Interviews

Advocacy for Youth Involvement in Governance puts much Emphasis on Age, not Capacity - Ekpa Stanley Ekpa

Ekpa, Stanley, Ekpa a practising lawyer and Director of the Development Watch Initiative shares in this interview, his thoughts on youths, governance and leadership

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest: My name is Ekpa, Stanley Ekpa. I am a lawyer and a Master’s in Leadership Studies student at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. I specialize in Development Law. I am currently the Editor-in-Chief, Nigerian Corruption Cases Law Report, and Nigerian Democracy and Development Report. I serve as the Executive Director, Development Watch Initiative. I have peculiar interest in Good Governance, Leadership, Development Law, Social Inclusion and Nation building.

NNI: What defines social development and impactful leadership for you?

Guest: Social development is achieved when people become the primary factor in a society or a nation’s development processes. The promotion of the inclusion of all components of the society – empowering the poor, vulnerable, minorities and giving hope and opportunities to the voiceless citizens. While impactful leadership is the ability to translate collective aspirations and priorities into significant and sustainable solutions for the development of our community, people and the world.

NNI: In building a society where the quality of things we do defines us, how responsible is leadership?

Guest: Everything revolves around leadership, from building strong and efficient institutions to building infrastructures, leadership is the undercurrent that provides the water of hope and opportunities for creating the equilibrium for the quality of things that define us both as a people and as individuals. Unfortunately, you cannot get quality leadership unless you have quality citizenship. Good citizenship that works through the entire circles of development of the nation – upholding the right value system, ensuring that the right leaders are elected, and holding the leaders accountable. This is the easiest way to prompt responsible leadership and ensure social development.

NNI: How have you managed leadership positions with other duties?

Guest: Leadership, or rather taking responsibility for my immediate communities has always been everything about me. Yes I have. Though in most cases it is very tough, but in all the cases, it gives me a unique opportunity to understand the diversities that the two tasks presents in proffering personal and social solutions from two dimensions.

NNI: It is usually said that a leader must be a follower. Is this realistic?

Guest: It is a truism that has it’s realistic result in practice. A good follower is passionately committed and deeply involved, giving him the chance to develop empathy, compassion and keen interest in the common situation and need of the people, community or organization. When such follower transcends to leadership position, it becomes easy to make significant impact given his or her understanding of the need of the community and his or her imbued leadership savvy. More importantly, such leader leads sometimes from behind, by positioning and delegating responsibility to others and supervising their works, results and impact.

NNI: Is leadership a mix of different skills? What exactly makes up complete leadership?

Guest: Leadership is a mix of infused skills and discipline for impact. Great leadership is about the creative balance between visions, strategic planning, collaboration and inclusion, performance and results, accountability, disciplined character of excellence, tolerance, and communication.

NNI: What inspired your book, Youthocracy, ''Leadershift'' for Development?

Guest: The advocacy for youth involvement in socio-political governance and cultural revolution was taking an unnecessary emphasis on age and not the capacity of the emerging leaders to proffer creative and sustainable solutions for the world’s complex challenges, particularly in Africa, hence, I felt the need to champion a new thinking in the desire to usher in a new generation of leaders.

For the past three decades, African leaders have failed to build a continent that provides the opportunities for inclusive prosperity and security. If the Africa Agenda 2063 would be actualized, it means that it is the young people whose future the agenda seeks to protect that can build it, not the generation that failed the continent for the last sixty years.

Hence, the crux of the discourse and philosophy of the book is on how to identify, build, galvanize and leverage a new generation of leaders for the development of their communities. How to get involved, win elections and do the work you elected to do right other critical issues that the book addressed.

NNI: By global trends, there is a call for youths to take leadership. How best can a youth position himself to be worthy of leadership?

Guest: First, leadership is not a tea party particularly if you are out to solve problems and make impact through leadership. But positioning yourself as a worthy option for for leadership consideration is even more challenging in developing electoral climes like Nigeria. However, to every problem there is always myriads of available solutions.

To me, building capacity either by learning or participation starts by building your personal leadership brand, building creative values of social solutions, building a strong network of like minds, being a problem solver no matter how small the solution, and working through the ladder to strategically position for great leadership.

On a more practical note, one can either position for leadership by leaning on the shoulders of great leaders through positive god-fatherism, or disrupt the political space to make a way for himself. The latter is more difficult a means, for it requires working beyond the limit line.

NNI: What is the measure of good leadership? Do you think social impact can be measured?

Guest: Good governance is measured on the scale of social impact. The aggregate dividends of your leadership as enjoyed by the people. It is easy to measure leadership impact because it is about the people and the community. The result of your leadership can be felt either negatively or positively by the people. Though social impact takes time to materialize sometimes but it is never hidden when it finally arrives.

By measuring good leadership I do not mean state sponsored billboards and media propaganda, no, I mean an impactful result that can be felt by the deaf, and seen even by the blind. I would have loved to use such economic indicators like GDP, inflation among others but in the end analysis, when the people are hungry and left behind without social security, we have failed the society.

Read: Family Plays a Great Role in Language Appreciation - Olagunju Modupe

NNI: What do you do at the Development Watch Initiative?

Guest: We are a citizen sector initiative that is committed to engaging the citizens to make inputs in the development processes of their constituencies and holding their leaders accountable. We promote citizens’ participation in monitoring the implementation of Nigeria’s developmental projects, budgets and policies from the local government level to the national level. Currently we are working on the COVID-19 REPORT, which is a comprehensive insight and report on Nigeria’s response, policies, palliatives and impact.

We have other programmes running, like our ”Enterprise Clinic” which exposes students across Nigerian academic institutions to job, entrepreneurial and leadership skills and opportunities. Our next training circle is slated for Sokoto, Oyo, Lagos, Kano, Anamabra, Rivers, Abuja and Cross River. We also have the Get Involved Challenge, Constituency Development Town Halls, among other projects.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth? Do you think we are making progress?

