Dear Friends,
This week’s letter is from Rodiat Jokodolu. Rodiat is a journalist and a business person. In this letter, she shares on volunteering, starting early and her optimism about Nigeria.
What was the turning point for you in your life/career choice?
I think when I was in Year 2 at the University of Ilorin, I was studying Mass Communication. Then I had issues with my roommate, and I just wanted something that would take me far. I think that was when I knew Abudullah. We were friends, and I spoke with him that I just needed to volunteer - something to keep me busy, because I don’t want to start issues with my roommates, so, let me just go somewhere, and when I come back in the night, everywhere will be peaceful, and we won’t have time to fight at all. He introduced me to One African Child, so I started volunteering with them. I was enjoying it, and I was like, "So I can do this, I can do that!" We went to outreaches. I got nominated for positions, and I was Director for Media and Communications for two terms. I think I volunteered with them for four years. That was the turning point for me.
Now, I’m happy that I started when I did, although it was not so easy then. I had little or no time for myself because I joined other groups. In 300 level, I started practicing my course. The journey was not been easy, but I enjoyed it. The evidence is that now, even in some places where I don’t know that people know me, they say, "You're Rodiat" and wondering, "Where do you know me from?" So, the experience has just widened my network. It has also affected my business. My business actually has to do with making wears for summer and winter. For the winter and cold season, we make hoodies and joggers for individuals, brands, corporations, and schools.
How do you deal with setbacks?
When I am faced with setbacks, I cry a lot, especially when things don’t go the way I planned it. When I am done crying, I feel relieved, and I go back to the drawing board to look where I made mistakes, and I see how I can do better, and put in more effort. Sometimes, it takes a while for me to retry, especially when I feel the need to research more on that particular thing and how to get it right.
What are three things you have done over the years that have made a big difference?
Volunteering: It expanded my network.
Starting early: I started practicing my career early, and it opened me to many opportunities, and I also got to work with some media outlets.
Getting Married and having a child.
What good news or things are in Nigeria are being overlooked?
We have almost everything in Nigeria; it's just that corruption is our only problem. We are so blessed in this country, but some people are not satisfied; they want to continue taking more for themselves alone. All these tsunamis, earthquakes are not happening in Nigeria, and we don’t even appreciate that at all. Imagine waking up one day to a tsunami, with everything scattered and collapsed; maybe then we’ll be able to appreciate what we have.
Also, I think we should try to appreciate "made in Nigeria" goods more than going to Turkey and London to get clothing. We should stop the culture of buying used clothing because it’s coming from London and Turkey. Even our Aso Oke, foreigners are coming to buy from us to use over there, but we are not appreciating what we have here. We should just learn to appreciate everything we have. We are so blessed, but we don't realize it yet.
What is something that keeps you optimistic for the future?
The present government. Let me say this about the present government, I’m trying to trust them because everything that needs to be changed will certainly have some setbacks. If you want to change something now, it is not going to be convenient for us, but we still have to take some forms, so we can get to where we are going to.
For instance, the hike in the prices of everything is affecting us. But I think we should still chill a little bit and see what this man can do. I can’t say we should trust him because they have all been lying to us over the years, taking all the money and doing nothing. But, there’s nothing we can do but to trust them. All of us can’t just travel. We have to wait and pray. If somebody is trying to prove difficult, when you pray to God on the person’s behalf, there’s nothing he can do above God.
If you had an opportunity to send a message to 15 year old Rodiat, what would you tell her?
I would tell her to be more patient, and prayerful. I’ll also tell her to choose wisely. I’m not really a patient person. If I want something, I just want it to happen. I did not learn that culture of patience. Even when you pray to God for some things, he might not grant them immediately. He might want to grant them in two months’ time. If you are not patient and you will start trying to find another means. I’ll tell her to be patient and take things easy. She should choose wisely and be more prayerful.
What is the one piece of advice you will give to someone just starting in your space?
For business, I would advise that the person learns about content creation and joins business communities. They should try to explore more and make friends. It is when you connect with friends that they will know what you do. I don’t mean make friends that you have to keep telling your life stories, I mean business people that you can talk to so that whenever your services are needed, they’ll remember you. If you’re in a business community and you’re not contributing whenever they need to discuss, they wouldn’t even know that you exist. People knowing you means they are know your business. When your business is known it will keep growing.
Generally, I will advise the young people fresh out of school to get more experience. Coming right out of school and then going into the world is a big thing. It is a difficult ball game because school life and the world are different views. Your perspective has to change when you get out there. Be careful. Get more experience and then try to do new things. Try to bring yourself to the limelight in a positive way because you never can tell who is watching you especially in places you don’t know people, people know you. Try to keep things positive. Imagine you have a negative behavior and you are known for that when you go out to look for a job, it will affect you. Even if you change, people will most likely judge you according to past experiences, so just keep doing things in a positive light.
Finally, Volunteer for local and international organizations.
What are you reading or listening to currently?
I’m not a book person, I’m more of a music person. I listen to music, and I think my best is still Adekunle Gold’s music.
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See you next week.
Your friends,
From AllforDevelopment.
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