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.

   

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.

   

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.

   

Numerous NGOs Exist Due to Government's Laxity - Bolu Okunlola

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest: I am Okunlola Boluwatife, a graduate of Law from Obafemi Awolowo University. I am passionate about social change and development. I am the founder and Lead Volunteer of The Keturah Movement; a social change organization and also a craftsman at BOJCrafts.

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

Guest: For me, the entrepreneurship journey has been quite interesting because it is more like a hobby.

NNI: In managing multiple businesses and your NGO while as a student, how did you manage your time and balance academics and extra curricular activities?

Guest: There wasn't really a specific balance scheme that I strictly followed.

The major drive for the balance between my academics, entrepreneurship and running an NGO is the fact that I enjoy doing them all. I don't allow the time for any aspect to affect the others and that has somehow helped build a healthy balance between them all.

 

NNI:What is your worst business experience?

Guest: Oh, that would definitely be one time that I had to work with a very difficult customer. I made a wallet and there was a glitch in the finishing that a shoemaker did. She was displeased and said nasty things. I apologized and refunded her money, and it was quite painful because I had put in so much work.

NNI: BOJCrafts follows a unique business trend. What inspires your creative products?

Guest: Usually, what keeps my creative juices flowing is the fact that I enjoy the challenge of coming up with new designs and satisfying other people's fashion cravings. I am inspired by the combination of trends, colors, works and achievements of other creatives.

Read: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole

NNI: On Youth Development and growth in Nigeria, do you think we are making progress?

Guest: In order to seek the long term development and growth of a nation, we all know that youth development is a prerequisite. Personally, I believe we're making progress but we're not there yet. The trend these days is that as youths, we do not give quality time to growth anymore, most people now skip the growth process and jump into leadership.

To an extent, I would say that we're making a heads way in youth development and growth in Nigeria. The "lazy youth" mentality is almost now a thing of the past because an average youth now has one or two things we focus on such as businesses, skills and so on.

NNI: Peer influence and Social Media are two notable factors that have great influence on youths- positive and negative. To what extent can you measure these influence?

 

Guest: The effect of peer Influence on the average youth has been the crux of discuss for the past few years. Most youths do something that they wouldn't otherwise do, because of some form of validation and the hunger to be accepted and valued.

On the other hand, The use of social media has both negative and positive impacts on the youths today. Youths are predominantly the users of the Internet for social interaction. These are the people who cannot imagine life without the Internet, always seeking for ways to connect virtually with everyone in the world.

The effect of peer influence and social media on us today as youths is far reaching, both negatively and positively. And the best antidote for the negative effects is to create a balance in both aspects.

NNI: You run a Non- Governmental Organisation. How do you give back to the society?

Guest: We basically focus on social change and contributing our quota to make the world a better place.

We organize and volunteer for events relating to childcare, female and youth empowerment, community development and poverty alleviation among others.

NNI: What is your take on the existence of many NGOs? Do you think that societal impact is relative to the number of NGOs in existence?

Guest: NGOs play a very crucial role in the well being of mankind. There are many things that the governments would not be able to cater for and  the NGOs cover that field.

The mentality behind the high rise of NGOs is basically a reflection of laxity on the part of the government. But we cannot overemphasize the great positive impact that this brings. More NGOs means more hands to help other people. I believe that the greatest empowerment we can give to societal change is directly empowering our local communities permanently. This is a problem that most NGOs are trying to tackle. However, I agree that societal impact is relative to the number of NGOs in existence.

NNI: What is the Tzedakah4Keturah Project about?

Guest: Tzedakah4Keturah is an initiative of The Keturah Movement. It is a social purpose business where we sell products and the entire profit goes into charity. We set up the enterprise to tackle two social issues: Healthcare and Child education. It was inspired by the idea that every child deserves quality education and human being deserves quality healthcare. The yearly project tagged "Tzedakah" visits public schools to donate learning materials, hospitals to donate healthcare aids and also rural areas for sensitization on physical and mental health.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: To my fellow young individuals, I'd love to say we should try to let go of worrying too much about the future. Concentrate on being in the here and know and life will be more fulfilling. We can only take care of the future when we learn how to take care of the present moment. What's the fun in it all if we already have it all figured out? I think it's best that we create a space for ourselves to grow at a convenient pace and take it one step at a time.

