LAGOS MEMOIRS (I)..The People.

Oya blog lovers, allow me plead my astrological inclination this time round to elucidate my hiatus and erratic on-off behavior from the blog. I'm a Gemini which entails, sometimes, a level of unfathomable procrastination not to mention a full diary because in my seemingly quiet nature, i'm quite the social birdie (Ok, info. not good for the employer so lets move on from that. PS..I'm learning to use 'big' words. everything here is big..from the children, to the homes, to the pests!!)

Disclaimer: Although I have not been posting, I have been writing and this post may contain an aggregate of thoughts I accumulated from whence I boarded my flight to today, Sep. 28th  (Four weeks later). In short, long-ish post which I may have to serialize.

I've been in Lagos (Nigeria) since the start of September attending a leadership training course. Tidbits and lessons from the course have been (..,and will continue to be..) shared on my Facebook page to give me enough space to share and rant about my Lagosian experience(s)/observations.

This is not my first time in Lagos but it certainly is the longest I've been here and away from home at that.

It’s a different society here. They are outrageously courageous. Outgoing, too.

There are different breeds of them.

The middle-aged man in a kaunda suit. This one is more often than not locally educated. In the eras when 'Nigerian education' was, well, education. Not in these times needing and begging for reforms every second hour. He's more often than not married or widowed. His kids are foreign schooled. He doesn’t trust the local systems..They are 'aje-pako'. He has standards set for his kids. They can either choose to study law, medicine or engineering. Careers worth mentioning in public. Marketing, Literature and Librarian studies are for mama Ada's children in the village. The UK and USA are favored destinations for this education.

As regards marriage(s), the kids must marry to form a merger with a worthy family. Diplomat’s daughter marries acclaimed professors son. Politicians spawn marries into a business empire. They cannot marry the farmers spawn(Unless off course the farmer is the 'ranch type'..and there are not too many ranches in this neck of the woods). They have high uncompromisable standards for their kids.

There's the self composed suit wearing type with a resume from Nairobi to Timbuktu. He has 6 degrees from different universities across the globe. He doesn't say much but frowns at any faltered pronunciation. Gives the side eye when you pay no regard to the starters on the table and choose to start with the main course. He cringes when you don't notice that your cabernet sauvignon has been served in a flute champagne glass instead of bordeaux glass. His women must have a resume to accompany their fine looks. His public displays of fine breeding are almost impressive. Well, at least until you interact with him and realize that Mama Ada's kids in the village are better off. He is more often than not only able to attract the breed that his dear 'Mommy' would not condone in her house. He likes this girls but the ‘training’ he has amassed over the years on what life should be does not allow him to express it. I, especially, do not like this one. Saving face and keeping up appearances are the order of the day.

Then there’s the 'local' one who is comfortable in both the 'kaunda' suit, a 'suit suit' as well as the agbada. This one has attended local schools. Magna cum laude in all facets of his educational life. Very determined chap. He has a few certificates from nearby south Africa but feels like he has traversed the globe and the masses should listen to his advice. His on/off bi-annual trips have him revered in his 'local circles'. He is a director of a company (his own) whose turnover he cannot calculate for the life of him. He is out to make millions so that he and Babaoluwa’s sons can be at per. How he makes it does not matter. The numbers crunched at the end of the day are his main focus.

The older gentleman whom I love to admire..This one is foreign schooled. Retired or probably serving in a committee needing in his advice. A few grandkids. His kids are not stifled as to whom they should marry. He knows where he is coming from. He values potential more than anything else. Somebody valued his..he is giving back to society by valuing those who have shown effort that is as worthy.

He was schooled in the era when Nigeria still bore values and respect to Mother Nature and culture was not regarded archaic. He has earned his refined state but does not bother to overstate it. He respectfully exerts his authority without having to use perambulating, excruciating, surreptitiously and resuscitation in the same sentence. He has it together. He guides younger spawn regardless of its parentage or heritage. There's an aura to him that begs your ear whenever he's in your presence.

PS..I find that there is a minority who actually manage to let go and live life ignoring the norm that is the pretentious and exorbitant nature that SOMETIMES defines Lagos.

There is a lot of bashing of systems in Lagos. Electricity, Education, Infrastructure, Marriage…the list goes on. Surely, all of these systems cannot be defunct. Some of the most skilled professionals and entrepreneurs I've interacted with are from this end. If the local system(s), say for example education, was that bad, these people would be nonexistent. I agree, some do need fixing, like electricity. The noise of a generator in a small house is not something I’d wish on my worst enemy(well, apart from the taxi drivers who have decoded my foreign accent to mean I have ‘plenty dollar’!)

The systems on the ground, I must say, have made for a hardy breed of people who can pretty much survive ANYWHERE in the world.

Exeunt the men, come in their women..stay tuned for the next post J

Xoxo,

Kazini Daily

MY HUSTLE: TICHIE PLUS SIZE MODELLING AGENCY

Meet Judy Cherotich. Judy is the owner of Tichie Plus Size modelling agency. For this particular hustle, the pictures will do more of the talking.

 

 

She is also a make-up artist cum stylist who uses her innate ability to bring out the best in her clients portfolio as well as manage those interested in her plus size modelling agency.

 

Judy started the agency not too long ago and is looking to tap the plus size market of models in East Africa and eventually the rest of the continent. She is a student of Public Relations and has a business background which has been of great use in running the agency.

Her advice to anyone looking to start something is not to wait till the money comes but to use the skills they have to tap into the market.

She quotes a favorite speaker of mine and says,

"I'm often asked how to start investing with
little or no
money.
Please hear this as
this is the hardest thing for people to
understand: you do
NOT invest with money! You invest with your
mind! No
matter what the field, your biggest asset is
your mind.
Once you have knowledge, you find deals,
find your team
and use other people’s money. You sell the
deal and
your team to get investment money." Sam Adeyemi.

                                   

Let me know what you think of her hustle!!! Also, check out her page HERE for auditions and any inquiries you might have.
Xoxo,
Kazini Daily.