I Will Employ People

I WILL EMPLOY PEOPLE, NO ONE WILL EMPLOY ME- OLADEJI ABOSEDE

Meet Oladeji Abosede, a graduate of Business Administration and the CEO of Ayanfe-Ola Business World; who has trained over 2,000 people in various handworks.

This is an interesting piece and I assure you that you would never be bored

Could you please introduce yourself?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World- My name is Oladeji Abosede Felicia and I’m the third of 5 children. I had my primary school education in Ogun state and then had my secondary school education in Lagos state. I graduated from Osun State University where I studied Business Administration; I’m the CEO of Ayanfe-Ola Business World.

How was growing up like? You had your primary school in Ogun state and Secondary School in Lagos state... Was there any form of migration at any point?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - Hmmmmm...! Growing up wasn’t a bed of roses. I was with my parents during my primary school education but I had to stay with my aunt for my secondary school studies.

You studied Business Administration, what necessitated your choice of course in the University?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - Well, I grew up knowing my mother as a businesswomanand I also discovered that I have a special interest in business. Having known the mind of God concerning where I was going in life, I decided to put in for Business Administration and God made it possible. About knowing the mind of God for me, I believed in God and I followed His guidance because I didn’t want to make any mistake in my life, so I prayed and I believed.

At what age did you decide that your career path was business?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - Since I was very young, and I believe I also took the interest from my mother.

So your mother has a major influence on your career path?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - Yes o...my gold. I love her!

Do you plan to have a salary paying job and still combine that with your business, or its only business?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World – No, I don't even plan that. I have decided since my childhood that I will never work for anyone. Instead, I will employ people, no one will employ me

Take us through your business journey

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - As a businesswoman, I’m into different things, but my main vision is to have a training school on handworks. I started by learning different skills and till now I’m still learning because I believe learning has no end. Right now, I’m a professional in all my handworks and I also train people; I train both offline and online. 

My handworks include; Makeover, Event decoration, Event planning, Bead making, Bag making, Bridal hand fan, Nails fixing, Cake making, Skincare,Shoemaking, Wig making and many more. My business name is AYANFE-OLA BUSINESS WORLD and I started operations in 2013. With plans to have a business school, the company would have a subsidiary and that would be AYANFE-OLA BUSINESS WORLD TRAINING SCHOOL

You are involved in over 9 different hand works/businesses, how have you been able to combine them all?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World – These are things I love to do, being my passion and with the help of God, I have been able to keep pushing further

Which of the handwork is your favourite?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - Hmm… Do I have favourite? Seriously all my handworks are my favourite because I don’t take one work as being superior to or more important than the others. But if you insist, that would be bead making.

But which one has brought in more income?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - Cake making and skin care

You started your business while in school (2013). How was like it combining business and education together?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World – To be honest, it wasn't easy, but I didn't allow my business to affect my education. I set my priorities right. Also, I didn't start all the handworks at once, I started with bead making first, then I learnt cake making, decoration, skin care, ankara bag and shoe afterwards while I was still in school and after school, I learnt make-up and other things.

You are into a lot of handworks; catering, beads, makeup, wigs, event planning...And many more. Are you not a jack of all trades but master of none?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - No. I am a Professional in all. I am certified in all I do

So you consider yourself to be an expert in all your handworks?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - Yes and I’m proud of it

The highest point of your business career

Ayanfe-Ola Business World – That would be when I started getting orders from people outside of my state. This gave me more confidence in my work as I was getting more customers outside my region and it’s still happening till now. In fact, every day in my business is a memorable one.

On the other hand, what would you consider as your lowest moment?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - Every business has their ups and downs, but what matters most is the effort put together so as to ensure that the business is running at all cost...

You just finished your NYSC. How would you describe this one year journey?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - The experience was cool and wonderful. I served in the Northern part of the country, Kebbi State to be precise. It wasn’t easy adapting to the environment at first; meeting different people that speak a different language from mine, but as months kept counting, I began to learn and understand their way of life. In all, it is an experience I will never forget in my lifetime

Your take on whether the government should continue or cancel the scheme

Ayanfe-Ola Business World – The scheme is okay and all I will say is that the government should increase the allowance.

