Becoming a Wonder Woman 34

Guest Editor’s Note Equal Everywhere

International Women’s Day is celebrated in March each year, as a focal point for the championing of women’s rights and gender equality. If you’ve been paying attention, the demographics are changing, more women are not only pulling up chairs to the proverbial table, but we are building our own tables. Women are showing up as equals everywhere. Women make history all year round that the world needs to declare a month to champion women’s rights shows how far away we are from the finish line.

I am honoured to have been asked to contribute to The Spark as a Guest Editor this month particularly because of the special focus on women. We exist in a part of the world where achievements by women most times are still qualified with a male they are affiliated with. “Mr. Man’s daughter, wife, sister, protégée, mentee… etc.” typically refers to an amazing woman who through her will, determination and effort pushed herself to reach new heights, accomplish her goals and find success in her way and that must stop!

Dewunmi Alugbin The women featured in this issue are redefining and the changing views on female accomplishments from industry to the political arena to fashion and beauty.

Our cover stories celebrate women who are committed to changing the Ni- gerian narrative as they excel in their chosen career paths. Regardless of your industry, there is something to be learned from every woman featured in the 2020 edition.

There is a popular phrase that says, “The Future is African AND Female” and this issue is here to show just how true that phrase it.

Guest Editor Head, Product Development Associate Editor Published By Dewunmi Alugbin Bankole Jamgbadi Ekere Archibong Grace Okogwu Consulting Editor Head, Digital Assets Glory Edozien Janet Benson Production Team James Otihi Founder & Chief Innovation Officer Chief Intelligence Officer Moses Akerele Ikenna Onuorah Niyi Immanuel IT Team Head, Global Opportunities Head of Growth & Strategy Michael Aworoghene Wale Ajose Temitayo Fatuase Etinosa Obaseki

COO & Head of Empowerment Creative Director Lanre Solarin Duru Azubuike

Chief Product Officer Art Director Segun Adekoye Adetunji Ekeade

Address: Enquiries: Copyright © 2020 The Spark. All rights reserved. No partCopyright of this © publication 2019 The Spark. may be All reproduced, rights reserved. stored No inpart a retrieval of this publication system or transmittedmay be reproduced, in any form stored or The Spark: Kairos Hub - The Ford Center, +2348167277188, +2347030951270, in a retrieval system or be transmitted in any form 2nd Floor, Plot 2 Block 94, Providence +1(780)805-1270 by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prioror by permissionany means, ofelectronic The Spark. or mechanical, without Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos State, prior permission of The Spark. Nigeria. Email: [email protected] We do not endorse any products or services men- Website: www.thesparkng.com tionedWe do notin any endorse of the anyarticles products and are or notservices respon or - sibleopinions for the mentioned outcome in of any using of thesuch articles products and or are Social media: fli @thesparkng services.not responsible for the outcome of using such fli @thesparkng products or services. Contributors

Boma Anita Dr. Ifeoma Kaidi Beddie- Omonuwa Ezenekwe Eddie-Obiakor Memberr MCIArb

Is a Sustainability Specialist that works at the intersection of Envi- Is the Technology, Education and Creative Sector Lead, at the UK’s Is a triple First class holder from the University of Reading, UK (LLB), Is an Assistant Professor with the division of cardiology at Emory ronmental and Social Risk and Gender Equality issues. She provides Department for International Trade, Nigeria. She has over five years Nigerian Law School (BL) and the University of Birmingham, UK (LLM) University School of Medicine. She graduated with her undergraduate advice to organisations on how to manage their environmental and of relevant experience working in the tech ecosystem, both in with experience in telecommunications, corporate finance, project degree in Nursing from the University of Texas medical branch social impacts while closing gender inequality gaps in their opera- Product Development and International Trade. She also has valuable finance, cross-border financings, mergers and acquisitions, private Galveston and finished her medical school training at the University of tions in order to increase their performance and competitiveness. She experience specifically in product design & development, formulation equity, capital market as well as commercial arbitration. Texas San Antonio in 2008. She then completed her Internal Medicine has provided advice to many financial institutions across Africa both of trade strategies, road maps and showcasing business opportunities She currently works as an Advisor, Commercial Legal in the Corporate residency training at John Hopkins’s Osler program in Baltimore at client and at sector level - in particular on the Nigerian Sustainable within the African market. Boma has a Bachelor Degree in Information Services Division at MTN Nigeria Communications Plc (“MTN”). Prior Maryland and General Cardiology Fellowship at Thomas Jefferson Banking network platform. She has also supported non-financial Technology, from Bells University of Technology and a Master in to joining MTN, Anita worked in the Finance and Projects groups hospital, Philadelphia in 2014. sector clients to develop and align sustainability strategies to their Spatial Planning, from Oxford Brookes University, Oxford. at Templars, where she advised banks, development financial Dr Onuorah has special interest in cardiovascular disease in women business goals. She works across agribusiness, manufacturing and institutions, corporates, project sponsors, equity and credit funds and and in disadvantaged underserved communities. services sector. other financiers on debt and equity capital raisings, financings and on a broad range of other legal and commercial issues.

Toyosi Oyeyemi Kehinde ‘Tale Etim-Effiong Immanuel Oniru Alimi

Is a Digital Media Strategist and publishing editor of Folio Nigeria, a Is an experienced commercial lawyer with leading Nigerian law firm, Runs a driven and inspiring community called KO Women, a global Is a 3X founder, an entrepreneurial thought leader who has consulted CNN-powered digital publishing platform. She also coordinates the Templars. She is also a writer and has published scores of articles for push that promotes girls and women’s leadership in a fearless for, coached and spoken to over 5,000 small businesses and corporate operations of Times Multimedia Marketing, a creative agency with its young professionals. An advocate for human capital development, new way. Her goal is to help women make bold, brave, choices teams on topics suc as sales strategy, business growth, marketing and office in Lagos. With a master’s degree in Economic Development and Policy Analysis she uses different platforms to enhance the skill and capacity of throughout their personal, leadership and business development. scaling a business. She is the Author of two books: The well-received from the University of Nottingham, UK and degrees in Broadcast Nigeria’s young talents. She is here to equip the everyday modern women on a mission. She “Uplevel” and the soon to be released Small to Scale book. Journalism and Producing from the New York Film Academy, New York is fascinated with the relationship between motivation, leadership, She has been featured as an expert in major Newspapers like Guard- she has worked in banking and across multiple sectors of the Media and people. She is passionate about the power of Women, Gender ian, BusinessDay, Sun and ThisDay. She has also been invited to speak and Entertainment Industry including digital and cable TV, radio, print Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Education, Personal Development, on business topics on Television programs on Arise TV, Silverbird TV (magazines), and digital publishing platforms. and Transformation. and Ebonylife TV. She sits on the board of the Green Girls Company Limited (organizers of the Miss Nigeria pageant and Raising Girls Summit) and is a First City Today, she is an aspiring Personal Development Coach for Women, Monument Bank SheVentures SuperMentor. Motivational Speaker, Social Entrepreneur and Change Maker.

Moyosola Buchi Onyeka Tosin Kara Nduka Akpaida Durotoye

Is currently the Director of Communications, Nigeria at 54gene. She Is the Founder, The Amazing Woman, a mother and a creative at heart. Is an experienced financial service professional with 9+ client and Is a social enterprise leader, technology executive and consultant has extensive experience in Marketing & Communications working with Though her first love is event planning and design, her passion for business development experience in Public, NGO and SME Sectors with more than 16 years of professional experience in both the public leading brands across continental Africa. She has had the privilege to digital and technology to influence the livelihood of mothers in her with a track record in sales and e-commerce. Alongside her work at a and private sectors. She has extensive experience leading digital do good work for brands such as: South African Tourism (West Africa), community led her to study digital media. foremost, leading commercial bank. She also works in female financial transformations within companies, establishing and managing social Heineken (Nigeria), EfinA, Elizabeth Arden (South Africa), 33 Export, She is a digital strategist with certifications from Accenture & The inclusion through the Rendra Foundation which she founded in 2018; impact programs, crafting and executing partnerships and public British American Tobacco (South Africa), Lagos Fashion Week, Enhancing Orange Academy. She holds a Masters degree in Diplomacy and collaborating with her partners to lend a hand in achieving Nigeria’s engagement strategies and managing grants totaling over $10 Financial Innovation & Access (EfinA), to name a few. Strategic Studies from The University of Lagos. financial inclusion goals and increasing the pathway to self-reliance million. Tosin is passionate about the intersections between public Moyosola is also passionate about driving women empowerment. She An educator with big dreams, she trains mothers, women start-ups and economic sustainability for rural women. Through her work at the and private partnerships and investments and economic develop- is the founder of a not for profit organisation, Sponsor a Mom which and small businesses to thrive. Bank and the foundation, she has brought in well over 2,000 women ment. She is a committed gender equity advocate and is the founder provides support for low earning single moms in Nigeria. In addition, as into the formal financial services sector. of The Bloom Africa – a platform and community where ambitious a Writer and Content Creator her work has been published in Guardian African women gather, connect and grow. Life, Leading Ladies Africa, startupAFRICA and Atlanta-based print magazine, Black Bride.

Elizabeth Chocolako Ifedayo Rita Osho Agburu Durosinmi Oluchi Obi – Etti

Is an excellent communicator and a result-oriented strategist and With a degree in Human and Organizational Development and Is an Author, Entrepreneur and Young Global Leader with over 10 Is an Author, Entrepreneur and Young Global Leader with over 10 public relations professional with proven expertise in brand manage- two Master’s degrees in Public Health and Business Administration, years of management and leadership experience working in the years of management and leadership experience working in the ment and strategy, project management, digital marketing, content Chocolako has as much smarts as she does sass and sensitivity. fashion, marketing and manufacturing Industries. She holds a fashion, marketing and manufacturing Industries. She holds a creation and lifestyle consultancy. She is also a lifestyle influencer. As Having spent 15 years in the healthcare sector, Chocolako witnessed first degree in Biochemistry and an MBA in Global Business. She is first degree in Biochemistry and an MBA in Global Business. She is the founder of So.Me Solutions, a communications company which first-hand the delicacy of life and death and the enormity of human the Managing Partner for AGS Tribe, a social enterprise created to the Managing Partner for AGS Tribe, a social enterprise created to has helped numerous brands across different industries to portray suffering in the face of disease and trauma, as well as serious stress democratize opportunities for entrepreneurs and non profits in Africa. democratize opportunities for entrepreneurs and non profits in Africa. unique stories in a way that positively influences the opinion, their and burn out from her colleagues. It was during this time Chocolako It is also a platform that brings female entrepreneurs together to form It is also a platform that brings female entrepreneurs together to form target market. Elizabeth has a proven record of producing results developed her enormous capacity for radical compassion, a gift for cross boarder relationships with the aim of transforming Africa. She cross boarder relationships with the aim of transforming Africa. She in a fast-paced, target driven environment. She is able to balance holding space and a deep desire to be the change those around her is very passionate about women and youth contributing to national is very passionate about women and youth contributing to national multiple brand enhancement demands, having worked with brands so needed and believe in. development and has been able to empower female entrepreneurs development and has been able to empower female entrepreneurs like Lancome South African Tourism, Sweet Kiwi, FilmOne/FilmHouse, through the AGS Enterprise Challenge, a program that empowers through the AGS Enterprise Challenge, a program that empowers Black Opal and Lagos Cocktail Week, to improve brand recognition female entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship and training female entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship and training and drive profitability within strict deadlines. amongst other projects. Recently, she launched a $1,000,000 women amongst other projects. Recently, she launched a $1,000,000 women empowerment fund to fund female businesses in Nigeria. empowerment fund to fund female businesses in Nigeria.

Chinwe Abosede Kaliné Yetunde Egwim George- Akinkugbe Moito Ogan

is a renowned Economist. She has notable practical experience in is a tri-sector leader with over 15 years’ experience working across the Is Nigerian-born singer/songwriter and pianist whose clever thread- is a seasoned Banker with 15 years’ experience in business develop- producing policy relevant economic research reports which cover non-profit, private and public sectors as a development professional. ing of words and percussive style of piano playing is a direct product ment within the Retail & SME Banking Segment. Her proficiencies lie fiscal profile, fx dynamics, interest rate, GDP growth trends, reserves She began a career in development over a decade ago with ActionAid of her African roots. With a soulful elegance and funky flutter, she in client acquisition, relationship management, branch development, management, inflation and sectorial trends (including power, International Nigeria and has moved on to coordinate Corporate spreads her wings across a landscape of genres including jazz, R‘n’B, product creation and marketing and strategic management. She transport, technology, agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing) Social Responsibility and Corporate Citizenship for Keystone Bank, Hilife, soul and Afrobeat to create an authentic, alternative sound. A is currently heads the Women in Business segment in First City among others. She has over 500 economic publications under FirstBank and Samsung Electronics West Africa respectively. She graduate of Berklee College of music with a BMus in Film Scoring, she Monument Bank Limited called FCMB SheVentures; where she drives her belt. is currently the Director, Strategy, Partnerships and Stakeholder has a unique set of composition and production skills that enables her financial inclusion and growth of Women (owned) SMEs. Chinwe is a member of the Board Committee on Research of the Management at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund. Abosede to paint lasting images through memorable choruses Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG). She is also the National George-Ogan has a degree in Political Science/Public Administration and unforgettable rhythms. It was at Berklee that she combined her Focal Point of a UN Economic Commission Development Project on from Igbinedion University and an MSc in Communication for Inno- years of classical piano training (since the age of 5) with her vocals Services Trade across Africa. Chinwe has been listed as one of the 100 vation and Development from the University of Reading. Abosede and made a decision to pursue a career as a dual-instrumentalist/live most inspiring Nigerian women by Leading Ladies Africa. In 2018 she is the founder of Women in Leadership Advancement Network – a performer. Prior to Berklee College of music, Kaline studied and was included to the Corporate Nigeria PowerList as one of the ten platform that engages, encourages, equips and empowers women in graduated with a BSc from Imperial college London affording her most influential professional Nigerians under 40 and also recognised Nigeria to get involved and participate in Politics. She is the author of several skills to manage herself as she has done for the last few as a leading woman in banking by the Association of Professional Building a Conscious Career, where she shared useful tips on how to years. Her most recent EP “There’s A Story Here” is available on all Women Bankers, an arm of the Chattered Institute of Bankers, Nigeria. build a fulfilling and financially rewarding career, while also positively streaming platforms. In 2018, she emerged as the Career Woman of the Year at the HER affecting the lives of others. Network Annual Award. Contents

9 MINORITY REPORT FREESTYLE

Women Helping Women 6 Music Is A Woman 27

BOTTOM LINE SPECIAL FEATURE

Financial Inclusion for The African Woman 7 The Making of a Wonder Woman Adenike Adebola 28

WIRED IN An Ode to Maya Angelou 30

The Techvantage 8 An Ode to Zulumoke Oyibo 31

PRO BONO An Ode To Ms Arunma Oteh 32

The Woman Economy 9 An Ode To Anthonia Omolola Ologunja 33 VITAL SIGNS Tosin Durotoye Straight From The Heart 10 An Ode To Bola Balogun 33 GREENLIGHT FEATURES 13

Gender Inclusive Policies for Entrepreneurs 11 On Becoming A Wonder Woman 34

BULLS EYE #EachforEqual: Moving From Hashtag to Reality 35

NEW AGE NEW MEDIA 12 Journey to Self-Discovery 36

SPOTLIGHT The Simple Things Matter 37 Empowering African Women in Rural Communities 38 No Left Overs 13 Remain Confident 39 THE SPARK EFFECT 15 Leveraging Community for Growth 40 THE SPARK EFFECT START-UP DEWUNMI ALUGBIN 16 Community: Your Greatest Asset 41 STEPHANIE OBI 18

BUKOLA SMITH 20 BRAND SPARK NGOVER IHYEMBE-NWANKWO 22 Woman – A Power Source 42 28 Yetunde VICTORIA NDIDIAMAKA UWADOKA 24 Moito

42 39 35 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

attendees with the “God MINORITY REPORT has been faithful” line or solely encouraging them to pursue their dream careers, I provide them with strategy needed to land a seat at certain tables, build their professional brand Rita Oluchi Obi and position themselves as experts. As a result, women as young as 20 years old, have Women been landing jobs with To instantly break down barriers 200K Naira salaries. As for the women who and build opportunities for wom- Helping are interested in break- en throughout Nigeria, women ing into certain social circles, or acquiring con- must engage with women outside Women tacts in certain spaces, of their social circles and develop you have to put in some effort too. Search more knowledge sharing spaces the web for events that provide practical advice. happening in your area, create a “networking savings” account that you can put funds Women are inarguably the in every and any arena in Nigeria. into for networking In our society, people tend to interact event fees, outfits for backbone of Nigerian so- almost exclusively with people who share networking events, ciety. For decades, we’ve similar educational histories, incomes and transport money and occupations. Unfortunately, this lack to attend conferences significantly contributed to of cross class interaction simply makes it or workshops. If you the structure and economic much harder for people in lower social don’t have the chance classes to develop the relationships and to speak with panellists development of multiple other forms of social capital necessary for or experts at events, communities. economic opportunity and educational reach out to them advancement. via LinkedIn, email, Instagram, etc. If you Although this is known, To ensure that opportunities are circulat- can’t get in contact with gender bias continues to ed amongst a variety of women in Nigeria, them directly, reach out limit the impact of women more spaces must be created to encour- to someone who knows throughout the nation, age interaction across different classes of them (please make restraining the country from women. Although many women empow- sure you have a BRIEF beating its massive potential. Despite the erment programs or events held in Nigeria elevator pitch ready. Do fact that there has been an increase in are free or affordable, opportunities to not attempt to contact women stepping into male dominated speak with panellists and experts in inti- people more than two roles, climbing the corporate ladder and mate settings are quite rare for attendees times if they have not becoming trailblazers throughout Nigeria, (some attendees troop one to two hours responded. It’s exces- there are still various economic, political, to attend certain women empowerment sive). social and systemic practices that serve as events). To change this, we must hold Women crossing classes a hindrance to the participation of women more interactive events that will require and launching more in politics, governance and decision mak- conversations being exchanged between “practical and tangible” ing in Nigeria. different social classes, and create more knowledge sharing Realistically, it may take a while to get the opportunities for attendees to get some spaces throughout government and other stakeholders fully ‘face to face‘ time with experts, panellists Nigeria will build on board with developing and imple- and speakers. solidarity amongst us menting more programs and policies to Knowledge sharing is essential for the all. Cultivating this type empower women politically, socially and success of women in Nigeria. This is why of culture will continue economically. To instantly break down it’s extremely important to make sure that to amplify our voices, barriers and build opportunities for events held are truly impactful and effec- increase our economic women throughout Nigeria, women must tive. This includes making sure that the participation, and land engage with women outside of their so- advice or tips provided by panellists and us multiple seats in cial circles and develop more knowledge speakers are more tangible and practical spaces that we aren’t sharing spaces that provide practical ad- than generic. In my Corporate Nigeria Girl usually allowed in. vice to ensure that we are accommodated 101 workshops, rather than hitting my

