the official launch that took place at Intercontinental Hotel Lagos. The event was historic, bringing together over 30 of Nigeria’s very best fashion and beauty manufacturers and notable support from national leaders, including Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Honourable Lola Akande, Honourable BolanleAkinwunmi, Chief Justice TokunboOlopade and others. Some of the designers and manufacturers that showcased and retailed at Cocktails and Dresses included Trish O Couture, HoneyPot, Tiannah Styling, The Porter’s Signature and Princess Aisha Turbans. The next edition of Cocktails and Dresses is set for December 2016. The event promises to be a much bigger made-in-Africa movement.

What are some of the principles that keep you going?

A few things my mother shared with me growing up have given me the tenacity and strength that drive me today. One is “Hardwork breaks no bones”. I believe strongly in this quote just as much as I believe Africa is meant to be one of the world’s greatest continents. The more we Africans take on the very hard work of selfless leadership and entrepreneurship, the more growth we will witness. I also believe strongly in the fact that love drives greatness. We should do things because we want to see people smile and make people happy. Things should be less self-centred and more others-centred.

 We also need to dwell less on religion and more on developments. We need to be more open-minded, more proactive and less expectant of “God will do it”. I look forward to the day whereby millions of Africans will realise that we all have unique passions and capabilities to succeed in anything we put our minds to; such as developing the cure to diseases, eradicating malaria, increasing standard of living, reducing poverty rate and much more.

You come from a family of entrepreneurs, who or what motivates you to do the things that you do?

Yes, my father is strongly an entrepreneur and my younger sister also is. OlamidunMajekodunmi is someone I’m very proud of. At the age of 20, she was running her very own centre for performing arts in Abuja, teaching and working with young children’s development in dance, piano, karate and other performing arts. My father is also an entrepreneur who built several hospitals in Oyo State. He later diversified into construction, oil & gas and other business lines. He taught me the importance of business portfolio diversification. He also taught me the importance of working hard. My dad barely ever slept. He was always hard at work, for his family and on the quest to make Nigeria a better place.

Let’s talk about some of the awards and recognitions that you have

I tend to not recollect most of my awards and recognitions as I have taken part in so many activities over the past decade and a half. Nonetheless, to name a few; Perfect Attendance Award and class captain appointments in secondary school to Senator of Academic Affairs, President of Association of African Students, Monster Diversity Leadership Programme and many more in university to junior board member of CASA-NYC, Finalist for Cover Girl of the Year Award USA, Forbes Top 5 Most Promising Entrepreneurs Africa 2016 and Under 35 CEO Awards 2015.

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

The people I have met, worked and associated with have been my greatest influence in life. They are too many to name. I am very content to have been educated by America, raised partly in thriving areas and afforded work experiences and life growth there. That amazing country gave me so much but for the love and passion to see Nigeria develop more and alleviate poverty, here I am hustling and hustling hard to build the fashion industry, to create jobs and to be a role model for many more entrepreneurs springing up. I owe it to Nigeria and Africa to do what it takes to succeed beyond my biggest imagination as there are many people looking up to me with similar hopes, wishes, dreams and ambitions. What America has given to me within only 10 years of living there, I want Nigeria to start giving to us citizens. 60% poverty rate is insane, it is unfair and it can be alleviated with certain principles established. One day at a time, I believe strongly in Nigeria. She will be one of the world’s greatest nations.

What does style mean to you? What are the items that you treasure in your wardrobe?

Style means looking good and feeling good. Great style can rarely ever be achieved with sub-standard products and that’s why we focus very strongly on quality. When you shop on Dressmeoutlet.com, you can rest assured that you are buying the best quality products at the best prices. We negotiate prices with our supplies and manufacturers to ensure we are transitioning some savings to our customers. We have full-time pricing analysts and quality analysts whose jobs are basically to ensure the best products at the best prices. Here we define style and fashion and our main goal is to help our customers look good and feel good.

 Most beauty products on Dressmeoutlet.com are organic and all natural and wholesomely perfect for our skin. All I use now on my hair, face and body are products retailed via our outlet.

Where do you hope to see your organisation in the next five years?

It’s simple. We want to retail the very best of made-in-Africa products to homes globally. We want to have millions of customers patronising quality fashion, beauty and home goods made in Africa and other areas of the world.

If you are to advise female entrepreneurs, what would you tell them?