Still talking about the government, what are your thoughts about the Buhari administration so far?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - Looking at the situation of things, he is trying and the sun in the sky is still more than enough to put many things in order. Only God can do it not Buhari...

The President recently said the youths just sit down and want free things, what can you say about this?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - I would like to use this opportunity to say that Nigeria youths are not lazy as said by the President. We are brilliant, strong, courageous, industrious, bright and vibrant and whether our leaders like it or not, we are coming over to rule the affairs of this great nation very soon. We should not allow that statement to bring depression on us, rather, as a stepping stone to come together as youths to work hand-in-hand to decide our fate. You know when an end is coming to a particular generation; many things are bound to happen. In the light of this, we are the hope of this nation. 

Our intelligence is highly needed in the political affairs of this nation. Instead of grumbling over what was said, why can't we sit down and think about our future? Our future is not in the hands of our leaders, it is in our hands. I am a youth of this nation and I will never allow anybody to decide my fate other than God. Let us support each other by getting ourselves involved in the governance of this nation. The change will only come through the youths because we are the strength and the glory of this nation. We have all what it takes to govern this nation.

Back to your business, what makes you stand out from your competitors?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - Well, I am just myself, what actually makes me stand out is not mere work of my hand or my knowledge in this line of business. The last time I checked, I realized its God behind me.

What has God been using in you to make you stand out?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World – Hmmm! All I notice about me and my business is that I am transparent, diligent and sincere. I didn't know this until when some customers began to recommend me for works within and outside my State. I have clients from different parts of the country that request for my service and even outside Nigeria. In fact, many of them pay upfront for the service of which I have never for once disappointed them.

 I conduct online training where many people from all over the world have access to at their own comfort and it has been really interesting. Many of these clients pay into my account without even seeing each other face to face and I render the service(s) required for.  All these gave me the goodwill that makes people request for my service. And as I said earlier, it is God all the way

About your online training, how has this been? How have you been able to successfully conduct this training? How many trainings have you had

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - My online training started when I was in school and I opened a Facebook account so as to reach out to people which is also a medium foradvert. I have the online training via WhatsApp platform and it’s been 4 years since I started this training. I have empowered thousands of people via this online training with a lot of testimonies from my students. My online training covers MAKEUP, SKIN CARE, WIG, CAKE, SNACKS, ANKARA BAG AND SHOE, EVENT DECORATION, BEAD MAKING, LIQUID SOAP AND MANY MORE. I have been able to conduct training successfully through commitment because is not easy at all but because I desire to empower as many people as I can in order to reduce the level of unemployment in the nation and also to make them self-employed.

So are you saying you've trained more than 1,000 people?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - Yes! As a matter of fact, more than 2,000

For those interested in learning one craft or the other from you, how can they contact you and how much do you charge?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - They can contact me on this number 07060936861 or WhatsApp number: 09027681958. The charge is based on the type of training and the handwork to be learnt. My Facebook page is Ayanfe-ola business world and my Instagram page is @Ayanfeolabusinessworld. Training is both offline and online. I’m based in Ogbomosho, Oyo state but I’m mobile.

Your plan and vision for your business for the next 5 years?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - My plan is to have training institutions across the 36 states of this country because I want to touch as many lives as I can by God's help and Grace and my vision is to have over 1 million trainees in the next five years. I can see God helping me

…And how do you plan to achieve this?

Ayanfe-Ola Business World – Organizing training on different skills across the states, while I partner with various other people in order to conduct the training. Having government support would be great as this would make the training to be conducted at a subsidized amount.

Social Life…

Ayanfe-Ola Business World - Despite my busy schedule, I still have time to rest in order not to break down. I take time off on Sundays only. My hobbies include; reading, cooking, singing, dancing, praying, learning new skills, chatting, listening to music…

Relationship

Ayanfe-Ola Business World – I’m engaged

Final words from you...