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BOTTOM LINE Financial Inclusion for

The African Woman Kaidi Eddie-Obiakor

o promote women’s financial inclusion, lenge that women entrepreneurs face when vative workarounds given the positive benefits we need to do more thinking outside growing or deciding to start their business. In their businesses and the country stand to gain the box! In this interview, Kaidi Ed- many communities, socio-cultural norms and if more of its population become empowered. die-Obiakor, a Sustainability Profes- traditions limit women’s ability to own prop- Tsional, explains the importance of financial erty, which could be used as collateral within Q: How do you envisage applying your expe- inclusion both as an expert in the field and as a formal banking systems. riences to support companies and individu- woman herself. In Nigeria, one can observe this limitation als to build women businesses in Nigeria? across many communities. In my extended fam- By “showing them the money”. Some compa- Q: Why did you decide to pursue a career in ily, for example, I have witnessed a few female nies may need to see data that highlights the the Financial Industry? members struggle financially because they direct bottom-line benefits to support more I like to think that the change in my career don’t have rights to their family properties. women entrepreneurs before deciding to was serendipity. I have an affinity for learning Without collateral, it’s difficult for an individual invest. I see my role as helping companies to foreign languages and this inspired me to study to access sizable credit. Without sizable credit, be exposed to the opportunities. French and Italian languages at university. a woman’s entrepreneurial opportunities may Also, by working with progressive companies I even obtained a certificate in translation be constrained and can determine the type of that are keen to improve their sustainability services and was geared up to pursue further business she can do and how large the business impact need to be sensitized on opportunities studies at the Ecole Normale Superieure to join can become. that gender- focused interventions can have on the French civil service. Sadly, I did not make Another equally important area is leveraging the environment, people and to their bottom the final selection. networks so that women can get more knowl- line. After that heartbreaking episode, I was very edge about business opportunities. Also having In addition, I am keen to support these compa- confused about what career path I wanted to business management skills to run a business nies in their journey. pursue. I had a chat with a close friend who efficiently and keep financial records that can suggested I consider management consult- increase creditworthiness is essential. Despite Q: Which professional opportunities or ing to build my skills while deciding my next challenges many women face, the highest personal choices have helped your career steps. So, I decided to give it a try and it was number of informal businesses in Nigeria are growth and how would you suggest other a worthwhile experience. It was a struggle, at run by women. Someone said “never say never!” women leverage the many opportunities out first, given my background was purely in the there, just like you have? arts, but that did not deter me. Q: Keying into access to finance for women, 1. Having an education provided the solid first I worked mainly with clients in the Financial in your opinion, are there essential things footing to be able to thrive. Women need to Services despite trying several times to con- that can be addressed to improve the ability get informed, acquire knowledge and invest in vince my managers to allow me to work more for women entrepreneurs to expand their themselves. with government clients. In the end, it paid businesses and fulfil their potential? Speaking to someone about career choices off because I had a better appreciation of the I believe that some of the significant interven- and getting good advice also helped steer power that the financial sector has in driving an tions should be around narrowing the access to me towards new career opportunities, such economy and catalyzing change. I wanted to finance gap for women. as management consulting, which gave me a do what I termed “consulting with a purpose”; 1. First, we need to ask ourselves, “How can good springboard to launch into other career to use my business skills to help financial sector more women be given access to loans? And areas. That was a form of receiving informal companies make money while also investing how can more women access collateral to mentoring. in the community. Today, I have worked with obtain sizable financing from formal banking Not setting limitations for myself was important financial sector clients for more than 12 years institutions which have the capacity to really too. I have a bulls-eye focus on my goals and I and in retrospect, I am glad that my initial move the needle for women-owned businesses don’t let anyone tell me what I can or cannot managers made me stay put. in terms of the potential size and scale of their achieve. Some people have even described me Q: What was the career path towards “con- business? to have an attitude that goes beyond resilience, sulting with a purpose?” 2. Second, we need to fully accept the existing more like a “we die here” attitude. I worked extensively as an Environmental and inequalities. The World Economic Forum Taking risks. I once accepted to pursue an Social risk specialist and provided E&S Risk estimates that it would take close to 100 years advanced education in Brazil and I didn’t speak Management advice to financial sector clients to close the inequality gaps between men and Portuguese, at first. I had to adapt, stretch in France, Brazil and in many countries across women. The question is how many people myself and learn as fast as I could by immersing Africa. Afterwards, I expanded my focus area know this and what are we going to do about myself in the culture. In the end, I actually did to Gender Equality. This expanded knowl- it? For me, an alarm bell is ringing and telling it without ever learning in a classroom and in edge helps me to understand how to support me that it is time for less talk, more collective a short timeline! Today, that decision has paid companies to create positive sustainability efforts and better ways to measure targeted off immensely. I would say that more women strategies with impact that can benefit all actions. should weigh potential opportunities and take genders - especially economically. 3. Third, we need to start thinking outside the informed risks. Being authentic and unconven- box when planning to address these gaps! tional when I needed to be. What is important Q: As a sustainability professional working While, people are becoming more sensitized to is looking within to know your strengths and in the gender space, and from personal these differences, laws and deeply entrenched how to use them in your favour when the right experience, do you think there are signifi- sociocultural norms will not change overnight opportunities come. cant challenges women face in conducting to allow women equal rights to own properties business? and seek collateral. This presents an opportu- In many cases, access to finance is one big chal- nity for corporate institutions to think of inno- fli @thesparkng 7 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

WIRED IN To effectively empower women with tech, here are a few areas to consider:

With the rise of virtual 1 learning and remote Boma Beddie- work, it is key to stay sen- Memberr sitive to the direction the world is heading. As much as the education sector has loads of opportunities especially as tech has become an enabler in this sector, there’s still a skills gap. There is a need for reach and quality in replications across the nation. We need to leverage tech solutions in filling these gaps in order to get more women in male dominated industries such as STEM and various sectors such as the Creative sector; liberating her to express her vision through passion and interest.

Women are very particu- 2 lar about how conve- nient, reliable, private The Techvantage and secure they are, when it comes to finances. I have heard the term “vex-money” numerous times. I find it interesting to note the correlations between Innovation is a driving force in this how education amongst the female population has ecosystem and I have so much an influence on GDP as well as the presence of tech- respect for Fintechs with existing products in the market. It will be nological critical national infrastructures. valuable to have bespoke products that are gender-inclusive when hat if we have both in Nigeria? Just think it comes to achieving financial about how much of a reformation and inclusion. For example, having a Fintech product achieve business industrial revolution, especially in this literacy as well as financial services new decade. It’s a no brainer that “edu- will be a valuable approach when Wcation makes economic sense”, I personally believe a thinking strategically about gen- nation is only as strong as the value she places on her der-inclusiveness in finance. women. Innovation and technology are the driving force for empowerment across sectors. Gender specific health 3 solutions will fill the In order for innovation in technology to knowledge gap existing be valuable to women, it has to do the amongst females, especially about Innovation is a driving force in following: their health; addressing the narra- this ecosystem and I have so tive at various stages in life, from 1. It has to address challenges puberty to menopause. much respect for Fintechs with women face, in various contexts. We have existing products in the market. to identify challenges an average woman Increase in communi- faces in her daily activities and how tech 4 ty-based mentoring and can solve a large portion of these challenges in the networking platforms Nigerian context. (web and mobile applications) geared towards women of all ages 2. It has to enable women to achieve their goals. is equally important. 3. It must align with national and global efforts to attain gender-inclusion; (2030, SDG 5)

Having a “big-picture” approach is essential for the reformation we are looking to see in this new decade. As we move closer to 2030, it’s time to reflect on where we were and be thankful for how far we have come. We need to recognise that it is perfect timing to strategically run programmes and initiatives that move us closer to where we need to be in 2030. Technology doesn’t have all the answers, but it is an enabling factor to reach our goals.

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Interestingly, studies from the World Bank reveal that PRO BONO women play a critical role in the decline of poverty and The Woman Economy granting credit to empower

(Licence for Lending) Anita Omonuwa, MCIArb women could add about US$ 28 trillion in global GDP It is a known secret that Nigeria’s informal sector is the largest in growth by 2025 Africa accounting for 65 percent of the GDP. More often than not, this sector encapsulates transactions that are consummated by cash only. The volume of trades and the reach of the sector is estimated to be in billions of dollars.

Unfortunately, the schemes as the provision of collateral, you must the entity’s premises will be arranged of the government and the obtain a Licence. This should be obtained on an agreed date in order to inspect its formal sector have not been from the relevant regulatory authority in operational base. adequate in catering to this accordance with the money lender’s law 5. In the absence of any adverse conclu- sector particularly to women of the state you intend to conduct your sion from the application or inspection, entrepreneurs. This creates a bounty of money lending business operations. For the Ministry would issue the licence in the opportunities for informal lenders known the purpose of illustration, the application name of the incorporated entity which to law as ‘money lenders’. process to obtain the Licence in Lagos signals a go-ahead to commence your This piece provides a practical guide to State has been set out below: money lending business operations. obtaining a money lender’s licence and commencing an informal lending busi- 1. Incorporate a company with the In Conclusion... ness. Despite criticisms of astronomical Corporate Affairs Commission. With the It is no gainsaying that the informal interest rates charged by money lenders successful implementation of the ease of economy provides the much-needed jobs and the ineffective regulation of these doing business initiatives, such incorpora- for an explosive working-age population lenders, being a money lender presents tion can be effected online and complet- in the most populous country in Africa. microentrepreneurs, particularly women ed within a few days. Navigating the murky waters of informal in unbanked and underbanked areas 2. Submit an application requesting the lending (including but not limited to of the country with access to capital, grant of the Licence to the Chief Magis- licensing, keeping default rates down, of- creating for such women an opportunity trate (“CM”) within the jurisdiction of the fering attractive financing options) could to survive; commence economic activities; Magistrate Court where the money lend- expand economic opportunities, and raise their status in their households by ing business will be carried on, along with therefore, help elevate a lot of Nigerians making visible capital contribution and certified true copies (“CTCs”) of the entity’s from the chains of poverty. generally improving the welfare of their incorporation and constitutional docu- Interestingly, studies from the World Bank families and communities. ments, copies of its tax documents, police reveal that women play a critical role in clearance certificates for the directors, the decline of poverty and granting credit Can You Become A Money Lender? and evidence that a current account has to empower women could add about US$ Yes, you can. Once you have made the been opened with a licensed bank. Upon 28 trillion in global GDP growth by 2025. decision to lend money to third parties satisfaction with the application, the CM In the article ‘Women: The Global Eco- in consideration of a larger sum being will issue to you, a letter confirming that nomic Engine, it was stated that women repaid, you are presumed to be a money fact and the money lender’s certificate. It have over the decade, proven to be good lender until the contrary is proved. That should be noted that a token application credit risks and more likely than men to said, such lending must be a business un- fee is required to be paid to the Office funnel earnings back into their families dertaking and not a one-off or incidental of the Magistrate in order to collect the and communities. This forms the bedrock to business. As explained by Onnoghen certificate and other confirmatory docu- for breaking the cycle of poverty in any JCA (as he was then known) in Ajao v. ments. economy and it behoves lenders to realise Ademola “a person engaged in other busi- 3. Upon receipt of the certificate, submit that women make better borrowers and nesses who out of sympathy or pressure an application to the Lagos State Minis- should therefore not be denied credit. … lends money to his friend to resuscitate try of Home Affairs along with copies of It is no wonder Mr. Isaac Okorafor, the his ailing business should not by any the entity’s tax documents, copies of the Director, Corporate Communications, CBN stretch of imagination be termed Money documents obtained from the Magistrate said at an event in November 2018 that, “It Lender under the law …” Court, evidence of payment of the license is easy to give more loans to women be- application fee, certificate issuance fee cause they will pay back. They are not like Get Your Licence and the money lender’s fee, completed those of us (men) who may not pay back”. Now, you have decided to enable micro- statutory forms, and CTCs of the entity’s entrepreneurship and grant credit to third incorporation and constitutional docu- parties (women included) eradicating the ments. usual bottlenecks associated with access- 4. If the officials of the Ministry are ing credit from the formal sector such satisfied with your application, a visit to fli @thesparkng 9 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

Peripartum cardiomyopathy, also known as VITAL SIGNS pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy (heart weakness), is very prevalent in Nigeria and occurs about 1 in 10 pregnancies. The reason for this heart weakness is not known. It is advised Straight From that women with cardiomyopathy and severe valve damage avoid future pregnancies and be under the care of a cardiologist long-term. One of the key reasons women are dying The Heart from cardiovascular disease is that symptom presentation is different from the typical heart attack symptoms men display. In fact, some February is heart disease awareness women may not have symptoms at all. 2 out month. It is an issue dear to my heart of 3 women who die of heart disease have NO warning signs at all. Others may have atypical and one of the several reasons I symptoms like jaw, throat and back pain, but a became a cardiologist. I will use the good amount will still have chest pain (typical) with physical activity. Chest pain can also be umbrella term “cardiovascular heart associated with fatigue, nausea/vomiting and disease” as it encompasses both the diaphoresis. If you have any of these symptoms, go see your doctor as soon as possible or heart and the many blood vessels present to the hospital. Furthermore, women that take blood from it to the rest of are more likely to focus on the health of their spouse, children and families, and at times the body. neglect their own health and self-care.

How can I reduce my chance of heart disease? The most important advice is to know your numbers.

1. Know your blood pressure. Having un- controlled and untreated blood pressure is the most common reason for heart disease in Africa. High blood pressure has no symptoms, so it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Importantly if you have high blood pressure, take your medication consistently. A good blood pressure reading is numbers Start physical activity and per- less than 130/80 majority of the time. 2. Know your blood sugar numbers. Make form moderate cardio physical sure you are tested for diabetes especially if you have family members with diabetes. activity for 20 minutes a day If you have diabetes, stay on top of your three times a week. sugar control. 3. Know your cholesterol numbers, most especially your LDL (bad cholesterol). Avoid or minimize your intake of fried food, ardiovascular heart disease (CHD) is diomyopathy (weak pumping heart). However, butter, red meats and palm oil. the number one killer in women world- there are other causes of heart disease that 4. Know your weight. Start physical activity wide. A woman dies every minute are peculiar to women; diseases like rheumatic and perform moderate cardio physical from cardiovascular disease, this more heart disease and peripartum cardiomyopathy, activity for 20 minutes a day three times Cthan breast cancer and all types of cancer com- which I will discuss later, are extremely danger- a week. Also, incorporate healthy food bined, yet few women are aware of this fact. ous in young women of childbearing age. choices. Eat more fresh vegetables, fish Regrettably, this has not translated to increased Traditional risk factors like diabetes, high blood and chicken. Avoid processed food, soft worldwide awareness. Heart disease is still pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, excessive drinks, sugar and fast foods. Restrict your viewed as a “man” disease or a “western coun- alcohol and tobacco use, high-fat dietary choic- salt intake to less than 2 grams per day. try” problem. In reality, es and physical inactivity account for about Reduce use of seasoning cubes (Maggi it disproportionately 61% of cardiovascular deaths worldwide. Other and Knorr cubes). kills more people than risk factors for heart disease in women include 5. Limit how much alcohol you drink to one HIV/AIDS in sub-Saha- stress, pregnancy related diabetes and hyper- drink a day. ran Africa daily. Not to tension, preeclampsia and menopausal state. 6. Manage stress levels by finding healthy underestimate the is- Of note, infectious disease due to rheumatic ways to cope with stress. sue, heart disease is also fever and human immunodeficiency disease 7. If you smoke, QUIT smoking as soon as the number one killer in (HIV) can cause associated cardiomyopathies. possible. In summary, cardiovascular disease (heart dis- Dr. Ifeoma Ezenekwe men worldwide. Estimated 319,400 deaths worldwide is due to ease) is easily preventable and we can reduce Manifestation of heart disease occurs when rheumatic heart disease. This can be especially death related to it dramatically if the above there is a complete occlusion of the blood life threatening in pregnant women who may steps are implemented. It starts with educating vessels; this deprives oxygen and blood flow be unaware of prior damage and then, the our communities about heart disease aware- to that particular organ and in turn leads to additive demand on the heart by pregnancy to ness in women. Most importantly, we need to myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke nourish the developing baby can then lead to be our own self-advocate and create time for (brain attack) and congestive heart failure/car- fatal outcomes. self-wellness and self-care.

