The Spark Magazine (May 2018)

MAY
2018
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT MAGAZINE
FREE WITH BUSINESS DAY LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

www.thesparkng.com
The Spark | Ignite/Connect/Achieve
FROM OUR GUEST EDITORS
BE THE SPARK
e believe each individual is gifted with a
skill or talent, and has one burden or one
Wsocietal problem that they don’t like seeing.
That one burden or discomfort for that individual is
a problem that they can tackle. It is not just money
that is required to solve a problem. Your time, your
knowledge, your resources, your skill can be used
towards solving societal problems. Most times, you
cannot solve these challenges on your own but you
can collaborate to create the change you desire.
A social problem is a challenge that disrupts and
affects an individual’s well-being in society. There
are so many social challenges in Nigeria such as
unemployment, healthcare, education, corruption,
social injustice, terrorism, etc.
Funke Shonekan
Executive Director of the
Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation.
The Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation is a
non-governmental charitable organization that
focuses on its two centres: 1) The Centre for Peace &
Conflict Resolution (CPCR) and 2) The Centre for the
Promotion of Industrial Society and
Private Enterprise.
Tanwa Ashiru
founder of Bulwark Intelligence, a security, intelligence and
defense solutions company; Head of the Centre for Peace &
Conflict Resolution with the Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation.
In 2006, I (Funke Shonekan) founded a social enterprise called Young Adult
Professionals & Entrepreneurs also known as YAP&E. My passion has always
been networking and collaborations. This led me to get the opportunity
to be recognised as the Next Generation outreach ambassador for Nigeria
and the co-chair Regional Director for NEXUS, which is a global movement
that bridges the gap between Social Investors and Philanthropists to social
entrepreneurs.
Right now, the Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation – Centre for Peace and
Conflict Resolution (COF CPCR) has been actively working on programs
that directly impact individuals within the society by shaping their
mindsets about peaceful co-existence, conflict and how to best resolve
them.
One key way we have made impact has been in the area of encouraging
more Lagosians to support the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. This is
a non-politically aligned program that helps equip Lagos state law
enforcement agencies. You will find that as a result of this program, Lagos
state is one of the most peaceful and secure states in Nigeria despite its
huge population and local challenges.
We also teach members of the public about mediation techniques and
conflict resolution. We decided to partner with Project Secure toward the
upcoming Free Security and Safety seminar for Children in Lagos, in honour
of Children’s Day. We will be teaching the kids mediation techniques. It’s
important that they learn from an early age that violence is never the way
forward. There are peaceful means of solving our differences and agreeing
towards a common goal.
We have the next 7 months to create sustainable programs for impact. We
are going to develop sustainable, innovative and impactful programs
towards achieving our Sustainable Development Goals before 2030.
With the CPCR, one of the programs we will be implementing in the next
few months is a nationwide Mediation Training for Women in IDP Camps.
You see, women play a vital role in peace building and conflict resolution
in the society. They have the ability to mould the mindset of their children
who are the future generation of Nigeria. So if we start showing them the
necessary mediation, conflict resolution and peace building skills, they will
not only be able to teach their children peaceful ethics, but they will also
be able to intervene in conflict issues within their communities, by talking
some sense into those who they have influence over and consequentially
bring about a more peaceful society.
Our society is in need of more people who are willing to give themselves.
I (Tanwa Ashiru) understand it’s not always easy. In this part of town, your
time is money and you need money to eat. So it’s hard for people to give
their time, their money or their food!
But I believe we need to start thinking about others for a change. Let’s give
our knowledge, time and skills. That’s why we’re excited to work with The
Spark by BusinessDay on this edition of the magazine, with the theme,
“Social Entrepreneurship”.
This edition is packed with lots of knowledge in unique and exciting
content, including access to cash grants worth over a million Naira, insight
and clearer understanding of what social entrepreneurship is all about, as
well as several guides to help even the early starters find success.
The goal is to not only celebrate the brands that have chosen to give back
to their communities and the nation as a whole, but to give aspiring social
entrepreneurs, who carry the burden to provide empowerment solutions,
with a roadmap they can follow to help people, build brands and earn a
living while at it.
@thesparkng
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The Spark | Ignite/Connect/Achieve
Dr. Emmanuel Owobu
Contributors
is a medical doctor, social entrepreneur and mobile health enthusiast
with passion in public health, research, ehealth and ICT4D. He is
particularly interested in solving social problems in communities
using ICT, ranging from healthcare to access to education and
finances. A lover of new technologies and innovative trends as well as
always seeking to improve skills with every project done.
Simi Olusola
is the founding Executive Director of Aspilos Foundation. She has
been working in the not for profit sector for over 8 years with a focus
on education, secure livelihoods and governance as it concerns
young people. She has over 4 years of experience working as a
consultant. She is a lifelong volunteer with a passion for societal
development. She is also the founder of and resident consultant
at Nuach Consulting, a consulting company that provides end-toend
organisational setup, development and restructure for small
business and non-profits, project management services and personal
productivity improvement strategies.
Content
4
BOTTOM LINE
Time Is Your Biggest Leverage
6
WIREDIN
Social Entrepreneurship 101
Oluwatosin Olaseinde
Emmanuel Tarfa
is a chartered accountant with over 9 years of experience spanning
across accounting, audit, financial management and taxation. She is
the Founder/CEO of Money Africa, a platform that enhances financial
literacy and wealth management coaching. Prior to Money Africa,
Oluwatosin was a commercial finance manager at British American
Tobacco, providing commercial & financial advice on capital
investment and managing marketing investment budget in the 14
different markets across West Africa.
has 10 Years Strategy Consulting Experience with strong inclination
to: Strategic, Critical and Analytical Thinking, Problem Solving and
Value Creation. He is currently a Partner at Enzo Krypton & Company,
a Strategy Consulting Firm based in Lagos Nigeria. He is Passionate
about young people and job creation and has worked on some
proprietary solutions that could be explored to create millions of jobs.
8
9
12
13
Megasea Foundation and CleanWater4All.ng
Damilola Oyewusi
are co-founded by Biola Oladapo and Charles Oladapo which focuses
primarily on the provision of clean water for families and communities
across Nigeria. Their love for humanity is boundless, this has led to
a social impact-driven enterprise called Cleanwater4all.ng. They are
both activists against waterborne diseases and the availability of
portable water in hard-to-reach communities.
is a Content and Digital Marketing Strategist working in the Social
Innovation sector. She uses the power of strategic content and the
dynamic nature of marketing communications to influence and
amplify life-changing innovative solutions to social problems.
FASTFORWARD
Saving the World but Losing Yourself
PRO BONO
The Law and Social Entrepreneurship
FREESTYLE
Our Society Through Art
VITAL SIGNS
Entrepreneurship in a Silent Nigeria
Chiamaka Obuekwe (Social Prefect)
is a travel enthusiast, travel writer, tour guide and tour operator. She
is the CEO and Co-founder of the innovative company - Social Prefect
Tours: a tour operating company that promotes African tourism and
connects people and has organized over 50 tours since its inception
in 2015. She has been featured and interviewed on popular media
platforms including Guardian Life, Guardian woman, Genevieve
magazine, Bellanaija, Punch, Channels TV, Leading ladies Africa, etc.
Aderinsola Fagbure
is a Corporate lawyer with special interest in corporate governance.
She is a Senior Associate in the Transaction and Business Support
Practice of Esher and Makarios. She is a graduate of Igbinedion
University and has a Master’s Degree in Corporate Law from
University College London. She is a member of the African
Society of Crowdfunding. Her column “in black and white “which
is published in Thisday Law discusses innovations in corporate
governance and finance. Derin is passionate about advising small
businesses with a view to ensuring that they outlive their founders.
An active bar member, she currently serves as the Chairman of the
Young Lawyers’ Forum of the NBA Lagos Branch.
Copyright © 2018 Ice-One. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, without prior permission of Ice-One.
We do not endorse any products or services mentioned in any of the articles and are not responsible for the outcome of using such products or services.
14 23 28 30
THE SPARK EFFECT
- Tosin Ashafa
- Dr. Ola Brown
FEATURES
1. Finding Your Niche
2. Hello Social Entrepreneur
3. 5 Opportunities for Social
Entrepreneurs
4. Women Empowering Women
START UP
Fundamental Thought Processes
INTUNE WITH…
Social Prefect in The Gambia
Published By
Publisher
Frank Aigbogun
Head of Business Development &
Client Services
Ikenna Onuorah
Head of Marketing
Akintunde Marinho
Head of Business & Growth
Oghenevwoke Ighure
Editor
Anthony Osae-Brown
Head of Operations
Fabian Akagha
Head of
Advertising & Sales
Kola Garuba
Guest Editor
Funke Shonekan
and Tanwa Ashiru
Creative Director
Segun Adekoye
Art director
Kola Oshalusi
Advertising
Linda Ochugbua
Advert Manager
Adeola Ajewole
Head of Strategy
& Planning
Bankole Jamgbadi
Managing Editor
Lanre Solarin
Chief People Officer
Lehlé Baldé
Ass. Managing Editor
Ayandola Ayanleke
Chief Communications Officer
Janet Benson Amarhavwie
Empowerment Director
Jeremy Oparah
Specialist Editor
Michelle Edoreh
Design
Sodeinde Oladapo
In-house Photographer
James Otihi
Address:
The Spark: 21, Military Street, Off King
George V Street, Lagos Island.
