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Esther Ijewere

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ENTREPRENEURS NEED ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE LEGAL SERVICES – FUNKOLA ODELEYE

Funkola is the Co-founder and CEO at DIYlaw – a legal technology company committed to empowering Nigerian entrepreneurs through the provision of accessible and affordable legal services and free legal and business resources, Funkola is also the Corporate-Commercial and Intellectual Property lead at The Longe Practice LP (TLP), an entrepreneur focused law practice. Funkola is able to identify with her clients having been involved in various entrepreneurial pursuits, including founding a grocery e-commerce business.

She has a background in commercial & corporate law firm practice with years of in-house counsel experience in investment banking. Funkola’s legal experience prior to founding TLP and DIYlaw cuts across capital markets, investment advisory, compliance and securities.

Funkola has a Masters in Finance and Financial Law from the School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London in addition to her LLB from the Lagos State University and BL from the Nigerian Law School.

In 2018, Funkola represented DIYLaw and Nigeria at Pitch@Palace Commonwealth which took place during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London. She pitched to an audience which included Prince Andrew, The Duke of York and various Heads of Government of Commonwealth countries and emerged one of the winners.

In May 2019, she led the DIYLaw team to the United Nations and presented and exhibited at several different forums during the Science, Technology and Innovation Forum. She is an Obama Leader, having been chosen as a 2019 Obama Africa Leader and also an Innovating Justice Fellow of The Hague Institute for the Innovation of Law (HiiL). In her words “Entrepreneurship is the most sustainable solution to unemployment”

She shares her inspiring story and some legal nuggets with me in this interview

Growing Up

I grew up with my 2 sisters in a family where both our parents are entrepreneurs. Transitioning from secondary school to university and during university holidays, we had to work for my parents. That was the only guarantee to getting a flight ticket for summer holidays.

This taught us discipline and the value of hard work and I will also say that it exposed me to entrepreneurship. I guess it’s not surprising that my sisters and I have various entrepreneurial pursuits.

Inspiration  behind DIY Law

Our vibrant and hardworking youth demography in Nigeria is our biggest inspiration at DIYLaw. Things have really shifted and the youth are breaking away from parent-pleasing that makes them unhappy. We now see a lot of professionals who are in sports, entertainment, hospitality and are generally following their dreams. Even a lot of people with 9 to 5 jobs have “side-hustles”, vlogs, tech companies, you name it.

These are the people who need accessible and affordable legal services; they are constantly on-the-go building the next big thing and can’t be bugged down with complexities.

Why I am focusing on Entrepreneurs

My co-founder (Odun) and I realized in 2014 that the sector was underserved and that was really all we needed to quit our day jobs and start a law firm focused on entrepreneurs. Prior to that, we were both informally advising entrepreneurs in our circles like our family and friends and we had seen all kinds of missteps, bad decisions and lost opportunities because entrepreneurs didn’t have their legal affairs in order.

Knowing the contributions of entrepreneurs to job creation and the economy, it would have been a disservice to do nothing and so I have now made it my life’s mission.

Being an Obama fellow with ties to other notable Organizations

Being recognized by these various organisations validate the work that we do. Beyond money, it’s the fuel that I need to keep moving. Knowing that someone somewhere values the work that we do and believes in the changes that we are trying to spark, helps me keep head above water on the not-so-good days.

Also, some people don’t take you seriously enough until they realize that someone else or a notable organization does. I am grateful for these coattails I have been able to ride; they have opened some doors and given us access to other opportunities.

Women who Inspire me

There are too many women who inspire me. If I had to mention just one, it will be my mother – Oluyemisi Ani; even though she is 65, she still works extra hard. She is never satisfied with yesterday’s achievement; she sets new challenges for herself everytime and she just goes for it.

If I had to mention more though 😊, it will be Serena Williams for her determination and rising above her challenges with going back to work and giving her best after having a baby; Michelle Obama for everything that she stands for and Sara Blakely for being a constant reminder that being dogged, knocking on every door and having fun yields good results.

Nigerians and appreciation of female lawyers

I honestly don’t think we are treated any differently from our male counterparts. Law is such a prestigious profession and I think we are all accorded the level of respect we deserve whether male or female. I haven’t ever walked into a meeting or a courtroom and been silenced because I am female.

