Business Day Millenial Hangout(Women’s Edition)

So yesterday was probably one of the best days at work for me. First of all I never stay behind for any events/get together that’s past 4pm,because its my closing time and I’m staying on the mainland right now but when I got an email of the lined up events we’re to have this week;I just lost it. Firstly its a Women themed hangout,there was going to be refreshments and most importantly one of the ladies I admire so much in the media,Mtv Base VJ K’Ola was invited as one of the panelists(second picture from the left). This alone had me waiting at work late till 6,which was when the event started even when it was written clearly to start and end from 5-8pm.

The first speaker was Moboola,a beautiful Lawyer that I loved so much on what and how she spoke about her experience in the legal field,getting clients,progressing in her field dominated by men which by the way was the topic of the evening”Glass Ceiling'(breaking the glass ceiling in business,your career,etc). K’Ola was the second speaker,then Michelle(C.O.O Workstation) and lastly Omowunmi(A Business developer). These ladies spoke so eloquently,freely and humbly. They shared their experiences and gave advises on how to move forward,be progressive in your job in order to pursue your dreams(which was called being intentional).

I loved it but here’s what I think about the program entirely. After it all,on my way home with my friends,we talked about the whole thing and I realized that they felt just the same way I was feeling(which is how you know you have the right friends by the way). First of all,having a class or an event that encourages youths and young women is really good but when maybe its just one person on an entire panel that speaks to your life directly then isn’t that a problem?. I’m trying to point out that,you can advise me for all that is well but no one could really give you a proper advise/tip on what you should do for yourself if the person has never experienced struggle like you have. Three of the ladies from the panel,had spent nearly 20 years of their life outside the country(Nigeria),got back and started something for themselves with dollar money in their account,abroad school on their CV,English accent on their tongues and other things also. My lifestyle,background and hustle ain’t really like yours,so erm…your advise or tips may be good but I really can’t see how I fit into it entirely if we coming from different paths. I am not saying that people who have schooled outside Nigeria are smarter or better than us,am only stating the obvious;they have more and better opportunities than us who have lived here all our lives. Which is why even when someone travels just two weeks or for summer,he/she automatically comes back with some British assent o because they know whatsup. That is usually what employers are looking for. Nobody cares if you finished with First class or Second class upper anymore,its what school did you go to.

Let me break it down for you. Firstly,employers would sieve the resume on graduates from UK,USA,Canada then any other country before they come down to private universities in Nigeria(the really really expensive ones because there are still levels in these ones too),then federal schools before state universities. After all of these,if there are still more slots they look for the First class people here. That is it. So how do I try to work out someone’s lifestyle or advise who has only stayed in Nigeria for three years now and is still saying that Nigeria’s sun is too tough,Nigeria is a struggle,or only uses uber,personal driver every single place she goes to. My sister,I appreciate it,but until you have walked in my shoes or in a similar unknown brand then I’ll understand what you’re saying to me. Until then,my ears are still shaking.

It really may work for some people,of course but not all of it could work for me. This is why I really don’t like attending shows like these because they got people who ain’t so relatable to their audience lives speaking to them. And so I feel motivated for a minute but then I think to myself like yo!that part she just said wouldn’t work for you especially here in Nigeria. I believe until we get more speakers that a lot of young hustling Nigerians/people can relate to then people would truly believe in the come up and stay motivated in other people’s stories. I feel like I need to hear and know more people who have fought for things that they want for themselves,all while staying here in Nigeria. Staying with the weather,nepotism,harassment,fuel scarcity,terrible government,traffic jam,over-spirituality,brokeness,and everything naija comes with. I feel the need to her speakers like that talk to me about business in Nigeria. Especially starting a business at this day and age,not back in the day;that’s all.

Let me know what kind of speakers you like listening to. What kind of motivational stories/testimonies get you pumped up again. Also let me know if you liked this post and would like to see me talk about similar experiences too.