BusinessDay Media Ltd: 6 Point Rd,
Apapa, Lagos.
Enquiries:
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+2348182799268
Email: info@thesparkng.com
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32 33
BRANDSPARK
Co-Creation Hub vs
Wennovation Hub
@thesparkng
WHAT NEXT?
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I
read a tweet once that claimed that 20s is for chilling and 30s
is for building.
You have got to be joking! I am not sure I have laughed as hard
as I did when I read it.
That tweet is so wrong. To build, you need a foundation. Your 20s
is for laying a solid foundation – in this case, foundation with
regards to investment. In your 30s and above, you can consolidate
on the foundation laid.
Bottom Line
Time Is Your Biggest Leverage
There is no better time to start investing than now. Tomorrow is not an option.
- By Oluwatosin Olaseinde
What are your options?
1. Savings account: This asset class offers an average of 5% per annum.
Nigeria’s current inflation rate is 12.5%, as a result the returns on
savings isn’t a good return for the money you worked hard for as it is
not high enough to beat inflation.
2. Treasury Bills/Government Bond: The government issues Treasury
Bills (T-Bills) and Government Bonds when it needs to borrow money.
T-Bills are short-term in nature while Government bond is long term.
For T-Bills, the interest is paid in advance. So for instance if you
invested N100,000 for a year and T-Bill rate is 12%, you will get the
interest of N12,000 in advance. Government bond interest is paid
every quarter. Always compare the rates on T-Bills and Bonds to
inflation rate.
3. Mutual Fund: This is an investment vehicle made up of a pool of
moneys collected from several investors for investing in securities
such as T-Bills, Bonds, equities, commercial papers and even real
estate.
The most common one is money market fund. Your capital is secured and
you can start with as little as N5,000. The rate ranges at 14%. With an
inflation rate of 12.5%. This is a good place to start.
4. Equities: The shares of a company measure its financial performance.
Nigeria stock exchange was the 3rd best performing exchange in the
world last year, it returned 43%; almost thrice the inflation rate. Do
your research, choose fundamentally strong stocks and invest. Equity
investment is a long-term play.
5. Real Estate: Real Estate generates return via capital appreciation,
due to increase in the value of the property, and through rental
income. In a country like Nigeria, a bulk of real estate growth comes
from appreciation of the property. Historically, real estate returns as
high as 40% per annum. Location and purpose of property plays a
critical role in value addition.
6. Personal Development: This is my favourite class of investment. You
– insert your name – are your greatest investment. Unlike all the other
options, you are immune to inflation rates, currency devaluation or
value erosion. Take that course that will take you to the next level,
take up new challenges, prepare for new opportunities, read those
books. Ensure you are deliberate about improving yourself.
It is one thing to know all the investment options available, it is another to
take the right step. Time is a great currency here and the earlier you start,
the better. It is easier to start now than trying to play catch up 15 years
to retirement. Besides, you owe it to yourself to pay yourself first, which
means investing now.
Before I proceed, in case you are in your 30s and you feel this
article isn’t for you. No, that’s not true. The best time to plant a
tree was 20 years ago, the second-best time is now.
I started my first job 10 years ago, when I turned 21. And I had no
savings culture or investment plan. This lingered for the first 5
years of my career. I went from zero salary to over one hundred
thousand per month and my expenses surprisingly grew at the
same pace.
Interestingly, over the years as I got an increase in salary, the
same pattern occurred. I acquired new taste and my expenses
grew at the same pace with my income.
Then I realized that in fact, it isn’t how much you earn but instead
what you do with what you earn. I had lost 5 years of an
opportunity to invest. I had lost 5 years to make my money
work for me. A portion that could have been invested had gone
unaccounted for.
Where do I start from?
Let me introduce you to our benchmark - Inflation.
Inflation measures sustained increases in prices of goods and
services in an economy over a period of time. In other words,
inflation signifies the time value of money. Tracking inflation
from an investment angle ensures that what I can buy with
N1000 in 2018, I can still buy it in the future with the N1000
plus the interest I earn on the N1000 capital. Whenever you are
investing, look for opportunities that give you a return that is at
the minimum, equal to the inflation rate. That way, the value of
money is preserved.
“
Whenever you are investing, look
for opportunities that give you a
return that is at the minimum,
equal to the inflation rate.
“
4 5
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Wired In
Social Entrepreneurship 101
People address social problems in different ways and Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin chose to
use Technology, a male-dominated space, as one of her empowerment vehicles for helping
young girls. In this interview, she uses her foundation and early years as a roadmap to help
others get started.
- By Lanre Solarin
Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin is the founder and Managing Director of Pearls Africa Youth
Foundation (PAYF), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that promotes the cause and
advancement of vulnerable young girls and women in underserved and underprivileged
communities in Nigeria for the purpose of economic independence, through different long term
projects with lasting impact.
As a social entrepreneur herself, Abisoye refers to aspiring social entrepreneurs as change agents;
folks not comfortable when they come across social problems. “Often times they move to action to
create a system that can resolve this issue or empower people to resolve the issues themselves. By
living in the environment in which that problem is predominant, they usually have a higher sensitivity
towards identifying social problems.”
According to her, a social problem is any situation, condition or behaviour that has negative
consequences on a large population or number of people; this is often generally recognized as a
condition that needs to be addressed.
the US Embassy in Nigeria and we got $8600 in 2016.
It hasn’t been easy getting bigger grants despite quite a number of
applications, but we are not relenting. We have learned to keep our
overhead cost low, and have dedicated volunteers who help out despite
not being paid enough, knowing that most of the girls don’t pay to acquire
these skills. I work at the NGO full time and this allows me to give in my
100% to ensuring the continuous growth of Pearls Africa and also to
constantly interact with our girls to see how well the trainings are helping
them develop too.
As a form of financial support, we offer our computer coding classes to the
privileged children at a premium to help offset the cost we bear for
equipping girls from marginalized society for free. Our ultimate goal of
providing young girls and women with an opportunity for a greater future
through I.T training, skill acquisition, internships and mentorships is our
constant motivation.
Solving Social Problems
Pearls Africa was created as an intervention to equip girls within the ages
of 10 and 17 with a marketable and functional skill to enable them have
a voice in the society and thereby adding value to themselves and the
GDP of the Country in the long run. We have sought and found vulnerable
female children and adolescents in public schools, slums, orphanages and
IDP Camps and we bring them into our Technology school for free to learn
a 21st century digital skill from which they can earn a living. Also, we have
been able to provide a bridge between girls at the lower classes of our
society and the middle class professional women who support and mentor
them.
At Pearls Africa, we run a number of projects to address the issue of gender
inequality especially with regards to employment opportunities. Our
projects include;
• Girls Coding (ICT/computer programing for girls)
• Empowered Hands (vocational skills for girls)
• EducateHer (scholarship to send girls to school)
• GC Mentors (professional ladies serving as mentors to our girls)
• Girls in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics for
undergrads) and
• A cultural exchange program where we connect the haves and the
have nots together for both parties to learn empathy and aspire to
be better.
Our programs extend further into the provision of a Safe Space for girls,
where mentors address questions from girls on personal health care,
career choices, child abuse and many other aspects of their lives. After
their training, we get Internship opportunities for trainees who meet
certain criteria.
Opportunities for Social Entrepreneurs
The Nigerian society today needs more social entrepreneurs because a lot
still needs to be done in almost every sector in Nigeria from health to
education, wealth creation, technology, agriculture (this is very crucial as
it’s mostly not considered to be a thing), banking, and many more.
“
I have learned that
when you are just
starting out, you
are first your own
PR manager.
“
Common social problems include: poverty, inequality, corruption, illiteracy, unemployment,
domestic violence, teenage pregnancy/early and forced marriages and many more.
The Pearls Africa Case Study
Pearls Africa started in 2012 with little or no growth at all.
We had loads of impactful events for 2 years without media coverage because we did not have the
means to. Most especially the network and relationship were lacking. Also being that I did not know
it as a major sector that deserves to be recognized as such, I just felt it was part of life and not to be
showcased.
When we started GirlsCoding late 2015, it was challenging getting brand new laptops for the girls
but then with contributions from family and friends we were able to get used laptops and eventually
we spent more money servicing the PC’s. My friends also played a major role by volunteering to
lecture students.
I have learned that when you are just starting out, you are first your own PR manager. We started
reporting our stories and journey on social media before major print media and bloggers came
calling. I feel we owe it to the Nigeria media house, both print and online, for the international
recognitions we have gotten.
We also had partnerships with well-known organizations that were able to give us technical
assistance. Sometimes, when looking to collaborate for growth, money isn’t the first thing to look
for; there are other forms of support like recommendations, office space usage on weekends,
mentors or instructors from their companies, etc.
Initially, most of our funds came from family and friends. Later on, we applied for a small grant from
Those who want to empower through skill acquisition will need to secure
partnerships with other tech related companies to help provide some
basic needs for tech training which can be very costly to maintain. Basic
needs include data services, a computer laboratory and skilled manpower,
to teach these technology skills in a very impactful and sound way.
Pearls Africa Youth Foundation is looking to scale and expand to other
states, as we presently support girls in Plateau state and Oyo state for
instance.
We will continue to organize many impactful trainings for our girls, we will
also be having mentorship sessions by professional ladies for our girls to
give them all the support they need. We plan to get #GirlsCoding to other
states in Nigeria and to other African countries in future.
