Jennifer Oyelade is the International Talent Acquisition Director for Transquisite Consulting, a recruitment and training consultancy. She oversees its United Kingdom and Nigeria’s offices, bringing her over 18 years experience working in various capacities to bear in positioning the company as a leader in the sector, Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports

Her career growth has been phenomenal, spurred largely by her dream to establish a brand that profoundly impacts the markets she operates in. And by staying true to that dream, InternationalTalent Acquisition Director for Transquisite Consulting, Jennifer Oyelade, had, after quitting a well-paid job to set up her brand, built it into a flourishing company with the core objectives of identifying, developing, and empowering talents in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

Transquisite Consulting, which focuses on recruitment, training, outsourcing and expatriate management services, has its head office in Swanscombe, Kent, United Kingdom (UK). It also has two offices in Lagos and Abuja.

The company, under Jennifer’s leadership, has carved a niche for itself in strategic recruitment and human resource solutions tailored to enhance productivity and exceed corporate objectives while incorporating the ethos and culture of clients’ organisations.

Transquisite Consulting has become an award-winning firm.

The company clinched the Middle East & Africa (MEA) MEA Award for Best International Recruitment & Training Consultancy – sub Sahara (2018); Best International HR Consultancy – Africa (2019), from Corporate Vision Magazine, UK and Corp Today Magazine; and Best International HR Consultancy – Africa Corporate Vision Magazine, UK – (2020).

Read Also: Repositioning ports for efficiency

“God has blessed us as a brand. I had to build my clientele from scratch. We have been able to break into specific markets in Africa such as Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa. That has been the highlight of my career,” Jennifer, who is also an independent employability specialist, said.

Attributing her phenomenal success to “tenacity, patience and staying true to your own journey,” she added that working in talent acquisition the best part of her adult life, she also had the support of globally struct organisations to support her career.

Born in the UK, Jennifer, who is from Onitsha, Anambra State, has over 18 years’ experience working in various capacities across diverse sectors in the UK, North America, Middle East, and Sub-Sahara Africa, more specifically Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Botswana and South Africa.

As a Talent Acquisition Director, she had spearheaded recruitment and market entry strategies for in-country and global organisations in the afore-mentioned places to identify, develop and empower talent.

A member of the Institute of Recruitment Professionals (MIRP – UK) and an Organisational Change Advocate, Jennifer has been involved in many high-profile recruitment engagements that have made her an international talent acquisition and employability specialist to watch.

She spearheaded a private-public recruitment project between a global education management consultancy and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF).

She also led the recruitment strategy and implementation for the establishment of the Nigerian operations team of a Pan-African education social enterprise; designed the organisational restructuring and roll-out for a market leading energy company; led the talent acquisition strategy for an international healthcare technology and supply chain brand for a year; and led the Nigerian talent acquisition strategy and market entry establishment for the Middle East entity of a Japanese technology company.

Jennifer also recruited strategic hires across sub-Sahara Africa for a global professional accounting body for five years; provided strategic talent to a global telecommunication infrastructure brand in Nigeria; and was also sole Nigerian recruitment partner to a Japanese Government-related private-public partnership organisation, as well as undertook organisational restructuring and design projects – using technical expertise to identify gaps and provide solutions that increase operational functionality.

What motivated this beautiful, intelligent and unassuming professional to veer into the consultancy and HR space? “My love for people,” she told The Nation.

“I am a sociable person and I wanted to pursue something that reflects my personality and HR is an industry that represents me in my entirety.

“I have always believed that if you are to establish a career of longevity, focus on something you love, and it will never really feel like work despite the ups and downs that come with every profession,”she added.

Jennifer, however, said before she settled for HR, she had toyed with the idea of being a hairdresser, a public relations consultant, and then a journalist.

“But I was not sure I was cut out for extensive writing all the time, as I am more of a talker. I considered news or television, (TV) anchor, but was not sure if I liked the scripted life. I would probably end up free styling. I was blessed to find my calling early and if I wasn’t in HR, I’d probably be a commercial lawyer because of its complexity and the fact that I can constructively debate and negotiate …” she said.

Having found her calling in HR, Jennifer has been able to leverage her propensity to easily adapt to call the shot in the field.

“Growing up and working in multi-cultural environments has helped me to adapt to any environment, understand the true importance of diversity and inclusion and how to inject its core values into the market.

“This has been integral to the way I can engage with a diverse portfolio of clients and professionals with different needs, behavioural dispositions, and aspirations and strategically place myself and brand as one that support an equal opportunities framework,” she said.

As the recruitment expert explained, a key objective of any organisation is to be successful in its market.

She said while this is obvious, what may not be obvious is the investment that is mandatory to ensure that this is possible, and that key investment is in human resources.

“As an integral part of business management, human resources enable growth for your business through employee development and management,” she said.

Jennifer said the role of Transquisite Consulting is to provide services that tie in clients’ departmental goals to the objectives of their organisation.

“We do this by identifying your human resources’ needs, developing measurable strategies and implementing them successfully. We work with you because we see every client as a partner and an extension of your organisation that provides the support you need, anytime you need it,” she said.

She also pointed out that her company’s services are designed to synergise technical ability, and leadership identification with  cultural integration and adaptation.

“We also provide market intelligence for your organisation based on business trends and markets from a manpower perspective, ensuring that you establish and maintain your reputation as a reputable employer brand and not just a market leader in your sector,” Jennifer added.

However, HR consultancy is not the only thing responsible for Jennifer’s rise to fame and fortune. She is also an author.

She wrote “Careerectional Facility – Writing the Wrongs of Professional Development”, a book that educates the reader on how to strategically position themselves for opportunities in a market where talented professionals are many and opportunities are few.

She explained the inspiring book thus: “Careerectional Facility is a play on words between career and correctional facility – the prison we put ourselves in the quest for career fulfillment while believing there are certain rules and processes that we need to follow to get there. The truth is – there are no rules!

“There is no template, format or structured way because every journey is unique to an individual. We have all been given different advice on how to secure a job or how to move up the career ladder at some point in our lives; this book dissects this and educates the reader that the process is not a one-size-fits-all cap.”

Noting that she took her time over a few years to consolidate her extensive experience in the HR space as a candidate, employee, employer and a hiring manager, Jennifer said: “I wrote this book from a multifaceted perspective to ensure that it provides insights that will still be relevant 10 or 15 years from now, touching on aspects of the career by fusing facts with psychology. My objective was to create a go-to manual in your time of need to reaffirm yourself of your journey.”

She also wrote several articles among which are ‘Career Leveraging for the Future of Work’ and ‘Unconventional Skills Development for Economic Development and Sustainability.’

She has also been featured on BBC Africa’s ‘Gist Nigeria’ as well as several national newspapers to provide her expertise on career strategy, organisation transformation, employee engagement, and capacity building for future growth.

Jennifer, however, has some success nuggets for youths on career development and job hunting. “Be consistent! Consistency in everything creates a subject-matter expert. When strategising and building your career, implement a terminology I devised called The “Horizontal Shift.” The ‘horizontal shift’ is developing your career in a horizontal line to achieve your aspiration,” she said.

According to her, “A rocket and a plane both have the same meeting point in the sky, the difference is that the rocket travels vertically and a plane runs horizontally along the tarmac before taking off.”

“Feel free to ask a mentor or a professional who you respect and admire, and you may even find they have faced similar scenarios. There is power in sharing and even more power in achieving,” she added. The expert also weighed in on Nigeria’s high unemployment rate, stating that investing in infrastructure starting with human capacity will help. She also said as a nation, there is need to take innovation seriously and leverage technology to open the door to global opportunities.

“Some of the best tech professionals are Nigerians and they are doing amazing things abroad,” she said, asking: “Why do we have to seek greener pastures before we make a difference?”

