Progress is Not Measured by Stardom - Olalekan Olatunbosun

NNI: Can we meet you? (Personal, Education, Career-wise)

GUEST: My name is Olalekan Olatunbosun Onaopemipo, fondly referred to as Catalyst. Second of 4 Children. A native of Makun, Sagamu LGA, Ogun State. Born and bred in Lagos.

I completed my Senior Secondary School in 2011/2012. Bagged a Diploma in Public and International Relations from Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2015. I'm a graduate of Guidance and Counselling in Obafemi Awolowo University. By career, I'm a Personal Development Enthusiast, Public Speaker, Digital Marketing Strategist, and Business Development Executive.

NNI: How has your Social entrepreneurship journey been so far?

GUEST:  Well, maybe I should say it is about how well not how far. However, the parameter for measuring progress is not necessarily how much we have earned or risen to stardom. I think it is how fulfilled we have felt doing what we love doing. So, permit me to say that, my social/entrepreneurship voyage has brought me a feeling of fulfillment and life to a significant extent.

But the undeniable truth is, the journey gets tougher and sweeter.

NNI: In managing multiple businesses and initiatives as a student, how do you manage your time and balance academics and extracurricular activities?

GUEST: It's not easy I must confess. Time management is a skill that requires a lot of discipline. Managing businesses, initiatives, academics, faith and relationship is strenuous but it demands a lot of commitment. Sometimes, I feel like giving up some of these things but John Mason's words, 'The best place to start is where you are'. I just feel obliged to keep doing these things basically because I found joy in doing them.

NNI:  What is your worst business experience?

GUEST: Hmm. Worst business experience. I think that was sometime in 2016. I got a contract to make over 200 souvenirs, 3 roll-ups for a Bible conference in Ijebu Ode. I was also expected to handle the media presence of the conference online. Due to my busy schedule that period, I gave the job to one Shola at Nepa Road in Abeokuta and he really messed up with those things. It cost me my credibility to the organizer of the conference.

NNI:  Last year you organized The Catalyst Conference 1.0. What inspired and birthed your passion for the conference?

GUEST: The Catalyst Conference has been my dream since 2016. I attempted organizing it in August 2016 at the open space in the palace of Alake of Egbaland in Abeokuta but all efforts proved abortive. Three years later, I was able to achieve my dream. I used the same theme I wanted to use in 2016 last year. The theme was, 'The Youths Nigeria Deserves.'

The conference was actually borne out of the passion to reach the minds of young people and transform their consciousness for positive global influence.

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

GUEST: Well, I can't say outrightly that we are making progress or not. But I think there are many risk factors exposing us to regression in youth development and growth. It is pathetic that today, the government will rather use youths for hooliganism or the entertainment industry gives us something to nurse. Efforts are rather channeled towards fighting one-sided corruption, getting foreign loans among other anti-growth policies. Little is done to improve the lives of youth. Go and check our educational system.

I can't deny some individuals and organizations are committed to youth development in Nigeria. Ogbeni Dipo, Sunny Smart of African Youths Enterprise and others are really doing their best.

 

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

Guest: We need no soothsayer to tell us how much these factors have influenced us. Peer pressure is almost becoming archaic. Social media is making this go worse. Cybercrime is flaunted on social media, erotic videos and lifestyles are uncensored. The influence is massive. This has been the basis of which many youths are living their lives.

NNI: You run The Learnaholics Academy.  How do you operate? Can you tell us more about the academy?

GUEST: The Learnaholics Academy is a personal and professional development-oriented institution. The academy is established as a result of cravings to raise the bar at helping people create values that will propel their personal and professional life. The Learnaholics Academy adopts both physical and electronic classroom learning mechanism to accommodate prospective students far and near.

At The Learnaholics Academy, we believe life is a continual learning exercise. Hence, we simply believe in education and information as a crucial recipe to scale new height, personally – in chosen professions. We want to help our students build enviable professional achievement, mature personality, better relationship, happiness, success, and prosperity in their endeavors.

NNI: As an inspirational speaker and life coach, what do you think fuels societal impact?

GUEST: Let me put them in three words, 'Purpose, Information, and Conviction'.

