The Nation Newspaper

Category: Women In Business

  • Driving transformative change in healthcare delivery

    Driving transformative change in healthcare delivery

    Health-tech entrepreneur Mobolaji Ajayi is the founder & CEO of Purelife Pharmacy, a health-tech startup that drives innovation in primary healthcare services delivery across Nigeria and Africa. By leveraging technology to provide innovative and scalable solutions to addressing Africa’s healthcare challenges, she has earned a coveted spot on the global stage. She is among the top 10 finalists to receive a share of $1.5 million grant for this year’s Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA tells the entrepreneurial story of a healthcare leader with the goal of forcing a paradigm shift in primary healthcare delivery

    She owes her meteoric rise to fame and fortune to her ability to leverage technological innovation to force a paradigm shift in healthcare services delivery across Nigeria and Africa. Already, Purelife Pharmacy, a health-tech startup, which Mobolaji Ajayi founded in 2021, in response to the hitherto fragmented system that slows the delivery of essential health needs, has, in a remarkably short time, become the destination of choice for primary healthcare services on a pharmacy platform.

    Purelife Pharmacy, which Mobolaji floated to fill that critical niche in the primary healthcare sector, four years down the line, is the undisputed all-in-one pharmacy super app synergising the primary healthcare ecosystem. It harnesses the power of digital technology to drive transformative change in primary healthcare delivery and make quality healthcare a fundamental right, not a privilege. The user-friendly app combines online and offline options, providing individuals with a one-stop shop for their health needs.

    From wellness products and vaccinations to medical consultations and medication delivery, vaccinations and diagnostics, Purelife Pharmacy has risen to the occasion, with footprints in 11 Nigerian states and plans to cover 20 more states this year. The health-tech startup also targets to increase its platform’s over 100, 000 users to one million by 2025, with Mobolaji, its founder/CEO, soldiering on to transform it into a reference point in innovation, efficiency, and provision of comprehensive healthcare solutions.

    A Pharmacist and healthcare administrator, Mobolaji is not a rooky in the healthcare space. She boasts a rich background in pharmacy, business, and public health. She holds B. Pharm from Lagos, Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the UK, and Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the U.S, coupled with nearly a decade of experience in healthcare administration and strategy.

    It was Mobolaji’s desire to build a platform where Nigerians can get quick access to healthcare that prompted her to start Purelife Pharmacy. Her hope was to latch on the health-tech startup to address the plethora of challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to quality healthcare, and high mortality rates caused by preventable diseases. It was also a response to the crisis in the country’s healthcare system where many skilled medical professionals have relocated abroad.

    However, while Purelife Pharmacy, inspired by Mobolaji’s vision for healthcare excellence, has seen astonishing growth since its inception in 2021, becoming a multi-million dollar healthcare behemoth, it is not the only company through which she has been changing the narrative in healthcare delivery in Nigeria and Africa. She is also the founder of Transcend Pharma, which utilises blockchain technology to provide safe and authentic pharmaceutical products across Africa.

    Mobolaji also founded Purelife Health, a company she has been using to improve healthcare outcomes by enabling remote consultations, monitoring, and treatment, thereby reducing the need for physical hospital visits. Purelife Health saves patients’ time and simplifies access to primary healthcare through physical and online options of integrative pharmacy and telemedicine platform. This integrated approach puts patients at the forefront, providing compassionate and effective care.

    Read Also: Stakeholders meet to improve maternal, child healthcare delivery in Anambra

    “We offer a comprehensive suite of services such as e-commerce, medication delivery, telemedicine consultations, vaccinations, medication therapy management, health education programmes, and diagnostic services. We have noticed that many people bypass proper lab tests and consultations, leading to antimicrobial resistance and incorrect dosages.

    “This is where Purelife steps in to address this guesswork in medication usage, by making it easy to book diagnostic tests online, have samples collected at home, receive results, and consult with specialised doctors,” Mobolaji said.

    Mobolaji’s decision to venture into the primary healthcare space was borne out of her early personal experiences. Her brother’s heart ailment brought her face to face with the challenges of Nigeria’s healthcare system, as her family could not access specialty treatment and drugs.

    Indeed, quality healthcare has been an issue in Nigeria, despite efforts by the authorities to strengthen the health sector. Persistent calls by various stakeholders to increase budgetary allocation to the sector to enhance accessibility, quality, and affordability of healthcare services have not yielded the desired result, even as available healthcare professionals are leaving the country in drives for greener pastures.

    It was against this backdrop that Mobolaji threw her hat in the healthcare ring. Giving insight into her role as CEO, she said: “I implement strategic leadership and oversee business development, patient care, advocacy, and partner engagement. This involves partnerships with other healthcare providers, insurers, Health Management Organisations (HMOs), and government bodies.

    “I also stay informed about the latest healthcare trends and innovations so that we can incorporate them for smooth functioning. Another important part of my role involves integrating technology into our services to streamline our processes.”

    Mobolaji’s match to global entrepreneurial stage

    Unsurprisingly, Mobolaji’s avowed commitment to revolutionising healthcare has not gone unnoticed. For instance, she holds an honorary award for her contributions to the development of humanitarian services in Nigeria. She was also recently nominated as one of the 40 members of the prestigious Pharma West Africa Leaders Club shaping the pharmaceutical landscape.

    The biggest reward thus far is that this budding health-tech entrepreneur is the only Nigerian among the top 10 finalists to receive a share of the $1.5 million grant for the 2024 Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition which Grand Finale is set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, under the theme, ‘AI: African Insight, Innovation, and Impact – Addressing Africa’s Most Pressing Challenges Through Entrepreneurship.’

    The ABH Prize Competition is the flagship philanthropic initiative spearheaded by the Jack Ma Foundation aimed at supporting and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the continent’s future. Chinese billionaire Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group and the Jack Ma Foundation, created the prize after he made his first trip to Africa in 2017 and was inspired by the energy and entrepreneurial potential of the young people he met with there.

    The ABH, since its inception in 2019, has dedicated itself to identifying, supporting and spotlighting talented African entrepreneurs. Annually, this sector-agnostic competition awards a total grant of $1.5 million to 10 deserving entrepreneurs.

    Beyond financial support, ABH provides its finalists and the broader entrepreneurial community with significant exposure, training, mentorship and networking opportunities. These are mouth-watering benefits that await Mobolaji and other nine finalists that represent eight nations: three from Egypt, the host country of the 2024 ABH Semi-Final, as well as entrepreneurs from Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is represented for the first time this year.

    The ventures run by the 10 exceptional entrepreneurs span a diverse range of industries, including Agriculture, Education and Training, Financial Services, Health care, ICT, Logistics, Manufacturing and Retail. Mobolaji and other finalists have been vetted through a due diligence process led by PlusVC and were selected after pitching their ventures to a panel of judges in front of a live audience.

    The 2024 ABH Top 10 entrepreneurs were identified through a rigorous process involving multiple rounds of interviews and assessments. Starting from around 20,000 applications from all 54 African countries, the pool was first narrowed to the Top 50 finalists.

    Following another selection round involving video call interviews with expert judges, ABH identified the Top 20 finalists who attended the semi-final in Cairo, Egypt, where the Top 10 finalists to receive their share of the $1.5 million grant were selected.

    Commenting on the emergence of Mobolaji and other nine finalists, the Managing Director, Africa at ABH, Zahra Baitie-Boateng, said: “We continue to see inspiring examples of innovation and resilience among the ABH finalists, and this year’s cohort is no different. These entrepreneurs have overcome significant challenges and are building businesses that contribute to their local economies and beyond.”

    Indeed, for Mobolaji, the entrepreneurial journey that culminated in her claiming a coveted spot on the global stage is not one without formidable but surmountable challenges. “I have witnessed numerous challenges as a healthcare leader and an entrepreneur in Nigeria,” she admitted,” pointing out that one of them is staffing.

    According to her, “Finding skilled professionals for our team has been a persistent hurdle. This is due to mass migration out of Nigeria, which is also known as the Japa Syndrome. It has led to many talented, smart, and hard-working professionals leaving the country in search of better opportunities.”

    The healthcare professional, however, said adaptability and innovation are crucial in navigating the challenging business landscape. Her words: “Healthcare leaders must adopt innovative technologies such as telemedicine to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. I also advocate effective communication, collaboration, and strategic partnership for growth and sustainability.”

    She stated that by collaborating with other healthcare providers, technology companies, and government bodies, “we can expand our reach and improve the quality of care we provide. Fostering a culture of continuous learning, and training also helps create a dynamic and effective workforce.” She encouraged aspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs to embrace continuous learning as their compass to adapt, evolve, and grow.

    Meanwhile, the Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos office of Purelife Pharmacy has been in a celebration mood following the naming of Mobolaji as a top 10 finalist of ABH 2024. Members of staff of the company said the prestigious recognition reflects their CEO’s tireless efforts and innovative spirit. “We are proud to work under your leadership and inspired by your vision for healthcare excellence,” a post on the company’s Facebook wall said.

    The ABH event, which will also be partially live-streamed, will bring together leading investors, business leaders, and innovators from across Africa. It will feature a variety of activities, including keynote speeches, workshops, an entrepreneurial showcase, and a live pitch competition, among other exciting sessions.

    Organisers of the ABH have also indicated that the 2024 Grand Finale will stay true to the initiative’s core values since its launch in 2019. Emphasising its pan-African commitment, the event, according to them, will spotlight inclusivity, sector-diversity, and grassroots innovation.

    The high-profile gathering will also highlight entrepreneurs like Nigeria’s Mobolaji who are addressing some of the continent’s most pressing challenges while driving sustainable economic growth across Africa.

    They also asked participants to expect insightful panels, thrilling live pitches, and the chance to network with business leaders like Ibukun Awosika, Patrick Awuah and Thomas Njeru – a Time100 Next Generation Leader

  • ‘My target is to hit agro export market’

    ‘My target is to hit agro export market’

    Agricultural entrepreneur Mrs. Bosun Solarin is the founder/chief executive of Dasun Integrated Farms Limited, a Lagos-based agro processing company that processes organic vegetables and fruits sourced from local agricultural producers into herbal products. Bosun, who is also a traditional medicine practitioner, also owns BUUSTA Herbal and Natural Remedies Clinic, which specialises in creating herbal blend teas, spices, and various herbs. DANIEL ESSIET tells the inspiring story of an entrepreneur whose target is to hit the international export market.

    She is an innovative agricultural entrepreneur with a resolve to change the dynamics in Nigeria’s agro processing industry. Already, a campaign by founder/Chief Executive of Dasun Integrated Farms Limited, a Lagos-based agro processing company, Mrs. Bosun Solarin, to empower various operators across the industry’s value chain, including agro suppliers, processors, and exporters has reached advanced stage.

    For instance, Bosun whose company processes organic vegetables and fruits sourced from local agricultural producers into herbal products for purchase online has boosted operators’ competitiveness and increased market linkages for their products. She has also promoted their comprehensive understanding of market requirements concerning quality, quantity, and other specifications for international market opportunities.

    The results of her interventions are telling. Several new and existing exporters have gained access to training regarding processing techniques, post-harvest handling, and product packaging and branding. This, according to Bosun, who is also a traditional medicine practitioner, significantly contributed to the enhancement of production standards, value addition, and the optimization of supply chain management.

