Stories That Touch: "How I missed out on going to my dream school"

What was growing up like?

I am an only child, and I attended a private primary and secondary school. My dad worked at a Telecom company and mum is a lab scientist. Hence, we lived well above average. When I was 9, my father was diagnosed with Lung cancer. He died shortly after. After he died, I also spent some time with my uncle at Ikorodu, where I had lots of friends to play with, and it was fun.

Sorry about your dad, how did your dad’s death change things?

Well, it was just my mum and I so we were able to survive with her salary. That was until she had an emotional breakdown which made her lose her job. This was when things got really messy. It affected me as well as I started to lose focus in school. I remember I was preparing to write my common entrance exam.

That’s really sad to hear. How did you survive?

A few months after she lost her job, things went really bad. She had exhausted her little savings and family members started to withdraw. We moved out of our 2-room apartment to rent a self-contained room.

When I was in SS1, my mum took me to my uncle’s place at Ikorodu to start living there. I finished secondary school at my uncle’s place. I gained admission into a German University to study computer science but I lost the opportunity.

How?

Well, even though I had a scholarship. We couldn’t afford the travel expenses.

So were you away from your mum throughout your stay at Ikorodu?

No, she came to visit me from time to time. I always missed her. I visited her once in a while too.

So were you away from your mum throughout your stay at Ikorodu?

No, she came to visit me from time to time. I always missed her. I visited her once in a while too.

How do you think she managed without you?

She always tried to convince me that she was fine whenever she came around but I could see she wasn’t.

She was able to set up a small lab with the help of her siblings and that helped us a bit. I went back to stay with her to help with the lab while preparing for university.

Which university is that?

I got admission to study Mathematics at Obafemi Awolowo University and graduated in 2016. I attended a free coding training session in school and that’s how I started coding.

Interesting! I love that you jumped on the opportunity. So, why tech?

Well, I’ve also been fascinated with computers. My uncle was a Computer Engineer and while I was at his place; he noticed my interest in computers. This was why he advised me to study Computer Science in university. He’d always say that computers will make me more relevant in the future.

Nice, did they really make you more relevant?

When I was in my final year, which was 4 years of learning how to write code and working for free. I got my first freelance job as a Front-End Website Developer. The company paid me N145, 000. I thought I was dreaming. I still clearly remember calling my mum to tell her the good news. I also sent her my first salary.

Now that I look back at it, that job was my breakthrough into the industry. The client liked my work and from there I got referrals, built a strong portfolio. By the time I was serving, I was already working with a Fintech company. Safe to say I was a Lagos Big-boy.

Oshey! Tech bro. Share this money now.

What would you say is the greatest lesson you’ve learnt in life?

I think I’d draw my biggest lesson from my parents’ life. When life is rosy, always prepare for the rainy days cause life is full of surprises. I don’t think anybody would have guessed that my dad would leave us so soon. I know he loved for me to go to Germany to study Computer Science.

I’m inputting these lessons into how I raise my family which is why I already know I’m getting a Child Educare plan for my children immediately after they are born. It’s really never too early to plan for your child’s future.

Stories That Touch: “ Losing my job ended my dreams of relocation”

Tell us a bit about your childhood

I was a very inquisitive child and luckily for me my parents encouraged it. As the last born, I got a lot of attention and that meant whatever I wanted I got. So I had lots of toys and I remember dismantling them all in the name of trying to find out how they were built. My siblings would be furious especially when it was a gift from them but then my mum would always cover for me saying I was going to be an Engineer. Hence, they should let me be. To be fair, I did manage to assemble most of the toys I dismantled, plus I remember fixing my dad’s radio at age 11.

How many siblings do you have?

I have 2 siblings. Two elder sisters, actually.

Nice! What else were you interested in?

Books!!! I loved reading. I think I was influenced by my environment. My dad studied Literature and he loved reading as well, my sisters also loved reading. We had a library filled with old books and he always encouraged us to read. As far back as primary school, I had read Pride and Prejudice. Even Though, I didn’t fully comprehend it. I always enjoyed traveling to new places through books. I knew I wanted to live abroad when I was older.