When a man finds his purpose, he can easily influence his society because his purpose will serve two main purposes, 'For the glory of God and benefit of Man'.

Information is second. When you are not informed, you will be deformed. The right information on societal needs and how to reach them will definitely fuel social impact. Lastly, the conviction is important. It is an ardent commitment and determination to raise societal values.

NNI: As it is, you manage different things? What is the fusion point between TOON (The Olalekan Olatunbosun Network), The Learnaholics Academy, Youth Empowerment and Support Initiative and your business brands itself?

GUEST: Everything here revolves around one thing... 'Growth and Development'. TOON is dealing with individuals on life demands. TLA focuses on personal and professional growth using an academic approach. YESI is reaching out to a group of people - youths, to influence them for positive global influence. My business brands still revolve around development and growths for other businesses, individuals or corporate entities.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

GUEST: Keeping doing what you love. It doesn't have to make sense to everybody. The vision is on tours. Keep striving. You are closer to your destination than you think.

Because of my Past, People see me as Imperfect - Fatoye Temitope

Fatoye Temitope, a recent graduate of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, shares her story and her call to give hope to individuals who have a hurting past. in this interview with NELOC News International, she describes the positions of perfection and imperfection.


 
NNI: Can we meet you? Guest: I am Fatoye Temitope Seun and I am the visionary of Getting Past Your Past Magazine. I am from Osun State, and a Law Graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University.
NNI: What is GPYP all about?
Guest: GPYP is an organization called to show God's Love to the brokenhearted. We have been called to show that out of the Broken pieces of your life, the Lord can make an edifice of hope through using the non fictional stories of people who have been in one mess or the other and how they were able to get  a message out of it.

NNI: How has managing GPYP been since inception?
Guest: Although GPYP is still young - about 1 year plus, it has been sweet so far because I just see myself as a mighty tool in God's hands. I do what he wants me to do concerning GPYP. All the managerial instructions comes from Him. I only do what he has concluded.  

NNI: What has been your greatest challenge?
Guest: I had the greatest challenge when preparing for the conference. The challenge came up due to funds until when I got the wisdom (from my mentor) on how to get funds for God ordained programmes.

NNI: Being a student, how have you combined studies with ministry?

Guest: God has helped me by providing strength when I feel so tired and weak. Apart from that, there is wisdom in planning my day and my time. So ministry never disturbed my studies nor my studies affect ministry.

Read: OAU Final Year Student sentenced to Jail for Cybercrime

NNI: What is your general view on Sexual Abuse in the society?

Guest: Sexual abuse is a bad omen for any society where it prevails. Every one of us need to stand up against it with everything we've got. We also need to stand by the victims and help them out of the trauma. Let's Join Hands to fight against Sexual Abuse in our society.

NNI: How well has GPYP helped the society?
Guest: GPYP has helped the society in different areas.

1. Making people who have been victims of circumstances (abuse, mistakes) in the past or still going through them see more to themselves (by making them see Hope in Christ) using the stories of people who had gone through same and the steps they took in getting past it. This is done by the Mess and Message segment of the magazine.

2. We have been able to counsel so many people on how to get out of the bondage of the past and we have exposed them to the healing processes. 


NNI: What are your regrets?
Guest: My regret is that I yielded late to the call and passion to Start Getting Past your past magazine.

NNI: Funding for Organisations is usually a problem. How have you managed funds as an organisation?
Guest: Concerning funds, it has always been done by faith and prayers to see where the resources are. Apart from Faith, personal funds, gifts from my parents and seeds from friends and readers of the magazine have also helped in funding the organization.

NNI: Earlier this year, you organised your debut superb conference, inviting many big names. How were you able to pull through?
Guest: Hmm.. All I can say is God. He made the conference a success with the gift of men He gave unto me. The conference happened just like a surprise. I am still surprised the Conference held. To be candid, a day before the conference we were about cancelling it but God surprised I and my team

NNI: What do you think of team management?
Guest: Actually, Team Management is difficult because you have to make your members see what you see. You have to make your team know that you are all together in "this" course and make them do the task they are given... It's a great task but with God's wisdom, prayers (putting their hearts into God's hands), showing them love and reminding them about what they have been called into, it becomes easier.