She said to eradicate unemployability, “we need to restructure our economy and promote innovative initiatives within our sectors and build a sustainable and profitable market.”

 

Abstract painter and visual arts instructor Ayoola Omovo literarily lives and breathes arts. Accordingly, she has been unrelenting in her resolve to force a paradigm shift in the way people perceive arts and artists. By sponsoring art trainings and exposing children to the professional use of art materials and craft at an early stage, the coordinator for Southwest zone of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN) said every Nigerian should value arts, express arts, embrace arts, and encourage artists. She shares her thoughts on a sector that holds promises of boosting tourism, creating jobs and generating revenue with Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA.

The is no pushover in Nigeria’s arts space. Despite being in a profession largely perceived as male-dominated, abstract painter and visual arts instructor Ayoola Omovo has continued to hold her own, refusing to be intimidated by her male counterparts, even giving them a run for their skills and expertise in the field of arts.

“I’m not in any way intimidated…I have created my style without struggling. I can tell you that the few females in this profession are very good and strong. They’re not to be pushed aside,” Ayoola, who has distinguished herself in the use of ink on recycling paper and acrylic on canvas to effectively convey her powerful message through painting, declared.

It wasn’t an empty declaration. Ayoola’s artworks have been displayed in several exhibitions in Nigeria and abroad. Some of them were Expression, Kambani London Art, Silver Bird Gallery, Lagos, May 2006; Art for Development in Badagry. Lagos, June 2007; Final Year Exhibition, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, July 2006.

She also did Art on the Main land, National Theatre, Lagos, March 2008; Exploitation of Internal Mind I, TerraKulture, Lagos, March 2009; Art on the Main land III, National Council of Art and Culture, National Theatre, Lagos, May. 2009; and Our Environment, at Correction Centre, Oregun, Lagos, 2017.

The 2006 graduate of Fine & Applied Art, from University of Benin, is also a force to reckon with on the international art scene, where the display of her artworks at exhibitions made her an abstract painter and arts enthusiast to watch.

Some of them included Exploitation of Internal Mind II, Fair field hall, Croydon, United Kingdom, 2010; Heritage Mirror Exhibition at Carriegie Art Gallery, Newcastle, South Africa, 2018; Insight, at Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, United States, 2019; Making Time for your Art Life at University of British Columbia, Canada 2019; and Expression, at Hidden Lane Art Gallery, Glasgow, United kingdom, January/March 2020.

Ayoola, who works as a part-time instructor in Visual Art at Lycee Francais Louis Pasteur (French School), Lagos, also earned a diploma in Arts and Design from Institute of Technology, Oregun, Lagos. That was in 2002.

She is a member of several professional art bodies, including the Society of Nigerian Artist (S.N.A.), Southwest zone of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN), where she is the Co-ordinator; Beyond Borders Artist Association of Nigeria, Africa Art Association, Art Zero group, Ota Artist Group, among others.

For the seasoned abstract painter and budding arts entrepreneur, Arts is a natural calling, something she has been passionate about from childhood. “Arts have been part of me right from the onset,” Ayoola told The Nation, recalling: “From my primary school, I have been drawing for my teachers. Even when I got to secondary school, it was the same thing. I had a teacher, a non-Nigerian, who taught me how to draw.”

Although Ayoola’s teacher later travelled back to her country, it did not put on hold her dream to become a celebrated artist. “I couldn’t continue with arts after her (the teacher) left so, I went into science, knowing that with science class I can easily deviate to any course I want to do in future. But after my secondary school, I didn’t make my results. Then my brother and my dad found a school around Oregun, the Institute of Textile Technology, where I can design,” she narrated.

But, as it turned out, it was while in the institute that another discerning lecturer discovered Ayoola’s talent for arts and quickly advised her to go and study Arts Education. The said lecturer went as far as filling the admission form for her to study arts in University of Benin (UNIBEN). “And luckily for me, I was admitted. That was in 2002. UNIBEN Ugbowo Campus was where I had my education courses, while I had my arts courses at Ekewan Campus,” she said.

Reiterating her near-obsession with arts, Ayoola said: “Arts is just something I love; I am passionate about it. Every time I am walking on the road, I appreciate God because we are close to God. After God, it’s the artist. So, art is part of me, it’s my life.” And, perhaps, to underscore her avowed love for arts, she said that each time she came home on semester break, she used to gather children in her parents’ compound to teach them arts and craft.

Upon graduation and completion of her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in Warri, Delta State, Ayoola returned to Lagos and got a job in Lycee Francais Louis Pasteur (French School) through a friend. “I was taking them in arts, activity class for the children to learn art and craft and other kinds of things for the elementary and primary classes, and that has been part of me all along,” she explained.

Ayoola did not stop there. She does wall mural, paints school walls, classrooms, and so on. “I want arts to be seen in every home, every office, because it helps. It’s a therapy, it calms down nerves and it heals,” she told The Nation, noting, for instance, that she was part of the artists that painted Ward D, which is the children’s ward at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba.

“These are part of what I do because I see arts as something beautiful, even though in our country, we have not yet discovered the full value of arts. Arts can boost tourism, just as Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ‘77’) brought a lot of countries to Nigeria. So, arts have been something that people look down on,” she said.

However, Ayoola appears determined to help change the narrative. According to her, “I just feel everybody should begin to value arts, express arts, embrace arts, encourage artists and see more light to arts beyond what people use to think about arts and artists.

“Gone are the days people see an artist as an unserious fellow or a drop out. The number of students studying arts is now increasing because people are now believing and getting more aware of the importance of arts. Lots of artists are making money quietly.”

 

Catching them young via arts training

It took an invitation extended to her to attend an ‘Arts and Music Exhibition’ organised by Caleb British International School in Lekki, Lagos, sometime in July, this year, for Ayoola to demonstrate her resolve to help re-write the narrative in the nation’s arts space through sponsorship of arts training.

Ayoola’s words: “I was invited for the program, and during the exhibition, the school presented a boy’s art works as the best. His name is Basil. The school said his works are mature and his was fast at finishing as well. Some of Basil’s works were showed to everyone at the program, while I was called to present him with a certificate.

However, when I saw his works, I was impressed and I felt if he can be trained, he will be a good artist in future with the strength in those works. Immediately, I announced I will sponsor him for a month workshop on arts training. He started the training in August, at Mrs. Adedoyin Bello Studio, here in Ibeju Lekki. All the art materials where bought by me and each time he goes for the class, he goes home with his works.”

On the strength of Ayoola’s sponsorship, Basil has been exposed to the use of Acrylic paint on canvas and other more technics in drawing. The training is currently running and will end on August 31, 2021. She, however, said she plans to train more upcoming children in elementary school so that “Their parents can see that art is beyond drawing and painting.”

“I love to expose children to real professional use of art materials and craft at early stage, so when they grow up, doing other stuff or being in other professions, they will use the knowledge of art to generate income. I am fulfilled when I see others happy and doing well in terms of what they find their handiwork generating for them,” she said.

Also, as part of Ayoola’s ‘catch them young’ mantra, she said her own son, who wants to be a Pilot, has won a lot of prizes on Instagram just participating in arts competitions.

“He also does Origami, winning the first runner up online just doing Origami jet,” she said, noting that art helps liberate children’s mind and also helps in other courses “because they free their minds, they can think, they see, they can relate.”

Interestingly, Ayoola said she owes her career success to the robust support and encouragement she got from her late father, Mr. Christopher Abayomi Odupitan. “My dad supported me 100 per cent to study Arts.  I appreciate him, even though he is late, for giving me the chance and opportunity to study Arts,” she said.

Encouraged by her late father’s support, Ayoola  wants the government to put the right people in place to design and be in charge of the nation’s education curriculum particular as relates to arts and craft. She also said the Ministry of Art, Culture and Tourism should be handled by arts professionals.