10 fli @thesparkng The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

GREENLIGHT Gender Inclusive Policies for Entrepre- and lower tax rates for companies that earn Furthermore, at the micro level, the federal neurs between N25million and N100million will government setup the Government Enter- allow MSMEs focus on growing their business prise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) Have you ever wondered with minimal issues around taxes. Women with micro-lending products such as Farmer owned and managed businesses therefore Moni, Trader Moni and Market Moni to allevi- why they say “if you support stand a better chance to scale their business- ate lack of access to finance for entrepreneurs a woman, you support a es beyond something they do as a hobby or at the bottom of the pyramid. Though these to take care of their family needs. are small amounts, it is a great way for wom- community”? Development Secondly, addressing a challenge that fac- en to access funding with minimum require- has a way of creating jargon es both male and female entrepreneurs, ments and build credit history that will be and clichés that water down Government at the Federal and State levels relevant to access higher amounts and meet have diverse programs to provide better requirements of commercial institutions. the importance of a notion access to finance for MSMEs. I will highlight The MSME Clinics organised by PEBEC were such as this, but the evidence a few of these with minimal barriers to entry also setup to improve the success rate of as the evidence shows that most women viable businesses by providing them access speaks for itself. will not go through with a funding applica- to information and services from other gov- tion that has a lot of ernment agencies like the Corporate Affairs requirements. Most Commission (CAC), National Agency for According to the 2015 ‘The times the women are Food and Drug Administration and Control Power of Parity’ report by as qualified as their (NAFDAC), Federal Inland Revenue Service McKinsey & Co, “if women male counterparts and (FIRS), National Information Technology De- played an identical role in have the prerequisites velopment Agency (NITDA) etc. in one place. labour markets to that of but lack the confi- This is a platform more female entrepreneurs men, as much as $28 trillion or an increase dence to go through should take advantage of as it is a cost-effec- of 26% could be added to the global GDP by Abosede George-Ogan with the application tive means to engage all the agencies small 2025”. This is what gender inclusion can help process. It is therefore businesses need. achieve if all stakeholders prioritised it. important to create a women fund that takes Finally, women naturally gravitate towards It would have been great to talk about into consideration the peculiar needs of support groups and associations and there gender inclusive policies for entrepreneurs women-owned and managed businesses. are various Government led initiatives across in Nigeria, but the truth is that most of the The Bank of Industry has a gender desk to the Country that encourage clusters in specif- policies we have related to entrepreneurs are make it easier for women-owned busi- ic trade or business areas as well as associa- gender neutral. The implication of this then nesses to access their funds. In addition, tions and cooperatives which make it easier is that only those who take full advantage the Central Bank of Nigeria also set up the for women to get access to the support they of these policies will benefit. It is therefore Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System need to start and grow their business. important to ensure that women have the for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) to de-risk Though these are all laudable policies, support they need to take advantage of farmers including women farmers. At the Nigeria needs to play catch up when it comes these policies, so let us explore a few of them State level, the Lagos State Employment Trust to gender inclusive policies for entrepre- and what needs to be done. Fund (LSETF) loan programme was designed neurs and gender-lens investing generally. First, through the establishment of The to provide loans of up to N5million to MSMEs Issues such as access to land and property Presidential Enabling Business Environ- including start-ups. The criteria to access the ownership, insurance and business advisory ment Council (PEBEC); an inter-govern- funds is through a simple application process in critical areas (Legal, Accounting, Market- mental and inter-ministerial council, the that requires no collateral and just a social ing, Human Resources, Market Access, Digital Federal Government is working to remove guarantee. LSETF in partnership with Access Skills) are all gaps that need to be addressed. bureaucratic constraints that hamper the Bank recently launched a dedicated women’s In conclusion, developing women’s entrepre- ease of doing business in Nigeria and make fund to support women led businesses in La- neurial capacity and gender friendly policies it easier to start and grow a business. The gos State. These are all opportunities women that specifically increase their chance of Nigerian Finance Bill 2019 recently passed by should be encouraged and supported to take success could go a long way in increasing the Senate makes provision for a tax reform advantage of. their ability to build businesses that create policy which was championed by PEBEC to Closely linked to access to finance, the Cen- jobs, make them financially independent alleviate the tax burden on small businesses tral Bank of Nigeria introduced a collateral and contribute to the Country’s economy. amongst other things. registry which enables women to borrow Policy makers must continue to work towards The introduction of the new Company In- against any movable business or personal creating an enabling environment by re- come Tax (CIT) rates which proposes zero tax asset such as machine equipment, genera- moving specific gender barriers that women for companies that earn below N25million tors, trucks or cars. entrepreneurs face. fli @thesparkng 11 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

up quickly. Verified Twitter accounts have BULLS EYE now become authoritative sources of updates on products and businesses and sentiments aside, we have seen and continue to see how the president of America NEW AGE gets his side of the story out. I imagine him attending press conferences only as a Toyosi Etim-Effiong sign of formality. New Media cuts out the NEW MEDIA middleman. I often say that everyone is selling something overtly or covertly. There’s always something screaming, “BUY ME” or some- New Media simply defined is digitized media. This means that one screaming, “BUY THIS” and in some cases, someone screaming, “BUY ME/BUY the digitalization or placement of any piece of information on MY TIME”. New Media has made it possible non-traditional media platforms automatically puts it in the for entrepreneurs and businesses to reach New Media world. New Media has become the singular, most consumers directly just by being a hub where all parties reside. What this means powerful tool in the world, recognized and used by individu- is that a deliberate and intentional study als, businesses and governments alike. of the nuances of New Media, as it applies to each person and business has to be he one place to to traditional media is their producer and presenter carried out to guide strategy and ultimate- find billions of confinement to areas/ for radio, digital and cable ly ensure that the highest possible results/ people clustered regions. A print newspaper television, contributor returns are received. What every strategy together ob- in Queensland, Austra- to print (magazines) and needs to then focus on is The Content. Tserving, distributing and lia may have the most now as publishing editor According to a 2018 study by Microsoft, amplifying content for all interesting and relatable of a digital publishing the average human being has an atten- to see is “online”. Offline content ever put together platform, the dynamics of tion span of eight seconds. For content media doesn’t quite come by man, but that content New Media have not only creators, this eight-second span should close for a variety of rea- remains inaccessible to a opened my mind to its yet be regarded as an eight-second filter. sons including: global audience because untapped potentials but Consumers of content have become adept 1. Their non-interactive of the restriction of that has also sparked in me a at identifying irrelevant/poorly packaged nature paper to that region. The deeper desire to invest information and moving on swiftly to the In this age where (almost) same goes for billboards and grow in this space. I other options available. To thrive using everyone is increasing in and terrestrial TV and radio have seen individuals go New Media, understanding the behaviors knowledge and wants the stations. from being regular folk to and needs of this technologically adept opportunity to give feed- 3. Their fixed schedules being global “sensations” stream of consumers is vital. For this back to whatever they’re This is a microwave gener- overnight because of their reason, information has to be presented in watching/reading based ation where people want talent. They have gone a way that can’t but be optimally received on the knowledge they what they want, when from formerly unnoticed by the targeted audience. Content in this have, the non-interactive they want it and most and un(der)appreciated age has to be intentional and created in a nature of traditional media times how they want it. A in the world of traditional way that cuts through the noise. platforms makes them desire to find content on media to suddenly getting We can’t all be founders of an e-com- unappealing. People are Economic Development noticed on Youtube or merce, cloud computing, digital stream- no longer accepting every and Policy Analysis should Instagram and getting ing, and artificial intelligence hub like Jeff piece of information as be satisfied at the tap of amplified by multiple Bezoz and we can’t all be founders of a fact. They have questions a button and New Media mentions. social media and tech company like Mark and platforms that do not gets that. The scheduling Justin Bieber, The Week- Zuckerburg but we can all harness the make asking these ques- of content on traditional nd, Wofai Ifada, Salt Bae immense potentials that their platforms, tions easy and immediate- media platforms is a turn are a few of such people. along with many others, have made avail- ly continue to lose general off to many and this is just I’ve also seen businesses able to all. appeal. Traditional media one more edge online me- defend and dissociate outlets fall under this dia has over offline media. themselves from allega- According to a 2018 study by category. Having explored the tions that would have cost 2. Their regionalization different arms of the them millions of dollars in Microsoft, the average human Another unappealing side media industry as a sales if they hadn’t spoken being has an attention span of eight seconds. For content creators, this eight-second span should be regarded as an eight-second filter.

12 fli @thesparkng The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

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Our Services

No Leftovers has now evolved over the last 13 years. I started off alone from selling to family and friends to hawking my moin-moin at the gate of Corona School, Ikoyi which was my last place of employment where I had worked for nine years as a secretary and where both my children attended and finished their primary school education. I figured out within me that a familiar environment where people knew me would make sales relatively easy. From selling at the school gate, I got our first corporate job. This brought about the need to employ staff. The job was one that required us to serve 100 people lunch every day. After a few months of offering our catering services to this organization, we were able to afford to move the business out of my house into a rented apartment where we continued to offer Outdoor Catering services from. We took quite a few audacious steps from there. We opened two restaurants in Lagos and one in Abuja. Today, we have consol- idated into a beautiful cosy eatery here in Lagos while we still continue with our Outdoor SPOTLIGHT Catering and moin-moin sales and delivery. When pondering over a name, I wanted one that resonated with No Left Overs Ayo Megbope food, a name that would be easily appealing to people and Success can be found in the most unexpected places. Starting off one that contained a promise to meet people’s expectations. preparing moin-moin for colleagues and family members, today, That’s how the name, “No Left Ayo Megbope, Founder of No Left Overs, owns a successful business Overs” was born. with a turnover of over $100,000 a year. Here’s her backstory and how she was able to grow. Leveraging Opportunities After starting my moin-moin sales, I craved for more. I believed I could do more by Getting Started different meals without it looking monoto- acquiring skills on how to run a nous, it was going to be beans. I made moin- business apart from the cooking My business was birthed out of the need for moin on that fateful day, I gave a wrap to my skills I had. I kept praying as I survival. My husband and I had serious financial sister-in-law who paid us a visit, and because didn’t know where to turn to. challenges at that time, it was so bad that it she enjoyed it she asked me to make for her Miraculously, I came across a got to a point where there was need to provide the following day which I did. I also gave some newspaper advert saying that food for the family and we were down to our to my neighbours. That was how the requests the Enterprise for Development last 1,000 naira. As I tearfully received the One started pouring in and I started selling to family Centre under the umbrella of Thousand Naira from my husband on that and friends. the Pan Atlantic University was fateful day, I concluded within me that if there running a programme designed was any food item I could buy and prepare into to equip women in business

fli @thesparkng 13 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

who had never acquired business skills myself over what people say. I have gone Plans for The Future but had businesses of their own. The beyond condemning myself over my past sponsor of the programme was Goldman mistakes. I believe we have so much in us About 10 years ago, I said I wanted No Left Sachs USA and the initiative was tagged but we can never see it until we turn our Overs to be a household name. I’m grate- “10,000 Women”. I applied for the pro- backs on what people say, we can never ful to see this desire daily become a reality. gramme and that was how my entrepre- emerge until we forgive ourselves for past The Catering Industry is quite broad and neurship journey took a new dimension. mistakes and embrace the freshness that we are evolving every day. We are today a A few years after, I tried to get a loan from every new day brings. full catering outfit, we have a restaurant, my bank in order to expand my business I have learnt the importance of deferring we deliver to people’s doorsteps and we but my bank had said they would give gratification. Never put the cart before the offer Outdoor Catering Services. Our next me the loan if I could provide 70% of the horse. There’s time for everything. I have dream is to go into manufacturing and we amount I was asking for. I was very upset. learnt to learn from others but never to are confident we will get there. “Would I come to you if I had 70%?” I compare myself with others. I study my asked them. market, evaluate my strength, build on it, Advice to Start-Ups Shortly after, I got a call from Goldman be as creative and innovative as possible Sachs asking if I had been able to access and refuse to allow fear cripple me. I see I cannot overemphasize the need to any loan to grow my business. When I a constant need to be audacious and as- believe in yourself. Put the past behind told them the experience I just had with sertive. I refuse to allow fear limit me and and look for opportunities to learn. Prepa- my bank, they told me that in celebration I am mindful to humble myself to learn ration is the eye that sees opportunity. of that year’s International Women’s Day, from others. My staff is my greatest asset, As an entrepreneur you must live ready they needed two entrepreneurs to come so I invest in them and ensure we work as and prepared because you do not know share their experiences at a programme to a team. when or how the opportunity you desire be held at the White House in the United would come, so you must equip yourself States of America. They needed to have Accomplishments continually. Never be satisfied with today’s one who had been able to access a loan achievements. There’s always a next level. for her business and another who had 13 years ago when I was going to turn successfully grown her business, required 40, I felt my whole life had no meaning. I The Impact of FCMB financial assistance but the bank had couldn’t lay a finger on any achievement said no to her request. They had already worthy of note. Though extremely grateful FCMB came into our life at the nick gotten someone who had been able to to be alive, I craved for more, I yearned of time. No Left Overs applied for the access a loan, but they were in search of for more, and I hungered for more. When SheVentures zero interest loan and we someone who had not. That was how I I couldn’t bear the agony of sitting back were fortunate to be selected. The mento- got the invitation to go share my story at to continue to regret the mistakes I had ring/training that followed was a breadth the White House. I also had the privilege made in life, I summoned up courage to of fresh air. One of our managers who also of attending the World Economic Forum step out of my comfort zone. I mustered happens to be my daughter represented in Davos Switzerland in 2019 to share my strength to move from the known to the No Left Overs at the training and she story. Such are the types of open doors unknown and see what has happened 13 was inspired by the passion with which that have attended my way as I continue years down the line! every class was delivered. The knowledge to grow my business. Lives are touched, What if I hadn’t moved? What if I had sat acquired is being applied and also passed my business is expanding and the story of back crying over my mistakes? Not only to other members of our team. We are No Left Overs has become a great inspira- would I have killed this beautiful reality I currently remodelling our restaurant with tion to women and men alike. am living now, I would have also denied a view to expanding our services and others the ability to see that failure is not FCMB has provided invaluable support all On Challenges failure until you give up. I am grateful to the way. God that the deepest pain I had then of We are still work in progress. But one thing not having an educational qualification I believe we have so much in us but I do is I put the past (success, failures, pain, beyond my Secretarial Certification has we can never see it until we turn achievements, etc.) behind me and I press been turned around as this One Thou- on daily. Some have tried to discourage sand Naira start off business paid my way our backs on what people say, we me but I have learnt to focus on my goals. through the Manchester Business School. can never emerge until we forgive If I had allowed what people said about The strength to keep pushing on is what I me cage me, I wouldn’t have known consider my greatest achievement. ourselves for past mistakes and that there’s so much greatness in me. I embrace the freshness that every have today gone far beyond bothering new day brings.

her business can succeed because she has a reliable network Low-interest loans Networking Opportunities Trainings/Mentoring Capacity Building And more

For more information, please visit www.fcmb.com/she-ventures or email [email protected] The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

THE SPARK EFFECT

A world where every woman is able to use her voice, make her own decisions, and create opportunities for others is something everyone should crave for. As the saying goes, “if you educate a man, you educate one person. If you educate a woman, you educate a nation”.

Achieving gender equality and empowering women and the girl child has many benefits. Asides being one of the Sustainable Development goals, it is a fundamental human right which is a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. Countless innovations have been created by women who decided to stand for something. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.

In commemoration with the International Women’s Day theme, “Each for Equal”, the next few pages seek to amplify the stories and experiences of women across different industries and age brackets who are breaking barriers, achieving unimaginable successes and blazing the trail so other women are inspired to succeed like them. Join us as we capture the stories of Wonder Women on the journey of improving lives and creating economic opportunities.

fli @thesparkng 15 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

THE SPARK EFFECT DEWUNMI ALUGBIN THE PARTNERSHIP ICON

s Head of Partnerships A at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Dewunmi has always led her life by planning strategically, working hard and following her passion. Her work ethic was evident when she calmly walked into the studio as the production team completed setup for her interview and quickly met some work demands on her laptop. In this interview, she tells us about her career journey and passion for impacting lives.

ON MAKING IMPACT I think as human beings, we have talents and strengths that are present but we may not be able to direct as desired. The moment I realized there was a difference in the way I viewed the world and what I was willing to do to be the change I wished to see was when I quit my job and move to Nigeria to see how I could contribute my quota. A lot of There is no room in people wonder how I could just make 2020 and beyond for that decision. It didn’t really take much for me to say, “Yes Nigeria is where I anyone who is wishing need to be, home is where I need to be. I need to work to change it rather than for things to happen. complaining from somewhere else”. Start working towards For me, that decision was quite pivotal. And as I spend more time on ground in a goal.