NNI: How has your past affected your current relationships with people? 

Guest: My past has affected my relationship with people positively due to the fact that after making people know about my past, they now see me as someone who is not perfect like them, someone who has also gone through what they are going through or they have gone through. So, they tend to come to me, open up and seek counsel without being ashamed. My past has also helped me to love people more and see beyond their actions or attitudes.

NNI: What advice will you give to other similar organisations and the public? 

Guest: My advice to similar organisations is to never relent in their course. Many lives depend on us so, let's join hands.  To the public,  "Don't be ashamed to open up and seek counsel about what you are going through, We are here for You. Don't die in silence. Speak out!"

How Piggyvest Is Helping Nigerians Grow Financially

No matter the amount you earn from your job, businesses, investments or anything else you do, saving could come easy or hard for you, especially because of its required features of discipline and consistency. One thing is certain: saving is just as important as, say, eating. This is because, either in  short-term or long-term, there are a lot of needs, wants, and responsibilities one could (and should) save for. These range from bills, vacation, rent, school fees, investment, health, and even unforeseen events as the case may be. As such, these, and many more become reasons why people save.

Saving involves the battles of choice, denial and tightened self will. Unless you’ve mastered the art of financial discipline or there’s a force that prompts you to save, you may never really save. This is why PiggyVest, which formerly launched as Piggybank NG has evolved in the fin-tech space to help over 250,000 users save over $20million in about three years of operations. In 2021 alone, Piggyvest made payouts in total of 200 Billion Naira. In the next few lines, I will share my encounter with PiggyVest and how you can explore the platform for best returns in your financial and savings life.

To sign up, visit the PiggyVest website by clicking here. After this, simply launch the application after installation (from Playstore or Appstore) and tap the “Create an Account” button to set up your PiggyVest account. If you already have an account, tap the “Login” button and enter your account credentials (phone number and password) to login to your account.
 
When you select “Create an Account”, you will be requested to supply personal details (full name) and contact details (email address and phone number) to register a new account. You will also need to create a password which will be used for subsequent log-in. You can also input a referral code if someone referred you to register. The account creation process is pretty much easy and takes less than 3-5 minutes.
 

BVN Verification

Before you proceed to start saving and investing, you should verify your account by supplying your Bank Verification Number (BVN). This is important in using the PiggyVest platform as you would not be able to save money efficiently and transfer funds to and from your savings accounts within the app if you don’t verify your BVN. To verify your BVN, tap the “My Account” settings button at the bottom of the page, navigate to “My BVN Settings” >> Add Your BVN >> Enter your 11-digit BVNnumber >> Validate BVN.

To confirm your BVN, PiggyVest would place a phone call to the number associated with your BVN. During the call, the automated response will call out a 5-digit verification code. Take note of this code and input it into the provided box, enter your PiggyVest password in the next box and tap the “Save BVN” button to compete the BVN verification process.
If everything checks out, a congratulatory message informing you that you can now get the best out of your PiggyVest account will displayed.

SAVING
After creating or logging into your PiggyVest account, the next thing is to start saving, yes? On the PiggyVest app dashboard, select the “Build your savings” card to begin saving. Doing this will prompt you to tap the “Let’s Proceed” button to set up a saving account — Quick Save or Autosave. Before you proceed though, you will be required to add a debit/ATM card to your account by inputting your card details.

What the PiggyVest Autosave does it to automatically put away and help you save a specified amount of money from your bank account on a periodic basis; could be daily, weekly or monthly. The Autosave feature rewards you with 10% of your saving per annum. Basically, PiggyVest is not only making it easier to save but is also promoting the art of saving by rewarding users who save on its platform. One thing to love about PiggyVest is its flexibility. It allows you save anytime and anyhow you want to. PiggyVest's saving features includes.