NNI: Thank you very much for your time

Guest: Thank you so much for your patience.

Everyone Must Leverage Digital Marketing to Increase Value - Mary Fadare

NELOC News: Can we meet you?

Guest: I am Mary Fadare, a designer, business strategist and digital expert. I am the founder and lead of Mo'Tribe; a community that fosters personal development and business growth for young entrepreneurs where she commits herself to training and developing business owners. I am also the founder of phenomenal Ladies Connect Africa. PLC  Africa, where I lead a community of women who train other ladies to attain excellence across all fields and to amplify the voice of the African woman across the globe. To cap it all, as a graduate of the department of Botany, Obafemi Awolowo University, I am passionate about business and digital technology particularly leveraging digital tools for business growth and profitability.

Read: How GetProspa is Helping Nigerian Businesses Own Corporate Accounts at Zero Cost

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

Guest: My digital entrepreneurship journey has been different shades of exciting, demanding and profitable for me. Of course it has come with it's own challenges, but I'm grateful for every step of the process.

NELOC News: To you, what is the relevance of digital marketing and how can individuals leverage it for growth?

Guest: Obviously, digital marketing is of high relevance - you almost can't do without it if you want to build a sustainable brand whether it's Business, Personal or even Non-profit. Individuals can leverage digital technology by making themselves visible to the right audience and give out as much value as possible.

NELOC News: How did you come about digital Skills? Are you self taught?

Guest: Well, I attended a conference sometimes in 2016 - The Opportunity Conference and I was completely wowed getting to know the amazing wonders of tech. I stepped out of the conference into a rollercoaster of seeking knowledge, trying out new adventures Online, learning as much as I could, and of course making a lot of mistakes and figuring out stuff on my own. So, yes, I'm self-taught with the help of Google.

NELOC News: How do you think social media management will affect the future of digital revolution?

Guest: New businesses and brands are springing up every minute on social media! A whole lot of people are creating content and making money from their social media followers. I think that goes on to say that it's definitely going to play a major role in changing the norm of how business is being done. The same goes for every other sectors as well. Today, we now have online law firms, online doctors, pharmacists, fitness trainers, just name it! So, like we usually joke, everything is now online! The digital revolution is here already.

 

Read also: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole

 

NELOC News: How does internet data price rates affect your productivity online (positively or negatively)? How well have you managed data?

Guest: As regards internet data, I believe that network providers are not taking it easy on us at all. For me, a whopping 20% of my total revenue generated from my online business goes back into buying data. That's pretty much for an average SME. Sincerely, I try to cut down my time Online. At some point, I removed YouTube completely from my list of favorite Online platforms all in a bid to conserve data. The availability and effectiveness of internet data affects my productivity to some extent but like every other challenge in business - we just have to find a way around it by making sure we generate enough Income to cover for data expenses

NELOC News: As a digital expert building a product that revolves round you, what defines social impact for you?

Guest: Social impact for me is value! Being so value oriented, generous and kind in dealing with every single person that comes into my space Online. There's a special joy that fills my heart whenever I am able to deliver the right solution to people's problems and being a part of their business success stories. It's both humbling and overwhelming!

NELOC News: As leader of the Mo'Tribe, what exceptional skill do you think every entrepreneur and business owner should have? Why?

Guest: If there's any skill I'll recommend, it's resilience. Being extremely passionate and focused on your goals such that you'd go any length to make them work regardless of whatever challenge you encounter on the way. It's okay to feel tired sometimes, you may not have all the resources, pay may not see you in your days of little beginnings. But you've got to be "stubborn" enough to stick through and build relevance for yourself and sustainability for your business.

NELOC News:: Tell us more about what you do at Phenomenal Ladies Connect.

Guest: Phenomenal Ladies Connect Africa (PLCAfrica) is a nonprofit organization for ladies. Our vision is to inspire African ladies  towards attaining excellence and relevance in their chosen field everywhere around the world. The goal is to amplify the voice of the African Woman across the globe, to give more recognition and inclusion to us.

