Features – BellaNaija

Dearest Gentle Reader, Lady Whistledown Has Written For Me to Attend the Premiere of Bridgerton Season 3 in South Africa

Oluwadunsin Deinde-Sanya — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:45:06 +0000

Dearest gentle reader, a wallflower is about to bloom.

There are certain things known of Penelope Featherington. One is that her flowery yellow gowns meant to command attention do the direct opposite. Another is that she often lurks behind flowers and statues, the walls and the many stories hidden in it keeping her company. Another is that she is overlooked, marked by an undesirability that comes from not being considered a conventional beauty. But this time around, this insipid wallflower is stepping out of the shadows and is ready to bloom, and Lady Whistledown herself has written for me to bear witness at the premiere of “Bridgerton” Season 3 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This Saturday, May 4th, I shall attend the premiere of Bridgerton Season 3, witnessing the blooming love between Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington. It will be a night of royal intrigue and delights, and in attendance will be many diamonds and gentlemen of the season. The dress code is Regency Era Splendor: Into The Spotlight and this author cannot wait to bring you all the exquisite looks and worthy stories of this gathering.

So do not tarry, follow @bellanaija on Instagram, and my personal page, @oluwadunsin___, to get all the exclusive updates.

Yours truly,

Oluwadunsin

The post Dearest Gentle Reader, Lady Whistledown Has Written For Me to Attend the Premiere of Bridgerton Season 3 in South Africa appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

#AMVCA10: All The Exciting Moments We Can’t Wait to See

BellaNaija Features — Thu, 02 May 2024 11:00:35 +0000

On May 11, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) will take place. As the annual largest entertainment show in Africa, the tenth edition of the award show will recognise actors and actresses for their exceptional performances and contributions to the success of a film or television show. It’s a significant show in Africa that contributes to the growth of the creative economy and industry in Africa. If you missed this year’s nomination, you can find the full list of nominees here.

While voting has now closed, we are certain everyone is excited to witness yet another story where their favourite nominees win an award or two. Your votes play a significant role in recognising the excellence of the creative and entertainment industry. As in the previous year, the panel of judges will be led by Femi Odugbemi. Africa eagerly anticipates a memorable award show like no other because it promises events from productions and stunning styles to incredible performances, inspiring speeches, and awards, everything about AMVCA is unforgettable.

Here are some highlights to watch out for at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

MTF and Digital Workshop Day

If you’re a film and entertainment enthusiast, this one is for you. The organisers have also scheduled a free workshop to learn more about entertainment and the digital economy before the main AMVCA event. It’s on May 10 and you don’t want to miss it.

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Stunning Red Carpet Looks

The AMVCA is a cocktail of fashion, style and glam looks. The celebrities bring their fashion A-game and we’re sure this year is no different. Be ready to witness stunning looks and beautiful looks from your faves.

The BellaNaija Style team will be covering all of the glamorous looks from the upcoming AMVCA awards ceremony and we are incredibly excited! We anticipate being wowed by the beauty and style on display! If you missed last year’s lewks, you can check them out here.

Photographed by @photokulture

Photograph by @yomi.visuals

Heartfelt Speeches

Whether it is from those who will receive their awards for the first time to those who will express shock at winning their categories, one thing is for sure: we’ll be inspired by many of the speeches. We’ll get to witness, firsthand, their happiness and watch them shed tears of joy at being recognised for all their hard work. Last year’s speeches were truly amazing, and this year’s speeches are sure to be just as impressive.

Celebrations

What is AMVCA without celebration? From award presentations to the after-party, this two-day event will be packed with fun activities. See how your faves slayed to the after-party last year here.

Historical Moment

It’s the 10th African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and this is a historic moment for us all. AMVCA has been significantly important in celebrating African culture and creativity, and as we eagerly anticipate the event, we look forward to all the exciting moments we’ll get to experince.

Follow our #AMVCA10 coverage across all our platforms: bellanaija.com and across our social media pages @bellanaija for exclusive updates.

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Ifedolapo Runsewe is Building a Greener Eco-friendly Future in Nigeria with Recycled Waste Tyres

Bird — Thu, 02 May 2024 10:59:56 +0000

Ifedolapo Runsewe, the founder and managing director of Freee Recycle Limited. 2 April 2024. Ibadan, Nigeria. Photo by Zaniel Dada, bird story agency.

Ifedolapo Runsewe is prospecting for “black gold”. Although Nigeria is one of the world’s leading crude oil exporters, this time, oil is not the “black gold” Runsewe is looking for.

A sustainability-driven entrepreneur based in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria, Runsewe is the founder of Freee Recycle, a waste management company that transforms discarded vehicle tyres into safer, usable products. Freee Recycle is also the launch vehicle for Runsewe’s vision of a cyclical economy.

“A lot of people are worried about the amount of waste we generate and the impact it’s having on our ecosystems. The desire to conserve resources and improve our overall quality of life were motivating factors,’’ the entrepreneur said of her sustainability journey. The journey began after a decade of managing sales and operations for banks and telcos, Runsewe explained. She began looking for an opportunity to take the entrepreneurial leap.

While driving past a landfill one day, she was alarmed by the suffocating fumes coming from piles of burning tyres. Deciding to do some research, she didn’t like what she found.

Discarded tyres being processed at the Freee Recycle factory

The World Bank estimates Nigeria will produce over 100 million tonnes of waste annually by 2050. The current level is some 32 million tonnes a year. Processing garbage safely is challenging for Nigerian authorities and there is also widespread illegal dumping.

Old tyres are a particular problem. They have relatively little monetary value after they have been used. Scientific studies have found that they release hazardous material into the soil and water as they decompose and into the air when burnt.

Runsewe spent years on research, design, raising capital, and prototyping before Freee Recycle (registered as Freetown Waste Management Recycle Ltd) officially got rolling in 2020.

“No one else was doing this at that time. We had to train our staff from scratch. And then we had to import all the technology because it was a nightmare to fabricate them locally. Sometimes we got it right, sometimes we didn’t and that was money down the drain,’’ she said.

The “sweat equity” and over US$5 million that Freee Recycle and its partners have invested so far are now paying off and social enterprise records indicate the company has 160 employees. Freee Recycle claims their sole facility in Ibadan’s industrial area can handle around 150 car tyres per hour and has gone through 250,000 tyres so far.

“Our plan is to scale up to one million tyres per annum or more, and to achieve that we will need to set up other ‘crushing sites’ around the country,” Runsewe said.

The workflow at the factory involves using specialised equipment to break down the tyres, remove embedded objects, and then mould the salvaged rubber into various products for industrial, commercial, and residential use.

Runsewe outlined two main strategies her company uses to mine its “black gold”.

By positioning itself as an operational hub in the tyre waste management ecosystem, Freee Recycle encourages a value chain in the recycling ecosystem. The company purchases discarded tyres from registered vendors and agents at about US$0.10 per piece, creating business opportunities up the chain. Sources like auto repair services receive additional revenue from selling their old tyres, while Freee Recycle’s collectors make money by identifying and supplying stockpiles to the company.

Freee Recycle also encourages organisations with fleets of vehicles to dispose of their used tyres responsibly via an Extended Customer Responsibility (ECR) programme that enables the organisation to divert – at source – the flow of old tyres to landfills. This strategy also makes collating data more efficient as a relatively large number of tyres are collected from fewer sources.

Partner organisations are issued certificates that detail the materials received, how they were processed, what they were turned into, and how the processing contributed to reduced emissions.

Discarded tyres being processed at the Freee Recycle factory

Runsewe’s efforts to reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint also focus on Freee Recycle’s industrial operations.

“Power is one of our main challenges. The machine behind me is currently running on a diesel generator, which itself is not clean or sustainable. We’re working on migrating to a cleaner source of energy,” she pointed out.

Overheads make competing with imported or non-biodegradable mainstream products difficult. Some of Freee Recycle’s best sellers are rubber tiles that sell for about US$45 per square metre. Freee Recycle also produces mats, paving bricks, marine bumpers, kerbs, insulation rolls, and other rubber accessories.

The company’s marketing strategy includes highlighting to price-sensitive consumers that their goods are more durable, ethically produced, support local businesses, and solve an existing problem.

Flip-flops made from recycled tyres on display at a promotional event

Runsewe believes the future of the industry lies in creating harmony between economic goals and increasing social responsibility.

“We’re trying to shift from a linear to a circular economy, so there must be a plan for disposing of the materials that manufacturers are putting out there when they reach the end of their product’s life cycle,” she explained.

This is one of the reasons Runsewe is so excited about Freee Recycle’s latest offering; upscaled and eco-friendly flip-flops.

“We’ve had our eye on the sustainable fashion industry from the very beginning. While visiting Kenya in 2019, I saw Maasai warriors wearing sandals made from waste tyres. It made a lot of sense,” Runsewe recalled.

Some of Freee Recycle’s flip-flops feature graphic designs celebrating Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

Flip-flops made from recycled tyres on display at a promotional event organised

“What Ifedalapo is doing with Freee Recycle should be scaled across Africa and the globe. The sale of these products also increases visibility around environmental issues and leads to more investment and partnerships,” said Abimbola Olufore-Wycliffe, who heads Nigeria’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The guest list for a launch event of Freee Recycle’s flip-flops read like a Who’s Who of influential women in Nigeria’s green economy.

“I’m also trying to set an example for other women. We have seats at these tables now. So let’s be more vocal, share our ideas, and help drive change,” Runsewe said after the March event in Lagos.

Freee Recycle has also started recycling steel, by smelting scrap metal for repurposing into items like nails and wire.

This is where the rubber hits the road for Ifedalopo Runsewe. She intends to keep promoting a mix of solution-focused innovation, existing resources, partnerships, and entrepreneurial resilience, to contribute to the region’s economic growth.

“For me, success is doing something that I love, something that makes me happy, but most importantly something that impacts other people’s lives positively as well,” she concluded.

Story Credit: Zaniel Dada for Bird Story Agency

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BN Book Review: A Cry for Mercy by Peter Okwonkwo I Review By Roseline Mgbodichimma

Roseline Mgbodichinma — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:00:34 +0000

Can a poet truly repent, or a narrator wrestle with God and win? Is poetry and prayer one and the same? In Peter Okonkwo‘s ‘‘A Cry For Mercy’’, we see that in a shared space of questioning and deep seeking, the lines blur between poetry and prayer, revealing how both can arise from the depths and platitudes of unanswered questions.

An author of six poetry collections, Okonkwo considers himself a spiritual philosopher and it is not hard to see why. ‘‘A Cry For Mercy’’ is premised on the perceived sovereignty of the Christian God and what belief looks like for believers in diverse stages of life – the good, the bad, the ugly. Within the book’s pages, life’s most profound struggles and sorrows are distilled into poignant questions – questions that serve as a cathartic release, a passionate plea, and a bold inquiry into the divine. Through letters and texts, the poet cries out for answers, threatening to burst the heavens wide open with queries. Spanning over a hundred pages, this work is an unflinching case for wailing, a testament to the possibility of questioning divine authority. This collection is not for the faint of heart or those who shy away from challenging the religious status quo.

In the opening poem, ‘‘A Cry For Mercy’’, the line “Dear merciful God, where is your face?” captures the speaker’s desperate plea for divine guidance. This cry for help reveals the daunting struggle to find answers within the limitations of human understanding, and the longing for a more personal and relatable God. Using the imagery of tears, sleeplessness, and abandonment, the poet writes that mercy and compassion are fundamentally human qualities, making the need to personify God all the more urgent.

Like many poems in this collection, ‘‘Longing For Help’’ is a raw and honest expression of desperation, with a palpable and heartfelt intensity. The metaphor of transforming ‘‘the days of my labour into history’’ portrays a deep desire for meaningful change and transformation. Moreover, the lines ‘‘Do not let me die / without an impact, / like a snake that crawls / upon a rocky part. / Exchange my impediments…’’ reveals a pressing need to leave a lasting mark in the world, exposing the speaker’s desperation to overcome obstacles and make a significant difference.

The persona in the poem ‘‘Who is at Fault?’’ feels trapped by circumstances and struggles to understand why they’re suffering despite their prayers and efforts. The persona in ‘‘A Soul at War’’ is torn between their sinful nature and desire for righteousness, pleading for divine intervention. Both poems express deep emotional pain, frustration, and despair. In ‘‘A Conversation with Obstacle’’, we sense the speaker’s relationship with adversity. The personification of Obstacle as a conversational partner gives the poem a kind of depth. Maybe conversing with your limitations and querying them is in itself a kind of faith.

The premise of this entire collection, although full of questions and doubt, is that there is a God. The comfort of grief for people who believe in the afterlife is that the afterlife is a better place. That eternity, where a person’s spirit goes to after death, is the place where they can find solace and eternal peace, however the lines, “I am human, with a body, / soul, and spirit. / If in person I suffer pang, / what then shall be / the lot of my spirit?” in the poem “Comfort to My Dead Self” suggests that it is impossible to trust the afterlife when life is full of suffering, who is to say the suffering will not persist in the spirit realm?

As the book progresses, the cry and desperation intensify, as seen in “Pleading for Favor” which is a heartfelt sincere prayer for favour and mercy. In “Whose Fault, Fate or Mine?” the persona wrestles between taking responsibility for the misfortune in their lives or resigning to fate. The imagery of being in a dungeon or prison in “I Surrender It All” conveys the sense of being trapped and in need of rescue. The poem is a prayer of surrender and supplication to God for freedom and deliverance from captivity.

The poem, “Agony of a Hidden Greatness,” is the persona’s lamentation of unfulfilled potential and the pain of waiting for greatness to arrive. “In the Dungeon of Despair” is a cry for help and rescue from the depths of despair and mediocrity. It’s no surprise that “A Letter to My Flesh” is one of the last poems in this collection as it is an introspective and philosophical exploration of the relationship between the persona’s flesh, soul, and spirit, and the struggle to do good and avoid evil.

The beautiful thing about the book is its use of simple language to portray the direst of circumstances and the heaviest of emotions plaguing the human condition. The use of prayer and intercession as a poetic device throughout the book exposes the resonating themes of suffering, hope, faith and redemption. Most poems in this collection masterfully capture the air of despair and lamentation.

If Okonkwo intended to use run-on lines and lengthy stanzas to evoke a sense of endlessness and make tangible for the reader feelings of longing and frustration, then he has succeeded. If not, the poems in this collection can benefit from shorter stanzas and pacing to improve flow and not wear out the readers especially since the air of despair and lamentation in the poem is repetitive. It feels as though the poet is telling us about the same range of emotions without providing specific experiences to anchor them.

Peter Okonkwo’s “A Cry For Mercy’’ is a spiritual handbook, a manual for believing in the divine while still being human and flawed in this wild world. The questions in this book will make you feel seen.

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Why You Should Learn From Cockroaches

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi — Wed, 01 May 2024 13:47:32 +0000

Last night, a friend called me with an unusual excitement in his voice. I could tell that something very positive had happened to him. He wanted me to guess, so I jokingly asked if he had gotten a girlfriend. He laughed but said that while having a girlfriend was important to him, that wasn’t what had happened. I tried to guess a few more times, but I couldn’t figure it out. Turns out he got a scholarship he had failed to get since he started applying many years ago. The third time he called to inform me he did not get in, I advised him to give up on the scholarship, and he agreed. But he woke up one night and decided to give it another shot. And that was it, the last hope that turned into reality.

Be a cockroach.

I was in a fancy restaurant when a friend said those words. She explained, “In my life, I have never seen a cockroach die immediately after the first hit. You have to constantly beat it with your broom or slippers before it dies. So I think everyone should be a cockroach. Don’t give up because you fail to hit your goal or dream at the first hit. You have to constantly hit it; apply again and again, then maybe you will get it one day.”

I initially failed to understand the analogy because when you constantly hit a cockroach, it dies, which ends its ability to survive. But immediately after my friend ended the call last night, the words came back to me. I realised that the finality of existence for the cockroach translates as hitting the target or goal for us as humans while the process of constantly hitting the cockroach translates as the struggle we put into attaining our goal or dream despite many trials.

There are several reasons cockroaches don’t die immediately after they are hit. They have a hard exoskeleton that acts as armour, protecting their internal organs from damage. This exoskeleton can absorb some of the impact from a hit, reducing the force that reaches the cockroach’s body. They also have a flexible body structure that allows them to squeeze through tight spaces. The flexibility helps them withstand impacts by distributing the force across their body. Also, cockroaches have quick reflexes that enable them to detect danger and react swiftly. When they sense a threat, they may instinctively move away or retract their legs, minimising the impact of a hit. Cockroaches are incredibly resilient creatures that can survive in harsh environments. Their ability to withstand extreme conditions, such as high levels of radiation or lack of food, extends to their ability to endure physical trauma. According to a TedEd, a cockroach can withstand a compressive hit 900 times by distributing the force across its body.

Sometimes, it is important to embody persistence like a cockroach. You may need to try to reach your goal multiple times before you can achieve it, but giving it another try may bring you closer to your dream. As humans, we can be impatient and easily assume that something is not meant for us when we fail to achieve it the first or second time. However, adjusting something in the application process, or changing the methods we’ve applied, or simply just trying again might help us achieve our goals.

Let me also add that I understand that persistence does not always guarantee success, especially when you’re persistent on something that is probably outside your scope. I have seen people tirelessly pursue goals that were not aligned with their talents, passions or circumstances, only to face repeated disappointment. In that case, we need to reassess our goals and aspirations, consider our strengths and limitations, and the practicality and peculiarity of our pursuits.

There is no manual that guarantees success or outlines the perfect path to our dreams. Sometimes, we must embody the resilience of a cockroach, persistently pursuing our goals despite setbacks and failures. Other times, we must recognise when it’s prudent to let go, like an insect that meets its end swiftly and gracefully. Knowing when to persist and when to pivot requires wisdom, self-awareness, and a willingness to adapt to the ever-changing circumstances of life.

I know that there’s a thin line between persistence and discernment in our pursuits, but I hope we embrace the tenacity of a cockroach when faced with challenges, yet remain open to the possibility of redirection when necessary. After all, life’s journey is not mainly about reaching our destination but also about the lessons learned and the growth experienced along the way. In essence, don’t give up on what you strongly believe you can achieve.

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Chaste Inegbedion: How The United Nation’s Summit of the Future Can Enhance Progress in Africa

Chaste Inegbedion — Wed, 01 May 2024 10:00:39 +0000

In Africa, daily life is woven with resilience and innovation. Civil societies are emerging as the driving force behind progress. While attention often gravitates towards large-scale projects, grassroots initiatives that address local needs leave the most enduring impact. In sub-Saharan Africa, children face hazardous routes to school due to a lack of pedestrian safety infrastructure. Civil society initiatives stand as a beacon of hope, protecting the lives of the youth, and laying the groundwork for a future where education is accessible to all.

Across the continent, civil society organisations across the continent are working to break down the stigma and barriers surrounding menstruation, ensuring that girls can attend school without hindrance due to a lack of feminine hygiene supplies. Through innovative programs and advocacy, these organisations empower girls to realise their full potential. They are evident in the stunning landscapes of Zanzibar and the allure of Kenya.

The United Nations’ Summit of the Future (SOTF), scheduled for September 22-23, 2024, is an opportunity for Africa to showcase how more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable the continent is. Beyond mere diplomatic proceedings, it is a clarion call for effective international cooperation in addressing pressing challenges. At its heart, the summit embodies the promise of a new dawn — a commitment to accelerate progress and seize emerging opportunities. World leaders will chart a course towards a revitalised multilateral system through initiatives such as the Pact for the Future, a Global Digital Compact, and a Declaration on Future Generations.

For Africa, the summit offers a unique opportunity to strengthen cooperation, address governance gaps, and reaffirm commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Charter. It is an opportunity for African governments and civil society to unite under a shared vision for a better future. The summit theme, #WeCommit, underscores the imperative for action; it will be held in Nairobi on May 9-10, and the subsequent Summit in New York.

How AI Can Support African Civil Societies and the Pact for the Future

As part of the objectives to be discussed at the summit, the Pact for the Future outlines advancing the use of AI as a powerful tool to support African civil societies. One of the applications is Generative AI, which has enormous potential in combating fraud in financial systems. Generative AI can significantly improve fraud detection tools by analysing massive amounts of data and generating synthetic data to address the cold start problem for new fraud models. This innovation not only strengthens financial systems against fraudulent activities but also promotes trust and integrity in the economic sphere.

Likewise, data integrity and consumer trust are critical considerations in the AI era. To harness the full potential of AI in achieving the objectives of the Pact for the Future, it is essential to establish clear and consistent data protection and privacy requirements. Policymakers should collaborate to align AI governance frameworks across borders, fostering a global environment of trust and collaboration. African civil societies can harness its transformative power to drive progress and prosperity by ensuring the responsible and ethical use of AI.

As African governments and civil society stakeholders prepare to converge at the Nairobi Civil Society Conference, they must recognise the transformative potential of AI in supporting their collective endeavours. By embracing AI technologies and fostering collaboration, African societies can overcome the challenges of our time and forge a legacy of progress and prosperity for future generations. Let us seize this moment together to chart a path towards a brighter future for Africa and beyond.

***

Feature Image by Mikhail Nilov for Pexels

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Sahndra Fon Dufe: Envisioning Africans Redefining Success – My ADIS24 Experience (III)

Sahndra Fon Dufe — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 16:30:27 +0000

In essence, the three-day event at ADIS24 in Silicon Valley focused on the contributions of the African diaspora towards Africa beyond remittances, with a focus on tackling the climate change crisis. The investment summit’s final day was particularly memorable. Wearing beautiful ethnic attire, I participated in enriching discussions throughout the manor. The former Minister for Tourism and Culture in Mali, Hon. Ramatoullaye Diallo N’Diaye, delivered an electrifying speech that vividly portrayed the limitless opportunities available for the African diaspora. Susan Ellenberg, President of the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, also praised the African Diaspora Network for its intentional efforts to promote diaspora engagement on the continent and recognised the pivotal role played by ADN in initiatives such as the YALI Legacy localisation project (Yali LL). This project brought together YALI alumni for meaningful networking opportunities during the event.

YALI, which was launched by former President Obama when I was in my early twenties, is a beacon of hope for African youth. During the event, I noticed the gleaming smiles of African entrepreneurs and YALI fellows radiating with youthful exuberance for all three days. Their cheers were infectious, especially when their organisation was recognised by Almaz Negash. I had the pleasure of interacting with a few of them, such as the gorgeous Angolan climate geoscientist Nair De Sousa, Senegalese skincare distributor Yama Ndiaye, Nasser Diallo, and Riantsoa Mialinarindra, among others. I experienced firsthand their passion and dedication to shaping Africa’s future.

The ADN plans to raise $30 million by 2028 to support its impactful initiatives and further empower the African diaspora. One overarching impression I took from ADIS is a resounding applause for the founder. Almaz Negash, the organiser, is not new to this; she’s true to it.

During my time at ADIS24, I had the pleasure of meeting many interesting individuals from the African Diaspora. My contact list is practically overflowing with names. It warms my heart to think about the dedicated volunteers, some of whom came from Europe, who selflessly gave their time to support this vision. I salute them with the utmost respect as I reflect on our beautiful shared experience at ADIS. As a first-time attendee, I was deeply inspired and decided to volunteer to support ADIS. I am prepared to do it repeatedly, driven by the project’s profound mission that transcends any individual and promises to benefit future generations of the African Diaspora.

During a post-event dinner filled with lively conversations and the clinking of glasses, a particular moment stood out. It was a gathering around a dinner table that felt like a tapestry woven with tales from all across Africa. Someone sparked a conversation that struck deep into our roots, and we were all curious to listen. There were ten of us seated around the table, representing different corners of the continent, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Angola, and my own country, Cameroon. As the night wore on and stories flowed like rivers, They posed a question that sent ripples of reflection through the group: “How far back can you trace your family tree?”

The answers were as diverse as the nations we hailed from. Some knew and some didn’t. Some could recount generations upon generations, their family histories intertwined with folklore and legends passed down through time. Others, like myself, could only trace back to grandparents or great-grandparents; the threads of ancestry are sometimes frayed but still hold strong.

What struck me most was not just the depth of our individual stories but the collective tapestry they formed. Each narrative was a thread in the rich fabric of the African Diaspora, weaving together tales of resilience, migration, and heritage. As I listened to tales of triumphs and trials, of journeys across borders and oceans, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unity in our diversity. We were all storytellers, custodians of our pasts, and architects of our futures.

In that shared moment, I realised the power of our collective narrative — a narrative that deserves to be preserved, celebrated, and passed on to inspire generations to come. And this is the beauty of a gathering like ADIS. There’s so much to be done, and who better to do it than us?

As an attendee of ADIS24, I was inspired by the focus on equity-driven solutions to our shared challenges. Almaz highlighted key partnership areas for collaborating with Africa, such as food security initiatives in Egypt, Libya, and Rwanda that support one million small-scale farmers. Disaster relief support was also spotlighted, exemplified by South Africa. We also discussed economic opportunities for diaspora entrepreneurs, access to loans, grants, and educational skills, along with IREX programs and partnerships to support African entrepreneurs in energy and tech, exemplified by Flutterwave’s success in Nigeria. The importance of mentorship and access to investment was prevalent.

As the diaspora, we must think outside our national borders. We should mentor YALI students, invest in businesses that create jobs, build capacity, and replicate successful models like Kenya’s Green Project. Collaboration is essential in achieving these goals and fostering sustainable development across Africa.

Before leaving, I took the opportunity to study the Hayes, which was a treat, especially its downstairs archives. I also took in some local sights, enjoyed cafes, attended a church service, caught up with family, and boarded a plane home. I believe this event was a moment of reawakening for Africans in various parts of the world. The concept of migration has evolved from merely “seeking greener pastures” to “creating greener pastures.” But as every African overseas, this is a clarion call to be bold, live your dreams, and make a resounding impact in your endeavours.

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Yewande Jinadu: What Should We Do About Workplace Bullying?