1. Quick Save

The Quick Save feature of the PiggyVest app can be compared to the traditional way of saving via physical piggybanks. Quick save, as the name denotes, allows you set aside spare funds to your PiggyVest account at any time. With Quick Save, you can save multiple times in a day, a week or a month. To save money with PiggyVest’s Quick Save feature, open the Quick Save menu, enter the amount you want to save from your bank account, select source of funds (bank card), and select where you want the money saved (PiggyBank or PiggyVest account).
NOTE: PiggyBank account is the account where all your main monies are saved while PiggyFlex account is a sub-account where all monetary interest/rewards/points earned on PiggyVest are saved. To further differentiate between the two, you can withdraw from your PiggyFlex account for free at any time while withdrawal from your PiggyBank account can only be made on fixed withdrawal dates (more in this later). Withdrawal from your PiggyBank account outside the fixed withdrawal dates attracts a penalty. As a new user though, you won’t be able to save to your PiggyFlex account immediately as the Flex Limit is set to NGN 0. You must save to the PiggyBank account first to expand your Flex limit.

2. AutoSave

AutoSave is one of the core features of the PiggyVest app. Just like the name implies, the feature automatically sets aside (and saves) money for users. The AutoSave feature is also flexible as you can select the period you want PiggyVest to deduct a specified amount from your bank (preferably on or a day after your salary gets paid). It could also be daily, weekly, monthly or ‘anytime/manual’.
You will also be prompted to specify the amount you want PiggyVest to deduct from your bank account at the set period as well as the exact time you want the set amount deducted. Another interesting thing about the AutoSave feature is the “AutoSave Limit”. This is the maximum amount beyond which your PiggyVest AutoSave savings cannot exceed. Once you have saved up this amount in your PiggyBank account, PiggyVest will no longer deduct funds from your bank account at the set dates — unless, of course, you modify/extend the AutoSave limit.
On the app, you can navigate to “My Account” >> AutoSave Settings to modify the amount and frequency of your AutoSave plan. You can also turn off/deactivate the savings entirely by toggling off the On/Off button.

3. SafeLock

SafeLock is another core saving feature of the PiggyVest app with more stringent saving measures. SafeLock allows you put a fixed amount of money aside for a fixed period of time. Unlike AutoSave that allows you withdraw your savings on multiple dates, SafeLock keeps the fixed amount till the set time is up. This is why it is perfect for saving money dedicated for non-discretionary expenses or expenses you must make e.g. rent, school fees, etc. According to PiggyVest, SafeLock is one step further in curbing the temptation to spend money that you need to save. While it might be a hard thing to do, the fact that SafeLock rewards as high as 13% interest per annum on whatever amount you save should be enough motivation.
 
To use SafeLock on PiggyVest, tap the “Create a SafeLock” button on the Lock funds away card in the PiggyVest dashboard. Enter the amount you want to lock away, how long you want to stow the money away, as well as the payback date. You are also required to give your SafeLock a name (could be anything, perhaps the goal you’re saving towards e.g. Laptop SafeLock). You can then proceed to preview your SafeLock details and select the “Tap to SafeLock” button. The longer you lock your cash in your SafeLock, the higher the interest. The best part is that the interest on the funds you SafeLock-ed is paid upfront in your PiggyFlex account.
You should, however, remember that once you SafeLock a specific amount of money, under no circumstance will the funds be made available to you before the payback date.

How to use Target Savings on Piggyvest

If you have a group trip you want to attend by the end of the year, a conference to attend, a new laptop or new car to purchase, then you can create a target saving goal separate from your personal saving. Just like the regular AutoSave, you are entitled to a 10% (per annum) interest on your savings which would be paid into your PiggyFlex account daily.

To create a target saving goal or join other users saving towards a similar goal, tap the “Save towards a goal” card on the app dashboard, tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the display to get started with a personal or group target saving. Unlike your core savings program, you can break or opt out of a target savings plan at anytime without any penalty. The funds will, however, be sent to your core PiggyBank savings account which you will then be able to withdraw only on set withdrawal days. If you have met at least 70% of your target savings, you can withdraw to your Flex account anytime for free.