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

Guest: I know that many people would respond to this by pointing out incompetence and laziness on the part of many youths out there. But I'd rather commend the efforts of a large number of youths who are consistently committing themselves to growth, making bold moves, challenging the status quo and contributing significantly to the Global Economy at large.

Of course there's always room for improvement. It can only get better. More and more people are waking up and rising to responsibility!

NELOC News: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: Work hard while you can. The glory of youths is in their strength. Leverage that strength in you and numerous opportunities at your disposal to make a difference. Find a purpose to live for, focus on what really matters and enjoy your process!

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

Guest: For new heights, I'd love to work with top Consulting firms and land business deals with high profile companies. I also hope to build enough wealth and begin to invest and sponsor small businesses with innovative solutions. I look forward to providing mentorship to young Entrepreneurs as well.

 

 

 

   

We are Building a Platform where Young Women can Learn, Grow, and find their Voice - Sia Annie Fangawa Missah Barrie

In this exclusive interview with Sia Annie, she shares her story

Personal Life: 

Can you tell us about yourself, your background, and upbringing? 

 

I am Sia Annie Fangawa Missah Barrie, a proud Sierra Leonean, born and raised in Freetown. My upbringing was deeply influenced by my Christian faith, and my parents instilled in me the values of hard work, integrity, and community service. From an early age, I had a passion for helping others, especially children. This passion eventually led me to pursue a career in accounting and finance, as well as dedicate myself to various charitable endeavors aimed at uplifting vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. 

What motivates you to wake up every morning? 

 

The drive to create positive change in the lives of the most vulnerable—especially children and young women—motivates me every day. Knowing that I can make a difference, no matter how small, in empowering others and helping them break barriers gives me purpose. Whether it's through the work I do with Annie Wonderland Children Foundation or the empowerment efforts at Annie's Chatroom, I find fulfillment in creating opportunities for others to thrive. 

 

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

 

Balancing personal and professional life requires discipline and setting boundaries. I've learned to prioritize, whether it's making sure I'm there for my family or ensuring I meet my work responsibilities. I also make time for my hobbies, like reading and singing, which help me stay grounded. My role as a Budget Officer at the Ministry of Finance has also taught me to be strategic with my time, ensuring that I can dedicate enough to both my career and personal commitments. 

 

What's one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

 

While I work in finance and accounting, I have a creative side as well. Before starting the foundation, I was actively involved in scriptwriting and acting for Sierra Movie Production. I find that this blend of creativity and analytical skills has helped me approach problems from different perspectives. 5. Who are your role models, and why? My biggest role models are those who are making a tangible difference in the world, particularly women who lead with compassion and drive. People like Oprah Winfrey for her leadership in media and women's empowerment, and Wangari Maathai, who inspired me with her environmental activism and commitment to women's rights. I admire their courage, resilience, and ability to transform lives. Passion and Work: 6. What sparked your passion for women's empowerment and development? Growing up, I saw firsthand the challenges that many women and girls face, especially in Sierra Leone. The lack of access to education and opportunities for women drove me to focus on empowering them. Through Annie's Chatroom, I aim to provide a platform where young girls can learn, grow, and find their voice, enabling them to achieve their full potential. 7. Can you share your experience working with women and girls in Sierra Leone? My work with Annie's Chatroom has been incredibly rewarding. I've had the privilege of working with many young girls who are determined to change their circumstances. We provide empowerment programs and counseling that help them deal with societal pressures, navigate personal challenges, and build confidence. I've witnessed firsthand how these initiatives change lives and uplift communities, and that motivates me to continue this work.