Yewande Jinadu — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:05:01 +0000

A recent viral video of bullying has caused people to have different thoughts about how parents should raise their children. While society is quick to condemn school bullying, another crucial area to consider is workplace harassment. Workplace harassment is as widespread as any other form of harassment. It is different from physical assaults that occur in schools or other places, as it often manifests in subtler but equally damaging ways, such as intimidation, manipulation, and sabotage. The perpetrators can be colleagues, supervisors, or even higher-ups in the organisational hierarchy. The consequences of bullying can significantly impact individuals mentally and psychologically, leading to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and talent attrition. I believe there are strategies and actions that anyone experiencing workplace bullying can consider.

Document everything

At some point in your life, it may be necessary for you to speak up for yourself using facts rather than assumptions. To do so, it is helpful to keep detailed records of any incidents that occur, including the date, time and a description of the behaviour. This documentation serves as a factual basis for lodging complaints and may also be used as evidence if necessary.

Establish boundaries

Bullies thrive on a sense of power, control, and dominance over others. They also do not like to be confronted with their actions. Set clear boundaries with the bully, firmly but respectfully. Assertive communication can deter further harassment and communicate that such behaviour is unacceptable.

Seek support

You may question yourself severally if you are the problem but that will only compound the issue. Reach out to trusted colleagues, mentors, or HR representatives for guidance and support. Strength often lies in solidarity, and sharing experiences with others can help validate your feelings and provide perspective.

Utilise formal channels

Bullies often have support from people within the organisation, who allow them to keep behaving in the same way. If informal attempts to resolve the situation are unsuccessful, don’t hesitate to escalate the matter through formal channels. You can also use anonymous channels with proof if you don’t trust the organisation. Most organisations have policies and procedures in place to deal with workplace harassment. Exercise your rights and seek recourse through established channels.

Prioritise self-care

Workplace bullying can have a significant negative impact on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. To minimise the effects of bullying, it is essential to practice self-care activities such as mindfulness, and exercise, and, if needed, seek professional counseling. Remember, your health and well-being come first. If you feel that leaving the job is the best option, then don’t hesitate to update your CV and search for new opportunities.

For HR Professionals and Business owners, it is crucial to lead by example and not bully people to exercise your power. Implementing zero-tolerance policies, training your employees on the implications of bullying if reported, and encouraging open dialogue can help address workplace bullying. Bullies often thrive in an insecure culture where people cannot freely express themselves. Therefore, creating a safe environment where employees can speak up without fear of retaliation is essential.

Addressing workplace bullying requires a collective effort from individuals, organisations, and society at large. By raising awareness, advocating for change, and implementing practical strategies, we can create healthier and more inclusive work environments where all employees can thrive.

***

Feature Image by August de Richelieu for Pexels

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Dennis Isong: How to Identify Attractive Commercial Real Estate Areas in Lagos

Dennis Isong — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 16:30:37 +0000

Lagos, situated on the Gulf of Guinea, is a vital gateway to West Africa and the entire continent. Its strategic location near key shipping routes and transportation hubs makes it an ideal destination for companies aiming to tap into Africa’s growing consumer market. With the bustling Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos has become a major hub for both regional and international trade. This has made commercial real estate in the state a hot investment opportunity for companies looking to expand.

This has made businesses across various industries like manufacturing, hospitality, and finance flourish. The city’s dynamic atmosphere supports startups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs while attracting global corporations. This demand fuels the need for office spaces, retail outlets, and industrial facilities, making Lagos a top choice for business due to its supportive infrastructure and ample networking opportunities, especially in places like Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja and Ikoyi.

Victoria Island, renowned as Lagos’ premier commercial district, boasts upscale office complexes, luxury hotels, and high-end retail establishments. This vibrant area attracts multinational corporations, financial institutions, and tech startups, thanks to its strategic location and excellent infrastructure. Adjacent to Victoria Island, Ikoyi is an affluent neighbourhood known for its upscale residential properties and premium office spaces, housing diplomatic missions, government agencies, and exclusive clubs.

Ikeja, serving as the capital of Lagos State, is a major commercial and administrative hub featuring a mix of commercial and industrial properties, including office buildings, shopping malls, and manufacturing facilities. Its proximity to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport enhances its appeal to logistics and transportation companies. Meanwhile, Lekki Peninsula, with its rapidly developing infrastructure and burgeoning residential communities, has emerged as a prominent commercial destination, housing the Lekki Free Trade Zone and serving as a hub for technology, manufacturing, and logistics companies, supported by tech hubs and innovation centres.

The demand for premium office spaces is on the rise, driven by the influx of multinational corporations, startups, and SMEs. Investors have opportunities to capitalize on this trend by developing Grade A office buildings or acquiring existing properties for leasing purposes. Simultaneously, the retail sector is experiencing significant growth fueled by rising consumer spending and urbanization. Shopping malls, retail outlets, and entertainment centres are in high demand, offering lucrative investment prospects for developers and investors alike.

Additionally, Lagos’ industrial sector is expanding rapidly, supported by government initiatives to promote manufacturing and industrialization. Investors can explore opportunities in warehousing, logistics parks, and industrial estates to meet the increasing demand for storage and distribution facilities. Furthermore, the thriving hospitality industry in Lagos, buoyed by business travellers, tourists, and expatriates, presents attractive investment avenues in hotels, serviced apartments, and hospitality developments, particularly in prime locations such as Victoria Island and Ikoyi.

As one of the world’s fastest-growing cities, Lagos has a booming population driving demand for commercial real estate. With millions of residents and migrants seeking opportunities, the demand for residential, commercial, and retail spaces keeps rising. This demographic trend not only boosts consumption and retail activity but also attracts investment in office buildings, residential complexes, and mixed-use developments, making it an attractive prospect for real estate investors and developers.

Lagos State is undergoing significant infrastructure development to improve connectivity, mobility, and urban life. Major projects like road expansions, bridge constructions, and mass transit systems are reshaping the city and creating new opportunities for commercial real estate. Better infrastructure not only eases traffic congestion and logistics but also enhances the accessibility and appeal of commercial properties in strategic locations across the state.

The Lagos State government has implemented various initiatives and policies to support the growth of the commercial real estate sector. Through urban renewal projects, investment incentives, and regulatory reforms, policymakers aim to create an environment conducive to real estate development and investment. By fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors and streamlining approval processes, the government aims to stimulate growth and innovation within the commercial real estate market, making it even more attractive to investors.

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‘Kunle Adebajo on Journalism & His Favourite Works in Today’s “Doing Life With…”

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 11:00:20 +0000

Doing Life With… is a BellaNaija Features series that showcases how people live, work, travel, care for their families and… everything in between. We are documenting the lives of ~~all~~ people and ensuring everyone is well-represented at BN.

Did you miss last week’s conversation with Linda Osifo? You can catch up here.

This week, ‘Kunle Adebajo, the Head of Investigations at HumAngle and winner of the 2023 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling gives us a glimpse into his life. Enjoy!

Hi, Kunle. How do you feel today?

I feel well, thank you.

Great! Give me a peep into your childhood

As a child, it didn’t seem like we were poor. Food was always on the table — my civil servant parents ensured it. At least we never ran out of garri, our staple lunch and snack. Also, my school fees were always paid on time. But now, when I think back to that period, I can easily see the threads of poverty woven through it. In school, I loved art and crafting words, so I sought opportunities to write and engage in public speaking. Those early days of mounting the podium were a mess, but I was adamant. I represented my school in some writing competitions and won a couple of medals. One time, I was selected to render a poem at the annual Literary and Debating ceremony. I recited Who Buys My Thoughts by Dennis Osadebe, dressed in the signature khaki shirt, shorts, and hat of Tai Solarin that my mom made.

I had talents as a child. I was blessed with such a good brain that I did not need to read to ace my exams in primary school. One time, I missed classes for a whole term because of an accident and still did exceedingly well. I was effortlessly one of the best students in my secondary school. I went through the JAMB brochure and decided the only university degrees befitting of a smart kid in the Art class were in Law and Mass Communication. It did not help that my family kept stressing how I liked to relentlessly argue my points like a lawyer. I asked questions often, even when it meant defying authority figures. It is one of the reasons I detested being a class captain or representative. The position has a way of forcing you to be respectfully dumb. You don’t want to draw attention to yourself. You cannot be both governor and union leader.

But you were a class captain in secondary school

Actually.

‘Kunle Adebajo

Why journalism?

If you asked me when I was ten years old, I would say, “Because it seems like the best way to earn a living while telling stories, being creative with words, and constantly learning new things.” If you asked me when I was twenty years old, I would probably have said, “Because it gives you an uncommon power to shape people’s opinions.” If you asked me a few years ago, I would have said, “Because it allows you to speak for the abused and underprivileged, to expose injustice, and to hold the powerful to account.” But now, I will simply say because I enjoy doing it and because it is important to document our lives — the good, the bad, the ugly. I still believe in the ideals but if that is your only driving force, you will burn out easily in this work.

How do you approach a report, especially in contexts where there may be challenges or risks involved?

Accuracy is the best defence against those risks. Whatever you do, make sure your reporting is truthful and balanced. Every other consideration is secondary. That way, the only thing people can do is call you names or question why you decided to write the story at a particular time or question why you chose to cover this issue and not something else; they would never be able to condemn the story itself. If, at the end of the day, you suffer because of your work, at least you can beat your chest and say it wasn’t because of a failing on your part.

What role does journalism play in society, particularly in Nigeria or the regions you’ve reported on?

The Hawthorne effect tells us that people behave differently when they know they are being watched. I know this from my stint as class captain in secondary school and how an otherwise raucous gathering of young people would become quiet whenever the noise makers’ list was written. This is the role journalism plays, maybe not as effectively, but it prevents society from descending into absolute chaos. If there were no watchdogs, the political class would act even more shamelessly than it does today. Journalists are there to document injustices and abuses of power so that there would be incontrovertible evidence against the perpetrators. They are there to remind public officeholders of their duties to the people and to remind the people of their rights and responsibilities. Journalists are society’s gyroscope.

What makes you remarkably proud of what you do?

Receiving the news that someone whose wrongful detention I had written about had finally regained freedom and seeing them joyously reunited with their family. This has happened several times.

‘Kunle Adebajo

Congratulations on winning the Micheal Elliot Award. Tell me one significant lesson the prize trip gave you

I was at The Economist headquarters in London for close to two weeks. I learned a lot about what it takes to run a reputable international newspaper and to work for one. The most significant lesson I got from the trip, however, came from the other prize winner, Farai Shawn Matiashe, a Zimbabwean journalist. He is a brilliant and prolific writer whose works have appeared on many international platforms. His secret, he says, is that he is a rural journalist as opposed to a hotel journalist. He mingles with the local people and travels to the hinterlands. He does not rely on press statements from the government but goes directly to where the stories are. That statement stayed with me. You are not fully authentic if all you do is regurgitate other reports and analyse information on social media or the internet. You have to gather original information. Interact with people in their communities and let them open up about whatever challenges they face or triumphs they’ve accomplished. Experience a world in its purest form and then you can become truly qualified to tell its story.

That’s inspiring. How do you hope to be remembered as a journalist and as a human?

As someone who set a new standard for storytelling. As someone who inspired many after him to dare pick up a pen and do wonders with it. As someone who, despite his flaws, was committed to not harming other people and not leaving the world worse than he met it. As someone who charted his course and opted for the road less travelled.

Share three works you wish you had written and why you’re sharing them

I have not envied a report enough to think, “Hey, I wish I had written that.” Instead, I sometimes think, “Oh, I wish I had the skills or resources to pull something like this off.” I could only wish I had written something if I had yearned to write it before seeing it, and the other person wrote it just as well as I imagined I would’ve or maybe better.

That’s fair

Yeah, but I’ll mention articles that have greatly impacted me. Jennifer Senior’s What Bobby Mcilvaine Left Behind because of the intriguing storytelling and refreshing retelling of a two-decade-old event. Gay Talese’s Frank Sinatra Has A Cold because of its wild success and how both seminal and influential it’s been when it comes to acceptable writing styles in journalism. Anne Applebaum’s Ukraine And The Words That Lead To Mass Murder, because it showed me that you could talk about a topic as heavy as war and genocide from the perspective of something as delicate and not readily apparent as language. John Hersey’s Hiroshima because of its unusual narrative technique, its depth and its vivid descriptions. Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s All That Was Familiar because after reading it, I started aspiring to become more than just a journalist. I aspired to become a storyteller and Abubakar pulled that dream closer home for me.

I said three pieces, haha

There’s just a lot.

‘Kunle Adebajo

What’s a typical day in your life?

I am a morning person and I find that my productivity and motivation for the day depend on how well I start my day. I resolved last year to read at least ten pages of a book every day, and I started doing that in the morning. However, my routine was interrupted by a long trip, and I have not been able to get back on track since then. I believe the issue lies not in the lack of interesting books, but in a lack of drive. The good this is I have started working out early in the morning. I usually go to the gym, but if I can’t, I use a skipping rope and dumbbells indoors or go for a walk. For the rest of the day, I work on my laptop either at the office or at home. I listen to podcasts when driving or taking a morning stroll, and I listen to music when driving back home. In the evening, I usually watch Netflix while having dinner. Lately, I have been watching a docuseries called The Turning Point (I can’t wait for the second season of Black Clover.) If I can’t find anything interesting on Netflix, I switch to YouTube and watch various educational and entertaining videos, such as explainers, business pitches, stand-up comedy, skits, and TEDx talks. I usually go to bed early, around 10 pm, and on weekends, I spend time sketching on my laptop or writing articles that are not work-related. I also hang out with friends occasionally.

What’s that unconventional thought you have about the world that you think people might not agree with?

Everyone should use Oxford commas.

People don’t use that?

You will be surprised. Also, I don’t think we should aspire to urbanise every corner of the world. Yes, we should try to improve people’s quality of life and reduce mortality rates everywhere. But everywhere shouldn’t be like Singapore, New York or London. The world needs villages and somewhat dysfunctional societies, even if only to serve as a foil. We must acknowledge, too, that many aspects of development come with a trade-off. So whenever we get something wrong, we should have societies serving as real-time time machines to help us compare notes, reconsider our approaches, and possibly undo our errors.

Hmm

I also don’t think men need to get a haircut every week or every two weeks. What is the obsession with looking picture-perfect all the time when we are not robots?

Men or Kunle?

Men, haha.

‘Kunle Adebajo

What are the little things in your everyday life excite you or make you feel alive?

I love taking random pictures. When I can take a picture of something and it comes out exactly as I envisioned it, that certainly drives me to live and experience the world around me. I cherish it when someone unexpectedly asks for my help and I can help. The child in me also leaps for joy when I get heartwarming feedback about my work. And my goodness, sinking my teeth into a well-roasted cob of corn fills me with undiluted pleasure.

Journalism 101?

Never ask a person during an interview, “Can we meet you?” Or say, “Please introduce yourself to people who do not know you.” Ask specific questions that show you’ve done your homework. Also, if ever you are in doubt, find out. You are contributing to the first draft of history; it is your duty to not be wrong.

Kunle Adebajo in three words?

Someone recently described me as moderately anti-establishment, but what I am is a sceptic. I find it difficult to accept an instruction or policy simply because someone shouts it. I want to be sure it is well thought-out. Two other words: reserved (almost unsocial) and ridiculously funny.

Thank you for being on Doing Life With…, Kunle

Thank you for having me.

___________________________________________________

Many thanks to Kunle Adebajo for having this conversation with us and answering all our questions – and swiftly too, we must add.

Do you love this content, have any feedback for us or want to be a BellaNaija Features contributor? We’d love to read from you. Shoot us an email: features@bellanaija.com. Join us on Saturday for the next episode!

The post ‘Kunle Adebajo on Journalism & His Favourite Works in Today’s “Doing Life With…” appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

What If Your Child is The Bully?

BellaNaija Features — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:23:11 +0000

The social media space has been triggering this week. From issues of abuse to violence and bullying, there have been lots of think pieces about how prone our society and its people are to violence. This week, a video of two secondary school students – one hitting the other 18 times! – went viral. From the repeated slaps on both cheeks, the subduedness of the victim, the apathy of other students who were watching, we could deduce that it wasn’t the bully’s first time of abusing the victim. It was simply captured in a video this time around.

Bullying is a worrisome, yet common phenomenon in schools. Students who bully others often do so to exert dominance and improve their social status among their peers. On the flip side, victim cower and recoil into themselves, have a lower social rep and eventually become silent in the face of abuse. Victims of bullying often lack the confidence or will to fight their bullies, thereby making them look weak. So it is not surprising that many people’s responses to this issue is how they’d raise their children to be strong and confident enough to stand up to bullies. Or how they’d go fight the school authorities and the bullies’ parents. There are a million and one opinions on what they’d do if their child gets bullied. But what if it is the other way around? What if your child is the bully? Bullies have parents too and it could easily be you, no matter how well you think you have raised your child.

Jane once found out her pre-teen daughter, Mary, was the class bully. Mary had complained about how her friends refused to play with her and were ganging up against her. After several complaints, Jane went to the school to find out what the issue was. It turned out that Mary had been bullying her classmates so no one wanted to associate with her. Jane had to come up with a solution on the spot – had a chat with her classmates and class teacher, asked her daughter to apologise to them, asked them to hug one another, bought a few goodies for the kids, and later had that big talk with her daughter. That was the end of it.

Another mother, Felicia, also shared how she couldn’t believe her son was a bully at school. He’d been bullying his classmate who came from a very humble home and wore worn-out shoes to class. He’d bullied the boy so much that he lost the will to go to school and his parents had to reach out to the class teacher. How did Felicia handle it? She asked her son to exchange shoes with the victim and made him wear the victim’s worn-out shoes to school for at least a week; it was her way of teaching him to be humble even amidst opulence. She also made him apologise and bought the victim a new pair of shoes.

There’s a similarity between Jane and Felicia: both of them had not raised their children to be bullies. Alas! These things happen. Environment and family culture play a huge role in whether or not your child will turn out to be a bully. If we’re keeping it a buck, our society is one that encourages bullying. Parents bully their children all the time. Adults bully young ones. Teachers/lecturers bully students under the guise of discipline. Politicians bully citizens. Civil servants bully applicants all the time – have you tried getting your passport recently? Policemen and armed forces bully civilians. We have a culture of silence in our society: how many times were you able to look in your parents/teachers/elders’ eyes to tell them they were wrong and you were hurt by their actions. Did they ever acknowledge their wrongs and apologise to you, or did they shut you up? We live in a society where aggression – particularly towards people we feel are lesser to us – is normalised, and many grew up in a home where bullying, in many shapes, forms and sizes, are rife. So it is no surprise that bullying is this common in secondary schools – it is a reflection of the society we live in.

That does not take away individual personalities and psychological factors. In Jane and Felicia’s stories, both children did not come from abusive home nor did they have parents who encouraged bullying. Still, they were bullies. This is because children are their own people with thoughts and behaviours that are independent of parental training and upbringing. Sometimes, children mimic behaviours they see in their social circles, and the need to be seen as cool trumps their empathy for others. This is why parents play a significant role in shaping and correcting children’s attitudes and behaviours. Jane and Felicia intervention when their children turned out to be bullies demonstrate the importance of parental guidance and accountability. By addressing their children’s behaviour, asking them to apologise, and teaching them empathy and respect for others, they actively worked to prevent further harm and foster positive social interactions.

It is also important for schools to take proactive measures to combat bullying. After the video of the girls went viral, several other videos of students being bullied by fellow students sufficed – a poor reflection of a school environment where bullying thrives and festers, and an indictment on the school authorities. Surely, an environment where bullies go scot free is prone to produce more bullies. The school management must create a safe and inclusive environment where students are encouraged to report their bullies without fear of retaliation or rebuke. Consistent implementation of anti-bullying policies and programs is equally essential.

Lastly, it takes a village to raise a child. The solution is not to pile on bullies and call them the worst names you can think about, especially when they are minors. Sharing their photos on social media and captioning it with the most insulting words is not the way to go. You were probably a bully in secondary school but no one was there with a camera in your face. Heck! You’re probably still a bully. Even in addressing this issue, we must never stop being empathetic. Let’s correct in love and play our part in ensuring that we raise confident and bold children who are equally empathetic and as just as they can be.

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Feature image by Ketut Subiyanto for Pexels

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Sahndra Fon Dufe: Experiencing A Confluence of Brilliance – My ADIS24 Experience (II)

Sahndra Fon Dufe — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 12:10:21 +0000

The heritage of the diaspora is a colourful mosaic of ideals, cultures, and values that span across continents. It encompasses lively celebrations, expressive dances, and unique cuisines that are influenced by Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, and beyond. These expressions embody resilience and creativity, reflecting the adaptability and flourishing spirit of their communities. I had the privilege of witnessing this vibrant spirit at the three-day African Diaspora Investment Summit (ADIS24), where an energised atmosphere fueled support for diaspora investments and philanthropy, nurturing sustainable development.

Day two was nicknamed the ‘fireside’ day where several discussions were held on crucial issues. The speakers at the event were impressive, and I was blown away by their presentations. The morning plenary on “Sustaining Africa’s Future Beyond Remittance: Diaspora Investment in Green Energy,” featured insightful contributions from panelists Thomas Debass, Magdi M. Amin, Mimi Alemayehou, and Ali Diallo.

In the main hall, Honorable Ambassador Mukantabana, Rwanda’s Ambassador to the U.S., shared some eye-opening insights about the impact of the African diaspora on her country’s economic growth in her inspiring speech. How diaspora remittances provided financial support and facilitated valuable knowledge transfer, especially in Rwanda’s recovery post-genocide in 1994 was discussed. Similarly, Dr. Monde Muyangwa shed light on the abundant resources available to the diaspora and underlined the U.S. government’s eagerness to collaborate.

During a session titled “African Women as Climate Change Champions,” a group of influential women discussed important topics. The panel included Oula Tarssim from Giz, Angela Naa Afoley Odai from The AU, and Naomi Nwokolo from UN Global Compact Network Nigeria. The panel was chaired by Latanya Mapp, President of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, which has been focused on climate change for the past four years. The conversation revolved around policy changes, investments, and other solutions that are needed to ensure that African women, in particular, have equal access to solutions amidst the growing climate crisis.

During the conversation, Angela raised awareness about the challenges faced by African women, particularly small farmers and traders, who are struggling to cope with the immediate effects of climate change. She explained that about 30% of Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) is dependent on agriculture, with 70% of the population engaged in farming activities. Angela pondered the dilemma facing these farmers, “Climate change is a problem, but how will I feed my children? If I don’t cut down firewood today, how will my children eat?” She also shared some insights from Mali’s drought, where women portioned their provisions to save for rainy days. Despite the challenges, the African Union has an ambitious vision for the year 2063 – an inclusive, prosperous, and integrated Africa with both regional and national plans.

Naomi Nwokolo proposed a practical approach to implementing policy, emphasising the need for a gender lens and access to funding and climate-smart technologies, particularly in drought-prone areas. Neglecting these measures could result in food shortages, which would exacerbate hunger and poverty, the top SDG goals. She also called for continuous education on the impact of climate change, highlighting that women contribute up to 80% of the agricultural workforce in Nigeria and other countries, leading the charge of food production. As a woman who recently got married, I strongly resonated with the urgent need to support African women and amplify their voices in climate discussions, as explained by Oula. The consensus was clear: inclusivity is essential, with more women needed at the table to achieve all SDG goals, including gender equality. As Latanya aptly said, “We can’t create solutions for people without them at the table.”

My standout session was “Fostering Creativity: Youth & Art.” As an artist myself, I resonated deeply with the inclusion of artists in these problem-solving conversations — a rarity at such events. Panelists like Chike Nwoffah, the Director of the Silicon Valley Film Festival, shared profound insights. He urged the diaspora to look back at the sustainable practices our ancestors practised, highlighting how Africans historically harmonised with Mother Nature.

Chike emphasised learning productivity from the Igbo proverb about ants and cautioned against the West appropriating and reselling African technology as “new.” I appreciated the power of film in addressing climate change, citing former US Vice President Al Gore’s impactful film “The Inconvenient Truth” as an example. Chike noted the disparity in how stories are received based on who tells them, calling attention to issues of glorification and amplification when told by white filmmakers. His call for reclaiming cultural narratives was echoed by panellists like Kiazi Malong from Congo and Nkeirula Oruche from Nigeria. They emphasised owning our stories and cultural capital beyond financial gain. The session aligns with my thoughts on taking up space and advocating for authentic representation and storytelling.

I realised that as communicators, our role in shaping the climate change narrative and designing tailored educational programs for the youth becomes paramount. How will you actively contribute to Africa’s sustainable journey?

The post Sahndra Fon Dufe: Experiencing A Confluence of Brilliance – My ADIS24 Experience (II) appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

What’s The Point of God’s Eternal Punishment?

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 10:30:08 +0000

“Is there a place for hopeless sinners?” – Bob Marley.

Before we continue, let me emphasise that this is for people who believe in God and/or are religious. It is also for those who believe in the concept of heaven and hell. Now that I have that out of the way, let me begin.

I woke up one day and began contemplating the concept of the afterlife. According to the holy books, it is an eternal place where all our deeds on earth will be accounted for. If we do good, we will go to heaven and enjoy eternal pleasures and luxuries. But if we do bad, we will be thrown into hellfire and suffer eternal punishment, with our skin continually renewed after being charred by the fire. In Islam, we are told that the Almighty renews the skin in hellfire for sinners so they can feel the pain afresh, while those in paradise remain young forever. But I can’t help but ask myself what the point is. What satisfaction does it bring God?

I understand the pleasure that comes with watching people enjoy paradise after their time on earth, but I struggle to comprehend how anyone could derive comfort or pleasure from watching others burn. I imagine a man sitting on a throne, watching as people line up before him in two groups. One group is provided with eternal comfort because they followed his instructions, while the other group is left to suffer because they failed to follow them. The man watches on, just sitting there as the two groups experience different fates.

As a devout believer, I sometimes wonder if this resolution turns off the minds of disbelievers who may be determined to live their lives however they please since the punishment up there would be forever. I believe we are all God’s creatures and designs and it would seem unjust to watch your creations, moulded by your own hands, face different circumstances in an afterlife where death is meant to be the equaliser. I wonder, would there be a finality to either paradise or hellfire?