Ayanfe-Ola Business World – Special appreciation to my Parents, thanks for the prayers, to my siblings, thanks for the support, to my man, thank you dear for always standing by me not forgetting my students and my customers for trusting in me, I love you all and I promise never to disappoint you. To all those who have taken their time to read this interview, thank you all and feel free to contact me for your works, training or any other related activities. AYANFE-OLA BUSINESS WORLD.

Thank you all for reading. Such in case you would want to be interviewed or have anyone that needs to be interviewed to showcase your (his/her) works, do feel free to contact.

Interview conducted and compiled by Oladapo Siyanbola

Twitter & IG @dapo_dmart

09032261797 08077284302 (WhatsApp)

The Sour Seed

       THE SOUR SEED

My name is Adebola and this is my story.

I finally chatted him up 'Hi, good afternoon, we need to talk, something is up'. I waited for minutes, then hours, I could no longer hold it, so I called him, 'Hello, did you get my message on WhatsApp?' From the tune of his voice, I knew he knew and I knew his answer already. 'lets chat on WhatsApp' I said. It was like it took him years to give a response 'okay'. As I ended the call, I burst into tears and couldn't control myself.

Then the message came in 'good evening, what's up'. I made up my mind to go straight to the point. 'I missed my period, I am three weeks out', 'Alright, I'm listening' he replied. 'I just took the home pregnancy test, It's positive'. Seconds stretched into minutes and still no reply from him. I continued crying as I kept starring at my phone, then it happened 'do you want us to talk about it? because I can remember that night you came to my room, we used withdrawal method.' I slipped off the arm chair I was on and wept in reckless abandonment upon hearing reading those words.

How could he say something like that, doesn't he know that withdrawal method is not 100% Safe, or am I chatting with the wrong person? I said to myself. I summoned morale to continue the conversation, 'What exactly are you trying to say?' 'am not responsible for your pregnancy. I was already suspicious you were trying to lure me into your devilish plan, I am not the only one you are seeing, so just stop it, get rid of it and don't disturb my life in any way'.

I have always been a mummy's girl, I wouldn't take decisions without my parents, but when it comes to love, I see myself as old enough to handle such. So when I made up my mind to succumb to his pressure, I believed myself to be making the right decision, at least I thought. Bolaji my last boyfriend really loved me despite everything people said about couples having sexual relations outside marriage. 

I never would have believed Tomiwa would break my heart. I couldn't help but remember the first time we met at New Buka, on campus. Looking ravishing in his casuals, pink lips and golden eyes, I felt I have met my heart throb. How I love to explore, and the moment Tomiwa said he was a part 4 medical student, I felt connected to him instantly. As a part 3 English student, my ascination grew and it developed into something more than I can even explain.

Now, here I am, my mother's words hunting me 'you are responsible for every decisions you make', still on the floor blaming myself 'why did I go to his room that night? I should have insisted on No, and stood my grounds, why? We had agreed on no sex at the beginning, how could I have been so stupid'. I wept and wept, till I could signal my tear gland informing me that it will soon run out of water. No one was there to console me, all I could see was my parent's faces, 'How disappointed they would be', I was their joy, their pride, their muse 'Oh how could  I do this to them, to myself, to God.' I knew I got away the first time I did it. I should have just taken the hint. Life just has a way of dealing with me doesn't it!? I have a decision to make but tonight, i would just let the tears fall.

What should she do?

Inform her parents?
Talk to a friend?
Keep the pregnancy.
Abort it?
Drop out of school and keep the pregnancy secret?
Blackmail Tomiwa and drag him into accepting the pregnancy?
Run away?

We will love to hear from you as your comments and contributions will go a long way and will be highly appreciated. 

Blindfold

               BLINDFOLD

It is with pain in my heart and tears in my eyes that I write this piece. I have never expected my life to turn out this way most especially when it had to do with the decision I made out of love. You can be right to say I was blinded by love, but I guess the blindfolds have fallen off. It is now too late to leave after all the time and years I have invested thinking things will turn around and he will get back to his default mood  on how we used to be. 

This is a true life story, so I hope you will learn from it. Please don’t castigate me or cry for me, I only did it cause of love. After all, love they say is blind.