That is not all. “The government can create an educational excursion around arts in all schools both elementary and secondary, which will expose the children, teachers and parents to the value and appreciation of Arts in the society, while the private sector should invest in public arts for beautification and creation of awareness of the value and relevance of arts to the public,” she said.

Ayoola added that the government could boost arts and artists via collaboration with the Society of Nigerian Artists (S.N.A.) on every art-related public space project. Also, the government, she said, could create arts fair or art festival once or twice in a year, as well as bring in more art materials so that Artists can get any materials at easy and affordable prices. This, according to her, will help artists explore more on different aspects of arts.

“The government should also create space for artists to work and sell their works, like artist village in every local government area, where citizens, visitors and tourists can visit to see artist at work and interact with them and also sells their works,” she added, noting that “Art is wealth. It is an investment that can never be taken away from anyone who is in it. Art appreciates in value. And if you are consistent, it makes you an employer too.”

The Nut Place, a company that processes locally-grown nuts into healthy food products to improve nutrition and promote healthy living, is set to become a household name in nut processing. By prioritising quality, innovation and affordability, its Chief Executive Officer, Chigozie Bashua, is optimistic that the company’s products will be visible on the shelves of big retail brands across Africa in five years. Chigozie  also runs Edtech, which teaches entrepreneurs how to write compelling business plans. She shares her inspiring story with Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREIOCHA.

The Founder/Chief Executive Officer, The Nut Place, a company that processes locally-grown edible nuts into healthy food products, Chigozie Bashua, personifies the belief that success is a function of opportunity meeting preparation. With her Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical/Electronics, she successfully seized the opportunity of her grocery shopping while on a holiday trip to the United Kingdom (UK) in 2012 to launch a flourishing nut processing business as well as other businesses that are impacting lives across Nigeria and beyond.

It all started when Chigozie, while shopping in the UK, saw nut flours and, immediately, the thought of producing them locally came into her mind. “I went grocery shopping and saw nut flours. Like a flash in my head, I thought to myself that we could produce this because the raw materials were from Africa. The next day, I took a trip to a medium sized nut processing company in Tottenham and the owner graciously gave me a crash course on nut processing. When I returned to Nigeria, I registered the business name, but we commenced operations in 2016,” she narrated.

Since 2016 when The Nut Place opened its doors for business, the Anambra State-born budding industrialist and 2004 graduate of Electrical/Electronics, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, has not looked back. From tigernut flour, her company’s maiden product, she has introduced other products into the market. Some of them are coconut flakes, roasted cashew nuts, bambara flour and tigernut milk. “Our major customers are diabetic patients, health enthusiasts and people with gluten allergies,” Chigozie said.

The unassuming entrepreneur explained what motivated her to venture into agro processing, a sector perceived to be largely male dominated. “The food insecurity within the country is worsening and processing of food is one of the ways to preserve our primary raw materials. Besides, doctors advice including nuts into our daily diets. While you may not always have the nuts, you can have nut-based food products as healthy substitutes. These food products are gluten-free and one can use them for cooking and baking,” she said.

Chigozie added that instead of buying the imported version of these products, which are more expensive, “people can buy the Nigerian-made products with the same quality at better prices.”

Besides, when she checked the price of bringing the imported products into the country, she realised that the price was not sustainable for people within the middle and lower income class. In other words, her intervention is a viable template to significantly cut down on Nigerians’ heavy dependence on imported nut-based food products.

Chigozie’s exploit in nut processing must be music in the ears of diabetic patients particularly. She said under The Nut Place’s social impact initiative, the company was reaching out to diabetic patients to give them discounted food products to improve their health.   “We have a target to reach 100 diabetic patients. This is our maiden outreach. It is our way of giving back to our community and contributing to end hunger and improve nutrition,” she said.

She went on: “I have received financial grants from the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Growth and Employment Scheme of the World Bank and 2Scale Crowdfunding for our social impact initiative.”

She said her company was in partnership with 2Scale Crowdfunding to raise funds to provide discounted healthy food products for 100 diabetic patients. This, according to her, is to help improve their nutrition and bring awareness on the right diet to manage diabetes.

The TEF is a private African foundation championing youth entrepreneurship across the continent. Its objective is to empower women and men across Africa, catalysing economic growth, driving poverty eradication and ensuring job creation. Chigozie is an alumnus of the TEF’s Entrepreneurship Programme. 2Scale Crowdfunding, on the other hand, supports Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to overcome cash flow issues, so that they can continue to contribute to local and regional food security.

Currently working with six staff, The Nut Place, which is located in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, has diversified into other businesses. For instance, she owns and runs Edtech, a firm specialising in writing business plans for companies and also teaching entrepreneurs how to write their own plans and access funding. “I show you how to plan your business so you can see the big picture of your idea, transform that idea to a real business and build a solid foundation,” she declared.

It hasn’t been an empty claim. The steady stream of clients wishing to avail themselves of her services attests to Chigozie’s rising profile as a business planning specialist. She has also been helping existing and aspiring entrepreneurs wishing to pitch to investors, by giving them bonus pitch deck slides for their presentation. “I ensure my clients have their information at their fingertips and turn their mustard seed idea to an extraordinary business,” she said.

Chigozie also reviews grants applications so that clients can get funding for their business if they are looking for external funding. And this is hardly surprising, considering that has won several grants for her business and is still raising funds through grants for scaling of production. As earlier stated, she has received financial grants from The TEF, Growth and Employment Scheme of the World Bank and 2Scale for her company’s social impact initiative.

Expectedly, the industrialist and business planning expert has never been in short supply of awards in recognition of her entrepreneurial exploits and leadership skills. She is a proud recipient of the Advanced Communicator Gold Award, by Toastmasters International, a California, United States-based non-profit educational organisation that operates clubs worldwide, for the purpose of promoting communication, public speaking and leadership skills.

Toastmasters International, which has 364,000 members in 145 countries, also honoured Chigozie with its Advanced Communicator Silver Award, Advanced Communicator Bronze Award, as well as the Advanced Leadership Bronze Award. Between July 2014 – June 2015, she was the assistant area governor, Education & Training, Area 18, Division F, District 94 at Toastmasters International. She was also president, Royalty Toastmasters Club, from July 2013 – June 2014.

Before going into nut processing, Chigozie, who is an innovative IT professional with over 14 years work experience, had worked as an IT support at Contact Solutions Limited, between April 2006 and November 2007. She was also radio network engineer at Interwireless Consultants, November 2007 – May 2010; IT engineer at Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, and in 2014 became the company’s business continuity coordinator.

Chigozie has several certifications including Cisco Certified Network Professional – Switch 300-115, ISO 22301 Lead Auditor (Business Continuity Management Systems), Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (Windows 2008: Server Administration), Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Version 3, and Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist (Windows 2008: Network Infrastructure Configuring), among others.

She is passionate about advancing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 2, which is committed to ending world hunger by 2030, by ensuring gluten-free food products are accessible to more Nigerian and indeed, African homes. She is an advocate of the UN’s SDG 2, a position she has continued to advance by leveraging her nut processing company to promote healthy living in Africa.

However, Chigozie’s coveted position in the nation’s entrepreneurial hasn’t been a walk in the park; there have been challenges. “We’ve had our fair share of challenges, from machine fabrication to National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration and staffing,” she admitted.

The industrialist and business planning expert gave more details: “When we first started, we fabricated our machines. The first person did what he thought he wanted, not what we wanted. We tried someone else for another machine and till date, we haven’t seen the machine nor our money. Our first NAFDAC registration was so long and tedious, it took us eight months.

“With staffing, we’ve had our highs and lows. I’ll give you an example, our first production manager was a lady and she was so excellent at the job, but she had to travel out for her Masters. The next person was the exact opposite. He had to be micromanaged and I’m not good at micromanaging people.