However, in retrospect, perhaps the argument for God’s reason for punishment lies in justice itself. Justice demands recompense for wrongs committed, accounting for the deeds of one’s life. In this view, eternal punishment serves as a balancing act of divine justice, ensuring that every action has its consequence. It is not about God deriving pleasure from the suffering of the disobedient, but rather about upholding the order of justice in the universe. As humans, we know that everything has consequences. If you leave your phone without charging it, it shuts down. If you fail to apply for an application, you don’t stand a chance to be offered admission. If you kill someone, well…

So, my assumption of God’s supposed satisfaction, then, might not come from the suffering itself, but from the restoration of balance and the upholding of justice. The eternal punishment serves as a reminder of the gravity of our choices, encouraging us towards righteousness. In this light, the eternal renewal of punishment for the disbelievers might be a continuous call to reflection and repentance. While the cycle of punishment seems unending, it also carries a message of hope. It offers the chance for redemption, the opportunity to turn back to God’s mercy and seek forgiveness. In this way, the eternal punishment, as difficult as it is to comprehend, becomes a reason to the depth of divine justice, urging those who believe towards a life of righteousness and piety.

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Feature Image by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels

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What Makes AMVCA Such a Pivotal Part of Africa’s Movie Industry?

BellaNaija Features — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 19:00:22 +0000

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) is an annual event that recognises outstanding contributions and performances in television, film, entertainment, and digital content creation in Nollywood and across Africa. Established in 2013, the AMVCA remains Africa’s most prestigious movie award ceremony, eagerly anticipated by cinephiles in and outside Nigeria. Beyond celebrating movies, the event showcases African fashion and culture, with the red-carpet peopled with the glamour of African and Nigerian excellence. It is a perfect way to end the year for movie enthusiasts.

Since its inception, the AMVCA has transcended sheer accolades to become a pivotal force in shaping the trajectory of cinema in Africa. Art, in different cultural forms, has always been a special attachment to Africa and in a region where storytelling is not just an art form but a cultural heritage passed down through generations, the AMVCA serves as a stage where narratives intertwine, reflecting the rich collage of cultures, traditions, and contemporary realities that define Africa.

This year, several nominated movies celebrate the beauty of African culture through its language, costumes, and communities. Films like Mami Wata, Jagun Jagun, Wandongwa, and Nakupenda take us on a journey through the bustling streets of Lagos and various culturally rich cities in Africa, as filmmakers and actors come together to not only entertain but also provoke thought, spark dialogue, and inspire change. These movies remind us that storytelling is a powerful tool for transformation and that is what the AMVCA celebrates.

The emergence of streaming platforms has brought favourite actors and actresses closer to cinephiles’ screens in the comfort of their own homes. As a result, people are now more interested in the judging and voting process of the AMVCA. While most filmmakers create films for passion and potential profit, receiving recognition does not take away from the enjoyment. Since the AMVCA has become an important and prestigious award that filmmakers can add to their CVs, it encourages them to go the extra mile and present the best films possible. Despite complaining about the lack of money to produce brilliant films, the AMVCA has motivated them to showcase their best work. The award has now become an avenue for fans to celebrate filmmakers and creators for their excellent performances.

So apart from being a recognition arm for the movie industry in Africa, AMVCA has also been instrumental in pushing filmmakers to raise the bar of excellence in their craft continually. The award catalyses innovation and creativity, motivating them to explore new narratives, experiment with different techniques, and strive for greater authenticity in their storytelling. In doing so, the AMVCA not only celebrates the achievements of the past but also inspires the aspirations of the future, ensuring that the flame of African cinema burns ever brighter.

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is more than just a ceremony of recognition; it is a symbol of the resilience, ingenuity, and vibrancy of the African movie industry. As the industry continues to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of filmmaking – streaming platforms being the major game changers – this awards ceremony remains an avenue for inspiration.

This year, the AMVCA ceremony will be held in Lagos, Nigeria on May 11 and broadcast live on all Africa Magic channels and we all eagerly await this historical ceremony.

The post What Makes AMVCA Such a Pivotal Part of Africa’s Movie Industry? appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Sahndra Fon Dufe: Elevating African Voices and Enriching Futures – My ADIS24 Experience (I)

Sahndra Fon Dufe — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:00:03 +0000

I discovered the African Diaspora Network (ADN) through an IJGB WhatsApp group for “returnees” in Nigeria. What intrigued me about the ADN was the potential for African immigrants to unite beyond traditional affiliations, school sororities, and social interests. ADN welcomes Africans of all backgrounds and even non-Africans as “friends of Africa”. When they announced a coming annual event in March, I was excited to attend.

Attending the African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS24) in Silicon Valley last month was an incredible experience. The event brought together more than 250 impressive individuals from various sectors, including students, entrepreneurs, and other contributors. ADN has been building a network of over 10,000 Africans, diasporans, and friends of Africa from 89+ countries over the past 13 years. They have backed 118 entrepreneurs, and the UN-level diversity they’ve achieved is notable for its lack of bureaucratic red tape. The recent compelling stats and Africa’s steady growth in population, influence, and capital across the Americas, Europe, and Asia have emphasised the importance of diasporan Africans. The event was held in California, and the contrast between Silicon Valley, the realm of tech titans, and the rest of the world is striking. It’s a place where your Lyft is a Tesla, and innovation zooms past you in futuristic Cyber Trucks and gluten-free bread.

The conference took place over three days at the Hayes Mansion, which is a symbol of an enduring legacy dating back to 1903. As someone from a matrilineal cultural background inspired by Ngonnso’s heritage, I found myself exploring the mansion’s abstract art and rich history. The story of Mary C. Hayes, who nurtured four generations of her family before the City took over, resonated deeply with me. It was a testament to foresight and long-term vision. This spirit of possibility echoed the visionary leadership of Almaz Negash, who was the driving force behind ADN and ADIS. Almaz envisioned the African Diaspora as a source of remittances but also a unified force for change. The atmosphere at Hayes Mansion reflected this vision – luxurious, intimate, and enlightening – setting the stage for an impactful event that left a lasting impression on attendees, both old and new friends of ADN.

This year’s theme, “Activate with Africa: Climate Change, Connections, and Actions,” illuminated pathways for environmental awareness and reform leveraging innovations across our continent. The discussions centred around ways to create environmental awareness and promote sustainable development in Africa, using innovations across the continent. The event raised some important questions such as how to unite the African diaspora, continental Africans, and allies to achieve sustainable development, how to improve infrastructure, market vitality, and community well-being.

Day one, hosted by the vibrant Paddy Siyanga Knudsen, featured a captivating panel. In a rosy, flowery frock by Nigerian designer Debra’s Grace, I immersed myself in discussions on “Beyond Remittance,” backed by compelling data. Remittance flows to Sub-Saharan Africa surged by 6.1% in 2022, totalling $53 billion. Notably, robust growth was observed in Ghana (12%), Kenya (8.5%), Tanzania (25%), Rwanda (21%), and Uganda (17%)- according to the World Bank.

During a vibrant session on diaspora-driven innovation in Africa, Almaz hosted notable colleagues like Deniece Laurent-Mantey, Mimi Alemayehou, and C.D Glin, the president of Pepsi Foundation. They shared insights from ongoing recent townhouse engagements across the U.S., gathering diaspora ideas on education, investments, and entrepreneurship under the council’s umbrella and adopting a “with Africa” approach, instead of for Africa, in all foreign policy engagement and partnership. When asked about the inclusivity of the diaspora, Almaz said, “The diaspora is inclusive of all Africans, descendants taken 600 years ago, African immigrants, their children, Haiti, and friends of Africa. My life is possible in this country because of the suffering of those who came 600 years ago. The African Americans who opened the door for me.”

Fear of the unknown is a significant deterrent to foreign direct investment (FDI). Investors sometimes require a better understanding of the African continent before making any investment decisions. Therefore, the diaspora is the U.S. Government’s avenue to engage Africa. Reflecting on her time at OPIC (now USDFC) during the Obama era, Mimi witnessed the African diaspora’s “odogwu” abilities, which turbocharged the portfolio from $1 billion to a whopping $4 billion. She emphasised that diasporans were the continent’s ultimate partners.

My favourite thing about the fully packed schedule was the high quality of speakers and topics heralding the space. In one session, the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) discussed the diaspora’s influence on climate change. In another, Dr. Ndjideka Okonjo-Udochi, and Dr John Nkengasong discussed leveraging technology for social impact. One panel focused on women empowerment in STEM fields, where I learned about the challenges and triumphs of women breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries. In another, a small contingent from the Nigeria Office for Philanthropy and Impact Investing unveiled i-philanthropy; President Tinubu’s global push to raise $200 million in start-up capital for grants and non-financial investment support to qualified MSMEs, with 50% focused on women in business.

I particularly loved that youth empowerment emerged as a significant focus at ADIS24. ADN’s partnership with Arizona State University, facilitated by the Young African Leaders Initiative Legacy Localisation (YALI LL) USAID $80 million award, marks a crucial step in empowering Africa’s next generation. Through mentorship and resource sharing, the diaspora should play a pivotal role in this project by working with the ADN to nurture future leaders.

Advocacy and partnerships are paramount. As the world moves towards decarbonisation, Africa can lead in job creation, particularly through processing industries in countries like the DRC and Zambia. This not only creates employment but also enhances capacity-building. Building an extensive network of collaborators, including those in legal and entrepreneurship, akin to the ecosystem seen in Silicon Valley, will further fuel Africa’s progress.

Of course, the day wouldn’t have been complete without my country people – the Cameroonians – coming together for a spontaneous photo shoot showcasing our traditional dress, the Toghu worn by some Cameroonian attendees.

I admired the electric atmosphere of support for the diaspora’s investments, intimacy, gratitude, and kindness that filled every room. Titles vanished as high-ranking individuals became “aunties” and “uncles,” fostering immediate connections, information sharing, and new friendships. In the words of Nicholas M, Bassey, Deputy Vice President of Congressional & Public Affairs, Millennium Challenge Corporation, “ADIS keeps getting better, without losing its intimacy.”

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‘Fúnmilọ́lá Sanya: Chasing Joy in The Face of Death

'Fúnmilọ́lá Sanya — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 10:42:01 +0000

I’m here, at this party, Adewale Ayuba’s ‘Ani ijo fuji laririn’ playing in the speakers. I get up to dance. The DJ switches to an Ayefele song. I continue dancing. In my life, it is an unwritten rule not to waste music, especially one that has talking drums whose beats align with the set drum. I’m chasing joy now, and to chase joy is to dance. I shouldn’t be here, but the extroverted side of me has suffered long enough and needs sound for some balance. The bride is also like my sister, and for the sake of sisterhood, I drag myself here.

I’m here to find some rhythm; the week has been so bleak that my mind got foggy. On a certain day during the week, on my way to the Island, I saw a capsized boat very close to the shore. An hour before that, I sensed something was off when I got to the terminal and saw armed police officers and more people than usual there. Bit by bit, I picked up the news and put two and two together: a boat mishap happened the previous day; people were rescued, but some weren’t. Some bodies were recovered, and some are yet to be found. The boat took off from Sandfill, a bit late into the evening.

The week before, another boat had capsised. Three people, including a couple, didn’t make it. “Did the boat leave late too?” I asked a guy who said he narrowly missed the capsised boat, and he said no. The boat left within the right timeframe.

Death has a way of announcing itself. It is in the bowing of heads, hands folded across the chest in defeat, accompanied by heaving signs from quivering lips. Though the sun is blazing hot, the atmosphere is dark and the tension is thick, you can feel it.

My work errand to the Island was quick and easy. Pride and Prejudice was open on my lap. I was stuck on a page because I was listening to conversations around me. “They didn’t wear their life jackets properly,” “The captain been dey speed; dem no dey hear word when person tell them to slow down,” “The waves were too much, the water level was high,” “It happened at Ebute-Ipakodo terminal last week too, a female corper was among those who drowned, and people are still missing,” “The boat left late, people are always in a hurry.” “I dey tell you, no be the time wey the boat comot, na the captain,” “Well, nothing go happen to us, God dey.”

En route to Ibeshe, a group of five or six lively guys talked loudly in the boat. One asked for an opening prayer, another mimicked the prayer scene by Tobi Makinde in Funke Akindele’s “A Tribe Called Judah.” One asked his other, “Play Asake’s Sunshine or Lonely At The Top.” The other said his Bluetooth speaker was down. Over low music, but still loud enough to sing along, they gisted and told the captain to face front and drive slowly.

The atmosphere was a mix of heat and cool from the breeze on the waterway. I felt somehow. I just wanted to go home, pour water on my head and have a cold long bath.

We got to Ibeshe and while off-boarding, the chatter from the boat faded into silence. Everyone was removing their life jackets. The excitement from the guys was gone. Death was here, I could feel it. I saw it when a body was wrapped and rolled into a waiting ambulance. There were people – some seated, some walking behind the body, some standing and facing the wall, their hands sprawled across it, wailing. The body was one of the two missing earlier in the day when I left. It was stuck in the capsized boat.

“If he had been able to find a way out of the boat, he would have made it,” An official of the waterway authority said to a group of people huddled around him. I stood a bit afar, looking at the wrapped body. His shoes were still on his feet – brown and well-laced. His legs extended past the end of the stretcher he was laid on. He must have been tall. Nearby, his life jacket and work bag were on the floor. People tried to take photos and videos but a lady shouted, “No cameras!”

A familiar face joined me; a hairdresser who once loc’d my hair. “My customer is expecting me, but I can’t go to VI today, not with all of these,” She said with a teary face. “Look at this car, the owner is yet to be found. His wife was here earlier asking for her husband.” We moved closer to the group, the official was telling people what to do when a boat mishap happens, “Don’t panic. Trust in your life jacket; it will keep you afloat until rescue arrives. There were successful rescues yesterday.” I asked the official about the captain who I heard was speeding. “Oh, he has been arrested, he’s currently in detention.” Someone tapped me and whispered, “It’s a lie, I hear him swim go another place, dem no catch am.”

“We just identified his body now,” a lady showed me the text she received from the terminal. It is how death dares to offer one a new name. A person now becomes a ‘mere body.’ The audacity of it.

On our way back, inside the keke, our faces were drawn in sadness. The hairdresser quietly said, “It is akosile.” Akosile how? I asked. Who inscribed it? Who was there at his creation, looked at him at the beginning of his life, and had it written that on the 26th of February, in the year 2024, when returning from work to his home and family, he would find himself trapped in a capsized boat and the unforgiving waters would wring life out of him? The angels? The elders? Was it God?

“My sister, it is not like that,” she said. “When death is ready, it can meet the person anywhere. Even if the person is in Jalingo or their house, it will find a way to lure the person to a meeting place, beyond their control.”

Then death must be a coward, I think to myself. How could it choose a nearing 40-year-old man, caught unawares and unprepared? Why doesn’t it seek out those who are ready for it?

If the captain was not speeding, would death come? Suppose the Government does right by the people who commute this waterway, providing safer and bigger boats, good life jackets, ensuring boats have enough fuel before take-off, having first responders trained in first aid, and ensuring the captains are licensed to drive boats, would death still hold its sway?

I walked past the security men. They asked if I’m okay. I told them I had a headache. “It’s the heat,” they said, pointing to the scorching sun. I moved slowly with my heavy feet. My head was banging. I was thinking of the body, his family, wife, children. How the coming days would be so bleak and dark for them. I was thinking of how death doesn’t pause the world, not even for a second, to give room for grief.

The rest of the week is somehow. I feel somehow. I hear the wails and see hands spread across the wall. The nights are long with jerks and headaches that awaken me. My body feels heavy with pain. It scored this pain, carried it, and moved slowly by its weight. The days are slow and I desperately hope for the week to come to an end.

There’s this thing about death, it offers you new eyes to life. Suddenly you’re looking up to the morning sun, soaking more of its shine and watching fiery hues of orange and red move in your closed eyes. You’re taking enough time to dance, not letting the music waste. You’re responding to messages quickly, spending more time with friends on the other side of the phone, unwilling to end calls. This is you redeeming the time. You know that thing Officer Nolan likes to do, looking for meaning in tragedies, that his training officer doesn’t like it, I’m not too fond of it too. So this is not about the sober reflection death brings. It’s about chasing joy.

And so at this party, I dance. I dance because I need movement for the days to come.

***

Feature Image by Vinicius Altava for Pexels

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Chaste Inegbedion: Celebrating Africans Shaping the Technology Narrative

Chaste Inegbedion — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 17:30:22 +0000

Africans in the diaspora face distinct challenges such as racism and discrimination which are often compounded by the absence of legal citizenship status and limitations on international mobility in their host countries. Despite these challenges and limitations, some have worked collaboratively, overcoming geographical barriers to create innovative solutions. Their stories highlight the importance of strong mentorship, unwavering commitment, and leading by example. They are collectively securing funding and making significant contributions to the diaspora. By celebrating these pioneers, I shine a light on their progress and resilience, recognising the vital role they play in shaping the technology narrative for the African diaspora and beyond.

Shaping Schedules with Calendly

Tope Awotona, a Lagos, Nigeria native, ventured to the United States as a teenager. After a career as a salesman, including roles at tech giants like EMC (now Dell EMC), Awotona founded Calendly. Frustrated with the tedious back-and-forth emails to schedule meetings, he envisioned a solution. Bootstrapping the venture for years, he secured a $350 million investment in 2021, valuing Calendly at $3 billion.

Afropolitan’s Internet Country Founders

Eche Emole and Chika Uwazie, the brains behind Afropolitan, envision creating the world’s first internet country. Their startup, a community-as-a-service platform, raised $2.1 million in pre-seed funding. Leveraging Clubhouse, podcasts, and extensive online community-building experience, Afropolitan has garnered 50,000 followers, addressing the diverse needs of the African diaspora.

Gaming Connectivity with GAMR

Seyi Fakoya, an MBA graduate with over 10 years of experience in technology product development, co-founded GAMR. Positioned as an all-in-one platform for gamers, GAMR facilitates connection, competition, and career development. Fakoya, hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, brings cross-functional skills and entrepreneurial spirit, having raised over $1,000,000 in funding for various startup ideas.

Transforming Education with AltSchool

A multifaceted professional, Adewale Yusuf spearheads AltSchool Africa, an Africa-focused education platform. A co-founder of Techpoint Africa, Yusuf has been instrumental in addressing Africa’s talent problem, successfully raising $1 million in pre-seed funding. His initiatives extend to fostering global connections among African founders and cultivating growth in the tech landscape.

Charting a Corporate Journey

After earning her MBA with honours, Abimbola Oloko-Olumuyiwa set sail into the corporate world. Her journey led her to AT&T, a telecommunications giant that provides communication experiences to over 100 million U.S. consumers and serves nearly all the Fortune 1000. With a commitment to high-speed connectivity, secure solutions, and a vast 5G network covering 290 million people in the United States, AT&T stands at the forefront of the industry. Abimbola commenced her AT&T tenure as a Senior Financial Analyst in the Finance Leadership Development Program. Her trajectory within the company mirrors her academic excellence, seamlessly translating into impactful roles within global organisations. Today, she stands as the Lead in Product Management & Development at AT&T, a testament to her commitment to excellence and contribution to the company’s leadership in the telecommunications landscape.

SocialCrowd’s Performance Management

Raphael Akinsipe, alongside co-founder Paul Doran, leads SocialCrowd, a performance management startup that secured a $1.6 million pre-seed round. Drawing parallels with Fitbit but for work, SocialCrowd’s SaaS platform empowers companies to set and reward employee goals. Akinsipe’s entrepreneurial journey, including roles at Google, reflects a commitment to innovation.

Trailblazers in the Diaspora

In addition to the spotlighted leaders, a roster of visionaries including Olusola Amusan (Vesti), Kelvin Umechukwu (Bumpa), Onyeka Akumah (Treepz), Olaoluwa Adesanya (Palmplug), Damilare Kujembola (Amplify Africa), Temi Williams (Martwayne) and Dr. Ola Orekunrin of Flying Doctors, collectively form a force driving technological advancements.

***

Feature Image by Ketut Subiyanto for Pixels

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Hayat Alijowaily is Advancing the Campaign about Climate Justice in Africa through Filmmaking

Bird — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:35:47 +0000

As the sun retreats below the horizon, it casts a golden glow over the Red Sea and on the terraces of Aida Hotel, leaving a lingering afterglow that seems to infuse the air with a sense of warmth and energy. Hayat Aljowaily, with her crew at Crtve Development, is giving directions to that energy by working the terrace and the scores of young activists seated thereby amplifying calls for climate justice.

She is networking and engaging with fellow creatives and activists who gathered on the fringes of “Africa’s COP” in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Nearby, a screen is showing climate-related films, and young people from around the world have congregated in diverse, multicultural groups, excitedly exchanging ideas and experiences and smoking shisha from hookahs. Aljowaily is talking about art.

“Arts appeals to emotion, and it’s something that’s very easily understandable but also easily shareable. It’s really important for us to change the narrative regarding climate justice in Africa because, at the end of the day, telling our own stories gives us agency and ownership,” she added, speaking during COP27 in November 2022.

Aljowaily had been invited to attend Culture COP, a UN platform for discussions on the role that the arts, culture and heritage play in achieving a climate-resilient world. It takes place alongside the annual COP climate talks.

With roots in Egypt and a life lived across Washington D.C., Cairo, Geneva, and New York, Aljowaily is a filmmaker who embodies the essence of a global citizen.

Her multicultural background informs her work as a MENA advisor at Crtve Development, a Pan-African social agency promoting African development issues. Aljowaily works closely with the organisation’s creative director in building appealing content, including directing and producing online interview series.

“The world of film is often filled with glamour and glitz, but it is (also) a platform for change and drives the positive narrative agenda about Africa,” she said.

Aljowaily notes that conversations on climate justice have been happening for a long time without those most affected by it in Africa.

“Now, it is not only time for us to be having this conversation but to be owning it. We can’t let other people tell this story because it is ours. We are the ones that are suffering, but we’re also the solution,” she said.

Currently based between Cairo and Paris, she spent her formative years immersed in issues of identity, global politics, and cultural exchange, which have all informed her work as a storyteller.

Her academic pursuits led her to complete a BA in Social Sciences focusing on law and Middle Eastern studies at Sciences Po, Paris, Menton Campus, and a BA in Film and Media Studies at Columbia University. Interning with organisations such as UN Women and March Lebanon throughout her university years provided her with valuable insight into social issues, she explained.

Aljowaily’s passion for film also led her to explore various internships with film agencies and production companies in Cairo, New York, and Paris. Her bachelor’s thesis film, “Maybe Next Time,” has screened at festivals worldwide and won the Audience Award at the Tripoli Online Film Festival in Lebanon.

After graduating in 2020, she joined Mediawan’s documentary international sales team as an intern. Marvel Studios hired her as a director’s assistant on their “Moon Knight” series, which streamed on Disney+.

In 2022, she was instrumental in Crtve Development’s “We Are” campaign, designed to reclaim the narrative of what climate justice in Africa looks like and what it should be.

“The images we often see regarding climate change in Africa are often controlled by the Global North and tend to be very negative. The “We Are” campaign aims to change this by focusing on the stories of resilience and adaptation and bringing them to the world stage. The form is just as important as the content, with high production value, artistic pieces aimed at resonating with anyone, particularly youth,” Aljowaily explained.

The “We Are” campaign focused on five creative hubs across the continent, including Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa, and a travelling circus between Malawi and Mozambique.

Crtve Development partnered with funding collaborative Africa No Filter, which led to the creative hubs being asked to lead in the delivery of a creative installation or pop-up showcase, workshops and mentorship programmes to address climate action in relevant and refreshing ways.

Crtve Development also amplifies African climate justice voices through the “We Are” campaign on TikTok, after inking a partnership with the short video platform to ensure that the stories reach as many people as possible. The campaign has also gained traction on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

The “We Are” campaign also strongly emphasises physical interaction, with art showcases across the continent.

Story Credit: Seth Onyango for Bird Story Agency

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When Does Asking Become an Accusation?

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 09:30:03 +0000

Nigerian author, Chika Unigwe, tweeted a few days ago about how some years ago, she couldn’t find €100 placed on her desk after her cleaner cleaned her apartment. Since she had no proof and wanted to keep her, she didn’t ask her about it. Not long after, a CD went missing a while after the cleaner finished cleaning. And yet again, she didn’t ask her about it because she didn’t have proof. Instead, she resolved to be more careful. The cleaner worked for her for several years until she died.

Some years after, Chika was moving to another continent and as she was packing her coats, she found the €100 inside one of her pockets and the CD stuck inside a multi-disc player.

She wrote, “I was grateful to find my stuff back, but more grateful that I never accused this now-deceased woman of stealing them, because I wouldn’t have had the chance to ask for her forgiveness. My point is that unless you are 100% sure, do not throw accusations around.”

I agree with Chika Unigwe about not throwing accusations around when you have no proof but someone who commented argued that asking if they found the money is different from accusing them of stealing. When we lose things in the house, we ask everyone, including the children if they found it. It doesn’t mean we are accusing them of stealing. However, what makes Chika’s narration different from the commenter’s point of view is that there’s a class divide. And, except there is an existence of a relationship that won’t necessarily insinuate that, a cleaner can simply assume they are being accused of stealing when their boss asks if they found something.

The perspectives made me arrive at a point: our relationship with people determines how we interact with them and how they interpret our words.

Growing up, I had a neighbour who was notorious for stealing. He would steal within and outside our home and run away for a long time, allowing months to cover the smoke before returning. When he returned, a lot of people would have moved on and whoever was stolen from would have forgiven him. He continued doing that for years until he stopped. But his faeces from the past never stopped following him. Whenever something became missing in the house, whether or not he was around when it got missing, we asked him for it. It took him years of openness and remorse before everyone at home could trust him and leave their possessions freely whenever he was around. One day, I heard him tell my mother that although he knew it was his fault, he felt embarrassed and ashamed whenever he was accused of stealing something he never set his eyes on.

While his precedent acts do not automatically grant us the freedom to accuse him falsely, I believe they translate our mere asking into an accusation. Sometimes, we asked him just as everyone else would be asked, but he felt wrongly accused because he knew he had been guilty of a similar act and assumed we still thought of him as a thief. If it were anyone else, they would have just considered it as what it is – mere asking.