She was always good at everything but she never thought she would be the worst when it came to marital choice. Chioma likes to think of herself as a strong woman, why wouldn't she, she has always been a survivor and a dedicated woman.

One thing Chioma never did was betray the man she loves. She never said no, she never spoke out of turn, she never disrespected him. She bore him two beautiful kids but he wouldn't even look at them least of living with them, he passes them by and waves them away like strangers-his own seeds. He married another wife, who gave him four kids, and he gives them all he has, yet! Chioma loves him even though she knows he would never love her back.

Chioma never gave up, she found delight in her kids whom she sacrificed 30years of her life in a one-sided love marriage to. She wakes up every morning with memories of her past and present day reality staring her down in the face. Her children never understood her, they never knew why she stayed. Everyday they asked her, why mother? why can't you leave this house, this man and give us the joy of not having to see you suffer, of not having to languish in pain and disgust at our very own father, why mother!? why?

She sat at her special sit rocking back and forth as the chair creaked staring at her husband of 30years and still not knowing where she got it all wrong. She leaned back and let her mind wander far and wide to the very beginning, when she found out she was going to be fatherless for the rest of her life.

Oh! she was so green, the brightest of a multitude of children, yes, she was from a polygamous home but her father loved her the most. She was beautiful, well mannered and did everything to put a smile on her father's face who would do anything to see her to the greatest height.

The day her father died was the beginning of a nightmare and an undoing for her. Her mother was more concerned about having children with several men than taking responsibility for her daughter. Chioma knew her life was over but she never gave up, she wanted to be a medical doctor but all hopes were bashed in, so she struggled, got herself a two degrees in Economics and Political Science. And how would life pay her back, by making her make the worst decision of her life. You can say she was simply blindfolded.

When Chioma met Idris, he was so handsome, the happening man in town, who just came back from Germany after his degree in Political Science. He married her and they were the happiest couple, blessed, they weren't rich but they loved each other and they were happy, that was all that matters. However, the day he dug his manhood in another woman's cookies, she knew that was the end of their happiness, most times she blamed herself thinking she pushed him away because she was too clingy. She gave up her banking job and took up teaching just to feel closer to the man whom she never thought would come to betray her.

So, when she made the decision to stay, she knew he would never love her again but she was determined not to be stigmatized like her mother was and she wouldn't let another man treat her like filth. The known devil is better than the unknown angel. Chioma was determined to do right by her children, she stayed to fight for them, she suffered hardships and neglect for her children, she couldn't even leave anymore, the children are already matured, each pursuing their goals in life. 

Once she tried to leave and he threatened to do everything to make sure her children never amounted to anything in the society, his own seeds. So she stopped and chose to say for her children.

Oh! Chioma, how she loves him still, she kept holding on to the good times they had and never complained, not once. She saw her children through the University, she took care of all their needs, she borrowed for them, the sacrifices of an African woman. And all he did was plant the seed and let her do the upbringing until it was time for harvest. What can she do, He is the man, well respected in the society, a high ranking chief, a father of many nations yet he beats his wife.

Chioma sat still, as she stared at this man going on and on gloating about how he takes care of his family to his friends and chiefs. So much pride in his stature, boasting about his children, of how he has an actress, an artist, an accountant, a doctor. She never said a thing against him for 30years and she wouldn't start now, but somewhere in her heart she wished she could undo everything and go back to that day she said yes to him.

She wakes up every morning and calls him my husband, praises him and yet she is dying on the inside hoping, just hoping that one day he would look back and tell her he was sorry but that day might never come because he is a man, and men are men. He broke her everyday but one thing he could never break was her spirit to continue living, loving nevertheless and staying strong because that is all she needs to survive 30years of a loveless marriage. 

Chioma knows he would never love her again but she loves him still and she doesn't hold it against him, her mother was always right, do not blame other people for your own God damn decisions when they come to hunt you.

If you are to advice Chioma what will your advice be to her. Feel free to drop your comments has they will go a long way and will be highly appreciate.

**Written By Anonymous**