Entrepreneurship is easier in developed nations but not so easy in countries like Nigeria. But being a female entrepreneur is doable and rewarding. We women entrepreneurs must tie our passion into economic prosperity. We must be passionate about people and the problems we are helping people solve. Our ambitions must be about people, about life, about our customers. In terms of advice, be sure to hire the best people, have mentors and continually build on your knowledge of your business and industry. It is also very dire to ensure that your company’s financials, operations and marketing essentials are well planned out.

What does the recent nominations by FORBES mean to you?

It means a lot and helps me work even harder to strive for much more growth and success stories. Each and every day, I aim to be a better version of myself. I want to be greater. Every day is an opportunity for more success and every success is a new starting point. I love challenges and I appreciate being recognized when I conquer challenges. I’m grateful to Forbes.com for recognizing my hardwork and sharing  what  they  like about it.

Let’s talk about your work experience before starting Dressmeoutlet ?

I held many small jobs as a student in University but my first major work experience started at General Electric in Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA where I worked under the Financial Management Program Internship. That led me, upon graduation, to Bank of America Merrill Lynch where I worked as a Senior Analyst for the Global Markets and Investment Banking group. I was one of the analysts at Merrill Lynch that led the  2009 Global Asset Services Initiative to integrate Merrill Lynch systems with Bank of America’s after the industry buyout and consolidation during the 2008 financial Industry crisis. It was during  my employed years at Merrill Lynch that I also served as cofounder  and president of Network of African Professionals in New York and as a Junior Board Member of CASA-NY (Court Appointed Special Advocates New York).

After 2 years at Merrill Lynch, I accepted an opportunity to work for the Central Bank of Nigeria as a Senior Supervisor which I did for a year and then proceeded to obtain my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) Degree from Emory University where I focused on  Finance, Leadership and Entrepreneurship. Upon graduating with my MBA  degree, I accepted an offer with Lars Magnus Ericsson where I worked as a global consultant and later promoted to Head of Sales Governance.

What is the focus of Top 100 our generation ?

Top 100 Our Generation brings together a selected few of Nigeria’s most hardworking youths from different industries with different passions, to brainstorm on the way forward for the nation, collaborate and mobilize projects.

What the name of your dad and name of his hospitals.

Dad’s name is Chief Dr. Olufemi Majekodunmi. His Hospital is Kejide Hospital Ibadan. He ran for Governor of Ogun State back in 2010 or thereabout.

What other things occupy your time?

My family. The rest of my time is spent caring for my family whom I love beyond everything else.

WHAT inspires you to do the things that you do? I am actually a gospel minister. It all started as a young girl. I remember when I was in secondary school, at the age of 14 or 15; I remember that I used to lead the school assembly into worship and I was good at it. So, it continued and I gradually began to lead people into worship and I did this for six years. I travelled to different parts of the country and I didn’t even really know what I was doing then. I got born again and then I told myself that I was answering the call. For his glory, I am doing everything to make sure that my life has a meaning.

I started music many years ago at the RCCG Apapa family. There I grew to become the lead singer and many years later became the worship leader.

My style of music can be described as Contemporary African Music which comes across with a tone of ethnicity and brings about an atmosphere of worship, praise and healing in God’s presence. Prior to releasing my own album, I used to be a back-up singer for Sammie Okposo.

I have performed live alongside the likes of Michelle Hammond of USA, Ben Okafor of UK, the late Pastor Paul Irabor and Shafi. As a background singer, I also worked with Olufunmi, Mike Aremu, Sammy Okposo, Tosin Martins, Sunny Nneji and Mike Abdul of Midnight Crew.

My first album was Rock with Me, which was released in 2003; the second, A New Level, and another titled, Broken.

In the family, I am the second child from a family of nine children. I hail from Urhobo, Delta state, and I think worship should be the lifestyle of every Christian.

What are some of the memorable shows and events that you have participated in?

I have participated in a number of concerts that are quite memorable. Then I did Women in Worship at Terra Kulture in 2014. It was something inspired by God and it was to call women to worship and He made me to understand that when problems come, we should not worry about it because He would always take care of whatever was happening to us. That He would answer every of our heart desire and make things work in our favour. This would happen as long as worship goes up to Him. So, we gathered these women together at Terra Kulture and God showed up. Naturally, we have compassion on women and by networking there would be new opportunities and awareness about the different things we can do together and help one another.