If Chika Unigwe’s relationship with the cleaner could not suggest accusation, I believe the cleaner would have simply been asked without anyone feeling accused or guilty. Still, I believe Chika was right for not asking, totally right because that class divide between them was enough to suggest an accusation.

I also believe Chika did not ask because it was €100. If it were something that is essentially or urgently needed, very expensive like a gold bracelet, something significant like a gift from one’s late grandmother, or something that doesn’t suggest a need for the cleaner (like a book manuscript, haha), she could have asked and moved on. So even beyond relationships and class divides, the item in question also influences our decision to ask, confront or accuse – as the case may be.

I generally believe there’s a thin line between asking and accusing. Even between husband and wife whose relationship might not suggest otherwise, the tone and manner of asking would determine whether the wife or husband is accusing the other. There is a difference between, “Baby, I put my wallet here yesterday but couldn’t find it. Did you see it or can you help search for it?” and “Baby, you took my money, give it back.” One suggests asking and the other suggests accusations.

In determining whether it is an accusation or asking, I think the relationship and the tone and manner we speak determine what is what. But I still want to know when asking becomes an accusation. Would you ask if you were Chika or would you shrug and let it go?

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Biodun Da-Silva: Some Lessons from My 40-Year Life Experience

Biodun Da-Silva — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:15:44 +0000

“The journey through life is important but what you learn during your journey is more important.” – Dabasish Mridha.

Life has a profound way of reminding us that nothing lasts forever and that time is our most valuable resource. 39 years ago, I was a year old and this year, I’ll be 40. In those years, life has happened to me several times and I’ve come to understand that the essence of one’s life is the summation of both positive and negative experiences. Moreover, how we respond to these experiences ultimately reveals our true character.

Life teaches us valuable lessons as we live through it. The more we learn, the wiser we become. As time goes by, life doesn’t necessarily get easier, but it can become more meaningful if we make a conscious effort to prioritise our happiness, make a difference and live with determination and honour. The most important thing is to have the moral fortitude to do the right thing, even when it’s the most difficult decision to make. My experience makes me understand life’s dynamics through different lenses. I have learnt lessons along the way and these are some of them.

Put God first

We cannot live a fulfilling life without acknowledging the existence of a supreme being who guides us towards our purpose. We were created with a reason and our purpose can only be revealed through the will and plan of the divine for our lives. We are merely vessels that are used to fulfil a purpose in the grand scheme of things. Without our soul, we are merely a pile of flesh and without God, man is nothing.

Contentment is key

It’s important to be happy and content with what we have in life. While it’s natural to desire things that we don’t have, it’s abnormal to focus too much on those things and neglect what we do have. We often think that the grass is greener on the other side, but we should realise that what we focus on grows, while the things we neglect will depreciate. It’s important to embrace our current situation with contentment and hope, and believe that better days are still ahead.

Leveraging youthfulness

The days of our youth hold great importance in our lives and can often determine the extent of our success. Our ability to efficiently utilise our youthful energy, time, and skills, can essentially determine our success or failure. This is the time we possess the physical abilities, and mental and intellectual alertness to pursue our dreams and purpose.

Leveraging your gifts and talents

You are reading this because I put my gift of writing to work. You’re able to comprehend half of what I’ve written because my writing skills have been refined over the years. Some of you actors and singers you admire have also grown over the years. You will notice that not only have they improved and updated their skills, but they have also grown alongside their profession. By leveraging their talent, they have accumulated both financial and social wealth that may not have been possible otherwise. When you leverage your gifts and talents, you have chosen to live a life of ease. It may be difficult to cut through initially but with time and consistent creation of value, your gift will lead you to a successful end.

Embrace financial education

Financial education is crucial to ensure that the points highlighted above are not wasted. Financial literacy is the knowledge of how to make smart money decisions and understanding the different ways to attain financial independence. Money plays a significant role in our daily lives. Without it, we cannot achieve our dreams and aspirations, support our families, or contribute positively to our communities. Money gives us a voice, influence, and the ability to build strategic relationships with important people, and we can make a significant impact with it. Money is the reward for creating value in the marketplace. To manage and multiply our money, we must learn and relearn how to attain and retain it efficiently and intentionally. To be successful, we must learn the basics of financial literacy.

Love

Emotions are a crucial part of human physiology and are present in every living being. They give meaning to our lives and bring happiness to our hearts. At some point in life, having an emotional connection with someone or something is vital for our overall well-being. At the end of the day, what we did or didn’t do cannot be undone. Therefore, it’s important to live with intention every day to avoid any regrets or waste of time. Remember, life is too short to live in regret. Live and learn as you go through this journey called life.

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Feature Image by Jennifer Enujiugha for Pexels

The post Biodun Da-Silva: Some Lessons from My 40-Year Life Experience appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

10 Years on Screen! Linda Osifo Tells Us About Her Acting Journey in Today’s “Doing Life With…”

BellaNaija Features — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 11:00:27 +0000

Doing Life With… is a BellaNaija Features series that showcases how people live, work, travel, care for their families and everything in between. We are documenting the lives of all people and ensuring everyone is well-represented at BN. Did you miss last week’s conversation with Kapinto? You can catch up here.

This week, we’re doing life with Linda Osifo, a Nollywood actress, TV host and founder, Bloom Media Motion. Enjoy the conversation.

Hey Linda, how are you feeling today?

Hi BellaNaija, I’m feeling alive and great.

Awesome! So you grew up in two countries, right?

Well, I grew up in two different drastic worlds, Nigeria and Canada.

Tell us about that and what aspect of your childhood influenced who you are today

I would say I’ve been influenced today by both worlds. I was born in Benin City, Edo State, where I spent my early childhood, before relocating to Toronto, Canada at the age of 8. I got a core foundation of strength from my childhood based on where I came from. I grew up in Ugbowo in Benin City and in the 90s, it was filled with crimes and insecurities. I grew up with the mentality of learning to survive, be strong and protect yourself against crimes. Most of the memories I had from my childhood then were sensitive. Memories of being plundered under threat of a firearm severally in our home.

That’s rough

Yea. Life, after relocating to Canada, became extremely different. I discovered more about myself there. I graduated from one of the top-ranked universities in Canada, York University, with a degree in Psychology, while taking elective courses in acting. In that journey, I identified a lot of things that helped me mentally and socially. I participated in a lot of community, school and church activities, where I was able to discover many attributes that have shaped a large part of what I am today. I would say every aspect of my childhood has strengthened me and trained me for the world as a whole.

What motivated you to pursue a career in acting?

My acting journey was never to have a career in it. It’s a case of passion meets purpose. While growing up in Canada, at 13, I noticed some skills came naturally to me. Skills like athletic sports, public speaking, and being confident before large audiences. These skills organically grew more as I engaged them more and they form exactly what I do today; from competing in 2 beauty pageants in Canada, hosting shows, to being a TV host, and acting in my first film, all before the age of 21.

I was confident enough to decide what I wanted to further my career on, which started my Nollywood journey. Immediately after I had finished my degree, at 22, I decided to take the leap and come to Lagos.

That’s courageous.

I tell you.

How is that going so far?

The story is long, but as of today, it’s been 10 years and 8 months and it feels like everything just happened at the speed of light. Obviously, it didn’t, and I sure have tough moments stories, moments where I felt I couldn’t do it again, and my happy moments where I felt God really answered me. It’s been an amazing journey, and I never imagined it all happening within 10 years. It’s an institution that keeps teaching and one that I keep learning from. It’s going as God’s plan and I’m grateful for where I am.

We’re proud of you

Thank you.

In what ways do you feel you’ve grown as an actress so far?

That’s a beautiful question. I will say my growth is in dimensions. I can’t compare where I am today to 10 years ago in my career. But I feel I’ve grown in my ability to inhabit diverse characters and portray their emotions authentically; I’ve become more confident in my craft and comfortable taking on challenging roles; I’ve learned to collaborate more effectively with directors, fellow actors, and crew members; I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the storytelling aspect of acting and its impact on audiences; I’ve developed a stronger work ethic and dedication to continuous learning and growth in my craft.

Awesome! What lessons have you learned along the way?

One of the toughest lessons I’ve learned along the way is becoming more resilient in handling rejection and setbacks. Another lesson is always being positive in times of uncertainty and instability. Acting careers can be unpredictable, with periods of unemployment between gigs, but being consistent will surely pay off eventually.

You are in A Naija Christmas, Devil in Agbada and others. How do you prepare to get into a character?

The number one rule as an actor is to read your script. It’s important to read the script completely and understand the storyline generally. It makes it easy to break down your character. I like to observe the 5 Ws: Who, What, Where, When and Why of a character/story; it makes my reactions and emotions as realistic as possible. The best and most consistent step is always to practise, nonstop.

⁠What are your best moments onscreen or onset?

I love what I do so every moment is very intentional to me. My best moments are always when I work on a project with a talented and supportive cast and crew. It’s always a highlight for me. There’s a unique energy and camaraderie that develops during filming like we are all one family with the same goal. One of my favourite onset moments was when I had the opportunity to perform a challenging stunt in Devil in Agbada. It was exhilarating to push myself physically and see the final result on screen. The most rewarding onscreen moments for me are receiving positive feedback from audiences or critics about my performance. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my work resonated with others and made an impact.

The most challenging role or character you played?

One of the most challenging roles I’ve played was Zoya, in City of Bastard. This character required me to delve into deep emotional territory, portraying a complex range of emotions and psychological struggles. Also, the character of Esinda, in Pretty Evil. However, through intensive preparation, working closely with the director and fellow actors, and drawing from personal experiences, I was able to fully inhabit the characters and bring their stories to life.

Any event that stands out or experience you cannot forget?

I can never forget November 2023 on a Ramsey Nouah set. I met the great veteran actor Liz Benson. It was a moment that felt complete and whole for me. The excitement of being in the presence of such a personality and the emotions of knowing that she knew who I was.

Awwwww

I definitely cried in gratitude as she rendered prayers and positive compliments to me. Moments like that come once in a lifetime.

⁠What’s a typical morning for you?

Oh boy! I wake up and start the day with my morning routine; I meditate first, take in everything going on presently, and then proceed to say a brief prayer. Then I check emails and messages for any updates from potential jobs, or any social media postings. Then a light exercise before having my cup of 3-in-1 instant coffee for breakfast to prepare for the day.

Tell us about ⁠Bloom Motion Media

Bloom Motion Media is my latest initiative that I’ve been working on for a year now. It’s my media production company, which produces movies, content and everything relating to the production of media content. BMM came from 10 years of learning and growing as an actress and creative in the entertainment industry. Its purpose is to give back massively to the world through my talent, skills and experiences, while working towards achieving a platform that creates opportunities, brings talents to life, and speaks beyond the visuals.

⁠What are the little things in your everyday life that bring you joy or get you excited?

Haha, the smallest things make me feel good. I find joy in simple moments like staying in bed, and sipping my cup of coffee in the morning while a chilled breeze fills the room; in moments like having a heartfelt conversation with a friend, or spending cosy time with loved ones.

Also, spending time with myself to reflect, rest and rejuvenate always brings me alive. Most importantly, extending kindness, love or helping others brings me a deep sense of fulfilment and reminds me of the importance of being alive, compassion, and empathy.

⁠We know Linda the actress, who is Linda beyond our screens?

Linda is that simple, determined girl striving to reach her personal goals in life. She’s a family-oriented girl who just wants to be happy and see everyone happy. The real Linda is very goofy, playful and can be very loving. She just lives her life like every other human being who learns and grows.

3 emojis that describe you best?

Would you play the character of a Disney princess or the most feared villain?

Hmmmmn…

I would play the character of the most-feared villain, because I know people like princesses. I like things that most people won’t go for, the opposite and the least predictable with mysterious characters.

If you could adapt one book into a movie, what book would that be?

“The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern. The novel is visually stunning and rich in atmosphere. The story is filled with enchanting characters, mysterious competitions, and a captivating romance that would translate beautifully to the big screen. It’s a story of a magical circus that only opens at night.

⁠Let’s imagine you’re given 100 million Naira to make a short movie right now, who would you pick as your director, producer, cinematographer and main cast?

I will work with a unique team. Director and producer wold be Jade Osiberu, cinematography by Adeoluwa Owu, and main casts will be Adesua Etomi and Funke Akindele. It would be a great, unique combination.

Perfect choice, Linda. Thank you for being on Doing Life With…

Thank you for having me.

___________________________________________________

Many thanks to Linda Osifo for having this conversation with us and answering all our questions – and swiftly too, we must add.

The post 10 Years on Screen! Linda Osifo Tells Us About Her Acting Journey in Today’s “Doing Life With…” appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Bola Edwards is Promoting African Heritage for Children Through Her Fictional Character “Grandma Wura”

Bird — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:33:35 +0000

Bola Edwards’ living room has been transformed into a giant stage. Large styrofoam books stand tall while an oversized pencil crafted from plywood balances on a brown wall. The opposite wall is a fuchsia pink. The space looks like a classroom from a child’s whimsical imagination.

In the middle of the room stands an armchair upholstered in the swirling patterns of African textiles. It is here, at the centre of things, that the fictional grandmother character “Grandma Wura” comes to life, sharing stories with young African minds around the globe.

Ever since the character’s debut in 2015, Grandma Wura has been integral to Edwards’ work with her company, Proud African Roots.

She founded the creative arts company with her husband, Patrick, in 2013, a year after leaving her corporate job. Their mission was to raise a new generation of African leaders by blending African arts and storytelling with tangible lessons on values and leadership. Their strategy was multifaceted – leveraging stories, music, and drama to educate their young audience.

“Children are much like sponges; they’re extremely impressionable. At this age, whatever values you want to instil in them, you just have to put in a story,” Edwards explained.

Yet, capturing the children’s attention required significant effort.

“Our children are now more Western, and to reach them we have to find a way to bring together Western and African cultures to create relatable content,” she said.

This birthed the grandmother character that embodied this cultural fusion.

“We did a lot of research to craft Grandma Wura’s identity,” Edwards said. “When you see Grandma Wura, you see more than just the Ankara (African textile) and buba (traditional blouse); you’re met with an array of colours, beauty, and an exotic allure,” she added.

While Edwards was aiming to create a character with a global appeal, like Disney’s iconic figures, she did not initially see herself in the role. “When the character was first conceived, it seemed so big and I began searching for someone who could truly personify her,” she said. However, she struggled to find someone willing to dedicate the necessary time to portray the character. So she committed to voice training and began studying elderly women.

Grandma Wura was unveiled during the company’s school tour, where she told stories to children and offered leadership training during their assembly time, reaching over 22,000 school children.

The project expanded into theatre productions, where entire families could experience the stories in an engaging and communal setting. Promoted as “Story Theatre with Grandma Wura,” the production became an annual Children’s Day event.

“The concept was to get children to come and see the stories come alive on stage, like you would in the King and I Broadway musical,” Edwards said.

In addition to the school tours, she shared that the shows included a capacity-building programme, training approximately 600 children.

“Story Theatre with Grandma Wura has evolved in many ways,” Edwards noted. “We had individuals sponsoring orphanages and students to see our shows. Some schools and parents bought their tickets themselves,” she explained.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic compelled Edwards and her team to pivot towards television and other digital platforms to retain their audience. Consequently, they launched two television shows: “Grandma Wura School Bus” and “Grandma Wura Story Hut.”

The “School Bus” is an entertaining educational series that introduces children to new vocabulary, values, and African proverbs. In contrast, “Story Hut” is reminiscent of African folktales, although Edwards’ stories were original and largely created in-house. So far, she has completed two seasons for each show.

The stories are packed with lessons, employing repetition and songs for reinforcement. “At the end of each story, there’s a recap. Some stories have even been transformed into books available on Amazon,” Edwards shared.

Grandma Wura’s shows, beyond imparting moral lessons, often acquaint children with the diverse languages and cultures of Nigeria’s ethnic groups and those of other African countries. “I Wish I Wish,” a story about self-love and hard work, featured a protagonist and expressions from the Igbo tribe, which, along with Hausa and Yoruba – Edwards’ native tribe – is one of Nigeria’s three largest ethnic groups.

Before her content went on television, Edwards released it on the company’s YouTube channel, where, to her surprise, it garnered an audience that included children and families from the African diaspora.

Her partnership with television stations resulted in Grandma Wura’s content being broadcast on several local stations and regional satellite provider DSTV, expanding its reach across Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Gambia and even in the US and UK, through NTA International.

Initially, Edwards faced challenges with television companies because they favour foreign programming. When they did agree to air Grandma Wura’s content, it was without compensation.

A 2021 UNESCO report shows that while local television series in countries like Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have increased, intra-regional co-productions in Africa are still rare. In contrast, there are often stronger collaborations between some African countries and Europe, driven by subsidies from the latter.

“Most of what we, as Africans, provide for our children is Western content. Children need to see themselves reflected in the content they consume, and that’s why we do what we do,” Edwards said. Not just the stories, but the soundtracks in Grandma Wura’s shows are original. “Our songs have a mix of African languages and English,” she explained.

In one of the rooms of her house, she set up a studio where Patrick and their 17-year-old son, David, spend most of their time during peak production periods.

“Introducing an African element is a must when we compose a song,” Patrick said. “David and I collaborate (in the studio). He is the younger version of me and connects with the youth, so there is a perfect blend of the old and the new,” he added.

David was not always interested in the production process.

“I kind of found my path after awakening … it’s somewhat like a journey of discovering myself within our African culture through arts, music, and everything creative,” David explained.

Just a few months ago, he was a core part of the production team for the nine-episode climate change podcast series, “Green Tales of Singing Trees.”

Much like the Grandma Wura character, the podcast’s central figure, Singing Tree, was unusual but charming. “It was delightful to see how much the children and their families loved her,” Bola Edwards remarked.

During production, Edwards and her team grappled with the challenge of discussing a complex subject like climate change, especially considering the wide variance in climate change literacy rates across Nigeria. To navigate this hurdle, she made sure the team was thoroughly engaged.

“One of the things that we did with the podcast, besides using a video teaser, was to use lots of sound effects to colour the story and take the listener on a journey,” Edwards said.

“In my experience, utilising audiovisual learning has proven to be the most effective means of conveying information to children,” explained Ogunsola Ayooluwa, the vice president of Eco Diversified International who has spent the past two years educating young people about the environment and climate change.

Ayooluwa pointed out that the lack of climate change topics in school curricula and the scarcity of educational materials are barriers to raising awareness among young people.

Edwards’ living room is now being overhauled for the third season of the “Grandma Wura School Bus” show. She has done this for every new season to ensure a fresh look while keeping its appeal to her young audience.

“The future of African traditional storytelling is humongous,” Edwards said, referencing “Iwájú,” the Nigerian animated series selected to stream on Disney+ before turning to the topic of Afrobeats, the sound that has gripped global audiences.

“Do you see how the whole world has gravitated towards the music genre?”

Edwards stressed the importance of self-validation; the need for Africans to celebrate their cultural assets without waiting for external approval. “We should promote what we have,” she said.

In their home studio, David begins playing the hand drum. He taps the taut animal skin cover of the drum, gradually increasing the intensity. The sound from the hollow instrument reverberates through the home, grabbing everyone’s attention.

“He is in his element,” said Edwards.

Story Credit: Kate Okorie for Bird Story Agency

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Dennis Isong: These Are Some Substantial Benefits of Investing in Land in Lagos

Dennis Isong — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:45:26 +0000

Lagos is Nigeria’s economic powerhouse and a bustling city that never sleeps. With its rich culture, thriving business sector, and rapid urbanisation, investing in land in Lagos offers a multitude of opportunities for investors seeking to secure their future. Beyond residential purposes and experiencing the urban aesthetics of the city, securing a piece of land in Lagos offers benefits that are not only profitable but strategic towards building anyone’s future.

Lagos is strategically located on the coast of Nigeria, making it a hub for trade and commerce. Its proximity to major seaports and airports makes it an attractive location for businesses and investors. If you intend to venture into entrepreneurship, there’s no better place to launch your business than Lagos. This will bring you closer to your potential clients and business partners.

High Demand

Due to its rapid growth, Lagos attracts many job seekers and this increased demand for land drives up its value, making it a profitable investment. Investing in real estate in Lagos becomes an attractive proposition due to the potential for significant returns on investment. As land values appreciate, property owners stand to gain from capital appreciation. Moreover, the rental market in Lagos remains buoyant, with high demand for residential and commercial properties, leading to favourable rental yields for investors. Lagos is home to numerous multinational corporations, financial institutions, and startups, making it a thriving business environment. Investing in land near commercial districts can provide rental income from office spaces and retail establishments.

Appreciating Asset

Land in Lagos is an appreciating asset. With limited supply and increasing demand, property values tend to rise steadily over time, making it a lucrative long-term investment. This increased demand for land subsequently drives up its value. Land in strategic locations within the city becomes particularly sought after, as businesses and individuals vie for space close to economic centres, transportation hubs, and other essential amenities. Despite rental income and immediate returns, investing in land in Lagos offers the potential for significant capital appreciation over the years. Property values are likely to escalate as the city continues to grow and prosper, providing investors with substantial wealth accumulation opportunities.

Rapid Urban Development

Lagos is undergoing rapid urban development, with infrastructural projects such as roads, bridges, and public transportation systems continually improving. Investing in land in emerging areas can yield substantial returns as these developments unfold.

Diverse Investment Options

Whether you’re interested in residential, commercial, or mixed-use developments, Lagos offers a diverse range of investment options to suit your preferences and financial goals. The diverse investment landscape ensures that investors can find opportunities aligned with their preferences, risk tolerance, and financial objectives, whether they seek income generation, capital appreciation, or a combination of both.

Favourable Government Policies

The Nigerian government has implemented various policies aimed at promoting real estate investment, including incentives for developers and streamlined approval processes. These policies create a conducive environment for land investors in Lagos. However, it’s important to note that investing in Lagos real estate also comes with its challenges and risks. These may include issues such as land tenure uncertainties, bureaucratic hurdles, infrastructural deficiencies in some areas, and the potential for market volatility. Therefore, thorough due diligence and a deep understanding of the local market dynamics are essential for investors to mitigate risks and make informed investment decisions.

Meanwhile, the legal framework for property ownership in Lagos provides security and protection for investors. With clear land titles and robust legal mechanisms in place, investors can have peace of mind knowing their investments are safeguarded.

Cultural Diversity

Lagos is home to everyone, no matter your cultural affiliation. It attracts tourists and expatriates from around the world. Investing in land in tourist-friendly areas can yield returns through hospitality ventures such as hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals.

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Feature Image by McBarth Obeya for Pexels

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BN Prose: Don’t Come Home Late by Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 10:00:48 +0000

He brought out his bag and slammed the door of his car. He made to enter the house and as he was about to thumbprint the door open, he held his finger. There was a river of questions behind that door waiting to sweep him off the floor. He had never come home late. The one time he arrived home beyond the normal time was for a coworker’s birthday party. His friend, Chandler, forced him to attend even though he mentioned his wife was waiting for him. “It will be just for an hour. I’m sure your wife would want you to have fun,” Chandler had said. He agreed but he didn’t know when he finished three bottles of alcohol and couldn’t lift his buttocks off the seat. When he found himself next to his wife the following day, she told him Chandler had brought him, making him promise not to come home late again.

But this night, he was two hours late and he knew his wife was ovulating. She had told him to come back early so they could try again. They were both fine, the doctor assured them. But it is five years now, and their bodies have produced no child. When he proposed surrogacy for the second time, he found her brooding in the chair all day, thinking about how her pregnancy fantasies wouldn’t come to pass. And they’d decided to keep trying. If they had no child, they’d put all their children savings into charity and build many orphanage homes, they both agreed.

He opened the door and there she was, sitting in the three-seater, her legs crossed, a novel in her hands. He closed the door and stood just at the entrance, staring into each other’s eyes. He knew he shouldn’t come home late. He knew it was more than the child that they were trying for. He knew it was because they were all they had, both of them, and they’d been each other’s friends for far too long. He knew she would never come home late from work. When she travelled to London for work, she made sure they had their movie night even though she slept off 30 minutes into the movie. He was a good husband but sometimes, he forgot what was important. And she constantly tried to make him remember, or not hold him for it.

“Welcome, baby mi,” she looked up at him briefly before her eyes returned to the book. He didn’t know whether she was angry or moody or just engrossed in the book. He struggled to find the right words and shrugged. He walked in and sat beside her on the couch, placing her legs on his lap, caressing them. He should have done that one hour ago after finishing his dinner as she read the paragraphs to him. She once asked him to promise they would never make each other feel lonely in their marriage, and while they both tried to keep to that promise, he always forgot to keep to his promise. Of all the nights he could come home late, tonight was not one of them. Not when she was ovulating. Not when there was a chance they could make a baby. Not when she’d said to him, as they headed to work in the morning, “If you come home late, you will have to get yourself pregnant and give me a child.” He had crossed his heart and made a promise, but he also forgot to mention that he was going to stop by the viewing centre.

It was Liverpool, and they still lost 4-3 to Manchester United at the extra time.

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Feature Image by Alex Green for Pexels

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Are FoodTech Startups Charged with Ensuring Healthy Living?

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:30:08 +0000

Before he moved to Abeokuta, Muhammad Bello had no choice but to cook his food; in Ifo, where he was observing his NYSC, there was no decent place to order food. But since he arrived in Abeokuta, Muhammad only cooks once every week, and that will be a simple meal that requires a couple of minutes. For others, he orders.

“It’s easier because we now have apps that have access to all these eateries. There is this app that we use here. It is called HeyFood. That app even creates your own account details to be able to make transactions to the places we order from.”

Four out of five young people I spoke to confirmed that they prefer to order or buy food instead of cooking. I have, on many occasions, read surprises on young people’s faces like me whenever I mention that I cook everything I eat. I often argue that cooking saves cost but they insist it doesn’t, especially when you calculate the amount of time and money expended on cooking. A constant argument on X is whether cooking food saves money than buying food but the recent economic reforms and the unprecedented high cost of living have somewhat levelled the argument.