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Nigeria, I realize a lot of people would not make wreck when I need to address large groups this” and to start planning towards it is what be- that same decision. Despite the challenges, I of people. That was a major fear of mine in ing a wonder woman is about. I know the future am still here doing what I love to do which is addition to driving in Lagos traffic but recently, I want to see and I am working on getting there. impacting lives. I joined a panel in France for Ambition Africa, and it clicked that all these people are here to ON EMPOWERMENT THE EVOLUTION listen to the expertise I had in Entrepreneurial It’s interesting that my passion for the empow- At the beginning of my career, my vision for the programming in Africa and they deserved to erment of Africa fits so nicely into entrepreneur- future was to do good. So I started working in get the best of me and my knowledge. When ship as a tool for sustained development. As an organization where we worked on policies, you are discussing partnerships, you need to go an entrepreneur myself, I have started several bilateral agreements, managing the confer- to the far ends of the globe to tell people what businesses and I understand that my ability to ences where these amazing decisions were tak- you are doing and why they need to join you. If sustain myself in business contributed to the en and I realized I didn’t feel like I was touching you can’t talk about what you do, then probably government through my taxes. That little trickle a life directly. Working in New York was more you’re not convincing them about your work would’ve gone into some public expenditure like a routine - you wake up, go to work, come either. For me I had a pivotal moment when I such as infrastructure. The stories we hear from back. But the moment I made the decision to had to shake off that imposter syndrome that our alumni at the Foundation is why we do come to Nigeria, everything aligned. was holding me back and reminded myself what we do. When we travel across Africa and I moved to Nigeria and started looking for that I believe so much in empowering African we meet young people who tell us amazing opportunities where I could contribute to the entrepreneurs and that helped me get over my stories for instance, we have an alumnus from impact that I wanted to have, and to work fear. Now, the fear of driving in Lagos, that is still Rwanda who when she successfully applied to where I could touch lives. My moving back was being worked on. the Tony Elumelu Foundation, used her seed very intentional and that helped me manage Now as eager as I am to talk to people and un- capital of 5000 USD to buy a little cart to sell a lot of the challenges I faced objectively. No derstand them because ‘people’ are an interest fruits and vegetables. Fast forward to 2020, she matter how difficult it got, I was able to lean of mine, you cannot imagine what it feels like is now the largest exporter of fruits from Rwan- on my friends and family for support. For me, when almost 7,000 entrepreneurs have access da. Or you’ll meet a Ghanaian entrepreneur who I’ve come to understand that overcoming the to your phone number. I wake up sometimes to took his small seed capital and has turned it challenges requires an intentionality to see see hundreds of text and WhatsApp messages into a business that now employs hundreds of every challenge as an opportunity. Be ready from people just seeking advice about their people. They are all contributing, helping their to be open and honest about your challenges businesses, their personal lives or just sending communities and ultimately helping Africa as a and accept help from your support group, let good will messages and that just reinforces whole. For that I am forever going to be excited them know where you need help and be really that I am doing something amazing here, I am for entrepreneurship as a tool for empower- persistent with your dreams. touching lives. ment in Africa. If your desire is to work within the development Beyond speaking publicly, there is also the role space at a certain level and in a certain capacity, of one-on-one engagement about how to find ON BECOMING A WONDER WOMAN start putting in the work to get there. Network success as an entrepreneur across Africa. It’s For any woman aspiring to build her career at relevant events, put your CV and portfolios really interesting how my job has helped me and achieve success, she must first define what out there, look for speaking opportunities, write develop that personal skill. When your job feeds success means to her. She should not use anyarticles on your LinkedIn page, so what it takes your personal goals and ambitions, and that one else as a measure or gauge of her personal to position yourself for the opportunity you ambition then drives the work you do- you’ve level of success. Next, I cannot stress enough seek. That’s what my move back taught me - the found the sweet spot. about how being prepared helps. She needs to way to overcome is by being strategic, planning, show up and be prepared. She needs to have working hard, by being resilient, being really ON TIME MANAGEMENT a strategy or a plan so that when the opportu- focused and really leveraging your support sys- Balance is important in life, so I try to keep a nity arrives, there is no need to second guess tems. Where I am now in terms of career growth balanced schedule that has work, play, catching herself. She will be able to make a move and is certainly not where I aspire to be, I am not up with friends, family time, personal hobby take a decisive action because she’s researched at the peak. Amina J. Mohammed, the Deputy time but sometimes, the most challenging it, she’s planned for it and as part her strategic Secretary General of the United Nations is a role part of my schedule is the schedule itself. With objectives, she’s ready for it. model of mine and I as a way from reaching her work for instance, we have a very lean team, so There is no room in 2020 and beyond for any level. So, let’s see how I can keep pushing to everyone is wearing several hats. As we contin- woman who is just wishing for things to happen become maybe even the Secretary General of ue to grow and scale, the hats get bigger. My to her. Start working towards your goals now so the United Nations. I’m nowhere near where I work includes travelling while still being very that when someone shows up and says “I want envision and I know the future is still unwritten, responsive to issues at the office. Sometimes to give you this opportunity”, you will know so I am excited and eager to continue working. I get scheduled into different meetings at the whether it’s a distraction from your goal you’ve same time regarding three different areas of prepared for or it’s part of the master plan and ON FORMING PARTNERSHIPS collaboration and if not for technology helping you can seize the opportunity. At the Tony Elumelu Foundation, when in part- catch the overlaps and also allowing me virtual For us women, it’s like deciding you want to get nering with other organizations, we practice access to some meetings, it would be a disaster. married by 30, you know when to review the something I call “collaborative philanthropy”. I am grateful to work in a place that has a seriousness of the relationship and when to end We look for likeminded people who have the flexible, forward thinking corporate culture and it if it’s not aligned. We need to put the same en- same vision for developing Africa. However, empowers us with technology to manage our ergy into our professional development. Think as an organization we have a process in place time. The Foundation is the philanthropic arm about your life, what you want from it and make to mitigate our exposure or any liability that of the Heirs Holdings Group and I have yet to a plan and focus actions and behaviors that will could arise from a partnership. KYC (Know identify a better place to work in Nigeria. move you to your goal. Yes, things happen that Your Customer) is quite important but most can distract or derail, but when you have a Plan importantly and tying back to having a strategy VISION FOR THE FUTURE A, B and C, you pivot quickly so the changes and plan is that we partner with people we I am definitely not where I want to be yet. I still don’t break you or end your dreams. have pre identified as reputable and credible in have a lot to learn and beyond the work we order to retain our integrity. As a private sector do, I hope to go back to school (an Ivy League philanthropy, we cannot compromise on that hopefully) for a midcareer professional degree and nor should we. to really put my knowledge to the test, expand my skills and network, improve my leadership OVERCOMING FEARS capabilities and evolve in my world view. I am I may not look it but as comfortable as I am excited about the opportunity to continue speaking to people one-on-one, I’m a nervous learning. The ability to say, “I want to change fli @thesparkng 17 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

THE SPARK EFFECT STEPHANIE OBI THE KNOWLEDGE BROKER

opularly referred to as the Queen of On- P line Courses, Steph- anie has been able to successfully “do it afraid” several times. Despite starting her entrepreneurship journey as a shy person, it was never a dull moment around her as she changed outfits and prepared for her interview. Here, Stephanie shares her successes, failures and her plan for world domination.

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THE EPIPHANY ON OVERCOMING CHALLENGES millennials and many of them need to have I have been an entrepreneur for as far back as I’m a pioneer in this market and this means that online schools but the high cost of engaging I remember. I started my first business in 2004. a lot of the people I was marketing this product a developer to build an online school for them I was in my second year in university and I dis- to, did not even know what online courses has made them pause. In some cases, they covered my passion for making fashion acces- were. They did not believe that they had any- have even invested in developers who have sories. I started a fashion accessories business thing to teach. They did not see how they could disappointed them. With TrainQuarters, they and I continued to run this business all through get paid for their knowledge. don’t have to build from scratch. They can just my time at the university, NYSC, my first job, my I have had to educate and educate and educate. create an account and immediately have an MBA program, and my second job. It doesn’t help that it’s a technology product online school. I ran the business for about eight years, and a lot of women typically freeze up when and then I started to feel a nudge to teach they have to use tech platforms but we have ON EMPOWERMENT other young women how to start their own done a lot of work to make it user friendly. To be I have a huge bias for women because I’m accessories businesses. I wanted them to be honest, it’s been a lot of work, it’s been 6 long drawn to helping them. When I started teach- financially empowered. This experience led me years of consistently casting a vision, educating, ing, my first passion was to help women start into the learning technology world. In a bid to answering questions and I’m glad to see that an accessories business so that they could train more people all across Nigeria, I decided people are finally launching their online cours- become financially empowered. to leverage on technology and I launched an es. They finally get it. When I started teaching women how to create online course so that people could get access and sell online courses, I was still drawn to to my lessons irrespective of where they lived. ON WRITING A BESTSELLER women because I see it as a tool for financial It was supposed to be an experiment but the The most difficult part of writing a book is empowerment. That being said, in the course of results shocked me. People from all over the deciding on what you want to write about. It the year, I have had to expand the scope of my world started paying for my online courses and took me a lot of time to get clear on this and vision. It is now to help a million people earn a I realised that there was an opportunity here. because of this, I had a lot of false starts. I start- million dollars. They can be men or women. ed and stopped, over and over again. Africa needs financially successful men and ON SELF BELIEF Everything changed when I asked myself “why”. women. At the beginning of my career, I believed I could Why do you want to write a book? Is it just be- be successful. I think it came as a result of all cause you want to be an author or do you have PLANS FOR THE FUTURE the times I listened to Bishop David Oyedepo as an important message to share? Our company is transitioning into a support a teenager in Covenant University. I started to For me, I wanted to let people know that they organization for everyone who needs to use see myself as a problem solver who was going can monetize their knowledge. They can build Learning Tech. By learning tech, I’m referring to change the world. At an early age of 26, I a profitable business out of teaching other to any individual or organization who wants to believed I could impact the lives of other ladies people how they have become successful. train hundreds or thousands of people using an like myself and I decided to start organizing This objective influenced what I wrote in the online course or an online school. training workshops. I did not know half the book. I broke it down into three sections. From the training point of view, we want to things I know today but I believed that what I The Big deal about online courses: In this help a million people earn a million dollars from knew was enough to change a life. section, I explained why online education was creating and selling online courses. We have At age 28, I shared my vision at the WimBiz blowing up globally and how it’s such a big the blueprint to make this happen and we are Impact Investment Competition and I won First opportunity. We actually have not scratched the excited about leading them on this journey. Prize. This did a lot to validate my dreams and surface in Africa. From the software point of view, we are creat- so I kept taking one step after the other. Crush Your Mindset Block: In this section, I ing more technology and growing the support It also helped to have a mentor, Tara Fela broke down limiting beliefs that hold people team. For instance, we will keep working on the Durotoye who understood my vision when I back from monetizing their knowledge. functionalities on TrainQuarters so that many of shared it with her and she committed to guide The Course Launched Delivered Method: In this the things that used to be impossible for us to me through the journey. As you know, she also section, I shared my signature framework for do in Africa will now be possible. pioneered the makeup industry in Nigeria and creating and launching online courses. In addition to this, we are also launching a so she understood where I was in my pioneer- When the outline was clear, I then created a digital jobs initiative for millennials because ing journey. writing plan. I wrote for two hours every day, we see that as the industry grows, there will be whether I felt inspired or not. I just opened a greater demand for Curriculum Designers, ON STARTING OUT my laptop and started typing. In 60 days, I had Workbook Designers, Video Lesson Producers, My first business, “Simply Steph”, taught me completed my manuscript. Course Launch Strategists, etc. We plan to train, a lot about entrepreneurship. I used to be certify and recommend them for job opportuni- extremely shy. I struggled with the fear of rejec- ON IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS ties in the global industry. tion and it was difficult to confidently market When we started working with people in the my products. Course Launched Delivered program, I noticed ON BECOMING A WONDER WOMAN In that business, I learnt what it means to have that many of them struggled with the technical You don’t have to have it all figured out, just an ideal client who has a problem that your aspect of launching an online course. keep taking one step after the other. Clarity business solves. If you don’t market your prod- Personally, I have a First Class in Computer Sci- comes from taking action but you have to trust ucts to her, she won’t find you and she will keep ence and so it’s very easy for me to understand the process. Don’t ignore the little nudging in struggling with her problem. So it’s not about technology. I easily built my online school and your heart. whether you feel shy, entrepreneurship is a call I did not realise that it would be difficult for to service. others. I learnt about how to have a unique value prop- When I started helping other women launch osition and how that helps you to stand out their own online courses, I saw them struggling I have a huge bias for women in the face of stiff competition. I learnt about to build an online school and so we started because I’m drawn to helping pricing, branding, packaging, accounting, etc. helping them. It was a lot to learn and I used to read business At first, we would build it for them one by one them. When I started teaching, books to keep up. It however excited me and but this system was not scalable and so we I desired to learn more about business. I went decided to build a white label online school my first passion was to help on to get an MBA from the prestigious Lagos that anyone can easily customize. All you have women start an accessories Business School but I’m still a student of entre- to do is to create an account and customise it to preneurship. your brand. business so that they could be- We also found that corporate organizations had the same gap. They also have to train come financially empowered. fli @thesparkng 19 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

Learning is a life-long process, continue to develop yourself, stay focused and humble. Continue to seek to be a better version of yourself as you have been uniquely made by God.

THE SPARK EFFECT BUKOLA SMITH THE UNCOMPROMISING LEADER

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ot every Executive I have realized that these challenges are confidently scale up their business. In the only as big as we make them. last one year, over 2,000 women have Director is lively I remember an incidence that could have been trained on building a profitable N enough to dance at truncated my career growth. I made a and sustainable business, 240 have gone a photoshoot like decision that resulted in a loss for the through our mentorship and coaching institution I worked for at the time. I imme- programs while 120 of them have been Bukola Smith. As the Exec- diately owned up to the error and carried offered the zero-interest loan to expand utive Director of Business my supervisors along on steps to ensure their business. The impact has been great Development at FCMB, Buko- non-recurrence. This and the fact that I both for our customers and the bank. We had consistently made profit in the bank have seen more women coming forward la is proof that focus and faith saved my job. This re-enforced a value I to borrow more confidently and a better are important ingredients grew up with which was, “never attempt to understanding of financial management for success. In this interview, cover the truth, no matter the price”, and it amongst those that we have trained. We has helped me all through my career. are encouraged and plan to do a lot more she reveals her growth as a this year. banker and commitment to ON LEARNING AND GROWTH mentorship. For me knowledge is power. I will only A COMMITMENT TO IMPACT LIVES stop learning when I die which is why de- A few years ago, I conducted a research STARTING OUT spite my busy schedule, I still seek knowl- with three other people on why women I was a shy young lady and quite introvert- edge. I read, research and attend courses dropped out of banking at middle man- ed (well I still am) who was fully focused to keep myself updated about new agement level. We saw that this period on work, nothing much seemed to be developments in the market. I am a fellow coincides with the period in their lives more important than work. One of my se- of the Chartered Institute of Accountants when they got married and had children. nior colleagues many years ago wondered (ICAN), I have an MBA and have a number I became passionate about mentoring if I will ever get married or have a family of certifications. I learn from everyone to reduce this impact. I plan to continue given the length of time I spent at work. I and anyone whether young, old, junior or mentoring and replicate myself in more come from a strict but very loving family, senior as I know that everyone that comes people in banking, especially women. I will so growing up was fantastic, full of love, my way has some information to enrich guide them through their chosen career contentment and discipline. My parents my knowledge base in one shape or form. paths or provide guidance to help them placed a lot of emphasis on academics make good career choices, marital and and without necessarily forcing me, they EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH general life decisions to ensure they attain helped guide my career choice - my dad SHEVENTURES their life goals and avoid the common is an Economist while my mum is a retired Female entrepreneurs are saddled with mistakes most young people make early in Banker. limited access to funding, fear of borrow- their lives. I will also continue to push my I studied Economics in school. Being an ing and not being able to repay due to the organization to have more women-friend- Economist has given me a broad perspec- high prevailing interest rate, balancing ly policies that will help them climb the ca- tive to life and business while accountancy responsibilities, relatively lower levels of reer ladder. In addition to these, I’m part of helped me focus on finance and strategy. financial literacy in comparison to their an organization which mentors secondary I am one of those fortunate people who male counterparts, unfavourable business school students on career choices, I will knew exactly what she wanted; I have environment, lack of access to collateral to continue to provide support for them. always wanted to be a Banker. My vision secure loans timidity and fear of failure. for my career was to get to the top, I am In less than 2 years, SheVentures has ON BECOMING A WONDER WOMAN still on the journey but confident that I will impacted businesses, given out loans, I attribute my success to my faith in God, make it to the pinnacle of my career by the mentored, provided networking opportu- He has blessed me and shown me favour, grace of God. Earlier in my career, people nities and trained hundreds of women in so I will say, do not neglect God. Learning including my supervisors always said they business. We are still in our infancy stage, is a life-long process, continue to devel- saw me reaching great heights in the but we are very excited about the progress op yourself, stay focused and humble. industry primarily because of my focus, we have made within this short period. Continue to seek to be a better version of commitment and doggedness. Leveraging on our extensive experience in yourself as you have been uniquely made building and supporting local and nation- by God. Do not be in competition with ON DEALING WITH CHALLENGES al businesses over the years, we recently anyone but yourself, enjoy what you do, I started my career with FSB international launched a zero-interest loan, where watch out for opportunities and please be Bank and worked there for 8 years before short-term working capital loans are happy. moving to Fidelity. I worked at Fidelity given to select micro and medium-sized bank for 6 years before moving to FCMB. female-owned entities to assist them to Interestingly FSB and Fidelity merged scale up their businesses. about a year before I left for FCMB. The Understanding that collateral is a major challenges are numerous, however most issue, we have risk-sharing arrangements important to me is that I believe that chal- with our partners, which enables us to lenges are simply a part of our daily lives, minimize the request for collateral. We so when I am faced with a challenge; big have an SME advisory team that provides or small, I simply focus on finding a solu- advice in different areas of business tion as quickly as possible - a solution that including equity raising, taxation and serves all parties concerned and ensures human resource management to SMEs that the work is not hindered. Over time, including female-owned, helping them fli @thesparkng 21 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

THE SPARK EFFECT NGOVER IHYEMBE- NWANKWO THE RELATIONSHIP BUILDER

As the Head of Cov- erage, Rand Mer- P chant Bank, Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo has been a force to reckon with in her career. Not only is she an expert in building and maintaining relationships in her industry, but her pleasant personality and willingness to connect with others could not be hidden at the studio. In this interview, she shares her journey to remarkable success and gives pointers on building a successful career.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE My vision of the future was to be in a role that Every day I see women allowed me to give back and influence our society. I always thought that I would be speaking doing amazing things. or doing something that helped to make life I see phenomenal better - better for the less privileged and better for women in particular. entrepreneurs. I see Before I started my career and leadership journey, I thought I would be doing something women in my field political. I thought I would be an activist and who, despite the odds then I started working in the financial services sector. I saw that I could make a difference in my against them, have role and that’s what I have always tried to do. I have seen that my roles, the different things I risen to top positions. have done and the people I have worked with have helped to hone my leadership skills, helped me to learn how to manage people and helped me to embrace diversity. I have learnt that you really need to understand where people come