“One day, I told him I had meetings on the Island so, he wasn’t really expecting me. However, I decided to do a detour to the office. From the door, I could see someone dancing with his earphones. He was so engrossed in his dance he didn’t hear me come in. Guess what, he had coconut flakes in the oven while dancing. That batch was burnt beyond recognition. Suffice to say that was his last day at work.”

Not one to shy away from challenges, Chigozie, whose husband is from Lagos State, precisely from Isale Eko, has continued to charge on, with eyes set on transforming The Nut Place into a household name in nut processing. She also said her target was to make the company’s products visible on the shelves of big retail brands across Africa in five years’ time.

Dr. Biola Adimula is the new national chairperson, Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT), the women wing of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). She says with the dwindling income from the oil sector and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and its emerging variants on the economy, taxation has the potential to fill the revenue gap. Noting, for instance, that a tax revenue collection target of N7 trillion to N8 trillion is achievable, she says SWIT, under her watch, has prioritised advocacy and sensitisation to help improve the tax system and boost tax revenue generation capacity. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports.

 

The walked to the podium exuding the confidence of a thoroughbred professional who has what it takes to turn things around. And by the time she was done with her acceptance speech at her investiture as the newly-elected fourth national chairperson of the Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT), Dr. Biola Adimula left no one in doubt of her resolve to leverage the SWIT to position taxation as Nigeria’s ‘next oil.’

She hopes to achieve this by building a more efficient and sustainable tax administration in Nigeria and, ultimately, boost her tax revenue collection profile. Adimula, who is also a lecturer, lawyer and principal partner, Biola Adimula & Co., a firm of legal practitioners, said she would ride on the back of a robust collaboration, over the years, between SWIT, which is the women wing of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the nation’s apex tax authority, to rev up advocacy and sensitisation programmes on tax policies and taxation.

“The SWIT under my watch will continue to support government’s initiatives on improving the tax system by organising forums and encouraging our women to tell the taxation story to women-fold, most especially women in other professional bodies, women executives and women-preneurs,” she announced, amidst thunderous applause by her audience gathered at the Peace Hotel and Suites, Tanke, Ilorin, the Kwara State venue of the investiture.

Adimula, who earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) (Hons.) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1992; Master of Laws (LL.M), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, in 2002 and Ph.D. in Peace and Development Studies, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, in 2014, also said SWIT would act as an  interface between the government and the governed through advocacy and sensitisation to educate the public on the types of taxes to be paid and how to pay rightly, devoid of double taxation.

The 55-year-old Kwara State-born technocrat and Senior Lecturer, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, said the society would ensure that its campaigns led to more tax revenue generation for the government at various levels and performance of the attached responsibilities.

“Professional women, market women and artisans will be our main focus, while tax education through school debates will form a centre stage,” she declared.

She pointed out that the need to scale up advocacy to enhance more revenue generation through taxation had never been this compelling. She said in view of the situation of dwindling income from the oil sector and the struggles of the agricultural sector to feed the nation and earn income, internally generated revenue through taxation presents a viable source of income for the government.

She also said the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tax system were too obvious to ignore. The pandemic, according to her, has impacted Nigeria’s budget by reducing tax receipts and increasing spending on programmes to save lives. “Also, medium-and small-scale entrepreneurs and blue-chip companies have been affected,” Dr. Biola added.

She also said developments in the global tax environment had made revenue generation via taxation a compelling proposition for Nigeria. “The recent decision of the G7 countries to impose “global minimum tax” on multinationals that operate across their jurisdictions has shown clearly that taxation has become a main source of revenue generation globally,” she stated, adding that considering that the world is a global village, there was no doubt that the happenings in the international tax environment would filter down to the local tax community hence, there was the need to keep women abreast of developments.

Adimula, who personifies the global push for improved gender inclusiveness, particularly in tax policies, has not hidden her intention to give women a voice. This was the basis of her assurance that, under her leadership of SWIT, “we shall leverage on our mother institute’s membership of the Global Tax Advisers Platform (GTAP) through the West African Union of Tax Institutes (WAUTI) to connect with women in other climes for dialogue on international tax matters.”

She said as the global tax environment is blocking tax leakages from their jurisdictions, Nigeria’s tax system is also undergoing significant improvement to achieve the same objective. According to her, this has been demonstrated with awakening of the yearly Finance Act cycle to support the Appropriation Act and make amendments to the tax laws.

“The Finance Acts 2019 and 2020 changed the face of the Nigerian tax system as provisions in the tax laws are reviewed to align with the government’s ease of doing business objective and expand the tax base in order to bring more taxpayers into the net,” she said, adding that the automation of tax administration and investment in technology embarked upon by the FIRS and most of the States Internal Revenue Services are coming at the right time.

Her push to unlock Nigeria’s tax revenue potential

Adimula emphasised that developments in the global space have shown that across the world, taxation is the “big elephant in the room” with governments collecting their fair share of income  from their respective jurisdictions. To her, Nigeria shouldn’t be an exception, as the country, she believes, literarily sits on a tax goldmine, given her huge potential for tax revenue generation.

For instance, the FIRS , according to Adimula, collected revenue of N5.26 trillion in 2019, which is equivalent to 59.8 per cent of N8.80 trillion of the target for the year. It also generated N4.95 trillion in revenue for last year, which represented 98 per cent of its target, despite the lockdown and the adverse effects of the pandemic.

Although the Senate initially approved a target of N7.6 trillion for the year, being 49.9 per cent increase over 2020 performance, The Nation learnt that it was later scaled down to N5.3 trillion, as a result of continued potential impact of COVID-19, which is still rearing its head.

For last month, being the month of filing for most companies, especially those with December 31 year-end, and based on the provisions of the Finance Act 2019 that mandates payment of taxes to be made for six months from January, the FIRS confirmed collection of over N650 billion in June.

Now,  Dr. Adimula is optimistic that “Going by the trend of FIRS performance from 2019 to June 2021 as highlighted above, there are potential for tax revenue generation within the economy’’. She hinged her optimism on the automation and digitalisation of tax administration.

“An efficient tax administration that blocks revenue leakages and enforces tax compliance will enable the FIRS achieve revenue collection target of between N7 trillion and N8 trillion going by the trend and June 2021 performance,” she told The Nation, on the sidelines of her investiture.

She, however, added that hitting this target would depend on the level of growth in the  economy. “Tax collection is a function of economic growth and having an environment that enables businesses to thrive and generate taxable profits.

“If corruption can also be eradicated from tax administration, I believe the target is achievable, because there are potential for tax revenue generation with the encouragement of voluntary tax compliance and the ease of paying taxes,” she said.

Indeed, the leadership of FIRS has introduced some initiatives to improve tax administration in Nigeria, viz: E-Filling, TaxPro Max and Auto Vat Collection.  It launched the TaxPro Max online returns filing and payments system to improve on the collection methods and level of compliance from taxpayers.

This was to, among others, provide a seamless returns filing and payment system which is permanently accessible to everyone 24/7 no matter the location, reduce the taxpayer’s physical contact with the tax office, improve the record keeping system for both FIRS and taxpayers for future reference, and to improve transparency.

Adimula said in furtherance of SWIT’s partnership with FIRS, the Society plans to sensitise the nation at national and state levels to make people familiar with these new terms and how they can help ease tax processes. ”This is why the CITN and SWIT should be adequately supported to propagate the tax message,” she said.

 

Her numerous accomplishments

Adimula is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Member of International Bar Association and Life Member, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). Between 2004 and 2008, she served as the Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers, Nigeria, Kwara State Branch.

Some of her achievements at FIDA included computerisation of the Ilorin Prisons Registry-Oke-Kura, visits and free representation in court of inmates; pro bono services to women, children and indigent facing abuse; enhancement of women lawyers’ careers through attendance of international conference in Malaysia and London.