 

Read: Annie's Chatroom to Host Sierra Leone Women Conference

 

8. How did you come about starting Annie's Chatroom? Annie's Inspirational Chatroom was born out of the need to create a space where girls could connect, share experiences, and receive counseling in a safe and supportive environment. I realized that many young girls lacked access to mentorship and emotional support, so I decided to create this platform to help them grow, both mentally and emotionally, in a world that often marginalizes their voices. 9. What are some of the most significant challenges you've faced in your work at Annie's Chatroom, and how have you overcome them? One of the biggest challenges has been securing consistent funding and support for the programs we run. As a nonprofit, this is an ongoing challenge. However, I've learned to leverage partnerships and build strong networks of individuals and organizations that share the same vision. Through perseverance and dedication, we continue to expand our reach and impact. 10. How do you measure success in your work? Success for me isn't just about numbers; it's about the tangible impact we have on the lives of the girls and women we work with. I measure success by seeing the personal growth and achievements of the girls we support—whether they complete their education, start their own businesses, or simply gain the confidence to believe in themselves. Their success is my success. Sierra Leone Women Summit: 11. What inspired you towards planning the 2025 Sierra Leone Women Summit? The idea for the 2025 Sierra Leone Women Summit came from the need to create a national platform where women can share their challenges, learn from one another, and discuss solutions for common issues. I saw an opportunity to bring women from different walks of life together to discuss leadership, economic empowerment, and social change. 

 

Read: Biography of Oluwaseyi Mercy Omisakin

 

What are the main objectives of the summit, and what do you hope attendees will take away?

The summit's main objectives are to provide women with the tools and inspiration they need to thrive personally and professionally. I hope attendees leave the summit with practical skills, a stronger network, and a renewed sense of empowerment to make a difference in their communities. 13. Who is the target audience for the summit, and what can they expect? The summit is aimed at women of all ages, backgrounds, and professions in Sierra Leone. Whether you're a young professional, an entrepreneur, or a community leader, there will be something valuable for everyone. Expect a dynamic program of workshops, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities. 

 

Can you share some of the exciting speakers, panels, or sessions planned for the summit?

We are excited to feature a diverse lineup of speakers and panelists, including women leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates for women's rights. There will be sessions on financial independence, leadership development, and mental health awareness, as well as inspiring talks from women who have successfully overcome significant challenges. 15. How do you plan to engage attendees and encourage meaningful discussions at the Summit? We plan to engage attendees through interactive workshops, discussion panels, and real-world case studies. The summit will also include breakout sessions where attendees can collaborate and share experiences, ensuring that every voice is heard. Plans for Attendees: 16. What opportunities will attendees have to network and connect with each other? Attendees will have plenty of networking opportunities throughout the summit, including designated networking sessions, roundtable discussions, and a special networking mixer event. This will allow women to connect, share resources, and build long-lasting professional relationships. 17. Are there any special events, workshops, or activities planned for attendees? Yes, we have a range of exciting workshops, including practical sessions on entrepreneurship, career development, and wellness. We're also planning a mentorship program where experienced professionals can guide younger women in their careers and personal development. 

 

How will the summit address the specific needs and concerns of women in Sierra Leone? 

The summit will address the unique challenges faced by women in Sierra Leone, such as access to education, healthcare, and financial independence. We'll provide practical solutions and discussions on how women can overcome these barriers and create lasting change. 

 

What follow-up activities or initiatives are planned to sustain the momentum after the summit?

We plan to establish ongoing mentorship programs, as well as create a platform for continued discussions and collaboration between attendees. Post-summit workshops and online forums will also keep the conversation alive and ensure that the lessons and connections made continue to have an impact. 

 

What's your final message to attendees, and why should they not miss this summit?

This summit is an incredible opportunity for women to come together, learn, and support one another in creating positive change. If you are looking for inspiration, empowerment, and a community of like-minded women, you cannot afford to miss this summit. We are stronger together, and this is your chance to be part of something that will shape the future of women in Sierra Leone.

I Resonate with Impact over Influence - Tolulope Oluwakemi

Tolulope Oluwakemi is popularly called Whatsapp Queen because she has carved a niche in Whatsapp Marketing. In this interview with NELOC Media News, she shares her story.

Can we meet you? 

Guest: I am Tolulope Oluwakemi Adeyemi. You can just call me Toluwakemi. I'm a graduate awaiting NYSC from the University of Obafemi Awolowo University, I'm in my twenties, a lover of God and a full time Abba's babe.