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from and that variety is truly a spice of life. together as a family. That I believe has been the you. Reach out to friends, family and colleagues. I have always known that I needed to put in my driver for success. Get lesson teachers where you need, get do- put my best in whatever I did and wherever I mestic help where you can. Don’t feel you have found myself. Did I specifically think I will be ON BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS to do it on your own and if you have to take a sitting here today as the Chairperson of the Relationship building is an art and a science. break just to sort yourself out then by all means WimBiz Council or the Head of Coverage at Clearly you need to have trust, be knowledge- do it. Do what works for you. Rand Merchant Bank? In a sense, yes and no. able, have empathy, intuition and be vulnerable When I daydream, I do see myself being in when getting to know people. My style of ON LEISURE interesting positions. At the same time with relationship building has always been seeking My schedule has been quite interesting partic- any role I have taken I have always seen that I first to understand before I am understood. This ularly over the past few months and it makes will be successful. So what’s the next level? The involves my clients, stakeholders, colleagues, leisure time almost impossible. But, again I have next level is sometimes defined, sometimes regulators and investors. I try to pinpoint what’s a really phenomenal partner who almost man- undefined but my goal has always been to do driving the different segments I deal with, what dates that we take time away. I also try to keep the best that I can with what I have and that’s they would like to see and then I try to under- part of my weekends free so I can be at home how I live my life each day. stand their perspectives while still being firm because I really need that time to de-stress and Have I reached the pinnacle? No, I’m still on a and pushing through what I want to achieve. use my phone. I try to take breaks from my de- NGOVER journey. It is about waking up each day, being It has always been a bit of give and take, a bit vices particularly on the weekend so I can think intentional, putting in my best and believing of push and pull, and always going back to and be still. I try to commune with God through that all things work together for good. reflect on the day to see where you have erred, quality time, praying, reflecting, thinking and IHYEMBE- where you need to mend, where you have done I find that God has been awesome. I know it’s well and where you can replicate the next day. cliché but He has honestly been awesome to ON CAREER EVOLUTION It’s just about waking up every morning and me, helping me find time when I thought I I studied Combined Social Sciences, Economic making an effort to be better than you were the didn’t, creating space when it looked impossi- NWANKWO Philosophy and Politics which sort of gave me day before. ble, giving me opportunities to travel for work a very strong background and a foundation to but still have time to breathe and reflect. work effectively in financial services. I had a very THE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT JOURNEY curious mind. I think curiosity and willingness I’m the first from a family of three girls, but ON BECOMING A WONDER WOMAN to learn, to see things from the perspective of growing up, I never saw a difference between For other wonder women aspiring to build others has also helped me in my career to forge men and women. My parents pushed each of their careers, give it your best every day. Make relationships and to think outside the box. All us to achieve. I didn’t really see restrictions on your performance count because you need to these are very necessary to support clients on what I could do as a woman. As I grew older, it deliver. You need to be deliberate about what their journey but it still helps me stay focused became clear that not everybody had the same you want to do and what your brand is. Your on my developmental goal from a macro opportunity and background. brand is exceptional performance, integrity and perspective. I really believe I was put on the earth to do all the qualities that you will want an employee I started off my career working with Citi bank, my best to reduce inequality in one way or to exhibit. Be clear on where you want to go, with the cash management team, handling the other, even if I could only use my voice where you see yourself and how you want to collections across the nation, using partner and speak up for what’s right. Every day I see grow your business. banks and going to interesting parts of Nigeria. women doing amazing things. I see phenome- Be deliberate, take the baby steps, seek as much As I grew in my career, I transitioned to do a nal entrepreneurs. I see women in my field who, help as possible, read as widely as possible, ask number of other activities. I did electronic bank- despite the odds against them, have risen to questions, put yourself out there, join networks. ing, trade, corporate finance and transactional top positions. By all means join WimBiz, take advantage of the banking. I moved on to being a relationship I see young women who are doing it afraid. I see things we do; we have mentorship programs, manager which essentially is what I do today in women building companies. I see the struggles masterclasses, the woman on board program different scopes. they go through but I also see their triumphs. I for women who want to get into board posi- As I have transitioned, what has always kept me see them climb, pushing against the odds and tions. For almost every level of your career and focused and helped me to grow is benchmark- that makes me smile. It makes me so happy and business, WimBiz has programs that you can ing myself with my peers in the industry and so proud to see these tribe of women pushing, be a part of. If you feel you have reached a level with what my clients’ expectations are. I have pulling each other and standing in the gap and you want to give back, WimBiz also gives realized that clients want someone who is just helping, supporting, providing capital and the opportunity to volunteer and give back. knowledgeable in financial services and can sometimes just showing up. They serve as role I would say make sure your performance is top- provide value to their business. models and other women can look up to them. notch. Be clear about where you want to go, set I am still very passionate about Nigeria, eco- a path for yourself and be true to that path. Take nomic growth and moving things forward. In a ON BALANCE advantage of the resources available to you. nutshell, my degree really helped open my eyes I have to admit; balance is very difficult. I have Create lasting networks, reach out to people, and it has been very helpful throughout my a 10-year-old and a 4-year-old. I have been support them and they will also support you. career as a Banker. married for 16 years and I have worked right through it. I have been very fortunate to have ON LEADERSHIP an amazing husband, Nnamdi, who has been From a leadership perspective I have always my biggest cheerleader, my biggest Voltron and tried to be authentic to myself and to develop a my biggest critic. So the days when I am giving leadership style that I can replicate easily. I have up or not giving it my best, he calls me out and always tried to be firm, fair and to lead by ex- forces me to be a better person. He steps in to ample. I show the team that I deeply care, that handle some areas that I am not able to. My there is a vision we are all aligned to and work parents are also very supportive and provide with them to leverage their individual strengths help and guidance. I have two amazing sisters to come together. who also support me and I have a phenomenal I try to connect with my team on a personal lev- tribe of women. el and push each person to contribute. I value When I have the opportunity to spend time diversity and I know it is important that we have with them, I try to be present. I admit it is tough people who see things from different perspec- but it is choice and I do it. I know it is tough, so tives. This has helped us keep our ideas fresh, I just want to encourage everyone to stay in the avoid potential bad situations and brought us game. Create a network that supports and loves

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THE SPARK EFFECT VICTORIA NDIDIAMAKA UWADOKA THE ENDEARING COMMUNICATOR

ith over 18 years of expe- W rience in corporate communications, Victoria Ndidiamaka Uwadoka is a leader and expert in her field. As Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, Victo- ria is passionate about driving growth opportunities. Her cheerful personality and ability to connect with everyone during the interview was second to none. In this interview, she shares her eclectic career journey, the need to dream and her rise to success.

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ON STARTING OUT are doing here and now, right where you are.” and life all the time? I am not so sure. There are In the beginning, I was a seeker and dreamer. That has really helped me ‘give my all’ to every a few things I am sure of however. Like many other people I imagine, I was at job I have had the privilege to do, including my We have one life and we express ourselves in a point where I wasn’t quite sure who I was. current role. different ways, in different spheres of relation- I tried very hard to be everything I thought I started out as the Personal Assistant to the ships. Sometimes there is a lot more to do in everybody wanted me to be, to fit the mold CEO of a Logistics company and was promot- one sphere of responsibility or relationship than that was prescribed for me, to align to the rules, ed to the Operations team. Six months later, I the others. At those times, it is important to be regulations and expectations of others. And yet, became the International Operations manager. clear about what matters most in order to make the desire to follow my dreams was there. I was I knew that I really didn’t want to remain in the the right decision. I have learnt to prioritize and blessed with the opportunity to explore, to try Logistics business, but I gave it my best. focus on what matters at every point in time so many different things until I found out which From Logistics, I had stints in Beauty and and to focus my energy on getting that done. was truly me. Healthcare, then on to Nollywood, and to con- My relationship with God is very important to For instance, in secondary school I always tent production for TV, then music. me. My family is very important to me, and I dreamt that I’d go on to get a Master’s degree I then spent about ten years in the ICT industry make the effort to be a present, intentional par- and then work as a Diplomat. Then I decided before joining the food and beverages industry ent. Church is very important to me. My job is that I really wanted to be on TV. At a point when in 2016. Transitioning from ICT to F&B was very important to me. Can I pay equal attention I watched Oprah’s shows, I was SURE I wanted quite an experience … I love food, so that really to all of them at the same time? No. to host my own talk show. I was an explorer and helped, lol. I have learnt so much about the I pay more attention to who/what needs my a seeker until I discovered what I really wanted food industry and I’m amazed at the opportu- attention at various times and I’m intentional to do. nities that exist for innovation and renovation. I about that. I have since figured out that it doesn’t really am having the time of my life! I have served in Church for over 20 years and I matter what you study as a first degree. It is just One thing that has helped is being prepared am very passionate about that. I build my life the foundation. You build your career based when the opportunities came knocking! Invest- around my relationship with God, my family on who you discover yourself to be and what ing in personal development is important. It is and my job. My work in Church comes from you love. Leaving school and starting out in my true that sometimes people are prepared but a place of love and gratitude. God has been career, I discovered that I really wanted to be a the opportunities don’t show up; this is where gracious and kind to me. The least I can do is to Communicator; I wanted to be a connector. grace comes in. also be there for others, to help them find this When I worked as the PR manager for IKB higher and better life. That’s why I do what I do Industries, I wanted to learn more about this ex- ON LEADERSHIP in Church. citing profession, so I took a professional course To me, leadership is about achieving results Another important thing I have learnt about at the Nigeria institute of Journalism just to with others while helping them achieve their achieving balance is making time for yourself! understand PR better. This is when I discovered dreams and objectives. Leadership is a journey There are times when you need a break, be wise so much to love in Public Relations. Finally I had and a process. It is also about continuous, and take time off. Sometimes you need time found where I wanted to build a career. If I had intentional learning and self-development. It is just for you. You need to create the time and to choose, I will pick it over again. about genuine interest in people and in their space to recoup your energy in order to be the development. There are couple of things that best for everyone around you. ON EDUCATION have helped me on my journey. I studied International Languages - Modern Eu- I believe that everyone has potential and that ON BECOMING A WONDER WOMAN ropean Languages as it was called at that time, if equipped with the right skills and given the Be true to yourself, have a vision, write it down, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. What I re- right opportunities they can achieve their engrave it in your mind. Don’t be distracted, ally wanted was to study Mass Communication dreams if they really want to. I have learnt to continue learning. Volunteer and learn. What- and work on television, but I didn’t make the recognize those who want to fly. ever you do, keep your dream in front of you. JAMB cut-off mark. By the end of my first year I also believe strongly that leadership is not by Don’t let anything kill your dream because at studying the French Language, I was hooked! I force. It is not about you. It is about those who the end of the day your sense of self-worth is wanted to continue exploring this exciting new choose you as their leader. You can be a boss knowing you fulfilled your destiny and you did world of French Literature and Civilization. and not a leader. You can only lead those who it right. Just keep it real and if you fall down get Russian language was actually an elective. I was choose you. This is a humbling truth for me, and up. Whatever you do, don’t stop. in shock in my first lecture – I kept wondering I do not take it for granted. what I was doing there! Imagine … I discovered One very important thing is that I do not take that I had to learn how to learn new alphabets Grace for granted. Grace has brought me to the in Russian! It was like starting school all over right place at the right time. Grace has helped again. I remember breaking into tears in one me out of tight corners when there seemed to of my lectures and needed counseling to get it be no way out. all together, lol … Anyway, I made up my mind to give it my best shot and discovered it was ON HOBBIES a beautiful language of a people with a rich I love to read, I love writing … this is one of history. my happy places. I read fiction-psychological Being bi-lingual has certainly been an advan- thrillers and courtroom sagas, romance. I read tage in my career. The majority of countries in business books, marketing, communications, the west and central Africa are francophone. personal-development, everything. But there is Yes, fluency in the French language gave me one book that has made and continues to make more opportunities in the sub-region. The a lot of impact in my life: The Bible. It’s definitely communication skills were a plus too! a must-read. Another book I would strongly recommend to Be true to yourself, have a THE MANY FACES OF CAREER everyone who wants to take charge of their At the beginning of my work-life, I won’t say lives is “Recreating Your World” by Reverend vision, write it down, engrave career, I just needed a job so I could meet my Chris Oyakhilome. It helps me to refocus and it in your mind. Don’t be financial responsibilities. I wasn’t sure exactly plan for the year ahead. I read it over where I was headed, but early on, I learnt a and over again. distracted, continue learning. lesson from one of my mentors who said to me, “Don’t keep your eyes on where you want ON STRIKING A BALANCE Whatever you do, keep your to go next, be focused on here and now. Allow A lot has been said about work-life balance, but dream in front of you yourself to explore and be the best at what you can you really strike a balance between work fli @thesparkng 25

The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

If music is a woman, a single note is her as a little girl - everyone anticipates her evo- Something amazing lution into a nursery rhyme. happens when you’re just As a teenage girl, she shows signs of promise but unsure of being yourself - people how to blossom into a melody. By the time she’s a young adult, she understands her start to connect with you potential but still needs context to become on a deeper level. a meaningful musical phrase. As a resilient young woman, she is like an unfinished song - not fully formed but knows where she is heading. That unfinished tune evolves into a completed masterpiece which is like the essence of a woman - built from experiences that have shaped her. Music is a woman, we are all who we are because she is who she is.

From the age of 4, I was already singing along to Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder CD’s my FREESTYLE Dad played after school. Piano and violin lessons were initially a nightmare but I eventually took them seriously. I moved away to boarding school where I started writing songs and taking formal vocal training classes. At 10, my Dad Kaliné Akinkugbe bought me music production software and Music Is A Woman that’s when producing my own music became From the age of 4, I was already showing signs that I a daily routine. could become a musician. I paid a bit too much atten- I finished high school in England and began a tion to CD’s my dad played in the house and I took my new phase of my life studying Business Man- agement in Imperial College, London. Being classical piano and violin training very seriously. 1 of 2 musicians in a sea of Business-oriented students pushed me harder to create music Stay Connected to Your Foundation being yourself - people start to connect with outside of class. Luckily my degree didn’t suffer. I spent 2 broke years teaching piano to little you on a deeper level. I graduated and then applied for a scholarship kids, playing shows in dive bars, restaurants Know Your Strengths and Delegate to study Film Scoring at Berklee College of and even doing odd jobs over and over again. It My first degree gave me an appetite for strate- Music in Boston. was so unfulfilling and demoralising, network- gy and marketing that helped a lot during my klee was where I started to become more self- ing and performing didn’t seem to produce self- management years. 10 years of managing aware. I was experimenting with my sound; much fruit. I got prematurely impatient and myself gave me a lot of confidence even with combining my evolving skills as a pianist and moved back to Lagos. What helped with the very little human resources. But I’ve recently vocalist. My exams were so fun; they involved transition was that I never lost a connection learned how important it is to delegate and ask writing songs, performing them, conducting with home. Having been away for 13 years, for help. No man is an island after all. orchestras and producing concerts. Every day I was always coming back for holidays; perform- at school was magical. Bumping into John ing, meeting with producers, having studio Tell Your Story Mayer, Quincy Jones, India Arie in hallways was sessions. I never lost sight of the idea that I may If you don’t tell your story, people will find a no big deal. Berklee really helped me build my end up building a career in Nigeria. So when story that fits their perception of you and make confidence as a performer and composer, so I came back, it wasn’t that I was a brand new it your story. Don’t let the status-quo be your when I graduated and moved to New York, I artist from outer space. I had a presence already guide when you’re making career decisions. thought I was ready to become a star. Little did and that provided a soft landing. People expect what they are familiar with; I know it really was just the beginning. singles, music videos, an album. But every story My journey has been like a classroom, a series Be Flexible is different so figure out what yours is and tell it of teachable moments every step of the way I was always waiting for the perfect time, the in the best way that will resonate with who you and I learnt the following: perfect opportunity - always wanting every are trying to reach. If back then I had known single thing to be aligned with my value system what I know now about becoming an industry Take The Road Less Travelled with Confi- and standards. Life teaches you quite quickly expert, I would’ve acted on my creative ideas a dence that nothing can be perfect and you have to lot quicker. When you embark on a journey, everyone tells navigate around mediocrity a lot of the time. you that you need to know where you are go- Once I started to be more flexible, I saw my ca- Dear Creative Entrepreneur, ing. No one ever really talks to you about your reer shift. I started to make room for things that You are a genius. That idea you have sleepless mental capacity and how your mind is really were out of my control and became more capa- nights about, that makes you anxious, scared the driving force for a lot that will happen in ble of handling things better under pressure. but also excited… that’s what you should be your life. Being an artist that makes completely going after. It’s in you for a reason and you different music to what is considered ‘popular’ Be Intentional Amidst the Noise would be surprised how many people need in Nigeria might seem like an uphill battle un- In the age of social media, I’ve had my fair you to act on it. Don’t see that as pressure. See less you truly believe in what you do and what share of breakdowns when it comes to the that as purpose. Stop second guessing and just your music can do for others. It takes a few ‘comparison trap’. “He’s doing this, why am I act. Fall and get back up again. Yes. Fall and believers to build a community and it takes a not doing that?”, “She has 10 videos out, I don’t get back up again. Didn’t you know that’s what community to eventually build a world’s worth even have 1”. What helps is being intentional. being a star is all about?! See you in the highest of supporters who are invested in your journey. When I started to dig deeper into what makes heights. me ‘me’, my output became more focused. And something amazing happens when you’re just fli @thesparkng 27 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

SPECIAL FEATURE

Push yourself, because the one person who will push you has got to be you.