I think being female is a gift that all women should try to take advantage of. My co-founders and I never hesitate to tell people that we are “an all-female founded” tech company and we get people ooh-ing and aah-ing and showing more interest when we use that line.

That being said, I won’t deny that generally there is workplace harassment and that there are small-minded people who don’t take women seriously or show them respect.

Challenges

I can’t think of any. Just like I think that we get our due like our male colleagues, I think we equally face the same challenges but I can only speak from my own experiences and I won’t say that as a matter of fact.

On giving up

Too many times; it is really difficult being an entrepreneur.

The number of “no-s” that I have received, shut doors, emails that begin with “unfortunately…”, “we are sorry to inform you…” make me want to just pull the curtains and say “show is over”. Having a great support system such as co-founders who remind you why you are on the journey, family who let you cry on their shoulders and care about your welfare and employees who step up on your off days, keep me going.

There are too many things that make running a business very challenging in Nigeria, like epileptic internet service and stand-still traffic. Those little things that distract us from our focus also have the tendency to make us want to throw in the towel.

Being a woman of Rubies

I honestly don’t know what makes me one. I just strive daily to be an excellent leader, excellent co-worker, excellent wife, excellent mother, excellent daughter, excellent sister, excellent aunt and excellent friend. If I fail at any of it, it wouldn’t be from not trying.

Advice for Entrepreneurs, from a legal perspective                       

Getting it right from the beginning is very important. Put your books in order, file your tax returns, honor your agreements. Don’t wait until your big break is around the corner before you start scampering to do the right thing. The cost of non-compliance is more expensive than complying.

 

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In Career Gems By

MEET ZULFAT SUARA, THE NIGERIAN IMMIGRANT WHO MAY BECOME TENNESSEE’S FIRST MUSLIM LAWMAKER

If all goes well for her, this Nigerian immigrant Zulfat Suara a candidate for at-large member of the Nashville Metro Council in Tennessee, US will become the first muslim to become a lawmaker in the state.

Nigerian Woman Zulfat Suara Set To Become The First Muslim Lawmaker In Tennessee, US

Suara will be running in the general runoff election on September 12, 2019, after advancing from the general election on the 1st of August.

According to TN Holler, Zulfat is one of the 15 candidates running for 5 at-large seats on the Metro Council in the August election.

The report added that she’s the first Muslim woman to have ever run for any position in the state of Tennessee, running in 2014 in Bolivar for school board.

If elected, she’ll be the first Muslim lawmaker ever elected in Tennessee.

 

"MEET ZULFAT SUARA – Candidate for Metro Council At-Large"

NEW VIDEO: "MEET ZULFAT SUARA, Candidate for Metro Council At-Large" — Zulfat would be the first Muslim EVER elected in Tennessee. She has persevered through intense hate online, just endorsed by the Tennessean. (Boost Paid for By Friends of Zulfat Suara, Samar Ali – Treasurer) "I believe we're one humanity – we breathe the same, we hug the same, we smile the same." – ZulfatPlease watch and share. For more on Zulfat, visit her website: https://zulfatsuara.com – ELECTION DAY AUGUST 1

Posted by The Tennessee Holler on Monday, July 22, 2019

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In self development By

ADEFOLAKE ADEKOLA: WE NEED TO STOP USING SNIPER ON OUR FOOD IN NIGERIA

We need to use Integrated Pest Management systems to effectively control pest and prevent illegal use.

I once came across a video of a woman trying to buy stockfish from a man. She was asking him why he uses Sniper to preserve the stockfish, and he said, “Everybody dey use am, nobody dey wey no dey use am.” Shock gripped me as I watched the video. Then I quickly remembered a rumor I had heard, that this same sniper was used to preserve beans.

A few days prior to that, a lady had used Sniper to wash her hair and died in her sleep. Sniper is a pesticide not food preservative. We need to understand that sniper is intended for use as a pesticide for crops. Farmers and traders shouldn’t use it to preserve food.