Guest: Yes, we are making progress. The United Nations has continued to create broad opportunities for the involvement of young people in actualizing the SDGs 2030. Domestically, the Not Too Young To Run Act 2018 has given much impetus and limited opportunity for young people to participate in the political space, as the huge financial requirements and commercialization of our politics continue to hinder their chances. Notwithstanding this, the 2019 general elections witnessed an increase in the number of elected young people to local governments, state assemblies and federal Parliament. Many young people have been given appointive positions both in the political and corporate sectors.

So, to me I think we are making progress, it is now within our arms as young people to get strategic and position ourselves through creative common council of like minds, support ourselves and collectively make our societies work for the next generation.

NNI: How did you achieve the fusion of your personal brand name ''Ekpa Stanley, Ekpa'' into your love for promising leadership and sustainable development?

Guest: I realized early in life that there is an inseparable relationship between law, leadership and sustainable development. This prompted my interest to study law even when I didn’t understand the proper places of these concepts and factors in social development. It was however my late mother that taught me the value of a man’s name. Ever since, I have tried my best to approach everyday of my life with sincere commitment to how my work (law, community organizing and leadership) would significantly impact my community, country and humanity.

I cherish my brand “Ekpa, Stanley Ekpa” so much that I work everyday to grow, improve and leverage it as a reliable source and Centre for national inclusivity, development solutions, cultural revolution and an ideological stand point for Nigeria’s future generations.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: My advice is very simple – young people must have the sense of ownership of their communities, be creative, resilient, and resolved to succeed against all odds and challenges. It is a tough and difficult world, but if you remain on your lane and timeline without comparing yourself to other people’s standards for success, your chances are high that you will become even more the person you aspire to be.

NNI: What should we expect from you in the near future? Any intention to go into full time politics? Any bigger plans?

Guest: (Laughs) Well, I am a very intentional person. I know that the only way to build the kind of country we aspire for is to get involved politically, and I know for certain that I will go into politics. And if by full time you mean committing and applying myself to my constituency and humanity without compromise, then I can assure you that I will do that full time without regret.

I believe this is my time to prepare myself for competence, leadership savvy and excellence in statecraft. I am confident our generation will turn things around but we must be prepared for the great task, for we must not fail Nigeria and the next generation of Nigerians. We are called to fix and provide hope, opportunities and direction for the new Nigeria.

Bill Gates was Insane to Sacrifice Schooling for his Dreams - Kingsley Ndimele

NNI: Can you tell us about you?

Guest: Kingsley Ndimele is a young Nigerian. I hail from Abia State, though born and bred in the ancient city of Ibadan. I'm a graduate of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University. I'm also a writer, event planner and a business consultant.

NNI: You recently released a book, titled "Rituals". What prompted you to writing?

Guest: Yes! RITUALS is my first book. And I'm happy it's really making wave across Africa. I perceived the crave for success and a better life nowadays like never before. However, I decided to study the daily habits of highly successful people and I saw this small but profoundly striking resemblance. There are strong similarities in their daily lives. There are things they must do everyday which I call RITUALS. Thanks to Elijah Ajibade who innocently challenged me to write a book.

NNI: Asides writing and your duties at Novel Nigeria, what else are you into?

Guest: I'm a member of an NGO known as Impact Africa Foundation founded by Taiwo Oyedele (Tax Partner, PwC). We travel yearly to selected secondary schools across Africa to support education and give scholarships to indigent students.

I'm also the President of Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economics Students, OAU. Lastly, I'm a member of several committees across Nigeria .

NNI: What is Novel Nigeria about?

Guest: NOVEL Nigeria is a subsidiary of NOVEL 1095 BIZFIELD (a registered business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria). NOVEL Nigeria is an organized, purpose-driven conglomerate. NOVEL Nigeria is a fast growing international brand. At NOVEL Nigeria, our commercial service system is all encompassing and characterized by highly efficient concepts. NOVEL Nigeria is an expert in diversity, coupled with a committed pursuit of excellence which makes us who we are. For now, we do everything that has to do with events. We hope to expand our commercial horizon very soon.

NNI: What prompted the establishment of Novel Nigeria?

Guest: I started NOVEL Nigeria in my second year in the university. I felt a need to build an institution and brand that will outlive me. Impacting and building lives across borders means a lot to me. It's all I'm committed to do till death takes me away. The generation of Dangote, Otedola and Alakija is gradually exiting the entrepreneurial planet. Who will replace them? These are the drives that triggered me to start NOVEL Nigeria. By God's grace in less than two years, NOVEL Nigeria became a registered company with the Federal Government of Nigeria. Today, we worth over #2million. We've reached over 20 countries so far. We are making progress. We just started.

NNI: You said that you owe your success to your mother. How is this? Do you have other mentors and role models?

Kingsley Ndimele: My mother was less than 30 years when I lost my father. Since my age 4, she's been there for us. She never remarried, though she had the opportunity. Through thick and thin. Catering for 3 kids is not easy coupled with the battles she faced from my paternal side. She struggled to give us the best. That's why it's very difficult to believe that I have no father. Even some with both parents alive cannot stand us in anything. We went to the best schools. Before Dad's demise, she was just a school cert. holder with no O'level results. Today, she's an NCE holder and a graduate of University of Ibadan. As a widow, she did this alongside catering for our education. She's full of optimism. She's been a teacher all her life. She's won several life battles. She's hardworking and very prayerful. She'll never force you out of your will. No matter what you do today, she believes you can do better. I have other role models, but my mum na my biggest motivation.

NELOC: How have you managed all of these activities at Novel Nigeria with your studentship?

Kingsley Ndimele: Hmnn. At a point in his life, every man will decide what he actually wants for his life. I think I've gotten to that point. Bill Gates and Zuckerberg were insane and passionate enough to sacrifice schooling for the sake of their dreams. I'm not gonna drop out. But I'm gonna make the required sacrifice to become a champion. Being in school is a priority, but I don't hesitate to make sacrifices when necessary. Some of my classmates and lecturers know this.