    Bosun, who owns BUUSTA Herbal and Natural Remedies Clinic, where she specialises in creating herbal blend teas, spices, and various herbs, said she has her eyes set on hitting the lucrative export market. “I wasn’t just looking to sell in Nigeria, but one day I will hit the export market,” she told The Nation, pointing out that it was in a bid to achieve this objective that she attended several trainings.

    Some of the trainings she attended to hone her skills in the agro export business, according to her, featured food processing techniques, product development, international trade and logistics, and food safety training. She also benefited from different local and international fora, which exposed her to understanding the market demand and trends in product design and packaging.

    An alumnus of the Lagos Business School (LBS) and the Enterprise Development Centre, where she earned a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management, Bosun also served as the immediate Past Chairman of the Export Group at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), which provides assistance to businesses, training on developing an export action plan, and linkages to reliable export certificate and logistics service providers.

    Bosun’s Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management as well as membership of the LCCI Export Group, fired up her big dreams and strong drive to introduce Nigerian products to international markets and help create jobs for Nigerians especially women. She has motivated and mentored many women entrepreneurs to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. She also supports those who aspire to launch and develop their own businesses.

    Having earned its reputation for high quality products at reasonable prices, Dasun Integrated Farms Limited has firmly stamped its business footprint on the local market, with Bosun turning her attention to promoting her products internationally. Her first export experience was hugely successful in terms of meeting the requirements for export.

    “There were serious difficulties with the execution of documents, customs clearance issues and a number of others. But we dealt with all of them,” Bosun said, expressing her strong belief that with the world becoming increasingly health conscious, consumers will constantly be on the lookout for products that will contribute to their sustainable lifestyle.

    Accordingly, she has been working on a range of teas and natural infusions to contribute to the change to healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. “I majored in ginger; I mixed ginger, garlic and turmeric and several other things. As of late 2022, I could boast of about 45 different products that I was packing for exhibitions,” she revealed.

    Bosun, however, said her spirit wasn’t just okay because when she was packing those spices, cinnamon was there, black pepper, clove and all that. “I was writing on my label that people can actually take them as the main boosters when they take the powder and put in hot water and drink. So, now we’ve realised that the bulk of the men that are buying it were actually using it for that purpose, not even just for cooking,” she said.

    She said then, she was packaging herbs too, such as moringa powder, scent leaf powder and bitter leaf powder. “But it just occurred to me that since people were actually taking this thing as tea, I could just go into tea production with my spices. At that time too, the International Trade Centre had a project in West Africa that had to do with cassava and mango. I thought I could still add some of my tea and spices. We were accepted there,” she said.

    It all started in the United States in 2016 during Bosun’s brief visit there. “My journey into agri-business started in 2016. I was in the US and I was tuning from one Christian channel to the other when Christian Television Network founder and preacher Marcus Lamb who started the Daystar Television Network channel, spoke about donating funds to Israel,” she recalled.

    She said, that fund, according to the preacher, will be used for farming, and whoever donates will be given a parcel of land in Israel. It will be charted on Google. “That wasn’t just the story,” Bosun said, adding, “I felt moved to donate to the cause, which I did.” However, some days after she came back to Nigeria, there was an International Trade Fair, which she said she attended. “I had gone to the fair looking for everything about agriculture,” she said.

    While expressing regrets that both the Federal Ministry of  Agriculture and Food Security and the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture  and Food System were not represented, Bosun said: “This led me to  keep walking up and down in search of information. The only thing that looked like agriculture was a company from Ibadan that was displaying machines for processing. So I asked a few questions and I got their brochure and left.”

    However, the agri-preneure was not satisfied with the information at her disposal. She had to call her elder brother who had retired from Lagos State and now stays at Shagamu that she needed land for agriculture. “He responded that there was a family land in our village, that I could go to the village to explore it. He, however, said that the villagers were fighting over it,” Bosun said.

    Read Also: Unrealised agro export potential put at $3.1b

    As it turned out, this provided the budding entrepreneur with the valuable opportunity she needed to commence her farming endeavours and marked a pivotal turning point in her entrepreneurial life. But there was a snag. Bosun had no background in farming or agro processing; her only asset was her strong passion for entrepreneurship.

    However, her entrepreneurial passion was laced with significant doubts and challenges in the early days of building her business. For instance, the arrival of COVID-19 hindered her ability to visit the farm, leading to damage to its infrastructure. “I sunk a borehole and arranged for a two-acre irrigation system from Dizengoff. That was in late 2019 before COVID. Everything was going fine before COVID struck, and one wasn’t able to go to the farm.

    “So, because nobody was there to pump the water, by the time we were able to get to the farm, the borehole had blocked. We weren’t able to use irrigation. The farm had become bushy. Bush animals had eaten off my irrigation material. People who were walking through the farm destroyed my irrigation pipes. That was the pain of that investment,” she recalled.

    Not one to capitulate under pressure or challenges, Bosun undertook remedial and recovery initiatives that involved financial costs. Her optimistic nature, particularly in relation to agriculture, has been a constant feature in her life. She was certain that she would prevail despite the considerable loss she faced. And she actually prevailed. Her first season of cultivation was bountiful.

    This was after she got a plumber to repair the borehole. “I was told my pump wasn’t working.  I went to buy another bigger submersible pump. I was told to strike water; I had to reach 10 feet into the ground. So, I changed the pipe. The electrician spoiled my generator in that process. We repaired the generator. And by the time we finished there was still no water. So, that investment again lost. So we kept at it. We were now depending on only rain-fed agriculture, she said.

    Bosun further revealed that one of the days in late 2020, she was in the farm harvesting plantain when a heavy rainstorm came. The rainstorm went inside the building she had constructed to keep her materials. After two hours of the rainfall, over 400 plantain trees had also fallen. About 200 of those trees were carrying plantain while 200 were about fruiting.

    “This drove me to the Technology Incubation Center, Odogbolu, where I later became an  incubate,” she said, noting that she had to go back from Lagos the following morning to harvest those plantains and took them to Odogbolu. “So, that signaled my journey into processing. One of the people who had their factories there processed the plantains for me within one week. I went back to carry the products which I sold at the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and Cooperatives MSME Fair,” Bosun narrated

    Not an opportunity to play with, she said she quickly keyed into processing and even started thinking of other products she could exhibit. Eventually, she settled for chili, ginger and 10 other products. “While researching how I would do my packaging, I had read far and wide that importers in Europe and other countries have started rejecting plastic. So my first outing was with biodegradable brown crafted paper crouches,” Bosun revealed.

    “This was because I wasn’t just looking to sell in Nigeria, but that one day I will hit the export market. So, that was the reason why I did that from the outset and at that Fair,” she emphasised, pointing out that at the Lagos State Fair, “it was like my products were the only ones packaged differently.”

    She said a lady even came and filmed the whole thing and was posting it on Instagram. She captioned it, “Can this be done in Nigeria? “So, the story continued. That was my journey into agro processing,” she told The Nation.

    Before her switch to agro processing, Bosun had challenges with cassava production, especially with the marauding herders.

    Her words: “In 2021, I realised that when I planted cassava, the herders and their cows would come and eat it up. It also dawned on me that they could kidnap me. News of kidnapping started going around at the locality. My spirit was just like don’t go and fall prey. So, I just told one Baba that helps me in the town that I don’t think I want to come back to the farm.”

    Despite Baba’s assurances that “nothing will happen,” Bosun’s fears were justified when the same Baba, few weeks later, called her one day and informed her that a woman who owns a store at a filling station near the area was kidnapped; that they came one Monday morning and took her away for one week. They had to pay N5 million ransome before she was released.

    Apart from kidnapping and the activities of herders, Bosun said she was concern with the locals there. “I see them when I’m going to the farm. Sometimes I give them what I have. They see me with different vehicles. These guys are not doing anything. Then kidnapping became localised. So, they were the ones I was scared of. So, I had to stop. That was my last farming activity since February or March 2021,” she disclosed.

    Now, as a new agro entrepreneur, Bosun knew she had a lot to learn. She attended many trainings featuring food processing techniques, product development, international trade and logistics, and food safety training. In doing these, she was, by her own admission, inspired by her big dream and strong drive to introduce Nigerian products to the international markets and help create jobs for Nigerians.

  • ‘We’re canvassing measures to avert depression’

    ‘We’re canvassing measures to avert depression’

    U.S-based Registered Nurse and Certified Healthcare Administrator Mrs. Joyce Oyelade boasts over 35 years’ work experience. She has diversified her flourishing career by leveraging her expertise as a nurse to launch an advocacy focused on offering help in diverse ways to people in depression as well as those who are not yet at that level. Her book, Gross Darkness: Winning The Battle Against Depression, is the compass to navigate any hardship-induced mental stress that can push people into depression and possibly, death. Joyce, who also started her Home Healthcare Business, to provide care to patients in the comfort of their homes, shares her story with Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA

    Her sustained advocacy focused on averting depression resonates with the current mood across different regions of the world, including Nigeria, where inflation-induced cost-of-living crisis has pushed countless people into problematic behaviours such as anger, depression, defiance, drug and alcohol abuse, among others. After spending years studying and researching on why people commit suicide or just die due to the challenges of life when their conditions could have been managed, U.S.-based Registered Nurse and Certified Healthcare Administrator Mrs. Joyce Oyelade chose to provide the shoulder for crisis-hit people to lean on.

    Specifically, Joyce has deployed her experience spanning over 35 years as a nurse into providing care and support to those in need. She has brought her wealth of professional and personal experiences in the medical industry to bear on helping people overcome the challenges of depression and other vicissitudes of life. “We must offer solutions in tangible and intangible forms (depending on the specific needs) so as to avert depression and death. That is what we are advocating for,” she declared, insisting that “the need for sound decisions to turn things around is urgent than ever.”

    To justify the urgency to “turn things around,” Joyce cited the recent nationwide protests against economic hardship in Nigeria. While noting that the hunger-induced protest was not peculiar to Nigeria, as protests are sweeping across different regions of the world, such as the UK, Bangladesh, and other countries, because of leadership failure and other reasons, she pointed out that the after-effects of the protests on the mental well-being of Nigerians, for instance, cannot be overlooked.

    “Ultimately, depression has started creeping in. When you listen to people on the television, radio and the newspapers, you will see frustration and sorrows deep seated inside of them. These mental states are steps to depression,” Joyce noted, adding that even before the President Bola Tinubu administration came on board, right from 2015, the number of suicide cases was on the increase. “We saw people jumping into the lagoon in Lagos, we saw people taking their life via poison, hanging themselves, and through other means,” she said.

    Joyce, who is also a minister of the gospel/director of Operations for Breakthrough International Missions, an arm of the Oasis of Breakthrough International Church, said records had it that most suicide cases were out of deprivation.

    “This matter in question is expected to surge if the people see no light to this end in practical terms,” she warned, pointing out that “Hunger and poverty rank among other starting points of depression such that if not addressed at that time, it can lead to another stage and continues until it gets to a state of depression.”

    The mission of Breakthrough International Mission is to make a difference in communities by adding value to lives. And as director of Operations, Joyce coordinates and oversees various initiatives aimed at bringing positive change to people in communities worldwide. Her dedication to nursing, her unwavering faith, and her entrepreneurial spirit all contribute to her ability to make a lasting impact on the lives of others. “With the resources God has given us, we must be kind enough to use them to help humanity, because we know that there is nothing a man/woman has that was not given to him/her,” she said.