Pests, which are organisms that attack food, crops and livestock, can become a menace to farmers if not properly mitigated against or handled. They are disease-carrying organisms that destroy farmlands, clothing, buildings, etc. Examples of pest are: termites, caterpillars, mosquitoes, fleas, cockroaches, bedbugs, weeds, snakes, rats. Pests are not generally harmful; they are only harmful when they are detrimental to plants, animals or humans. They can be beneficial under different circumstances or conditions. These pests often lead to a low crop yield for farmers, because of destruction of their produce before harvest, or even while in storage. Hence, the reason pesticides are used to curb their impact on crops and animals.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defined pesticides as a universal name given to different forms of chemical compounds used to kill pests. Fungicides, biocides, herbicides and insecticides are all forms of pesticides used. There are several pesticides that have been banned in Nigeria, but Nigerians, for selfish reasons, continue to use them on food, crops and livestock. Examples of these banned pesticides are: Aldrin, Carbamates, DDT, Toxaphene.

Environmental & Health Effects of Pesticides

  1. Pesticides pollute water, which can lead to the death of waterbodies such as fish.
  2. They lead to soil pollution that accumulates in the soil for up to 20 years or more, and may appear in the food chain (bioaccumulation and biomagnification).
  3. Air pollution is a major effect of pesticides, and can lead to severe health problems.
  4. The health effects of pesticides are limitless, because one health problem can lead to another. Examples are: skin diseases, respiratory problems, food poisoning, cancer and can eventually lead to death.

There are three main ways pesticides can be introduced to humans. They are: dermal (skin), oral (mouth) and inhalation (nostrils) exposures. Now traders have started using it directly on produce [fresh fruit and vegetables grown for the market] to prevent pests without informing the buyers.

Although the use of pesticides is necessary, it is to be used under policies and guidelines that have been approved by the regulatory bodies responsible. Which is why the proper implementation of Integrated Pest Management is needed urgently in Nigeria.

So what is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

As defined by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.”

Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations defines IPM as “the careful consideration of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to levels that are economically justified and reduce or minimize risks to human health and the environment.”

IPM is an effective way of handling pest management, using methods such as pest-resistant plants, natural predators, and other methods. They can be cultural, mechanical, physical and biological. There are different pest strategies and tactics that can be used to effectively eliminate pest problem, without farmers or market individuals using it directly on food products, which can cause harm to humans. Some steps such as intercropping with aromatic herbs to prevent insects, crop rotation and pruning, are examples of strategies in IPM.

While speaking with the Environmental Safeguard Specialist of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project, Oyebankole Agbelusi, he mentioned the importance of IPM in Nigeria. Lack of adequate knowledge on the effects of the wrong usage of pesticides or the usage of banned pesticides is what has led some Nigerians to use pesticides, such as sniper, to preserve dry fish and other food produce in the market, and even go as far as using it on the human body.

Most recently, it is being used as a suicide drug, which has led to hundreds of death across the country. Around June this year, it was published across media outlets that the Senate is looking to ban sniper as a pesticide in Nigeria. Our problem is beyond the banning of one pesticide. What then happens to the one the market traders use on our food that causes diseases which lead to death. The difference between suicide and this is: suicide is an individual decision, but the use of sniper and other pesticides on food directly is Nigerians slowly killing fellow Nigerians because of their pockets. 

We as citizens of this great nation need to do better. Just like the woman that sent the video of the man using it in Oyingbo market, we need to report such cases and take necessary actions. Most importantly, we need to use Integrated Pest Management systems to effectively control pest and prevent illegal use.

Source: Bellanaija

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In Interviews&profile By

ARIT OKPO ANNOUNCED AS NEW HOST OF CNN AFRICAN VOICES

Arit Okpo is the new host of CNN African Voices.

She will help usher in the new chapter of the program dubbed African Voices Changemakers, airing from Friday, August 9th.

The news was shared on the official twitter handle of CNN Africa. The tweet says

Meet the new host of African Voices – Arit Okpo (@menoword). She will help usher in a new chapter of the program dubbed African Voices Changemakers. It starts tomorrow!

 

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In Career Gems By

TOKE MAKINWA MAY BE GETTING MARRIED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR

Media personality, Toke Makinwa might have just announced her plans to have a wedding before 2020.

She took to her Instagram page announcing her birthday coming up in November, using a hashtag that got our attention – #Lastyearsingle.