In 2008, she led 16 FIDA Kwara members to the World Women Lawyers Convention in Milan, Italy. In 2005, she secured the nod of the Kwara State Government for pilgrimage slots for members of one Jerusalem and one Hajj yearly until 2015 when it was stopped by the Federal Government. Before then, in 10 years, about 20 members benefited.

She raised funds to buy FIDA Kwara House to serve as a secretariat for the association.

However, her rewarding law practice and ingenuity in tax administration are not the only things that warmed her to the hearts of Nigerians from all works of life, including foreigners lucky to come her way.

For instance, she coordinated the completion, inauguration and equipping of 500- capacity Dining Hall for the physically challenged students and pupils of Kwara State School for Special Needs; obtained finance from the state government for the surgery of a two-year-old with a hole in the heart. Today, the boy is hale and hearty.

Despite achieving much in a male- dominated environment, Adimula does not feel threatened. “I have never felt threatened being in a male-dominated industry. The truth is that, I know my onions. I put perfection into whatever I do,” she told The Nation.

Her resolve to hold her own is a function of the support system she enjoys from her family members, especially her husband, as well as her efficient time management. “I usually wake up early to take care of the home front and I arrange my daily schedule for the academic and chambers attendance.  But above all, it is divine help and a supportive family,” she said.

Nollywood actress and movie producer Queen Blessing Ebigieson bestrides the entertainment industry like a colossus. Aside starring in over 60 movies, her production company, BQ Productions, has over 12 films to its credit, making her one of Nigeria’s youngest independent movie producers. She is also the founder/president, Queen Blessing Foundation, which is focussed on ameliorating the plight of the less-privileged, especially widows. Her stellar rise to stardom and fortune is a study in doggedness and focus. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports.

 

It was a demoralising situation that would have probably forced many in her shoes to chicken out, but Nollywood actress and movie producer Queen Blessing Ebigieson refused to give up. She was paid a paltry N3, 000 for her first appearance in a movie, Ashe to Ashe, directed by Mr. Andy Amenechi, about 20 years ago.

Guess what?  Blessing, who was then a young and upcoming artiste, had to take a night bus from Bida, Niger State, where she was schooling, to Enugu, spending N25,000 on transportation and sundry logistics.

But the entertainment entrepreneur wasn’t discouraged. “I have no regrets. That job opened more doors for me,” Blessing declared, noting that she resolved to feed her passion to be in front of the camera and, ultimately, claim a coveted spot in the burgeoning creative industry.

“From the outset, I decided I wanted to be in front of the camera,” she said, adding: “I had to spend N25, 000 just to make sure I achieved my goal and I was paid N3,000. That is how determined I am in achieving things.”

Indeed, Blessing, who is fondly called ‘Black Queen’ by her fans and admirers, ostensibly in reference to her pristine beauty and panache, has achieved so much in the past 20 years of a flourishing career in the Nigerian film industry, more popularly called Nollywood. As a seasoned actress, her footprints are  indelible. At the last count, she had starred in over 60 movies and soap operas, including sitcom Super Story and This Life.

Propelled by her remarkable role interpretation skill and, of course, hard work and tenacity, she also featured in Eldorado, Girls Next Door, Moment of Joy, Sweet Love, Pretty Angels, Romantic Touch, Evil Genius, Romantic Attraction, Power of Trust, Lost Love, Empty Coffin, Omo Butty, Aje Ni Mope, Back 2 Back, among other hit flicks.

“Acting is what I love to do actually, but most importantly, the privilege I have as an actress in playing roles that reflect what happens daily in the life of those whose voices could not be heard; in playing roles of what we all hope to be reality in our country and in the world at large is enough joy and drive for me to keep on acting,” the 2006 Mass Communication graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, told The Nation.

Although Blessing, from Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State, started out as an actress, she has since spread her tentacles across virtually all areas of entertainment, including modelling, dancing, and movie production. Her production company, BQ Productions, has over 12 films to its credit. Some of the notable Yoruba hit flicks she has churned out are Borokini, Lori Ere, T.N.K, and Ejomiko, making her one of the youngest independent movie producers in Nigeria.

Blessing explained that as a movie producer, the feedbacks she gets from those who watch her movies have been remarkable. “I have been able to professionally get my voice heard through the impact the movies has been able to make in the lives of so many people in my country Nigeria, across Africa and globally,” she said, noting that she has been able to hold her own as a producer in the past 11 years in a largely male-dominated industry.

Expectedly, her rise to stardom and fortune hasn’t come without some mouth-watering brand endorsement deals, awards and recognitions. For instance, she is a brand ambassador of Sheena Hair. A number of awards have also come her way. On July 4, 2021, the Nigeria Legendry Awards (NLA) presented her the “Nigeria’s Outstanding Actress/Movie Producer of the Year.”

According to the organisers, the award was presented to Queen based on recognition by the Nigeria Natural Medicine Practitioners through NLA for her outstanding role as a an actress, producer and humanitarian, as well as her contribution to socio-economic growth through job creation.

Other awards under her belt include Eldorado Entertainment Award (for her contributions towards the growth of the movie industry and her passion for humanity); Socom Award (Distinguished Actress of the Year 2012); Award of Excellence from Wendytunes Entertainment, among others.

Stunning, unassuming, blunt and kind-hearted, Blessing is a widely travelled actress. She has traversed many countries, including India, South Africa, Dubai, and the United States, where she shot and premiered her recent movie entitled: TNK. The premiere attracted superstars like Tuface Idibia, Ramsey Noah, and ace comedian AY, among others.

Shoulder to lean on for the less-privileged

Although Blessing has continued to blaze the trail in the entertainment industry with her block-buster movies, she considers her charitable activities through Queen Blessing Foundation (QBF), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), as perhaps her greatest achievements and contributions to the society that has given her so much fame and fortune.

Despite making her mark in the make-believe industry, the reality of the plight of the less-privileged, particularly indigent widows, is not lost on Queen. Through QBF, she has been channelling her resources to putting smiles on the faces of widows. “I will never give up in my dreams of making people happy, mostly widows and less-privileged children whom I host every year on my birthday, April 14,” she said.

It has been a promise kept. The philanthropist said she has been putting in her resources in hosting widows on Val’s day yearly. “I still put in 80 per cent of my money to this course yearly,” she told The Nation. She, however, called on well-meaning Nigerians both individuals and corporate organisations to support the Foundation.

Indeed, on February 14, 2013, QBF celebrated Val’s day with widows of Okpella in Edo State, her hometown, were she made the Okpellagbe of Okpella kingdom the grand patron of the Foundation. Also, on February 14, 2014, the Foundation, in collaboration with Olukoga Support Foundation, celebrated the Valentine’s Day with widows in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State.

Apart from making the day a fulfilled one for the widows, over 200 wrappers, sewing machines, cash and other gifts were showered on the widows who described the gesture as rare. Confirming the gesture, one of the beneficiaries, Mercy Ayodele, joyously said: “We are not used to this kind of thing. No actress has ever come to our rescue. We are grateful to QBF for finding out time to celebrate with us. I got a sewing machine and a wrapper from her.”

Blessing also visits orphanage homes in Lagos, where she distributes special gifts to help cater for the motherless. She also hosted orphans and kids with down syndrome at Modupe Orphanage Home, which she visited on April 14, 2018. The Nollywood Star was at the Orphanage to celebrate her birthday with them.