    Giving more insight into why she decided to dedicate her life to providing people with care and support, Joyce said: “Remember, the greatest investment is impacting on humanity. There are persons today who cannot finish the wealth God gave them, but they don’t extend hands of fellowship to the indigent. And of what need is it, if we don’t improve the lives of people here on earth? We all know that we can’t take material blessings to heaven or hell. We must remember, too, that the state of people’s health and records of incessant deaths in the country affect the overall economy.

     While highlighting that the foregoing is “A reminder to the government, Joyce added that “No country progresses when the people are depressed.” And this is where her book, Gross Darkness: Winning The Battle Against Depression, come in handy. The book, which has been widely-acclaimed as a masterpiece, meticulously outlined some of the escape routes out of depression. The book, which she made available to The Nation, is a valuable tool or compass to navigating the prevailing hardship-induced mental stress that could push people to depression and possibly, death.

     For a start, Joyce, relying on the content of her book, said: “Positive thinking, being careful of what you wish for yourself as well as one’s ability to guide his/her thought processes, are panacea to a stable mental health. In my book, I advised people not to aggravate the pains of others amidst this current economic deprivation. People must be careful to guide their thought as depression is far beyond what we see, physically. I say this because hunger and poverty rank among starting points of depression such that if not addressed at that time, it can lead to depression and death.”

    But, how can people deal with depression? “First,” the US-trained nurse said, “We must note that depression is like a big cloud that covers up our happiness and makes life sad and dark. Sometimes, we can feel good one day and the next day we wake up feeling upset for no reason. But if we change some things in our lives, and alter our perspective, we can make the cloud go away and turn the day around.” One of the solutions she highlighted in her book is that everyone must be filled with joy. The word of God says, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice. (Phi.4:4).”

    Effortlessly beautiful, hardworking and result-driven, Joyce said “We must cultivate a sense of happiness. This can help you ward off negative thoughts and emotions.” Secondly, she stated, people must be responsible to others around them, again, citing Phi. 4:5, which says, “Let your gentleness be evident to all”. As Joyce put it, “It’s important to be attentive and receptive to others when you are experiencing feeling of depression. More so, we must be prayerful. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

    More importantly, the healthcare practitioner harped on the need for people to follow their spiritual leaders, but only the genuine ones. She justified her position thus: “This is very important because they tell us the mind of God at any condition we find ourselves. What kills people slowly is when nobody talks to them at that particular point of need. Talking with one another gives a depressed person a sense of worth and belonging. But in the absence of communication, some people may give up because they feel rejected and dejected.”

    Again, she backed her claim with the scriptures, quoting Philippians 4:8, which says “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” Also, 2 Corinthians 10:5, says “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

    That’s not all. “I won’t forget to remind us that we must be contented with what God has given us. This means finding happiness and comfort in the present. Be grateful for what you got. Look at the positive side of life and remain optimistic. Be positive minded in all you do. Have a positive attitude, even when everything seems to go south, remain firm, resolute, resilient and persevere. Let God see your faith very strong. With these, while others are crying, you are smiling and moving forward,” Joyce added.

    Delving into what inspired her book, Joyce said she drew sufficient strength from her altruistic disposition to life. Her words: “Honestly, if you are altruistic, you will do anything to help people out of poverty. You can start little by offering help like food, material gifts, empowerment/jobs, and any other help that would minimize or erase the possibility of depression and take away thought of suicide from people.  She said often times, people think depression is as a result of hardship and other forms of economic deprivation, but it’s beyond that.

    Her personal unsavoury experience was also a driving force. “As a personal testament, I found myself spiraling into a deep state of depression when I tragically lost my beloved father. Throughout this harrowing journey, I encountered and traversed through all the stages of grief and mourning, grappling with immense sorrow and despair. The weight of my father’s death was so profound that it manifested itself physically. My appetite dwindled and my body struggled to adapt to the painful reality that I would never have the privilege of seeing my father’s face or hearing his voice again,” she narrated.

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    Indeed, according to Joyce, depression can emerge from a multitude of factors, with one such cause being the experience of death or a loss of a valuable. Other causes of depression, she said, include disconnection from one’s creator and absence of sense of purpose in life. She rationalised it thus: “It is a battle that takes place in the spiritual realm. When one struggles to communicate with God or see reasons for being alive, they feel dejected and depression can set it (for those who knows the importance) of living a purpose-driven life.

    “When people feel they are being abandoned and forsaken by God, when people see no essence of being alive, or having confusion about their purpose in life, and other issues that have nothing to do with physical wellbeing, it can lead to depression. This kind of depression can be very devastating because if it results in suicide, people won’t understand the reason because the person in question maybe financially and materially stable. Yet, people would wonder what may have gone wrong. In a time like this, we should be mindful of one another.”

    While encouraging people not to be selfish, as what affects one should affect everyone, Joyce emphasised that the level of hopelessness in the country is alarming. She, however, reiterated that “We are duty bound to spread love, and help the weak ones amongst us.” Waxing philosophical, she said: “Remember, he that giveth to the poor, lends to his or her marker. But most importantly, if you can’t help the poor, don’t add to their sorrows.” She added that as minister of the gospel of Christ, “Jesus tells us to give and help the poor in the society.”

    Aside this commandment, Joyce said common sense should tell everyone with financial and material substances to help the needy around them. And she demonstrated this commandment when she recently returned from America to feed indigent people in Ifo, Ogun State. “We fed over 300 people including Christians and Muslims, even those with religion neutrality. It’s a yearly program which includes empowerment of ministers of the gospel. You can’t be hungry while preaching to the people,” Joyce told The Nation.

     She has also gone a notch higher, starting her Home Healthcare Business about two years ago. Giving reason why she set the business, Joyce said: “I wanted a company that can provide exceptional care to patients in the comfort of their homes due to shortage of hospital staff and nursing facilities are not able to provide adequate care for their patients. So, we want to deliver the best healthcare services to the people at their very respective residents especially the aged among us.”

     Most critically, Joyce acknowledged that Nigerians are passing through hell at the moment. “It is obvious even to the unborn that the economy is very bad. Many people have regretted being Nigerians. So, let’s help one another at this painful time. And if we don’t do, God won’t take it light with those who have but chose to close their palms,” she said, noting, however, that seeing positive-minded people who can fill one with the physical and spiritual therapy and material aids like food is a testimony.

     “May God help you to find Godly people around,” she said, encouraging the down-trodden to “Look for good books, good music and be filled with joy. Attend educational, pro-life, pro-destiny and spirit- lifting programs. Control your thoughts. Be contented with what you have and keep a positive mindset. To avoid depression in this season, we must turn to God. I also encourage anyone who has more, to help those in need. Put a smile on someone’s face. It goes a long way.”

  • Building an ecosystem for social entrepreneurs

    Building an ecosystem for social entrepreneurs

    Tolulope Makinwa-Adeniyi is the executive director, Muazu Africa, an impact marketplace for social entrepreneurs designed to democratise access to capital, information and market opportunities. She is building an inclusive and equitable ecosystem to enhance the fortunes of small businesses and start-up ventures, especially those that are women-led. The social entrepreneur shares her ground-breaking story that offers a glimpse of the transformative power of inclusive entrepreneurship with DANIEL ESSIET

    She chose to pitch her entrepreneurial tent where it matters most: small business and start-up ventures, especially social enterprises committed to empowering women. And by supporting such enterprises to alleviate the living conditions in underserved communities across Africa, the Executive Director, Muazu Africa, an impact marketplace for social entrepreneurs designed to democratise access to capital, information and market opportunities, Tolulope Makinwa-Adeniyi, has created an inclusive and equitable ecosystem where enterprises can drive significant progress in gender equality and inclusion.

    Since 2022, when she founded Muazu Africa, Tolulope has not looked back in her quest to nurture entrepreneurs, especially those committed to empowering women in rural communities. With an understanding of the obstacles faced by individuals in rural areas, she has been offering training, mentorship, and support to assist them in establishing their own businesses and achieving financial autonomy. Through a variety of business development programmes and resources, she equips them with tools needed to transform their skills and talents into thriving enterprises.

    Whether it is food catering services or farming, many entrepreneurs that have benefited from Tolulope’s empowerment programmes have not only established sustainable businesses but also contributed to the local economy where they operate and promoted unity in communities.

    “Our vision at Muazu Africa is to create an inclusive and equitable ecosystem where social enterprises can thrive and drive significant progress in gender equality and inclusion,” she said.

    According to Tolulope, Muazu Africa envisions a world where businesses are equipped with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to effectively address the afore-mentioned issues.

    “Our mission is to craft and implement practical solutions that empower investment, finance, and business to advance gender equality and social inclusion. As a proud signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), we are committed to promoting gender equality in the workplace, marketplace, and community,” she added.

    Established by the United Nations (UN) Women and UN Global Compact, WEPs are a set of principles offering guidance to businessed on how to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community. The WEPs were informed by international labour and human rights standards and grounded in the recognition that businesses have a stake in, and a responsibility for, gender equality and women’s empowerment.

    WEPs are a primary vehicle for corporate delivery on gender equality dimensions of the 2030 agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By joining the WEPs community, the CEO signals commitment to this agenda at the highest levels of the company and to work collaboratively in multi-stakeholder networks to foster business practices that empower women. These include equal pay for work of equal value, gender-responsive supply chain practices and zero tolerance for sexual harassment in the workplace.

    Tolulope said Muazu Africa achieves the WEPs by bridging the gap between social enterprises and investors who are dedicated to advancing gender equality and social inclusion. “We work with businesses to develop and implement strategies that promote gender equality and social inclusion, helping them integrate these principles into their core operations,” she explained.

    Her journey into building a virile ecosystem for social enterprises to thrive began with her dream to not only promote entrepreneurship, but also spark a feeling of involvement and engagement in rural regions. Her story: “Growing up in Lagos, I witnessed firsthand the challenges that many social enterprises faced in accessing the resources needed to scale their impact.

    “One day, while volunteering with an international non-profit that aimed to provide safeguarding policies for school children in underserved communities in Lagos, I realised that the organisation’s efforts were being hampered not by lack of will or innovation, but by lack of access to capital, markets, and supportive communities.

    “This realisation sparked the idea for Muazu Africa. Drawing inspiration from global platforms such as  AWS that offer cloud computing services, I envisioned a similar platform tailored for social enterprises—a digital ecosystem that would use technology, data, and compelling storytelling to connect social enterprises with the resources they needed to thrive.”

    Accordingly, Tolulope established connections with social enterprise incubators that empower underserved entrepreneurs through access to resources, mentorship, and support networks. The success stories from these initiatives showcase individuals who had overcome obstacles and transformed their ideas into successful businesses.

    She believes she has uncovered a blueprint for implementing a ground-breaking approach that can assist eager entrepreneurs in making a positive difference in their communities, and motivating others to emulate their achievements.

    “Muazu Africa’s value proposition centers on empowering early stage social enterprises by providing them with critical resources such as access to capital, community support, and market opportunities,” Tolulope said.

    By acting as a bridge between social enterprises and these essential elements, Muazu Africa helps businesses achieve their social and economic goals more effectively. “We serve social enterprises, which are businesses focused on creating social impact while maintaining financial sustainability. These enterprises benefit from Muazu Africa’s network, expertise, and resources, which help them scale their impact and reach their goals more efficiently,” she emphasised.