In Nigeria’s tech industry, there is a growing focus on food-related solutions. Previously, fintech solutions dominated the industry, but now, startups such as Glovo, Mira, and Chowdeck are emerging to make access to food easier. Food vendors are also utilising various platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp to reach their customers. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are witnessing a surge in food-related content. For instance, the #food hashtag on TikTok has over 555 billion views, and the #Nigerianfood hashtag on Instagram has over 1.4 million posts, indicating a growing interest in food beyond sustenance. Many Nigerians are embracing the convenience that technology brings to their access to food.

However, the growing dependence on technology for food access is sparking discussions about the necessity for stronger regulations and consumer awareness to ensure the quality and authenticity of delivered food. Some people like Stepahie and Wunmi have taken to social media to report incidents where spoiled food has been delivered to them, raising concerns about the standards of food safety in the industry. Some complain about late delivery and sometimes how their order is packaged. There have also been narrations of delivery people altering their meals or taking some out of it.

Therefore, the foodtech startups need to work on maintaining quality control measures, such as sourcing from reliable suppliers and implementing proper storage and transportation protocols. Establishing trust with consumers is vital for these startups, especially in a world like Nigeria where people are quick to share reviews on their social platforms.

As the technology-driven food industry continues to evolve in Nigeria, finding the right balance between convenience and health remains a major discussion for both startups and consumers. One reason is that Nigerians have a strong attachment to food; besides its nutritional importance, it is also cultural. When they dine out, they expect the amala to be fluffy, and they want their jollof rice to have that distinct Nigerian flavour. Hence, it won’t work when the amala is delivered long after its fluffy state, or the jollof rice right before it gets spoilt. It’s not enough for food startups to simply deliver, it is also ensuring that it is delivered on time, such that the meals are fresh, unspoilt and meet customers’ expectations.

As Nigerians grow an increasing taste in food, and in the accessibility and convenience of getting quality food, it has become important for tech startups to understand that Nigerians’ affinity with food is special, and then act accordingly to ease access to quality food and take that stress off people.

“Once I’m able to sort that (food), then I can think of other things,” Muhammad says.

The post Are FoodTech Startups Charged with Ensuring Healthy Living? appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

10 Years On: Stephanie Busari’s Important Work on Telling The Chibok Girls’ Story

BellaNaija Features — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 19:10:45 +0000

Photo credit: Modern Woman Magazine

In 2016, two years after the Boko Haram militants stormed into the government school in Chibok, Borno and kidnapped over 240 schoolgirls, CNN released a ‘proof of life’ video, where some of the girls were filmed and made to answer some questions. Before this, no one knew anything about the welfare of the girls, the state they were or what was happening to them. The video eventually hoisted the Nigerian government‘s negotiation talks with the terrorists, which led to the release of 21 girls.

Stephanie Busari obtained that video.

10 years after the abductions of the schoolgirls, Stephanie Busari, as part of As Equals, CNN’s series on gender inequality, has again returned to Chibok to speak to some of the released girls and those who managed to escape, on life after this horrific event. She also spoke to some parents who haven’t seen their daughters but still hold onto the hope that they’ll return home, someday.

People do not often move on from tragedy, they simply modify their lives around it. The girls still remember how Boko Haram militants came, what they were doing when they arrived and how their parents tried to run after them. Stephanie’s reporting brings back the trauma and resilience of the survivors and their families. By revisiting Chibok and amplifying their voices, Stephanie not only calls the world’s attention to the unresolved tragic event but also highlights the need for continued support for those affected.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stephanie Busari-Bediham (@stephbusari)

It’s 10 years now and 82 Chibok girls are still missing, but Stephanie Busari is not resting on her oars in advocating for the abducted Chibok girls and telling their stories, raising awareness globally about the present situation of these girls and the ongoing challenges faced by their families and communities. From obtaining the ‘proof of life’ video, to giving TED talks, and extensive reportage, she has raised awareness globally about the present situation of these girls and the ongoing challenges faced by their families and communities, humanising the victims and inspiring action towards their rescue and the prevention of similar tragedies. Stephanie’s dedication to this serves as a reminder of the power of journalism in bringing the world’s attention to social injustices and the urgent need for continued support for marginalised communities like Chibok.

Watch the report here.

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Smart Emmanuel: Are You Faced with Difficult Goals? These Tips Will Help You Achieve Them

Smart Emmanuel — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 16:50:30 +0000

Sometimes, we set ourselves challenging goals, such as learning a new language or acquiring a new skill. On other occasions, we are presented with a difficult task that we must accomplish. While what we consider difficult may vary, we all have tasks that we find challenging. However, the principles that help us succeed at challenging tasks remain the same. Accomplishing difficult things is crucial for success and fulfilment in life. The world recognizes and rewards people who excel at challenging tasks. Your challenging task may differ from mine, but I believe the principles that helped me will also assist you in succeeding at your challenging task.

It’s hard as a whole but simple in bits

The magic in hard things isn’t in the whole but in the smallest part. To master anything, the first step is to break it into smaller parts and understand the foundation, brick by brick. Isn’t this how we learn the alphabet when learning a new language? Everything that seems hard becomes more complex when we look at it as a whole, but when we break it down, it becomes easier to understand. This doesn’t make it easy, but it makes it possible to understand.

It requires time and practice

After breaking it into smaller parts, what comes next is time and practice. Just like a tree cannot grow overnight, even with the best conditions, it may take time to achieve your goals. Time is a significant factor in learning and problem-solving. While estimating how much time is needed may be difficult, breaking a task into smaller parts can help. By focusing on small pieces, we can learn faster and with more ease. Practice is also important as it helps us remember what we learned yesterday while building on today’s knowledge.

It’s been done before

People with fewer resources than we have today sent men to the moon, and built the pyramids, and the great walls in Benin and China. The world is filled with stories of women and men who had little time and resources but solved great and complex problems and learned multiple skills and languages. Doing hard things didn’t start in 2024; it’s been done since man was created. It’s how ancestors faced wild animals and survived. It’s how we found solutions to starvation and cures for diseases. It’s in our DNA. We have all it takes to do hard things. Civilisation is proof.

It needs a strong why

Learning a second language may be the key to unlocking a higher-paying job. Learning a new skill may be the door to a better job with work-life balance. Finding the cure to a deadly disease may be the fulfilment of your lifelong goal. Making life more meaningful and easy for humans with your product or service may be the answer to your dream of financial security as well as your goal of making an impact. Advocating for the underprivileged may be the fulfilment of your self-given destiny. Whatever your why is, if it moves humanity forward and inspires you to act, it’s big enough to face the many challenges you will face when doing hard things. The beauty of challenges is they are temporary if we stay long enough to find the solution.

You need to test and document

While many people may not enjoy taking tests, assessing oneself and taking third-party tests can be beneficial for evaluating one’s learning methods and performance. In problem-solving, testing one’s solutions as progress is made can aid in monitoring overall progress towards the solution. If one is coding for a large project, neglecting to test the code before completion can result in frustration when errors are discovered. Running tests can help identify issues early on and provide insight into the effectiveness of one’s work. Additionally, documenting one’s progress or solutions can assist with understanding the reasoning behind each step when reviewing the project as a whole.

Collaborate

Best efforts applied alone can keep us blind to other ways to solve a problem or learn a skill. Sometimes you need a partner or a new teacher. When it gets hard and you can’t find a way after best effort, collaborate and learn from others. Tap into the genius of others to make your dream a reality.

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The post Smart Emmanuel: Are You Faced with Difficult Goals? These Tips Will Help You Achieve Them appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Read About Ìfẹ́dayo Agoro’s Meteoric Rise Into Entrepreneurship Through DANG

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 09:00:38 +0000

When Ìfẹ́dayo Agoro started sharing her story through Diary of a Naija Girl (DANG), she never thought it’d grow to become this big community where women would bond, share their stories, experience all-round love and sisterhood, and find support. She also never thought it’d become one of Nigeria’s biggest lifestyle brands. But, in 2020, when she announced the sales of her candles and over 5000 people signed up to test the product, it dawned on her – for the umpteenth time – that there was something special about the DANG community.

Born in Shogunle in 1983, Ife’s childhood shaped her perception of life. She grew up with a sense of camaraderie and equality, and it never occurred to her that the expectations for boys and girls were different. In her environment, boys and girls used to play football, dance at parties and play tennis together. It was not until she reached adulthood she realised that society does not view men and women as the same. It was important for her to open a space where she could share her experiences and have conversations like this, and where women could be inspired and impacted. And DANG was born.

Ìfẹ́dayo Agoro, CEO of DANG Lifestyle and founder of Diary of a Naija Girl, talks to us about DANG and building this community where women find inspiration, support, and a space to embrace their vulnerabilities and triumphs. Enjoy!

Hello Ife, thank you for being here

Hiiii, it’s so good to be here. Thank you for having me.

We’re happy to have you, Ife. ⁠Let’s start with your background and everything that shaped who you are today

I was born in 1983, into a house of two siblings. We didn’t grow up with much and I grew up in a slum in Shogunle. It was fun because we didn’t see it as a slum; it was a place where we could play and had no reason to think about our circumstances. And that affected me in a good way because everybody – men and women – was doing everything together: playing football, tennis, racing, going to parties to dance and others. There was no difference between us and that’s how I grew up. So when I stepped into adulthood, it took me a while to adjust to knowing that men and women cannot play football together, that men and women are not getting the same treatment, and that expectations are different for women and men. I was supposed to study Law because my mum thought I was up for it but I ended up studying English at Olabisi Onabanjo University, which is such a blessing because it shows in how I write now. I graduated in 2006 and went to work in different places. I worked at a creative company, a financial company and then Oil & Gas where I stayed for a long time before focusing on DANG lifestyle.

⁠You started building the DANG community anonymously at a time when showing one’s face was important to connect with the audience. Why?

Starting anonymously kind of tied into the fact that my face wasn’t important when we could discuss important conversations. My face wasn’t the most important thing on the platform; it was the conversation that I wanted us all to have. The women were being inspired and impacted, so what’s the face for? I mean, I like to dress well and look good, but I do not get a life in my ego or self-esteem by getting accolades from others. It’s nice, I won’t lie but it’s not how I thrive. So I didn’t think there was any need and it was also fun – people guessed my hands, legs and it allowed to me tease them. Which I still do.

When the time came to reveal myself, it was because someone sent my picture to my email and said, “There you are. I’m going to make sure I put you out there.” I wasn’t going to allow that because my story has always been mine to tell. Another reason was that I wanted to start a skincare company and wanted people to see the trajectory of my skin, from what it was to what it is. Everybody can definitely attest that this (my face) wasn’t how it was.

Interesting. Let’s talk about how you have managed to maintain a positive vibe for DANG, particularly in a toxic social media world

I believe that the way you want to be perceived is how you treat people. The kind of energy you want in your environment is also what you should accept. From the beginning of DANG, we made sure we were not about the noise or trying to trend just because. There’s no need for that. The society is founded on the fact that we want to thrive as women. We want to discuss important topics, laugh and try to live our best lives and these have nothing to do with just making noise on social media. We believe that, as women, what is more important is us and making sure that inside of us, we’re thriving. That’s how we started. And we also quickly cut off anything that brings toxicity or negative vibes. It is very hard to find toxic comments in our comments because, from the beginning, we have been able to avoid them. We’ve always maintained that DANG is not a place for that and if anyone brings this into the comment, we tell the person to delete it, but not block them. We just let them know. And you find that when they come back, they do better or apologise. We’ve been able to grow that sort of community and it’s just really amazing to see.

It’s really amazing, Ife. I mean, we’ve seen people build friendships, get vulnerable and get support on the platform. Did you foresee this from the onset?

If I’m being honest with you, I saw nothing. I wasn’t thinking about what it’d become in 5 years. Nothing. I just carried my laptop and started writing. The moment I thought this was a thing was probably in 2020 when we first sold out the DANG Lifestyle candles in a week. I was like, “How did we sell out so quickly?” The community has never had to support me in anything; they’ve supported each other and other women, but they’ve never had to support me in anything. It was like they were waiting. And as soon as the company launched the candles and perfume oil, it just went off. And then I started noticing that DANG is a proper community of women supporting women. And it was overwhelming. I didn’t even intend to create a community, I just wanted to write so other women could hear me, see me, understand me and also come out of that feeling of shame and being quiet. 2020 was the year I realised DANG is something for real.

⁠⁠Speaking of selling to the community, was it hard to turn the community into customers?

It wasn’t hard to sell to the community simply because we had a conversation. I asked, “Who wants to test a skin care product from me?” and 5 thousand people applied to test the product. That’s a lot but it was the test we used to tell people that, “Look, this person is part of us. Look what it has done for her.” My journey as an entrepreneur does not start like others and I’m very grateful for that because people were waiting to support and buy. I put a lot of work into it, right? But no matter how much work you put into a business when you don’t have customers, you’re working for nothing. The community turned DANG Lifestyle into the growing company it is today.

We love to see it! Let’s go back to DANG and storytelling. How were you able to pull off the courage to share your story when you started without the fear of backlash?

There’s always backlash but I’ve never stood on that and decided I wasn’t going to share anymore. When we started, it was to say there’s no shame in our game, we’d speak our minds, it may not sit well with you but you will be fine. The backlash has come, many times. Sometimes, it hurts when what I’m saying is different from people’s interpretation, but I just keep going. Except you want me to be perfect, which is not possible, there will always be slip-ups, and everybody should be okay with that.

It’s easy to get broken by people’s stories. How have you been able to listen and tell these stories without internalising them over the years?

Some time ago, I used to talk to a therapist because I’m an empath and the stories get to me and I’d want to help even when I don’t have the power. So talking to a therapist at the time really helped me to balance and detach because you can not help every day. These days, I just step back. I allow them to tell their stories without taking them on.

I’ve witnessed the growth of DANG’s page and community over the years, how have you been able to create and innovate in this ever-changing digital and social media space?

First, I want to get to where I don’t have to post every day because social media feels like you have to come correct and post every day. The second thing is, when it comes to Diary of a Naija Girl, the people already run the platforms with their stories and engagements. They send me things, and I post for them. Also, employing young people who are interested in growing the brand has helped. We’re just taking it one step at a time. But for DANG Lifestyle, it has a lot of people working there. There’s the digital marketing team that is there to push out a lot of ads and make sure we’re visible in places that matter.

That’s interesting. Tell me about one special experience that made you feel so close to the members of the community

From the beginning, I have always come as I am and as I’d always be. Seeing that women now come to me as they are feels surreal. There are so many stories sent to me that I don’t know where to start. Sometimes I wonder, “How do you send me this? Are you not worried I will judge you?” But the stories just keep coming because it’s a safe space for us. It’s always been a safe space.

Congratulations on the DANG Women Fest, Ife

Thank you!

What significance does DANG Women Fest hold in society?

There have been a lot of events for women but DANG Women Fest was different. The DANG community is known for our vulnerability so there was no need for women to come correct; women could be themselves. Our panelists did not come to tell people to “aspire to perspire,” instead, they shared real-life situations and were as vulnerable as they could be. The DANG Women’s Fest was a place where women let us know who they are, what they have gone through and how we could learn from their experiences. We had such a good time.

This has been a very insightful conversation, Ife

Thank you so much.

Any words for the DANG community?

To the members of the DANG community, thank you for teaching me so much over the years. I thought I was coming to share but I’ve learnt so much from you all. Thank you for supporting DANG Lifestyle and making us grow to where we are today. You guys are amazing. And I hope we continue to grow to learn and unlearn and continue to be a safe space for one another.

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Comet Nwosu: How to Achieve Personal Development Through Consistency

Comet Nwosu — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 16:30:01 +0000

Consistency is a sign of dedication and passion towards a particular thing. It means repeatedly engaging in something, even if others don’t see its value or if it doesn’t bring immediate rewards. Consistency helps you keep moving forward until you achieve your ultimate goal. However, if you stop in between and create an imbalanced flow, it leads to inconsistency.

There’s another aspect of inconsistency that you may not be familiar with. It gives the impression of consistent effort, but it’s not. If you started a project, stopped midway, started again, dropped it again, and then finally completed it, you’re being inconsistent. It doesn’t matter if the project was personal or professional, or if it had a deadline. What matters is that you didn’t maintain a consistent flow towards its completion.

Meanwhile, on a general scope of things, life doesn’t always offer many chances for redoing or restarting something that could have been completed way before. While optimism allows us to use hope as an effective tool to believe that we can still achieve what we couldn’t do, no matter how long it takes, life goes on, people age, and time ticks. Therefore, whatever you choose to do or accomplish must be something that you consider important enough to put in the right amount of time and energy to achieve it. It deserves the right amount of consistency. If you plan to study, you must be ready to face your studies and consistently do your best to achieve desirable results in the end. If you plan to get married, you must also be prepared to navigate life with the person you choose, keeping in mind that it will have its ups and downs.

To be a consistent person, you must have a set way of doing things, your habits, your patterns of being, and accomplishing your goals. You must ensure that they’re positive reinforcements that enable you to reach the finish line. On the other hand, an inconsistent person forgets their values and visions, leaving their mission incomplete. They go back and forth, making them unreliable and untrustworthy, unlike a consistent person who is predictable and reliable. I believe being consistent means having foreknowledge of the pros and cons of what you want to achieve and being ready to deal with any challenges that come your way and still keep pushing.

I have experienced inconsistency in several areas of my life, including my relationships with loved ones, my professional life, and my writing aspirations. At times, I set goals for publishing articles each week but became demotivated by various factors that derailed my progress. However, I am beginning to identify the root causes of my specific and general inconsistencies, and I am working to become more consistent in every area.

The first step in changing from an inconsistent to a consistent person is recognising your patterns and forgiving yourself for any past mistakes. It is important to dig deep and determine the root cause of your inconsistencies, whether it be learned helplessness or a lack of motivation. Once you have identified the underlying issue, you can then define a mission with your values and vision as your guide and constantly remind yourself of your purpose to stay on track.

Consistency aids success in many strata of life, business, work, or our personal life. It solidifies our intentionality to keep showing up and putting in efforts toward something we deemed fit in the first place, most importantly, not allowing the downsides of the journey to knock us out of it, although we might get knocked off-track sometimes.

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How Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella Helped Bayer Leverkusen Lift the Historic Bundesliga

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 21:53:41 +0000

In football or soccer, if you’re American, when you hear “The Invincibles”, your mind brings the image of the 2003-04 Arsenal team with Patrick Vieira holding up the unique gold Premier League trophy after the team had gone 38 matches unbeaten for the whole season. Before Arsenal held the record, it was previously held by Preston North End Football Club in 1989 and AC Milan’s team of 1992 who won the Serie A without losing a game. What, however, made Arsenal exceptional was the difference in the games. Preston went unbeaten with 27 games, while Arsenal’s was 38, competing with the league’s giants like Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Chelsea. A unique Premier League silverware was designed to celebrate the milestone and to date, since 2004, 20 years in history, no modern football club has been able to replicate that; not the exceptional team of Manchester City, or the giant of the Champions League, Real Madrid.

Until Xabi Alonso‘s Bayer Leverkusen.

In October 2022, Bayer Leverkusen appointed Xabi Alonso as the head coach when the club was in the 17th position in the Bundesliga, the German league dominated for several years by Bayern Munich. Before Xabi Alonso’s appointment, Leverkusen have never won the Bundesliga. They have finished as runner-up in the Bundesliga five times without winning the league. When Xabi Alonso arrived, he recruited more talents including Nigerian Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, and since the start of the new season, Bayer Leverkusen have gone 44 games unbeaten with just a few matches left to play, drawing just 4 of them yet.

The win against Werder crowned them their first Bundesliga in the club’s history and a historical moment for Nigeria when Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella join fellow Nigerian talents who have won the Bundesliga. The German league has been graced with Nigerian talents like Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi, JayJay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Obafemi Martins, Victor Agali and Pascal Ojigwe.

Since joining the club, Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface have been very instrumental in the club’s title charge with Nathan charging the midfield and Victor scoring important goals for the club. In his 18 appearances this season, Victor has contributed 11 goals and 7 assists despite suffering from a four-month injury which ruled him out of the African Cup of Nations and some club football until his return on April 11, where he netted a late-minute goal against the English side, West Ham United. For five consecutive times, Victor Boniface has won the Rookie of the Month award in the Bundesliga.

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Similarly, before joining Bayer Leverkusen, Nathan Tella started his professional career in the Premier League with Southampton in 2019. He was at the club until 2022 when he was loaned to the then-championship side, Burnley, scoring only one goal for Southampton. At Burnley, he contributed to the promotion of the side to the Premier League, scoring many goals including two career hattricks. Burnley couldn’t sign him and in 2023, Bayer Leverkusen announced his signing on a five-year deal and he made his debut for the club on October 5. So far, in the current season, he has scored 5 goals and contributed 2 assists in his 20 appearances.

Meanwhile, just as English football has the treble – the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League (or any main continental trophy) – the same exists in German football as the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and a European trophy. Only eight teams, including Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Ajax, Inter, Manchester United, Celtic and PSV, have ever achieved this coveted feat. So, Bayer Leverkusen are also primed to be on a treble charge this season, thanks to their impressive runs in the Europa League and DFB Cup. Should Bayer Leverkusen somewhat manage to lift the treble, Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface will be the first Nigerians to achieve this major honour in football history.

Bayer Leverkusen carry a lot of history on their shoulders, and this season could be monumental not only for them but also for football fans in Nigeria. Achieving the Bundesliga is a special milestone for Nigerians on the international football stage, but can they strengthen that with a treble? It seems like an achievable dream with contributions from the brilliance of Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface. Everyone has eyes on the team and they eagerly wait, hoping to be part of a potentially legendary season for Victor and Nathan. We watch on and see. But first, they celebrate the Bundesliga.

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What Makes Kapinto Kenya’s “Loudest Entertainer”? Find Out in Today’s Doing Life With…

BellaNaija Features — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 11:05:49 +0000

Did you miss last week’s conversation with Olufemi Oguntamu? You can catch up here.

This week, we’re doing life with Kapinto, an entertainer in Kenya. He talks to us about his journey into entertainment and his favourite new hobby. Enjoy the conversation.

Hey Kapinto, how are you feeling right now?

Hello BellaNaija. I am feeling hot and great!

Give us a glimpse into your background and what part of your childhood influenced who you are today

I am currently residing in Nairobi, Kenya, which is where I spent most of my childhood. During my school days, I participated in a lot of acting activities, such as joining the school drama club. I still remember the first time I participated in a play, and how everyone was amazed by my performance. It was then that I realised that I had a natural talent for acting.

You’re popularly known as a content creator. Tell us how this journey began and how it’s been for you so far

It all began around 2021 when I uploaded one of my clips on TikTok and it went viral. Honestly, I was expecting it to go viral but I wasn’t expecting people to laugh since I was so serious! The clip was about me saying how broke I was and that if money won’t find me, I’d go find it myself. But anyway, the journey has been quite amazing and I’m so grateful for how far I’ve reached. Yet, we still have a long way to go and I believe we’ll get there, Insha’ Allah. I like to call myself the loudest entertainer but since you’ve said I’m a content creator, let’s go by that, hahaha.

Content creation has become a huge market now. Is it what you do full-time? Does it meet all your financial needs?

Yeah, since I decided to do content creation full-time, all I just have to say is that I am grateful.

Tell us one interesting about being a content creator from Kenya

Being a content creator from Kenya specifically, I feel like people here have supported me so much and that’s the most important thing.

Tell us about why you animate your character. What’s the inspiration behind this and why does his short jump every time?

Haha, the animations are being done by FatboyKenya, I am just a voice-over actor. The shorts jump because Kapinto is a very angry character but in a positive angry kind of way.

What’s a typical day in your life like? From when you wake up till you go back to sleep

First thing in the morning, Kapinto prays. Then I plan what I will do during the day which is most likely shooting content because currently, that’s all that I do until I go to bed.

What’s that unconventional thought you have about the world and think people might not agree with

The world doesn’t exist.

Wait what?

I know you won’t agree but don’t ask me how.

Okay okay, what are the little things in your everyday life that bring you joy, get you excited or make you feel alive?

My evening jogs.

Describe Kapinto in three words

Authentic, loud and bold.

One silly thing you would do if no one was watching?

Dance in a funny way, haha.

One local dish every Nigerian visiting Kenya must taste?

Yes, yes, Ugali and fish in Kenya. Especially the fried fish only and then you add Kachumbari. You will thank me later.

Thank you for being on Doing Life With…, Kapinto

Thank you for having me.

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Many thanks to Kapinto for having this conversation with us and answering all our questions – and swiftly too, we must add.

The post What Makes Kapinto Kenya’s “Loudest Entertainer”? Find Out in Today’s Doing Life With… appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Temilola Otunla: We All Need Each Other to Be Successful in Life

Temilola Otunla — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:30:10 +0000

NYSC was the opportunity I thought I had to be away from my parents. It wasn’t because I hated them, I just wanted to be independent. During registration, I chose Cross River State as my first choice because I thought they wouldn’t know anybody there. I got posted and two days before my trip, my parents called me after I had finished a nice bowl of efo riro and pounded yam. I was still licking my fingers when they announced to me that my cousin who lived in Calabar would pick me up from the airport to take care of me while I was in Calabar. “Cousin ke? I have a cousin in Calabar?” I quickly redeployed back to Abuja because I knew I wouldn’t get any independence if I lived with a family member.

As a child, I always wondered how my parents seemed to know someone in every part of the world. There’s no place in this world where my parents don’t have a friend, family member, former colleague, or just anybody. Well, I’m not sure about Antarctica, but if I ever have to go there, I’m pretty sure there’d be an aunt or uncle they know who’s available to help me when I arrive.

As annoying as it was for my 19-year-old self who was trying to gain independence, it’s something that I consider valuable now that I’m in my 20s. My boss is in her 40s and something she says often that I’ve also heard from older millennials and baby boomers is: “Èyàn lasò”, which means “humans are a covering” in the Yoruba language. The idea behind this phrase is that it’s a fellow human who will lift you when you’re down, help you through difficult situations, and stay with you in the highs and lows. It simply means that you cannot do life successfully without people.

