50 signs you might be an entrepreneur + comments...... Original By John Rampton

I saw this on entrepreneur.com and as I read through, many thoughts went through my head, main one being, "I have to share this". It's pretty long though, hopefully I won't lose you before you get to the end, but I urge you to try to read through and share your thoughts.

Do you agree or disagree? Which of the traits have you noticed in yourself or your entrepreneur friend? Is there something here that's missing, especially in the Nigerian context? Are entrepreneurs born or made?

Source:http://www.seanbranagan.com/2011/02/more-on-what-makes-entrepreneurs-tick/

#leggo

• You come from a family of individuals who just couldn't work for someone else. Your parents worked for themselves. (My parents have worked pretty much all of their lives, not so true for me)
• You hate the status quo. (baje baje)You’re a person who is always questioning why people do the things they do. You strive to make things better and are willing to take action on it.
• You’re self-confident. Have you ever met an entrepreneur who was pessimistic or self-loathing? After all, if you don’t have confidence, how can others believe in you? Most entrepreneurs are very optimistic about everything around them.
• You’re passionate. There will be times when you spend an excessive amount of time and do not make a dollar. It’s your passion that will keep you going. (#word!!)
• You don’t take no for an answer. An entrepreneur never gives up -- ever. (Good better best, I shall never rest, until my good is better and my better best!)
• You have the ability to create unlikely partnerships from out of nowhere because of your ability to connect the dots. People tend to gravitate toward you because you are likable. Many times this is because of your passion. 
• You spend more time with your co-founder than your spouse or significant other. (My co-founder is overly busy, I am looking for another who's available. For now it's me and my laptop, hehe)
• You dropped out of college like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. (In Nigeria! drop out ke. You af die finish be dat, don't even come home unless you are +Wizkid Ayo Balogun)
• The daily commute to your office is from the bedroom to the living room.(hahaha)
• You were always a lousy employee and probably have been fired a lot. Don't worry; you're not alone. I personally have been fired several times in my life. Don't take it as a sign that you're a bad person. Sometimes it's in your DNA. (I know another entrepreneur who did get fired a lot! hehehe.)
• You've always resisted authority; that's why you've had a problem holding down a job.
• You believe that there is more than one definition of job security: You realize that your job is safe as long as you are in control as opposed to relying on a boss who could ruin your career after one swift mistake. (Ezaileeee, you are getting it)
• Most of your wardrobe consists of T-shirts; some you probably got at SXSW. Others display your company's name or logo. (Yes, Yes, Yes!! I just got a few dresses though, trying to be more lady-like.They insist, it pays)
• You have a competitive nature and are willing to lose. You always know that you can do something better.
• You check GitHub when you wake up in the morning. (Er.... as much as I would like to come across as all-knowing, this one is lost on me! Google to the rescue)
• You ask to be paid in game tickets, shoes or whatever else you love. There are just some things that are better than money, right?
• Your idea of a holiday is a working day without anything interfering with the tasks you really need to get done.
• You’re unemployable, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Life skills are more valuable than the office politics commonly found at 9-to-5 gigs. (Oti o, I reject it by fire! I am employable. I am just not interested)
• You work more than 60 hours a week; yet you earned more money at an hourly job when you were in high school. (Only for some time, okay more like sooooooome time. hehe)
• You want to be in control and in command of your own company. You typically like overseeing most things that go on at your company. (bad, bad habit! Trying to learn to delegate)