Withdrawals

Whether you’re withdrawing money you’ve saved for an unplanned emergency or to sort out a planned goal/expense, PiggyVest offers swift and flexible withdrawal options. Before withdrawing funds, however, there’s one important thing to do first: add your bank account details. To do this, My Account >> My Bank Information >> Go to Bank Settings >> Enter account number & Bank name
 
1. Withdrawing from PiggyVest Account
Your PiggyVest account holds funds you save using the “Quick Save” option as well as interests, monetary rewards from core and special savings. Funds in PiggyFlex can be withdrawn at any time to your bank account for FREE. You can also send funds in your PiggyFlex account to your PiggyBank account as well as other users for FREE. To withdraw cash from PiggyFlex, simply tap the “PiggyFlex” card on the app dashboard or navigate to My Account >> Make Withdrawal >> Withdraw from PiggyFlex. You are entitled to only one (1) withdrawal in 24 hours and funds are sent to your bank account within 3 hours. You should also note that nothing happens to your Piggyvest Savings if you don't withdraw on the withdrawal day. You keep getting interests on your money whether or not you withdraw it.

2. Withdrawing from PiggyBank Account

Your PiggyBank account is regarded as the main savings account. Here, money can be saved to your PiggyBank account anytime (via Quick Save) or periodically (via Auto Save) but you can only withdraw money from the account for FREE four times per year. These are known as “Withdrawal Days” and it is, by default, the last day of every quarter (i.e. every 3 months or 90 Days).
 

PiggyVest’s default withdrawal days are every 31st of March, 30th of June, 30th of September, and 31st of December. You can change the withdrawal days to your preferred days/dates by clicking Go to My Account >> My Withdrawal day settings >> Update Withdrawal Day.

 

Another thing to note is that if you decide to set your own convenient FREE withdrawal date, the next available FREE date will be exactly 3 months from the last time you withdrew. On these days, you can withdraw funds from your PiggyBank core savings account for FREE. Withdrawing on days other than your set withdrawals dates attracts a penalty payment of 5% of whatever amount you’re withdrawing. Interestingly, you can choose to pay the 5% penalty fee from your PiggyVest wallet or from the amount being deducted.

This is basically all you need to know to get started with saving on the PiggyVest platform’s app. There’s still a lot more but if you have any questions, simply signup on Piggyvest and visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section.

Living Like the Celebrities you follow is a Big Mistake - Ike Nathaniel

Nathaniel Ike, UBA and Itel Ambassador and 2018 Osun Campus King (culture and tourism) shares his thoughts on our life interview series.

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest: I'm Nathaniel Ike, a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University. I'm a brand influencer and  entrepreneur who has tried luck in many enterprises before now - from photography, graphics and web design and sale of customized necklaces (jewelries). I never had the intention of being an influencer from the start. My business (photography) led me to being an influencer.

NNI: How did Social Media Influencing begin for you?
Guest: Photography was a hobby for me. At the time, my outlet was Agozyke Photo world, but it is now rebranded as Da Fotographie world. It was while I was looking for customers and promoters for my business that I started the "influencing thing" I did it mainly to grow my business. When I founded OAU Trends, it wasn't for the whole community at first, but for my business. When it became something that people started to reckon with, I had no choice than to make it more open to the community.

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

Guest: The entrepreneurship journey hasn't been easy. Starting up a business and familiarizing myself with the new environment (school) then gave me lots of concerns. I worked under someone while in Port Harcourt before I gained admission. I got all exposures there. I started OAU Trends to support my business before it eventually grew even beyond my expectations. Thinking of how to satisfy customers could also prove difficult. I did bespoke necklace business in 200 level in school  just to make as a side hustle. And It hasn't been easy, but with hard work and diligence, God has been faithful.

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

Guest: Joggling businesses with school work was really tasking. Sometimes I would have tests the next morning and still run deliveries during the day. I had to make up for it by reading overnight while I satisfy my customers. I'm not an outdoor person- most people don't know though. I stay indoors most times, so I barely engage in extra curricular activities.

NNI: What is your worst business experience?

Guest: My worst business experience was in 100 level. I tried to train some persons in photography and spent a lot to make the training a success- publicity (printed handbills and all) and even rented a projector. Sadly only 2 people showed up and I made a huge loss. It was a really devastating experience, though that didn't stop me from moving ahead.

NNI: You are a brand ambassador to major companies, how have you managed influence?