If you look around now, you would find that there is a lot of tension in our country because of the economy and unemployment. People are aggressive at the slightest provocation and you find more cases of violence. So, women need to understand their environment as well as how they can thrive in a difficult society by learning a couple of ways to survive, pray and worship.

So, what has been occupying your time?

I have been travelling for different events, singing for different churches in different parts of the country. I am always shuttling between places like Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos.

Where would you say that the gift of singing came from?

My mum, she inspired me in a lot of ways. She used to be a musician. I was very young then but she was into gospel music in my state and that was one of the things that motivated me then. Whenever we went to church, then she was always singing in the church choir and the memories for me were quite interesting and exciting. That was what she was doing before we came to Lagos.

Let’s talk about working with young people and the challenges of the economy

I know that the Bible says ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and then everything else would be added.’ So, that is the point that I always drum into the mind of young people around me. Yes, the things around us now as young people are tough but if you look at that, you would not be able to focus on your dreams and a better future. The most important thing now is to pray, work hard, be dedicated and determined. The point here is that, when there is a casting down, there would be a lifting up.

If you were in their shoes, what would you do at this time?

For example, the fuel scarcity is a recent example. If you look at the situation, it would dampen your spirit. So, I take it to God in prayers and ask Him to provide for my needs, which is what always happens.

What advice do you have for Nigerian women at this point in time?

I would say, ‘go back to God, stay focused and let that focus be your middle point. Let every other thing, every other distraction go round. There is no way you would be bothered with the things around you and not miss the goal and your vision. The most important thing is to fix your eyes on the dream.’

Tell us about some of the women that you admire

Yes, I have a number of women that I admire for different things and the different roles that they play. One of such women is Jumoke Adenowo. She is one woman who loves excellence and she works hard on the things she does. If she says that she wants to get this, she would get it done. I am also fascinated and close to Mama Adejumo, a grandma in the industry and a great motivator. I like her so much because she has touched my life so much, professionally. She is responsible for the woman that I have become today, even though I have not told her that.

Women should be their sisters’ keepers. A lot of times, you don’t find this. What do you think is responsible for this?

A lot of times, it is envy and jealousy. It is not right, we should not be jealous of our sisters. Once you notice that a woman is climbing, we must all support her and let her impact be felt. This is better than pulling her down. The way things are going now, the best thing you can do to anyone is to encourage and support them. If I am helping you as my sister, I glow. Interestingly, it comes from that sweet atmosphere that you have created around you.

What are the other things that you do, when you are not singing?

I am also a makeup artist. I like beauty and I like looking good. It is very important for women to take care of themselves, have a positive outlook to life and look good. My definition of style is that you can be fine with your own style. You don’t have to copy somebody’s look or try to look like someone, when you can be yourself. I won’t say I have a particular look but I like to keep it real. However you want to look, just keep it real.

Princess Mobola Akinruntan is CEO of Login House of Fashion located in Lekki, Lagos. She was at the Eko Hotel and Suites as one of the designers showcasing for this year’s African Fashion Week Nigeria. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, the mother of two talks about life as the daughter of Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, working with him as an accountant in Obat Oil and how she moved away from oil and gas to pursue her passion in fashion.

WHAT has the fashion experience been like?

I studied Accounting and I practiced with my dad in Obat Oil and Gas for about three years. My dad wanted me to stick to the oil and gas industry but I wanted to be on my own. I opted for fashion and he supported me because he is also someone who loves to look good; he is very fashionable. Leaving Obat was a big challenge. I sent in my resignation letter but it was not accepted. So, I had to leave unannounced for the UK.

The experience has been good, interesting and very encouraging. The name of my outfit is called Login House of Fashion. I show case children’s wear and I am working more on the English look. I started with my daughter initially; that was before I got the support of my family. The most creative part of my business is the children’s ready-to-wear clothes, and parents are usually excited when they see the things in our collection. They are English designs but I work with African fabrics.

Now the business has taken shape and I have the support of my family, friends and clients. While I was in the United Kingdom, I went for a fashion course and it was a great eye opener for me. I did just the theory part and didn’t do the practicals because it was a bit challenging. So moving back to Nigeria, I did the practical thing here.

What are some of the things that you took from the fashion school?

The creative part of it, and it has really helped me working with my staff here. Some of my clients are usually excited when I interpret what they wear and it comes out nice. That, I also got from the fashion school that I attended.