NELOC: Do you intend to work in your field of study upon graduation?

Kingsley Ndimele: If the opportunity comes. Why not? However, I'm a very restless person. I'm not used to sitting down doing one thing in a particular place for a long time.

NELOC: By our background information, you're interested in politics. What's your political stand at the moment, especially for the 2019 elections?

Kingsley Ndimele: 2019 just like several election is not going to be any different. The ancestral politicians are coming back in a recycled personality. The young ones are only social media noisemakers. Imagine 72 presidential aspirants. Two old politicians and seventy young aspirants. If not for personal greed, what stops this seventy from merging to one. So it will be two old politicians versus one young candidate. As far as I'm concerned, Nigeria is going to move round the circle again for another four years.

NELOC: By current trends, is rulership for the youths in 2019, a workable project?

Guest: In 2019, rulership for the youth is not feasible at all. This generation of youth seems to be worse than our ancestral politicians. Some of the aspirants are more clueless and empty. They lack facts and figures. They are zealous without knowledge. I've always said, Not Too Young To Rule is not for mediocres.

NELOC: You also organised the first online business summit for Africa- the YES festival. What's the story behind it?

Kingsley Ndimele: One of our mission at NOVEL Nigeria is to build aspiring entrepreneurs and brand owners. We had to make use of what we had. Initially, it was a biweekly online interactive session on whatsapp. Before we moved it to a bigger platform. Luckily, it was the first in Africa.

NELOC: Tell us about your personal life and relationship

Kingsley Ndimele: I'm a very daring person and very playful. In fact, when you see me play, you'll doubt if I ever work and when you see me work, you'll doubt if I ever play.

Relationship...hmnn it's not time for public display. I'm still working towards it. By God's grace, I hope to get married by 2022.

NELOC: What do you think are your achievements so far?

Kingsley Ndimele: I've only achieved one-tenth of my dreams. NOVEL Nigeria, YES! Festival and RITUALS are my testimonies. The lives I've affected positively are my greatest achievements.

NELOC: How have you dealt with challenges overtime for your company?

Kingsley Ndimele: As an entrepreneur, you have to get use to challenges. In difficult times, i'm often calm. Business growth takes time that's why I don't rush the process. I think through rather than worrying. I discuss with like minded people also.

NELOC: How have you managed Novel Nigeria and your other activities?

Kingsley Ndimele: I'm a very crazy person - Very strict with time. I give my attention to things that matters alone to my direction. Every other thing is considered a distraction.

NNI : What do you think about Nigerian Startups and funding?

Guest: Funding for start-ups in Nigeria has been an issue for a long time. However, I believe money is not the capital you need to fund a business, ideas are the greatest funds. You need ideas to fund your business and you need discipline to keep it flowing.

NELOC: What do you, personally, spend most of your time on?

Kingsley Ndimele: I spend most of my time reading and attending to various needs of people.

NELOC: 2019 is right before you. What are your hopes for the new year?

Kingsley Ndimele: It's going to be a busier year. I'll be going more into photography and Graphics design. I also hope to learn an international language. In all it's going to be a great year. I hope to write more, be more focused and serve more.

NELOC: What advice do you give to individuals who have a passion for entrepreneurship as yours but lack the ideas and ways to go about it?

Kingsley Ndimele: Be definite for what you want for your life and pursue it with insane passion and resilience. The sky will be their starting point.

NNI: Thank you for having us.

Many Set Up NGOs for Selfish Reasons - Adeosun Adedayo

Adeosun Adedayo is a Social Volunteer in active volunteering for about 5 years now. In this interview, she tells us how she handles NGO leadership and Social Relations.

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest: I'm Adeosun, Adedayo Ifeoluwa, popularly known as Ifedayo. I'm from a family of four. I hail from Ogun State and I'm a graduate of the Department of Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University. I'm an entrepreneur, CEO DEE STORES and I also help businesses grow using different tested and trusted strategies. Lastly I'm a social volunteer. I enjoy volunteering and I've actively volunteered for 5 years now.

NNI: How has the social entrepreneurship journey been for you so far?

Guest: It's Been both good and bad but we bless God. There's been a lot of challenges but passion has kept me in place.

NNI: What does managing an NGO entail? Are there any skills you have to learn?

Guest: Managing an NGO actually entails a lot. It requires passion, commitment, energy, time, money and endurance. And Yeah there are skills to learn. That is why it's advisable to actively volunteer for months or years before setting up an NGO. 80% of these skills are learnt during volunteering.

NNI: In pulling up NGO projects and schemes, what is your experience?

Guest: Pulling up innovative programs is actually a very beautiful thing I look forward too but it's exhausting at times. More challenges come up during planning and funding while execution comes easily when planning and funding is in place. My experience in pulling up innovative programs has been a mix of both good and crazy.

NNI: What do you do at the Ifedayo Foundation?

Guest: Ifedayo foundation is working towards SDG 3 (health and well-being). This is to ensure that communities have access to health care. We cater for children, the less privileged, orphanages, slums and rural communities. True humanitarianism is our lifestyle at the Ifedayo foundation.

NNI: What do you think about NGOs and Awards & Recognition?

Guest: I think this actually applies mostly to big NGOs. Many NGOs that are just starting up and are in their first to fifth year are hardly recognized. In recent times, NGO awards and recognitions go up for the "big people and politicians" who own NGOs.

NNI: Can impact truly be measured? What defines impact for you at the Ifedayo Foundation?

Guest: Hmm. Impact itself cannot be measured. However, impact shows up for itself. You can't measure impact based on the number of places you've visited but by the number of lives that have been changed positively because of you. For Ifedayo foundation we've been able to put smiles on over one thousand faces in more than six communities in our first year.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth? Do you think we are making progress?