• You see opportunities everywhere. For example, you walk into a building and are curious about its worth or the companies inside.
• The word “pitch” no longer has an association with baseball. (Not like it ever had any association with baseball, not here)
• Your take a personality test, like one offered by the Enneagram Institute, and end up with a result calling you a "reformer type," someone purposeful, self-controlled and perfectionist. (close to that)
• You recognize that the best seats at your favorite coffee shops are those closest to power outlets. (hahahaha! I sat close to one at a seminar I attended recently and some photographer had his battery plugged in there, so I couldn't charge my smart phone! Darn. I was so mad)
• You’re a logical thinker with ideas about how to correct problems and the overall situation. 
• Speaking of problem solving, have you checked to see if there's an app for that? Perhaps you've already begun to create a business model and the software architecture to see if it’s feasible.
• You’re a people person. You have no problem communicating with people. 
• You regularly quote Steve Jobs mainly to keep yourself from falling to pieces. (Only steve Jobs! Lol)
• You sold stuff as a kid like at a lemonade stand. Heck, when there were class sales, you were probably one of the top sellers. (Er.... nothing like that here o. We were in school to read and get As, finish!)
• You get more SMS alerts from people you follow on Twitter than from actual friends listed in your address book.
• You’re a self-starter, meaning you don’t give up on a project until it’s completed.
• No matter what you do on a daily basis, you always think of it in terms of delivering a return on investment.
• Your dress code is shabby chic and your suit is just collecting dust. You prefer T-shirts and jeans over a suit any day. (Even as a banker, I struggled to wear suits, lmao!)
• You’re unrealistic. As an inventor or innovator, you kind of have to be this way. 
• You think outside of the box. If not, what will change?
• You’re a charming and charismatic person. (Yes ke!)
•  Rules don’t apply to you. We’re not talking about breaking the law. Instead, you believe in efficiency and will bend rules to make things run smoothly.
• You realize that you can’t do everything alone. You have an idea and can promote it but also know that you’re not skilled at every task of running a business. (I so know this!!)
• You’re very opinionated. That's another reason you got fired a lot. (Stop this! I didn't get fired okay. Humph)
• You’re unpredictable. As an entrepreneur, you know how quickly things can change. Thankfully, you're ready and willing to make adjustments.
• You enjoy being with a group but don't relish much being alone. You probably get most energetic when working with groups of more than four people.
• You’re determined. You have to make the impossible possible.
• You have the support of your friends and family. These are the people who get you. And they’ll be there to support you along the way. (Absolutely)
• It’s normal for you to take a nap under your desk to catch up on sleep. After all, getting eight hours of sleep sometime between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. is antiquated.
• You've done the market research. You know that just because you have an incredible idea doesn't mean that it’s profitable.  (We learn this the hard way too) But you've already looked into whether customers will make the purchase.
• You surround yourself with quality people -- not leeches who will bring you down.
• You’re a bit out there. Having the ability to create something out of nothing takes a mad-genius type of person. Remember, people thought Albert Einstein was insane before he proved the theory of relativity.
• Did you ever ask your family, friends or significant other to send you a calendar invite so that you could talk for all of five minutes? (Haba! No. Unless I have another family niyen. Lol)
• You believe that your time is worth more than money.
• During your most recent rant about growth hacking, your spouse or boyfriend (or girlfriend) totally understood what you were saying. 