Guest: I have been and I currently am a brand ambassador to many companies, mostly within Osun State. I don't see it as a big deal. Anyone can do it. I see it as you trying to network and get opportunities for yourself and future. Also in the past,  I've trained people on the tips that  could help them in becoming brand ambassadors for any company around. Infact, I am currently writing a book on that which will be published soon. It's a work in progress. I don't think being a brand ambassador is made for some particular set of individuals. It's just about you being qualified - an expertise in a field, online presence and the readiness to serve. Of course, while working with brands,  people will  want to relate with you and you'd make a lot of friends. I just see it as everyone trying to help themselves.
 

 

NNI: On Youth Development and growth in Nigeria, do you think we are making progress?
Guest: I feel we are not making progress at all. Most youths today have a poor mentality about life, seeing the fact that you drive a car or spend money lavishly as success. This is why most youths are desperate to make money at all costs and some eventually go into horrible and dubious things.

It is heartbreaking that an individual who spent 4-5 years in school and earned a degree- B.sc or B.A goes back home only to be employed by those who didn't go to school. This is mainly because most youths lack skills, they have this fantasy of a job awaiting them meanwhile we all know there are no jobs anywhere in the country. 

I see the need to making provision for the youths to learn one or two skills, it would really help them. The essence of going to school is to get learned and being skillful and being learned gives you an edge over others. Karl Marx said practice without theory is blind and theory without practice is barren. The Nigerian educational system is mainly theoretical I must say.

NNI: The Social Media has great influence on youths- positive and negative. How do you think one can make good use of Social Media?

Guest: I think social media has both positive and negative influence on youths, but it depends on what you as a person wants. We watch the lifestyle of some celebrities and try to emulate them. I see social media as an entirely different world that is vague and fake. If you base your life on the celebrities you follow or are fond of , then you are  making a big mistake.

Everyone tries to look like a god and look perfect on social media. We need to understand that most of the things we see on social media are not real but exaggerated, everything is for the gram like they usually say and everyone wants to shine.

On the positive side, a lot of opportunities are on social media but it would be open to you only if you are looking for them. Most of the deals I got are from social media. For example, I applied for the UBA ambassadorship via social media. You need to figure out what you want. Who you follow also matters. Things on social media aren't really the way we take them to be and trying to emulate them could mislead you. Another benefit of social media is that it gives you opportunity to showcase your talent and business for free, I mean it's a platform for the talented ones to showcase their talents and also they can build a fan base from there as well.

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

Guest: The aim of my NGO (Nathaniel Ike Foundation) is to reach out to the youths. This is in line with goals 1, 4, 8 and 9 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), we aim to empower generations professionally and skillfully, thereby becoming valuable wherever they find themselves. Our core concern is for those who are in school. The fact that you are in school means you should be better than those who didn't go to school because of the privilege you have. But the reverse is the case most times. Someone out of school is in business and making money while the other in school is just learning. While it's good to learn, the need for skillfulness in this age cannot be over emphasized. That is one of the key areas my NGO aims to address. We wish to bring up an initiative that will provide for experts in various fields to come and train students in various tertiary institutions for free. Fields like tailoring, web designing, photography and so on. But we obviously can't do this alone. We need funds and support I must say to make this a reality. A lot of people have interests in a lot of things but they feel school is holding them down. But there should be need for them to know that with time management and determination they can train and equip themselves to be exemplary in any  field of interest  they like. Also, most of us (Youths) don't know what we want. We jump around, trying different things and not mastering any. Don't get me wrong, it is possible to love a lot of things and do all these things at once. But most of us only jump around doing these different things because we see some of our mates doing them and making it, not because we really love what we are doing. How about we start doing things because we love them and be masters in whatever we choose to do? In summary I wish to support youths in tertiary institutions to achieve their dreams in the vocational aspect as well as educational.

NNI: Do you see yourself as a celebrity or an influencer?

Guest: Haba! I have never seen myself as a celebrity. I see myself as an influencer instead. I influence people to be better - entrepreneurs especially by connecting them with the right customers. It is not proper to live on mere hypes.. just get results and help others get theirs.