The Making of a Wonder Woman Adenike Adebola

s the Marketing and Innovation bring everything I learnt from school to life, so because I was a little brainy. I tried to get into Director at Guinness Nigeria, Adenike I jumped at it. I was very lucky to be working university but my first trial with JAMB was not Adebola is an accomplished marketer with people who were very supportive. My role good enough for medicine. However, I was with a proven record in marketing was very simple back in the day, I was in the syr- determined not to stay at home. I applied and Astrategy and business leadership. Her creativity up room and all I was required to do was ensure was admitted into the Federal Polytechnic at at work proves her innovative idea generating that we had the right recipe. I made sure we Ado Ekiti to study Food Technology and though process. In this interview, she takes us through followed the standard in terms of making the at the time it was a stop gap for the year, some- her ideation process and her successful climb batches of Pepsi and 7UP at that time in Ibadan. how, I loved it and stayed with it. That was how as a leader. I do not think it was really something that I Food Technology became my path. Leaving planned out, I was just so happy to be out of school, it was important to stay with the Food Q: Your first job was as a Syrup Room school and doing something for myself, getting industry because I studied and nothing more. I Assistant at Seven up Bottling Plc. You were on with my life. So I dedicated myself to it fully, started first at UAC in the fast food business as about starting life as they say, entering made friends and learnt as much as I could. a Mr. Biggs restaurant manager. I was about 24 the marketplace. How was your first work years old when I joined UAC. I had about 25-30 experience like? Q: You seem to have a passion for the Food people working in my team and reporting to Adenike: Okay that was my NYSC placement and Beverage industry looking at your me. It was quite a daunting task. Nothing really job. I was excited about getting out of school, career path. How has this journey been for prepared me for that. I was on that job for three doing something for myself and being respon- you? years. My experience at Mr. Biggs made me sible for something. I studied food technology. Adenike: Before school, I wanted to be a more resilient with the drive to survive, to do It was really all about getting a chance to medical doctor; that’s what my dad wanted well and excel.

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In the early days, I struggled a little. The people about yesterday. I give each day everything to my kids. That is probably the one thing that on my team at the time were older and you it needs for me to succeed because I believe I am most grateful for. I also feel very proud know how that can be. However, I respected strongly that you have to be proud of every- of the young men and women who I have them, learnt from them as quickly as I could, thing you do. I do not believe in half measures crossed paths with in the course of work. When while leading the team at the same time. The and I do not believe in throwing an opportunity I look around me, I see a lot of young people biggest challenge I remember having was first; away or throwing a moment away. who I have worked with doing so well. I love adequately accounting for the money after However, I believe that how we handle our that! It gives me so much joy and fulfilment to each day’s sales. Second was the challenge moments and opportunities is a choice and see them flourish in their careers. I just feel so of maintaining standards which was very we should be deliberate about it. So, make proud to be a part of their story and to have important to Mr Biggs. I did not leave anything your day count and go as far as you can. I impacted them no matter how small. Don’t to chance, I had this “Nothing can beat me” atti- want to enjoy that feeling every day. I do not get me wrong, not all the relationships on my tude. I was managing Mr. Biggs at the AP Filling carry over yesterday’s failures or what I did not journey have been that fruitful and sometimes I Station on Oba Akran Road, Ikeja. I remember manage to get well yesterday into the next; wish I did more but that is life. as a 24 year old walking from Ikeja bus stop to because every day presents a clean slate. That my outlet, psyching myself up every morning as simple philosophy is a big part of how I get Q: How would you advise other Wonder I walked down the road to the office, reassuring my energy. Also, my dad is a big part of who I Women aspiring to build a career like you myself that I needed to be a firm no nonsense am today. He trained my siblings and I to take have? leader to be successful so that by the time I got responsibility for our lives and choices. “Do not Adenike: Be true to yourself. As women, we to work I was in the zone and ready. blame nobody”, he always says. When you walk sometimes make mistakes and we are apolo- Now, thinking about those experiences, I laugh away from a fight, it is your choice to do so. If getic about who we are. Being “emotional” is but truly, they shaped and prepared me for you stand to fight, it’s also your choice, so be not a disease, it’s a strength. It is funny to see greater challenges. In the course of doing my prepared to accept the outcome, be it good, that sometimes when men disagree, everyone work, I got lucky and was spotted by the MD. bad or ugly. moves on but when two women disagree, I got additional responsibilities as Training people say they are emotional and cannot manager and was required to recruit for Mr. Q: Being the Marketing and Innovation work together. Why is that? I believe that we Biggs outlets as the brand started to expand Director of Guinness Nigeria is a huge are girls for a reason and there is nothing to be across Nigeria. Later on, the Brand Manager’s responsibility. How do you make important apologetic about. I cry when I feel like crying, I role in UAC became vacant and I was appointed decisions and embrace risk taking? Do you raise my voice when I feel like raising my voice, into the role. That was the beginning of my have a goal setting process you believe in? I shake my head when I want to shake my head journey with marketing. I left UAC in 2005 and Adenike: When you have responsibility to a and do whatever because that is who I am. I do joined Guinness Nigeria as a brand manager for team, to brands, or to an organization, such re- not have to act like a man, to be successful or Guinness Smooth and that was fun. sponsibility must not be taken lightly because make an impact. My femininity is part of what it is a privilege. Decision making is about a few I bring to the table and I rock it because it is a Q: You have created campaigns such as “Let’s elements. I would put ‘trusting your intuition’ as part of how I lead and influence. Delight Them” for Mr Biggs and also been number one, and I do not play with that. Then Two, push yourself. The world does not make responsible for different projects. You have a there is data. I do not like to dwell too much on room for girls by default. Do not cut corners very creative and innovative mind. Can you data and facts, I look at it but I look at it really and expect that someone would open the ca- run us through your thinking process? How quickly. I know that data plays an important reer door for you because you are a girl or make do you generate innovative ideas? part, but you must get to a stage where you room to be extra nice to you and move you Adenike: I always like to start by asking “what can also trust your intuition and use that to ahead. Push yourself, because the one person is the problem?”, “what am I trying to solve?” In move quickly because things are moving very who will push you has got to be you. Do not the end, it is all about the outcome. Sometimes, fast in the world. I like having multiple plans for come to work and make excuses, be demand- the answer to the problem is so close to you a scenario. If I am acting out one plan, I have ing of yourself, not because you are competing but you may not realize or recognize it because multiple plans ready to go. I also have a few with anyone, but because you can be more you are not paying attention. Once I have paint- trusted people who I bounce things off because and do more. Be fearlessly ambitious, there is ed that bigger picture, I get on with it. I tend I know I can be very impulsive which leads me nothing wrong with ambition. to navigate by it nonstop, but I like to always to the other very important principle… “To your The third is to work hard but be nice, it is very get to a place of conviction on the insight and own self, be true”. If there is someone you do important. I constantly remind myself about therefore what must shift. For example, “Let’s not deceive, it is yourself. Therefore, know your getting the right balance between being driven delight them” was about shifting customer strengths and weaknesses, be accountable to and being considerate because that can be complaints and getting the team to care about yourself and take responsibility for your actions. hard in a performance-driven environment. their role in delivering that. The greatest ideas Failure to do that is the worst nightmare that In summary be driven, be considerate and be come from trying to solve the problems that we you can imagine. your “emotional” self. I use “emotional” here face every day. I have been quite fortunate with because that’s what most people call it, but for the brands I work with. Malta Guinness Street Q: You have accomplished a lot in your me it is actually ‘heart’. This balance is often a Dance was also similar and it delivered very career. What accomplishments will you con- dilemma for women, but I believe we can find a strong results for the brand in terms of equity. sider most significant? rhythm and visible authenticity helps to unlock Adenike: Honestly it’s difficult for me to that rhythm. I have to say that my authenticity Q: Your climb to leadership has been very answer that question because for me every gets me into trouble sometimes because I wear progressive, what were the challenges and day is a new one. At every point, whatever it my heart on my sleeve, but God always helps barriers you experienced rising to lead- is that I am doing at that time is the one most me wiggle out of it. The authenticity with which ership? How did you reach your level of significant thing to me. It is difficult for me to you come at relationships will create room for success? actually answer that question because first and people to trust your intent which helps. Some Adenike: I have been privileged to work on foremost, it is about family and life. I am quite people say you have to see the future from amazing brands and also with amazing people passionate about my kids and being a role here, I don’t know about that. I always take on my team. These individuals are not just my model to them in terms of their outlook to life. things one step at a time and focus on being colleagues but friends, and we have done great I want them to be responsible to themselves, the best that I can be. I put my energy in right things together. However, it is not always rosy. to their immediate environment and generally now, right here and I give it everything. I do At times, we fail and sometimes it feels like we be good human beings. I am a big believer in not overly think about what comes next, who are not making enough progress. Because I changing the world with the little things you do is next or who is impeding my way to the next keep pushing, my colleagues sometimes ask in your small environment. Despite how heavy promotion. I do not waste my time on things I me about where I get the energy. For me, I treat and challenging work can be at least for me have no control over. each day as it comes and I do not bother myself now, it is important to me that I am still a friend fli @thesparkng 29 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

y earliest recollec- passed away during our time worries. She always made time. tion of Dr. Maya back in Nigeria - she’d promised As I sat in the Chapel that day, Angelou was when her she would take care of my I listened as each dignitary ap- I was about 8 years father as if he were her own. proached the podium to share An Ode to Mold. My family had moved to This is exactly what she did. She their memories and reflections. Winston-Salem, a small college was a woman of her word. As each person spoke, a theme town in North Carolina in the started to emerge. From Cicely Maya United States. My father had re- When I received my admission Tyson who spoke about how cently been appointed to a po- to New York University for my Aunty had traveled miles by sition at Wake Forest University graduate studies, I called Aunty road to surprise her at a show Angelou – the same university where Dr. to let her know. A few months (even though walking had Angelou taught as a professor later, I received a call from become difficult for her) to of American Studies. At such her assistant letting me know Oprah Winfrey who shared how a young age, I had no context Aunty wanted me to spend a Aunty would always pick up her for who Dr. Angelou was other night with her at her Harlem calls when she needed some than the fact that she was a brownstone. I remember words of encouragement or beautifully tall woman with feeling lucky that she’d some- advice; everyone had a story of a voice that could command how had the time in her busy her giving them the gift of time. any room. She connected with schedule to personally host my I realized at that moment that my family based on our shared 21-year old self. I would later I’d never considered the fact experiences in West Africa (she realize that she didn’t have the that Aunty had done what she’d had lived in Ghana for three time, she made the time. The done for my family for count- years and my grandmother had day I arrived at her beautiful less others. “How did she do it? strong roots in Ghana where jewel box of a home, I found How?” I kept asking myself. she was raised and of course, her sitting by the kitchen island As we walked out of the Chapel we were from Nigeria – the where she was overseeing the that day, I remember feeling neighbor next door). Dr. Ange- preparation of lunch. I joined that even in her passing, Aunty Maya Angelou lou soon became “Aunty Maya” her there and we ate and talked had somehow managed to Image credit for Maya Angelou: biography.com – a family friend and neighbor about my plans and to this day, teach one last lesson. For me, whom we visited often. I remember vividly how inter- her legacy reaches far beyond ested she was in everything I her literary works. For me, her For me, Thanksgivings were had to say. The next day, she greatest legacy was her ability the most memorable of these told me that I would be escort- to gift so many of us her time visits. In the beginning, we ing her to an event and so we – the most precious com- would gather in her home with got dressed and I soon found modity. Aunty never allowed other guests and marvel at the myself in a room surrounded by her celebrity to diminish her culinary spread often prepared faces I’d only seen in magazines connections with those around by Aunty herself. The guests and on TV. She introduced me her. She intentionally found a at Thanksgiving continued to as her “niece”. I’ll never, ever way to create time and room grow and we soon spilled out forget that weekend. for countless people in her of her dining room and into a heart and in her mind. She tent in her backyard where we On May 28, 2014 – Aunty Maya made sure so many of us felt would gather for years to come. passed away at the age of 86. I seen and heard. This is what I’ll Oyeyemi We eventually moved back got the news alert as I was sit- always remember about her. to Nigeria for a few years and ting in a hair salon. I burst into This is the part of her I’ll always during that time, we remained tears. I cried for days. I felt the carry with me. in touch with Aunty who would loss deeply. For me, the only send thoughtful, handwritten silver lining of that day was the Since her passing, I often find letters asking about the family. recollection that my father had myself challenging myself to Immanuel Up until then, I still only knew visited Aunty just a few weeks do better with making time her as my graceful and warm prior and she had requested for those in my life. I learned to American aunty who threw that he call each of us since she practice mindful listening and fabulous dinner parties. It hadn’t seen us as much since have grown to have a genuine wasn’t until 1993 when I saw we graduated and moved to interest in the stories and her on TV delivering her poem different cities. I remember journeys of others. I’m nowhere – “On the Pulse of the Morning” telling her “I love you!” to which close to the mastery I witnessed at Bill Clinton’s inauguration she responded, “I love you too”. in Aunty – I still have a long list did it dawn on me that she was Those were our last words to of people I know I need to call a public figure. I was amazed. I each other. She’d made time. and see. But here’s the thing: soon discovered her works and On June 7th, we all gathered because of Aunty Maya, I’m read (in one day) I Know Why for her homegoing memorial at reminded that I can and must Tosin the Caged Bird Sings and mem- Wait Chapel on Wake Forest’s be better. I’m reminded that I orized her poems “Phenomenal campus. My sister, who was must continue to find ways to Woman” and “Still I Rise.” particularly close to Aunty make sure those around me Maya, was deeply affected by feel seen and heard. Thank you, We would later move back to her passing. You see, Aunty Aunty, for making time. Thank the U.S. and back to North Car- had not only made time for you for the gift. Thank you for Durotoye olina where my dad returned to me. She’d made time for my the lesson. You were - without Wake Forest University. Aunty sister, my father, my mother, question - a truly phenomenal was once again there and wait- my brother. We all had these woman. ing with her warm embrace and personal moments we’d shared a strong motherly presence. with her. She always remem- She reminded us that when she bered what was going on with met my grandmother – who’d each of us, our joys and our

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An Ode to Zulumoke Oyibo

Zulumoke Oyibo

or Zulumoke Her Sweat For Inclusion Some taste buds, especial- Oyibo, the journey And Her Silent Moves ly those of the Nigerian started as an In her words, she is here Generation Z, will never experiment. At to “serve the story” and know anything other Fthe beginning, a young that is all that matters. than movies like the ones secondary school girl The big picture of a movie you have produced, they took up the responsibil- industry where opportuni- will think this is what has ity of organizing school ties are democratized, and always been, and they playlets and cultural skills are optimized are her would boast of a new displays. Then, a young drivers. She works daily normal. This new normal lawyer debating her life’s to bring everyone in. Her when Nigerian movies use, recycling job after paradigm is not one of have become rated global job with the restlessness success but of responsibil- consumables shaping our that plagues a woman in ity. This sense of respon- reputation and proliferat- labour, but something sibility is why she shows ing our global footprint. was cooking, and it was up for her team and by This new normal where in- Inkblot Productions. extension, for us. More ternational awards such as Now, she is a mogul admirable is the fact that the Oscars are considered sitting atop a business en- her moves are in silence, Nigerian heirloom. This is terprise that has produced little noise is made yet she the potency of your work. movies with a docket of holds the keys to unlock If ever there was magic, it about 1 Billion naira in one of the most valuable is disguised in the unas- revenue amassing box dockets of intellectual suming mien with which office accolades including property in Nigeria. you release blockbusters, the highest grossing high income grossing movie in Nigerian film Her Compassion movies and industry firsts. history. This experiment In her words, “the stron- You call yourself the which has birthed The gest force is compassion Nigerian box office soldier, Wedding Party, UpNorth, and that is why women and what a fight you give The Arbitration and other get it. For years, women to push boundary after industry firsts, is one for have been made to feel boundary and experiment Oyeyemi the books. I am inspired that compassion is not an your way through to be- by her story in so many asset, but a weakness and coming the heartbeat of ways especially by: they have been forced to the triad that is the hands play out this unique index and feet of the revolution Her Passion to fit into society’s script, in the Nigerian movie No film school experience, this is wrong.” For her, industry this past decade, Immanuel no formal learning of pro- compassion is fuel and Inkblot Productions. duction, yet she has been not stigma and should be You nurture our culture part of the production of common to all. Wonder without codes of conduct, 12 movies in 5 years with woman, Zulumoke, we do our young ones interpret each one setting record not thank you, No, not life from paradigms that after record within the enough; because what you create or endorse and film industry. Driven by you do seems ordinary, that is power in no mean passion, she has become devoid of the gadgets form. It is for this reason the pivot on which her or- that often surround the you have become one of ganisation turns, despite powerful. the masons of our soft being the only woman infrastructure. In a few on the leadership team. Superwoman, we do not years, cultural definition Passion disciplined her cherish you, at least not for Nigerians in diaspo- and improved her skills. now when you choose ra and even locally will Passion kept her running daily to take a bet on the bloom and one of the two jobs in the early unusual parts of us, work echoes will be through stages of her career even wonders with our stories, the ways our stories are at risk to herself; by day, weave the threads of our told. We can trust in the she would work her 9-5 culture by the movies security of the narrative and by night she would sit you produce. If one was because you soldier on. with her now co-found- not paying attention, To you, Zulumoke Oyibo, ers and they would read the ordinariness of your I write this ode because books on storytelling and work and person would you make women proud. debate their learning. She induce many walks past showed up every time, the content and value that no wonder she holds the you galvanize. magic wand. fli @thesparkng 31 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

An Ode To Ms Arunma Oteh

Aruma Oteh

lose to field, she periodically Meeting, she made ten years goes through my time to check in on ago, I published economic how I was doing watched pieces with a fine despite her tight with tooth comb. Her la- schedule. Working Cso much pride a ser focus and refusal on project(s) with woman of valour to settle for anything her excite me as it is and grit challenge other than excel- always an oppor- an unscrupulous sys- lence are attributes I tunity to learn and tem. She stood her find myself mirroring sharpen my existing ground and refused which have contrib- skills. to be disrespected uted to some of my during an unfair successes. Aunty A Mentorship can be hearing, showing me has inspired me to a key ingredient and so many others, stretch myself and to success. Having an incredible facet achieve goals that someone to chal- of courage. At the I never thought I lenge but support time, Ms Oteh was could attain. For her, you, guide you one of the very few excellence is key and (essentially, serve bright examples of with hard work and as a compass) and women working dedication every- provide wisdom and thriving in the thing is possible. Be- is an amazing Nigeria public sector. ing under her wings gift. Mentorship I followed her work is a true blessing. enhances leadership. closely and learnt so I have benefitted much from her (hard Aunty A has contrib- enormously from work, competence uted significantly mentorship. and efficiency) to development from a distance. Her across Africa. She has As I have grown in actions contributed inspired multitudes my career, I now to moulding me of women to be and mentor young pro- Elizabeth without her even do better, as well fessionals. My men- knowing. as propelled many toring style reflects women to contrib- some snippets from Fast-forward to a ute their fair share to my mentors. The aim Chinwe few years later, after nation building. is to pay it forward Osho meeting Ms Oteh by pouring into my (Aunty A) at an Africa Each for Equal mentees what has Development Bank charges us all to play been (and is still Egwim Annual Meeting held our part in closing being) poured into in Ivory Coast, she the gender gap. I me. I celebrate Ms became my mentor. have first-hand ex- Oteh (Aunty A) and Aunty A is remark- perience and I am a my other impeccable able and has poured beneficiary of Aunty female mentors that so much into my A’s commitment and consistently push me career and develop- dedication towards to be the very best ment – she pulls me pulling other women version of myself. up and ensures I’m up. Even during her #EachForEqual introduced to every- time as the Vice Pres- body in any room ident and Treasurer we are both inside. at the World Bank, You cannot slack on with an incredibly professional net- tight schedule she working around her. actively supported As for my technical other women. I skills and ensuring remember my first that I maintain the stint at the World title, expert, in my Bank/ IMF Spring

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An Ode To Anthonia Omolola Ologunja I admire her very early on she allowed selflessness and me forge my own path generosity. She has and be myself, she never influenced me to ever lived vicariously be kind, consid- through her kids, it gave erate and giving me a strong sense of self of myself because awareness. for so many years I My mum is my personal Anthonia Omolola Ologunja have witnessed her Voltron. I remember a y first en- do the same. She is time where I was being counter with extremely strong willed, bullied by our local laun- my mum was completely self- sufficient dromat owner near home when she and always content. Her in London. When I got Mgave birth to me. I defi- advice has guided me home, I didn’t even com- nitely don’t remember through different phases plain but she could sense that particular day, but of life. all was not well. I was my earliest and fondest She possesses qualities of already in my 20’s but memories with her was a true leader and never she marched me down that we were two peas in follows the crowd. In my to the laundromat and a pod. Wherever she goes daily activities I find my- handled it!! Let’s just say I go. She was self-em- self forging my own path I never got any trouble ployed so I got to see her in every single scenario, I from there again. She’s more than often. She is a think independently and my personal Oliva Pope kind, generous, deter- I don’t follow the crowd, and that makes me smile. mined woman and has which is one import- I root for my mummy all always been my closest ant attribute my mum day, every day. You have confidant and best friend. imparted on me. From my heart mum.