Even if you don’t have all the above traits right now, you’ll probably develop more of them over time. After all, being an entrepreneur is a lifestyle(I agree totally!), not a job or hobby.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/232451

Memoirs of a Lagos City Hustler #LCH 14 - Appreciating Mothers

Did you know that the physical pain in the human body can be measured through the use of the ultrasound and computer technology on certain parts of the body joints and other parts of the body. The scientific equipment, Dolorimeter, measuring pain threshold has it's measurement in Dols.

Did you also know that the highest our body can hold is a maximum of 45 Dols of chronic pain, while the intensity of pain during childbirth is as high as 57 Dols of acute pain?(Er... +Kennedy Adetayo, you need to provide your source here! Na die be dis ke) This is equivalent to 20 bone fractures at the same time!(If you might ask, getting kicked in the balls is about 78 Dols) (Whatever! You only get kicked there when you've been a jerk)

If men were to be giving birth, I'm sure world population would've declined seriously because no man will risk his life to have more than a child in his lifetime. And while the rich ones are buying babies from the poor ones; the next generation would not dare give birth because of what they would have been told.

I found a video of two men who subjected themselves to the pain through a simulation, watch it Pregnant Men;

What do you think?

Kudos to your Mum...without her I wouldn't have someone important and special as you reading this. 

Source: Two men experience the agony of child birth

As in, no be small tin!

Appreciate every woman in your life at all times, they are really the stronger sex.

**Sorry about the long break, LCH is back and better**

Hposh Diaries.........

A Letter to Myself

Dear Hposh,

Source : Carg's doodles

I hope you've been doing great!

As February makes way for March - your special month, I would like to ask you how the year 2014 been for you so far?

In the last few weeks, you've been so aggressive and rude to your very close friends.

Is there something you want to talk about?

I've been studying you for a while now and I think I've taken notes of some vital incidents.

What's up with you and church?

You hardly go to church these days.

You say it is boring.

You find every excuse for not to attending service.

There was one particular day you just went to church to drop your tithe and voom, you took a bike off for a "meeting" with one of those girls you've been trying to woo.

Smh!

You are digging your own grave man.

Remember there's nothing you can do without God, so I'd advise you give yourself brain.

Have you been giving in to social and peer pressure?

What happened to your promise of never taking alcohol?

Did you lose focus?

You wanted to feel among right?

Remember you have sweet taste buds and that *hit irritates you.

I'll advise you stick to your soft drinks before you burn your throat with VODKA!

Girls! Girls! Girls!

How come you are paying attention to so many girls lately?

You want to be in a relationship?

You know it can't work for your now right?

You've got a bigger dream and distractions will just take you steps backwards.

I'm not saying having female friends isn't a good thing.

My point is make them your good friends.

You don't need to ask them out!

"Oga Ade" di I here you say you are trying to fall in love?

Hmmmm!

Love is sweet but it comes naturally.

Just take it easy man.

Be a friend! Other things will follow.

You've not been reading, I hope you know that?

Step up your game man! Readers are leaders.

Calm down bro.

Relax.

Take a deep breath.

Say your early morning prayers.

Write out your goals.

Take the first step.

Add value to people.

Be informed!

Make yourself happy.

Love people and take them for who they are.

Meet and roll with the right folks.

Build a network of positive, creative and innovative people.

Take a step at a time.

Find solutions instead of complaining.

Things may go wrong, it's just normal.

Perfection may not be attainable, God's grace is sufficient.

Find solution to problems.

Invest more in people, ideas and your business.

Live a stress-free life.

Life is beautiful, don't get it twisted!

Memoirs of a Lagos City Hustler #LCH 13

After waiting patiently on a very long queue to use the ATM, just about three more guys till my turn and I tapped my pocket to see if my wallet was still there and DAMN!!! I just might have lost my wallet. I started trotting like gnomes in a yard, emptying my already empty pocket. It was like everyone has had that experience before, the people around me were like "your wallet shey?....it happens". I had that pseudo near-death experience; my ATM cards, my ID card, passport photographs of all my Exes (seriously! people carry that around? This guy's weird), important contact numbers, and a little tangible cash etc what was I supposed to do? I had just enough money to get me back home as loose change in my pocket but I had to do something.

It occurred to me that the last time I felt my wallet was the 'keke napep' I boarded to the bank, I hurriedly ran to the park and after scoping like a hundred tricycles, I couldn't find the driver; I waited about 1 hour hoping that he might drive down again. It was just a slim chance the wallet fell into the tricycle and even a slimmer chance he'd give it up.

I did go to their union office to tell them about my situation and the first thing the pot bellied man asked was; "is there cash in it?" and I replied no. He said the driver might return it if he found it first hoping that the passengers he might carry next did not find it first, now all I could do was hope and pray. I used the money with me to go to my girlfriend's house because her house was closer to the park hoping to check back in the evening. I was so sad and could barely hear anything she said.