 

 

What is the origin of the name “Whatsapp Queen”?

Guest: Interestingly, it came when one of my mentors jokingly asked me a question about WhatsApp and I answered. Boom, she just tagged me the name. I loved it and here we're today.

How did your journey into Whatsapp Marketing begin?

Guest: It all began in 2019. But I wasn't really paying attention to it. I entered into it fully when Sweet HS prompted me about it in August gradually got trained and in November it became major, and here we are today.

 

Read also: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole

 

Does this mean you do not engage on other social media platforms?

Guest: I engage other platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and so on. You never know who you will meet.

NNI: How do other social media platforms influence your kind of marketing? 

Guest: Hmm. It does Influence me mostly in the aspect of networking & exposure. I see it as a case of different people with their preferences. Some love Instagram, Facebook and maybe LinkedIn. When I get to tell these people I meet on other platforms what I do, I love how interesting the conversation gets.

NNI: As a digital marketer, what defines social impact and influence for you?

Guest: I really don't label myself a digital marketer, the reason been that I'm not fully skillful in all digital platforms but I navigate well around social media platforms.

To Explain what impact & Influence is based on my own experience. I resonate well with impact than Influence. I believe in impact. Impact an individual and a generation is aligned on the right path. I take this into what I'm doing with Whatsapp Marketing as I have been able to grow my Whatsapp Status (story) views to over 1600 with great engagement. My status is been viewed by not just Nigerians, it's been viewed by people in Ghana, Namibia, Uganda, South Africa and many more to come. They also have great things to say about my status.

NNI: How have you managed digital marketing with other responsibilities?

Guest: Gosh! It isn't easy but I'm learning to take things one step at a time. Putting one foot forward after the other has really helped.

NNI: People say digital marketing is a mix of different skills from content creation, video editing, design skills and much more. What exactly makes up digital marketing for you?

Guest: I really love this question. Digital Marketing starts with been digitally aware and conscious. It begins from picking up skills that interest you, then gradually growing from it and evolving.

Read: I Once used the Bible to Clean up My Buttocks - Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi

NNI: By global trends, there is a call for women to take up digital skills. How best can women seize this opportunity to prove themselves in the digital world? 

Guest: I believe this definitely starts with Personal Development, Awareness and Identity. As a woman you have to start giving yourself permission to BE and start choosing you. It all starts with Personal Development.

NNI: By your standards, how do you measure a good marketing structure? 

Guest: The thoughtfulness to the planning, the budget and the goals or what one wants to achieve.

NNI: How has COVID-19 pandemic affected Whatsapp marketing for you?

Guest: Beautifully it didn't affect me. In fact, I made way much more during the lock down. Funny, but that's the Truth. You see, WhatsApp is literally that app everyone wakes up to. It is an app that keeps many people company. During the lock down I met many Ghanaians through Whatsapp and instead of affecting me, it made me explore  much more.

NNI: Do you think Nigerian women are making progress in digital marketing? 

Yes they are. I believe there are many women who rose up to it and they are doing awesomely well.

What more do you expect to see in the digital marketing space?

Guest: Way much more people getting to understand and know that digitisation and technology is the future. People keep exploring and unraveling that extent to which this thing called technology can do for us.

Can you tell us about your book?

I researched and read about 5 ebooks written by other authors on WhatsApp Marketing where they did justice to it but in me I just felt there was something they were not talking about. That is one of the reasons why I wrote "This Thing Called WhatsApp Marketing". It's a book I wrote from my perspective, experience and knowledge that I wish I had before I started my journey in it. I'm so happy and glad to finally be able to write it and gift it to the world. It's my fourth e-book and first premium e-book that I'm getting to write in 2020. I'm excited about it and happy for the privilege to write it.

What is your advice to youths and women especially who have interests in digital marketing?

Guest: Narrow it down and take it one step at a time. Find what digital platform resonates more with you. Take it up, learn about it, do it repeatedly, stay with it and in no time your profiting will apply unto all. This was what I did with Whatsapp Marketing and I made my Whatsapp into a Wealth Point.