What are your expectations from this year’s edition of the African Fashion week?

This is my first runway show and I am expecting to do more. So far, the experience has been interesting and exciting for me. I am also working on a new line which I am about launching at the end of the year. It is called, MO? Couture and I am working with some of my old clients on this.

What would you be experimenting with here?

Here, we would be working on a line of private stylists. This is because I have had a bit of challenge with fashion working with some people. I have some clients; a few of my dad’s friends that like privacy and that is the need that this line of business would be taking care of.

Is the economy affecting your business at all?

Yes, it is. It is affecting everybody. It is a bit challenging now but I believe that if you are focused and believe in God, He will see you through this phase.

What is your definition of style?

Style is getting creative and working with things that soothe you and look good on you.

For a lot of entrepreneurs and designer, the personnel are a challenge. How has it been with you?

Yes, that is another problem. I find it a bit challenging. The human resources are the most challenging part of the business. You cannot do it alone; you need people to work with. When I started my fashion business, I did a low scale because it was really accepted by the family. I charged my clients so low and they kept wondering why. For me, it was a passion and it gave me a bit of problem because some clients thought it wasn’t going to look good. I put a lot of efforts into it and gradually won them over and got a number of referrals in the process.

Are there people that you admire in the industry?

I have a few of them in the industry – people like Deola Sagoe. I like the way she works with fabrics; the way she combines her stuff. For me, that was one of the inspirations when I started. Just before I relocated to Nigeria, I always searched for things online and most of her creations have been a great source of inspiration for me.

Let’s talk about life as a princess

It is good, nice and I am enjoying it. I grew up in Ibadan, schooled in Ogun State University. We were all born and bred in Ibadan, but after schooling we moved to the United Kingdom. I came back, and then worked with my dad for a while.

Does being the daughter of an Oba restrict you at all?

Yes, it has a lot to do with it. Our grooming has always been very private. From private school to private this and that. The environment has been cozy and he has done very well for us. We put the name in the forefront and that has worked for us. My father does not give you the money to spend but tells you how to fish. None of us is spoilt. He did not spoil us with anything. He groomed us to stand on our own, be more focused in what we do.

You said you lived a secluded life and you went to Ogun State University, how did you cope?

We coped because my dad then rented an apartment for us. The four of us had always gone to the same school. He got the driver to take us to school and bring you back from school. At weekends, we had to go home because he has a church and we had to attend the church. It’s a white garment church, Cherubim and Seraphim.

Is the word ‘stress’ in your dictionary?

Yes, it is. Now that we have challenges with human resources, I do a number of things myself. I usually bring my tailors from neighbouring countries like Togo. Once they do one year, they would be willing to leave. No matter what you do for them, they just want to leave, especially in December which is our peak period. So, at such moments, I work till about 3am.

What kind of dad is Oba Akinruntan?

I won’t say he is strict but he is firm. He has his own ways and you have to abide by them. I would even say that my dad is a bit more lenient than my mum. Once my dad says don’t do this and my mum is there, you know this is certainly ‘don’t do it’.

Are there times when you have to disguise your identity?

Of course! When you go somewhere and you want to buy something, once they know your identity, the price doubles. Most times, I have challenges with the banks because I like to work with my money. However, I was advised that it is better to work with other people’s money. When you go to the bank, they would be offering you big amounts knowing the person you are.

Did you get your beauty from your mum or dad?

It is from my paternal grandmother. She is gone now but I got a lot from her, she really pampered me. I also took the entrepreneurial thing from her. All my grandparents were into trading and it is something that runs in the family.

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

I would advise them not to look at the problem. It is better to take the first step and gradually you would get there. The most important thing for me was being focused. If I wasn’t focused, I would have lost the platform.

Nikki Laoye Oturu is a singer, songwriter and dancer. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about happy moments in life and her career, passion for people with disabilities, working with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), motivation from her parents and more.

What is new at the moment?

This year has been one filled with lots of new music and happenings in Nikki Laoye’s world.

After the release of my second album, “The 123 Project”, last year, I recently released two new singles; the love hit “Onyeuwaoma”, featuring Banky W and produced by Okey Sokay  a beautiful wedding themed love song which is fast becoming a favourite amongst newlyweds and lovebirds across the globe.

The video is a dedication to the love my parents shared, and this was depicted in the video with a cameo appearance by my mum, Mrs Yetunde Laoye.