She went from one gist to another, chatting away but all that clouded my thoughts were the many forms I'd fill to get a new ATM,sworn affidavits,police reports and the many eventualities should I not find my wallet. And just out of the blues, someone called me to come and get my wallet. Wait.....In Lagos? Like seriously? I couldn't just believe my eyes(and ears) and next you know it, I jumped up to retrieve my tshirt on the hanger and dashed out of the house. My dame was saying something, but it was totally lost on me.

I got to the park and found the pot bellied man smiling about the feat. He said he got my number from my business card and I quickly retrieved my wallet with joy, thanked him and left. I know right?...there are still few good people in Lagos.

Even though I did not find the cash in it (liar! I thought you said there was no cash? hian), I cared less because I was too happy I got my wallet back. Okay so I went back to her house and gave my dame all the attention she was seeking, this time feeling like a man(with a wallet)!!!

Lessons from the Nigerian Immigration Service Recruitment by Stephanie Obi

Let me introduce to you, Stephanie Obi. She is an online marketing trainer. She teaches entrepreneurs how to market their businesses online. She shares helpful business development tips at www.stephanieobi.com.

She's gracing our space today with her thoughts.

Enjoy.......

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Traffic!

I really hate traffic.

You know how we do it in Lagos, before you go anywhere, you will calculate your moves to check that you don’t get into too much traffic (or you check @gidi_traffic's timeline). If you can’t avoid the traffic, you will just prepare your mind to sit down in the traffic, so that when it hits you, you would increase the volume of the radio station and chill.

So you can imagine my utmost despair when I hit the road on Saturday morning, to quickly rush somewhere and come back home on time only to see stand still traffic.

I did not even believe the traffic I had gotten into. I wished I could just turn back or in fact, disappear.

The road to the National Stadium was completely blocked, and it was causing so much traffic.

“What!!!”

“What is happening?” I wondered aloud.

This was very unusual. How can there be traffic by 8am on a Saturday morning.

“Maybe there was an accident” I pondered.

I decided to take a different route to maneuver the traffic, and I was looking out for an accident scene, instead I kept seeing different people wearing white t-shirts and white shorts.

“Is there a tournament?” I quipped.

“How come I didn't notice any adverts? Who are all these people wearing white and white?”

I shrugged my shoulders and I forgot about it when I got to my destination, until a friend of mine updated her Blackberry display picture with a picture of tons of people wearing white and white at the National Stadium.

Apparently, the Nigerian Immigration Service was organizing a nationwide recruitment exercise on that Saturday and the National Stadium was one of the centers for the exam.

“Oh wow”, I thought.

“How are they going to write this exam at the National Stadium?”

“Can they control the crowd?” I asked no one in particular.

I went on Twitter and everybody was bashing the leadership of the Nigerian Immigration Service and saying that they should have used a computer based method to administer the exam.

I smiled as I read the tweets, as I thought to myself.

“Is it possible that nobody would have told the oga at the top that calling all the candidates to write an exam at the National Stadium was not the best way to handle the exam, and that they should try using a computer”

Of course not.

Somebody would have mentioned it, but the ogas did not listen.

Infact, I imagine the ogas eyeing the person that brought up the idea or accusing the person of wanting to “rig” the examination results. Lol.

I imagine him saying, “In my time, when I got the call to write the exam, I went to a hall with my fellow candidates, and we wrote the recruitment exam fair and square. I remember meeting my good friend, Ojukwu in that examination centre…the good old days”, as he recalls the story with nostalgia.

For the younger people, this makes no sense to us, why didn't they use the computer based system? Everybody has been asking.

Let me tell you what I think may have made the ogas resist the new idea.

Most times, we do the things we have always been doing, without considering the changing times. We do those things repeatedly because those things are called “experience”. We have become victims of habit. This is how it has always been done.

The Nigerian Immigration Service is not alone in this; a lot of people also do this.