On the long run we will be setting up a centre for girls, which would be
able to support a thousand girls per session. This will also serve as a home/
shelter for the homeless and a capacity development centre.
6 7
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“
FastForward
Saving the World
but Losing Yourself
It is commendable to desire to save the world and we
should celebrate it. However, even the world saviours
need to take a breather every now and then; that is what
keeps you going.
- By Simi Olusola
I
was at an event in April, 2018 and when the attendees were
asked why they want to be rich, the first thing almost everyone
said was that so they could help the poor and disadvantaged
people. A good number of us have this mind-set and while it is a
good way to think, it could also be dangerous if you do not help
yourself as well.
In the bid to create that solution that will change everyone’s life
radically, we sometimes forget that we also need help. We neglect
ourselves and end up becoming burnt out. How do you ensure
that you and your social enterprise are both thriving? Here are
a few ways you can save the world without ending up as one of
those to be saved especially in your first years of starting out.
1. Know When To Rest
Because we are young and full of energy, we tend to treat our
bodies with less care than it deserves. We are always multitasking,
always working and always on the move. When you do not have a
task you’re on, you feel like you are wasting time or you feel guilty.
You need to step away from it all occasionally, take a break and
rest. You need to set aside time, perhaps one weekend every
quarter where you just become deaf, dumb and blind to the work.
Sleep, eat, and hang out with friends. Just do something else out
of your daily routine that will help you relax.
Now do not work yourself to death every quarter with the plan to
take just that weekend off. Nah, it does not work like that. You
need to rest well consistently. Pace yourself well, do not lump
together all your tasks. Pace yourself.
2. Have A Side Hustle
This is super important. In the first few years of starting your social
enterprise, you are likely to be short on personal cash most of
the time. This is even truer for those whose social enterprises are
totally not-for-profit. Getting the money to fuel your vision is hard
to come by, so do not just expect people to drop cash into your
laps because you are saving the world.
To keep body and soul together and
to keep you from dipping your
hands into the organisation’s funds,
have something else that brings you
an income.
“
Therefore, to keep body and soul together and to keep you from dipping
your hands into the organisation’s funds, have something else that brings
you an income. What this means is that you will have to run two jobs.
Remember what I said in Point 1 above; do not burn the candle at both
ends because of your two jobs. If you have to increase the timeframe for
hitting your milestones so that you have a better work pace, please do so.
Some of the side hustles you can have include:
• Writing: You can write content for online and offline publications
and get paid. You have many things you can do in this space. You can
write people’s books, thesis, blogposts, product reviews and a whole
lot more.
• Freelancing: You can sign up with Fiverr, Upwork and the likes as a
freelancer and offer your services for a fee. The advantages of this
includes being able to pick what you want to work on and the flexible
timing.
• Consulting: You have probably put in a lot of effort into your social
enterprise and you definitely have gained some knowledge and
experience as a result. You probably even have the academic
knowledge to back it up. Why not offer to share what you know
with others in form of consulting packages? What have you learnt
so far that you think the market really needs? Share it with others.
As a consultant you can help troubleshoot and fix, train, monitor &
evaluate, develop models and designs and help others improve their
ventures.
• Remote part time employment: You do not want anything where
you have to be the one providing direction since you already do this
with your enterprise. I can relate to that feeling very well. Sometimes
you just do not want to be the person that the buck stops with or the
one responsible for high level decision making. You can find a junior
or associate remote role in a company anywhere in the world.
3. Know How And When To Delegate
Do not be caught in the ‘if I do not do it myself, it will not be done well’
trap. Except you are a one-man team, spread your tasks across your team
evenly. The earlier you start this, the better, so your team will not think you
suddenly decided to offload all your work on them. If you have not been
delegating before, I will advise that you phase your delegation. Do not just
dump twelve tasks on a person that is used to having three tasks per week.
Scale it up gradually.
Anything that does not HAVE to be done by you, feel free to give it to
someone else while you focus on other things. Do not let the fear of them
not doing it well stop you. If they do not do it well, help them go over it and
do it better on the next try. It might take longer but do not obsess over
that fact. Trust your team.
4. Collaborate
A true social entrepreneur is more concerned about the impact he/she is
making than about who will get the glory. Many people, in a bid to keep
spotlight on themselves, have lost the many advantages that collaboration
brings. Do not ‘tighten the world to your chest’. Come together with
organisation(s) that have complementary goals, put your skills and
resources together and make larger impact.
This way, you will be achieving more by doing less. A note of caution;
whatever form of collaboration you enter into must be guided and
guarded by the right documentation. All the parties involved should spell
out, agree to the terms and conditions, and append their signatures to it.
Everyone must be covered in the case of any eventualities.
We have enough cases of social entrepreneurs losing themselves in the
course of the work. You are important too. So remember to always
celebrate yourself and your little victories. Even if it is one person you
were able to impact, celebrate it. It is worth celebrating. Do not make light
of the great work you are doing. Keep at it!
This piece is dedicated to the late Samson Abioye of Pass.ng.
Pro Bono
The Law and Social Entrepreneurship
It might be a social enterprise but legal issues cut across all and every entity established within
a geopolitical space. That is why it is a matter of necessity to understand the legalities involved
before starting a social enterprise.
“
As the brain behind a
social enterprise,
you are accountable
to a wide range
of stakeholders,
including the local
community in which
the organization
operates.
- By Aderinsola Fagbure
As I go about, I hear people talk about their desires to give back to the society. This is not strange
because studies show that millennials are not only interested in posting profits, they are passionate
about purpose. Many of such people, particularly young ones say things like “Oh I have a strong
urge to give back, a mission to empower and mentor young ladies”, “I want to devote some time to teach
at schools and feed children and where possible carry out some medical outreach activities”.
I am excited hearing all this and I always have a few legal tips to offer such people. Generally, it is
important that the motive behind social entrepreneurship must be altruistic. The desire to contribute to
societal development should be driven by passion and nothing else. It should never be about being like
the Jones’s. Yes, I am aware that your mentor has a foundation. You do not necessarily have to set up
your own, you may opt to volunteer and assist others in their mission to make the world a better place.
Anyone who sees himself or herself as a social entrepreneur would do well to have a look at the tips
below. However, please note that the tips below do not in any way constitute legal advice.
8 9
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“

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Set Up a Legal Structure
If you are really serious about getting involved in social entrepreneurship,
you must do it within a structure that is legal and can allow for perpetuity.
After all, I am sure you would be happy to see your legacies live after you.
In terms of structure, three options are open to you as explained below;
A. Carry out a great deal of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
activities within your existing business structure:
Sometimes a hybrid approach can be adopted by a social entrepreneur
with a view to making meaningful contributions to the development
of society, by setting aside a portion of profits for CSR activities. Also
the entrepreneur could set up a for-profit business to provide a social
or ecological product or service. In this instance, profits are generated,
but the main aim is not to maximize financial returns for shareholders
but to grow the social venture and reach more people in need. Wealth
accumulation and dividend sharing is not a priority and profits are
reinvested in the enterprise to fund expansion. The entrepreneur of a
social business venture seeks investors who are interested in combining
financial and social returns to their investments.
B. On the other hand, the entrepreneur can set up a non-profit
organization to drive a cause that addresses a market cum
government failure or a societal imbalance.
In doing so, the entrepreneur engages a cross section of society, including
private and public organizations, to drive forward the innovation through
a multiplier effect. Assistance is also sought from external philanthropic
funders and donor agencies. With this style being adopted, the social
entrepreneur is expected to either;
a) Incorporate a Company Limited by Guarantee
b) Register Incorporated Trustees
Please do not run away, I am not speaking big grammar, guys. Nothing I
have said above is that complicated. Both registrations are carried out at
the Corporate Affairs Commission and they are established for economic,
religious, educational and social advancement objectives. Both entities
have their similarities and their differences.
For instance, the approval of the Attorney general of the Federation is
needed to set up a company Limited by Guarantee, but there is no
such requirement for incorporated trustees. This requirement often
discourages promoters from going through the bureaucratic nature of
applying for consent of the Attorney General who may in his absolute
discretion withhold consent.
Another distinguishing factor is that, once an association or organisation
is registered by the Commission as an incorporated trustee, the trustees
jointly become a body corporate with perpetual succession and have the
power to sue and be sued. It is pertinent to state that the registration of an
incorporated trustee confers the corporate status on the trustees rather
than on the organisation itself unlike a company limited by guarantee
which confers the status of a corporate body on the company itself. The
significance of this fact is that, where an organisation has incorporated
trustees registered under CAMA, the trustees on behalf of the organisation
are empowered to contract in the same form and manner as an individual.
This includes the power to hold, acquire and transfer any property on
behalf of the association.
Just in case you are wondering why you need to set up a legal structure,
remember that this structure is the legal identity of the organization and
the vehicle through which donations and grants will be received.
Look Out For Trustworthy Trustees/Advisers/Directors
As the brain behind a social enterprise, you are accountable to a wide
range of stakeholders, including the local community in which the
organization operates. In the same vein, all the trustees must accept
ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs and ensuring that it is
solvent, well-run and delivering the charitable outcomes for which it has
been set up. They are expected to act in accordance with the provisions of
the Constitution of the association. Trustees are expected to understand
the rules relating to money laundering and anti-terrorisms and must
ensure that the association is not used as a vehicle for perpetuating crime.