Guest: Truthfully, many youths are trying their best, but we still have a large number that are not even informed about global development not to talk about working towards achieving global growth. It is in the ratio of 40-60. We're actually making progress but the global challenges we experience too has not made the progress visible.

NNI: Managing an organisation like the Ifedayo Foundation requires funding. Do you think funding levels for NGOs have reduced? Why?

Guest: Yes, funding levels has reduced. Funding is one of the drives of NGOs. Funding levels reduced mainly because some people chose to start or set up NGOs for selfish reasons. Asides this, many NGOs misappropriate funds.

NNI: While NGOs revolve round people, recent World Health Issues have affected NGO operations. What role do you think NGOs can play as regards Global Health Problems like the Coronavirus?

Guest: Awareness has been a major and key instrument used to reach out because of the recent world health issues. Certain outreaches have been put in place to help communities stay with guidelines that will help curb the world pandemic.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Surround yourself with beautiful people and your dreams are always valid.

NNI: What new heights are you scaling at the Ifedayo Foundation?

Guest: Yes! Many big plans. We're presently working on a partnership with 6 other NGOs in Lagos state in other to cover 4 communities within September to December.

NNI: That's beautiful. Thank you very much for your time ma.

If You Can't Build an Online Business, Build Your Business Online - Clement Oyinlola - Head of Operations, Terabyte

If you do not believe the popular saying that running a business without doing advertisement is like winking at a girl in the dark (you know what you are doing but the lady does not), Clement Oyinlola in this interview will convince you. Read his interview with NNI below.

NNI: Can we meet you sir?

Guest: My name is Clement Oyinlola, born on the 18th of February, 1995. I'm a graduate of OAU from the department of Economics after spending my first three years in Electronics and Electrical Engineering, lol. I'm an entrepreneur and a business owner, currently working as the Head of Operations of The Tera Brand (Africa's number one and fastest growing advertisment, marketing and consulting firm). I'm a firm believer and currently serving as the Point Man Delegate of David City Tabernacle (DCT Church), Ile-Ife.

NNI: How has the digital entrepreneurship journey been for you so far?

Guest: Well, it has been a bumpy ride, full of lessons and lots of down-moments. I started business fully in 2015 and failed in my first 2-3 years. I started another business late 2017 and failed just about 12 months after. Then in July 2019, I started the business that's thriving today, The Tera Brand. Of course, I'm prepared for more failures, but I am certain I won't quit until I hit my goals, no matter how long it might take.

NNI: To you, what is the relevance of digital marketing and how can individuals leverage them for growth?

Guest: The world has evolved. Everything can now be done on the internet. My usual saying is if you can't build an online business, build your business online. Either ways, make sure you are leveraging the digital space. Business has never been this easier with the tons of available courses and training videos available online, much more, you can automate your entire business process down to payment and sales tracking. Not to now talk of the deep blue sea called digital marketing where you can access limitless amount of potential customers. The relevance cannot just be overemphasized. Individuals who really wanna gain presence and visibility have no choice but to use the digital space. WhatsApp is part of digital marketing, so if you're posting on WhatsApp status, you're part of the game.

NNI: What digital media lessons have you learnt from establishing a PR Firm like Terabyte?

Guest: When you are true to your values, people will respect you and seek you out. There are lot of copycats and fake people everywhere. Everyone is going about the fake it till you make it. I'm against this phrase, why fake what you don't have? Don't give the impression of who you are not. Be true to your word. I've learnt this practically from clients who request for metrics especially from WhatsApp views. And I always tell myself that if I promise 100k views and I deliver 70k views, I'm not true to my word. I recently underestimated our current reach with The Terabytes to 70k views across 15 campuses but in the real sense, we have about 100k reach. I won't tell customers 100k reach because of whipsaws. So, I'd rather underpromise and overdeliver. When I do this, customers are wowed and they become repeat loyal customers. I'm not out there to impress anyone. I'm out there to deliver value!!!

Clement Oyinlola

NNI: How does startup branding affect the future of digital revolution?

Guest: Your branding is the personality of your business. And your personality is what makes you different from the next person living next door. You are permitted to overlook branding when you're just starting, but you're not permitted to keep overlooking your branding. Apple is where they are because of their branding. They have given themselves that class and others are trying to be like them. Same with Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Coca-Cola, Nike, Disney and many others including Tera (winks). We guys (you know, I'm now sitting in the class of Apple), we guys are revolutionaries. We don't follow the conventional branding strategies, we are enforcing a new strategy that you already know subconsciously. It's called emotional branding. Lemme stop there!

NNI: What do you think of data rates? How do they affect your businesses online?

Guest: There's nothing we can do about that. Just factor it in as part of your operational cost. It's like when you're trying to have an office and you're saying you don't need a generator, remember, this is Nigeria!

NNI: What is your experience so far in the Forex Industry?

Guest: Hmm... I started my Forex journey in early 2017 and it has been full of ups and downs. But in the last one year, it has been consistent ups as a result of the many lessons I've not just learnt but adopted. I'm a learner, in every single thing you can think about. I just wanna keep learning and much more teach as well. I started my personal brand (ClementOyinlola.com) and it's my way to teach individuals on the different ways of earning from the Forex Market and also on marketing, branding and sales. It's still at the starting phase, it's all still rough, but in a matter of 30-60 days, you'll start seeing it everywhere. So, for all Forex traders or aspiring Forex traders, relax, there's legit money in the Forex market, the question is, *are you ready and patient enough* to master how to pick the coins from the mouth of the crocodile?

NNI: Many have results to prove that digital skills do not yield actual conversions. Is there anything they are doing wrong leading to these results?