Let me give you a practical example. As entrepreneurs, despite the changing environment and lifestyle of our customers, we still market our businesses the same way we have been doing it years before. Word of mouth, flyers and maybe adverts in some magazines. This is the way it has always been done. The internet has come with so many opportunities to market our business, but we ignore it because it is too complicated. It is not exactly what we are comfortable with. Despite the fact that a lot more people have smartphones and are accessing the internet every day, people are now googling things every instant, some spend a lot of time on social media; it has now become engrained into our lifestyle.

We ignore the trends and focus on working hard, doing what we know how to do best. The things we have gained from “experience”.

Change is difficult, I know. I understand completely, but a time will come, when people will look at you and wonder, “why are you not marketing your business online?”

It’s okay if you don’t know where to start from, like they say, “the journey of a thousand miles, begins with a step”.

Just make a decision to learn how to go about it, and take action.

Bambiano - Aderonke Abiona #inthespiritofenterprise

For all my weeks of being MIA, let me bribe you with two entrepreneur showcases today! hehe. Let me also add ..... Engineers rock! #dazall *sticks tongue out*

Tell us about yourself

My name is Aderonke Abiona. I’m a Telecoms Engineer and Mumpreneur. I have a B.Eng. in Computer Engineering from the University of Lagos, Nigeria and an MSc. in Wireless Communication Systems from Brunel University, West London. I own and run Bambiano; Nigeria’s Pioneer and only Silicone Teething Jewellery brand. I’m married to an amazing man and we are blessed with two children who rock our world.

Tell us about your business

Bambiano is a fun new line of Modern, Practical and Safe products inspired by children for all age groups. Our goal is to make the lives of parents more convenient in a fun and innovative way.

Our first set of products include a range of soft, non-toxic Silicone Jewellery made for moms to wear and babies to chew on for relieve especially during their teething phase. It is the most functional jewellery any mother will ever own. As a mum, you won’t have to struggle to keep your baby’s hands off your jewellery, you’ll actually encourage it.

Some features of our Jewellery include;

• Made with 100% food grade silicone (same material as pacifiers and bottle teats), 
• Free from BPA (Bisphenol A), PVC, phthalates, cadmium and lead. 
• Babies can hold it to maintain focus and comfort when breastfeeding. 
• It’s a fun distraction for your baby when you are out and about
• Great for Tactile sense development
• Necklaces and bracelets will not break, scratch or harm babies. 
• Beads are extremely light weight
• They are waterproof, odourless, heat resistant and will not support the growth of mould or bacteria 
• The necklaces have a breakaway clasp designed to separate easily when there is excessive tug and pull, so there is no choking hazard. 
• Because the beads are around your neck, there’s no need to worry about them dropping on the ground and getting dirty. When dirty, simply wash them using regular washing liquid or put them in the dishwasher.

What is the idea behind the name Bambiano?

Bambiano is a name I sort of stumbled upon. Whilst brainstorming on a brand name, I thought of choosing the name “Bambino” which is Italian for “Baby” or “Infant”. I kept saying Bambino! Bambino! Bambino! But the name didn’t seat well with me as I felt it was restricted to babies and I wanted my product line to be available for all age groups. My daughter happened to be with me during that particular brainstorming session and she said “Mummy, why are you saying Bambiano over and over again?” I laughed at her mistaking “Bambino” for “Bambiano” but then I said to myself “Hey! Bambiano sounds good”. I gave her a Hi-5 and said “Bambiano it is!”

How did you get into this line of business?

Bambiano was founded based on necessity. Last year, 2013, I attended a family event with my Husband and children. The plan I had for my newborn son was to feed him and encourage him to sleep but as most mothers know, babies sometimes have a mind of their own. After his feed, he became restless and my layered pearls caught his attention. He tugged, gnawed and attempted to chew on them. I thought to myself “This is not safe! If the beads fall apart, he could choke!