An Ode To Bola Balogun

Despite her busy sched- is to not act on rash ule she always finds time emotions. This has really Elizabeth for people that are in helped me use emotional need of it and is a great intelligence a lot more. I person to strategize with remember the first event on everything; whether we collaborated on to- personal, emotional or gether. She will probably career wise. There was never know how much Bola Balogun Osho never a point where I it meant to me and how Image credit for Bola Balogun - TW Magazine said, “YES! This is my role happy she made me. I met Bola Bolagun model”. She just took worked at Genevieve at when we were work- interest in me. It wasn’t a the time and she helped ing on the Genevieve decision but happened bring on Hairfinity as a Pink Ball back in 2014. gradually. sponsor for our summer IShe was a member of the When we would always party. This was such a big committee and we grew check in on each other deal for me at the time, close very naturally. She from time to time. she let me shine and is a principled, pioneer- Gradually it became more take the credit for the ing and caring woman. frequent and then some partnership. She helped Mrs B, as I fondly call her years down the line I real- build my confidence with is a no nonsense person ised that she was mentor- this encounter and it will but she’s also quite rag- ing me! One of the things always makes me smile gedy and normal when she says she appreciates looking back. you meet her. She is wit- about our friendship is She is a pioneer of fash- ty, but keeps it real, there that it’s a two way stream, ion, lifestyle and beauty are absolutely no airs – we both give positively to consultancy in Nigeria, what you see is what you the relationship. and also has a passion for get. We are similar in this She opened my eyes content having created aspect and so I greatly to the importance of several Television shows. I appreciate emotional intelligence will always root for her. her for this. and how important it fli @thesparkng 33 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

FEATURES On Becoming A Wonder Woman In March 2019, First City Monument Bank Limited (FCMB) launched the SheVentures initiative with the aim of driving financial inclusion, equal opportunities and empowerment for female entrepreneurs. Sheventures was designed to engage, embolden and equip Women owned/led Small Medium Enterprises with appropriate tools for growth and impact.

effectively towards the growth, expansion and establishment of viable business ventures with the potential to scale into large corporations.

SheVentures Zero Interest Loan scheme was introduced at its launch one year ago. This product is aimed at providing small scale Yetunde Moito businesses in early growth stages with short term funding to bridge urgent financing needs. 91 women-owned SMEs have benefited from the scheme so far securing loan amounts ranging from five hundred thousand to five million naira. The impact of this loan on the business of the beneficia- ries have been astounding. SheVentures also trains and mentors women in business as a means of empowering them to thrive in their various fields. We trained over 2000 women across several states in Nigeria on various business management subjects while 240 women were given free mentorship programs since the launch of the program last year. SheVen- tures propositions are cutting edge and impactful, creating wonder women with wonder ventures across the nation.

SheVentures propositions are as much a statement of substance as it is one of intent. We are passionate about supporting women in business and our primary objective is to encourage women to operate structured businesses that can attract investments and develop into large corporations. The offerings of the proposition, especially the zero-interest loan, training and mentorship As an SME focused which we bridge the financing gap and programs are tailored to offer sustainable financial institution, address other cultural barriers women benefits which increases productivity and FCMB is committed to are confronted with in business. the contributions of women-owned SMEs. leveraging its position in SheVentures propositions are an- the industry to support chored upon four key pillars - provid- With a clear understanding of its market female entrepreneurs to scale their ing women-owned SMEs access to and environment, FCMB is well positioned businesses into sustainable ventures. Capital, Information, Mentorship and to continue to create value by delivering Women-owned SMEs are a strategic Markets/Networks. This is to ensure exceptional services, while enhancing the focus for the Bank and the SheVen- that all businesswomen can access growth and achievement of the personal tures initiative is the channel through appropriate capital and deploy same and business aspirations of our women.

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FEATURES #EachforEqual: Moving From Hashtag to Reality Pushing for equality is everyone’s responsibility.

The influential role of Generally, increasing the number of expected to experience change. Secondly, gender equality on women involved in managerial decisions the concept of career sponsors should be economic growth is di- should enhance financial performance as encouraged in organisations. The right rectly linked to the par- decisions would be made from a deeper sponsor can: Jump-start your career path, ticipation of women in pool of perspectives. Industry sources sug- grow your network with connections the labor force. When gest that between 2013 and 2015, women of their own, give you opportunities to women are excluded accounted for only 14% of the 915 board shine on important projects, advocate for from the workforce, economic resources directors of the 132 companies quoted promotions or raises on your behalf, help are wasted. A recent report, “Women, on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. There you close the gap between where your Work and the Economy,” published by the are surveys that have shown that women career is and where you want it to be and International Monetary Fund, highlights directors deal create a safety net to ameliorate inevitable how this gender inequality in the work more effectively failures. force hurts economic growth. The report with risk and reveals that closing gender gaps in the better address Workplace policies that promote gender labor market would raise GDP in the Unit- concerns of cus- equality also need to be strongly consid- ed States by 5 percent, in the United Arab tomers, employ- ered by organisations that are serious with Emirates by 12 percent, and in Egypt by 34 ees, stakeholders promoting gender equity. Many compa- percent. The economic benefits of gender and operating nies are operating on outdated policies equality are particularly high in rapidly communities. and procedures that might not include aging societies, where boosting women’s Chinwe Egwim Not to mention any support for gender-equality practices. labor force participation could help offset their better un- Women in sales as well as women working the impact of a shrinking workforce. derstanding of women who make at least in other areas of business (or other sectors 70% of purchase decisions for services and of employment altogether) will benefit Furthermore, another report, “Investing in products. from companies with clear positions on Women’s Employment,” published by the the fair and equitable treatment of men International Finance Corporation (IFC), The core message is this: women are vital and women. shows that better employment opportu- for every nation interested in accelerating nities for women can also contribute to its economic and socio-economic growth. In conclusion, it is important to note that increased profitability and productivity in However, a level playing field across the the onus is on the female economy to the private sector. Companies that invest social, economic and political spaces constantly equip itself for relevant and in women’s employment often find that will encourage increased participation influential roles; the need to bridge the it benefits their bottom line by improving of women. A ramp up in productivity, gender equality gap is no excuse for staff retention, innovation, and access to shrinkage in the unemployment gap, mediocrity. Furthermore, if we are to make talent and new markets. better policy direction, particularly for this #eachforequal hashtag a reality, as we issues linked to women and children are a climb our respective ladders, we need to Zoning into Nigeria, there are growing few benefits that could be derived form a periodically look down and be intention- concerns around the retention and pro- female empowered nation. al about pulling others up. To be pulled motion of women in corporate Nigeria. up, we need to become more deliberate Generally, workspaces are not accommo- What actionable steps can be taken to about equipping ourselves, positioning dating (especially for women with chil- move this ‘each for equal’ phrase from a ourselves and becoming valuable so that dren). For instance, crèches within offices hashtag to reality, particularly in corporate it becomes easier for others to pull you up and increased duration of maternity leave Nigeria? A few thoughts come to mind. when opportunities present themselves. with pay are only accessible to female Firstly, understanding the power of men- employees working in firms that are keen torship. Mentorship enhances leadership Women are vital for every na- on adopting global practices. and coaching skills in current and future In the financial services industry, the managers. Employers of mentored em- tion interested in accelerating its pipeline is heavy at the bottom but as you ployees gain from greater productivity in economic and socio-economic tilt your head upward, you would find that the workplace. Women should be willing the number of women depletes. A few to nurture such relationships in a bid to growth. However, a level playing good strides have been made, the CBN propel career growth. In the same vein, ac- field across the social, economic had directed that 40 per cent of top man- complished female employees should be agement positions in banks be reserved open to taking on mentees and grooming and political spaces will encourage for women. them, if the current workplace pipeline is increased participation of women.

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FEATURES Journey to Self-Discovery At an early age, I got into personal development and started reading books, thanks to my dad who encouraged us. One of the first books I read was from John Mason. There was something he said that stuck with me for a long time which was, “Champions do what they hate to create what they love”. Reading has been the biggest contribution to my personal development and self-discovery. I became aware of the power of being intentional in my Secondary school days.

I remember being transferred from the Accounting system or technology worked at a technology company one Secondary school to another because of my background. During leading their sales and marketing because I was not doing very well my MBA, I began to see businesses on team to introduce their products in my academics. My father always another level. We began doing case to the market. Looking back at my encouraged me to study and when I studies of large scale businesses that journey, I discovered that I enjoyed started studying, my results changed. I eventually made millions of dollars. using technology to provide solutions graduated as the best student in Social Science/ After my MBA, I worked in Manage- and I enjoyed supporting micro and Commercial class. I moved from being the last ment consulting which was a great small businesses to grow. That’s how in the class to basically being the best. What turning point for me because I had I stumbled on business coaching. I happened during that time the opportunity to work closely with started my personal brand Tale Alimi has formed the habits that small and large businesses. I was in Global which has coached over 5,000 are still with me today. It all charge of growing the outsourcing micro and small businesses. started with someone be- unit of the company. I fell in love I discovered there was a challenge of lieving in me, which was my with the creativity of small and micro adequate funding for micro and small dad. He invested in me and business in Nigeria and the possibility businesses. So, I decided to start a always made sure I studied. of what they can be with the right technology company that will solve I adopted that habit and it guidance and structure. This defined the problems of small businesses became a lifestyle. I began my career going forward and inspired and that’s when I started Owoafara ‘Tale Alimi to see that when you put in me to start my own business. I was Fintech Services Limited which is a work you get results. working in Management consulting company that works to bridge the Another factor that influenced my personal de- and also started a direct to consumer gap for SMEs in Africa. On my journey velopment was knowing that my mum was very micro fashion brand. We made shirts to self-discovery, I was not afraid entrepreneurial. She spent a lot of time starting and directly sold them to consumers. to explore different channels and different types of businesses. Growing up, having a We started getting publicity and I connect the dots. I believe everything business was common in my house. I didn’t know left my job to focus on my business. happens for a reason and God has a it was a special skill, I just thought you would take At the time Jumia and Konga were purpose for everything that happens something and make money. I remember my early looking for local fashion brands to in our lives. I encourage women to not days from the University, I tried to make money by partner with and decided to partner be afraid of what they can become. selling makeup products I bought from Balogun with us to distribute products. I got You have so much greatness in you if market. an investor in the business but at the you dare to unlock it. I have a first degree in Accounting and a Masters end of the day I had a fall out with in Business Administration. Before my MBA I had my investor. This was a great learning a career working in technology. I was Oracle Cer- process for tified. On my journey to self-discovery I was really me. I fell in love with the creativity of small and micro focused on academics because that’s the example During my business in Nigeria and the possibility of what they I saw in my dad. I had a lot of certifications early transition on which shaped my career. I always saw myself time I can be with the right guidance and structure. working in organizations where I was in charge of

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FEATURES The Simple Things Matter Gender equality and parity am proud. For women at have taken on several forms the grass root in society especially since the level however, country in which we live is so awareness is the first challenge. inherently patriarchal. You’ll Many women in find that the debates border disadvantaged ar- down to the most basic con- eas have become Moyosola Kara single moms, not cepts, which to an outsider, because they’ve may appear trivial. lost their partners to death, but because their partners have probably opted out of parenthood. Unfortunately, ours is not a t is not irregular for debates If we truly wanted to society that demands for social justice in to stem from statements as the form of child support, so these men define what we want simple as a woman admittedly get to live their best lives and start again as tweeting about her dislike for in one word, ‘respect’ many times as they need to. Many times, I cooking and for counter-ar- repeating the cycle over and over again. would ideally cap- guments like: ‘that’s why you ture it. won’t find a husband’ to occur. The women on the other hand are left to It will also come as no surprise that the fend off the stigma, hold prayer meetings latter statement might even be more pop- in hopes for their partners’ grand return ular with many in agreement, as if a wife is (even though in many cases they were all a woman should aspire to become. more a financial liability than anything I have scolded myself repeatedly about else), emotional abuse from family placing the issues of gender parity in members and harassment from their priority levels. Afterall, some issues are communities. In this society, there are only bigger to whom and in what context? My two reasons a woman becomes a single reality and that of many in the middle and mother: she must have been really bad at upper middle class is so different to that of her wife duties or been a witch. Witchcraft women at the grass root level. Our educa- accusations are more popular than you can tion and exposure affords us the opportu- imagine - and not the cool Harry Potter nity to do and know better (although, this kind either. The type you exorcise. So you isn’t a sure-fire model as many of those see, these ‘mundane’ conversations are who have had the same opportunities are necessary. still very sexist). While International Women’s Day this year For us, our priorties are different, we want is driving the narrative for gender parity, to be taken seriously in the workplace, let’s remember that equality has many ex- we want to earn the same as our male pressions. None of which is more relevant counterparts in the same roles; we want than the other. If we want to truly fight for to avoid sexual harassment in meetings equality, ALL women must matter. and with employers. If we truly wanted to

define what we want in one word, ‘respect’

would ideally capture it. We know and understand our rights and my generation of women and those coming after us have already begun the revolution. For this, I fli @thesparkng 37 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

Thankfully, my mum owned a grocery store and leveraging FEATURES her financial inclusion and literacy status, she was able to keep us afloat and move the family from financial insta- bility to relative stability. I shudder to think Empowering African of the alternative if my mum had no trading business going. Unfortunately 22 years later, Women in Rural according to the EFINA Access to Finance 2018 Survey, 36.8% of the adult population in Nigeria are financially excluded with wom- Communities en constituting 55.9% of these statistics. To put it in numbers, we have 20.5 million Growing up, the life I was accustomed to hit a curveball in adult women in Nigeria who are financially excluded with the Northern regions having 1996 when my Dad was retrenched from his job after serving the highest numbers. for close to two decades and this unexpected circumstance My foray into development stemmed from would have thrown my family into utter poverty. my exposure to international development organisations through my work in the banking industry. From the onset of my career, I have managed relationships with Develop- ment Contractors for Global Fund, USAID and DFID projects in education, maternal health, HIV, Malaria and Agriculture. Working and living in the northern part of Nigeria has given me first-hand exposure to the economic vulnerability of women there which is way different vis-à-vis their counterparts in the south. This has given rise to a low level of education, chronic poverty Nigeria has over 200 million people, and millions of out-of-school children, inevitably making them easy recruitment we need 100,000 people solving each targets for terrorist groups. These women problem in Nigeria. are challenged with limited employment opportunities, isolation/lack of access to markets and infrastructure; all these become deepen their market . Leverage on the efficacy of the right a heavy burden in addition to their full-time reach which is in line collaboration; together we can achieve responsibility of unpaid household care and with our access to more. We need to recognise our work work. 1 markets strategy. is beyond us and should outlive us; focus on Our focus for the our “why and who’’ to make the world better Rendra Foundation is a one-stop-shop with a short and mid-term one person per time. Don’t worry, CNN Africa sole objective to improve the lives of African will be with the will still find you. Women in rural and peri-urban communi- Internally Displaced . The fact that someone did it first or ties. Our programs empower these women Onyeka Akpaida Women, who as at is doing it shouldn’t deter you from through financial inclusion and financial today are the most doing it. We can’t all be spear-head- literacy, up-skilling programmes, access to 2 vulnerable in Northern Nigeria. Despite the ers and the beauty of those who have markets and microcredits to enable them to horrors they have experienced, you can see gone ahead is you can avoid the pitfalls or earn money and create sustainable change their resilience shine through, as they are mistakes they experienced. Nigeria has over for themselves, their families and commu- still trying to make progress with the hand 200 million people, we need 100,000 people nities. Our programmes are built around they have been dealt with. This encourages solving each problem in Nigeria. the belief that Empowered Women build us in our work because we believe for these . Start working on your idea as soon Stronger Communities and Stronger Nations. women, you don’t need to take them all the as you can because when you sit on it We understand that we cannot achieve way up, just help them place a few steps on for too long, you will over-analyse and this alone and are working with amazing 3 the ladder and they can continue the climb achieve nothing. You can fine-tune as you partners like The Skilled Women, run by to the top. go along. Chisom Nwankwo empowering women in This year, our financial inclusion and literacy . Don’t be tempted by imposter’s Internal Displaced Persons’ camps with skills programme - Kudeena (meaning My Money) syndrome. As long as your work gives in fashion and care products and she has will be focused on 4 Internal Displaced you joy and makes the world a better taken it further by ensuring these women 4 Persons’ camps and their host communities place even if you want to spend the rest of are financially included and literate to enable within the Federal Capital Territory. The your life feeding pigeons, please do it. Don’t them to stand on their own after they leave potential impact will be 1,000 women. Upon make yourself feel inferior and pressured the Camps. Another partner we have is completion, we intend to avail start-up to do what someone else is doing to look Mamamoni, run by Nkem Okocha who is grants for procurement of materials needed successful on social media. empowering women in the south-west re- for their craft. gion. They have a flagship product - Levantar I will conclude by sharing the things I have liquid soap which retails for N1,500/pack. learnt on my journey to encourage other We are retailers of this product in the FCT to amazing PIDs (People in Development).