You’re one of the few people who actually practiced their childhood ambition. How did that happen?

Well, I think my parents played a huge role in this. Although, we were of the middle class, they ensured I never lacked anything when it came to my education. I remember falling behind in Math in secondary school. I had two lesson tutors, one at school during break and then one at home after school and during the weekends. They were really invested in my education. I think it also helped that my nickname was Engineer. I put in so much effort into my admissions exams that I was really surprised when my name was on the Merit list of Mechanical Engineering courses.

How did school go?

School was good to me. I have always been invested in my books and my lecturers seem to take a liking to that. Hence, it was easy for me to ask questions even outside classes. That really helped with my grades. I started topping my class in my second year and it stayed that way till I graduated.

Ahn ahn! You didn’t tell me I was talking to a genius.

*laughs. Please do. We’re all geniuses.

No o! You’re a First Class graduate. There are some levels to this. *laughs

It must have been easy to land a job. So tell me, how did you kick-start your career?

Well, to be honest it was. Remember, I said I was close to my lecturers. During the break before my 3rd year, one of my lecturers had gotten me an internship with a top multinational company. They were impressed with my output and every break I’d intern with them. Immediately after I graduated they sent me on a 3 months training course in Korea. It was an amazing opportunity for me, my parents were so proud.

I worked with them for 5 years before I got an offer I couldn’t resist on LinkedIn. It was for an oil and gas company.

God When! Should I say you had it easy.

Well, maybe then but certainly not now.

My plan was to work with the company for another 3 years, save up and then relocate to Canada.

But life had other plans, sometimes I wish I didn’t take the job but we can’t change the past.

Hmm! What changed your plans.

I got posted to Port Harcourt to work on some oil tanks. It was pretty exciting and the experience changed my career, not just in the way I had expected.

How so?!

In my second month, there was a technical mishap on the field as a result of an error from me. I was one of the few gravely affected and was in a coma for two months. When I woke up I realized I had lost both of my hands. It took me a long while to adjust to reality but what made it even worse was that I couldn’t go back to the job I loved so much.

That’s so sad. What did you do next?

At that point, I didn't really do much thinking. I moved back to my parents who were very supportive. I realized that my dream of relocating was going to be harder than I had imagined. I didn’t have so much savings from my previous job as I was living a Lagos big boy life.

I’m currently trying to adjust to living with no hands and trying to get prosthetic hands with the money allocated to me from the company.

Is there anything you wish you knew earlier?

Yes, I wish I didn’t take early success in life for granted. I would have been better prepared for anything life would have thrown at me. I mean I didn’t think anything could change my lifestyle.

I mean now, I know better. I recently spoke to an ex-colleague and told him to get an Income Protection plan from Enterprise Life so he can always have a backup to fund his dreams and lifestyle incase of any critical mishaps during the course of work.

I’ve also started saving with the Enterprise LifeTime Needs plan with the money I get from friends and family. My dreams of relocating are still valid; they may just take longer.

4 Bonding Activities for Newlyweds

Marriage is full of many ups and downs, adventures, and incredible memories with the person you love.

The awesome joy that comes with being newlywed is indescribable, finally together with the one you love, no limitations or restrictions, you can both finally do all that you had planned to do once married. But is that where it ends? What happens when you have ticked every item off the list?

Well, here are 4 bonding activities to try out:

1)Cooking:

This is a wonderful activity a couple can use to spend time with each other. It not only helps them to nourish themselves, but it also allows them some time to interact with each other. Cooking with your newly wedded wife or husband is so romantic in more ways than one; it also provides you with ample time to bond and let your love for each other grow deeper

2)Cleaning the house:

Just like cooking, cleaning the house is a chore that has the advantage of helping couples stay organized and neat while it also allows them time to interact with each other. It’s not just a repetitive process of getting rid of dirty dishes or dusting out the house, having fun with the chores and flirting with your partner. It adds more joy and brings you closer to yourselves.