    She further explained that Muazu Africa addresses many challenges faced by enterprises, particularly in the early stages. For instance, some enterprises struggle to secure initial funding to grow their operations. “We connect these enterprises with investors and funding opportunities, helping them overcome the financial barriers that can hinder their development,” Tolulope stated.

    Also, on obtaining flexible capital crucial for the enterprises looking to scale their impact, Muazu Africa facilitates access to this type of funding, enabling them to undertake innovative projects and expand their reach. It also helps early-stage enterprises navigate the challenge of breaking into new markets by providing them with insights, connections, and support.

    This ensures that the enterprises reach their target audiences and customers. Also, by fostering a network of like-minded businesses and stakeholders, offering opportunities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and mutual support, Muazu Africa offers the enterprises the platform to benefit from being part of a supportive community.

    These must be why Muazu Africa stands tall among other initiatives in the social enterprise space. “At Muazu Africa, our differentiation in the industry stems from our unique approach to empowering social enterprises through a combination of access to capital, supportive networks, and market opportunities. Unlike traditional financial intermediaries, we focus on enterprises that prioritise gender equality and social inclusion,” Tolulope said.

    Continuing, she said Muazu Africa’s commitment as a signatory of the WEPs further underscores its dedication to these values, setting it apart from others in the sector.

    “We excel in connecting social enterprises with early-stage and catalytic capital. Many social enterprises face significant challenges in securing the necessary funding to launch and grow their initiatives. Our extensive network of investors, who share our commitment to social impact enable us to provide tailored funding solutions that meet the needs of these enterprises,” she said.

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    According to her, this targeted approach ensures that the businesses Muazu Africa supports have the financial backing to succeed and scale their impact.

    Tolulope recounted that one of Muazu Africa’s success stories was the university tours it organised across Rwanda, Togo, Benin Republic, Gambia, Kenya, and Nigeria. She said the tours were pivotal in bridging the gap between aspiring student social entrepreneurs and impact investors.

    “We successfully pooled a diverse group of investors to these countries, providing students with a unique platform to present their innovative projects,” she said, pointing out that this initiative not only fostered invaluable connections but also resulted in significant pledge commitments, empowering the next generation of change-makers and driving forward enterprise in these regions

    Encouraged by the success of the initiative, Tolulope said more exciting initiatives were in the pipeline. “We have begun the social enterprises participatory policy process, which involves all tiers of governments as well as multi-stakeholder partnerships. This initiative is designed to create a more conducive environment for social enterprises by aligning regulatory frameworks and providing incentives for investors,” she said.

    By engaging with government bodies and stakeholders, Muazu Africa aims to streamline policies that support social enterprises, thereby reducing bureaucratic hurdles and enhancing transparency. “Our participatory policy process, involving all tiers of governments and multi-stakeholder partnerships, exemplifies our commitment to creating a supportive ecosystem for social enterprises,” Tolulope said.

    She emphasised that Muazu Africa’s holistic approach not only empowers entrepreneurs but also drives sustainable development and social impact across Africa. This collaborative approach not only boosts investor confidence but also ensures enterprises receive necessary support.

    Tolulope’s story illustrates the impact start-ups can have in promoting inclusion and empowering people to rebuild their lives. “The most fulfilling part of my job is witnessing the impact of these initiatives, seeing social enterprises thrive, and knowing that we are contributing to sustainable development and positive change,” she revealed.

    However, she had her share of challenges starting out. “Firstly, access was a challenge. After realising this, I had to strategise on what it takes to not be hampered by legislative challenges. By engaging with policymakers and building strong networks, I was able to navigate and influence the regulatory environment effectively,” she said.

    Tolulope also said while other issues persist, such as gender biases and unequal opportunities women face at work and home, her experiences have strengthened her resolve to create entrepreneurs, ensuring that barriers are dismantled.

    How does she achieve work-life balance? She said: “There is no perfect work-life balance. We just need to find a balance that works for us. To me, this means recognising that some days will be more work-intensive, while others will allow more personal time. The key is to be flexible and adaptable, prioritising tasks based on their urgency and importance.”

    She added that she makes effort to set boundaries, ensuring she allocates time for both her professional responsibilities and personal life. “By staying organised and practising self-care, I strive to maintain a harmony that supports my career goals and personal well-being,” Tolulope said.

  • Market Doctors democratise access to healthcare

    Market Doctors democratise access to healthcare

    Dr. Yetunde Ayo-Oyalowo is founder/CEO of Market Doctors, a social enterprise that brings affordable healthcare to underserved communities in Nigeria. With a team of 18 permanent staff and 40 ad-hoc employees, she has served more than 500, 000 people in 2000 communities across 18 states in Nigeria. Her social impact-driven organisation has also worked with seven mobile clinics to reach people in more places delivering health care, aside providing hundreds of antenatal care kits to help women and babies stay healthy after birth. The healthcare professional is working to help close the gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports with materials sourced from Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) newsletter.

    Even though she earned a Bachelor of Medicine and a Master of Public Health (MPH), she turned her back on anything conventional; she did not want to work in the hospital or specialize in clinical work. Instead, the founder/CEO of Market Doctors, a social enterprise that brings affordable healthcare to underserved Nigerians, Dr. Yetunde Ayo-Oyalowo, opted for a different career path, venturing into the health insurance world.

    While in the health insurance industry, Dr. Yetunde worked for different departments and her work ranged from working with customers, hospitals, and in marketing. She also started another company called Preventive Health Managers- a company that did a combination of consulting and training. It was while working in the health insurance industry that she noticed that a lot of people did not have access to health insurance.

    “I started asking myself how I can create access to healthcare for the common Nigerian,” Dr. Yetunde said, adding, “I knew if I wanted to prevent deaths like my grandmother’s and to do that successfully, I needed to meet people where they were. So, I focused on a place that many people, especially women visit daily- the market.” And this was how Market Doctors was birthed, shaped of course, by the tragedy of the loss of Yetunde’s grandmother.

    Narrating how it all started, she said: “Months before I was born, my grandmother got ill and my dad went to her remote village to assist her. She lived about an hour’s drive to the nearest hospital and she died within a few hours of reaching that hospital. She was diagnosed with simple diarrhea which is something that simple salt and water solution would have solved, had she lived close enough to care.

    “This tragedy shaped my life in many ways. My father encouraged me to go to medical school, in part to make sure that nothing like that ever happened to our family again. So, I carried not just my grandmother’s name but a story and that of millions of Nigerians like her who died because they could not get a doctor in time.”

    Putting the founding of Market Doctors in context, Dr. Yetunde said Nigerians get everything at the market- food, clothing, furniture, etc., including find connections and friends there. “So, I had the idea of having people add preventive healthcare to their shopping bags. I knew from my training that preventive care like blood pressure readings and diabetes screenings would make a huge difference for people. It could even save lives,” she said.

    Dr. Yetunde recalled that one day, underneath a canopy, sitting on a folded chair, she and her team welcomed their first patient and “We called ourselves Market Doctors.” I remember on that first day, shoppers walking by with trays full of fresh tomatoes, and grains on their hips were curious to see us in our white coats holding simple medical devices like stethoscopes, and blood pressure readers which they had never seen.

    “The first questions to us were the expected ones. Are you a doctor or a nurse? How much will this cost? I would tell them that I was a doctor, and I was proud to say that healthcare was accessible and affordable right in the market,” she said, pointing out that many Nigerians live so far away from health centres that they would have to forgo days of wages just to afford transportation costs alone.

    Giving more insight into the state of access to healthcare in Nigeria and the huge gaps in the system, Dr. Yetunde said when she became a doctor, less than five per cent of Nigerians had health insurance, and today, more than 70 per cent of the population work in the informal sector where health insurance is even more out of reach. “Often, people are turned away at hospital doors or leave the hospital before they recover because they cannot pay,” she said.

    She, however, described her work with Market Doctors for the past seven years as an eye-opener. According to her, it made her realize the sad truth that money really keeps people alive. Her words: “In Nigeria, and I believe this is the case in many other African countries, you get to the hospital, and if you do not have money to pay, you cannot be treated.

    “Sometimes you are not even touched despite how dire your situation is. In another case, you are in the hospital and you have been spending money, but if you need more treatment that is above your means, then the treatment stops. Sometimes, this goes so deep that people do not even attempt to seek care because they already know they cannot afford it.”

     Dr. Yetunde added that the disparities Market Doctors was already seeing in accessing care were exacerbated by recent crises such as COVID-19, the hike in fuel prices, and high cost of living, as several people who were already poor became poorer. She, however, said Market Doctors has, in the past seven years, tried to change the healthcare access narrative by bringing healthcare to a location many Nigerians visit almost daily—the market—as well as to people’s homes.

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     According to Dr. Yetunde, the organisation’s team of health workers goes from stall to stall in the market or house to house in the community, carrying medical devices to measure blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, as well as perform other tests depending on the patient’s needs. Health workers use mobile devices to connect by voice or video with medical doctors to confirm diagnoses and prescriptions and they can dispense drugs on the spot.

     “Our doctors travel in a school bus that has been converted into a mobile clinic. We serve consumers who do not have access to primary healthcare. We also work with non-profit organisations that want to support medical services driven by non-governmental organisations,” Dr. Yetunde divulged.

     The thing is that healthcare access for Nigeria’s informal sector is a huge challenge. Many people working in the informal sector earn a daily income where they cannot afford huge healthcare costs. They choose between healthcare, feeding themselves, or income loss. Also, Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) are far from where they live or work and are only utilized 20 per cent of the time.

    This, The Nation learnt, is due to poor services, prescription shortages, and lack of medical personnel for a country of an estimated 200 million people. This is where Market Doctors comes in to eliminate the journey time and waiting time of going to health centres which come at a cost to the patient and prevents them from earning income during that lost time. 

    Unsurprisingly, the results of Market Doctors’ novel medical outreach programme have been telling. For instance, from that first stall in the first market, Market Doctors, according to Yetunde, has served more than 500, 000 people in 2,000 communities across 18 states in Nigeria. It has also worked with seven mobile clinics to reach people in more places delivering health care on a little fitted school bus.

    “We also provided hundreds of antenatal care kits to help women and babies stay healthy after birth, Dr. Yetunde added, noting that some of the things that make Market Doctors’ business, service or product special include the removal of barrier of entry, as it does not request registration cost before treatment; location of care is at the workplace or while shopping so that one can access healthcare.

    That is not all. Market Doctors also boasts convenience and easy affordability. By reducing overhead of hospital buildings, it operates from stalls and back packs. Besides, quality of care is top-notch, with doctor availability. Payment is also flexible, as patients pay daily as the use service, and there is minimal no journey time. Apart from its one stop central point of care and test/consultation/drugs, Market Doctors also offers referral services to bigger health facilities.

    Though a social enterprise, Dr. Yetunde has devised an ingenious way of balance the provision of affordable care and running a financially sustainable organization. “We realise that some patients are unable to pay and supporting them to access care is a big part of how we measure our access. This support costs time and money,” she said, adding, however, that part of what she does to keep the organisation sustainable is by using a sliding scale fee structure and sometimes subsidising some of the costs.