Sometime in 2018, the Foundation also hosted the wives and mothers of Nigeria’s fallen military hero’s, including the Army and the Air force. It was at the Ikeja Military Cantonment in Maryland, Lagos. After the event, the then Brig. General, 9 Brigade, Brig.-General AE Attu, honoured her as a ‘Humanitarian Ambassador,’

Blessing attributed her foray into the humanitarian space to God’s calling. “It was God’s calling. God told me to clothe and feed widows in my home town Okpella in Edo State. After the programme, which took place on Feb 13, 2013, seeing how the widows where, I just could not stop so, I continued and I am very happy I did. Seeing others happy makes me very happy, too,” she said.

Empowerment is Queen’s forte

As a budding entrepreneur, Blessing believes that economic empowerment is key to making others happy. Between her production company, BQ productions, and her Foundation, QBF, she currently has four permanent staff; 20 to 25 people are also indirectly earning their livelihoods from her, either as director, actors, makeup artist, costume artist, or power generating technician.

A multi-tasking business woman, Blessing also has multiple revenue streams outside acting, modeling and movie production. While admitting that her foray into the industry, unlike some others, was “driven by pure passion,” she said she does other businesses to make ends meet. “I sell clothes, shoes and bags. I also do Aso-Ebi for events like weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, funeral etc.,” she divulged.

To underscore her commitment to empowerment, Queen recently organised an empowerment programme for women of Okpella Land in Edo State, distributing clothes, sewing machines, etc. to them and also enlightening them on how they can achieve more in whatsoever they do.

“As a woman and a mother, my drive to be a blessing to others just as my name implies pushed me to do more every year. And apart from making the reach out days to widows and the less privileged a fulfilled one, over 200 wrappers, sewing machines, cash, and other gifts been showered on widows,” she said.

Although, Queen’s exploits in the industry and her charity activities are self-driven and funded, she called on the government to come the aid of operators. “I wish government can make it a little bit easier for us film makers to access loans and grants. We have done this much on our own. Government should look more into helping us to achieve more,” she said.

Blessing, who is the Vice President of Association of Movie Producers in Nigeria, called on the government to do more to help the creative space. She was the association’s National Treasurer, from 2018 to 2020, before she became the Vice President last August 29.

Born in Benue State, but grew up North, Blessing has managed to balance her busy schedule as an actress and movie producer with her duties as a mother. Admitting that balancing work and family hasn’t been a walk in the pack, she said she draws strength from her supportive spouse.

Her words: “For a very independent woman like me, it’s ether a very understanding and supportive man or no man at all. My man is the very best, he understands me and don’t really complain because he knows I have to work and I love my job.”

Encouraged by the support structure she enjoys, Blessing said she makes sure that her 15 years old biological son and five other adopted kids don’t eat junk foods, but eat healthy, homemade foods.

Having climbed up the entrepreneurial ladder, Blessing has some success nuggets for aspiring entrepreneurs. “Never giving up is the key to success. Take that risk, yes, calculate it well, but take it; life itself is a risk. If you don’t start, you won’t know how far you could have reached. You will fall at the beginning, but don’t stay down. Even if you fall at the middle, keep pushing, their is light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.

 

 

 

 

 

By Chikodi Okereocha

 

LIFE of founder of Senior Pastor of  Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Joseph Ayodele Oritsejafor, Helen, has been awarded the prestigious honorary Doctorate Degree of Science (D.Sc.) Honoris Causa in Leadership and Corporate Governance by the European American University, Commonwealth of Dominica.

The author of the book, “You Too Can Become a Success”, was recognised for her lifetime commitment to creating and ensuring a firm and impactful international influence of service throughout the globe.

The awards, which took place at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at the weekend, saw Mrs Oritsejafor being recognised for her years of industrious leadership.

The degree was well-deserved, as Dr. Oritsejafor is well known for her vast experience in business for many years, as well as her philanthropy.

She is the MD/CEO of several conglomerates, including Eagle Heights International Schools, Eagle Flight Microfinance Bank, Eagle Bureau de Change Limited, African Broadcasting Network TV Station, Eagle Wings Secured Insurance Brokerage Limited, and Eagle Nest Guest House etc.

Receiving the award, Mrs Oritsejafor said leadership cut across all aspects of life, with each individual being the starting point. She pointed out: “We need to embrace leadership in totality to enable the youths and the aged to experience true leadership and enjoy the dividends of democracy.”

She dedicated the award to her husband,  Pastor Oritsejafor, and also to those who have lost hope, encouraging them to remain committed to their set goals, despite the prevailing socio-economic or political circumstances.

Mrs Oritsejafor advised that being focused with immense determination would lead to actualisation of dreams for a successful life, in any field of human endeavour.

On the involvement of women in governance, the renowned philanthropist posits that the aspect of womanhood is not prioritised. She said if more women are in power, there would be a more decentralised system and organised structure that will encompass the different human elements for a progressive nation.

This, she said, is because of the motherly nature of women. She, therefore, urged women to stand out in their endeavour to bridge the gap in gender inequality.

On her goodwill to many Nigerians, the Ekiti-State-born philanthropist recently provided financial support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which were badly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for them to grow their businesses, among other initiatives.

For about 10 years, stakeholders in the insurance sector have been struggling, albeit, unsuccessfully, to grow the sector’s premium income from N490 billion to N1 trillion. But the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, insists that the N1 trillion premium target is achievable, if stakeholders embraced collaboration. The professional with more than 30 years’ experience also shared her roadmap to achieving the target with Insurance Correspondent OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO.

 

 

The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, is, arguably, one of the leading lights in the insurance sector. With a successful practice that spanned over 30 years, Ilori, who retired from AXA Mansard Insurance Plc., has, under her charge as NIA DG, preoccupied herself with growing the sector’s premium income from N490 billion to N1 trillion.

The premium income stood at N490 billion as at 2019. And plans by various stakeholders to achieve the N1 trillion mark have stretched for about 10 years without much progress. Expectedly, the N490 billion is considered minimal, unsatisfactory and worrisome by Ilori and, indeed, other key stakeholders, including the regulator and operators.

However, for Ilori, the N1 trillion premium income is achievable. “The N490 billion growth is minimal and we are not satisfied with where we are. I believe it can be improved upon and our N1 trillion target achieved, if all hands are on deck by all stakeholders in the industry. It will take collaborative effort of stakeholders within the industry. The operator, regulator and even the government have roles to play,” she declared.

She said although, the NIA was coordinating its members at its level to achieve the target, the Nigerian Insurance Commission (NAICOM), which is the industry regulator, has a major role to play by putting operators in the place where they should belong. “If we go back to the document, we will know what we should do or not do. In fact, we need to go and revalidate that document because a document of last year may no longer be relevant this year,” she said.

The insurance amazon was referring to the 2012 document by world-renowned Management Consulting Firm McKinsey &Company, which, working with the regulator and operators, charted a course to be followed to realise the Nigerian insurance sector’s N1 trillion premium income target, triple the number of employment in the sector, as well as boost its contribution to the  Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The NIA later came up with a roadmap to achieve the same target; NAICOM also had its own roadmap. However, Ilori said “it is now time to harmonise the positions in these roadmaps. This is where we have to be. We need to revalidate these reports and chart a way forward. And I am so sure we can get to do the things that we promised to do. It only needs collaboration and not a fragmented industry.”

Continuing, the NIA chief said: “We should ask what are the things we are supposed to do that we are not doing and how can we start doing them. We need coordinated plans or programme. We should ask ourselves what has happened in the plans that we had and not followed through with them because sometimes it’s not just about coming out with new plans.

“Also, the regulator and operators need to have a conversation around the issue. We can disagree and at the end look at who has a superior argument, not just because you are the regulator or operator, but in the interest of the industry.”

Collaborating with other sectors

To hit the target, Ilori also believes that collaboration with other sectors is key. She said, for instance, that despite the much-talked about financial inclusion, operators in the insurance sector were just paying lip service to financial inclusion.