It is interesting how, in our generation, we still talk about the importance of growing our professional network. This is because having a strong network of people can be mutually beneficial for everyone involved. The Yoruba saying, “Èyàn lasò,” also emphasises the importance of being there for others, not just for what we can gain from them, but also for what we can offer. It is about building a sense of community where we support each other, even when it is not convenient. This is why our parents see events like the wedding of a friend’s child as an opportunity to not only celebrate but also to be there for their friends. They understand that their relationship is mutually beneficial and that they may need each other’s help one day.

While relationships should not be seen as transactional, it’s important to acknowledge that we all need each other. Despite the differences in generations, our innate needs remain the same. Baby boomers, millennials, Gen Zs, and future generations all have (will have) a need for people. That’s why we seek out communities of like-minded individuals, even online, where we feel seen, heard, and understood. This need also extends to our place of work. I once quit a job because I didn’t feel like my team had my back. It goes to show how important it is to feel supported in our daily lives. Nobody can do life alone and succeed. We all need each other.

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Feature Image by Ketut Subiyanto for Pexels

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Mfonobong Inyang: A Superfan’s Perspective of WWE Wrestlemania XL

Mfonobong Inyang — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 12:20:48 +0000

From childhood, I have always been an aficionado of WWE. We would pray for NEPA not to disappoint us on Saturday evenings when previous episodes on Monday Night RAW or Friday Night Smackdown would air on the now-defunct television stations, DBN and MBI. I was far into my adolescence before it clocked that the famous wrestler we called ‘Hokogan’ that year was Hulk Hogan. Same for Shawn Michaels, who we referred to ‘eshin michaels’ because somewhere in our heads, we imagined he was named after his muscles. Your childhood wasn’t complete if you hadn’t channelled your inner Stone Cold or Batista in a play-fight. Now as an adult, I love the WWE for more than the in-ring action.

As a storyteller, it’s always fascinating to watch how story arcs and character development are brought to life. At Wrestlemania XL, the grandest stage of them all, peak storytelling came into play. It has some of my highlights favourites. Of course, I am a WWE superfan, I have to share my thoughts on Wrestlemania XL.

Can You Smell What The Rock Is Cooking?

Long before Dwayne Johnson’s successes in Hollywood, he was one of my favourite professional wrestlers of all time. The most electrifying man in sports entertainment came back into the WWE ring for his first competitive match in almost a decade. Nobody can cut a promo like the Rock; the way he works the mic is just as good as he lays the smackdown on all their candy behinds. His recent surprise cameos in the WWE eventually revealed his intentions to sit at the Head of the Table. All was set for the biggest main event of all time at Wrestlemania XL, where the then undisputed WWE champion, Roman Reigns, would go one-on-one with the great one. Just when we thought that finally, the Rock had come back to Philadelphia to headline Wrestlemania XL, the “Cody Cry Babies” had other ideas – they simply shut their mouths.

At the end of the day, it did not matter what the Bloodline thought was good for business – those jabronis put enough pressure on WWE and Cody Rhodes found himself in the main event of Wrestlemania XL. This didn’t go down well the people’s champion, the Brahma Bull guaranteed that such abomination from the sick freaks wouldn’t go without consequences. Right before our eyes, the Rock turned heel. The babyface superstar went encore and brought back a famous iteration (10.0) of his previous character types – the Final Boss. OGs in the WWE universe who knew more about this memory of the Attitude Era in the WWE where everything was heavy metal. We could all feel the mana with his badass entrances as he asked those ruddy poos to just bring it. What were they thinking?

This cold-blooded character didn’t just know how to talk smack, he could back it up. Cody Rhodes may have had the last laugh but not before the Final Boss took off his belt, turned that thing sideways and stuck it straight up Cody’s you-know-where. It was a great show for the millions and millions of the Rock’s fans who saw him put in a shift and a half at 51 years old.

I Acknowledge You!

The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns had been the undisputed WWE champion for 1,315 days. The Head of the Table had come a long way to the top of the mountain; he overcame leukaemia, endured betrayal from one of his brothers in the Shield and even survived a mutiny amongst Bloodline ranks with main event Jay Uso blatantly refusing to acknowledge his Tribal Chief. Roman Reigns wasn’t just the face of the WWE, he and the Bloodline contributed a great deal to making pro wrestling cool again. The Anoaʻi wrestling dynasty should be proud of one of its own, who carried the company on his back and has given a good account of himself.

YEET!

In the city of brotherly love, the main event Jay Uso and his twin, Jimmy Uso, decided to take the meaning of family feud to a whole different level. The fight wasn’t just brother vs brother, it was twin vs twin. It was wild to see two people who once shared a womb turn on each other so viciously – so much for being your brother’s keeper. The former tag team champions brought their sibling rivalry onto the grandest stage of them all. Jay Uso walked into the Lincoln Financial Centre with Tunechi and walked out with a W.

The Storm Has Arrived!

When the hottest free agent in pro wrestling showed up in the WWE, it was too easy to forecast a change in the weather. Jade Cargill did light up Wrestlemania XL with Naomi and the EST of WWE, Bianca Belair to face off against Dakota Kai, Asuka and Kaira Sane who couldn’t pull off any damage control to the carnage the sisters at arm left in their wake. We could feel the glow as the baddest, strongest and finest alliance led by Jade put the entire women’s division on notice!

Let Me Talk To You!

Since the meteoric rise to the top of the WWE, LA Knight has had a target on his back for some characters on the roster. The phenomenal one, AJ Styles, wasn’t particularly impressed with the undeniable kovarka of the resident megastar. He thought LA Knight was an overrated and under-talented person who needed to be humbled. On the grandest stage of them all, thanks to some good old BFT, everybody was reminded whose game it was – LA Knight. Yeah!

Finishing The Story

The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, is a generational talent. His father, his late father, Dusty ‘The American Dream’ Rhodes, was also a WWE superstar in his day. Just like the prodigal son, Cody Rhodes returned to the WWE to finish what his father started and cement the legacy of the Rhodes Family. Winning the Royal Rumble matches in 2023 and 2024 almost seemed insufficient for his quest to climb the top of the mountain. That was because the Bloodline was running the show and was sworn that it would be a cold day in hell before Cody finished his story. It didn’t help that Cody crossed the Final Boss and even had the balls to slap the taste buds off his mouth – that earned him some kicks in a place where the sun doesn’t shine. Cody may have defied the odds to become the undisputed heavyweight champion but he most certainly paid for his sins with his blood just like the Final Boss promised Mama Rhodes he would. If anything, Cody learned something from his father, WWE Hall of Famer, Dusty Rhodes, about how to survive “these hard times”. Wrestlemania XL was redemption for Cody because finally, a Rhodes is WWE Champion.

It’s Time To Play The Game!

Better known as Triple H, Paul Levesque was one of the WWE’s greatest superstars as an in-ring wrestler. The cerebral assassin has been involved in so many iconic matches including Wrestlemania’s main events, which shaped the landscape of the business. What many of us didn’t know is that he is an even better executive at WWE with his current role as Chief Content Officer. The WWE could have easily ignored the “Cody Cry Babies” and insisted on having the Rock and Roman Reigns in the main event without Cody Rhodes, instead, they listened, pivoted and delivered the greatest Wrestlemania main event of all time. The last time I saw something that close was five years ago when the WWE universe insisted on having Koffimania; five years later the WWE universe would also insist on having Codymania.

Wrestlemania XL was a masterclass on market intelligence. When you see Triple H, calling an audible, that’s a master at work. The thought process of bringing in WWE legends like the Undertaker, John Cena, Buba Ray Dudley or even Seth Rollins to reprise his role as an original member of the Shield was genius. It was a subtle play on the superstars that have typified the different eras of the WWE over the past four decades. The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024 was very thoughtful, giving flowers to those who paved the way for the next generation of superstars. The fireflies came out for Bray White once again. I agree with the rest of the WWE universe that this is truly the Paul Levesque era. He has cemented his position as one of the figures on the Mount Rushmore of professional wrestling. For the child in me, Wrestlemania will always be a staple. Then, now, forever.

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These Are The Top Ten Languages Mostly Spoken in Africa, According to This Bird Report

Bird — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 11:16:14 +0000

Data analysis platform Statista estimated in 2021 that there were more than 2000 active African languages. Technological advancements like AI translation tools are helping to harness the power of language beyond celebrating cultural heritage. However, understanding the unique features of key languages is important to understanding Africa’s diverse cultures.

Swahili is primarily spoken in East and Central Africa and has links to hundreds of dialects since it’s predominant in the Bantu family of African languages. Spoken by as many as 150 million people, it’s an official language in Tanzania, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The African Union adopted it as a working language due to its cultural and economic significance.

Igbo is spoken primarily in Nigeria. It’s a tonal language, so the meaning of the word is based on the pitch the speaker applies to it. It has several decentralised dialects that share an emphasis on the meaning of names and heavy use of proverbs and parables.

Hausa, the Afroasiatic group of languages is one of the world’s largest and oldest. Hausa is the most spoken language in that ethnolinguistic family, facilitating trade and interpersonal communication across West Africa.

Oromo is spoken in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Egypt by over 35 million people. A distinct aspect of the language is the “creaky or popping sound” produced as the speaker pronounces consonants. It’s part of the Cushitic group of languages spoken by people who share a similar culture and history in Northeast Africa.

Yoruba is spoken mostly in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. It’s also a tonal language. The extensive Yoruba vocabulary is rich in greetings, proverbs, metaphors, folklore, and synonyms.

Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia. It’s the second-most spoken Semitic language in the world after Arabic, with most of its speakers in Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea. It has a complex 33-character alphabet called Fidel, and a rich literary history that dates back to the 13th century.

Fulfulde (Fulani) is spoken across West and Central Africa. While most African languages are found in a specific area, Fulfulde is spoken widely, across diverse regions. Researchers describe Fulfulde as a “linguistic outlier” because it has few commonalities with other major languages in West Africa.

Zulu is an official language in South Africa. The language is also tone-based – like Oromo, Igbo, and Yoruba. The use of clicks alongside consonants is one of Zulu’s most intriguing features. Its oral tradition includes poetry, proverbs, and historical accounts.

Mandinka has over 12 million speakers in the West African countries of Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso. The strong oral tradition fostered by this language was further entrenched by griots – famed storytellers, who were the custodians of historical accounts and cultural knowledge.

Shona is spoken in Zimbabwe. Another tonal language, Shona’s use of high tones for religious communication and low tones for ordinary dialogue set it apart. Much of Shona’s vast vocabulary is linked to family and social structures.

Story Credit: Nest

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Chaste Inegbedion: Will Workplace Wellness Programs Nurture Employee Well-Being?

Chaste Inegbedion — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 13:00:38 +0000

In today’s fast-paced work environment, demands are high and stress levels are increasing. It is crucial to prioritise the health and well-being of employees. Organisations are adapting to the needs of the Gen Z workforce, who value self-expression and are deeply influenced by digital culture. As a result, implementing workplace wellness programs has become an essential part of modern corporate culture. These programs focus on physical health as well as mental well-being, creating a supportive and nurturing environment that promotes employee productivity and satisfaction.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of investing in employee well-being, especially as organisations grapple with remote work, burnout, and heightened stress levels. Forward-thinking companies recognise that a healthy workforce is essential for driving business performance and are increasingly turning to wellness initiatives to boost employee morale, engagement, and productivity. As Gen Z enters the workforce, their unique perspectives and preferences necessitate a shift towards more holistic approaches to employee well-being.

Physical Health: A Foundation for Success

Workplace wellness programs place a strong emphasis on physical health, encouraging employees to prioritise regular exercise, nutritious eating habits, and preventive healthcare measures. Employers support these initiatives by offering gym memberships, organising fitness challenges, and providing access to healthy snacks. By investing in employees’ physical health, organisations not only reduce absenteeism and healthcare costs but also foster a culture of vitality and energy that enhances overall productivity.

Mental Well-Being: Nurturing Resilience

Workplace wellness programs are designed not only to promote physical health but also to address the mental well-being of employees, acknowledging the impact of stress, anxiety, and burnout on job performance. Employers offer various resources such as counselling services, mindfulness workshops, and stress management techniques to help employees cope with the challenges they face. By creating a culture of openness and support, organisations empower employees to prioritise self-care and seek assistance when needed, ultimately enhancing their resilience and ability to thrive in the workplace.

The ROI of Wellness Programs

Investing in workplace wellness programs yields significant returns for organisations, including higher levels of job satisfaction, engagement, and productivity among participating employees. Moreover, companies that prioritise employee well-being experience reduced turnover rates, increased retention, and improved recruitment efforts. By creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued and supported, organisations position themselves as employers of choice, attracting and retaining top talent in an increasingly competitive labour market.

Navigating Challenges

While workplace wellness programs offer numerous benefits, implementing and sustaining these initiatives can present challenges for employers. Common obstacles include limited budgetary resources, low employee participation, and difficulty measuring program effectiveness. To overcome these challenges, organisations must prioritise communication, employee engagement, and data-driven decision-making. By soliciting feedback from employees, tailoring wellness offerings to their needs, and leveraging analytics to assess program impact, employers can maximise the effectiveness of their wellness initiatives.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Workplace Wellness

As we move forward, it is essential to prioritise the well-being of our employees. To achieve this, organisations should invest in workplace wellness programs that address both physical and mental health issues. By doing so, employees feel supported, empowered, and motivated to perform better. It helps create a culture of health and wellness, which not only enhances employee satisfaction and productivity but also positions organisations as leaders in employee well-being. As the Gen Z workforce continues to shape the future of work, it’s crucial to prioritise the well-being of our employees to ensure long-term success and sustainability.

Mental health challenges are a critical concern for Gen Z employees, with many struggling with anxiety and depression that can impact their performance in the workplace. Research indicates that Gen Z’s top priority for their leadership is a genuine concern for their well-being and mental health. As leaders, it’s essential to recognise that fostering a culture of well-being is not only conducive to elevating team performance but also essential for supporting employees to perform at their best.

Organisations and leaders must proactively create supportive environments that prioritise mental wellness for Gen Z employees. This includes implementing benefits and practices aimed at addressing mental health challenges and providing necessary support. One effective strategy is to offer additional time off to address burnout, as demonstrated by companies like LinkedIn. By providing employees with opportunities to recharge and prioritise self-care, organisations acknowledge the importance of mental well-being and demonstrate a commitment to supporting their workforce.

Moreover, organisations can consider implementing mental health days off as a standard practice, as seen in various technology companies and startups. These dedicated days off serve as a proactive measure to address mental health concerns and encourage employees to prioritise their well-being without fear of stigma or repercussions. Additionally, supporting mental health-related employee resource groups (ERGs) can foster a sense of community and provide a platform for employees to share experiences, seek support, and access resources. By actively promoting the establishment and growth of such groups, organisations demonstrate a commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments where employees feel valued and empowered to prioritise their mental health.

Addressing mental health challenges among Gen Z employees requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses both organisational policies and leadership practices. By implementing benefits, practices, and resources that prioritise mental wellness, organisations can create a culture that supports the well-being of all employees, ultimately fostering a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce.

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Feature image by Christina Morillo for Pexels

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Dennis Isong: Crafting an Effective Real Estate Investment Strategy

Dennis Isong — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 16:45:08 +0000

Real estate investment is a well-established way to accumulate wealth and diversify your portfolio. However, achieving success in this field requires strategic planning and informed decision-making. Developing a strong real estate investment strategy is essential for attaining long-term financial goals while minimising risk. In this article, I will outline the critical components of a successful real estate investment strategy and guide navigating the ever-changing landscape of property investment.

Define Your Investment Objectives

It’s important to establish your objectives before investing in real estate. You should define whether you want immediate cash flow, long-term appreciation, or a combination of both. By understanding your financial goals, you can shape your investment strategy. For instance, rental properties may be appropriate if you want stable, passive income, while fix-and-flip projects may be a better choice if you’re aiming for short-term gains.

Conduct Thorough Market Research

Real estate markets can differ significantly from one location to another, and what works in one area may not necessarily yield the same results elsewhere. To identify areas with high demand, favourable demographics, and growth potential, it is essential to conduct comprehensive market research. Factors like job growth, infrastructure development, and local amenities can significantly impact property values and rental demand. Utilising data analytics and market reports can help you make informed decisions and identify lucrative investment opportunities.

Determine Your Investment Criteria

You need to establish clear investment criteria that are based on your objectives, risk tolerance, and budget. You should consider various factors such as property type (residential, commercial, industrial), financing options, expected returns, and exit strategies. It is also useful to create a checklist of desirable property attributes, such as location, size, condition, and potential for value appreciation. By having predefined investment criteria, you can streamline your decision-making process and focus on properties that align with your goals. This will help you make informed investment decisions and achieve your investment objectives.

Analyse Risk and Return

Real estate investment naturally comes with certain risks, which can vary from market fluctuations to property-specific challenges. To ensure that you make informed decisions, it is essential to carefully evaluate the risk-return profile of potential investments. You should calculate important financial metrics such as cap rate, cash-on-cash return, and internal rate of return (IRR) to assess profitability and risk-adjusted returns. Additionally, when assessing the feasibility of an investment, it is crucial to consider factors like vacancy rates, property management costs, and potential renovation expenses. By taking all these factors into account, you can minimize potential risks and maximise returns.

Diversify Your Portfolio

Diversification is a crucial aspect of investment strategy, and it holds true for real estate investments as well. It is advisable to spread your investment across various properties, locations, and asset classes to reduce the risks and maximise returns. By diversifying your investment, you can minimise the impact of market downturns or local economic challenges, thus ensuring the stability and resilience of your investment portfolio.

Stay Updated on Market Trends

The real estate market is constantly evolving and is influenced by various factors such as economic indicators, regulatory changes, and societal trends. Keeping yourself updated with the latest market trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory developments that may impact the real estate landscape is important. Attending industry events, networking with professionals, and utilising online resources can help you stay informed and adapt your investment strategy accordingly.

Implement a Sound Exit Strategy

A successful real estate investment plan should always have a well-defined exit strategy. This strategy can involve selling a property for profit, refinancing to unlock equity, or transitioning from active management to passive income. It is crucial to prepare for various scenarios and create contingency plans to optimise returns and minimise losses in case of unforeseen circumstances. By doing so, you can ensure that your investment stays on track and that you achieve your financial goals.

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Featured Image Kelly for Pexels

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Let’s Talk Content Creation & Managing Talents with Olufemi Oguntamu in This “Doing Life With…”

BellaNaija Features — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 11:01:41 +0000

Did you miss last week’s conversation with Maame Adwoa? You can catch up here.

This week, we’re doing life with Olufemi Oguntamu, the CEO of Penzaarville Africa, a talent management hub that manages creators like Layi Wasabi, Broda Shaggi and others. Enjoy the conversation.

Hello Olufemi, how are you today?

I’m great. Thank you, BellaNaija.

⁠Awesome! Give us a peep into your background, and what aspect of your childhood influenced who you are today

I grew up in a close-knit family. My dad is a lecturer and my mum is a classroom teacher. When my parents moved to our permanent residence in Sango Ota, I began to frequent my maternal grandparents’ family house in Surulere. Surulere is quite central and close to Red Media where I cut my teeth as a Media and PR professional. Two things from my childhood that have shaped me into the man I am are my dad and the fact that I was an only child for a while. There is a wide age gap between myself and my two siblings. This made me quite independent and resourceful from an early age. Also, my dad, beyond just being a lecturer, did some MC gigs on the side back in the day. He is the life of the party kind of person too and the inspiration behind the name Penzaar came from him. I guess the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

⁠⁠Indeed! Tell us about your career journey

During long school breaks and strikes, I volunteered at Red Media as an undergraduate. This arrangement was quite convenient because their office in Surulere was close to my grandparent’s family house. Also, Chude and Debola were huge inspirations for me. As a student of Mass Communication at Olabisi Onabanjo University, I have always wanted to do more. On campus, I had served in various capacities as a social director, won the Most Influential Person award, been a major plug for then Acada magazine and just knew I was called out to play in the media space. In what capacity? I wasn’t too sure. However, taking on a role after years of volunteering at Red Media started me off on the right path. I was hungry to learn and was willing to give it everything it took to build relevance, connections and deliver results. I also tried my hands on acting and comedy at some point. I think I once auditioned to be on the Kids Know Better (KKB show) as a teenager back in the day. I worked with the Future Awards team for many years.

It’s been a long time coming

We give thanks.

Tell us about Penzaarville

I have always understood the power of influence. I was building my personal brand as an influencer on Instagram and Twitter back in the day. During this period, I identified a growing gap in influencer marketing that needed to be filled. That was how Penzaarville was conceived in 2015. The business started full operations officially in 2017. We are positioned as the brand that knows everyone who matters and can broker influencer gigs for brands. When big brands like Bolt, RedBull, Wema Bank, Microsoft, and Google became returning clients based on the initial satisfactory service we offered them, I knew I had cracked the code. We also worked on rebranding Taxify to Bolt in Nigeria. It was much later we ventured into Talent Management in 2018 when we signed up MC Lively, and later Broda Shaggi.

How did you overcome the challenges of building Penzaarville?

Overall, I’d say we’ve managed to scale at our pace. I’ve learnt to stick with what works and not rest on my laurels. However, one of the challenges I’ve encountered will be around staffing – attracting and retaining the right people with the mindset that aligns with my vision for Penzaarville. That was tough but it’s getting better. Also building a system and structure that allows the business to run even when I’m not present was a bit challenging. In the early days, everything revolved around me a lot. Hence, making it difficult for me to provide the much-needed strategic oversight needed for growth.

What’s a moment that made you go “Wow, I did that!”

One of my biggest wins is how Penzaarville has taken a life of its own and can run seamlessly without my physical presence.

⁠You have partnered with some of the current best creators like Layi Wasabi and Brodda Shaggi. What’s the significance of this partnership?

It’s more like Penzaarville manages these vibrant talents. It is a show of how much value we offer talents, and help them thrive, stay ahead of the curve and maximise their creativity.

What’s your perspective on content creation in Nigeria right now, particularly on what creators can do differently to plant their feet in the industry?

Content creation in Nigeria has come a long way. From being that unchartered territory only the audacious thread to becoming a shortcut to breaking into the big screen. There’s still so much more to come as we have only just scratched the surface in this multi-billion dollar industry. With artificial intelligence and new entrants making waves at the speed of light, creators need to stay on top of their game. The rule of the game is to carve a niche for yourself. Never be scared of evolving and be open to trying new things.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career journey?

Working with brands and people I have always admired from afar. It is surreal and truly rewarding to wake up every day to do what I love and be successful at it.

What’s a typical day in your life like?

A day in my life is atypical. I’m a morning person, so I get my day started early. I hardly do office table and chair settings. I find boardrooms to be boring. So you’d find me doing my most meaningful work from a lounge. Also attending meetings, whether in person or virtually. You’ll mostly find me on my phone making strategic calls and brokering the next big deal.

One unconventional thought you have about the world?

Lately, I’ve been musing over how, at the core of our aspirations and ambitions, is the deep desire to build a legacy we can pass on to the next generation. At some point in life, your present hustle will stop being merely for yourself, it will be for the next generation.

⁠⁠That one hobby or habit you’ve picked up in the past year that brings you so much joy and happiness?

I’ve got two. Travelling – seeing the world and visiting new places. The universe is indeed vast and beautiful. Playing lawn tennis, although I haven’t done much of that lately. I’ve been busy adulting. But when I do, I feel alive and refreshed.

Your favourite place in the world? And why?

Anywhere with my family; they give me the most joy and add more colour to my life.

3 fun facts about you everyone must know?

I’m an introvert. I enjoy alternative music. I passionately dislike routine.

2 words that describe you best?

I’d say ambitious and resourceful.

Thank you for being on Doing Life With…, Olufemi

Thank you for having me, BellaNaija.

___________________________________________________

Many thanks to Olufemi Oguntamu for having this conversation with us and answering all our questions – and swiftly too, we must add.

The post Let’s Talk Content Creation & Managing Talents with Olufemi Oguntamu in This “Doing Life With…” appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Kenyan Search & Rescue Diver Susan Mtakai is on A Mission to Champion Women in the Marine Sector

Bird — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 10:16:04 +0000

As the water closes in over Susan Mtakai‘s head, she can’t help thinking about how the depths she’s about to descend to are so very alien to the life she was once used to. Born in the highlands of Taita, a county inland from the coast, her early experiences were of a landscape of hills and verdant forest. Growing up far from the sea was hardly what one would expect of someone who was to become a professional diver.

Yet, in the deep waters of the Indian Ocean, Susan Mtakai is a calm and considerate team leader. Donning a well-worn dive suit that bears traces of countless missions, her eyes show focus and confidence; the underwater world is now a familiar space for the rescue diver.

On this day, Mtakai and her colleagues are on a mission to retrieve the body of a young girl who drowned while swimming. As she guides her team down under the surface of the heaving sea, she ensures that her crew understand the importance of their mission.

“When we get the call for retrieval operations, the first thing I do is prepare my squad. We must plan cautiously because it is risky. We must have all of our equipment ready to ensure that the task runs successfully,” the 35-year-old explained after the mission.

Mtakai’s maritime story began in 2011 when she travelled to the busy Kenyan seaside for the first time. She discovered a love of the water, of the sounds of the crashing waves and the mews of seagulls. A connection with the environment, which had led her to become a park ranger, now had an entirely new focus.

“When I moved to the coast, I began as a Kenya Wildlife Service ranger in Mombasa Marine Park. This is after numerous training in the field and school. I mostly assisted in the preservation of marine ecosystems and other aspects of marine conservation. I had never been in the ocean before, in fact, I didn’t even know how to swim,” Mtakai said.

She spent nine years focusing on marine conservation, safety, and education. In the process, she discovered the fascinating world beneath the waves.

“One ordinary day, as we patrolled the beach to ensure the ocean was clean, an unexpected challenge threw us into an unprepared rescue mission. There was a boat and the occupants were in distress. Without much knowledge on search and rescue, we found ourselves in a tricky situation, forced to rely on our basic knowledge.”

Intrigued and eager to learn more, Mtakai took up diving. With the encouragement of her friends, she went through vigorous training, first mastering open water diving and then taking specialised courses. Her newfound skill set opened the door to a completely new world – both physically and metaphorically – pushing her from her familiar duty as a land-based ranger to the thrilling depths of the ocean.