Next is the captivating “Only You Remix”, featuring Seyi Shay, produced by Wilson Joel & guitars by Kay Strings  aReggae remix to my award-winning song, “Only You”, which had earlier won Headies 2013 and AFRIMA 2014 awards at its release.

Both singles were released this year and are receiving massive recognition and airplay across Africa, Europe and America.

Asides from my music, I was also recently nominated and recognised as a UK finalist for “International Humanitarian of the Year” category at the Women 4 Africa Awards which I attended a few weeks ago in London.

What inspires your messages and captivating stage performance?

Music is a major form of communication for me  a tool to inspire, educate, motivate and entertain people around me.

 I simply arrange my thoughts and experiences in my eclectic musical expressions across different genres as I push forth my faith-based expressions on God, love/relationships and life issues.

I am also a trained dancer and I love to create spectacular stage performances with dance as an art of entertainment as well.

And the end of it all, with my music and dance, it’s all about being an extension of God’s love right here on earth, that’s all that truly matters to me.

What are some of your memorable moments as a musician?

Winning the 2013 Headies for Best Female Vocal Performance for my ballad hit, “Only You”, was definitely a day I wouldn’t forget as it gave me the chance to publicly dedicate the award in honour & memory of my dad, Prince Olusola Laoye.

And I had the chance to do it over and over again with the 2014 AFRIMA Award for Best Inspirational Female Artist in Africa; also in London with the 2014 AGMA Awards for Best Female Artist Africa and more  all for the same song dedicated to my father  ONLY YOU.

It’s really been a very pivotal point in my career and my life as I stepped out of the ashes – refined and stronger – to honour the man who gave and nurtured the gift I share with the world today and that’s why I count them as my most memorable moments.

In year 2012, you had the first ever international White Cane Day for the blind in Lagos. What was the experience like?

This was the first major project organised by my foundation, Angel 4 Life Foundation, and it was quite an unforgettable experience.

I was approached by the Nigerian Association for the Blind (Lagos Chapter), to help organise an awareness project towards providing mobility aids for visually-impaired youths in Lagos in commemoration of the 2012 International White Cane Day celebrated across the world.

And with the help of kind-hearted Nigerians and my fellow colleagues in the entertainment industry who donated their resources and time, the event was a huge success with an awareness walk in the morning and a lunch reception for about 200 visually-impaired participants.

These personalities include Sammie Okposo, Funke Kuti, Yaw, Nedu of Wazobia FM, Kiki Omeili, MC Abbey and many more.

The Buy-A-Cane project was also officially launched, and this runs yearly for the continuous purchase of white canes.

What motivated the founding of Angel 4 Life Foundation?

Nikki Laoye’s Angel 4 Life Foundation is a registered incorporated charity organisation committed to supporting the education, development and empowerment of people with disabilities and people of national concern (Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees).

It was borne out of my concern for people with disabilities and their ability to survive and interact in a stiff environment like ours which is yet to properly implement the workings of an inclusive society.

The foundation was officially launched in 2010 and has also grown to include providing support and relief aid for refugees & internally displaced families after I was made a “Voice for Refugees & IDPs” in 2014 by the federal government agency  NCFRMI (National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons), South west zone.

What are some of the achievements of the foundation?

For six years, Angel 4 Life Foundation has been working hard to build an inclusive society for people with disabilities by providing opportunities for their social development, education and integration into the society. Some of the projects actively carried out by the foundation include: #BUY A CANE PROJECT.This is a fundraising and empowerment project aimed at providing free white guide canes (mobility aids) for blind and visually-impaired people in Lagos State as well as other regions in Nigeria.

Last year, Sweet Kiwi Company in Lekki helped purchase over a 100 canes by donating their sale proceeds.

The second project is The Isaac Educational Project for students with disabilities. This is an educational empowerment project to support the education of visually-impaired and physically-challenged youths via scholarships and educational trust funds by the foundation.

We are currently supporting the education of some of our beneficiaries in secondary schools and tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

We also have the Angel Relief Fund and also our TARFproject. Here, we have been able toraise funds and provide relief aid materials (food, clothing, medical supplies) and other amenities for onward distribution to IDP camps and refugee shelters in Nigeria to support families who have been affected by the Boko Haram terror attacks.

Through this, we visited a couple of IDP camps in Kuchingoro and Abuja, and recently, singer Yemi Alade also made a huge donation of food and provisions as she joined us on one of our visits.