3)Watching a movie:

Watching interesting programs on television is another fun way couples can relax and have a good time together. Some newlyweds make find it awkward or tense to talk romantically to their partner. Movies can make it easier and a lot more comfortable. It also helps couples prioritize time together to make a connection and open a little. It sometimes sheds some light on the vulnerability and romanticism of your partner.

4)Saving and investing:

The great marriages are partnerships. It can’t be a great marriage without being a partnership.

Saving and investing together is the perfect way to partner in marriage. As a comfortable family is a happy family and poor finance can lead to a drop in the joy and happiness of a new couple as they will be saddled with numerous expenses. When couples set futuristic goals together, they have something in common to look forward to and to work for. This not only makes them feel alive and happy, but it also reminds them that they are teammates in their relationship.

Marriages require endless love and intentionality to thrive. All of these activities will assist you and your spouse in bonding easily. Some of these activities may necessitate proximity and understanding before being attempt. So, have a conversation with your partner and then make a strategy together.

5 Easy Steps to Secure your Child's Future

In a world filled with uncertainties, you should take thoughtful steps towards securing your child’s future with thoughtful planning.

Whether you’re a brand new parent, you’ve been a parent for a while or you’re just planning ahead. There are so many ways you can plan for your child to have a great life both in your care and as they grow and learn about the world around them.

Here are 5 easy steps to secure your child’s future

1) Invest in their education: Education is the best gift and legacy you can give a child. There is a need for proper financial planning of their educational needs as the future is unpredictable.

Enterprise Life’s Educare plan is a way to achieve this. It provides an avenue for parents to save and prepare towards the aforementioned growing cost of education whilst giving them some life cover which guarantees the child’s education.

2) Teach them financial literacy: As a parent you constantly look out for your child’s best interest whether it’s selecting a school, shopping for clothes or deciding what meals to make for them. You’re intentional about setting them on the rest path for success in life.

This is why you should ensure you teach your children good money habits such as saving, budgeting and investing early in life. This way, you set them on a path to becoming successful and financially free adults.

3)Avoid debts: When saddled with debts it is difficult to make wise financial decisions that benefit your children. You also do not want to leave them with a heavy burden for when life happens. It’s best to avoid unwarranted debts by taking proper inventory of one’s needs and wants.

The Life Planners at Enterprise Life are trained professionals who help with proper management of finances. They are your go-to personnel to live a financially free life.

4) Have a Will: What is a will? A will is a legal document that sets forth your wishes regarding the distribution of your property and the care of any minor children.

A will is not just a piece of paper carrying out your last wishes. It’s the continuity of a legacy and it’s just right to do it the right way.

5) Get a Life Insurance Life: Life is full of the unexpected, so surprises are bound to happen. It is not uncommon for life to change as you know it in a blink of an eye. Unfortunately, many people do not prepare ahead and their loved ones suffer from this. A Life Insurance is simply the best way to ensure your family is well taken care of in case life happens. It is the best love letter written to a family.

So there you have it, life choices are often not easy to make as it requires a certain amount of consideration and deliberation. This is why you should ensure to seek the right people or personnel such as the Life Planners at Enterprise Life to help make those lasting decisions.

If you have a child or are expecting one soon, start planning for their future early. Invest in opportunities that will help in securing their future.

The sooner you start, the better.

4 ways to express love to your family

We find it very easy to say we love our families, but do we show them that we do. The love amongst families comes with its unique feelings, behaviours, challenges, and rewards. You must be intentional about finding ways to show and grow love in the family.

And guess what? Family isn’t just about blood relations, as friends become family.

It’s easy to get consumed with our busy schedules and dream chasing that we forget what’s important to us- FAMILY. You should also realize that there is no perfect time to show love to your family. It shouldn't be reserved for just holidays and grand gestures. It’s the little things we do and how we do them every day.

Here are 4 ways you can express love to your family all year ‘round.

1- Communicate daily- As simple as this sounds, many of us hardly find time to actively listen to our family members and friends. By taking an active interest in their lives whether it’s listening to details of their long day or just letting them vent. It could also be as simple as asking your parents about their new interests and hobbies or listening and talking to your children. It will help the family feel closer and develop a deeper emotional connection.