And as an influencer, my vision is to help entrepreneurs  & business owners (both young  and old) boost their sales by getting lead engagements and connecting them to potential customers.

NNI: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Guest: In the next 5 years, I hope to have made impact on a lot of people with my NGO. I hope to have been successful by then- being successful to me isn't measured by what you have in your bank account, but how much impacts that are being made. Very importantly, I want to see myself settling down, that is setting up my family and also go into real estate management. That's one field I'd like to explore but I'm still looking forward to that.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: My advice to the young ones is to be positive in whatsoever you want to do. Never compare yourself with anyone.  Do what's right  to you without concern for criticisms, they are actually bound to come because if no one is talking about you then you are nobody.  Don't let SETBACK let you down. SETBACK is just a preparation for a COMEBACK.

We all are bound to face challenges at one point in time - definitely it's just a process and it cannot remain for too long. Very importantly, don't follow the crowd, be outstanding and have a creative mind. Make decisions that would affect you positively.  Be a positive influence. If you're a tailor, be unique learn more and more and bring up new designs. Be creative and innovative in your ways, don't just follow trends.

NNI: Thank you very much for your time.

Guest: Thank you very much.

What You Should Know About Black Friday

Black Friday is a famous sales weekend that evolved from the Thanksgiving day just after summer. Usually, a significant number of individuals get to purchase items placed on the best deals and at extremely affordable prices. Many retailers and businesses overtime, like the popular Amazon, Konga, Jumia and other e-commerce websites put a cut to their prices over a range of products to allow users to purchase them.

The term "Black Friday" was first associated with financial crisis and not sales shopping. By history, two Wall Street financiers Jim Fisk and Jay Gould, together bought a significant amount of US gold in the hope of the overall price soaring and in turn being able to sell it for huge profits. On Friday, September 24, 1869, in what became referred to as "Black Friday", the US gold market crashed and their actions left Wall Street barons bankrupt.  It was not until later years that the post -Thanksgiving period became associated with the name.

Also, when shops in the US recorded their accounting details by hand, they noted profits in black and losses in red. It is believed that many shops had their accounts read "red" throughout most of the year but they later "went into black" the day after Thanksgiving, when people bought a large amount of discounted goods and products. In more recent years, an inaccurate rumour circulated, suggesting that Southern plantation owners could buy slaves at a discounted price following Thanksgiving in the 1800s.

Police officers in Philadelphia were first to link Black Friday to the post-Thanksgiving period in the 1950s. Many tourists and buyers came to the city after Thanksgiving for the Army-Navy football game, thus creating chaos, traffic jams and shoplifting opportunities. The Police officers in the city were not able to take the day off work and had to work long shifts to control the traffic of people. As such, they used the term "Black Friday" to refer to it. The name soon spread throughout Philadelphia but some city's merchants and boosters disliked the negative connotations and unsuccessfully tried to change it to "Big Friday".

Black Friday later became known in print, after an advertisement was published in The American Philatelist magazine in 1966. By the late 1980s, the term was commonly known across the nation and retailers soon linked it to their post-Thanksgiving sales.

Black Friday today is recognised world over as the biggest shopping event of the year, when many shops cut their prices on a range of products, in order to boost profits and officially kick off the festive season.  Retailers often continue sales throughout the weekend, concluding with online-only offers on Cyber Monday.

By Adobe Analysis, 80 of the top 100 US online retailers, found online spending on Black Friday 2018 at $6.2 billion, with two billion generated from smartphones. Also, in the records of the year 2013, Asda, owned by American retailer Walmart, held its own Black Friday sale which resulted in chaos as customers physically fought for televisions and other gadgets. Following this, Black Friday grew significantly with more retailers choosing to hold sale events.

Black Friday is an important period for many retailers worldwide it is hoprd that offering discounts will boost profits. However, the increase in consumer demand and competition between retailers has led to an overwhelming amount of visitors to online retail sites and chaos in shops. To improve sales and online deliveries, deal with competition and satisfy customers' needs, retailers now choose to run their sales across an extended period, rather than the traditional 24 hours. Many promotions and offers have started in the days building up to Black Friday, a move which has been dubbed "Black Fiveday". Some online retailers nowbstart their sales as early as the first day of November, continuing across the Black Friday weekend, and concluding on Cyber Monday, the first Monday after Thanksgiving which usually falls in December.

Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola Celebrates 118th Posthumous Birthday

Joseph Ayo Babalola who was born on 25th April 1904 and died on the 26th of July 1959 was the founder of the Christ Apostolic Church, popularly called Aladura in Nigeria. He was credited with special healing powers and the anointing of the Holyspirit.

In 1930 Faith Tabernacle affiliated with the British Apostolic Church. Then following a schism in the Apostolic Church about 1940, Bablola went with a new independent church, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), where he continued his healing and revivalistic activities until his death. The CAC regards Babalola as an apostle and his revival ministry as the beginning of the church. A CAC retreat center was built at Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State where Babalola was first called in 1928.

The Christ Apostolic Church has not died along with Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola in 1959. In fact it has grown rapidly over the years, with many churches under the Christ Apostolic Church name but each church with a specific branch name. The Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) a private Nigerian university located in Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State, established by the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide is named after him, located at the place where he says he was called by God in 1928.

He was the first prophet God used to lead a great revival in Nigeria after the raising of a 10 years old boy in 1930.

He was the first General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church, a church that metamorphosed from a prayer group popularly called Egbe Aladura in Nigeria.

The Aladura Movement nucleated at Ijebu-Ode in 1918. Babalola was endowed with healing powers.

Joseph Ayodele Babalola was born of Yoruba parents, David Rotimi and Madam Marta Talabi on April 25, 1904 who belonged to the Anglican Church. The family lived at Odo-Owa, a small town about ninety kilometres from Ilorin in Kwara State, Nigeria. His father was the Ba ba Ijo (“church father”) of the C.M.S. Church at Odo-Owa.On January 18, 1914, young Babalola was taken by his brother M. 0. Rotimi, a Sunday school teacher in the C.M.S. Church at Ilofa, who later took him to Osogbo.
Babalola started school at Ilofa and got as far as standard five at All Saints’ School, Osogbo. However, he quit school when he decided to learn a trade and became a motor mechanic apprentice. Again, he did not continue long in this vocation before joining the Public Works Department (PWD). He was among the road workers who constructed the road from Igbara-Oke to Ilesa, working as a steam roller driver.

Babalola’s was a specific and personal call. Babalola’s strange experience started on the night of September 25th, 1928 when he suddenly became restless and could not sleep. This went on for a week and he had no inkling of the causes of such a strange experience. The climax came one day when he was, as usual, working on the Ilesa-Igbara-Oke road. Suddenly the steam roller’s engine stopped to his utter amazement. There was no visible mechanical problem, and Joseph became confused and perplexed. He was in this state of confusion when a great voice “like the sound of many waters” called him three times. The voice was loud and clear and it told him that he would die if he refused to heed the divine call to go into the world and preach. Babalola did not want to listen to this voice and he responded like many of the Biblical prophets, who, when they were called out by Yahweh as prophets, did not normally yield to the first call. So, Babalola gave in only after he had received the assurance of divine guidance.

To answer the call, he had to resign his appointment with the Public Works Department. Mr. Fergusson, the head of his unit, tried to dissuade him from resigning but the young man was bent on going on the Lord’s mission. The same voice came to Joseph a second time asking him to fast for seven days. The experience led him to a personal retreat in the home of Joseph Fapounda a Christian leader in Christ Missionary Society in Ipetu Ijesa in Ogun State Nigeria.

In a vision he had, Jesus appeared to him in a white robe along with a very tall man who revealed that it was this Jesus who asked me to speak with you. The man in a dazzling robe spoke at length about the mission he was to embark upon. The man also told him of the persecutions he would face and at the same time assured him of God’s protection and victory. A hand prayer bell was given to Babalola as a symbol. He was told that the sound of the bell would always drive away evil spirits. He was also given a bottle of “life- giving water” to heal all manners of sickness. Consequently, wherever and whenever he prayed into water for therapeutic purposes, effective healing was procured for those who drank the water. Thus, Babalola became a prophet and a man with extraordinary powers.