University of Manchester
Excellerate 2013!…Join Davd Wej, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, Jason Njoku, Michael Afolaranmi and Kingsley Okonkwo for the Business Conference of the year.
I am one of those who personally believe that God’s children have no right to fail especially in their chosen career path or business. However, the Nigerian business horizon is replete with businesses that are struggling to survive. This is because the economy is no respecter of persons but principles. As a business owner, what principles are you applying to ensure that your business is not just a registered entity with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), but a brand making waves across the world.
It holds this Saturday 5th October, 8:30am at Davids Christian Centre, Fagbems Bus Stop, Amuwo and its one event i’m personally looking forward to.1. Jason Njoku (Iroko TV)
Jason is the Founder/CEO of IROKO Partners, the largest digital distributors of Nigerian music and movies. Raised by a single mother in a council flat in southeast London, he later left to study Chemistry at the University of Manchester. Success didn’t come easy as his earlier enterprises, first as a party promoter, then publisher of a magazine all went south.
After a network of blogs-which he’d intended to appeal to upwardly mobile professionals- failed, he was forced to move back into his mother’s apartment where the idea for IROKO was birthed.
Again, it was not an easy start as Jason didn’t have a lot of funds at his disposal; still he pushed on until 2011 when he got a break after being featured by technology writer Sarah Lacy on the blog TechCrunch.
Named one of Forbes Ten Young African Millionaires to watch, Jason has surely influenced many to think outside the business “box”.
2. Funke Bucknor- Obruthe (Zapphire Events)
Funke has always known she was not going to practice Law even while she was studying it in the University of Lagos. Her love for public relation prompted her to make this decision early in life, before she ventured into the labour market.
Following a series of events, she founded, some years ago, what is today known as ZAPPHAIRE EVENTS- an events consulting, planning, marketing and management company which is setting the pace for others to follow in the business of events planning in Nigeria.
Funke Bucknor- Obruthe is one of the pioneers of events planning in Nigeria who ventured into events planning back in 2003, when she was practically the second person to begin events planning in Nigeria. The first wedding she ever coordinated after setting-up her outfit was Florence Duru’s wedding. After which she went on to do events for the likes of Florence Ita- Giwa, John Momoh, Titi Atiku, Late President Yaradua’s daughter and Late Solomon Ayoku’s, just to mention a few. She is today doing what she loves to do and yet making money from it.
Funke Bucknor- Obruthe never had any formal training in events planning but her flair for organizing events made her to develop herself by reading books, surfing the internet etc, for relevant information as regarding her desire in events planning. This enterprising young woman is not just an event planner, she also organizes frequent training sessions, seminars and workshops where she teaches young people entrepreneurial skill, management and how to be a successful event planner
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As a public speaker, she has delivered countless of lectures/speeches due to her burning desire to contribute her quota to the development of society.
Funke’s entrepreneurial spirit and continuous desire to change society for the better has earned her awards like The Future Awards “The Entrepreneur of the year” (2006), Wedding Planner Magazine – “Wedding Planner of the Year”(2007) and still counting.
3. Adedayo David Eweje (David Wej Clothing)
The image consultant and founder, David Wej Clothing International was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He had his primary education at tehe Command Children’s School, Ikeja, Lagos, Command Secondary School, Ipaja, Lagos and proceeded to the Lagos State university, Ojo in Nigeria where he studied Geography and graduated in 1999. While at the university he had a passion for fashion and image consulting as he won several social awards in this regard. Having gone through his education he started a career path for himself in the telecommunication industry in Nigeria which at that time was an upcoming sector in the Nigerian economy. As a young graduate, Adedayo went from mandatory National Youth service at Intercellular Nigeria Ltd to Econet Wireless Nig Ltd (now Airtel) and in 2003, moved to Globacom
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During all his telecommunication years, his passion for fashion and distinctive style was so pronounced it earned him several awards. After he tendered his resignation in December 2008, he decided to set up his clothing brand to offer unique style for the Nigerian and international market. 
It is remarkable to note that the brand has risen to a very competitive pedestal within a short period of setting up. The brand is already penetrating the international market as his products are being sought after internationally and currently being sold in some selected stores across the world.
David Wej boasts of a unique style that appeals to fashionistas with an outgoing and rare confident taste which is probably the reason it won Fashion Brand of the Year Award at the Fab Awards 2011.
4. Michael Owolabi Afolaranmi (12 Baskets Foods Ltd)
Michael is the Chairman/CEO of 12 Baskets foods Ltd. He is a Chartered Marketer, a trained and seasoned Administrator, Manager, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, endowed with many years of experience both internationally and domestically in the food and dining industry.
As a child, Michael grew up in a family with a rich heritage of catering. He got his first culinary training from his mother who was a known caterer and had a deep affinity for cooking. He eventually went on to perfect the art of cooking and he started 12 Baskets Foods limited, which has grown to become one of Nigeria’s premier finger-foods manufacturers.
Today, 12 Baskets foods has become a household name, not only providing top-notch finger foods but also providing training for people who intend to go into the culinary world.
5. Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo (Host)
If you’ve ever wondered what Jesus would look like in this time and age, then you need not look far. Pastor K as he’s fondly called paints a vivid picture. A ‘crazy’ lover of God with a heart full of compassion for people, he preaches the truth in God’s Word with boldness and without any reservations. He is a firm believer that Christians should run their own businesses and excel at it. He is the president of The Edge Business School where timeless business secrets and principles are taught and many who have attended have testimonies to share. Top business personalities who have taught at the Edge Business school include Uche Nnaji (MD/CEO, Ouch!), Tara Fela-Durotoye, as well as some of the speakers highlighted above.
With a vision to “raise a victorious people,” he has been on a mission to “school and train people through the word of faith into a life of 100% victory 100% of the time” for 17 years and still counting. Pastor Kingsley is not a man who just teaches, he lays emphasis on doing because that’s the only way to get results. He is a man of faith with numerous results to show for it and he constantly and consistently, with joy, teaches Bible-based principles so that people can live victoriously.
Watch this video for more about Excellerate………
Make sure you don’t miss this event for anything. I’ll be there for sure and I personally look forward to seeing you.
You can call 08077714411 for details.
That’s all for now guys. Thanks for stopping by and until next time, remember, “Every man will have his day”
Johnson Madichie is an inspirational / social blogger based in Lagos, Nigeria and affects the world from there.
Contact:
E-mail – johnsonmadichie@yahoo.co.uk | Twiiter – @johnsonmadichie |Facebook – Johnson Ifeanyi Madichie |Mobile – +2348055940573
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