It is important to understand that the director, trustees and advisers of the
foundation are there to give credibility to the association. In the event
that the trustees act imprudently, or are otherwise in breach of the law or
the governing document, they may be personally responsible for liabilities
incurred by the foundation, or for making good any loss to the foundation.
Do Not Run away from the Tax Man
The good news is that generally, registered non-profit organisations are
exempt from tax. Did I hear you shout in excitement? The Companies
Income Tax Act (CITA) provides for tax exemption on the profits (so long as
such profits are not derived from a trade or business) of any statutory or
friendly society, co-operative society registered under any law, a company
engaged in ecclesiastical, charitable, or educational activities of a public
character, a company formed for the purpose of promoting sporting
activities of a public character and trade union.
Furthermore, the President may exempt by order or if applied for by any
company or organization to be exempted from all the provisions of CITA
and from all or any profits from any source.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has issued a directive stating
that all non-profit organisations are required to register with the
nearest integrated tax office of the FIRS close to the place of operation
or registered office of the non-profit organisation. Upon registration, a
unique Tax Identification Number (TIN) is generated for tax purposes. It
is also mandatory for every non-profit organisation to file its tax returns
every year in the state where it was registered.
It is pertinent to note that non-profit organisations are required to pay
Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods and services consumed except those
purchased exclusively for its humanitarian projects or activities. VAT is
not assessed in respect of persons but on goods and services supplied.
However, VAT will not be assessed on the provision of certain goods and
services as listed in the VAT Act and schedule, as amended.
Tax benefits in form of allowable deductions are available to any company
which makes a donation to certain Nigerian funds and institutions specified
in the fifth schedule. The amount of deduction for any year of assessment
may not exceed 10% of the total profits for the company during that year.
Also, in Lagos State, for example, the Land Use Charge Law exempts
payment of land use charge on properties which are owned and occupied
by a religious body, registered institution or educational institute certified
by the commissioner for finance to be non-profit making.
Draw up Contracts with Suppliers,
Partners and Service Providers
The fact that an organization is established for purposes relating to
societal development does not preclude it from entering into financial
transactions and partnerships. Do not leave everything to trust in such
dealings. Documentation is key. Document as much as you can, because
non-profits thrive on accountability. When purchasing goods and
engaging the services of consultants for example; it is important to know
your legal duties. What could contract terms mean for your organisation?
On the flip-side, please get your lawyer to review any contract before you
sign it.
Conclusion
Some say social entrepreneurship is the new business model. I totally
agree with them. Because it is not only about posting the huge figures, it
is also about making a lasting impression on people’s lives. In conclusion
therefore, it is important to mention that social entrepreneurship thrives
on accountability. Donors and supporters of charitable causes want to
put their monies where their mouths are and always want to know what
their money is being used for. It is not a bad idea to make your accounts
accessible to the public. As a social entrepreneur, always bear in mind the
fact that society will hold you accountable for the good you do.
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Freestyle
Our Society
Through Art
Social issues are talked about and expressed in different
ways. The artists behind these artworks have succeeded
in speaking on social issues the best way they can;
through art.
VITAL SIGNS
Entrepreneurship in a Silent Nigeria
The fact that mental health issue is dominant among entrepreneurs is not surprising, what,
with all they have to deal with. But considering that it’s only a healthy person that can make
impact, taking care is therefore, imperative.
- By Dr. Emmanuel Owobu
- By Ayandola Ayanleke
Some people find expression through speech, some do through the written word and
others express themselves through art. One thing though is constant; it is all done
to explain how we see the world. Sometimes, we need the eyes of another to give us
perspective or call our attention to what we would have otherwise missed.
Beyond the brushstroke and the drawing of the pencil, ball pen or charcoal is an artist
trying to pass a message on how he sees the world. With social entrepreneurship as the
theme for this month’s edition, and the awareness of the plethora of problems plaguing
our dear nation, there is always a solution.
Embarking on a long hard journey of entrepreneurship is one
of the most difficult decisions one can make in life. Even
with the best laid out plans in the world, the road to success
is extremely uncertain. Every day, as entrepreneurs, we battle
the usual ‘elements’ like decision making, financials, staff, etc.
However, in Nigeria these aren’t the only challenges waiting for
you when you “throw your future away” chasing an imaginary
dream, as cynics would say. Problems of security, power, internet,
legal issues, lack of talent (let’s not deceive ourselves we lack
appropriate talent in so many fields), and of course lack of access
to finances are giving many business owners sleepless nights.
“
According to a 2013 research
in Canada, it was observed
that entrepreneurs had a 72%
more risk of mental illness
compared to the general
public.
“
The public speaker speaks about it, the writer writes about it and the artist expresses it
through his art. The artworks featured here are some that resonate with us, showing us
not only what the Nigerian environment is, but also what it could become.
Submit your works to be selected for FreestyleX. For submissions, see page 33. To
see more art works, you can visit the Freestyle category on our website.
Digital Illustration by Shutabug Instagram: @sutabug.me
Graphic Design by Somtochukwu Instagram:
@somto_ace
Photography by Holashots Instagram: @Holashots_
Photography
Visual Design by Korty Instagram: @korty_eo
Realistic Painting by Nnadi Arts Instagram: @nnadiarts
Poetry by Bright Instagram: @Imperialmonte
According to a 2013 research in Canada, it was observed that
entrepreneurs had a 72% more risk of mental illness compared
to the general public. Although I couldn’t find an explicit
research work on mental health and entrepreneurs in Nigeria,
it is safe to say that these figures are comparable, if not worse.
In fact, being an entrepreneur in Nigeria where almost nothing
works is like playing keep away with psychosis. Still, we are
braving the wilderness and building solutions that are solving
some of the biggest problems in our society. So, in the midst of
all these struggles, how does an average Nigerian entrepreneur
stay sane?
Similarly, we all know that mental health issues, if not promptly
recognised and adequately managed, can have devastating
complications. These complications can even affect the beautiful
business we have worked so hard to build. Because we are
constantly thinking about how to pay employees their fair wage,
how to keep the lights on in the company, continuously trying to
raise funds and turn profitable, secure deals, etc., we forget that
we are actually human beings with flesh and blood who need to
just sit down for a moment and BREATHE.
*PLEASE PAUSE AND BREATHE NOW*.
We ignore subtle signs of a failing mental state and dive harder
into work. According to Mental Health of America some of these
signs include:
• Confused thinking
• Prolonged depression or irritability,
• Excessive fears, worries and anxieties,
• Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits,
• Strong feelings of anger,
• Delusions,
• Hallucinations and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts,
• Substance abuse,
• Unexplained physical ailments.
In Nigeria, the social stigma that follows persons with poor
mental state cripples sufferers to the point that they become
mute. This further worsens the problem to the point that it
affects our businesses, family and friends; essentially everything
that we are fighting to protect.
As entrepreneurs, we must understand that being anxious or
afraid of failure is natural and it doesn’t mean we are not strong
enough mentally to deal with the hurdles of entrepreneurship.
On the contrary, it means that we are ready to fight for success.
However, we should know when to “retreat and regroup”. This
means taking a few steps back to:
• Rest,
• Sleep,
• Eat healthy meals,
• Cook for your family,
• Take a walk,
• Run,
• Read a book,
• Visit friends,
• Attend weddings or social functions, etc.
Basically, take a break from work. Just a few hours can be
enough to reboot and recharge that beautiful device called,
“The Brain”. Also, we must learn to speak up. When we feel
down, we should be strong enough to seek help from family
and friends. Seeking non-judgemental help from professionals
is also highly recommended.
As social entrepreneurs we are always speaking up and fighting
social injustice through the services and solutions we provide.
We must take this same voice into managing our mental state
as we continue to build a better society for ourselves, family
and friends.
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Tosin Ashafa
On a Social Mission
“
The government of Nigeria
budgeted - By Lanre Solarin 7% for education
in the last national budget
which is way smaller than the
recommended 26% by United
Nations.
“
Tosin Ashafa is an investor, entrepreneur and a philanthropist. He is the Managing Director
/ Chief Executive Officer of Cantagali Limited and Rio Construction, two companies with
complementary capabilities in civil construction, real estate development, property
marketing and facility management. He is also affiliated with other companies in various
roles and capacities such as managing partner, advisor and director. These companies include
Trequity Capital, Macaulay & Cole, Muster.NG, Lidya and Africa Courier Express.
Tosin is deeply invested in philanthropy and grassroots social activism which is demonstrated
by his endowment of the BTA Education Fund through which school children are financially
enabled to achieve their pursuit of education. He deliberately seeks to create opportunities and
expand the capacity of young people to take an early interest in politics and leadership roles
in their communities.
In this interview, Tosin reveals his drive, beliefs and hope for the future.
The Birth of a Social Mission
Living in Nigeria has made me understand and appreciate the resilience of low-income people
and the daily struggle that characterizes life in developing countries. I have seen first-hand
how people can live around abundance and wallow in squalor. I am quick to recognize this
and remain humble because the essence of privilege is to make us aware of the personal
responsibility we have towards alleviating the suffering of others.
I am guided in my life’s journey by the philosophy of empathy. Having traversed extensively in
the field of entrepreneurship, business and democracy development, I have become enthusiastic
about using mechanisms, systems and processes put in place by capitalists and politicians to
redefine what it means to be committed to the good of others and the world.