2- Show physical affection- Sometimes, all you need is a hug or smile to brighten up a person’s day whether it’s your parents, spouse or child. Being physically affectionate will also encourage the whole household to do the same. When kids see their parents being affectionate it shows what a loving relationship should look like.

3- Spend quality time together- The lack of quality time takes a toll on all kinds of relationships whether between couples, parents and their children, or siblings. Take time off and spend it performing bonding activities such as cooking together, going for walks, shopping etc.

4- Secure their future- The greatest love letter ever written to a family is a Life Insurance. By having a life insurance you’re making sure your family which includes your spouse, parent or children will be well taken care of in your absence. When you prepare for life's surprises it shows how deeply you care about your family’s well being. You can call a Life Planner on 0700 3683 777 473 to find a plan that works for you and your family.

Remember to not only show love to your family but to say it as well. Don’t expect your family members to know just because you think you are demonstrating it through your behaviour. People need to hear it, say the words, ‘I love you’ as often as you can. When you say ‘I love you’, it is the ultimate validation and confirmation of their feelings about your action. It is like an unwritten contract of affection between two people.

Stories That Touch: "I never imagined life without my father"

Tell us a bit about your childhood

I like to think my childhood is my favourite part of my entire existence. I was an only child for 10 years and had all the attention to myself. I remember my dad traveling and returning with lots of toys and chocolates. My mum made the best yam porridge, and she made it whenever I wanted. She was a stay at home mum. I remember the day she told me she was pregnant with my little sister. I was so excited, finally I’d have someone to play with. Little did I know I’d get more than I bargained for.

So, what happened?

Well, my mum had twins, a girl and a boy. Next thing I know, I was mum number 2. It wasn’t so bad though because we had two helpers at home at the time. Also, it was only for the holidays, as I got enrolled into a boarding school. Boarding school was amazing, I went to a private boarding school in Victoria Island. My dad also worked there so he dropped at my school quite often with gifts. I like to think that’s why my love language is receiving gifts. My dad loved to spoil me silly with gifts.

Daddy’s girl, so you grew up rich.

Yes, I don’t recall a time we ever had to struggle for money. My mum didn’t work but I remember she enjoyed hosting parties. She also used to buy a lot of clothes. I remember seeing different vendors in our house trying to sell to my mum. I think my dad started a new business at this time. We also started taking family vacations abroad during this period. Life was perfect! I didn’t think I’d ever have to worry about a thing, my daddy was always there to provide. Well, that was until everything changed.

What do you mean by life?

My dad died in a car accident in my second year in university. My mum took a while to adjust to our new reality. She sold some of my dad’s property and started a retail fabric business. She had a hard time managing the business. Soon we had only the house we lived in and one car left to our name. I’m still amazed at how fast our lives changed. I sometimes feel like my mum could have managed our funds better but how can I blame her; no one prepared for this.

My mum was adamant about retaining my siblings in their highbrow private school while I was in a private university. This meant we had very little to run the house after paying school fees. At some point, my allowance became irregular. So, I stopped asking.

How did you survive then?

I started selling Shawarma in school.

Shawarma?! How did that start?

Shawarma wasn’t allowed in my school. However, I had my way of getting one for myself. If you went to my school, trust me you’d understand how big of a deal it was to get hold of anything that contained meat. People started asking me to get for the

m as well. So, I doubled the price. I’d buy the Shawarma at the price of N500 and sell it for N1000. Soon, word spread and I was making at least 30k a week. I did this till I was in my final year. I had to stop because I couldn’t risk being suspended at my final phase.

Wow! Talk about a Risk Taker. How’s life going now?

I interned at my late dad’s friend’s agency. This was where I picked up an interest in design. I started learning on my own, started with graphics design. During this period, my mum’s business started to fair pretty well so I was able to pay for Product Design classes.

Ahn Ahn! Tech sis in the building

*laughs* Don’t start o. I mean the journey has been good, I can’t lie. I now work with a startup fintech and I run a couple of side gigs once in a while.

I send money to my mum regularly and I started a poultry business with her supervision. I also have investments in stock and crypto.

That’s really nice. How often do you miss your dad?