    Her words: “We have a mixture of services ranging from high-margin services and low-margin services that we are able to cover for some costs with the margins from our well-paying services. We leverage strategic partnerships, collaborate with brands and apply for grants. We have a lean management team and we try to be efficient with our resources so that we can provide as much care to people as possible.”

    Sharing how her entrepreneurial journey kicked in, Dr. Yetunde said the journey started way back. “I have always wanted to be in control of my time which medicine would not give me the opportunity to achieve. I wanted the flexibility of work. Also, while I was in school, I engaged in some selling activities although my parents were academicians.

    “My grandparents, especially from my maternal side, were entrepreneurs who engaged in buying and selling of goods and services. Thus, being an entrepreneur has always been part of my family,” she said, pointing out that the most rewarding thing as an entrepreneur is getting to think of solutions to help the challenges faced by people in everyday life, and as a result create an enabling environment to mentor people while creating employment opportunities for people.

    Having come this far, what are Dr. Yetunde’s future plans and aspirations? “I hope to have franchises in every state in Nigeria. We will have cemented partnerships with government on achieving universal health coverage. I will have a digital community health worker academy where I can train prospective health workers as the last milers. Our model will be used by other African countries to increase health coverage,” she responded.

    She also has some success nuggets for aspiring women entrepreneurs. “My advice is to encourage all women out there to know that there are enough opportunities for them if they are thinking of doing something that can enact a change in the world or can make the world better for other people.

    “When you start, you may think you don’t have so much. But look within you and you will see all the resources, even resources online that can help you start from somewhere. Start from where you are and you will be surprised how far you can go,” she said.

    Dr. Yetunde, who is a member, Advocacy and Resource Mobilization Malaria Partnership Committee (ARMPC) and also a U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Health in Agenda 2030 and for Malaria, spoke from her personal experience. For instance, she latched on the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) community as a resource to drive her mission.

    The ABH shapes the future of African entrepreneurship. “Applying to ABH really gave me the clarity that I needed on what the organisation was about and what we wanted to achieve. Beyond the application process, the ABH community is a strong community of entrepreneurs who are always ready to share knowledge, resources, joy, and support and I feel privileged to belong to such a community,” Dr. Yetunde said.

  • ‘My goal is to drive climate resilience, inclusive growth’

    ‘My goal is to drive climate resilience, inclusive growth’

    Blessing Allen-Adebayo is Global Advisor-Market Systems Development, People in Need (PIN), a Czech-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) focused on helping conflict regions and advocating for human rights around the world. With expertise in market systems analysis, climate resilience, value chain analysis, financial inclusion, women’s economic empowerment and agribusiness development, she is leveraging sub-Saharan Africa’s youthful demography to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    It started in 1992 when a group of Czech war correspondents decided to do more than just report on conflicts—they wanted to make a difference. Today, 32 years down the line, People in Need (PIN), a Czech-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has, from its simple beginning, blossomed into a full-fledged humanitarian organisation dedicated to helping conflict regions and advocating for human rights around the world.

    PIN has over the past three decades, expanded its relief and development work to over 40 countries, becoming one of the largest non-profits in Central Europe. It has also reached the most marginalised communities, often venturing into regions others prefer to avoid.

    Although, Global Advisor- Market Systems Development, Blessing Allen-Adebayo works in the United Kingdom (UK) with PIN, part of her brief as Global Advisor-Market Systems Development is to help country programmes develop high-impact sustainable solutions that have a domino effect on economic growth and the environment. She supports country programmes in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East to develop effective market systems interventions that have the ‘domino effect’ of enhancing food systems, inclusion, and climate adaptation.

    Her expertise lies in market systems analysis, climate resilience, value chain analysis, financial inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, agribusiness development, private sector development, and organisational capacity building. She has also overseen projects focusing on value chain resilience in various sectors like palm oil, cocoa, digital extension, leather, coffee, seaweed, green economy, and biochar production. She specifically tackles challenges such as rural revitalisation by identifying and empowering talented young individuals.

    A recipient of the Nelson Mandela Leadership Award of ‘West Africa Youth Ambassador,’ by the West Africa Youth Council, Blessing has been doing incredibly valuable work across Africa, focusing on developing local social entrepreneurs and implementing sustainable technologies in rural communities. Her efforts include leveraging technology to enhance agricultural efficiency, such as using devices to monitor crops, water channels, and livestock in Nigerian rural farms.

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    This approach not only boosts productivity but also promotes sustainable practices and economic growth. “My vision is to create a world where sustainable development creates lasting change that continues to grow and ripple across communities and sectors globally. My goal is to drive climate resilience and inclusive growth, especially in conflict-affected regions,” Blessing declared, adding that she believes in aligning strategies with global agenda while tailoring them to local needs, ensuring marginalised communities have fair access to opportunities.

    “I’m passionate about making a long-term impact that creates a domino effect—something that not only benefits the people we are targeting today but can also be replicated, scaled, and expanded to reach even more people in the future,” Blessing emphasised. She said by focusing on market systems development, innovative technologies, and capacity building, her aim is to empower individuals, businesses, and governments to drive sustainable change that will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

     With issues around sustainability and climate change in the front burner globally, there have been both significant opportunities and challenges, with Blessing noting that one crucial aspect to consider in this landscape is the demographic makeup of sub-Saharan Africa where 70 per cent of the population is currently under 30 years old. According to her, this demographic reality emphasises the urgency for these young individuals to confront and manage the impacts of climate change, both now and in the future.

    Accordingly, Blessing has been playing a pivotal role in utilising the advantage of the youthful demographic in sub-Saharan Africa to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development. Her strategic focus on avoiding the environmental and economic mistakes made by more developed regions reflects a desire to leapfrog past these errors. This approach not only aims for economic growth but also prioritises sustainability, which is vital for the future of the region and beyond.

    As Global Advisor at PIN, Blessing has been fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, including industry leaders, startups, investors, and researchers. By bringing together these diverse groups, she harnesses their collective expertise and resources to drive innovation in climate tech solutions that are tailored to local contexts. This collaborative approach is crucial for overcoming the financial challenges associated with sustainable initiatives and ensuring that solutions are effective and scalable across different parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

    A bio-remediation ambassador, Blessing has also latched on bio-remediation as tool for driving the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Bio-remediation not only aids in cleaning up environmental pollution but also supports sustainable development by restoring ecological balance and enhancing public health. For her, bio-remediation provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional cleanup methods, fostering economic growth through job creation in the environmental science and biotechnology sectors.

    It also helps in promoting community engagement in sustainability efforts, thereby improving public health by reducing exposure to pollutants. Through the reduction of pollutant exposure, bio-remediation also plays a critical role in enhancing public health outcomes. In general, Blessing’s advocacy for bio-remediation is in line with broader global objective of attaining sustainable development through innovative and eco-friendly practices.

    As Blessing put it, “Innovation embodies the spirit of possibility thinking and the courage to challenge the status quo, crafting sustainable solutions for our most urgent challenges. It is about daring to invest in bold ideas that solve problems, fearlessly asking the questions others shy away from, and bridging the gap between future possibilities and today’s realities. The pressing issues of our time demand immediate action, making it crucial to harness technology, data, and insights to uplift marginalised communities, strengthen climate resilience, and foster inclusive economic growth.”

     According to her, “true innovation is where creativity meets inclusion, ensuring that solutions are groundbreaking, scalable, and accessible to all.” This kind of mindset must have been partly responsible for Blessing’s stunning successes in her previous career engagements. For instance, during her time at Propcom Maikarfi, she leveraged innovation in spearheading digital extension services that benefitted three million farmers, promoted inclusive financial services, and utilised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for seamless access to agricultural support.

    Effortlessly beautiful, hardworking and creative, Blessing’s passion for climate resilience and advocacy for bio-remediation did not fall from the blues; it started back in time in her formative age in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. Her words: “I was born in the Niger Delta and started my education there, but had to move to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre. I have memories of river pollution and the interplay of livelihoods and how the loss of livelihood led to conflict, and these memories seem to have stayed in my mind. I started my career journey with a passion for marine biology and environmental science.”

    Continuing, she, however, told The Nation that as much as she loved the subject, earlier in her career, she did not find opportunities to work in the sector for a couple of years. She said she found herself going to the Niger Delta to learn the market systems approach and start a career in international development and food systems. “What initially felt like a detour turned out to be a pivotal move, grounding me in a blend of skills that have sharpened my focus on the environment, climate change, and their deep connection with food systems,” Blessing narrated.

    She divulged that those early roles showed her how sustainability and economic growth intersect, inspiring her to pursue leadership roles where she could make a real impact on policy, strategy, and innovation at a global level. “My drive to develop solutions that align with environmental sustainability and economic growth in the long term guides me. My doctoral degree is in Environmental and Public Health Microbiology, focused on nature-based solutions to clean up river pollution and preserve our biodiversity,” Blessing said.

    The globally-acclaimed bio-remediation advocate said her career path combines research and advisory to drive impactful change and prioritises sustainability, a cause that she believes is crucial for the future. “As a professional, my strategies focus on long-term sustainability and catalytic effects,” she asserted, noting that PIN’s unique ability of tailoring global strategies to local needs makes its efforts effective and culturally relevant.

    Mentoring, supporting women, youth entrepreneurs

    Interestingly, Blessing’s emergence on the global stage where she is leading the campaign to solve some of Nigeria’s environmental challenges is not without an equally aggressive campaign to nurture the next generation of women and youth entrepreneurs capable of taking leadership roles. Accordingly, she has been opening them up to opportunities to receive seed funding, along with access to a network of experts, mentors, and peers who can provide guidance, feedback, and connections.

    Although one of the challenges of entrepreneurship is finding the resources and support to turn an innovative idea into a viable business, she believes that it is not just about money, but also about learning, mentorship, experimenting, and collaborating. “Mentorship and a supportive network are crucial to preparing women for leadership roles. Encouraging continuous learning and skill development, alongside fostering environments that value diversity, are key strategies,” Blessing pointed out.

    Admitting that balancing professional and personal responsibilities is challenging, shenoted that with strong family support and organisational policies that promote work-life balance or integration, depending on what is suitable, existing and aspiring women entrepreneurs can thrive in leadership positions.

    “These policies are beneficial and necessary for women to succeed. My own experience with a supportive network of family, friends and mentors has shown me the importance of a solid personal network,” Blessing affirmed. .

     Despite providing consultancy services for big-ticket projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Ford Foundation, Chevron Corporation, the European Union (EU), and other notable organisations, Blessing still juggles these engagements with her global campaign to drive innovation in climate tech solutions and environmental sustainability practices.

     Giving some insight into how she achieves work-life balance and what it mean to her, Blessing said: “To me, work-life integration is about being a whole person at all times and finding ways to blend my work and personal life harmoniously. I believe in giving equal respect and attention to all areas of my being, ensuring that they coexist seamlessly. This requires support from my workplace, family, and friends.

     She further said: “I have intentionally chosen a career path that aligns with my personal values and passions, and by being intentional about my time and energy, I’m able to honour both my professional and personal commitments effectively. This holistic approach allows me to be present and fully engaged in all aspects of my life, making sure that each part receives the time, respect, and dedication it deserves.”