Guest: Permit me to smile here...lol... Everyone is looking for the magic beans for instant result. Truth is you can manipulate the results you get from the digital space. Remember anything digital can be hacked. Also, some people don't have the concrete understanding of how digital conversion works. For example, you ran an ad on Facebook and Facebook metrics showed you that your ad reached 5,647 people. Those 5000+ people that saw your ad are Facebook's leads. If out of them, only 60 messaged you or clicked your link, those 60 people are Facebook's conversion. At that level, Facebook has done her job and has converted 60 people to you. Now, those 60 people are now your own lead which is your sole responsibility to convert them. If you are able to convert 10, good and if you are able to convert none, it's all on you. Facebook already done her job. So, when you're working as a digital marketer, you need to understand how different leads and conversions actually work. I was forced to come up with a disclaimer for our clients last month that we are an advertisement company, we do not promise that you will make sale, we only promise that we'll show your ad to as many people as possible who are your potential customers. Those who reach out to you (which I'm certain people will), it is your responsibility to convert them to sales.

NNI: Is advertising always a worthy investment?

Guest: There's this popular saying that running a business without doing advertisement is like winking at a girl in the dark, you know what you are doing but the lady does not. So also is advertisement. As long as you're not doing your business just for yourself, you need to reach out to people outside your circle. I'm not the social in quote kind of person, but I realised that I can't be running a social media business and not be social, so I learnt it. I currently have over 800 students in our organization across 15 campuses in Nigeria and 4 African countries (which will be launching soon). That's not even the goal, that's just our introduction into the market...lol... So, back to the question, advertisement, if done well and right, is a worthy investment. And about doing it well and right, we have the best and smartest brains on our team for that. We don't just want you to run your ad because we want your money, we want your advert to be effective and get you leads.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth as regards the digital world?

Guest: Like I already mentioned, the Digital world has made all those easier. You can attend a summit via teleconferencing and so, there's a positive correlation between global youth development and digital world. Just yesterday, I dropped an idea with my team that we would be working on soon across the entire African continent, it's called THE AFRICAN FACE, we are yet to have the full structure but it's sure going to be a creative strategy for all African youths to connect with each other using the most basic platform.

NNI: What's your believe as regards interconnected growth? Is it absolutely possible for a brand to develop in isolation and without partnerships?

Guest: For the past 11 months, our partners have been our customers and potential clients. We are currently at the stage where we are raising funds for growth through external investors. Our company registration is currently ongoing and so once it's done, we'll be partnering with external investors for our brand growth and development. Apart from business, there's no self-made person, success is not really a lone wolf journey as we have been made to believe. You only need to find the right set of people to be your best set of people. I am partnering with over 800 Nigerian students to deliver value through Tera and I'm also on the lookout for investors to partner with for our growth and development. There's need to connect and partner for growth. You just need to find the right set of people to connect and partner with. Even at that, you'll still meet some Judas (permit me to use that name). I know of people who started with us in some schools and felt like they could also do same. They left the team and started their own brand. It's quite painful but it's expected. The sky is wide enough for anyone and everyone to soar. I'm a keen believer in loyalty and trust and it gives me joy that my managers are loyal and trustworthy. In short, I have the best team and partners.

NNI: Demand is making price for digital skill courses increase. This is fast becoming a problem and turning back potential students. From experience, how can this be solved?

Guest: We stick to the basics. Simple. I was discussing with a friend, you might know her, she's Toluwakemi, the WhatsApp Queen. She was talking about how a particular investment program fee is high and I was like, very soon, yours will be high too, that it's only a matter of time. Same discussion ensued with the co-founder of Tera, and he was also telling me that very soon, we'll become expensive. Inasmuch as I love expensive cause it gives you a class of your own, we should not forget that there's something they call volume and depth. When you're expensive alone, you have depth, that's Apple. But Microsoft leveraged both volume and depth. They are expensive, yet affordable for the masses. You can combine both volume and depth. Segment your packages but make sure each package is valuable enough and allow you to afford the next package. Lemme explain... Assuming I have a community and monthly subscription is $29, I can also have a package for $9 for those who can't afford the $29 such that if you by my $9 package, I'll be able to equip you enough so that you can afford my $29 package. That's value. Not just about me making money, but about making your life better. So, there's a way trainers or tutors can adopt this strategy and it will also build trust in your students and you can easily keep them forever. I mentioned something like this briefly in the last part of my eBook, The Forex Scam (which you can pre-order for $19 against the regular price of $49). So, the more the demand, the more valuable the product is, and the more you can leverage on volume while also building depth.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: My fellow young individuals, let's prove to the world that we are not lazy. Let's prove to the world that not all Nigerian youths are scammers or fraudsters. Let's prove to the world that we can achieve our dreams legit. That we can put our hands to work and get the results we are proud of. That we are not ready to fail and that we are ready to keep pushing and digging till we find the diamond. That we are ready to wait and endure the growth process and be proud of the person we are becoming. That we are ready to fight our Goliath, walk on water and rise again from the dead.

NNI: What new heights do you hope to scale in the near future?

Guest: I will be launching the V100 project soon. It stands for The Vision 100. The goal is to establish my presence and brand presence (The Tera Brand) in 54 African Countries, 100 Campuses each with nothing less than 200 Active Ambassadors in each campus. The project should last for the next 5 years, so watch out for 2025! There are many other heights I hope to scale, like be featured in Forbes 30 under 30 (well, who doesn't). This has been a goal for me many years back even before I knew what kind of business to do. Also, this may sound funny, but I wish to be appointed as the CBN governor before I clock 40 and before I'm 50, I wish to be on the board of directors for the World Bank.

NNI: Thank you very much for your time sir.

Guest: Thank you for taking your time to follow me! I'm open to new and valuable friends.

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest: I am Adegbite Adebayo Samuel. I'm a 26years old graduate of Political science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I was born into a family of five although, my father is late, as far back as 1997. I'm a Music minister with a passion to preach Jesus all around the world with the sounds of Heaven. I hail from Oyo state

NNI: "But my father is late, as far back as 1997..." With this, how was growing up been for you?