I have always been passionate about people and the prevalent social disparity in our society has
always been in my consciousness. As I grew older, I could only think about how best to address
this disparity. Education seamlessly occurred to me as the right solution.
Upon my return to Nigeria in 2006 after my education in the US, I took it upon myself to do
everything in my capacity to drive a systematic and sustainable social change that could
address education in Nigeria. Education is a leveller of sorts – a platform that ensures equal
access to life-changing opportunities. This thinking birthed my educational initiative which I
hope improves the capacity of all people who benefit from it to contribute meaningfully to the
social and economic development of this country.
Education is regarded as the tool to change any society. Through the BTA Education fund, I
solve the problem of access to education for brilliant but indigent children by rendering
assistance in forms such as the provision of scholarships to secondary and university students,
donation of learning aids to schools, feeding of school children and mentorship.
These solutions are provided through various channels and partnerships which are managed in
conjunction with known organisations like the Ovie Brume Foundation, ScholarX and FoodClique
Support Initiative.
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On Passion and Profit
An average entrepreneur is in business solely for the profit. As a
social entrepreneur, you want to drive a social reform in a chosen
field of interest with the same passion and rigour of a business
entrepreneur but with no incentives in form of profit or other
financial gains. Considering this challenging path, venturing in
social entrepreneurship requires not just passion but a shrewd
entrepreneurial zeal to see it through.
“My passion is fuelled by the disparity between the various
socio-economic classes in this country and by my daily experience
and interaction with these people while navigating the city of
Lagos. I personally believe education and entrepreneurship
will not only bridge this social class gap but it will bring about
sustainable economic and social development.”
I believe I have a long way to go in seeing through the solutions.
Education is a huge sector with a lot of challenges and considering
where we are coming from as a nation, solving the problem of
education in Nigeria cannot be handled by government or few
individuals. All hands must be on deck - the government and
the private sector. The government of Nigeria budgeted 7%
for education in the last national budget which is way smaller
than the recommended 26% by United Nations. Government
can do better. However, with my passion and zeal, I will ensure
I adequately contribute my quota towards ensuring that there is
an appreciable difference in the status quo through my activities
and initiatives.
The Joy of Empowerment
Nothing gives me more joy than seeing the smiles on the faces of
these school children whenever I engage them. It’s my single
biggest motivation. It has made all the walk through the journey
worth it. Interacting with them helps me feel at peace and there
is renewed hope I have for this country. This has not only been
exciting for me but rewarding as well. I am driven by the nurture
that whoever educates a child is building a nation and I believe
my involvement is my contribution to the growth of this country.
But the work and the journey never end and I hope that Allah
keeps us alive so that we will continue to do more. I hope that
all scholarship recipients of the BTA Education Fund get to do
well in their various fields. This is reward enough and will keep
us motivated to do more and expand the program’s scope. So
far, we have been able to reach out to youths in Lagos but we
definitely hope to extend the program to youths all over Nigeria.
The Economic Effect of the BTA Education Fund
Education is the cornerstone of every nation. Provision of quality
education is one of the 17 global sustainable development goals
and it is aimed at ensuring equal access to affordable education
and the elimination of gender and wealth disparities. This is in
line with my social enterprise and I believe that with my current
progress, a significant impact will be made on a national and
continental level.
So far, the feedback is immense. The impact that easily comes to
mind is the feedback from St. John’s RCM School, Ayeteju, Ibeju-
Lekki, Lagos. This is a school I adopted and I have been seeing
to their needs. The last time I was there to donate educational
materials, a teacher randomly walked up to me to tell me that the
number of students coming to school have drastically increased
and it is not unconnected to the last outreach we had in the school
where we also donated food and other educational materials and
learning aids.
If this approach is replicated and well managed, I believe the
impact in years to come will be overwhelming. Imagine every
wealthy man adopting a public school and judiciously seeing to
their needs as a form of philanthropy.
A Continent with No Problems
I see Africa as the emerging hub of modern civilization. Every new
technology, new innovation, new business model would be
tested and implemented in Africa being a virgin ground and
only education can make us all inclusively part of this coming
revolution.
I see Social Entrepreneurs trying to reach personal/organizational
milestones with the entrepreneurial zeal of Richard Branson but lacking
the compassion and passion of Mother Teresa. A social entrepreneur
should be able to demonstrate and combine both characteristics and
attributes.
My advice to social entrepreneurs would be this, “Whatever you do, don’t
forgo your passion. That idea of yours could the solution to a daunting
global challenge. It takes perseverance, patience and time. You must give
your all to see it through.”
An Empowerment Opportunity for The Nigerian Youth
Tosin Ashafa seeks to create opportunities and expand the capacity of
young people to take an early interest in politics and leadership. He gives,
and is willing to give his time, which is usually in form of mentorship,
giving inspiring and practical advice on business, entrepreneurship,
politics and leadership.
Would you be the one? See page 33 for how to apply now.
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Dr. Ola Brown
On a Social Mission
- By Lanre Solarin
Dr Ola Brown is a medical doctor, a trainee helicopter pilot and an entrepreneur
who founded West Africa’s first indigenous air ambulance service, the Flying
Doctors Nigeria which saves hundreds of lives across the region every year,
especially in the oil and gas industry, rendering medical evacuation services.
She is extremely passionate about healthcare in Africa and works with various
foundations, charities and governments to improve standards of healthcare. Dr
Ola studied medicine and surgery at the Hull York Medical School after which she
worked in Acute Medicine in the UK. She then went on to be awarded the Japanese
MEXT scholarship which allowed her to further her studies in Tokyo, Japan. She
also has a certificate in economic policy making from IE business school, Spain.
She has published two medical textbooks ‘EMQ’s in Paediatrics’ and ‘Pre-Hospital
Care for Africa as well as articles in the British Medical Journal, New York Times
and the Huffington Post. She has received multiple awards and nominations and is
also a TED fellow, an Aspen Fellow and has been honoured by the world economic
forum as a Young Global Leader.
She is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, international
editor of the Journal of Emergency Services and a LinkedIn top ten global
Healthcare Writer.
In this interview, Dr. Ola Brown shares her perspective on what social
entrepreneurship really is and a guide to building a sustainable social enterprise.
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Solving Social Problems
Social problems have always been a part of my life. Looking at my
trajectory in terms of becoming a Doctor, for as long as I can
remember, I have always been interested in solving social
problems.
At Flying Doctors Nigeria, we solve the problem of distance
between locations where people have medical emergencies
and the areas where they can receive treatment. We do this by
providing air ambulance services that get the right medical patient
to the right medical Physician and within the correct timeframe.
This can be within the country Nigeria or internationally. And this
has been a very exciting and rewarding journey.
On Making Profitable Impact
I’m passionate about profit and I’m also passionate about impact.
I don’t think social entrepreneurship is any more difficult than
someone who is in any business for profit. Here’s what I think:
if you’re only in business for profit, then it’s a whole lot more
difficult because your team is only profit-driven and not missiondriven.
It is the combination of mission and profit that drives
people to excel.
Notwithstanding, profit is also very important and I will not say
that because we want make impact, we won’t be sustainable.
Being mission-driven doesn’t give you the excuse to handle
finances carelessly or decide not to pay your staff for 3 months.
Profit is important. Profit allows us to make decisions. It ensures
we are well paid. It allows us to function as a team and it impacts
our bottom line, so it’s very important to us.
So far, we’ve made huge impact, especially in our region, in terms
of the number of evacuations that we’ve done and the complexity
of evacuations that we’ve done. This includes intensive care
patients who are obviously not breathing by themselves and
patients on life support. Our work in Africa will not be complete
until not a single person in Africa dies because they were in the
wrong place at the wrong time. We definitely have a long way to
go to achieve that. We’re growing very quickly and I’m very proud
of the progress that we’ve made so far.
I believe that in the coming years, especially with the increase in
the cost of healthcare and the fact that certain specialist services
can only be offered in certain large centres which may be many
hours or days away by road, the impact of our services will
continue to grow across the continent. It would be fantastic to
believe that by 2030, I would’ve managed to cure all illness, with
human beings living in sound health, and no more emergencies.
Sustainable Social Entrepreneurship
The term social entrepreneur is often interpreted to mean that
profit is not important. So, one piece of advice I would give is to
make sure that you’re financially savvy with what you do. Make
sure that you save and that you can always pay salaries at the
end of the month. And ensure that the business is sustainable.
Don’t think that because you’re operating in the social space
where you have impact, that you have a right not to pay people
commensurate salaries, or that your organisation does not need
to function as well as any world class organisation. You have to set
yourself at that same standard and obviously make sure that the
organisation is sustainable.
When I first started the company, I thought that I was the ‘Oga’
and my job was to tell everybody what to do and dictate what
should be done. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned now is
that my job is more about listening to people’s suggestions. It’s
my job to understand what people are thinking and to be more
of a servant leader, serving and helping people reach their true
potential. I’m to train, coach, cheerlead people and I wish this was
something I knew at the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey.
A Business Funding Opportunity for Entrepreneurs
Along with some of her friends, Dr. Ola setup a venture capital
fund where she invests some of her profit every year. This goes
towards investment for start-ups that hopefully would become
successful businesses. She has been doing this for the past 4 years
and along with her board, they’ve been able to not just run a
successful organisation but also be part of the success stories of
some of the most ambitious and largest tech start-ups in Nigeria.