With each attempt to withdraw the jewellery from him, he protested thereby drawing attention from those sitting close to us. I decided to take off the jewellery altogether and I handed him over to his dad. At that moment I thought to myself “I need to find something that will serve a dual purpose of being fashionable, yet safe for my baby to chew on”. I mentioned the idea to my husband and he agreed it was a good idea. Immediately after the service, I got into the car, took out my mobile phone and began my research. When I got home, I went into my closet, brought out all my jewellery and used them as inspiration for a line of soft, non- toxic jewellery that were attractive, trendy and most importantly, safe.

What are the main challenges you face and how have you overcome them.

The Challenges we have faced in this line of business range from Design to Production and Branding.

Designing the Products was a bit of a challenge because I had to put a lot of things into consideration such as material, cost, safety and functionality. Getting a refutable manufacturer to produce the products to specification was also quite tasking as I had to monitor each step of production, inspect them and ensure that quality was not compromised. At a point in time, I got so frustrated that on a particular day, I almost gave up the venture. At my breaking point, I received encouragement from the sales manager at the Manufacturing Company who said to me “The road to success is paved with setbacks”. I held on to that quote and that’s what has kept me going till date. I embrace challenges and use them as stepping stones.

Acceptance of the product was also and is still a bit of a challenge. Silicone Teething Jewellery is new to the Nigerian Market. We are Nigeria’s Pioneer provider of Silicone Teething Jewellery and with any new venture, it’s expected that people will be quite skeptical. Some people will ask me “Ahn Ahn why is it costing this amount, isn’t it just rubber? Or “why should I even allow my baby to chew on any piece of jewellery? We have had to address these issues by educating the buyer/user via our website. We have also included Instruction Manuals and Product Information in our Packages. Testimonials and referrals have gone a long way to shed light on the products. Those who have used the products can testify to its quality and benefits.

Another challenge has been manpower. I’m currently juggling the business alongside my 9 to 5 job as an engineer, being a wife and a mother. It hasn’t been the easiest thing to do but I find my way around it. I am also lucky to have a very supportive and encouraging husband who steps in when I’m at my wits end. He knows all about the business and helps with design approval and branding.

How will you summarize your journey so far?

Bambiano is a family affair. Setting up and running the business has been interesting, frustrating and fulfilling. My husband is my business partner and He is my biggest motivator and supporter. Seeing my children appreciate the products also gives me a feeling of great joy. Testimonials and appreciation from other users make it all worth it.

Where do you see Bambiano in the future?

I see Bambiano as a global brand known for the production of Modern, Practical and Safe products inspired by children.

Given another chance, will you do this again?

Oh Yes! I will surely do this again and again. 

Website: www.bambiano.com
Facebook: @bambiano
Twitter: @bambiano
Instagram: @bambianojewellery
Mobile: 08103076522 or 07080199235
Email: info@bambiano.com
For Wholesale/Distributorship: wholesale@bambiano.com

Mide's Fun World - Funmilayo Opanubi Alasholuyi #inthespiritofenterprise

Nothing beats following your passion. The road may be rough, but in the end, you'll look back and be glad you lived your own life! Today I bring to you Funmilayo whose love for art led her to birth Mide's fun world. 

Enjoy........

Tell us about yourself

 My name is Princess Funmilayo Opanubi Alasholuyi. I am the first child of my parents and I have four siblings. I schooled in Lara Day Nursery and Primary School, Ikeja High School and London Metropolitan, then called: London Guildhall University. I have a Bsc (Hons) in Business & Business Information Technology. I am happily married with 3 kids.


 Tell us about your business

 I am the General Manager of Ereke Paints Ltd, and also the CEO/ MD of Mides' Fun World, also a Creative Artist of the company. As the G.M of Ereke Paints, I deal with colors too, which is also under interior decoration. So, both businesses go hand in hand.

The name was derived from our children's names: Ayomide, Iremide & Olamide, fondly known as the 'Mides. 