“We need to partner with the banking sector that has done it. It is not that they are where they want to be; they still see that there is a gap to be bridged. But we can leverage what they have done to make their customers allow their agents to sell micro-insurance products for us such that insurance gets to wherever they have taken financial services to and become a one-stop-shop,” she said.

She added that the NIA was doing a lot to ensure that with its Nigeria Insurance Industry Portal (NIIP), people can buy all the compulsory insurance from anywhere in the country. I think that when we do all this and then people have adequate money and they deploy it into what they can carry, then we will see a lot of changes and achieve the N1 trillion target,” she said.

Ilori is also looking at re-enacting another Insurance Act, with enforcement as the focus especially on the low hanging fruits, which are motor third-party insurance and other compulsory insurances in the country. “Yes, it shouldn’t be about enforcement alone, people should see value in what they are buying and I believe value can be seen if we improve in the way of continuous education by everybody,” she stated.

According to her, there is need to let the public know that insurance is a necessity with benefits. “Sometimes, you need to help people to get to where they are supposed to be. Sometimes, without enforcement people just take things for granted,” she emphasised, pointing out, for example, that in 2019, the Lagos State Government began automated verification of all that a motorist needs to put in place, which saw a spike in motor insurance business.

As Ilori also observed, “We have this mentality and culture that we can cover ourselves and that even if anything goes wrong, our family or friends will rally round without necessarily exploring the mechanism of insurance. It is true that we need people because that is our culture, but there is an institutional mechanism that can come to the rescue if anything should happen to you.”

She stated that if all agencies like the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) at state levels collaborate with us and see the reasons and the benefits therein for them, enforcement will be easy.

“I believe that if they see the figures, they will get involved. The way people treat insurance is that they can’t afford it whereas they can afford it. Because what they cannot afford is to lose assets or business they use their life to build,” Ilori said.

The NIA DG also said she believes that recapitalisation is something that has to be done.

According to her, recapitalisation is the first pillar in NIA’s roadmap document. “So, we expect to see after a recapitalisation exercise, which is currently in court, no matter how it is done, a situation whereby there is consolidation. We expect to see stronger companies that can live up to their obligations which will become more encouraging to the insuring public,” she stated.

The 60-year-old mother of three, who has never hidden her intention to see a better  industry driven by a fearless and committed leader, is also a pastor. Her husband, was the late Kunle Ilori. In 2010, she took up the challenge of caring for the flock he left behind as a Senior and Lead Pastor.

In March 2011, she set up the Kunle Ilori Life Foundation to assist women, particularly widows. Recently, she wrote a book entitled: Memoirs of a Widow: Behind the Veil. It was not her first.

 

ATM Beauty Mpire is a Kaduna-based beauty enterprise involved in make-up artistry and training. Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Asabe Tonia Moses, says the company is inching closer to achieving its dream of becoming a one-stop beauty solutions provider. She shares her plans of making a foray into the international beauty scene, as well as training and empowering about 500 people to start their own businesses with Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA.

Her foray into make-up artistry wasn’t planned. Rather, it was borne out of boredom of staying at home, caused by prolonged industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) back in her school days, precisely in 2014.

That year, out of boredom of staying at home, Asabe Tonia Moses, a Higher National Diploma (HND) Mass Communications student of Kaduna Polytechnic, began learning make-up artistry.

“That was how my entrepreneurial journey started. And once I was done with school, I knew I had no need to look for employment. Rather, I said I would be an entrepreneur and create employment for others. Today, I have not regretted that decision because it has gone beyond make-up, as other services like unisex saloon, photography, and bridal dresses have been added,” Asabe, a beauty entrepreneur and chief executive officer (CEO) of ATM Beauty Mpire, narrated.

Coined from the initials of her name, Asabe Tonia Moses, ATM Beauty Mpire is involved in make-up artistry and trainings. The business, which started in 2014 back in Asabe’s school days, has made good its founder’s promise to create employment for others. It currently has seven employees on its payroll, with plans to engage more. The company also has an annex of its studio in Minna, Niger State.

Strategically located opposite Kaduna State University (KASU), Tafawa Balewa Way, Kaduna State, ATM Beauty Mpire’s is the toast of customers from far and near. Although the public, including women, men and youths, constitutes its target customers, Asabe said most of her clients were new brides and that the number of clients it catered for in a week or month varied.

“Sometimes we have excess customers to the extent that we demand helping hands from other beauty experts while some weeks, customers are few. But generally, patronage has been awesome,” she said, noting that she was propelled to venture into this line of business by her desire to excel and explore the beauty world.

“I am motivated by my conviction that the beauty industry is wide enough to accommodate millions of young entrepreneurs like me,” she stated.

Asabe attributed the company’s successes in the beauty industry in the past eight years to its prioritisation of customer service. Her words: “Our competitive edge in the business is our ability to relate and see our clients as kings. Nigerians don’t know what customer service is. That is why there are a lot of dissatisfied customers around. But at ATM, we treat you like a king. We deploy extra care to ensure your comfort and satisfaction.”

Encouraged by her successes, the Paikoro, Niger State-born beauty entrepreneur has spread her tentacles to the humanitarian sphere, where she is  channelling her energy and resources to grooming other young and upcoming talents and the less-privileged.

ATM Beauty Mpire has birthed ATM Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that assists orphans, widows and vulnerable children.

“Through the foundation, we have been giving back to the society by empowering the less-privileged,” Asabe said.

She added that through its annual event tagged “Meeting of Stars,” which holds every October 1, the foundation gives talented and upcoming make-up artists the opportunity to exhibit what they do. It also organises peace and entrepreneurial talk by experts from various vocations.

Emphasising that her dream is to become a one-stop solution provider for every woman seeking to look beautiful, and for the beautiful ones, to make them trendy, Asabe added that barring any unforeseen developments, especially in terms of government policies, her projection is to transform ATM Beauty Mpire into a household name in the beauty industry with net worth increasing by as much as 35 per cent.

The founder of ATM Foundation and Initiator, “Meeting of Stars,” also projected that in the next five years, “We hope to have trained and empowered about 500 people to start their own businesses. Besides, we would have spread our tentacles to major cities in the country like Abuja, Port Harcourt and Warri, as well as increased our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the young people and our capacity development scheme by about 50 per cent”.

Asabe also said in five years, she hoped that the company would have hit its target of making inroad into the international beauty scene. She said as part of efforts to achieve the objective, ATM Beauty Mpire was in talks with some top notch beauty palaces and homes, including some health resorts for partnership whose responses have been quite encouraging.

Though hugely successful, Asabe’s entrepreneurial journey is not without challenges; finance is a major challenge.

“Sometimes, paying staff when patronage is low is tough. Government’s economic policies, especially those related to exchange rate are not helping matters. The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic was also a challenge. We are still recovering from the impact of the lockdown. In fact, the business environment generally is not easy,” she pointed out.

Beyond the difficult operating environment for entrepreneurs in all sectors and vocations, it hasn’t been easy juggling her work as an upwardly mobile make-up artist and keeping the home front. “It’s tedious I must say,”Asabe admitted. She, however, noted that she got along because of her supportive and understanding spouse. “I travel with my family when the need arises because most of the work is done during weekends. So, my husband has made things easy to an extent,” she said.

Easy going, humble, highly principled and above all, God fearing, Asabe had in the course of her rise to fame and fortune  attended several conferences, seminars and workshops such as Oriflame seminar and make-up training in Lafia, Nasarawa State, in 2015; Onigele head gear setting workshop in Kaduana, in 2016; Make-up master class in Kaduna, in January 2021; Kaduna make-up artists meet, in 2015.

Before Asabe launched her make-up brand in 2014, she had, upon graduation from Kaduna Polytechnic, gone through her National Youth Service (NYSC) at Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, Lafia, where she was presenter/producer of  programmes such as Youth and Society, Morning Arena, Life style, Let’s Talk about it. That was from 2015 to 2016.