Would you be the one? See page 33 for how to apply now.
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FEATURES
Finding Your Niche
The best way to go about social entrepreneurship is
finding what works for you and carving your own niche.
- By CleanWater4all
In the month of March, 2017, news broke out across Nigeria about the death of Queens
College Students who had been exposed to cholera and diarrhoea by ingesting
contaminated water. A local news outlet reported that since the beginning of January
2017, over 1,222 students of Queens College (QC) in Yaba, Lagos State have been treated at
the school’s clinic for abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. Prior to this sad event,
many cases of waterborne disease-related death cases have been reported and these
facts are in direct correlation with the report by UNICEF on World Water Day, 2018 that 69
million Nigerians do not have access to clean water. Facts like these are what inspired the
CleanWater4all initiative.
Before delving into your social enterprise, you need to understand how it affects the lives
of those in your immediate community. At CleanWater4all, we were able to quickly
identify ours, knowing that in Nigeria, only a few have access to water devoid of all forms
of contamination, ranging from impurities to micro-organisms. In Urban settlements, this is
evident in the over-reliance on sachet water popularly called pure water, whereas those in
rural communities rely heavily on wells and streams as their water sources.
Therefore, finding your niche would require;
1. Research On How The Problem Affects Your Community
Identifying a problem is one thing and conducting research on how the problem is
embedded in the society is another. Adequate efforts to conduct research of the problem
will give a clear and concise direction on how you can tackle whatever societal problem you
hope to solve. Undoubtedly, you are approaching that problem as a professional, amassing
the necessary knowledge and efficiently learning how to solve the problem.
For CleanWater4All.ng, there was a lot of introspective questions that kept running through
our minds such as,
• How safe are these sachet water for drinking?
• How was the water filtration and treatment process carried out?
• How can the life of the Nigerian child in hard-to-reach communities be protected?
• How can the negative impact of waterborne diseases in our society be abated?
These queries highlight some of the soul searching questions that kick-started our research.
2. Proffer a Unique and Innovative Solution
Now that you have identified the problem and have been equipped with a deeper
understanding on how it is affecting lives within your community, it is time to creatively
and innovatively counter the problem with a solution. Your Solution must be cost effective,
efficient and sustaining.
At CleanWater4All Nigeria, we partnered with an American firm that produces innovative
handheld water filtration devices called the VF100 and the VF200 pre-carbon filter. Beside
affordability, this filtration system eliminates 99.9999% of bacteria, protozoa, and cyst
and can last a family for 4 years; this is the
area efficiency and sustainability come to play.
So, during your process of brainstorming and
creativity on which solution to introduce, ensure
that it solves the problem in a very unique way.
3. Build a Solid Team
Your team will be responsible on how far your
impact is felt and this requires you to develop
yourself into a true leader. Be ready to serve
your team and their commitment will amaze
you. At CleanWater4All Nigeria, with just a
handful of staff, we have been able to grow
in an unprecedented rapid rate, leading to
the execution of numerous projects in Lagos
and Ondo State with over 25,000 families as
beneficiaries. You do not want to spend all of
your funds on salaries and wages. With the
right set of individuals as well as the support
of volunteers, great things can be achieved.
Problems are solved in record time, new ideas
are generated faster and there is a sense of
belonging amongst your team.
“Individual commitment to a group effort - that
is what makes a team work, a company work, a
society work, a civilization work”
– Vincent Thomas Lombardi, American football
player & Coach
4. Seek the Right Partnerships
The major breakthrough recorded at CleanWater4All.ng
was the partnership with Megasea Foundation, a charity
organisation. Megasea Foundation provided the avenue
that made it easy for communities in Lagos and Ondo
state to have access to potable water. Partnership are
what I call propellers, meaning once you have worked
hard to a certain level, they give you the necessary
push needed for your social enterprise to stand and
thrive. That is one major benefit of the synergy between
Cleanwater4all.ng and Megasea Foundation.
The right partnership will open your social enterprise to
a wealth of shared resources. Our partnership with
Megasea Foundation was a game changer and your
budding social enterprise will need partnerships and
allies to prosper.
Running a social enterprise largely involves carving a
niche for yourself in the numerous problems that you
can target to solve. Using the above tips will help you in
getting started.
Access to Clean Water
No Access
Access
“
69 million Nigerians
do not have access
to clean water.
- Report by UNICEF
on World Water
Day, 2018.
“
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Hello Social Entrepreneur
Here’s a letter to every social entrepreneur and those aspiring to be one.
Think you’re ready to get started? Read this first.
- By Damilola Oyewusi
5 Opportunities for
Social Entrepreneurs
Sometimes, what we see as problems are simply
opportunities that we can harness to move our country
forward and make some money while at it.
By Ayandola Ayanleke
Dear Aspiring Social Entrepreneur on a 9-5 job,
The world is a mess and you want to do something about it. At
least that’s how the thoughts started ... until you started
counting the cost. So for years, you’ve been waking up every
morning, grudgingly lifting yourself out of bed and allowing
your responsibilities lead you to the company you work. There
are days you just want to quit. But you need that alert at the
end of the month. Don’t feel bad. Money is important. And that
security of a monthly cheque is probably the security you need
to get started on turning your world-changing desires into a
reality. Here are a few things you can do while waiting for the
day you can say goodbye to your boss with the excited smile that
confidently hides your true feelings of trepidation.
Get specific about the social problem you want to solve.
For people with a desire to change the world or make an impact,
it is sometimes easy to sound nice and passionate without an
actual focus on a particular problem. Take this time to properly
evaluate the problems you would like to invest a solution in.
Too often, social entrepreneurs are too optimistic about solving
many problems at the same time. This is one of the fastest
ways to burn out. Don’t let that happen to you. Take your time
to evaluate the sector you would like to work with, and hone it
down to one problem.
You need a network. You need a community.
Dear brilliant mind, you cannot do this alone. Make relevant
friends on the job and find the right community of people
to mingle with on the weekends. This is why places like Co-
Creation Hub and Wennovation Hub exist. Creative co-working
spaces are springing up in different parts of the country, join
one. And if there is no one around you, use the power of social
media to find like minds and get together for brainstorming
sessions, or just for drinks.
Finally,
Stop waiting till it’s all perfect before you start. Take one step at
a time and focus on what is important. Not everyone has to
know what you’re doing all at once. Don’t spend your time
and energy on building hype and brand awareness to reach
thousands or millions. Know your target audience and build all
you do around them.
There is so much more you will learn as you go along. And while
you should not remain in your comfort zone, take this time
as an opportunity to build something that really works while
enjoying the security your paid job affords. The founders of
Warby Parker can tell you something about this. On the flipside,
it is easier to deliver on the demands of a day job when you
have an exit strategy and you take action on it daily.
Nigeria is a very rich and beautiful country and I say that
without bias. It is an obvious fact to quite a number of
Nigerians and so much more to foreigners. Little wonder
they come in droves to maximise the opportunities that abound
in the country. For years, the country has been plagued with bad
leadership whose forte is more in the area of mismanagement
than actual leadership. Due to this, the wealth of the country
is not as obvious as should be and what we have in lieu are
different problems.
Based on the wealth – both natural and human – of the nation,
Nigeria should be a force to reckon with in the international
circle. Unfortunately, we are rated as one of the poorest countries
in the world. That being said, there is actually light at the end of
the tunnel and as mentioned earlier, many foreigners can see it.
Yes, we have a right to bemoan our situation because we expect
better but the existence of the problems in Nigeria are simply
opportunities that should be tapped into. The global economy
has tilted towards entrepreneurship. And for many, the issue
is not willingness to be entrepreneurial but lack of ideas. The
solution is not in head racking but in looking at the problems in
the country that you can solve and Nigerians will be grateful for.
This resource is here to help you get started.
1. Electricity
The obvious solution to this would be creating employment
through entrepreneurship. But that is just one side of the
coin; there is also the issue with employability. The Nigerian
educational system does not prepare students for the labour
market and many Nigerians do not have a self-improvement
culture. A possible solution would be a course or programme
where students will be taught for a few months how their course
of study is relevant to the labour market, what to expect and
what not to. You can take it further by partnering with companies
or organisations to employ some of the best students at the end
of the programme.
3. Education
The Nigerian educational system, to say the least, has gotten
worse. When we hear stories of the conditions under which the
older generation were educated, we will weep for the nation.
What we have today is still just a system where students are fed
with text books written by our parents’ generation.
Test your ideas
You get tons of them in a week. They keep flying through your
mind. Excitedly, you write them down, storing them for that ‘oh
so wonderful day’ when you get to live your dreams. Maybe you
get one that you hold on to. But the truth is that you can’t tell
how it would pan out if all you have is a picture in your mind of
what you want it to look like. Start by doing research on people
doing similar things across the world. Put your idea through a
pressure test. There’s a great exercise in a book called ‘The Social
Entrepreneur’s Playbook’ from Wharton Business School. The
soft copy is less than $15.
Understand what Social Entrepreneurship is and
what it isn’t.
You do want to make an impact but not as a charity organization.
This means you must have a business plan, develop a revenue
model and understand how your business will run. People will
not patronize your product or use your service just because you
have a good heart. You need to have a quality offering in terms
of your product or service and have a go-to-market strategy
that positions what you offer as a must-have solution. There is
information available on the internet and it is mostly free. Take
a free course on any of the numerous learning platforms. Take
advantage of the internet.