Clips of her trip can be seen in her music video  NA GODE.

Also, Mr Tonye Cole, via his Sahara Group, supported our Christmas Food Drive for IDPS living in Lagos by providing over a hundred bags of rice and provisions for the displaced families as we ensured they had a good Christmas celebration at the end of last year.

We work round the clock as needs are being catered for daily and these achievements are made possible by kind-hearted Nigerians and celebrities who partner with us to make it all happen.

In year 2014, you became the celebrity voice of refugee and internally displaced persons. What was the experience like?

It has been a humbling experience for me since I was made the VOICE OF REFUGEES & IDPS (NCFRMI SOUTH WEST) by the federal government establishment – NCFRMI (National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons).

This was done in honour of my humanitarian efforts via my foundation, and also gave me the opportunity to serve as an ambassador for the commission.

One of our major projects, The Angel Relief Fund, kicked off instantly as I swung into action immediately to develop an initiative that would help address the needs of these families.

I got my colleagues in the entertainment industry involved in our first media campaign, using their faces and their quotes, to speak out to the public about this initiative, and it was a great awareness drive.

The project is still an ongoing one and it’s quite an overwhelming experience because the IDPs are our fellow countrymen and it hurts deeply to see your own people struggling to rebuild their lives once again.

I would keep doing all I can to help and support my people, it’s my duty and I am glad for the opportunity given to me to do this daily by being their voice in these trying times.

How has life on the radio show, “Girls Rock with Nikki Laoye”, influenced your views in life?

My Radio show, “Girls Rock with Nikki Laoye”, has given me a voice beyond my music as I speak to over a million listeners weekly from across the world on different topics and issues ranging from political, love and relationships, abuse, and more.

The show has been running for over two years now on the top award-winning Online gospel radio station in Africa, Praiseworld Radio, and with it, I have also been able to showcase female artists and entrepreneurs from Africa, America, Asia and Europe.

It has really been a life-changing platform for me, because, in my own little way, I am someone’s counsellor, friend or support system via the show and it really proves that we all need each other and we have to use every medium we have to be a blessing; a lifeline for as many people as we can.

And that is what I do with my radio show as well.

Is it easy juggling your career with family life?

Juggling career and family life is definitely not easy, and all it takes is sacrifice, understanding and some rescheduling here and there, making necessary adjustments to fit everything in and not leave anything to suffer,both at home and at work.

Who are some of your mentors and role models?

The first mentors & role models on my list are my parents  Prince Olusola and Yetunde Laoye. Their exemplary life, friendship and love has taught me so much and I thank God for giving me “REAL” parents  so down to earth, not afraid to make mistakes, stumble and get back up again.

I certainly still take a leaf or two, many leaves,from their vast wisdom and experiences which help to guide mine today.

I also look up to great men that I admire and respect dearly for their great minds and large hearts and this include my pastor- Pastor Paul Adefarasin (House on the Rock); Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo (COZA), Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (Christ Embassy) and more.

Musically, I learn a lot from musical icons that I love dearly, such as Brandy, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Mary J Blige, Brian Mcknight and more.

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

My greatest influence in life is God  the one who has given me every gift and creativity that I share today.

Daily, I learn to love like Him and to see people through His eyes; this makes me a better person and I have a better understanding of how to live, love and relate with everyone around me.

He is my overall CEO, and, truly, life is all about being an extension of His love right here on earth.

What does style mean to you? What are the items that you treasure in your wardrobe?

Style, for me, means comfort and looking great. As much as I want to look beautiful & sexy, I also need to be comfortable so that I can carry out my daily activities in my office, or on the red carpet, or on stage.

The items I treasure the most would be my Comfy Jeans, Tshirts, Tank tops. Can’t do without them; my daily uniforms.And, of course, my boots, trainers etc.

Let’s talk about your long natural hair. What is the secret?

I am totally blessed to have a mixed heritage running down my blood line which actually resulted in my long natural hair.

My mum is Yoruba from Osun State and she also had long hair, though she cut hers recently, while my dad had a mixed heritage of Dutch, Ghanaian, Deltan and Yoruba, all together from his parents.

Adding all of this together has given me the honour of being blessed with thick, long hair.

I just keep taking good care of it to maintain its length and body weight. The harsh weather conditions in Nigeria can be a little too much for it, but I go survive.