In 2020 she was seconded to the Kenya Coast Guard Service. This allowed her to fully immerse herself in her love for diving and demonstrate her skills beneath the seas. But here she encountered another challenge: she had her work cut out to regularly prove her capacity as a woman in a tough environment.

“There were very few people, especially women in the Coast Guard service, especially free diving,” she explained.

Beyond the difficulties of working in an understaffed and underskilled service, Mtakai also ensures that she and her team are properly equipped with well-serviced scuba diving gear.

“I use fins for smoother movement and a weight belt to control my buoyancy. A diving mask is essential for great underwater vision, and a waterproof watch allows me to precisely track time. For safety and better visibility, I also carry flashlights and use distinct safety markings.”

After retrieving the body during the current mission, Mtakai and her crew handle the remains with utmost care and respect. Once back on the surface, they undergo a comprehensive debriefing to ensure all team members get the emotional support they need. They then hand over the body to the authorities.

“We work with authorities to facilitate the appropriate procedures for the proper documentation and handover of the deceased to their families. This is where our work ends as search and rescue.”

While search and rescue may be one of her toughest tasks, Mtakai wears multiple hats within the Kenya Coast Guard Service. She also oversees fishing safety training programs and her team management experience has been called on to help build a culture of safety and professionalism in the service.

Perhaps more importantly, Mtakai is also a leader determined to break down old boundaries and has become a strong champion of the marine sector as an open and inviting environment for women. That has offered opportunities to more women wishing to join the Coast Guard.

“I’ve been here for nine years. When I started, only five women were working with us. I joined them, and now we have 15 women in different departments, even in management,” said Beatrice Jeroop, a corporal with the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Millicent Omido, an engineer by profession and a senior sergeant in the service, is responsible for the service’s boats. Having risen through the ranks, the growing opportunity for women has meant her experience translated into a senior role. She ensures all vessels for diving and other duties at the Kenyan Coast Guard Service are well maintained and serviced.

“I’ve spent 16 years in the marine industry, and it’s seen some incredible changes. You know, it’s normally where the men take command. So, seeing women making a great influence here now is like reaching a huge milestone,” Omido said.

“Having women in the maritime industry is quite crucial. They provide a variety of abilities and viewpoints to the team. It’s not just about breaking norms; it’s about ensuring that we have a diverse and motivated team to protect our oceans,” said John Wanyoike, Director of Enforcement and Emergency Response at the Kenyan Coast Guard Service.

Mtakai’s work also sees her engage with other emergency services, government agencies and the local community. Purity Amondi and Lynet Kerubu are two members of the community who now take tourists diving, thanks to Mtakai.

“Susan has made a difference for women here. She has made us believe that we can do this job just as well as anyone. Because of her, more women feel they can join us and make a difference in the marine sector,” Kerubu said.

While Mtakai’s work and community engagement paint a picture of perseverance, determination, and a strong commitment to saving lives and improving maritime safety, there is also an additional element to her work in the ocean.

“When we go diving and I see the corals flourishing and the ocean clean, it makes me happy. It feels like our own little world,” Mtakai said, her face beaming as she explained the constant delight of discovering the beauty of the underwater world, even after all this time.

“I aim to protect and celebrate this watery realm. We are working to preserve its beauty for future generations and women like me,” Mtakai concluded.

Mtakai makes waves on land too – her work was recognised through the National Heroes Council, with a National Hero award.

Story Credit: Velma Pamela for Bird Story Agency

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Adesewa Olofinko: Why Africa Needs to Embrace the AfCFTA

Adesewa Olofinko — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 11:30:28 +0000

As an African Union media fellow, I recently visited the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) headquarters and received a clear message: it’s time for Africa to trade within one unified market. I had the opportunity to sit down with the Chief of Staff of the AfCFTA, Silver Ojakol, the Chief Technical Advisor on the African Continental Free Trade Area, Prudence Sebahizi, and the Director of Information and Communications for the AU, Leslie Richer. During our conversation, I realised the immense potential of the AfCFTA initiative for the average Nigerian in Lagos, the Ovambo community in Namibia, or the Zayanes small business owner in Morocco.

Currently, Africa only trades about 20% of its goods and services internally. The AfCFTA aims to push this number to at least 50%. It would mean harnessing the power of our combined economies to create a continental market brimming with possibilities. Here are a few reasons every African should embrace the AfCFTA:

Jobs

Increased trade translates to a thriving business environment. More businesses mean more jobs, especially for Africa’s growing young population. And this isn’t just about big corporations; the African continental free trade area would empower small and medium-sized businesses that are in fact, the backbone of our economies.

End to Reliance on Others

Africa is the world’s raw materials manager. We have everything on this continent — from shiny diamonds to enough farmland to feed a small planet (literally, 60% of arable land), yet we often rely on others to turn those resources into finished products. The AfCFTA is our chance to create our value chains, become self-sufficient, and less dependent on fluctuating global prices. We can even start exporting finished goods, like intricately carved furniture made from African wood like the Teak (Kiaat) in Angola, or the Iroko in Nigeria.

A United Front

Forget “Wakanda Forever” for a minute and let’s make it “One African Market.” As a united economic force, through the AfCFTA, Africa can negotiate better trade deals, and stop getting the short end of the stick. This is like our powerful bargaining chip on the world stage. It’s time to embrace the integration that AfCFTA brings.

Innovation

A stronger, more interconnected Africa fosters innovation and knowledge sharing where we can unleash the creative African spirit. Imagine a continent where our vibrant fashion scene isn’t just a local phenomenon but a global trendsetter! The world needs a little more Ankara flair and Kente swagger on all the runways in the world, and the AfCFTA can pave the way for that to happen.

The AfCFTA is only as strong as its implementation. It’s like a brand-new smartphone, even though it looks amazing, it won’t work miracles if you leave it in the box. As Africans, it’s time to hold our governments accountable. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative doesn’t stop at paperwork and policies; it means investing in Africa by Africa, growing our economies, speaking with one voice, creating an Africa without borders, and fostering economic integration plus increased cooperation on the continent.

As it stands, 54 out of the 55 AU member states that have signed the agreement, and 47 have ratified it. This not only shows the determination of our beloved continent to unite and a collective desire to break free from the chains of fragmentation. Apart from government, as individuals, we need to be conscious of understanding where the products we consume come from. In your little corner, commit to supporting local and small businesses, and look out for the “Made in Africa” labels so we can get to the point where we consume what we produce and produce what we consume. The AfCFTA is our chance to rewrite Africa’s economic future narrative. Intra-trade amongst African countries must now take centre stage. The goal is clear: we want to create a thriving, interconnected African economy that benefits all of its citizens.

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Feature Image by Christina Morillo for Pexels

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During Ramadan, Local Bar Owners Grapple with Low Sales

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 15:00:42 +0000

Photo by Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi

The time is about a few minutes to 10 p.m. As the multi-coloured light at the entrance of the bar beams above Mama Jay, she angrily fumbles the padlock of her bar. She struggles to fit the key into the keyhole. It’s not that the key does not fit or she couldn’t see clearly; she’s furious about her dwindling sales and the early closing time. This has been the norm since the 10th of March when Muslims began the annual Ramadan, a practice of abstaining from eating and drinking from morning till dawn. Prior to Ramadan, Mama Jay’s bar and restaurant buzzed with loud music and the clinking of numerous alcohol bottles as customers streamed in. The day at the bar starts at 10 p.m. when customers trickle in twos and ones, ordering bottles of alcohol and drinking late into midnight or beyond.

But it’s not just the early closing time that angers Mama Jay, it’s how the holy month of Ramadan has led to a significant reduction in her customers and sales. “They’ve stopped coming since Ramadan started. Although Christians have also just finished their fasting, it wasn’t as bad as this. It seems like the majority of our customers, the ‘onifaaji’, are now Muslims,” she says. Before Ramadan, Mama Jay made about N30,000 daily, but her daily earnings now fluctuate between N10,000 and N15,000.

In Nigeria, Muslims account for more than 50% of the total population and observe Ramadan as the fourth pillar of Islam with great devotion. When Ramadan draws to a close, many bar owners find themselves caught at the crossroads of faith and business. The holy month has brought significant changes to their businesses, with dwindling sales and a noticeable absence of regular customers. Every year, in local and urban areas, Nigerians spend billions of Naira on alcohol, but consumption of alcohol is prohibited for Muslims during and outside Ramadan. However, some Muslims effectively only abstain during Ramadan, like Alhaji Sikiru Adeyemi.

Alhaji Sikiru used to spend about N2,000 on alcohol before Ramadan, consuming two to three bottles of alcohol a night and even buying some bottles for his friends. However, since he started fasting, he’s been making a conscious effort to avoid his regular bar to resist temptation.

“As a Muslim, anyone who goes near a bar now is akin to inviting the devil. It’s better to stay away. Once you approach the bar, you’ve wasted all your efforts,” Sikiru says. When I mentioned that I was searching for a bar in the area, he gestured towards a green-painted house with a white curtain covering the entrance, adorned with alcohol labels. As I was about to leave, he asked, “You’re not fasting?” That was when I realised he was a Muslim.

For Sikiru, Ramadan is a time for introspection and making a conscious effort to resist temptation, although the sights and sounds from the bar sometimes tempt him. “At least for one month, you should be able to control yourself. If you can’t do that, then what’s the point? You should be able to dedicate this month to God. I’m praying to God to remove drinking from my life,” he explains. However, he plans to return on the night of the Eid al-Fitr festival.

Empty chairs inside Noble’s bar. Photo by Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi

Like Mama Jay, Noble‘s bar also suffers from the impact on sales. Being a Muslim himself and a consumer of alcohol, he has been making a conscious effort to abstain, but his business takes the brunt of it. While bars generally open by 12 noon and close late into the night, Noble used to keep his bar open from noon till midnight, serving customers and filling his fridge with a variety of alcohol. Ramadan has now forced him to close by 8 or 9 p.m., with his fridge stocked with bottles of water, and only serving about three customers a day.

While explaining the decline in his patronage, Noble says, “It’s not that the majority of customers are Muslims, but beer parlours are like family houses. As a Christian, when your Muslim friend isn’t there, or when your Muslim friend isn’t sharing a drink with you, it just doesn’t feel right.” He used to make about N30,000 to N40,000 daily, but since the beginning of Ramadan, he hardly makes N4,000 in a day.

“Ramadan empties the bar, and making sales becomes incredibly difficult. There were days, around the 15th day of Ramadan, when I didn’t see a single person walk into my bar,” he says. Mama Jay mentions that some of her Muslim customers still come at night after breaking their fast to “catch a whiff of alcohol or have a drag of a cigar. I can’t wait for Ramadan to end.”

As Ramadan approaches its final days, both Mama Jay and Noble are optimistic about a return to normal business.

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Apply For the 2024 Afrocritik Prize For Criticism

BellaNaija Features — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 09:00:34 +0000

Afrocritik has announced the launch of its inaugural Afrocritik Prize for Criticism to celebrate its third anniversary. In recognition of Africa’s literary landscape which has grown over the years to acclaim both on the continent and abroad, the inaugural edition of the Afrocritik Prize for Criticism will spotlight discourse within the three selected works of contemporary African writers.

Entrants shall review Affection & Other Accidents by Dami Ajayi, Dreaming of Ways to Understand You by Jerry Chiemeke and His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie. The winner will receive a cash prize of $300, with the first and second runners-up receiving $200 and $100, respectively.

To apply, you must:

Be between ages 17 – 24.
Reside in Africa

How to apply:

Submit a 600 to 800-word review each, covering all three books under review.
Entries must be submitted as a single document (doc. or pdf file) within the entry period.
Multiple submissions are discouraged.
Submissions will be made here. Submissions by email will be disqualified.

A shortlist of five will be announced first, while the top three will be announced in June 2024. All shortlisted works will be published on the Afrocritik website. Proof of age and citizenship may be required during submission.

Deadline: April 30th, 2024.

Speaking on the prize launch, Owanate Max-Harry, Afrocritik’s co-founder, said, “As Afrocritik approaches its third anniversary, we thought it pertinent to further incentivise critical thinking, especially amongst the literary arts and in young Africans. This is in line with our mission to spotlight excellence in the continent and diaspora at large.”

Read About the Books

Affections & Other Accidents is a poetry collection by Nigerian author Dami Ajayi. Published in 2022, Affections & Other Accidents is Ajayi’s third volume of poems, comprising poems of different forms and lengths. The collection attests to a poet’s state of mind, as told across cities and continents. It intersects romance and heartbreak through politics, music, social justice, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dreaming of Ways to Understand You is a short story collection by Nigerian writer, Jerry Chiemeke. First published in 2021 and reproduced in print in 2024, the collection explores the complexities of human relationships. Dreaming of Ways to Understand You addresses important themes like mental health, sexuality, body positivity, ethnic sentiment, and domestic violence, told in a spirited and modern voice.

His Only Wife is a novel by Liberian-born Ghanaian academic and writer, Peace Adzo Medie. Published in 2020, His Only Wife is Medie’s debut novel. It follows a young seamstress, Afi Tekple, in a small town in Ghana, who moves to Accra after agreeing to an arranged marriage with the wealthy Elikem Ganyo. She soon finds out that all is not what it seems. But in this new city, she finds her independence in a world run by men.

Áfàméfùnà: A Perfect Exploration of The Igbo Culture

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 18:36:38 +0000

I developed an affinity for the Igbo language when I read Chinua Achebe‘s ‘Things Fall Apart’ for the first time. The elegance with which the words rolled off the tongue, the wise proverbs, and the context in which they are used made the language very appealing. However, it was through Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie‘s books that I fell completely in love with the language. Unlike Achebe, Chimamanda provides translations for the Igbo words she uses. While reading ‘Zikora’, I came across a character named Mmiliaku, which means wealth that flows like water. At that time, I used to say a prayer that went like this: “Dear God, I want Mmiliaku.” It’s amazing how the words and names are so concise yet so rich and expansive in meaning.

So as someone who is fond of the language, watching Áfàméfùnà, directed by Kayode Kasum, was more of an exploration of admiration. While it doesn’t take away the artistic elements, I was particularly interested in hearing the characters speak Igbo fluently, a difference from previous Igbo movies which were mostly in English.

The movie starts with an exuberant burial ceremony which opens the story of a young man named Áfàméfùnà, robed in his isiagu attire and being sprayed wads of money notes. From the opening scene, the movie settles us into the proper Igbo culture with dances and flutes before an arrest that will usher us into this Nwa Boi’s story.

As a young man, Áfàméfùnà’s (also called Afam) mother brings him to Lagos to learn trade from his uncle, Odogwu, played by Kanayo O. Kanayo. Upon arrival, he makes friends with Paul, who teaches him how to gain customers and become wise in the streets of Lagos. As time passes, their friendship grows stronger, and they start protecting each other’s secrets. For instance, Paul has an affair with Odogwu’s daughter, Amaka, which Áfàméfùnà comes to know about. Although Afam also fancies Amaka, he cannot express his feelings, and can only admire her from a distance. But time will tell if there will eventually be a love story between Afam and Amaka or not.

Áfàméfùnà exposes the audience to many aspects of the Igbo culture. We not only see the modus operandi of the apprenticeship system and the life of a Nwa Boi through the lens of Paul as he teaches Afam, we also learn about its history. As narrated by Odogwu, the Igbo apprenticeship system started after the Biafran War when 20 pounds was accorded to the Igbos in each household. It was from that money they started to conduct businesses and expand. As their businesses grew, Odogwu says, “Many traders started taking in Nwa Bois for trading. After training them, they will be settled with money and shop. They come to their master’s shop to carry goods. The more you sell and remit money, the more goods you will carry. Then the settled apprentice will bring in a new apprentice and also teach them the trade. That’s how it is done. Business will be good. That’s how the Igbo business started growing to date. Whoever doesn’t understand something will be taught by his brother. Igbo people are blessed with knowledge in running businesses.”

The major takeaway from Áfàméfùnà is understanding how the Igbo culture and apprenticeship system work on a surface level. As a Yoruba man, watching the movie makes me realise how well the Igbos run their communities on partnerships, brotherhood and trust. Odogwu says, “The Igbo business empire is built on brotherhood and hard work” He alludes to a proverb that says, “Wherever you go and you do not see an Igbo man, you should run.” Actually, I believe that anywhere you go and you do not find a Nigerian, you should run. But that’s by the way.

According to the rule of this business model, the boss must knight an apprentice, (which is known as freedom), before the apprentice can set up a business. Paul is expected to be knighted but the table turns and Áfàméfùnà is knighted, and this ignites the feud between Paul and Áfàméfùnà. With the knighthood feud in the background, Áfàméfùnà and Amaka get married and Paul, throughout the movie, feels everything that belongs to him is stolen by Áfàméfùnà. That is when the blackmail begins.

From the dialogue, to the scenes, cinematography, and every other artistic element of Áfàméfùnà, we see parts of the Igbo culture amply represented and even explained. From the movie, we understand why women cannot be ‘Nwa Bois’. We also understand why Afam does not hesitate to take Lotanna as his son even after finding out the truth. Using the narration of Áfàméfùnà to tell the entire story is a brilliant move by the director. The cinematographer also did an excellent job of capturing all the elements to help the audience properly understand the apprenticeship and Nwa Boi story. Generally, the movie manages to show us what’s important. The best part of watching Áfàméfùnà, for me, is how comfortable the characters are in speaking the Igbo language, particularly because I am used to watching them in English movies.

However, there are plot holes that beg to be filled. Why does Áfàméfùnà have to allow himself to be blackmailed when the child does not belong to him? Is this brotherly love or the fear of being ridiculed by society? Does Amaka not have the slightest idea that the child does not belong to Áfàméfùnà? Why would Odogwu knight Afam before Paul? Why does the police officer have to make a call in the course of an investigation?

While there are a lot of scenes that beg for answers, “Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story” is the perfect art to attract anyone to the Igbo apprenticeship culture. The soundtracks, language, dialogue, rendition of proverbs by Odogwu, and everything else seals the appeal of the Igbo culture. I will give the movie an 8/10.

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Dennis Isong: Ten Risks of Long-Term Payment Plans in Real Estate Investment

Dennis Isong — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 17:00:52 +0000

Embarking on a real estate investment journey in Nigeria often involves navigating through various financial structures. Long-term payment plans are a popular option for investors, as they offer flexibility and accessibility. However, it is crucial to be aware of the inherent risks associated with long-term payment plans. There are ten potential pitfalls that investors should be mindful of when opting for extended payment periods in the Nigerian real estate market. Understanding and mitigating these risks are essential to ensure a successful and sustainable investment venture.

Interest Rate Fluctuations

Long-term payment plans are susceptible to fluctuations in interest rates. Changes in economic conditions can impact interest rates, affecting the overall cost of the investment. Investors should carefully consider the potential impact of interest rate variations on their repayment obligations over an extended period.

Market Volatility

The real estate market in Nigeria, like any other, is subject to fluctuations. Changes in demand, economic conditions, or government policies can influence property values. Investors opting for long-term payment plans should be prepared for potential market volatility that could affect the value of their investment over time.

Inflationary Pressures

Inflation rates can erode the purchasing power of money over time. Investors need to assess how inflationary pressures may impact the real value of their periodic payments and adjust their financial plans accordingly.

Default Risks

Extended payment plans increase the likelihood of default risks. Economic downturns, unforeseen circumstances, or personal financial challenges may lead investors to struggle with meeting their payment obligations. Adequate risk mitigation strategies, such as insurance or savings buffers, are essential to address potential defaults.

Changing Economic Conditions

Economic conditions, both locally and globally, can significantly impact the real estate market. Investors should be vigilant about changes in employment rates, GDP growth, and other economic indicators that may influence the success of their long-term investments.

Legal and Regulatory Changes

Nigerian real estate is subject to evolving legal and regulatory frameworks. Investors must stay informed about any changes in land-use regulations, property taxes, or other legal aspects that could affect their long-term investment plans.

Infrastructure Development Delays

Long-term payment plans may be contingent on promised infrastructure developments in the area. Delays in the execution of these projects can impact the overall desirability and value of the property, affecting the investor’s return on investment.

Unforeseen Property Issues

Despite thorough due diligence, unforeseen issues such as land disputes, environmental concerns, or title disputes can arise. Investors should be prepared for unexpected challenges that may affect the property’s value or usability.

Limited Flexibility

Long-term payment plans often come with less flexibility in adjusting payment schedules. Investors may find it challenging to adapt to changes in their financial situation or take advantage of new investment opportunities due to the rigid nature of extended payment structures.

Opportunity Cost

Locking into a long-term payment plan may limit an investor’s ability to explore other potentially lucrative opportunities. Assessing the opportunity cost of committing to a lengthy payment schedule is crucial to ensure that the chosen investment aligns with the investor’s overall financial goals.

***

Feature Image by Kindel Media for Pexels

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South African Agric-Entepreneur Ntobeka Mafu is Helping Small-Scale Farmers Succeed

Bird — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:09:24 +0000

Ntobeko Mafu talking to trainees during a training session in Nhlazatshe, KwaZulu-Natal. Photo: Nhlakanipho Mafu, bird story agency

“Being busy doesn’t mean you are making money, I’ve been busy for three years, I’ve only started making money in the fourth year,” 23-year-old entrepreneur Ntobeko Mafu told her class on a rainy day in February in Nhlazatshe, a rural area in the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. Mafu was standing in her garden presenting to 30 people who appeared to hold on to her every word as she detailed how she had created a sustainable small-scale broiler and crop farm.

Mafu is the founder and Chief Executive Officer at Madam Clucks A Lot and Madam Leafy Green. The former is a broiler-rearing enterprise and the latter a crop-farming enterprise.

The 30 trainees were the latest group amongst some 160 people Mafu has trained in just the past year, running them through the basics of running any business, admin, marketing, and bookkeeping. Depending on their key interests, she then shares knowledge on either small-scale crop farming or small-scale chicken farming.

Ntobeko Mafus son, Sakhile Mafu, carrying a chicken used to demonstrate plucking to trainees in Nhlazatshe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Photo: Nhlakanipho Mafu, bird story agency

Some of the people she has mentored have gone on to start their own businesses, according to Mafu, who in just four years has also won multiple business pitching and incubation programs offering moderate grants and prizes that have helped her further her business.

It all began, she explained, with the cathartic exercise of trying to heal and motivate herself through writing. She ended up publishing a book titled “Letters to Whoever Needs to Hear This, Notes from Me to You.”

After falling pregnant at 16, Mafu subsequently lost her father. She spent months taking care of him in the lead-up to his death – a process that ended with her resolving to make a success out of her life to honour her father and provide for her son.

Her broiler business took off in 2021 using proceeds from the sale of her book. She was 20 at the time, studying towards a diploma in Human Resources Management – and a single mother. She managed to buy chicks, build a suitable building to grow them, buy chicken feed, and provide the lighting needed to keep her chickens warm. Then she bought the machinery to help pluck chickens faster.

The training she provides is another part of her business.

“Usually in an area like this, we don’t get things like this. I aim to make sure rural communities are empowered, not just mine but all rural communities,” Mafu said of her training and development programmes.

Ntobeko Mafu (far right) tilting land on her small-scale farm in Nhlazatshe, KwaZulu-Natal South Africa. Photo: Nhlakanipho Mafu, bird story agency

Mafu said she believes that in contributing to a food-secure South Africa, she is also tackling issues like gender-based violence and its link to food insecurity.

The programmes she offers vary. Some are for two months, where trainees can fully delve into each subject. Then there are crash courses that include learning materials and resources for where to go next for funding, more training, and how to leverage social media for marketing and networking.

On this day, she showed her trainees how to use a plucking machine. Trainees were both impressed and inspired, with some explaining how the classes had helped them with their enterprises.

“I would lose my stock so maybe out of 30 chicks, 15 would die. I started having chickens without any knowledge. Right now my chickens have grown for the past 8 weeks, they should be good to sell but they are not selling because they are too small. Ntobeko helped me realise I wasn’t feeding the chickens correctly or vaccinating them,” one trainee who chose to remain anonymous, said.

Nontethelelo Zondi, 33 from KwaSaymane in KwaZulu-Natal, said the knowledge she had gained from the training was invaluable.

“We plant in KwaSaymani African potatoes, corn, spinach and other vegetables so it’s part of me to do agricultural activities. I came here to learn how to do it well as a business person, I came across her advert on Facebook and I’m glad I came,” she explained.

“I have a business I started because unemployment is rife, I appreciated the knowledge on where to go for funding and equipment assistance because that is one of the challenges I had,” Zondi added.

Vishwas Satgar, a long-time activist and co-founder of the South African Food Sovereignty Campaign and the Climate Justice Charter, said women like those Mafu trains are at the forefront of sustainable small-scale food production.

Satgar, who has researched agroecology and food sovereignty centres that allow participants to feed themselves, in villages, towns and cities, added that the growing need for food systems outside of the increasingly monopolistic industrial food system was highlighted by people having to travel long distances to buy produce in supermarkets when more sustainable foods could be grown at home.

One of the trainees asking questions during a training session facilitated by young farmer, Ntobeko Mafu at rural town Nhlazatshe in KwaZulu-NatalPhoto: Nhlakanipho Mafu, bird story agency

“We should place indigenous knowledge at the centre of food production. Women are custodians of knowledge, they are custodians of methods for creating seed banks, they are in the field experiencing and coming up with knowledge on food sovereignty pathways and mainstreaming food sovereignty in the way we want,” said Satgar.

But growing that food is not always easy. Even Mafu has faced extreme challenges.

Madam Clucks A Lot faced closure in 2023 when rolling electricity blackouts – termed load shedding in South Africa – reached their peak and electricity would be out for eight to 10 hours a day. This resulted in her 650 chickens dying.

“I still have a trauma from that, they packed up on top of each other trying to keep warm and they died,” Mafu explained.

In the aftermath, without any more income, she strengthened her crop farming business Madam Leafy Green, which sells organic plants.