Remember, there are people waiting for your success.
All the best,
Someone like you
“
Too often, social entrepreneurs
are too optimistic about
solving many problems at the
same time. This is one of the
fastest ways to burn out.
“
One of the major problems of Nigeria today is lack of electricity.
I personally believe that if the problem of electricity can be
solved effectively in Nigeria, 50% of our problems would have
been solved. Let us look at it this way; Nigerians are very
resourceful and resilient people. Even with the epileptic power
supply, look around you at the number of small and medium
enterprises we have in the country who have managed a certain
level of productivity by relying simply on generators and other
alternative sources of power.
This might look like an insurmountable problem but it is an
opportunity for people to research alternative and more
affordable mediums of generating power. The Nigerian
government have failed in successfully using hydro and for
whatever reason, refused to resort to sunlight as well which we
have in abundance. But that does not necessarily need to stop
anybody with a better idea. If it can generate constant light and
it is affordable, people will come in droves to get it.
2. Unemployment
Unemployment is one issue that is seriously plaguing Nigeria.
But to be fair, many of the world’s developed countries still
battle with unemployment. According to CIA World Factbook,
unemployment rate in Nigeria in 2017 was at 13.4%, U.S. had
4.4%, France 9.5% and United Kingdom 4.4%. However, that is
not an excuse, because Nigeria’s percentage of unemployment
seems to increase each year with the number of new graduates
across the country.
For many who can afford education, they will be willing to pay for
good standard. So, if you are an educator who is ready to do
research and learn more outside of the Nigerian culture, you can
solve this problem by establishing a school that is actually more
interested in producing students who can stand at par with their
counterparts anywhere in the world.
And for the middle and lower class, who cannot afford education
at schools with expensive fees, there is still a solution. The school
might not have the luxury that the school above has, but it can
still focus on producing quality students. You can use recycled
materials, second hand text books and remodelled chairs made
from wood that may have been previously trashed. And for a
little price, you can give the right education to students who
don’t come from privileged homes. Scholarships would be a
great idea.
4. Health
Health is one of the most critical areas in this country, with
Nigeria having one of the highest mortality rates in the world.
According to a UNICEF report in 2017, Nigeria has the third
highest infant mortality rate in the world. Government hospitals
are usually nothing to write home about with little or no
equipment while private hospitals are very expensive.
As a doctor or health worker, establishing health care that even
the poor can access or a ‘doctors without boundaries’ initiative
will go a long way in touching many lives. Another idea is having
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a website where people can send in their medical enquiries to get
medical advice. Providing cheap and affordable health insurance by
partnering with private hospitals is also an idea to explore.
5. Technology
Nigeria still has a long way to go in this area, but we’re moving fast.
The world has gone too far and we need to catch up or we will soon
be left behind. The problem is not that there are no technologically
savvy people in the country. Nigerians – without bias or maybe, a
little bias – have some of the best brains ever. The problem is an
enabling environment.
This is an area to look into as well, especially if you are also
technologically savvy. Create an environment where Nigerians who
actually have something innovative can be encouraged through
cash and kind to see it through and you get to share in the glory
when the innovation actually solves problems. Our accelerators and
incubation hubs are already doing a good job at this, but that’s just
the beginning.
Where some people see problems, some people see opportunity. So
it is left for you to decide which side to pick.
“
According to CIA World
Factbook, unemployment rate
in Nigeria in 2017 was at 13.4%,
U.S. had 4.4%, France 9.5% and
United Kingdom 4.4%.
“
Women
Empowering
Women
In this exclusive interview with Bolanle Olukanni,
founder of God’s Wives, an NGO that provides
empowerment and wellness support for widows, she
shares her opinions on social entrepreneurship and
provides a roadmap to follow, using her journey
as an example.
- By Lanre Solarin
Unemployment Rates in 2017
Bolanle Olukanni is a TV presenter and producer, a host on
pan-African talk show “Moments,” hit music reality show
“Project Fame” and one of Nigeria’s favourite red carpet
shows “On the Carpet with Bolinto.”
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Nigeria
United State France United Kingdom
Raised in Nigeria, Israel and Kenya, Bolanle has seen a fair bit of
the world but finds there is no place like home, here in Nigeria.
She graduated from Loyola University, in Chicago, America
with Honours in a double degree, of BA Communications and
BA International Studies. After graduating, Bolanle returned to
Nigeria to do her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), where
she spent her service year working for a non-profit organization
in Ekiti, Nigeria. During her NYSC service year, Bolanle and a
fellow Corps member started ‘Girls For The Future’, a gender
based empowerment workshop for secondary school students
aimed at teaching the girl child their rights and providing
mentorship for the students. In 2017, Bolanle founded – God’s
Wives, an NGO that provides empowerment and wellness
support for Widows. She is also the writer, producer and director
of an acclaimed documentary called “God’s Wives” about the
challenges that widows face in Nigeria. She is currently on the
Board of Directors of The Self-Worth organization - an NGO
that provides empowerment classes and supplies assistance
to widows and single mothers in Nigeria. In her spare time she
enjoys reading a good novel, writing poetry and watching “The
Walking Dead.”
Bolanle believes a social problem to be anything that society is
struggling with and can be solved with a business idea that can
generate income but also address the social issues. She has been
able to consistently address the issue of income generation
through her NGO, God’s Wives, which supports other NGOs that
provide empowerment for widows.
person. We live in a society that does not have social welfare
structures so we need to be the social welfare systems for each
other.”
Due to the fact that she believed so much in her dreams when
she started, she used funds that she had saved to provide
investment for the training centre. “I think you have to invest in
any project you have before you actually can convince a third
party member to invest. In some cases, we can get investment
early on but sometimes it takes diligence and commitment. We
now have external support, as Lipton is currently running an
initiative to support widows and provide seed capital for them
during this season of Ramadan. So for every box of Lipton being
bought, consumers are also supporting widows.”
Unemployment Rates in 2017
“We realized that a lot of women would prefer to have a way to
generate income instead of depending on handouts. So last year,
we trained 75 women in three different respective fields - Dress
making, makeup artistry and catering. Once the women finished
their training course, we gave them seed capital in business
materials so they could each start a business. Therefore, if you
are a tailor, you get a sewing machine, the makeup artists got
makeup kits and the caterers got catering materials, including
ovens. We also organize wellness seminars and expose the
women to trainings on investment and insurance.”
Bolanle started and remained unwavering due to her belief that
life is about positively affecting and impacting someone else’s
life. As she stated, “I am not fulfilled as a person unless I know
I am using my influence, platform and impact to help another
For aspiring social entrepreneurs looking to empower through
skill acquisition, Bolanle believes heavily in partnerships.
According to her, “If you can find an organization that is already
providing skills acquisition programs, work with them. I invested
in the Self Worth Organization for women because I had seen
the work they had done and I realized they had the structure
and ideas for the centre already laid out. We collaborated and
the centre came about.”
This is only the beginning for God’s Wives as Bolanle is excited
about their plans for the future, “We already have another class
of trainees being enrolled and we will have our graduation in
August. We are also currently fully open to external support and
have launched our ‘Support a Widow’ program, which allows
people who are interested to financially support the women.”
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There is a difference between critical, analytical and
strategic thinking in the context of solving a problem.
Take this article as Part One in a series. We will try to
unbundle and define popularly used terms yet largely
mis-understood in the business world. Fundamental
understanding of a subject is critical to succeeding at
it. The article will examine the above topic.
- By Emmanuel Tarfa
Critical Thinking is the ability to generate an exhaustive
potential LIST of the most relevant and possible
assumptions or options – to explaining or solving a given
problem. This LIST is usually arranged from the most relevant to
the least relevant assumptions/options.
A concept called Mutually Exclusive and Collectively Exhaustive
(MECE), popularly used by strategy consultants, can be used to
arrange/organise the list. Success is measured here by the length
and quality/variety of ideas on the list.
Here is an illustration and application: Why is the quality of
education poor in Nigeria and how can it be improved? Critical
thinking will require the subject involved to generate a list of
points to answer the first part of the question and will include
points such as:
• Lack of a clear education strategy and policy framework,
• Poor quality of teacher training and compensation
• Low level of investment in infrastructure, etc.
START UP
Fundamental Thought
Processes
The length of the list (number of ideas/points generated) and
quality of each answer (i.e. coming up with the most likely
accurate points) will require critical thinking.
Analytical Thinking is the use of quantitative and qualitative
parameters/tools (size, average, cost, comparison etc.) to
determine or measure which of the assumption/points are
most accurate and relevant to solving the problem/validating
the solution. Success here is measured when there is a logic or
outright evidence to confirm the above points outlined through
“critical thinking” are TRUE and relevant to answering the
question or solving the problem. This has moved from a “guess”
i.e. assumptions, to confirmed points.
Here is the application using the example above – Why the
quality of education in Nigeria is poor. Analytical thinking will
take each answer above and test if true and required to answer the key
question or solve the problem. Let us take one of the answers – poor
quality of teacher training and compensation. Analytical thinking will strive
to ask and answer several questions and sometimes compare Nigeria with
other countries in its development league and other advanced economies
– to confirm the points/assumptions generated with critical thinking.