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FEATURES Remain Confident

Change Is Here Chocolako Agburu, MPH, MBA

Ever have that feeling that and patriarchy is not men. It is a system, and and work together strategically. things are out of balance or women can support the system of patriar- To strengthen your confidence, continue a misfit? When this happens, chy just as men can support the fight for to learn and practice; limit how much time you are likely to ask deep- gender equality.” Think about the impact our you spend feeling sorry for yourself or the er questions and ponder collective effort could have on how margin- temporary circumstance you are in. Strat- longer. What you may discover during your alized groups are represented, celebrated egize with that energy instead of judging. inquiries are answers that reveal differences and appreciated. Build partnerships to create problem solving between your reality and perception. What Our future depends on what we do in the solutions. Utilize your energy on things that I mean by this is, observe what is actually present. Here are 3 tips to help you remain you can control, like your attitude. Your happening vs what your mind creates based confident within a patriarchal system: greatest test will be how you handle people on previous experiences, judgments or who mishandled you. interpretations. The moment you shift your 1. From Self-awareness to self-determi- perception to align with reality, is the mo- nation, that’s how you win! 3. Confidence is an inside job ment you experience things differently. Move forward faithfully in all situations, es- Nobody is born with limitless confidence. By now, you may have seen the quote, “The pecially when you know who you are. James If someone seems to have an extraordinary Future is Female” or “All Lives Matter” across Baldwin aptly describes what I mean by this: amount of confidence, it’s because he or she your timelines. We are feeling the impact “This collision between one’s image of one- worked on building it. of marginalized voices being heard from self and what one actually is, is always very Real confidence is an inside job, but you multiple platforms, not just social but also painful and there are two things you can do have to set yourself up to win. You build political and economical. With global move- about it; you can meet the collision head-on confidence by visualizing yourself as you ments such as #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter and try and become what you really are or want to be, then you affirm yourself with ac- and many others, it’s fair to say that we are you can retreat and try to remain what you tion that aligns with your goal. There will be in the midst of pivotal shifts toward new thought you were, which is a fantasy, in moments when you will challenge your in- beginnings. which you will certainly perish.” ner critic and self doubt. This is normal, and Since the start of time, a combination of at As you can see, to know who you are deeply typically part of the process of self develop- least two variables have been required to ought to be the aim of each person having ment. One way to overcome fear during this create existence. There’s yin and yang, fear a human experience. Consider what could process is to face it by doing something that and love, feminine and masculine, stew and happen if you become very intimate with scares you daily. You’ll gain confidence from rice for example. When individuals form yourself; have an unshakable inner knowing each experience you overcome. Confidence relationships, then networks group into of your habits and rhythmic cycles. Why is like a muscle. The more you strengthen structures, and eventually structure evolves do you think the thoughts you think, act it, the more it grows. As you grow closer to into interwoven systems. We see how this the way you act, respond the way you do? your goal, you will become aware of new plays out across the patriarchal system, What triggers you and why? Self-inquiry found personal power. nature and business. has a unique way of leading you toward self-awareness. We are confident that seasons come and go, Self-awareness will inspire self-determina- and we are also certain that business starts tion, which then becomes confidence. Once I trust you will establish a stream of and ends at some point. Could a similar you are confident who you are you can han- success that helps you feel good about pattern resemble confidence within a pa- dle anything from the boardroom to your yourself so that your confidence levels triarchal system? Could today’s partnership household, and all that lies between. contribute toward a collective effort to between men and women, entrepreneurs shift the patriarchy system toward mutual and executives create a favorable future for 2. Understand cycles and where you support for everyone. That’s it for now. Let me know if these tips us all? Is confidence essential to this shift are in the continuum’s flow were helpful for you. I can be reached at actually happening? Where do you think our confidence levels [email protected] There are countless ways to be triumphant are within the current phase of the patriar- within today’s existing patriarchal system. chal system? As we all know, the day you Just think of the examples we have within plant the seed is not the day you eat the this magazine, and in industries such as fruit. There are rhythms and cycles govern- art, music, politics, science, engineering, ing every system. If we were to consider When people work together and medicine. When people work together nature as a teacher, we will observe that toward a goal, the results from toward a goal, the results from individual during each phase of every cycle there are contribution are felt, and increases the will- functions that contribute to seeding, nour- individual contribution are felt, ingness to remain united, which by the way ishing, and harvesting. Each function has a and increases the willingness to is the meaning of yoga – to be in union. unique role that contributes harmoniously. A recently discovered quote by Justine The sun, moon, water, soil, trees, insects, remain united, which by the way Musk summarizes one result from men and animals all have a role to play in nature’s is the meaning of yoga – to be in women supporting each together: “The ecosystem. Our impact will be stronger enemy of feminism isn’t men. It’s patriarchy, when we know where we are within a cycle union. fli @thesparkng 39 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

involved in social media discussions, or reach out to them directly on an individual basis. To date, leveraging communities for growth has been about customer support and marketing. Now, they’re starting to become about the future of making things. Learn to build your community around the advocates that you have today, rather than spending your time searching for the ideal group of customer advocates. For exam- START-UP ple, I created KO for women and people with similar interests to come together and feel a Leveraging part of something bigger than themselves. Community for By sharing content with your enthusiastic community, you give it the best possible chance of achieving virality. People Growth like sharing good content with their friends, and those who have a strong level of interest in your brand will be considerably more likely to like your content enough to share it.

When you have a community of enthusiastic fans, you can leverage them to help you promote your business more effectively. Essentially, you can let them do the hard work for you. It takes a lot of work, time and money to reach out to new customers, so if you can offload that effort, you’ll benefit enormously. I believe that rather than building community just to follow the - Kehinde Oniru trend of having a customer community, focus your strategy Education is the key to for growing your business. A around c-level goals and build Education non-engagement approach a framework that eventually al- unlocking gender equal- to communities’ results in lost lows you to measure the impact ity for women and young is the key insight. Disconnected engage- of your community strategy girls around the world to unlock- ment options confuse custom- on real business outcomes. ers. The solution is to align your In 2020, we plan on working and a crucial step to a ing gender community strategy with your closely with other businesses in brighter future for all. equality for customer lifecycle stages. our community to plan global Connected followers are more sales, events and more. We plan our community is the most women and valuable to community because to shape the future and make valuable commodity your young girls they are more loyal, are better KO Women a great resource company has. To leverage advocates, spend more often, that can help connect us to the community for growth, around the and create value for your com- right people. YCommunity professionals must munity and other customers. world and a rebrand themselves. Followers are When you have your own com- In conclusion, regardless of engaging with each other like never. crucial step munity, you can find out more where you are in planning your If you don’t provide a method to en- to a brighter about what makes them tick, customer community strategy, gage with you and other followers, then use that information to you can take big steps forward they’ll go somewhere else. I believe future for all. attract and keep new followers. by internalizing the advice your follower/customer communi- To do so, you can run surveys, listed above. ty is your most powerful resource send emails with questions, get

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n a nutshell, the com- can cut costs munity is key for the on import- START-UP growth of a business ant stepping and an individual. stones such I Joining communities as market Community: are important for pro- research. fessional growth for many reasons such as While the providing a network. One of such commu- community is nities is the AGS Tribe. an important Your Greatest The AGS Tribe is a community built to tool to have connect young entrepreneurs and profes- for businesses, sionals. It inspires and builds their capacity it should also Asset into strong leaders. This is achieved by be an integral providing access to grants, global oppor- part of every Community impact is now a major stakeholder in tunities, networking events, and access to professional’s the branding terrain and these days, people want investors. work-life if the One importance of plan is to scale to associate themselves with institutions that being part of a com- the corporate can make them feel like they are contributing to munity is that it gives ladder. An something bigger than themselves. businesses the power important part of voice; it has the of professional to search for venture capitalists, but to seek power of marketing growth and reaching the goal is network- out people in the logistics space. If the goal through advocacy ing. A good way to go about that is, joining is to start a snail farm, it may better be able by way of word of communities. Interacting and reaching out to identify major players in the helici- culture sector. Once the right mentor is Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti mouth. A community to people could potentially open doors can serve as a key to opportunities that were not realized. identified, be the sort of mentee you would player in growing a business. Through the According to Payscale, a research company want to mentor. Be a go-getter, be flexible, influence of its community, it can reach a that helps individuals understand their respectful, dedicated, etc. To ensure these wider audience and sell products that have worth in the job market, 85% of all jobs are qualities are met, be great at what you do. undergone refinement, drawn from the gotten through employers, friends, and To hold the attention of a mentor, be a wiz community’s feedback. acquaintance; what more, these roles are at your role. Keep yourself informed always, generally not published. So, it’s import- of your industry, and be strong at the skills Many businesses budget millions to circu- ant, especially as a job seeker, to expand necessary for you to scale. Always be ready. late surveys to garner feedback and sug- professional networks than to waste hours You need to be armed with ideas, be cre- gestions from its customers. However, with surfing the net for roles that they have only ative and ready to contribute in profound strong support backing, genuine opinions about a 15% chance of being gotten. ways. If you schedule a meeting with your are always forthcoming. This not only helps mentor, show up; participate in all meet- to improve the quality of products, but also Find the hotspots of successful people ings and prepare to advance discussions. to crystallize the loyalty of the community. and seek out those whose journey and Finally, learn to uplift others. In doing so, Members are happy, satisfied, and feel leadership style could complement your you will be remembered and by extension heard because their judgments are trusted. mission. This can be achieved by attend- improve your chances of success. Just like that, resources are saved because ing events, searching for groups on social there is an army ready to serve as testers of media such as LinkedIn or Facebook and So, if you need feedback, advocates, or products and provide recurrent feedback hunting for niched blogs or professional need to scale your business, the commu- on issues they come across. Furthermore, groups in messaging apps such as Tele- nity is key. If you are an individual working engaging with fans allows a business to gram. Additionally, the latter options are in the corporate sector and have a dream understand its products from different perfect for introverts as it cuts the small role you are targeting, the community is perspectives and to observe how consum- talk and is less emotionally daunting. After integral. Whatever the case may be, the ers navigate or use differently from how it finding the best-suited one, the next step is community helps bring clarity, elicits the is intended to be used. to reach out. Remember, connecting with high-level support you need, and is the people is not a one-way street. It is not greatest asset for growth. Apart from reporting bugs on existing about pitching ideas and expecting to hit products, the fan base could help cut out things off right away. Instead, build rapport These are some of the benefits of the AGS numerous tedious brainstorming sessions with idols; treat such relationships like a Tribe. It creates and fosters networks and by providing ideas for new features that marriage. Figuratively, “date”, “massage”, opportunities by building the capacity of might bolster the usefulness, ease, creativ- or “toast” them first before dropping the both entrepreneurs and professionals. It ity, and what-have-you, of a product. The bomb. introduces its members to industry experts power of a community could potentially How can you avoid barking up the wrong who share their experiences and who may help businesses expand their product’s life tree or eschewing communities with emp- serve as mentors. It also provides global cycles and stay abreast of its competitors ty promises? Target niched communities. If opportunities for businesses to access through the generation of new ideas, any- there is a need to fund a delivery business, grants and to scale. where in the world. for instance, there might not be the need Communities help scaling a business less of a hassle and valuable resources such as According to Payscale, 85% of all jobs are gotten through employ- money and time would be saved simply by reaching out to the community in the ers, friends, and acquaintance; what more, these roles are generally region of interest. Just like that, a business not published. fli @thesparkng 41 The Spark | Ignite / Connect / Achieve www.thesparkng.com

BRAND SPARK A good number of trusted empowerment programs give wom- Woman – A Power Source en an avenue to build self-confidence, to 5 Organizations to Power You Up This Year change the narrative of being ‘weaker’, an n the journey to empower- event is an exclusive three-day workshop in ciated for opportunity to level up ing the womenfolk in every which attendees explore the importance of its mission sector of a society, the roles women in leadership and refine their own centered on and speak up for what that initiatives and organi- leadership skills. The NGWL award is a finan- empower- zations play can never be cial scholarship combined with individual ing African they believe in. Ounder-emphasized. Behind the establishment mentorship from McKinsey consultants. The women. It of every woman-empowering initiative lies NGWL is currently accepting applications to is stated as the first international platform goals targeted for women; such goals revolve the three-day workshop happening in May dedicated to the economic development around how women can break barriers set by 2020 in Paris. Applications are due March and support of leading and high potential themselves and by society. A good number 1, 2020 and are open to women of diverse African women. The Initiative promotes and of trusted empowerment programs give cultures from the Middle East and Africa. supports the spread of education in the field women an avenue to build self-confidence, African Women In Leadership of economic development and specifically, to change the narrative of being ‘weaker’, Organization (AWLO) the training of future women leaders of inno- an opportunity to level up and speak up for As a member of the AWLO community, I vative businesses. what they believe in. Some may serve as a have been privileged to attend one of their In 2019, the WIA philanthropy launched “Proj- foundation for personal and financial growth. conferences in Rwanda in April 2019. If you ect 54” aimed at recognizing fifty-four(54) Others are founded to create opportunities are looking to learn how to grow as a female women entrepreneurs from each of the for women to thrive as mothers through leader and change-maker, whether in your fifty-four(54) African countries. In all, the WIA mental and maternal health advocacy. place of work or community, you should be Initiative demonstrates the commitment of For example, The Amazing Woman (T.A.W.), part of AWLO. the African continent in promoting gender which is my social enterprise, fosters the AWLO is a non-profit organization open to equality and women empowerment. empowerment, representation, and sus- all women leaders across Africa. Its annual African Women’s Development Fund tainability of new mothers in the Nigerian program called African Women in Leader- (AWDF) economy, who have left the active workforce ship Conference (AWLC) creates a platform The African Women’s Development Fund to nurture children whereby women come together to enhance is the first pan-African foundation aimed or who otherwise their leadership potentials. Over the years, at supporting women’s rights, economic are restrained due to the organization has empowered millions empowerment and political participation. marital obligations. of African women through its programs and AWDF is to be applauded for the biggest role We do this through events. Although women empowerment is it plays in granting funds to organizations Our Build Like A the core of the African Women in Leadership that promote the empowerment of women. Woman Initiative, Organization, the only identifiable limitation Since 2001, AWDF clings to its true core goal which is a physical may be the inability to reach out to every Af- identified as building up an autonomous and online class that rican woman that needs to be liberated from base for gender equality and development, Buchi Nduka teaches women how shackles of cultural practices that plague supporting movements and initiatives of to monetize a set skill some African societies. women that ordinarily do not have access to using digital tools. In the future, we envision She Leads Africa (SLA) mainstream sources of funding for reasons creating a hub for mothers to build their busi- It is always said that knowledge is power. She of capacity, language, geographical location, nesses, network, have access to training and Leads Africa uses the weaponry of engaging and marginalization. courses for growth as well as a well-equipped online content to inform, enlighten and The aforementioned women empowerment crèche for their children to be taken care of educate women in achieving their profes- initiatives amongst the numerous others, no while they work on their business. sional dreams. The values of the initiative are; doubt, have a common goal – empowering Each organizational mission varies at the core committed to helping smart and ambitious the African woman. The question is, can every of their goals to empower women to acquire young African women live their best lives African woman out there be carried along? leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and and promoting and uplifting local talent by The continued existence of gender-related political, financial and economic education proactively identifying promising African issues caused by environmental, social and in their fields/endeavour(s) amongst other experts and practitioners and providing them economic factors peculiar to every coun- benefits that may not be fully explored in this a platform to grow. Their platform delivers try may impose limitations towards the article. I intend to explore five organizations the best career and business content focused realization of a full-blown women empower- that empower women across all borders in on the She Leads Africa community. She ment agenda. Also, the mode of applying to unique areas of development. Leads Africa, through its Accelerator program become part of some women empowerment Next Generation Women Leaders is designed to identify, support and fund Ni- initiatives are stringent in that promising I particularly love McKinsey&Co as an organi- geria’s growing women entrepreneurs. Being women entrepreneurs may not be accommo- zation because they passionately believe in a social enterprise dedicated to empowering dated due to one reason or the other. developing outstanding female leaders and young women on their journey to being Nevertheless, the existence of women promoting gender diversity, both in their firm leading forces in their professional lives, the empowerment programs in Africa reveals and in the world at large. Currently, they run platform has gone a long way in building one thing: that the road to empowering the an initiative called; the first Next Generation career women. African woman in every aspect of the society Women Leaders (NGWL) event. This event Women In Africa gets clearer and achievable. first took place in Paris in 2012. The NGWL The Women In Africa Initiative is well appre-

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