Guest: Well, It was tough, really tough, especially for my mother who suddenly found herself a single parent. It was like the silver spoon was taken away, but nonetheless, she did everything in her power by the grace of God to give myself and my siblings quality education, good morals and taught us to love the Lord. A lot of credit goes to God through her.

NNI: Inspiring! Your mum is indeed a strong woman. I thank God for His grace upon her life.

Guest: Yeah, God be praised.

NNI: What inspired Aninilematanile?

Bayo Adegbite: After completing my undergraduate studies, I had been trusting God for an unusual grace to compose songs that will bless many around the world. I just want to be a vessel unto honour. One day, as I was heading back home from work, I started singing in the spirit (singing in tongues), a melody then struck my heart, I couldn't stop singing it, but it was still in tongues, so I asked God to help put words of understanding to fit into the melody, and not long after, I remembered a beautiful name of God I got to know in one of rehearsals in the fellowship meeting (RCFOAU) in the university. Aninilematannile! Meaning The Inexhaustible God, The One who is All-Sufficient. That was it! A new song had arrived!!!

NNI: Wow! Interesting. When did you start music?

Bayo Adegbite: I have been involved in music since childhood, in fact every member of family sings really well, but started 2015 professionally when I released my debut single.

NNI: As a gospel artiste, please narrate your salvation experience?

Guest: I got saved through a friend way back 2007. He just showed me love and then I saw how things were working out for him, so I decided to give God a chance, but now I know He gave me chance! No regrets!

NNI: Oh Wow! Who are your music mentors? Your role models in this field?

Guest: My music mentor is my Mother, Mrs Adegbite Stella Olayide, she taught me how to stay on key by dragging me to weekly services to lead the praise and worship lol and Role models are Don Moen, Wale Adenuga and Nathaniel Bassey.

NNI: God, Music and Man... What do you think is the bond?

Bayo Adegbite: God is the originator of music and also the creator of man. The bond here is that, music is one of the most potent weapon in the hands of men to establish and advance the kingdom of God on earth.

NNI: Wow! Recently Tasha Hobbs collaborated with Nicki Minaj. What do you think of gospel artistes collaborating with secular ones?

Guest: I'm not one to judge, but if i could just lend my voice. My stand is that Whatever is Gospel is too precious to be meddled with the secular world. There's a distinct line between we do in the kingdom and what goes on in the secular. We preach Christ, they preach self, so when we involve the secular guys in collaboration, in my opinion I think there's a loss of sense of identity.

NNI: Wow! What's the future of gospel music in Nigeria?

Bayo Adegbite: Beyond words can say or describe!!! There's an army rising in this country. God is raising music ministers after His heart

NNI: And I'm one of them! (smiles)

Bayo Adegbite: Oh yes! Music ministers are churning out great songs. And believe soonest, our songs will change the course of this country, Africa, and the world at large for good.

NNI: Amen! How do you balance your music with other obligations-- career, etc?

Guest: It's not easy but I'll just say you'll always find time for whatever you love or love doing. So with God's help I try to prioritise well

NNI: What is your greatest challenge as a musician?

Bayo Adegbite: I don't know how best to answer this but, I put a lot of good pressure on myself and the good pressure is to better the person I was yesterday by improving today, but Jesus is up to the task through me. Let me just say, staying positive and motivated in midst of discouragements is my greatest challenge.

NNI: You started in 2015? Wow! That's great. What do you count as your achievements so far?

Bayo Adegbite: I believe my greatest achievements is how the songs God has given has touched the lives of people. Recently someone told how she got baptised in the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in tongues while singing one of the songs God gave me. That for me is a great achievement!

NNI: Wow! I love this testimony. Where do you see yourself in next five years?

Bayo Adegbite: Next five years! Well I believe by then by the special grace of God, I would have joined of frontiers in the gospel music ministry in Nigeria and the world at large to keep advancing the kingdom of God through music

NNI: What would you love to say to your supporters and to inspire other musicians?

Bayo Adegbite: To all those who have supported me so far, I want to say a big thank you. I'm immensely grateful. I also humbly ask that you keep praying for me like you've always done. May God keep us all in Jesus name. I love you all.

To my fellow music ministers, we must keep pushing for excellence and trust God for every step we intend take. let's keep raising the banner of Christ, drawing men solely to Him.

NNI: Thank you for your time sir.

Bayo Adegbite: My pleasure

If you engage in Digital Businesses as a Cover for Fraud, Your sins will find you Out - Kehinde Odeyemi

As Digital Trends get disruptive by the day, there is every chance at it that onventional work modes will exit the human space soon. We walked the talk with Kehinde Odeyemi, CEO of The Echo Digital. This is what he has to say on the importance of Digital Marketing and how to read the trending signs of our age.

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest: I am Emmanuel Kehinde Odeyemi, I have a B.Sc in Electronics & Electrical Engineering (Communications). I am a professional Digital Marketer and the founder of The Echo Digital, T.E.D, an online marketing firm, founded in August 2017. Also, I'm a humanitarian at The Echo Care Foundation Africa, founded by me in June 2018

NNI: How has the entrepreneurship/business journey been for you so far?

GUEST: My entrepreneur journey hasn't been smooth and neither has it been rough all through. There have been big wins, small wins, big losses and small losses. But importantly, lessons have been learnt.

NNI: Like Summy Smart Francis, Bill Gates, Strive Masiyiwa and other world's business models, what and who drives your entrepreneurship/business spirit?

GUEST: My entrepreneurial spirit is actually based on the fact that I have passion to help people. Through T.E.D, we have been able to solve over 650 marketing problems within 32 months and hired people so they can earn. At the moment, our staff count is about 30.

Also, a desire to be independent and creating a better life for myself and my unborn kids is a motivation. I am commited to making lives better.