  • ‘Massive dairy production can lift our economy’

    ‘Massive dairy production can lift our economy’

    Cam Dairy Foods Limited is a pastoralist-driven dairy social enterprise that partners with pastoralist communities to guarantee regular supply of dairy-based nutrition to Nigerians. The company’s founder/CEO, Ms. Aisha Bashir, is leading the charge in Nigeria’s quest to transform from a net importer of dairy products to a net producer. Currently working with over 400 pastoralists, with the ambition to reach 600,000 by 2030, Aisha is leaving no stone unturned in her quest to change the narrative: 80 per cent of milk consumed in Nigeria is said to be imported. She shares her inspiring story of catalysing the dairy sector’s success with DANIEL ESSIET

    She bestrides Nigeria’s dairy sector like a colossus. From milking to packaging, the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cam Dairy Foods Limited, a pastoralist-driven dairy social enterprise, Ms. Aisha Bashir, manages a premium brand of fresh-drawn milk, working with pastoralists to implement their projects. Cam, which is one of Nigeria’s most-elite private dairy companies, also empowers women and strengthens the skills of dairy farmers to increase their revenue and improve their cattle’s health.

    Aisha’s ultimate goal is to establish a social enterprise that fosters innovative solutions for sustainable living and encourage farming communities to address their challenges. And central to her mission is to advance women in the dairy sector. The women farmers are equipped with essential business skills, financial literacy, and food safety knowledge, effectively tackling the unique obstacles they encounter and enabling their businesses to thrive.

    Aisha believes that facilitating connections between women agripreneurs and stakeholders, as well as providing marketing support, are crucial factors contributing to their success. This must be why she is dedicated to assisting women vendors in becoming prosperous dairy entrepreneurs through capacity building. She explained why she chose the business: “Cam means milk in the Kanuri language, which is the language of the people of Borno State in Northeastern Nigeria.”

    Explaining further why she chose the business, Aisha said ‘Cam’ “pays homage to my own humble beginnings and to the people that raised me and made me who I am today.”

    Narrating how it all started, Aisha said: “It was intimidating at first when we would go into the communities. I was one of very few women in a room full of men in very traditional settings. I remember in the early days when we arranged community meetings. I would have to psych myself up in the morning that I am going to face a huge army.

    “However, I have to say the reception I received was so open. I received a generous welcome from the men. They have been so receptive to the opportunity that we are bringing to their communities. I was brought up in a way that made me sensitive to traditional practices especially traditional hierarchies with regards to respecting elders, and traditions. I was also very conscious about going to communities and ensuring that we respect their ways of life. That in itself already brought us closer to them.

     “They can see that you’re not coming here to change things. You’re coming here to collaborate and to partner. You’re not assertive. So, I think from that approach we were able to help the men understand that there’s no feminist agenda. What we are doing is to give women jobs to allow the household to earn money. We ensure they are equally compensated for it and remove any sense of competition. Everybody in the household benefits and has a role to play.”

     After successfully scaling the initial hurdles that came with working in male dominated, traditional setting with so many restrictions, Aisha devotion to accomplishing her task of reaching women in the communities to empower them to produce fresh milk gained more traction. She has become more persistent, tenacious and a problem-solver, working with communities around Abuja and the suburbs.

     “We provide veterinary support to our pastoralists. We ensure that the men are equally satisfied with working with us as well as the women. We also help the households involved to realize that they are essentially important for the system to work well, Aisha explained, pointing out, however, that only about 40 per cent of Cam’s pastoralists have access to mobile phones and there is poor network connectivity.

     “So, even if you have a mobile phone, you probably have to travel to a far location to be able to get access to a network,” Aisha said, noting, however, that one of the things Cam has achieved, from an impact perspective, is training pastoralists to use a smartphone. 

    “We train them to use a mobile app. Once you know how to use one mobile app, every other mobile app has become pretty easy. So, we train them on digital skills and the basic ability to use an app,” she said.

    While there are many options in the market now for nutritious foods, Aisha believes that milk and dairy give some of the highest levels of nutrition. She said her company’s efforts have snowballed into a major retail expansion for fresh milk and that consumers are re-imagining the beauty of having the opportunity to get supplies every day of the week.

    Right now, she works with a team of about 50 full-time workers. 

     “We are working with over 400 pastoralists at the moment and our ambition as an organisation is to reach 600,000 pastoralists by 2030,” Aisha said, stressing that her business model is creating a new career path for youth in rural areas.

    Her words: “We talked a lot about technology and moving youth into urban centers. But throughout, what we’ve seen is a lot of youth in rural communities actually want to stay there.

     “They still want to be part of that traditional dairy farming. So, we want to introduce modern dairy farming in a way that will encourage them to stay there as opposed to them having to leave where they are. So, our business model lends very nicely to that. We’re able to bring modern techniques, technology, knowledge and skills to them and then able to create employment opportunities. So, our target is 8,500 rural youths to be employed by 2030.”

    Aisha, however, said livestock farmers in Abuja and the rest of the North have been particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their dependence on weather patterns and natural resources for raising animals. This, she said, prompted her to support them to explore alternative feed sources during the dry season. She is on the campaign to get investors and farmers to cultivate feed and fodder crops to maintain their animals during the dry season.

    To her, this as a step in ensuring food security and livelihood stability in the communities.

    “Our pastoralists are aware of the impact of climate change and the threat of urban development. They are convinced things have to change in their way of life. Their cattle still move during the dry season. This has been our hardest year in terms of supply during the dry season.

    “This 2024, we have recorded very harsh weather conditions. The temperature has been really high. This has dropped our milk supply by 70 per cent. So, we really struggle during this dry season. The biggest realisation  as an organisation is that we cannot afford not to be involved  in finding solutions for  small holder farmers on how they can find  feed and fodder and water resources  to feed their cattle during the dry season because if they don’t  do that, we  won’t have  access to  milk which is our raw material,” she explained.

    Cam’s main strategy this year, Aisha emphasised, is to develop solutions to generate feed and fodder during the dry season to ensure the company doesn’t have the same experience it had this year.

    “Our model is to create an ecosystem where stakeholders can partner together. Everybody can take one part of the value chain to promote dairy development. Our goal as an organisation is to create a platform for different stakeholders to plug  into it,” she stated.

    She said when it comes to feed and fodder for example, “We don’t want to grow it ourselves. We don’t want to go into feed production. We want to identify partners that have expertise in that area and are looking to expand their business and looking for markets. Because we work with pastoralists, a large number of them, we have a captive buyer of feed and fodder. We are thinking about a contracting model that brings all these stakeholders together, and then we serve as an intermediary.”

    While noting that her company guarantees the market for the feed and fodder producer and for the pastoralists, she said Cam has been able to provide them with feed at an affordable price. “I believe this kind of aggregated model of pricing has a high chance of success,” Aisha stated, adding that one strategy she believes will help solve the feed and fodder challenge is the Multi-Stakeholders Platform (MSP) for the feed  and fodder sector recently established by the African Union (AU0 and the Federal Government.

    According to her, the MSP platform for feed and fodder could be highly beneficial for various players in the agricultural and livestock sectors as it will help to improve access to quality feed and fodder, share knowledge and best practices, and foster collaboration among stakeholders. “The multi-stakeholders platform is a fantastic idea. The more the ecosystem players come together and align on key values, strategies, and key results that they want, the more likely they are going to develop the sector,” Aisha reasoned.

    She said at the end of the day, the feed and fodder sector’s priority is to nourish livestock, and the livestock exist to nourish people. While noting that there are symbiotic expectations in this relationship, she said this is critical as feed and fodder becomes critical in the move to get livestock better nourished. “We relied on the livestock for our nutrition. We cannot ignore this problem with climate change and the impact of the harsh weather happening on our environment,” she said.

    Aisha stated that the livestock sector in Nigeria is largely undeveloped compared to its counterparts in West Africa, and indeed the continent. “Right now the poultry sector is a bit developed. Looking at cattle, goats and other livestock, we really don’t have a fit for purpose feed solution,” she said, reiterating, however, that the organisation is determined to work with AU, the Federal Government and other stakeholders to address problems in the sector.

    “Our focus as an organisation is to make ourselves more accessible to other partners. Our strength is in relationship building, community building. Essentially, we have created a platform that people can plug into and continue to do what you are doing to help the sector. If you are focused on feed and fodder provision, you can partner with us. We find ways to create models that allow our pastoralists to take your feed. We’re happy to bring into the communities those that can deliver health services that are essentially needed. Help people see the possibilities in Nigeria’s dairy development,” she reiterated.

    Read Also: Fan Milk, Obasanjo Farms partner on dairy production

    Aisha said for decades now, Cam has been sold the story that milk powders are the only form of dairy.  “We concluded our cows cannot produce milk. Our cows are not bred for milk production. We have been reliant on imports,” she said, insisting however, that “It’s a myth and I think it’s really important that we wake up as a country and as consumers and demand from our producers to have locally made products because they are possible.”

    She said with the current exchange rate in Nigeria, milk products are actually becoming less and less feasible for importers and more and more people are looking to local solutions to solve the raw milk supply problem. “So, we have to face our own reality and consider that Nigeria is growing to a population of about 400 million by 2050,” she said

    According to Aisha, Nigeria already has a food security challenge on her hands. “We have to find the right solutions to feed our population with an additional 200 million people adding to the population figure in the next few decades,” she stated.

    Indeed, Ms. Aisha’s business model, at scale, targets to establish a dairy industry capable of turning Nigeria from a net importer to a net producer of milk. Accordingly, she began her entrepreneurial journey by recognizing that Nigeria’s per capita milk consumption was below 15 liters, significantly lower than other countries in Southern Africa, and that 80 per cent of milk consumed in Nigeria was imported.

    Having identified this crucial gap in the market, Aisha viewed this gap as an opportunity for local intervention hence she put her hand in the plough in a bid to help revolutionize the dairy industry. Today, she is one of the most enterprising women in the multifaceted dairy industry working assiduously to significantly cut Nigeria’s milk import.

    Prior to throwing her hat into the dairy ring, where her dedication to empowering women in the dairy industry, especially in the North where women’s involvement in agriculture is fraught with extra obstacles is particularly noteworthy, Aisha was a consultant with Mountain Hazelnuts, a hazelnut company in Bhutan.

    At Hazelnut Company, she developed guidelines for deploying mobile payments solutions to farmers for payment for hazelnuts. She was also a Special Assistant to the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, where she worked on business strategy and supported the Chief Operating Officer (COO) in corporate finance activities and led financial, operational and strategic due diligence on subsidiaries.

    Aisha was also co-founder, Head, Product Development and Operations of PAGA, a pioneer Nigerian mobile payments company. She also worked as a business analyst at Accenture. Ms. Aisha holds a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University, Graduate School of Business; Master of Science in Environment and Resources – Land Use and Agriculture from Stanford University, School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences and Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, also from Stanford University.

  • Lai-Solarin’s crusade to revive livestock value chain

    Lai-Solarin’s crusade to revive livestock value chain

    Mrs. Winnie Lai-Solarin is the country focus person for the Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems Project (RAFFS) in Nigeria. The project is driven by the African Union (AU)-Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), an initiative to tackle systemic challenges plaguing the livestock sector. According to Mrs. Lai-Solarin, the AU-IBAR’s RAFFS initiative supports the agenda of the current administration to transform Nigeria’s feed and fodder sector to achieve food security and economic growth. She shares her vision and plans to revive the livestock industry with DANIEL ESSIET

    Her dedication to advancing the Nigerian agricultural sector, particularly in fostering numerous successful ventures in the livestock value chain, clearly stands the country focus person for the Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems Project (RAFFS) in Nigeria, Mrs. Winnie Lai-Solarin, her out.