ALL THE TIME! I miss him so much. I never imagined life without him. I was pretty sure I was going to be a daddy’s girl for life but life has its way of surprising us. Sometimes I wish he saw the future and made a backup plan for us to fall back on.

Wow! There you have it, don't wait for life to happen.

Get a backup plan with Enterprise Life today to secure your family's future.

Life Behind the Lights, Camera & Action

There is no script on becoming an actor - Zainab Balogun

We are Enterprise Life, and we are delighted to present another episode of our podcast, This Is Life.

This episode brings diverse voices from Television, Film and Production to sit down and discuss creating value beyond the screen, and give a fresh, exciting take on life in the movie business.

Our host Akah Nnani, actor and presenter extraordinaire, gets cozy with residents of Tinsel town - Deborah Odutayo, Deyemi Okanlawon, Ufuoma McDermott, Zainab Balogun-Nwachukwu and Bolanle Olukanni, as they take us through their journey in Nollywood; the highs, lows and everything in-between.

We take a look behind the scenes on the cost of working in Nollywood - double crossing, building relationships and funding.

Listeners are given exclusive insights into the workings of the film industry, and a peek behind the lights and glamour. Insights that may prove useful to those intending to become players in the industry, or anyone curious about life behind the Lights, Camera, Action.

Learn from actress, model and TV Presenter, Zainab Balogun, as she speaks on becoming a better performer and the importance of networking. Hear her speak about letting go of attachment to a scene, being vulnerable by putting herself out there for criticism and how having high standards have been mistaken for diva behavior.

Veteran producer, Deborah Odutayo shines light on relationships with people. She talks about working with difficult actors and how treating her cast like family helps. She also opens up about her victories and the betrayals during her stint as the president of Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN).

Ex-model turned actor and filmmaker, Ufoma McDermott, brought a practical approach to the table, speaking on the stigma around competition, as well as the lack of funding and support for Nollywood. She also highlighted how applying the ethics she picked up in business school has given her an edge in the industry.

Deyemi Okanlawon tells us about his transition from the corporate world to that of film and the importance of his wife’s support in the process. He also speaks about protecting his brand, and how he draws the line between inspiration versus competition, and losing important scenes during editing.

Presenter, Bolanle speaks on her stint as an actor, the dilemma of turning down passion projects in favour of paying ones; on choosing gigs based on what aligns with her values, and winning without compromising her values.

How do you distinguish between healthy competition and bitter rivalry, in an industry where being at the top of your game is important? Get the answer and other exciting tit bits and so much more on this episode.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify or stream it on YouTube.

The Business Side of Life

Speed and Execution is the currency - Ayo Akinola

We are Enterprise Life and we are pleased to present to you the latest episode of our podcast- This is Life.

On our latest episode, industry professionals discuss life, relationships and mentoring in the corporate sector.

Our host, actor and presenter Akah Nnani gets serious with Dr. Chinonso Egemba aka Aproko Doctor, Ayo Akinola, Ejiro Kunle-Hassan and Bukky Akomolafe as they discuss mentorships, practicality and relationships in the corporate space.

Listen to medical doctor and educator, Chinonso Egemba, popularly known by his online moniker: Aproko Doctor, as he speaks on navigating his novel field, why practicality works better than theories, the dangers of bad bedside manners and the edge corporate life gave him in his creative endeavours.

Hear the Head of Business Development at Piggyvest, Ayo Akinola, give a candid take on leaders outgrowing their company and the progressive work culture of Piggyvest.

The Tech Entrepreneur engages us on how he manages to balance work so it doesn’t spill into his personal life and the effects of work culture on a personal brand. He also discusses his transition from mentee to mentor as well as his secret hack to levelling up.

We are treated to an insider’s view of Oil and Gas as Ejiro Kunle-Hassan, a young expert speaks on avoiding the pitfalls of being mediocre and why result-oriented people make the most success. She then explores why she has a work persona, why her skill set and knowledge are her most useful tools and learning the unwritten rules of the workplace.

Finally, we have Bukky Akomolafe, the Country Manager for Travelstart, who relates her love for growing companies with her beliefs on why the next generation of Nigerian Corporates would change the workplace.