In her engagements before and after finally settling down as a make-up artist for various occasions and functions, Asabe has never ceased to emphasise that she derives great pleasure in exhibiting her potentialities, skills and professionalism where and when necessary; that she seeks to partner bigger beauty organisations that encourage growth even as she contributes her quota to the organisation’s development.

Music entrepreneur Bunmi Solomon owns the Bunmi Music International (BMI) brand. The Kaduna-based gospel and inspirational music sensation has, within 20 years in the industry, released four albums; the fifth album is in the works. Her new single ‘It’s Yours’ was released on June 3. The Ondo State-born singer, composer and song writer says her dream is to become a household name on the local and international music scenes. She also shared her plan to establish a music academy where she could teach adults and kids with Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA.

Hers was a natural calling. This must be why Bunmi Solomon was able to seamlessly transition from being the leader of a children’s choir at a very tender age to one of Nigeria’s most sought-after gospel and inspirational music artists. “Music is life for me,” Bunmi, who owns and runs the Bunmi Music International (BMI) brand, declared, adding, “I am a singer, composer and song writer. I am also a music entrepreneur. I teach, train and sell music as a business.”

Indeed, as sign of Bunmi’s blossoming career in the music industry, the Kaduna-based gospel and inspirational music sensation, The Nation learnt, has released four hugely successful albums since she picked up the passion about 20 years ago, precisely year 2000. The fifth album, according to the Owo, Ondo State-born artist, is in the works.

The 2014 Mass Communication graduate of Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna, also released a new single titled ‘It’s Yours.’ That was on June 3.

Born on July 12, 1986, the 35-year-old music entrepreneur started music quite early, and the career runs in the blood. “I am from a music family. Virtually everyone sings, but few of us took it seriously,” Bunmi told The Nation. Giving more details of how her passion for music kicked in, she said: “We were in a children’s choir back then. My elder sister (Pastor Esther Yohanna) would teach us songs. I was virtually the youngest, but always led the choir in most of our outings.

“At times, I’ll have to stay up to rehearse. It wasn’t convenient as I was still very young, but it helped shape me and made my passion for music grow stronger. I’ve always wanted to be a television (TV) presenter because I love standing in front of the camera, but music is an inborn talent that would always come first. So, I would say I didn’t really think music would be a profession, but it turned out to be. Professionally, I have done 20 years on stage.”

Stunning, intelligent and vivacious, Bunmi has, by dint of hard work, sheer determination and consistency, carved a niche for herself in the music industry. Her string of successes and milestones in the industry in the past 20 years attest to her towering status. For instance, she has been able to organise a talent hunt – Kaduna Gospel Talent Hunt (KAGOTH) – with winners going home with cash prices and gaining musical exposure in Kaduna and its environs.

Under ‘BMI The Global Voice’ as Bunmi’s music brand is also called, she has also been privileged to train individuals, groups and choirs across the country to do better in their singing. The rave of the moment, who said she is propagating the kingdom of God while also bringing inspiration to several upcoming artistes through her music, also has a blog that helps gospel artistes create download links for their songs at a very affordable price.

“Initially it (the download links) was totally free, but now just for a token you can visit the site,” the budding entrepreneur stated, adding that she also gets paid for the vocal classes she takes, as well as the honorarium that comes her way when she sings in churches. “I take private lessons. I also do collective classes. I also get stipends from my blog. I do online trainings, I get invited to places to speak and also teach. People also buy my music online,” Bunmi told The Nation.

By riding on the back of a robust support system by her husband, Pastor Kunle Solomon, who also has a good musical knowledge as a keyboardist, Bunmi is also handling a project in Abuja — Abuja Worship Service. It’s a monthly meeting that holds every first Sunday of the month, from 5 pm to 6.30 pm, at Give ‘N’ Take Studio, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

Put together by a music enthusiast and an ardent worshipper, the Abuja Worship Service is not a church programnme, but strictly non-denominational; everyone is welcome, irrespective of the church he or she attends. And Bunmi is the face of the Abuja Worship Service. She is also its administrator and planner.

Expectedly, her exploits in the music industry have not gone without rewards and recognitions. For instance, Bunmi has two awards under her belt. She earned the Ambassador for Peace by the International Institute of Pastoral Education and Chaplaincy (IIPEC) last November 15. Again, on November 29, she also clinched the Gtunes Global (Grama Awards), in recognition of years of impact on the music scene.

 

A more rewarding future beckons

On the strength of Bunmi’s remarkable successes so far, the music entrepreneur has already set for herself a number of targets, one of which, according to her, is to become a household name in the local and global music industry. Already, she is currently the toast of gospel and inspirational music artists who have been approaching her for possible collaboration.

“I have been approached by several artistes and I’ve done a few collaborations with a few of them,” Bunmi informed The Nation, adding that as part of her plans for the future, she was planning to approach top music icons such as Mercy Chinwo and Dunsin Oyekan, soon.

“I also approached Julia Omlamb who is based in the UK. I’ll also love to work with Mary Mary and Yolanda Adams in future,” she revealed.

Bunmi, who attributed her rise to fame and fortune in the music industry to her tenacity and innovativeness, said: “In the next five years, I would have traveled to a lot of countries singing and teaching music. Also, I would have had my Music Academy where I will teach both adults and kids. And in setting such ambitious target, the music impresario said she is drawing strength from “My never-give-up-spirit. I believe that no matter the challenges, there’s a way round them.”

However, the journey to the top hasn’t been a walk in the park for the budding music entrepreneur. There have been specific industry challenges such as those around finance and getting the necessary exposure needed. “As a gospel singer, most people find it difficult to sponsor your work. Some would come out plainly to tell you that if you were doing circular music, they would help without hesitating,” Bunmi said, for instance.

Although she has never been a victim of piracy, which has been hurting most music artistes, Bunmi said she almost fell prey once when she tried to sell off her music album to a marketer who wanted to copy it inside his office.

“I insisted that he hears it from my earpiece. Most times, when they take it in, they automatically make another copy for themselves and tell you they are not interested in buying again. Before you know it, your work is everywhere. Piracy is rampant, but I’ve never experienced it first hand,” she said.

She, however, said it was sad that despite having laws against piracy, implementing the laws remained a challenge. “This is why piracy still thrives,” she charged, alleging that “The cartel involved seems to have pocketed regulators and seem to have developed a huge war chest to fight back.”

While noting that it was unfortunate that one person’s intellectual property is being stolen and nothing seems to be done against it, Bunmi said it is sad that an artiste’s future is being destroyed by pirates and government is not doing anything about it. “There should be a bigger, more articulate and well-coordinated action against piracy,” she fumed.

She also decried what she described as government’s neglect of operators in the entertainment industry particularly music. According to her, government seemed to have channeled most of its energy and resources to others industries such as agriculture while entertainment is mostly neglected. “I’ve not benefited from any form of support for the entertainment industry from the government yet, but I’m looking forward to getting it soon,” she said, noting that at present, the private sector tends to support operators in the entertainment industry more than the government.

Beyond the industry-specific challenges, managing her busy schedule as a top music entrepreneur together with her role as a wife and mother is no less daunting. “You can’t just pick up your bags and travel, you have to make sure it’s okay with your spouse and ensure that your kids will be looked after properly without any need to worry,” she said.

Bunmi noted, for instance, that when her babies were still very young, she couldn’t accept some invitations. “I had to decline some invitations,” she said, pointing out, however, that she was lucky she married a person who supports her music career fully, coupled with the fact that “God has been more than faithful.”

Having come this far in the music industry, Bunmi has some pieces of advice for young and upcoming artists: “They should be committed to their passion. Make sure you find every opportunity to improve your skill. Never seek for platforms before you’re ready. Make sure you give in your best and leave the rest to God. He’ll announce you at the right time.”