    Driven by her belief that the livestock industry is a significant avenue for income generation and wealth building, it is hardly surprising that Mrs. Lai-Solarin has been deeply involved in efforts to accelerate the development of innovative feed and fodder approaches.

    The RAFFS project is driven by the African Union (AU)-Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), which supports the agenda of the present administration to transform Nigeria’s feed and fodder sector for food security, economic growth, and the nation’s prosperity.

    Accordingly, the Federal Government has teamed up with the AU-IBAR’s RAFFS initiative to tackle systemic challenges plaguing the livestock sector, some of which include declining cattle numbers, inadequate animal feed, and disease control, among others.

    A vocal supporter of the livestock industry, Mrs. Lai-Solarin gave more insight into the Federal Government’s collaboration with AU-IBAR. She said, for instance, that it was aimed at promoting widespread adoption of high-yielding and climate-resilient fodder crops.

    The initiative, she added, also aims to enhance feed quality and livestock productivity, as well as address the economic challenges faced by farmers. She said the essence was to push the cultivation of improved fodder varieties to ensure increased availability and positively impact the nutritional wellbeing and productivity of livestock.

    The crusader for a revived livestock industry further explained that the National Livestock Development plan focuses on the development of indigenous cattle breeds, promotion of genetic improvement and enhancement of milk productivity.

    While noting that this underscored the government’s commitment to modernising and strengthening the livestock and dairy industry, she said the focus on genetic upgrade of cattle through cross-breeding programmes encompass various initiatives toward enhancing the productivity of dairy animals and ensuring the industry’s sustained growth.

    But beyond what the Federal Government doing to boost the fortunes of the livestock sector through the AU-IBAR’s RAFFS initiative, Mrs. Lai-Solarin has personally invested her time, energy and resources in propagating the need to revive Nigeria’s feed and fodder value chain, which, according to her, boasts numerous opportunities and can be a huge source of job and wealth creation.

    Her strategy for accelerating the development of the sector involves the deployment of innovative feed and fodder approach using data analytics and other tools to boost incomes and food security.

    Under her role as country focus person for RAFFS in Nigeria, Mrs. Lai-Solarin is determined to see the Nigerian livestock industry undergo significant transformations, including embracing modern farming techniques and automated feeding systems, and genetic improvements in breeds for better yield and disease resistance.

    Her dream is to see livestock producers and processors build a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, safe and delicious beef. She also wants to ensure the industry has the necessary resources to seize new export opportunities to remain competitive and continue to be a sustainable driver of economic growth.

    Her call for ministry of livestock

    Perhaps, to help actualise her dream of a virile livestock industry capable of delivering benefits to producers and processors ultimately, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Mrs. Lai-Solarin called for the establishment of a Ministry of Livestock. “We need a Ministry of Livestock,” she told The Nation.

    Justifying the establishment of a Ministry of Livestock, she said a special Ministry of Livestock will provide a strategic policy intervention to bridge the gap and fortify the foundation of the industry.

    “We don’t have extension service in the livestock sector,” she said, noting that only private sector organisations were providing extension services in the country.

    Mrs. Lai-Solarin, however, said with the RAFFs project, which is a functional feed production system that ensures the consistent and reliable supply of fodder to dairy farmers throughout the year, farmers will be taught to allocate adequate resources for feed and fodder development.

    According to her, the project is working with the government to evaluate livestock and dairy value chains in order to determine the potential of technology interventions to increase farmer income. She, however, said high cost of animal feed has been identified as major concern of farmers.

    To address this problem, she said the project is working with the government to explore low-cost alternatives to expensive commercial feeds.

    Mrs. Lai-Solarin outlined several projects aimed at driving growth in the livestock sector, including the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), National Dairy Development Programme (NDDP), National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS), and National Livestock Breed Improvement Programme (NALBIP).

    These interventions, she said, collectively target areas such as productivity enhancement, resilience building, disease management, traceability, and breed improvement to foster sustainable development in the livestock industry.

    Mrs. Lai-Solarin, who is National Project Coordinator, Livestock Productivity & Resilience Support Project, reiterated that the government will continue to strengthen its policies to support the livestock industry.

     Push for women empowerment

    Interestingly, Mrs. Lai-Solarin is also the Director, Animal Husbandry, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, where her goal is to bring women into agricultural production.

    By advocating for innovation and modernisation, particularly among small-scale farmers and women-owned enterprises, she has not only been enhancing the industry’s competitiveness but also promoting inclusivity and empowerment.

    Read Also; Taming high cost of livestock feed for growth

    She has been a prominent advocate for small-scale livestock farmers and helping build women-owned enterprises in livestock processing and agribusiness. She also works to create women leaders in the agriculture sector.

    To her, creating opportunities for women in various sectors of agriculture, including leadership roles, is essential to fostering diversity and driving sustainable growth.

    For her, the Nigerian livestock industry will get global recognition when the players are able to adapt, innovate, and maintain high standards while meeting the demands of a dynamic global market.

    To achieve this, she has been driving a campaign to get farmers and agricultural companies specializing in animal feed production and livestock farming to adopt innovative approaches toward modernising the industry.

    Since 1990, Mrs. Lai-Solarin has been serving in the public sector, starting with her youth service corps, and rising to the position of Director of Animal Husbandry in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. One thing that remains constant in her life is her unwavering commitment to her work.

    However, it was the opportunity of serving as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and being retained there that prepared her for the role she is currently playing. For her, the most rewarding part was getting to see the world of livestock production first hand.

    This was where she started exploring opportunities in public service agriculture. She has never looked back since then. Her journey to success has been marked by immense dedication and hard work and a strong sense of responsibility.

    Accordingly, Mrs. Lai-Solarin’s advice to others is simple, yet powerful: “Work diligently, maintain a polite demeanor, strive to present yourself well, and always act responsibly.”

  • ‘Evangelising investment in Africa my passion’

    ‘Evangelising investment in Africa my passion’

    Lawyer/investment expert Oluwadamilola Thompson is the founder, Diligence Africa.co, an investment advisory firm that provides risk intelligence solutions to investors in Africa. The venture capital investor and entrepreneur boasts over 14 years of experience investing, building, and executing strategies for Venture Capital (VC) funds and tech companies across global markets. Oluwadamilola, more popularly called Dami by friends and business associates, has invested in and supported the investments of over 30 tech companies. She shares her story, particularly her prioritisation of women empowerment with DANIEL ESSIET.

    With a demographic dividend that has become a significant draw card for investors seeking long-term growth opportunities, Africa is undoubtedly, a global investors’ bride. By 2050, for instance, the continent will house one-quarter of the world’s population. And with over 60 per cent below the age of 25, this presents a massive consumer market and a strategic talent pool. Also, the continent is currently experiencing rapid urbanization, driving demand for innovative solutions across various sectors, including Financial Technology (fintech), e-commerce, healthcare, Artificial Intelligence (AI), logistics, etc.
    While some less discerning investors appear not convinced about Africa, investment professional and founder, Diligence Africa.co, an investment advisory firm that provides risk intelligence solutions to investors investing in Africa, Oluwadamilola Thompson, is an unrepentant believer in the huge but largely untapped potential in the continent. She, therefore, stops at nothing in evangelizing investment in Africa, which she strongly believes is a viable investment destination with mouth-watering Return on Investment (RoI). Her optimism and faith in Africa as the next investment frontier is unshakable.
    “Africa is the next frontier, and it is still largely untapped,” Oluwadamilola, more popularly called Dami by close friends and business associates, declared. According to Dami, who boasts over 14 years of experience investing, building, and executing strategies for Venture Capital (VC) funds and tech companies across global markets, “Our challenges create opportunities for innovation and superior technology, and we just need all the right pieces – technology, talent, regulations, and infrastructure to fall in place to harness the ‘diamonds’ in our continent.”
    A venture capital investor, entrepreneur, and operator, Dami predicted that “Many countries will be at our (Africa’s) doorstep seeking to do business with us when this happens. I still believe this will happen.” While reiterating that Africa is ripe with potential for investment opportunities, and there are several overlooked sectors that could offer promising returns, Dami said: “I think many sectors have been explored but I believe there is a massive gap in the amount of funding that goes into sectors such as power and renewable energy, agriculture, supply chain, and infrastructure development.”
    She said the renewable energy sector, for instance, holds immense potential, given the continent’s abundant natural resources and the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions. Steady and uninterrupted power supply, she emphasized, is still a dream in many African countries, and it remains a critical portion of economic growth of every country, yet the sector is grossly underfunded. Same for agriculture, which she said is a critical food security and economic development sector that presents opportunities for investment in agritech, supply chain management, logistics, and storage facilities.
    With virtually all the economic sectors brimming with opportunities most of which are largely untapped, Dami’s passion to help drive investments in Africa is hardly surprising. “As an African investment professional with over 14 years of experience, I am passionate about evangelizing investment in Africa because of the region’s immense potential. Africa represents a viable and attractive investment destination in today’s macroeconomic climate,” she told The Nation.
    According to her, several countries are already actively seeking to attract investment into Africa, with nations such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, and Rwanda implementing business-friendly policies, establishing specialized economic zones, and introducing incentives to lure investors. “These countries recognize the imperative of fostering an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and innovation to thrive,” Dami stated.
    A Lawyer by training, Dami stormed the African investment landscape armed with requisite experience which she has since brought to bear on the highly competitive private finance industry. It all began when she became an investment executive executing multiple transactions spanning equity financing and other areas. After falling in love with the process of investing, Dami began to focus on investments across sectors, including technology, financial services, consumer, health care and logistics etc.
    Dami’s story: “I started out my career at a boutique law firm providing corporate and commercial advisory services to entrepreneurs and their businesses and advising investors on venture capital transactions. After working with two prestigious law firms, I moved to the venture capital industry in its early days in 2016 to become General Counsel & Vice President and the first employee at one of Africa’s first venture capital firms, EchoVC Partners. At EchoVC Partners, I invested in and supported the investments of over 30 technology companies.”
    Her support of the investment of over 30 technology companies was from deal origination, analysis, diligence, negotiation, and transaction documentation across various industries into early-stage companies to late-stage companies on the African continent, the US, UK, Europe, and Latin America. after a successful career at EchoVC, Dami said she was appointed Vice-President and Global Head of Emerging Markets for TradeX, a Business –to-Business (B2B) Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) automotive technology company.
    At TradeX, Dami she led their expansion across emerging markets -Nigeria, Kenya, Mexico, Ghana, the Dominican Republic, and also Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was after exiting TradeX that Dami founded Diligence Africa.co, an investment advisory firm that provides risk intelligence solutions to investors in African and Africa-focused opportunities.
    The company also provides start-up advisory services to founders building for or expanding to the African continent. She is also Managing Partner and co-founder at Yellowwood Capital, an early-stage VC firm investing in underrepresented founders.
    Dami is also Chief Operating Officer (COO) and co-founder of Grupa.io, a tech start-up that matches technical talent in big tech companies to start-ups to solve the global technical talent gap; Executive Director and co-founder of Ventures Dialogue, a not-for-profit organisation promoting African entrepreneurship through education and training, with special focus on women entrepreneurs.
    The acclaimed investment gurus is one of the founding members of Rising Tide Africa, an angel investment network of over 100 women bridging the gender gap and enabling female financial and economic inclusion through investments and mentorship across Sub-Saharan Africa in African and Africa-focused technology companies.
    Indeed, in all she does, Dami has always prioritized women empowerment in Africa. She justified her focus in this regard thus: “Empowering women in Africa is the norm in all my organisations. Specifically, at Diligence Africa, not only is 90 per cent of our organisation women-led, we actively promote women economic empowerment through targeted investment strategies, capacity-building programmes, and partnerships with organisations advocating for this.”
    She said Diligence Africa is working with limited partners, institutional investors, fund managers, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), accelerators, incubators, angel investment networks, and hubs to support and invest in women fund managers. She is also working with fund managers to invest in women entrepreneurs and to provide training and capacity-building programmes to them.
    “In addition, we also work directly with women entrepreneurs to identify the problems and challenges with their businesses and provide them with the necessary resources, training, and access required to build scalable and sustainable businesses. By investing in women-led enterprises and supporting initiatives that address barriers to women’s participation in the economy, we are unlocking the untapped potential of this segment and driving sustainable development from the smallest nuclei,” Dami added.
    Dami, while pointing out that Africa has the highest number of women entrepreneurs, stated that there needs to be more programmes to support them because “When you create value for one woman, value is made for an entire family, causing ripple effects in communities all over the nation.” She said women entrepreneurs need access to additional funding and technical assistance to support and sustain their growth, including increased funding for women fund managers investing in women-led businesses in Africa.
    Be it by supporting and investing in women-led businesses in Africa or leveraging the VC and private equity industry to spur Africa’s economic growth in areas and sectors historically ignored by bigger funders, Dami hinged unlocking Africa’s full potential on addressing the several hurdles that are impeding growth. “Improving infrastructure, fostering a conducive regulatory environment, and enhancing access to finance are crucial to unlocking massive economic growth,” she said.