How did you get into this line of business?

I am a very creative person by nature, I love beautifying and creating things too. I am a Daystar member and I got inspired by Pastor +Sam Adeyemi's conferences and inspirational books, such as: 'start with what you have, 'the parable of dollars, ideas rule the world, etc. I got so much inspiration from the book and took action, by going to see an artist who trained me.

How will you summarize your journey so far?

Well, its been wonderful. I had my very first exhibition in September last year, 2013, it was supposed to be a 4 day event, but exceeded till October ending; as a result of the overwhelming reaction from the public. I think what people saw and felt, was beyond their expectation. I feel I created an awareness when it comes to art, working with different art media such as recyclable items, Ankara material, and other form of fabrics, hay, beads, etc. The exhibition was an eye opener for so many people, especially in our country Nigeria, compared to the Western world where art is more appreciated. Nigerians are becoming to appreciate art now.

What are the main challenges you face and how have you overcome them.

The challenges are not much, except that, there are times when the raw materials, such as the imported sprays we work with are scarce, but as a creative artist, I tend to improvise. Its all about being creative, even about the situation.

What advice would you give anyone who wants to go into arts in Nigeria 

You have to be passionate about art. You cannot just go into it for the sake of it. Secondly, you need to have your own style. You need to standout from other artists, that is your selling point. The same advise goes for any other type of business. This is, so that when people see your work, they can identify you with it.

Given the chance, will you do this again? 

Oh yes! its my passion, and will do it again, come what may.

Memoirs of a Lagos City Hustler (LCH) - God save our land

Imagine you being the first child of a first child of a first child? Turns out I came from a long list of first childs, My great grandfather was a respected king which made my grandpa groomed for the throne. The man was a perfectionist(well...so I heard) but in a tribe where there are seven ruling families, royalty comes after every seven generations. My grandpa died a week before I was born and naturally I was named Babatunde(meaning the father is back), I hated the name and all that came with it, my grandma would attempt to always peck me on the lips anytime she comes over to greet, as much as I loathe that, I was excluded from all chores and beatings(oh, I got a lot of that)whenever she was around.

I was also groomed like my dad, I did extra chores, read extra hours, punished more often, even learnt to cook before my rapidly growing sister who was just 2 years younger. I did not grow up spoilt and rich, but I had the basic amenities of a Lagos raised kid: I had a lunch box with a water bottle attached to it, I had 2 pairs of uniform, I had my own fair share of whooping and I got to play on the streets till 7pm. I was a brilliant kid(I'm not sure if I can say same now), and got into Lagos State Model college at the age of 8. By 15,I had written jamb twice before enrolling for Diploma in the prestigious UNILAG. Squatting, Cult threats, carry-overs, Breakups, Clubbing etc were just a few I went by for the six years I used in the university(well the repeating strikes added two more years)

I felt what it was like being a first child for the first time when I went for my NYSC in Yobe State, I was lost and needed to talk to the first before me, I used to be scared talking to my father until then(after all the beatings, you would too), he made me realize how fast I grew and how much gap was between us. I was attacked during the first set of uprisings of boko haram, I hid from the assailants in an abandoned ditch and made what I thought was going to be my last call to my Dad, he told me to remember all he told me(he was a retired chief Security Officer at a multinational), he told me not to be the hero, and to take a good look at the environment and resources around me to my advantage and after an hour long conversation before my battery died, he said to me "You went there to serve your Fatherland, you will come back to serve your father's land"

Those words kept me alive and I was rescued by the army 13 hours after, I became a stronger man in will and determined at goals, I took those beatings, those childhood experiences, the nysc experiences and channeled the experiences into being a better entrepreneur and in turn a better person.

P.S I was lucky, but in recent times, not many have been as lucky. For those we've lost, let's remember them and pray for their families. Let us also collectively raise our voices to pray that God would heal our land.......and rid it of all this blood!