She wrote:

*Temp Post*
PSA .. Calling on all travel companies, let’s make magic together this November, I turn 35 and I want a solid girls trip to my dream destination Phuket – Thailand 🇹🇭 I want to wake up to the sounds of the ocean, visit nearby islands, drink some rum and live it up as it’s my last year as a single girl ready to give marriage a second chance and of course the bambinos too. So if you’ll like to sponsor my friends and me to create the best content ever, let’s do it big in November.
#TMat35 #The35Club #Lastyearsingle
Tag them all.


Source: Bellanaija

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UZO ADUBA SET TO PORTRAY SHIRLEY CHISHOLM IN NEW FX SERIES “MRS. AMERICA”

The work of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected into U.S. Congress, will be displayed in a new limited series coming to FX called “Mrs. America.”

Emmy-winning actress Uzo Aduba will play Chisholm, who represented New York’s 12thcongressional district from 1969 to 1983 and who became the first Black female candidate from a major political party to run for president. 

According to The Root, FX said in a press release that the limited series will tell “the story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and the unexpected backlash led by a conservative woman named Phyllis Schlafly, played by [Cate] Blanchett. Through the eyes of the women of that era – both Schlafly and second wave feminists Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug and Jill Ruckelshaus – the series explores how one of the toughest battlegrounds in the culture wars of the 70s helped give rise to the Moral Majority and forever shifted our political landscape.”

Aduba is one of 11 actors who have been selected so far to play in the nine-episode series that will premiere in 2020. The series, which is written by Emmy-winning producer Dahvi Waller, is executive produced by Waller, Coco Francini, Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck and Blanchett. 

The FX series will be the second portrayal of Chisholm coming up as Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis will also portray the politician and civil rights activist in a movie that she is producing at Amazon Studios. According to Deadline, Maggie Betts will direct the screenplay that will be written by Emmy-nominated writer Adam Countee. 

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In self development By

OBIANUJU AKINLOLU: THE BEST ADVICE I EVER GOT

Identify what your life’s goals are, and be determined to eliminate distractions that may hinder you from achieving them!

I wish I could convince you that you have never heard this advice before. It is something I had perceived to have a negative connotation, and I guess you also share(d) the same notion. But here I am, trying to change your mind and, essentially, change your life.

The advice is simply “always look out for number 1.”

My earliest reaction to this statement was to Ctrl+Del from my memory. But, like every advice built to tackle your insecurities, this one hit deep and was determined to remain in my consciousness, until I began to question what it really meant to look out for number one.

Does it mean I should put my needs before others? Isn’t this a selfish line of thought? You see, it is true that people criticize what they do not understand or things that touch sensitive spots. Let me call you out on this note: you give too much of yourself but barely get anything in return. You are your biggest limitation, because you do for others things you hardly do for yourself. The whole world’s problem is on your shoulders, as if you do not have problems of your own. Sound familiar? Please dear, these are proven foundational triggers of depression.

Do not get me wrong, I do not believe in taking a self-centered approach to life, thinking solely about yourself alone and carrying out actions that intentionally hurt people around you. My point is to give top priority to the pursuit of happiness, because happiness is no doubt the ultimate goal in life. In fact, you should guard your happiness so jealously that no-one will have the power to define it for you.

Let us begin by establishing that ‘number one’ is you and everything that’s important to you, everything you find fulfilling, everything that makes you strive to be better. There are quite a number of instances that if we think deep enough, it won’t be hard to recall when we put others’s needs above ours.

When you look out for number one, you are thinking and critically taking decisions that affect you positively. You must begin to question your motives to ensure that it benefits you in the long term. This is not selfish, especially bearing in mind that there is an existent ’cause and effect’ principle of life: meaning whatever you do will affect you either positively or negatively, the question is would you rather live with the negative, or perhaps, not so favourable effect?

The idea of looking out for number one also brings to the fore the importance of consciousness in decision making and questioning the norms. It also calls for a deeper understanding of what your values are: can any/everyone define your moral judgement and are you easily influenced by people in your circle. Can you also analyse this circle to ascertain whether or not it is facilitating positive growth?

Wondering why it may be hard to accept this advice? Well, there are two broad reasons.

The first is the fact that we live in a somewhat communal society, where families and associates are close knit. The implication of this is the pressure it has for individuals to ‘live’ for their families and people around them. The second is the fact that we are too quick to judge such an advice without carefully weighing its possible connotations.