    Read Also: Why we proposed N615k as minimum wage, by NLC boss Ajaero

    Additionally, she said greater regional integration, facilitation of intra-African trade, and practical and result-driven collaboration among stakeholders across the ecosystem are needed. “Investors, allocators, and entrepreneurs can contribute to tackling bold problems and fostering sustainable growth in Africa through strategic partnerships, capacity building, and promoting responsible investing practices.
    By leveraging local expertise, embracing innovative solutions, and adopting a long-term perspective, we can drive positive change and create shared value, improving the lives of the underserved population,” she added.
    According to Dami, Africa has such a great talent pool and innovative technologies that can be harnessed to foster growth and insights into opportunities on the continent. She also said the role of Africans in the diaspora is such a critical aspect of the growth of the continent, not just in terms of remittances but also for knowledge transfer in various sectors.
    While expressing her belief that investors, allocators, and entrepreneurs can play critical roles in fostering innovation and sustainable growth in Africa, she said by funding ventures that focus on sustainable solutions, investors can help drive positive change while also generating financial returns.
    Dami also said mentorship, cross-sector collaboration, supporting ecosystem development initiatives, adopting innovative financing models, and promoting sustainable business practices are important. “Entrepreneurs must be encouraged to think boldly, tackle complex challenges through innovative models and technologies, and use business and regulatory incentives.
    “Entrepreneurs must also be taught to embrace governance, and sustainable practices, and leverage disruptive technologies to promote local research and development. These learnings must also start from secondary schools to the universities and colleges of education and across tech hubs to create solutions tailored to African markets.
    “Investing in local talent development programs to equip young Africans with future-oriented skills and encouraging cross-border collaborations to leverage regional strengths are also crucial. Furthermore, engaging policymakers to forge favorable regulatory environments can further enhance innovation and entrepreneurship,” she stated.

  • Challenging gender bias, pushing for gender equal world

    Challenging gender bias, pushing for gender equal world

    From staff strength of about 15 in 2017 to over 1,000 currently, with over 17 branches across the country, and projected to reach 20 branches in the next few months, Optiva Capital Partners is, arguably, one of the fastest-growing brands in the wealth management sector. Part of what makes this investment immigration wealth management company tick, among others, is the unwavering resolve of its Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Jane Kimemia, to empower women, forge women’s equality and inspire inclusion. The seasoned entrepreneur has prioritised the empowerment of her workforce, 70 per cent of whom are women, writes Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA.

    “When you raise one woman you raise a generation, because one woman impacts at least five people. So, in a workforce of over 1, 000 people, out of whom 70 per cent are women, the multiplier effect is better imagined.” This was how the Managing Director/CEO, Optiva Capital Partners, an investment immigration wealth management company, Dr. Jane Kimemia, justified her unrelenting commitment to pushing issues that affect women, especially the down-trodden to the front burner.

    Indeed, Dr. Kimemia confirmed to The Nation that “At Optiva Capital Partners, over 70 per cent of our workforce is women.” “The company is daily committed to empowering our workforce, 70 per cent of whom are women, creating opportunities for them to serve, to get better, and to grow their career,” she added, stating further that “More importantly for us at Optiva Capital Partners is the promotion of diversity in leadership and decision-making positions.”

    She said by championing inclusion in leadership, Optiva Capital Partners is harnessing the full potential of diverse perspectives, leading to better decision-making and innovation. “The crop of our leadership is predominantly women who consistently propel our remarkable growth,” Dr. Kimemia emphasized, re-affirming the commitment of Optiva Capital Partners to the empowerment of women.

    But that’s not all. Optiva Capital Partners, under Dr. Kimemia’s charge, also seized the opportunity of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) observed on March 8, to express its solidarity with the United Nations (UN). In a statement to mark the day, signed by Dr. Kimemia,’ the company expressed its solidarity with the UN for its “Commitment to spotlight women, their issues and social, economic, cultural, and political achievements, while also imploring action for accelerating women’s equality.”

     Globally, IWD is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is an occasion to educate the public to imbibe the idea of a gender equal world, a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. This year’s was themed “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”.

    Commenting on this year’s IWD, Dr. Kimemia applauded the UN for its affirmation that “together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.” To ensure the achievement of the UN’s IWD objectives, she urged stakeholders to take steps to “celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about discrimination, and drive gender parity because the International Women’s Day belongs to everyone, everywhere.”

    Dr. Kimemia, a corporate amazon, who has been re-writing the investment immigration landscape in Nigeria, is a product of the Executive Education Programme of INSEAD Business School, France. She boasts over 26 years of experience in financial services covering a broad spectrum of client segments including Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and specializing in propositions across transactional banking, lending etc.

    Prior to her current CEO role at Optiva Capital Partners, she, for instance, had a successful career in the banking sector of the financial service industry, having worked with two international banks, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) and Barclays Bank for a combined period of 20 years. She was the Executive Director and Head of Wealth Management at SCB, with responsibility for investments services, banc assurance and foreign exchange for an entire region.

    This strategic business leader and value creator was also Managing Director of Standard Chartered Investments Services (SCIS), one of the bank’s subsidiaries and was Managing Director at the Standard Chartered Insurance Agencies Limited (SCIAL). She also served as the General Manager of Priority and International banking at Standard Chartered Bank, where she spearheaded the setting-up, establishment and management of the Priority Banking proposition for high-net-worth clients across regions.

    Prior to joining Standard Chartered Bank, she had worked for Barclays Bank, holding senior positions including Head of Premier Banking; and Head of Scheme Loans. She has since brought her experience and expertise to bear in positioning Optiva Capital Partners as an investment immigration wealth management company to beat.

    However, beyond the recognition, celebration, and empowerment of women workforce, Optiva Capital Partners under Dr. Kimemia’s purposeful leadership, is also deeply committed to issues that affect women, especially the down-trodden. For instance, the company is involved in community service programs such as its initiative with the Lagos State Government in maternal health.

    Basically, the initiative was aimed at addressing maternal health care and reducingmaternal mortality rate. This is so because various World Health Organisation (WHO) reports state that Nigeria contributes up to 10 per cent of the global maternal death, which Kimemia was determined to help reduce.

    Read Also: Investment Education for Women – Closing the Gender Gap

    Unsurprisingly, her resolve to mainstream issues around gender bias while pushing for a gender equal world has been recognized and hugely rewarded. For instance, in recognition of Dr. Kimemia’s immense contributions to women’s challenges and issues, and affirmation of her enduring value, she was recently conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) of Men and Women of Influence Global Award by Highstone Global University Texas USA.

    In the citation, the University commended Kimemia and Optiva Capital Partners for their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, which is a universal call to action on issues that predominantly affect women – to end poverty, ensure good health and well-being, protect the planet, and ensure that all people, especially women, enjoy peace and prosperity.

    Responding, the excited and re-energiswed CEO of Optiva Capital Partners said the company was glad to join the UN today “to demand action for a gender equal world, a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination; a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, so that, together we can forge women’s equality, and inspire inclusion.”

    Optiva Capital Partners, an investment immigration wealth management company, has steadily, over the past 14 years built a growing reputation amongst investment savvy Nigerians who seek quality service in investment immigration, investment advisory, and wealth management.

    In all its bespoke services, Optiva’s unwavering commitment is to provide clients with the opportunity to protect, grow, enhance and optimise their wealth, and ensure they get the benefits of secured capital through multi-asset funds, global equities, corporate funds; and also achieve optimal diversified portfolio.

    Under Dr. Kimemia’s watch, Optiva Capital Partners, which began operations in 2010, has carved a niche for itself as one of the fastest-growing brands in the wealth management sector by leveraging its customer-centric focus, deep commitment to structured process, and its extensive network through its reputable global partnerships.

    Through firm determination and clear definition of the company’s raison d’etre, Optiva Capital Partners, according to Dr. Kimemia, has grown it staff strength from just about 15 in 2017 to over 1000 currently, with over 17 branches across the country, and projected to reach 20 branches in the next few months.

    Optiva Capital Partners longstanding purpose encapsulated in its core values of service, professionalism, collaboration, and excellence; premium product innovations; and reputable global partnerships, have all added up to a winning formula.

    As an investment immigration service provider, Optiva assists its clientele to save long-term through investment immigration with a commitment to help Nigerians to save on what they would have been spending through its bespoke services.

    Having ridden on her over 26 years of experience to propel the company to its current enviable height, Dr. Kimemia, who has never hidden her passion for mentoring young minds, especially young professionals, has these success nuggets for them: “There are seasons of development, learning, and difficulty. So, my advice to aspiring professionals is to be extremely clear about what they want to do with their lives.

    “Also, as you make judgments, consider how the decision will impact you in five years. How is the season serving or turning you in the medium term? What will you be recognised for? These are things you should consider as you advance in your career. Determine your value. Stay on course. It’s not going to be easy but it’s so important to stay grounded. After you have identified that, then build yourself. Prove yourself at the workplace. Equip and sharpen yourself”.

    With the 70 per cent women that make up the company’s workforce of over 1,000, Dr. Kimemia’s focus on women empowerment and gender equality resonates with the global campaign for gender inclusion. This is so considering that, despite significant progress in this direction, more than 2.7 billion women reportedly still face gender barriers that limit their access to opportunities and resources.