Here are some questions that could be used to conduct the analysis:
• What is the average student to teacher ratio in Nigeria?
• What is the average pay per teacher in a public school?
• What is the minimum qualification of a teacher and frequency of
training?
All these will be compared with best practices to confirm Nigeria’s position
and hence answer the question – why the quality of education is poor.
Analytical thinking will subsequently show the link between the answers
(the situation in Nigeria) – indicating that Nigerian teachers are not very
qualified and poorly compensated. Do note that these are simply basic
examples. Much deeper analysis is actually used in strategy.
Strategic Thinking is the ability to DECIDE and prioritize (due to limited
resources) which validated/true options above should be considered,
presented or pursued – with the aim of achieving a pre-determined
objective or goal. Success here is measured when there is a conversion
of the knowledge/data of the truth “analyzed” above into profit/benefit/
competitive advantage through good decision making. The above
example will be applicable if there is an objective to solve the challenge of
quality education, for instance.
Let us again look at the point – quality of teacher training and compensation
as a way to improve the quality education in Nigeria. Strategic thinking
will recommend how to improve Nigeria’s current state (which was
determined using critical and analytical thinking). It will outline a set of
ideas, using the benchmarks of other countries with higher educational
standards – and recommend how to close the gap in Nigeria.
To improve in all three, read more Newspapers, which are usually filled
with analysis and listen to commentary from experts. Take note of their
approach and thinking. A good knowledge of Mathematics is also helpful
in becoming more analytical. We will look at the difference between
Vision, Mission and Core Values in our next article.
A good knowledge of
Mathematics is helpful in
“becoming more analytical
“
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INTUNE WITH…
Social Prefect in
The Gambia
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and
narrow-mindedness, and many of our people
need it sorely on these accounts. Broad,
wholesome, charitable views of men and
things cannot be acquired by vegetating in
one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
– Mark Twain
Balafon hotel
Places To Visit
The Gambia has some interesting tourist attractions and places of interest.
The Kachikally crocodile pool is a major attraction where you get to see
live crocodiles; there is also a museum in Kachikally. Most likely, your hotel
will have a beach, however if it has a small one, you should visit Kotu beach
or Kombo beach. Fort James, also called Kunta Kinteh Island, is a major
historical attraction. Gambia also has a number of wildlife parks. The
tourism development area is great for restaurants and lounges.
The food
While in Gambia, you should try some local cuisines; the food in Gambia is
tasty, I must confess. I enjoyed the baobab juice and Gambian jollof rice.
You should try yassa, baobab juice, peanut sauce called domoda with rice
and chere.
Explore the Night life
For entertainment and fun, you should definitely not miss out on the
groovy nightlife. The night life is an attraction on its own. From live bands
to great outdoor clubs and traditional performances, The Gambia has
it all. You should visit the Senegambia strip, also known as the Tourism
development area, which has a great line up of outdoor clubs, lounges and
restaurants. You should also visit Poco loco which has a great line up of live
band acts and a Nigerian DJ playing great music.
The Gambia offered me so much more than I expected. It just goes to show
that you can never know a place until you move closer. Block out the voices
on the street and go have your personal experience. I assure you that you
will fall in love just like I did.
- By Chiamaka Obuekwe
This quote holds true on so many grounds. Before visiting The Gambia,
I had heard so many unpalatable stories about the country; the most
prominent being that it was just a poor country with nothing much
to offer apart from a few beautiful beaches. My visit there completely
changed my mindset and I fell head over heels in love with The Gambia.
“
The economy of The
Gambia is majorly sustained
by tourism, farming and
fishing.
“
The Gambia which is also known as ‘The Smiling coast’ is a West African
country that is surrounded by Senegal except for its coastline. The capital
being Banjul, The Gambia is the smallest country on Mainland Africa
with a population of less than 2 million people. Their economy is majorly
sustained by tourism, farming and fishing. English is the official language
but the average Gambian speaks either Mandika, Wolof, Serer or Fula. The
major religion is Islam as over 80% percent of Gambians practice Islam.
Coco ocean resort and spa
Balafon resort
Like I said, I had a wonderful experience in the country which surpassed
my imagination and I believe strongly, it is an experience you will want to
have as well.
If you want to go to the Gambia, here’s a brief guide to exploring this
beautiful country:
How To Get There (Flights and Visa)
There are direct flights from Lagos and Abuja to Banjul on a few airlines. If
you plan to go, book your flight on time and plan well because the flights
are not daily. Regarding visas, all ECOWAS passport holders do not require
a visa to gain entry into The Gambia. Entry from many other countries is
also visa free or visa on arrival because tourism is a major focus for them,
so they want to encourage ease of entry into the country.
Gambia Tours
Kombo resort
Kombo beach
Where To Stay
The Gambia is an avalanche of beautiful resorts and beach hotels. As a
result of the extensive coastline, most, if not all, hotels have their own
beaches and there is something for every type of traveller. For the vacation
seeker, you should stay at Kombo beach hotel or Senegambia hotel, while
the business traveller should stay at Swiss boutique luxury hotel. The
honeymooners should stay at the dreamy Balafon hotel, while families can
stay at Djembe hotel or Ocean bay hotel and resort. The Luxury traveller
should definitely stay at Coco ocean hotel and spa.
Kachikally crocodile pool
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BrandSpark
Co-Creation Hub vs
Wennovation Hub
The challenges of starting an enterprise especially in an emerging economy like Nigeria have stopped
many young businesses from starting or scaling even when they do. The rise of incubation hubs and
business accelerators like the two we review in this edition is playing a key role in encouraging the social
enterprise community.
The Spark Connect
Get Empowered
Apply now and stand a chance to be empowered
with cash grants, Mentorship and more. Visit
thesparkng.com/connect to get started.
What Next?
- By Damilola Oyewusi
Social entrepreneurs face a myriad of challenges much like traditional
entrepreneurs that include poor access to capital, business knowledge
gaps and building the right network. The thoughts of the amount of
money and work required often stop young people at the ideation stage,
cutting short the life of a potential life-changing business.
Incubation hubs across the country have been instrumental to the
necessary proliferation of social entrepreneurship in the country. Beyond
seed funding and access to investors, they provide mentorship, a strong
network of business partners and an enabling environment to support
innovation and entrepreneurship to solve socio-economic problems.
Being a part of an incubation hub helps a start-up avoid some pitfalls that
could easily kill new businesses.
Co-Creation Hub
With success stories like BudgIT, Wecyclers, and Mamalette, Co-creation
Hub, popularly known as CcHUB has affirmed itself as a dependable and
financially sustainable innovation hub. From governance to lifestyle,
health and the environment, the hub provides support and funding to
young entrepreneurs with socially conscious ideas.
From the Pitch-Drive to the Early Stage Venture Support and Growth
Capital Fund, their programmes are strategically developed to serve
entrepreneurs at different stages of their business journey. Working with
Google, MacArthur Foundation, Bank of Industry, Facebook, The Tony
Elumelu Foundation and several others, the company is able to make
scarce resources and priced knowledge readily available to hundreds of
aspiring entrepreneurs that use their facility or sign up for their incubation
programs.
The hub also provides learning opportunities for children with its
education-focused projects such as Re:Learn, the Go-Ga project, the
Educator Network and more, giving them early exposure to technology
and enhancing learning environments across the schools they have a
presence in.
The company also offers innovation consulting services to organizations,
working with them to create programs that further mutually beneficial
causes.
Entrepreneurs can access their free co-working space in Lagos, christened
‘The 6th Floor’ by earning bounty points for participating in communitygenerated
challenges or get an office space for as little as N2000 per day.
Wennovation Hub
The Wennovation Hub has a mission to foster innovation among youths in
Nigeria, building its programmes around incubation, building an
innovation ecosystem and offering business consultation services. The
company offers co-working spaces in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja and Kaduna,
giving young people easy and affordable access to resources like the
internet, an office space and like-minded creative people.
Using a competition model, the hub receives applications for support and
takes the most promising through training programs and design
workshops during the Incubation program. Through its Acceleration
program, the company has supported over 300 startups in their early
stages with funding raised by startups within their founders’ network.
They also offer consultation services from ideas validation to business
strategy based on research and years of experience.
Interested entrepreneurs can gain access to the hubs in Lagos and Ibadan
on a daily plan with N1500.
Both companies are tech-oriented and part of the community now
referred to as Yabacon Valley, leveraging the potential of technology for
exponential growth and scalability. They also encourage collaboration
and creative exchange of ideas with co-working spaces. Innovation hubs
like these are springing up across the country and budding entrepreneurs
have a chance to accelerate their businesses with their facilities and
services.
“
Being a part of an incubation
hub helps a start-up avoid
some pitfalls that could easily
kill new businesses.
“
Vital Signs
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thesparkng.com/vital-signs to ask now.
BrandSpark
Participate in our monthly BrandSpark poll and tell
us what you think about brands. Follow us on social
media - @thesparkng - to participate.
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Visit thesparkng.com/probono to ask now.
FreestyleX
FreestyleX gives you an opportunity to showcase your heart and
art in our monthly exhibition. Send in your art works (videos,
audios, poems, paintings, etc) and get published on our website.
Visit thesparkng.com/freestyle to submit your work of art.
Submissions are then screened and the artists invited for the
event.
Profiles
Are you an entrepreneur doing something positive? Let
us profile you. Send an email to info@thesparkng.com
signifying your interest.
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