Let me add a third one, which I find rather humorous: it is that a lot of selfish and self-centered people live by this principle. Which makes me question whether the concept was established by selfish propagators, or if the narrative behind the concept is facilitated by the kinds of people who practice it, thus creating a stereotype. A typical chicken and egg situation, don’t you think?

Bottom line is to first identify what your life’s goals are, and be determined to eliminate distractions that may hinder you from achieving them. Because at the end of it all, we are all chasing something. Will you help someone chase theirs while you leave yours to suffer?

This is what we mean when we say to always look out for number one.

About Obianuju

Obianuju is a brand and communication specialist. She is passionate about development communication and the use of community radio in rural development

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KYLIE JENNER HIRES $250M SUPER YACHT FOR 22ND BIRTHDAY PARTY

Reality vv star and entrepreneur Kylie Jenner is having no holds barred in preparation for her 22nd birthday party.

According to TMZ, the billionaire hired a $250m super yacht to throw her biggest birthday party till date with family and friends.

The 300-ft vessel boasts rooms for 22 guests, including a master suite and three VIP staterooms, a spa, a beauty salon, a cinema, a gym, a deck-pool, an outdoor bar, its own helipad and is serviced by a 29-person strong crew.

Kylie was recently named the youngest self-made billionaire ever by Forbes magazine, with her beauty empire Kylie Cosmetics estimated to be worth at least $900 million.

Check out the interior of the massive super yacht below:

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SERENA WILLIAMS BECOMES SECOND BLACK WOMAN TENNIS PLAYER TO GET A WHEATIES BOX

We’ve run out of words to describe how amazing Serena Williams is. Thankfully, her latest accomplishment speaks for itself.

Today Williams revealed her own Wheaties box, following in the footsteps of Althea Gibson by becoming the second Black woman tennis player to cover the cereal known as “The Breakfast of Champions.”

As a four-time Olympic gold medalist and the winner of 72 career titles, Williams epitomizes what it means to be a champion on and off the court. In addition to being an entrepreneur, fashion designer and advocate for equality, she has championed others who are following in her footsteps in tennis as well as the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

In a statement released on General Mills’ blog, Williams shared what the Wheaties box means to her.

“I have dreamt of this since I was a young woman and it’s an honor to join the ranks of some of America’s most decorated athletes. I hope my image on this iconic orange box will inspire the next generation of girls and athletes to dream big,” she said.

Wheaties announced the new cover on their Instagram account with the hashtag #ShesAChampion and we agree. You can grab the limited-edition box in the U.S. over the next month.

Source: Because of them we can

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MEET THE MOTHER WHO CREATED AN ALL NATURAL DEODORANT FOR KIDS

One mother was so tired of her child coming in the house “smelling like outside,” that she decided to create an all natural deodorant specifically for kids.

“My son, Kameron, who was six at the time, was between basketball camp and smelled horrific! My exact words were, ‘You smell like a grown man,’” she told Because of Them We Can.

After researching various deodorants and their ingredients, she decided that the right solution for her son would be one that she crafted in her very own kitchen.

“To my surprise, he loved it and told his campers and requested I make his deodorant for all the kids at camp. After my initial refusal, I quickly reconsidered once it hit me that it was a genius business idea.”

The mother of three believes parents shouldn’t have to subject their children to the chemicals and toxins found in the popular deodorants she researched. She says that having lost a godmother to breast cancer and grandmother to Alzheimer’s, both linked to aluminum which can be found in most antiperspirants, she knows the danger all too well.

“Our mission is to educate families of the harms of traditional antiperspirants while providing natural deodorant parents will never feel guilty about.”

In a little over one year since launching, Play Pits has served over 3,000 customers and can be purchased both online and in multiple retail stores across the country. The brand features scents like, “Happy with lavender” or our favorite, “Sonshine with orange and peppermint.”

Powell credits her ability to balance the business with her role as wife and mother to her supportive village.  

“Play Pits is a family business, my husband and 3 kids are my co-owners but my our family and close friends have helped us since the beginning as my formula testers, labelers, packers, and most importantly watching our kids while we work events to grow our business.”

She says that although Play Pits is marketed towards kids, the product can be used by active kids at heart as well.

To learn more about Play Pits visit www.playpits.com. 

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