NNI: In hosting innovative brand programmes like the TED Trade Fairs, Live in Concert and the TEDInvasion, what is your experience?
GUEST: I own all the stocks at T.E.D,. This means if it goes sour, I lose the most and if goes so well I enjoy the most. One of the major characteristics of an entrepreneur is the ability to take risks, risk is something that I have learnt to calculate. The purpose of these events are: brand awareness, education and empowerment. However, the major challenge about hosting these events is having willing hands that can make it a success. Willing hands will always generate revenues.

NNI: What do you do at the TED Academy?
Guest: The T.E.D Academy is a Division of the T.E.D Organisation in charge of training people in digital skills such as SEO, Affiliate Marketing, Page Management & Development, Sponsored Ads, e.t.c. All done virtually! The participants are issued a certificate afterwards.

NNI: How did you come about digital Skills?

Guest: Most of my digital skills are self taught.

NNI: What do you think of many youths who claim to engage in digital businesses as a cover for fraud?
GUEST: Their sins will find them out if they don't stop that nonsense

NNI: On the price rates and excessive use of internet browsing data (positively or negatively) for SMEs and Companies, how does it affect your productivity?
GUEST: I use tonnes of data, that I can honestly account for. In the past 4 months, I have used over 200GB. To a certain extent, data in Nigeria isn't cheap if you compare it to other world countries but at the rate of data being sold, people in Nigeria can still make a life from it by going digital. You just have to understand that if you spend much on data usage, it better be fetching you money in return.

NNI: As a company, Can impact truly be measured? Considering your CSRs, what defines social impact for you at the Echo Digital?

GUEST: Of course impact can be measured. Most people into business are not entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are business people but not all business people are entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship has to do with innovative solution to problems and trying to make lives better irrespective of their field. It is about risk taking, especially at the initial or incubation stage of your start-up. If you can't even afford to take a little risk for your brand, you can't use that word. Entrepreneurs think about people, business people think about themselves!

When it comes to CSR, we are making impact. For instance, The T.E.D Invasion Conference allows you to pick a ticket for a token and you get trained for free in digital marketing. The whole value embedded in the ticket is almost 18,000 naira and participants are asked to pay only 3,000 naira or 1,500 for it.

T.E.D also supports foundations, most importantly, TECF Africa and we have been able to hire many undergraduates to help them build work experience with us and get paid. So yes, results can be measured as we have been able to solve over 650 marketing problems with over 82% success rate.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth? Do you think we are making progress?
GUEST: As a matter of fact, the major targets for our online courses are undergraduate youths and one of the major benefits of the T.E.D Invasion is skill and knowledge empowerment for undergraduates. If young minds can harness the power of the digital age, they would live more fulfilled in various businesses. And yes, we are making progress. We are doing that fast too!

NNI: What exceptional skill do you think every entrepreneur and business owner should have? Why?
GUEST: Simple page management & development skill that helps you to effectively portray your brand properly on social media and it also helps you to grow your audience a step at a time. Quality is better, but in business, quantity should never, I repeat never be over-looked. Some people will automatically not patronise you because of your low followers count. This means so much too.

Also, Content Creation skill (SEO Writing & Branding is important too) and Email Marketing.

NNI: You also lead volunteers at The Echo Care Foundation. What is your Volunteer Experience?
GUEST: At TECF Africa, it's been awesome. A lot of people are volunteers but not VOLUNTEERS, if you know what I mean. Throughout my undergraduate days, I served people without expecting anything in return and today God is making people return the favour. Even before getting into the University, I've been involved in volunteering.

The only thing I have to say is that to volunteer isn't compulsory, nobody will beat you if you don't. But if you do out of your own volition, let your integrity show in your response to your responsibility. Integrity and Faithfulness is key in volunteering.

NNI: Do you think funding levels for NGOs have reduced? Why?
GUEST: No it hasn't according to my knowledge, there are hundreds of organisations funding and willing to fund NGOs as long as they can see a track record of successes and impact. Get registered, be transparent too!

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?
GUEST: Develop yourself at any opportunity. There is no time. What you don't pay 1,000 naira for today, you won't pay 1,000,000 naira for tomorrow even if you have it because having money won't chase out stinginess to oneself. Also if you don't pay a 1,000 naira today, you will be forced to pay 1,000,000 tomorrow.

Make your personal growth a priority. Having phones and gadgets are not important as what we can do with them. If you can't earn a living from them, you shouldn't invest so much in them in the first instance.

Grow and develop your mind and skills!

NNI: What new heights are you scaling at TED and TECF? What should we expect in the near future?

GUEST: The goal is to have T.E.D Invasion quarterly every year, every April in Obafemi Awolowo University though and across states or Universities at the beginning of every other quarter in the year.

We will be going public where 60 young individuals can own stocks or shares at T.E.D under our Academy, Events and Marketing Companies. They talk about investments and many young people still don't get it because they don't know how and why. Investment is the future.

We are going into awards by the end of the year where those that have done exceptionally well as individuals or organisations can be recognised. It won't be a regular event, these events started incubating in 2018. More details later.

NNI: Thank you very much for your time sir.

GUEST: Thank you very much for the honour.

Our Digital Economy is powered by Information Democracy - Ikedichi Egwu

Join us as we walk the talk with Ikedichi Egwu, a brand strategist, digital marketer and Public Speaker as he shares his thoughts on the subject of Digital Marketing.

NNI: Can we meet you sir?

Guest: Thanks for having me on your platform. I am Ikedichi Egwu, and I come from the South East part of Nigeria (Ebonyi State precisely). I am a brand strategist and digital marketer. My journey into the world of branding dates back to when I was in 200L at the Obafemi Awolowo Univeristy, Ile-Ife. I couldn't seem to understand the philosophy driving the African entrepreneurial landscape at that time. My quest to find out stemmed the beginning of what would be later become my career as a brand strategist. Digital marketing for me is a field that encompasses all. Regardless of your industry, sales and marketing drive businesses. Also, the future is digital. Artificial Intelligence is the driving force behind major modern day innovations.

