By Victor Gotevbe
Entrepreneurship is not something you dabble into if you are not adequately prepared for it. As a matter of fact,   it is tough. If being an entrepreneur is tough, then being a woman entrepreneur is tougher, and being a young woman entrepreneur is tougher still. This edition brings to us the story of a young Niger Deltan who is not relentless in her effort to forge on.

Please tell us about your background

I am the first child of my parents. My father has always been a clergy, and  I grew up in the Church. My values and principles take their root from my belief. Well, it was a humble background. Nothing extravagant and no lack. I always got all I needed, food, clothing, shoes, sandals, education, etc.

OGHENEFEGO ISIKWENU

My parents have always been teachers; so you can imagine growing up under two teachers—education has always been an important part of my upbringing. My first seven years were in Oleh, Delta State,where I started pre-primaryandprimary school education. Then we moved to Benin for another 3-4years.

I completed my primary and secondary school career in Agbor, Delta State. I grew up in a strict  environment that taught me to obey rules and be hard working. We had small farms or gardens and my mum was always involved in one business or the other and most of the time I was her accountant— so I got exposed to money, and acquired some skills in financial management ,budgeting and planning early.

You studied Science courses and you presently have a career twist in view of your  private company. What is responsible for this?

Hmmm! Yes, I get this question often from people who know my academic background. Well,my academic pursuit is a different part of me and it takes root from other passions and interests I have. After my WAEC result was out, I had the choice of doing any course and as a science student I felt I should go for the supposedly best course which in my opinion then was either Medicine or Engineering. When I did not get the cut-off score in my JAMB I went in for Biochemistry. Nutritional Biochemistry caught my interest and I went in for a master’s degree in Human Nutrition.

Although during my undergraduate days, I was able to discover my talents and strengths were centered on my ability to organize programmes, speak publicly and communicate effectively.

Coupled with my involvement in volunteering as a teenager in HIV&AIDS projects, I got exposed to a lot of opportunities. A lot of things come to play in my twist in career. Remember I was exposed early to business, so I have always had a business mindset. I have decided to focus on my strengths and talents and that’s how I have built my business.

Tell us more about your company?

Teo-Inspiro International (TII), is a management consulting and social development organization concerned about the future of Africa; especially young people between the ages of 10-30years. The continent of Africa is endowed with so much potentials waiting to be discovered and exploited, TII is raising a generation of African youths with a mentality that they can achieve any feat they set their hearts to achieve through the right means.

The company is structured with a social business mindset that makes profit and ploughed it back into the society for development purposes. So even while we do business, we are very conscious of our environment and the issues that plaque our society; this drives us to look for ways to contribute positively to cause change.

As a young woman what has been your greatest challenge living and doing business in Nigeria?

Systems, structures and policies that are so well written on paper but not implemented. I find it quite challenging when I read about something online or on a pamphlet and want to access the opportunity but find out that I have to grease hands…  or I get things done; the officer who is suppose to be in charge hardly knows enough to provide the service. I wish people really understood what dignity of labour meant and live up to the salary they are being paid.

Another challenge is that some older people do not support and provide guidance for people who are younger in business. Unlike developed countries, most of us learn by our mistakes, we lack access to mentors in the business circle who are really ready to teach you the principles and rules of business; whom you could ask questions anytime.

What future does Nigeria hold for young people?

The future is now! We are tired of waiting for the future. Nigeria holds what she is giving to her youth now; there’s no future except we make it happen. What I am trying to say is youths should stop looking forward to a future that will just be perfect by chance; the Nigeria of our future is the one we build now and for ourselves. So the question is what are young people doing to make the future of Nigeria better for them and their children? Things do not just happen, things are made to happen; it is not magic.

What life skills would you recommend for Nigerian youth?

Nigerian youths need skills on goal setting and planning, time management and effective communication skills. Most young people have spent over 25-30 years of their lives before they start thinking of setting goals or planning consciously for their future.  Even when they find out what they want to do with their lives a lot of time is wasted on frivolities and before you know they rush over their work or business.

With the beautiful ideas and designs created, everyone needs to be able to communicate effectively so others can understand and see the picture you are trying to paint. So a good mix of these skills will boost chances for success in any field of endeavour. There are many other  skills but I feel these are important.

Young Nigerians making  the difference

JOSEPH EMMANUEL YABA KOGI STATE

Joseph Emmanuel Yaba also known as Yabajoe is an example of nobody to somebody and his story is a proof that you can overcome adversity to succeed and help others get there and his best lessons were learnt when he was growing up.  Joseph was born in 1985 and hails from hails from Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi-State. He studied Computer Science at the Federal Polytechnic ,Idah, Kogi-State .

JOSEPH EMMANUEL

While at Government Science – Technical College he represented the school in the British Council Connecting Future and Crossing Continents Forum, SchoolNet Nigeria, ThinkQuest Africa and Junior Achievement Nigeria Student Company Program where he was the Vice President Human Resources. Like most achievers, Emmanuel was not born with a silver spoon. However, he seemed to have gone a full circle by the time he founded Youth Initiative for Sustainable Development (YISD) at the age of Twenty One (21) years. A youth organization whose aim is to impact positively the lives of young people especially in the areas of Health, Education, Environment and Business Development/Entrepreneurship. Joseph has presented several papers at Seminars, workshops and have facilitated various trainings.  In four years (2007-2011) he

has addressed over 30,000 young people on Leadership, Self Development and Business Enterprise. He also serves as a Secretary of the Community Project Committee of the Nigeria World Bank Youth Forum. Joseph believes in a new Nigeria and Africa where young men and women would have equal opportunity to develop themselves for the benefit of national development.

KUNLE OLUWADIYA (a.k.a. KidKonnect) LAGOS STATE

Kunle Oluwadiya, popularly known as KidKonnect is a great force to be reckon with in the entertainment industry specifically on music production and beat making.  He has produced many hit singles of both foreign and local artistes. He has received several awards in the United States of America where he bagged his first degree in Information Technology and a Masters Degree in Entertainment Business.

Kidkonnect who only returned to Nigeria three months ago shared last weekend with Saturday Youthful Vibes at the opening of his ultra modern state-of-the-art music studio called Rade Gold in a high crest area in Lagos that they are established to serve the needs of artistes through quality music production and beat making.

Kidkonnect intends to bring his prowess to bare on local music production having worked with various international acts such as Chiddy of Chiddy Bang, Ezzie B, Jay Cube, Soul Brotha and also a handful of Nigerian musicians such as Eldee the Don, Ikechukwu, M.I., Banky  W, Sound Sultan and Oladele, just to mention a few.

Kid Konnect has started his own local label searching for one or two outstanding up coming young artistes that he wants to produce. In his own words, “you have to be stubborn enough to believe in your dream and keep at it.”