She also debunks the notion of the laid back Nigerian youth, while touching on the evolution of personal brand for the modern corporate space plus the need to always perform.

Our two female panellists shed light on the pressure of appearances of women in the corporate sector, inappropriate workplace interactions, and how they stay true to their brand while putting their best foot forward.

Our guests who have excelled in their chosen fields touch on the very vital topic of mentors versus sponsors, a topic which corporates would find useful and applicable as they scale up the work ladder.

What is the difference between a role model, a sponsor, and a mentor?

Listen to the full podcast here: https://bit.ly/3AhMVIc

This is Life: Turning Passion To Profit

We are Enterprise Life, and we are pleased to serve you another sizzling hot episode of This is Life, where thought leaders and industry professionals discuss life in content creation.

On this week’s episode our host, actor and presenter, Akah Nnani, settles down with Chef Gbubemi Fregene, Yemisi Sophie Odusanya, Winifred Nwania and Jimmie Akinsola to discuss monetizing hobbies and pioneering their fields.

Chef Gbubemi Fregene popularly known as Chef Fregz serves us a story, more like an epiphany when entering his field during NYSC; how he deals with overconfidence and making the most of his platform as a Nigerian chef.

Food content creator, Yemisi Sophie Odusanya, known online as Sisi Yemmie speaks on turning her hobby into a lucrative business, dealing with the fear of public failure and becoming a face for Nigerian cuisine.

Vlogger and food entrepreneur, Winifred Nwania, talks about changing the Nigerian food space and her journey towards becoming a certified food nutritionist. She tells us how she uses social media to boost the local food industry and create an authentic African eating experience.

Then we have Sports Desk Manager and host Jimmie Akinsola, talk on monetizing his passion for sports and TV.

The sports enthusiast also speaks on how he uses his performance jitters to improve his performance on stage and his dream to put Nigerians in his industry on the same footing internationally.

Join our guests as they speak on opportunities to be found in the Nigerian creative space and hear how they transformed their regrets into something better.

How do you scale up your platform and content to an international level?

Find out these and more on the This is Life Podcast.

This is Life: The Art of Life

Know yourself and your value, the world will adjust- Wofai Fada

We are Enterprise Life and are pleased to present to you our brand new podcast: This is Life.

On This is Life we bring in thought leaders and industry professionals to give an unfiltered perspective on life. From the music business to spoken word and poetry, comedy, food and lifestyle…they all find a common ground on this podcast.

In this premiere episode, our host Akah Nnani the famous actor and presenter explores with celebrities- Ric Hassani, Precious Emmanuel, Wana Udobang and Wofai Fada on the different aspects of being entertainers or creatives as we love to call them.

We take a deep dive into our guests’ raw emotions, their joys, laughter and mental space; the feelings behind the art and the creators of the art.

With applicable insights for budding creatives on their journey to self-discovery and freedom to be themselves.

We invite you to share the life of Wana as she lets us into how she was able to turn her past trauma and vulnerabilities into powerful art, and learning to accept herself.

Precious Emmanuel also discusses how his father's love for music pushed him to find his voice, as well as his unique way of handling trolls and body shaming.

And it gets more interesting as we catch a glimpse of the world of Wofai Fada.

Wofai spoke about the misconceptions of being a female comic, dealing with toxic friendships, putting herself out in the world and living her authentic truth while inspiring others to do the same.

It didn’t end there as the “Thunder Fire You” crooner, Ric Hassani narrates his growing pains in the industry, establishing his self-worth, and the long journey into becoming his own person.

Our guests are full of advice for newcomers in the industry, the advice they noted their younger selves would have found useful when starting out.

But, as they noted, their trial by fire made them into the people they have become today. Without the hardships and experiences, they might not have found out who they truly are.

Topics like being seen as a tool of their craft rather than individuals, navigating difficult and overzealous fans; to bullying and the weight of expectations, were just a few of the issues that our guests had to tell us.

How do you know your worth, pricing your art and upscaling your creation?

Click this link to watch the first episode of This is Life and find out.