“I believe every household should have a food garden. The food we are consuming from stores is genetically modified and people should understand that is part of the reason we are not living up to 100 years old as our elders did. It’s important to know the difference between genetically modified food and organic food and invest in organic food,” said Mafu, who, in many ways is a prime example of how young Africans already have the solutions they need to deal with the poly crisis of hunger, inequality and climate change.

Most of her business and farming acumen, she explained, comes from values and tips passed down to her by her father, who was taught by his parents.

However, other challenges that the young woman has faced, are more personal.

“People will ask you to do something that is against your values. In that case, I always say I would rather lose the opportunity than my integrity,” said Mafu.

As an example, Mafu explained that after speaking on a national radio show about the challenge of losing her chicken stock due to load-shedding, a businessman offered her an energy inverter and then began chatting her up, asking for a romantic relationship. She declined and let the opportunity of receiving an inverter go.

Ntobeko Mafu teaching trainees the importance of packaging in food production and selling in Nhlazatshe, KwaZulu-Natal. Photo: Nhlakanipho Mafu, bird story agency

A week after the interview with bird story agency, Mafu travelled to Berlin, Germany through the BeVisioners program. The program aims to get youth across the world to come together to chart a path towards sustainable development and an environmentally friendly agro-economy. This was her second time abroad; in 2023, she travelled to Asia for a young leadership, training, and sharing conference.

She explained that despite sometimes being targeted as a young female entrepreneur, she believes it is her ‘superpower’.

“I have received funding two times by the Durban University of Technology, and once by the NYDA (National Youth Development Agency). This funding totals 150 000 rands (US$7,779),” she said.

Mafu said she was always looking out for opportunities to learn and exchange ideas and for every programme she has been accepted into, she said, she also saw many of her proposals rejected. Like many entrepreneurs, felt she could do more to make an impact.

Her latest idea is to involve young people in her training programs.

“The youngest participant in my training is a 13-year-old who dreams of merging tourism and agriculture,” Mafu said.

That 13-year-old trainee, Elihle Mdluli, has big dreams of his own.

“I learnt how to keep the environment I work in clean, I want to be able to have my farm where I will make it a holiday destination as well. I like tourism and agriculture. We learn agriculture at school but we haven’t learnt how to do business. I want to go around surveying businesses that are in agriculture so I learn to succeed,” Mdluli said.

Today, Mafu employs 14 people and has a couple on an ongoing mentorship. She believes the sky’s the limit for African youth currently and said she feels fulfilled when she helps usher anyone toward finding or creating an opportunity.

“The obstacles in farming are; diseases, they come and go as fast; there are challenges with power; and water scarcity. But there are also a lot of great opportunities as the youth in Africa, there are a lot of organisations who are looking to invest in the youth in Africa,” the young entrepreneur said.

Story Credit: Naledi Sikhakhane for Bird Story Agency

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Mfonobong Inyang: The Radical Love of Jesus Christ

Mfonobong Inyang — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 17:00:07 +0000

The wittiest wordsmiths struggle when articulating unsullied truths about The Word, even gifted folks find it fascinating when documenting their thoughts on The Gift. Anyone who thinks they are the GOAT of erudition and elocution will tell you that writing about The Lamb isn’t merely academic, it takes deep insights and revelation. Paul of Tarsus, an astute communicator and a doctor of the law didn’t find it easy either; he was so intrigued by the passion of the Christ that he declared, “I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” What manner of love is this that a man should lay down his life for his friends?

A Game Of Shadows

You should read Sherlock Holmes or at least watch the famous sleuth’s box office adaption; it can get you wearing your investigative hat. Jesus had been slain from the foundations of the world but he steps into the realm of time and steadily but stealthily makes his way to Cross. Pay attention to the clues hidden in plain sight, you will uncover the typologies of Calvary embedded in the Old Testament right from the Garden of Eden. Who is in the garden? A little bird tells me the animal that was killed and its skin used to cover Adam and Eve was a shadow of Jesus. You would routinely see animal sacrifices used for different offerings much later. These were shadows of Jesus on the Cross because the life of the flesh is in the blood and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.

Jesus was the message that Moses and the rest of the prophets in the Old Testament tried to preach that year but dem no fit run am. To get the OT about this, you need to especially read Pauline Epistles – which I refer to as the declassified documents. Where you see Moses putting a snake on a pole and asking people to look upon it; the New Testament puts it this way, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross”. In addressing the covert ops of Jesus in the wilderness as Moses led the people into the Promised Land, Paul writes to the Corinthians, “They drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them and the Rock was Christ.”

When Moses appeared alongside Jesus during his transfiguration, Peter with his religious mindset suggested erecting multiple monuments but God quickly took Moses out of the picture because nobody else but Jesus was him. Notice that all the prophets that came before Jesus would preface their speech by saying, “Thus says the Lord”. Jesus never used that phrase because na him gan gan be the Lord. Instead, he would say, “Verily, verily I (the Lord) say unto you”. Mary’s response to the two angels at the sepulchre after Jesus was resurrected was instructive, “they have taken away my Lord.”

Theory Of Relativity

The Theory of Relativity propounded by Albert Einstein states that space and time are relative and all motion must be relative to a frame of reference – represented by perhaps the most famous equation in the world, E=mc2. However, in ecumenical terms, this takes on a whole different meaning. It loosely states that messiahs must be relative to those they are called to redeem. Abraham, a type of messiah, could redeem Lot from captivity because he was relative to him. Joseph, a type of messiah, could redeem his brothers from hunger because he was relative to them. Boaz, a type of messiah, could redeem inheritance for Ruth because he was relative to her. David, a type of messiah, could redeem his country from the grip of Goliath because he was relative to his homeland.

The Holy Trinity manifests as God The Father in creation, God The Son in redemption and God The Holy Spirit in regeneration. Jesus was planted in the womb of Mary so he could be incarnated as a human being because God knew that he couldn’t redeem mankind as God. Hence the son of God had to become the son of man so that the sons of men could become the sons of God. Jesus then effectively became kinsman-redeemer. Apollos submits brilliantly, “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities”. To put it in colloquial language: Jesus know as e dey go, e sabi wetin dey sup. Paul puts the matter to bed in the first instalment of his eponymous epistle to his protégé, Timothy, with a most apposite description, “the man Jesus Christ”.

The Pharisees were livid with Jesus because they taught religion while Jesus brought relationship. When Jesus referred to God as “Father” – all hell was let loose! To them, Abba is merely God but Abba to Jesus means Father. You would always hear Jesus outchea talmbout My-Father-this and My-Father-that. The one time he notably said otherwise was on the Cross when there was a temporal separation in their relationship owing to the sin of the world he was carrying, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Na the matter dem still dey solve for the ecclesia today; some are holding on to religion while fighting those who are propounding relationship.

Neither Do I Condemn You!

One of the reasons Jesus physically walked the earth was to model how God thinks through the things he did. Remember, Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Exhibit I: A woman is caught in the act of adultery. Instead of condemning her, trust Jesus to call those religious hypocrites out on their BS. Exhibit II: Jesus is moving through the hood with his crew and tons of people are falling over themselves just to catch a glimpse of him. Matthew wasn’t exactly the tallest guy but he wasn’t short of ideas. He climbs a tree and gets Jesus’ attention who instantly promises to have dinner at his place. Jesus just showed up and next thing you know, Matthew is doubling down on giving away half his wealth to the poor and refunding those he screwed over four-fold. Exhibit III: Jesus tells a story about God, The Prodigal Son, who asks his father for inheritance. He squanders his fortune and quickly realizes that there’s never much love when you go OT. He gets an epiphany, comes back home and the father who was waiting for him, makes the first move! That is wild!

Some English words attempt to describe that kind of love: reckless, lavish, promiscuous, relentless and excess. I made the argument extensively in my book, Hope Is Not A Strategy that the Jesus I know is counter-cultural. This condemnation strategy being used to railroad people in accepting Christ is not giving, I’m not exactly sure we’re talking about the same Jesus. The religious folks accused Jesus of being “a friend of sinners”. It’s the goodness of God (not condemnation) that leads people to repentance. When Jesus said, “Don’t judge” – e get why.

For God So Loved The World

This verse is seminal because many people in the community of faith seem to believe that Jesus only died for a select group and that redemption by the only begotten of God cannot be gotten by anyone else outside this enclave – I don’t get it. The operational phrase is “whosoever believes”. The thief who was hung alongside Jesus made it into paradise simply because he believed. The grace that brings salvation has appeared to everyone. That’s why it’s called the good news; something that is almost too good to be true.

Let me drop some gospel on you. Jesus died for cybercriminals, election riggers, smugglers, corrupt judges, embezzlers of public funds, people that rape women at IDP camps in exchange for food, those that weaponize justice against their political opponents, kidnappers of school children, ‘intellectuals’ that are paid to malign others, those in uniform that extort from innocent citizens and even yours truly! We plenty for the WhatsApp group, we gather dey for the matter – so make nobody come dey buga.

Isaiah described the seemingly ordinary child that was born in the manger as “the mighty God, the everlasting Father”. When the wise men saw his star, they gave him gold (emblematic of his kingship) because they knew that dis na smallie wey dey mighty. They also gave him frankincense (a symbol of his being a deity) and myrrh (an embalming oil, symbolic of his death). Jesus understood the assignment; he lived to die – his strategic interest was redemption. This made him rebuke Peter when the latter tried to stop him from heading to the Cross, yet Jesus called Judas, “friend” because Judas would play a crucial role in expediting his Crucifixion. Righteousness is indeed a gift from God but make no mistake about it, Calvary’s Cross was no small price to pay for salvation. Selah.

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What is the True Essence of Living?

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:18:35 +0000

From the day we’re born, religion informs us that our lives are already planned out – what we will become, how we will become it, when we will become it and when what we become will all end. Even the smallest things like what we eat, say, and do, seem like a part of a big plan. Religion tells us that our successes and struggles aren’t just random; they’re all written in a special script. It’s like we’re characters in a story, playing out our parts from beginning to end. So, every little thing we do, every word we say, supposes that it’s all been decided long ago, whispered into the wind of forever. It’s like choreographed movements in the dance of fate. From the cradle to the grave, we live out our lives – each word, each action, and each heartbeat has been written and meant to happen.

This brings about the question of the worth of our existence. If everything has been written and destined, why should we struggle to gain importance or relevance in life? Some people say they do not desire to become popular or famous, but it is undeniable they also wish to make their mark in this life. Whether they want fame or popularity or not, they desire to live a life that is, at least, enjoyable. They want to be able to afford freedom from poverty, oppression, and be free from worry. Whether life is worth living or not, no one wants to pass through the earth like a snake strolling through the rock’s surface, impactless. No matter how little, they want to not only make life comfortable for themselves but also impact lives.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, honourable, compassionate, and have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Everyone seems to be fixated on living a purposeful life but as there are people who purposely live to become accomplished, there are also a lot of people who live for the sake of living. They do not live for their existence to inspire anyone else, because they want to make a difference in this world, or so the coming generation could get inspired. They simply want to live because existence is a practice on earth. They can attain success and luxury but they do not own them to inspire someone else to aim for success or luxury. They simply live. In so doing, their existence could inspire someone else.

NYAD, an Oscar-nominated documentary, explores the life of Diana Nyad, an American writer and long-distance swimmer. When she was young, Diana attempted to swim from Cuba to Florida but failed due to many sea hindrances like wind waves, dangerous sea habitats and many other things. So she stopped attempting. But when she was over 60 years of age, she told her friend, Bonnie, that she’d love to attempt what she failed to finish when she was young. Bonnie thought she was crazy but she was ready to challenge herself. The first, second, third and fourth attempts failed, but at her fifth attempt, she became the first person ever to swim from Cuba to Florida at 64 years old. When asked why she wanted to do it, she said she wanted to fulfil her desire. It wasn’t really to inspire anyone or to expect her name to be edged in history. She just wanted to live.

Arsène Lupin is a book by Maurice Leblanc that tells the story of a gentleman thief who uses many tricks to steal without getting caught by the police. This book inspired the creation of the 2021 series, Lupin, a series about a Black Italian man who tries to get justice for his father who is falsely accused of theft, jailed and later commits suicide. When Maurice Lablanc was writing the book, he never imagined that the book would become so grand it would inspire many films. Arsène Lupin was published in 1907, but here it is, inspiring a movie in the 21st century.

Yes, religion tells us that our successes and struggles aren’t just random, that they’re all written in a special script but I believe whether life is meant to be a purposeful quest or just a meandering journey, the truest wisdom lies in embracing the present moment. Like characters in a sprawling novel, we each play our part in the unfolding narrative of life. It’s important to live without the weight of legacy, without the burden of what is yet to come. Let us savour the dance, the laughter, the tears, and find solace in the simple act of being alive, here and now, under the vast expanse of the sky. Because in the end, it is not the grand finale that defines us, but the grace with which we move through each fleeting chapter of existence.

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Chaste Inegbedion: Celebrating Women & Addressing Issues of Inequality

Chaste Inegbedion — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 11:00:16 +0000

Around the world, the month of March is selected as the National Women’s History Month, to celebrate women’s contributions to the development of the world in various industries. Although women’s celebrations, like everyone else, should not be limited to a month or time frame, it is important to have dedicated moments or time to celebrate women. They have historically contributed to the world’s development in various areas like sports, national development, entertainment and others.

One of the most established and successful industries in the world is the entertainment industry and women have been at the helm of its success. In Nigeria, a movie like “Lion Heart”, directed by Genevieve Nnaji, is an example of how largely women contribute to the entertainment industry. Another movie that exudes brilliance is Kemi Adetiba‘s “King of Boys”, the sixth-highest-grossing Nollywood movie in Nigeria whose lead character, Sola Sobowale, affirms women’s leadership capability. Currently, the highest-grossing Nollywood movie, “A Tribe Called Judah” is produced and directed by Funke Akindele.

In the music industry, we have artists like Tems, Tiwa Savage, Simi, Ayra Starr, Yemi Alade, and others raising the music bar with their brilliance. They are bagging international awards, selling out arenas and stages, writing their names in the history books, and inspiring generations. In sports, Asisat Oshoala, Tobi Amusan, Rashidat Ajibade and others are excelling locally and globally.

However, as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of women and their contribution to history, it is equally important to shine a light on the challenges and obstacles that they continue to face. One of the key areas of concern is gender inequality – unequal pay, limited access to education and healthcare, and underrepresentation in leadership roles. Despite progress in many parts of the world, women still earn less than their male counterparts for the same work. This wage gap not only affects the economic stability of women but also perpetuates a cycle of inequality that spans generations.

Another crucial aspect of women’s health is menstrual care, especially for girls and women. Access to affordable and hygienic products is essential for their well-being. This is an important part of ensuring that all women can live healthy and comfortable lives.

Additionally, many women around the world lack access to quality education and healthcare, which are fundamental rights. Without proper education, women are often unable to secure well-paying jobs or make informed decisions about their health and well-being. This lack of access not only hinders individual growth but also impacts communities and society at large.

The underrepresentation of women in leadership positions remains a significant issue. Whether in politics, business, or other fields, women are often sidelined in decision-making roles. This limits their ability to advocate for policies that benefit women and create a more equitable society for all.

Addressing these issues is not just a matter of fairness; it is essential for the progress and prosperity of society as a whole. When women are empowered and given equal opportunities, they contribute significantly to economic growth, social development, and the overall well-being of communities.

As we celebrate the achievements of women, let us also commit to addressing the challenges they face. By advocating for gender equality, access to education and healthcare, and increased representation in leadership roles, we can create a world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive, succeed and feel included. Let’s not only celebrate and appreciate women’s voices every March but also cherish and champion their causes as often as we can.

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Featured Image by Monstera Product for Pexels

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Maame Adwoa Started Content Creation Out of Boredom, Now She’s a Big Deal. Read More in Today’s “Doing Life With…”

BellaNaija Features — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 11:00:56 +0000

Did you miss last week’s conversation with Benedicte Kalala? You can catch up here.

This week, we’re doing life with Maame Adwoa, a Ghanaian content creator with over 425,000 followers on TikTok. She tells us how the Ghanaian identity appears in her videos. Enjoy the conversation.

Hey Maame, how do you do?

Hi BellaNaija. I’m doing well, thank you.

That’s great. So tell us a little bit about your background

I was born and raised in Ghana. I moved to the United States in my teen years with my parents and my two brothers. Growing up, I was very talkative but I wasn’t encouraged to be that way. I only showed my personality to people I trusted and were comfortable around. I grew up in a very religious home so I went to church often and most of my life was school and church. I’ve always loved to act and as a kid, I would make plays with friends. Moving to the States allowed me to express my personality more so I began to dabble in anything that would bring out my artistic side. I joined my school choir, and dance teams, and played a little bit of sports (basketball) in everything I did, my sense of humour did show through. The contrast between my religious life at home and my school life really created a double life for me.

How did you start content creation?

While I’ve been doing content creation for a while now, I didn’t see it as that. I was heavily into YouTube, vine, and thriller in my teen years and any social media app that allowed me to express myself. I never did it to become popular but for fun. I would say I began to take it seriously in 2021 when TikTok was quite popular. I made a TikTok account out of boredom. I began to binge-watch and honestly, at the time, I didn’t think of making videos. I was getting into my young adult years but one day, I decided to make a video thinking it was posted privately just for my followers, and next thing you know, I went viral. That’s how it was born.

Interesting! What have you enjoyed about the journey so far?

The one thing I would say I’ve enjoyed about my journey is the people I get to meet and the doors I walk into. I never thought that something as simple as making TikTok videos would give me the opportunity I’ve been blessed to receive.

⁠Are there particular aspects of Ghanaian culture that are reflected in your content?

Yes, I would say my entire account and my essence are so “Ghanaian” coded. The way I talk, my mannerisms, my sense of humour and me constantly dancing the “adowa” dance. My Ghanaian culture is seen in all my videos.

Tell us about life outside content creation

A lot of people don’t know this but I work in health care and I usually work night shifts. I also love playing my piano and singing. Whenever I’m not working or making content, I’m behind my piano. I also enjoy cooking. I love cooking in silence with soft music playing in the background, it’s so therapeutic. I would say it’s the one thing I find difficult to make content out of because it’s my therapy away from content creation.

What’s one major challenge you have experienced in your journey so far?

Seeing content creation as work. I think it takes the fun out of it when we as content creators have to think about how much content we need to make in a week, the analytics, and monetising our accounts.

How long does the process of content creation take, from editing to publishing?

It honestly can take a couple of minutes to half a day, it just depends on the kind of content I’m making and what it’s for. Branded content tends to take longer.

⁠Now, away from content creation, what is that thing you do feel happy and alive during tough times?

Prayer. Praying helps me get through tough times. Also, doing worship sessions with my brother (singing worship songs and playing instruments) and talking to my supporters live, they really know how to lift my spirits up and I feel alive again every time I talk to them. They are my family.

What’s a typical day in your life?

Sleep, eat, work, make content. Repeat. I have a stuck routine right now because I have goals that I’m seriously working on and I don’t really have much of a social life except if I’m visiting family or travelling for work.

⁠If you were only allowed to do one thing for a whole month, what would it be?

Honestly, I would love to not have to work for a whole month and just be lazy around like a cat. I think those are the times I get really creative and the content ideas begin to flow.

⁠Tell us about your hobbies and things you do to pass away time

I enjoy online shopping. I’m also addicted to Pinterest and love Architectural Digest. I also love working out and dancing. If you allow me, I can dance for hours. It’s like I’m in a music video.

Thank you for being on Doing Life With… Maame

Thank you for this feature and for allowing me to show a little bit of myself. It’s an honour.

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Many thanks to Maame Adwoa for having this conversation with us and answering all our questions – and swiftly too, we must add.

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Dammy Ojikutu: Why Brands Should Consider Influencer Marketing

Dammy Ojikutu — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:30:57 +0000

Humans are people of associations. We often try new things based on recommendations from others. We might try a new dish because someone we trust says it’s delicious, or buy a new outfit because we saw it on someone we admire. Even when we don’t consciously realise it, these associations are always there. Your top books for the year are the books your favourite creator or your mentor has recommended. We are all influenced by others, especially people we admire and trust.

This is something that successful brands have tapped into, through influencer marketing. Big-name influencers can lend credibility to a brand, but it’s important to have a clear goal and strategy in mind. Many small businesses fall into the trap of wanting to make a lot of money quickly, without thinking through their marketing strategy. Like Sahde, an associate, who’d pay 1 millionaire to an influencer to make 200 billion. I see you Shade, all of us want ritual money and that’s okay. However, you might not make it but one thing that your business will enjoy is influencer marketing backed by a tangible goal and a strategy.

One example of a successful influencer marketing campaign is Spotify’s #spotifyamapianotour which I followed this trip via the stories of Salem King and Nonye (thisthingcalledFashion). They brought together a group of popular creators and sponsored their trip to Johannesburg. The creators shared their experiences on social media, taking their followers along with them. By using the hashtags #spotifyamapianotour and #HowweSA, they made it clear what the trip was about and kept their audience engaged. What made this campaign so effective was that the creators seamlessly incorporated Spotify into their regular lives. It didn’t feel like an advertisement, but rather a natural part of their content. As a result, Spotify has gained a lot of brand recognition and loyalty.

There are a few tips to pay attention to when brands tap into influencer marketing.

Have a goal in mind

Before diving into influencer marketing, it’s important to consider a few questions. One of the most important questions is identifying your brand’s goals. What do you want to achieve as a brand? Once you have set a SMART goal, you should then ask yourself if influencer marketing is the right strategy to achieve your objective. Keep in mind that marketing goes beyond influencer marketing, and you need to define and determine the best course of action to reach your goal.

Develop a strategy

It is important to create a road map for achieving your goals. Keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Take some time to consider the most effective ways to communicate your message to your intended audience. If you’re struggling with this, you may want to consider hiring someone who can assist you. Having a strategy in place will help guide your actions and allow you to track your progress over time.

Select the right influencer

Before placing your trust in an influencer to endorse your brand, it is crucial to meticulously go through sourcing and selection stages, ensuring a thorough and diligent process. The popular influencer you’ve been eyeing may be unable to do any real thing for your brand. The best guys are the ones that can fit your brand perfectly into their everyday life. Ensure that every creator you pick is relevant to your brand and target audience.

Consider your target audience

For everything that goes on in the marketing world, Knowing your target audience is crucial. Who do they follow and what do they want? Which creators do they gravitate towards? Do the research.

Sometimes, play small

Have you ever heard of nano-influencers? These guys have a more close-knit and niche-focused community. They would often give you credible results if properly utilised. The next time you want to engage influencers remember that it doesn’t have to be the biggest in the industry.

Influencer marketing, when approached strategically and with a focus on authenticity, can be a powerful tool for brand promotion. Successful influencer marketing goes beyond monetary gains. It’s about creating meaningful connections and aligning with your brand’s essence. By setting clear goals, crafting a thoughtful strategy, and selecting influencers with authenticity and relevance, your brand can leverage the power of influence to forge lasting connections in the hearts of your audience.

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Feature Image from Pexels

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Farida Yahya: Solving The Funding Challenges That Women Entrepreneurs Encounter

Farida Yahya — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:00:14 +0000

Nigeria’s business scene is buzzing with tons of micro, small, and medium businesses (MSMEs) run by amazing women. Statistics reveal that most Nigerian women start their businesses as passion projects or to augment their household income. However, as they establish themselves in the market, they realise the significance of designing proper structures and positioning their businesses to thrive. Yet, these women often face obstacles when securing the funds required to grow their businesses. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it is important to highlight some of the challenges, in terms of loans and financial aid, that still hinder the exponential growth of women-owned businesses and explore ways in which the public and private sectors can help alleviate these challenges.

What exactly is holding them back? Let’s closely look at the five key financing challenges that female entrepreneurs face, and consider how the private and public sectors can step up and be their allies.

Collateral Catch

Banks love collateral like houses and land. But many women entrepreneurs don’t own these assets outright, thanks in part to cultural norms. This makes it super tough to qualify for loans, even if their business idea is great. In cases where they do own these assets, it is classified as unqualified largely due to unconscious bias. Banks need to get creative, look at cash flow, positive references, or even group guarantees from other women-owned businesses. Also, public institutions should help out by offering loan guarantee schemes specifically for women entrepreneurs which reduces risk for lenders.

Lack of Information

Sometimes, amazing financial options are out there, but women entrepreneurs might not know about them, or feel unsure about negotiating the best deal. When building alternative finance products and services targeted at women, it is important to do proper market research by speaking to the women and testing the core elements with your target audience. To solve this, private sectors can host workshops and training programs specifically for women, teaching them the financial ropes. Public institutions can also set up resource centres with financial advisors who can guide them through the loan application jungle.

Unconscious Bias

Let’s be honest, sometimes unconscious bias creeps in. Loan officers might question women’s business plans more intensely compared to men with similar ideas. Companies should train their loan officers to recognise and eliminate unconscious bias. Public-private partnerships need to also create mentorship programs connecting successful women entrepreneurs with aspiring ones, fostering knowledge sharing and building confidence.

Funding Flowing the Wrong Way

Financial institutions tend to focus on industries that are primarily dominated by men, such as construction, rather than those dominated by women, such as agribusiness and beauty. However, these industries have a lot of growth potential, and many women entrepreneurs excel in them. Private investors should establish special investment funds that target women-owned businesses in these thriving sectors. Public institutions could also offer tax breaks or other incentives to encourage banks and investors to invest in female-led ventures.

Familial Conflicts

Women entrepreneurs face a great challenge in juggling their businesses and family life. They often deal with issues related to childcare and limited flexible work options. This makes it difficult for them to dedicate enough time and energy to grow their businesses. Private companies can help by offering flexible work schedules or on-site childcare facilities. Public institutions should prioritise the development of affordable childcare options to give working mothers a much-needed break.

To bridge the gender gap in financing, both private and public sectors must contribute. By implementing these solutions, we can create a financial system that is fair and supportive for all. It is important to note that collecting data on the experiences of female-owned MSMEs is crucial for designing effective support systems. However, delivering on impact should also be a priority alongside data collection. Let us empower women entrepreneurs, unlock their full potential, and witness the Nigerian economy soar with the power of its amazing women entrepreneurs.

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Feature Image by Andrea Piacquadio for Pexels

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