It was the above thinking framework that drove me into digital marketing. Today I have gone on to work with several brands as a digital marketer and brand strategist across the country. Currently, I work with Digital Funnel in Lagos as a brand strategist and digital marketer.

Moreover, I have traveled across several states within Nigeria speaking across multiple platforms on the subjects of branding, personal branding, digital marketing and leadership. So, I am who most persons would prefer to term a public speaker.

I was once a technical drop out from the Obafemi Awolowo University. My philosophy about life was at the core of my decision to drop out of the university while I was already in 500 Level, my final year. (Laughs.)

Well, the good news is that I went back and decided that I would finish up my degree program eventually. I was taking a degree in Crop Production and Protection.

NNI: How has the entrepreneurship journey been for you so far?

Guest: The entrepreneurial journey for me has not particularly been easy. It's been filled with mistakes and lessons, like for many brands out there dipping their toes into the water. The journey, however, has been worth it.

NNI: Your emphasis on Digital Skills is strong. What is the relevance and how can individuals leverage them for growth?

Guest: Well, as I said earlier, the future is digital. In fact, the post covid-19 economy would favour brands that are digitally driven.

Brands would want to look for ways to do things faster and achieve better outcomes. And the solutions that are going meet these needs would be digitally powered. So, your industry not withstanding you either adopt a digitally inclined approach or find your business falling behind your competition.

We are at a time in history when information is highly democratized. What this means for individuals is that there's no digital skill they set to learn that they can't grasp – be it programming; digital marketing; machine learning; IT Support etc. This would confer on the individual advantages that place them ahead of their competition.

NNI: Why do you think people are skeptical about online courses?

Guest: People are not skeptical about online courses, many Nigerians are.

One of the reasons is the speed with which we adopt technologies. It would even be safe to say that many times we have fallen between what they term late adopters and laggards in the information diffusion process. It's a huge setback for us as it sees us crawling behind our contemporaries across the world.

In addition, while the other parts of the world are championing the digital revolution, Nigeria is still contesting leadership of a struggling regional artisan economy – a position it can barely hold on to as focus keeps shifting to its bordering counterparts who have shown a more responsible approach toward governance.

NNI: How does startup branding affect the future of digital revolution?

Guest: This is an era where digital visibility has an impact on the success of any start up – a time when relevance and visibility are like two sides of the same coin. You can only attract the business of customers who have heard about your business and or actually seen it.

So, for a startup that's considering gaining a strategic positioning both online and offline, emphasis must be laid on visibility.

NNI: Is it necessary for Digital Skills to be included in school curriculum? Why?

Guest: As a matter of fact, digital skills must be included in our curriculum if we must catch up with other parts of the world. The world has gone past the industrial revolution. We are talking digital now with AI, Machine Learning etc.

You can't continue to teach students skills of the past and expect them to be relevant in the present. To me that's counter-productive.

If the problem of mass unemployment among the youths is to be dealt with, then there's the need for mass investment in human capital as it applies to what is relevant now – digitization.

NNI: Many have results to prove that digital skills do not yield actual conversions. Is there anything they are doing wrong leading to these results?

Guest: Digital skills yield maximum conversions. In fact, programmers are amongst the highest income earners in the world at the moment.

The challenge, however, is that many persons who come into the digital world come in with the "overnight success" faulty thinking framework. But it does not work that way. You need a certain amount of mastery to begin earning big from your digital skills, and that kind of mastery requires patience and consistency.

Anyone who tries to make you believe that digital skills do not convert is deliberately hiding the truth from you. It's the new untapped oil for Nigeria.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth as regards the digital world?

Guest: I would say Nigerian youths are way behind on a global index. Of course, you could argue that there are many Nigerian youths doing fine when placed side by side with their contemporaries from other parts of the world. But the question would be how many of us and at what age?

Findings would show you how we are way behind. It becomes necessary therefore for the youths to rethink their approach to life. The day I understood that my competition was global was the day my life found a deeper meaning.

NNI: What's your believe as regards interconnected growth? Is it absolutely impossible for a brand to develop in isolation and without partnerships?

Guest: I preach collaboration a lot. In fact, it's my belief that collaboration is the best form of competition. The damage in the country already is something one man can't correct. It's going to take collective efforts to make that happen.

There's a limit to the number of jobs a business which exists in isolation can create. We need to come together to enjoy the economies of scale.

The digital economy worldwide is powered by the democratization of information. So if we don't come together and share intelligence, our digital growth would be slow.

NNI: Research shows that demand is making price for digital skill courses increase. This is fast becoming a problem and turning back potential students. From experience, how can this be solved?

Guest: Well, I would rather choose to not agree with this. In fact, the demand for these skills is achieving the opposite – these courses are rather becoming cheap so more persons can get on board and acquire the skills needed to service the fast-growing demand for them. For example, there are less programmers than we need in the world today.

I began learning programming to further enhance my skills as a brand strategist and digital marketer. It may interest you to know that I have not spent as much since I began the training. As a matter of fact, most of the resource I use so far are free. There's Free Code Camp there, you don't pay a dime to learn. There's Gemn, American Internet Business School, Google and YouTube. Interestingly, Udemy has options for partial or fully funded scholarship for indigent students who may be restrained by funding from taking their courses.

So, what's more? Seriousness and the willingness to commit quality time to learning on the part of the individual.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: My advice is simple! Yes, the government has failed us and continues to deteriorate by the passage of each day but the responsibility is ours not to further fail ourselves. I understand that it's not easy and probably will not be in the foreseeable future. But if you will continue pushing and not doubt your abilities, there will be no limit to how much you can become.

NNI: What new heights do you hope to scale in the near future?

Guest: I am looking forward to building an inclusive digital community for all Nigerians. The goal is to grow into a household name as far the African and Nigerian digital space is concerned. Also, I look forward to more speaking invitations, but this time, from other countries across the world.

NNI: Thank you for your time.

Guest: Thanks again for having me.