CELBMD Africa On The Move To Promote Economic Empowerment Across Africa

Posted on January 7, 2017January 7, 2017 by Olubukonla Aloba

The Center for Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Business Management Development (CEL-BMD) Africa- The Pan African Professional Center is an international center of choice for skills and competency based professional executive training, development and consultancy which cut across all levels of industry from senior executives to high school graduates. Currently, CELBMD offers the following services: professional executive training/development, entrepreneurship and leadership training program, capacity building seminars and conference, graduate assistance program, corporate training and consultancy, small business management free consulting. Its programs are designed to incite problem solving skills, innovative thinking and exchange of ideas. The professional executive training and development programs have been designed to address some of the immediate issues facing many organizations and business executives today. Through its professional executive training and development programs, CELBMD Africa has trained and certified 8500 executives, leaders, job-seekers and entrepreneurs in 26 African countries. The organization has also empowered 16000+ people through its conferences and capacity building seminars.

Javnyuy Joybert- CEO, CELBMD Africa

Javnyuy Joybert is the founder and CEO of CELBMD Africa. He is a young African from The Republic of Cameroon. Javnyuy is a man who wears many hats. He is a preacher of the gospel by divine orchestration, empowerment coach, social entrepreneur, motivational speaker and also doubles as the senior trainer/consultant at CELBMD. According to Javnyuy, the idea to start CELBMD was triggered by his experience after graduating high school in 2009.

After high school my single mum could not afford my university tuition and I was so eager to further my education and become the banker I have always wanted to be. So I could not go to school and at the same time I did not have the employability skills that employers needed from job seekers. I now started asking questions why is there no organization that can train me with the skills I need to make me employable at a very cheap fee that I could carry out odd jobs, pay and earn these skills within a very short period of time, maximum 3 months courses.

According to Javnyuy, he started doing odd jobs in Bamenda City. He washed cars, worked in building construction sites, cleaned and served as commercial motorbike rider, until he was able to earn his Bachelors of Science degree in Financial Management in 2012. “After acquiring my degree I got my first job as a finance clerk in a microfinance institution and at the same time started working on developing an organization that will put the thoughts I had in 2009 into action to affect young people like me across Africa. And CELBMD Africa was born.”

Since its inception, CELBMD has been recording tremendous success across Africa. It has ambassadors from various African countries. Outstanding young Africans who have continued to carry on the vision of CELBMD Africa through the great work they are doing in their respective countries. CELBMD also boasts of registered training centers in 18 African countries (Malawi, Uganda, Botswana, Tanzania, Somalia, Zambia, Djibouti, Nigeria, Ghana, DRC, Rwanda, Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Swaziland, Kenya and Cameroon) Through these programs the organization has been transforming Africa by transforming the minds of Africans.

The organization has been nominated for so many awards and have won a couple of awards too. Winner of Princess Kuja Recognition Awards 2016 for Community Development organized by a New York (USA) Base Marie-Claire Kuja Foundation, UK Base Kinnaka’s Blog Gola Project Awards 2016. Javnyuy was also nominated for the 2015 Africa Youth Award – Category: Grassroots Transformation and 2016 Africa Youth Award – Category Male African Youth of the Year.

On his goals and aspirations, Javnyuy says,

The African Continent is at a point in time where they need competencies such as creativity, problem solving, initiative, and transformational leadership capabilities. To promote sustainable development and economic empowerment in Africa, African leaders as a matter of now must implement new educational models unlike the one that has been existing with little or no transformation effect. Therefore CELBMD Africa aim at accelerating Youth Empowerment/Development in areas of creativity, problem solving, entrepreneurship, leadership, effective business management practices across Africa for sustainable growth in Africa. CELBMD Africa projects are designed to point young people in the right direction to enable them play constructive quota in continent/nation building. Currently we are working on our 2025 vision where we envision seeing CELBMD Africa operating in all 54 African countries and training/empowering 100 000 Africans through our Professional Executive Training/Development and Capacity Building Seminars and Conferences.

Talking on what drives him, Javnyuy says, “I have a mandate to contribute my best to make sure that I leave a better Africa to the future generation better than the one I inherited from my single mum. This drives me daily.” Javnyuy understands the benefits of a mentor-mentee relationship. Because of this, he says he is open to being a mentor to anyone. Anyone who is interested can reach him via his Facebook page @Javnyuy Joybert.

To learn about CELBMD Africa and its programs, you can visit their website CELBMD Africa

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Coz Designs, A Nigerian-Made Leather Luxury Brand Making Waves Across Countries

Posted on December 21, 2016December 21, 2016 by Olubukonla Aloba

Fashion is an integral part of the African culture. It has been ingrained in us from a young age to be conscious of how we present ourselves. Nigeria is one of the leading countries in Africa in terms of fashion. Lagos, Nigeria has become a center of excellence for buzzing fashion events. This has provided a hub for the youths to dive into the fashion business.These days a number of Nigerian youths have taken to fashion designing, modeling, fashion blogging and similar enterprise with a major focus on the African attires hence the popular slang of ‘Yoruba Demon’ which in a way has made the Yoruba traditional wear, Agbada to become more acceptable and admired among high-brow events in the country and overseas.

Ore Osoba, CEO and Creative Director Coz Designs

However, there is a sector of the fashion enterprise which haven’t really been explored in the Nigerian fashion scene. It is the LUXURY BAGS sector, most especially Nigerian-made brands. Bags are important accessories which could make or mar your overall outfit. Oreoluwa Osoba of COZ Designs seems to notice this particular area which haven’t caught the eyes of many hence making him a unique fashion icon in the Nigerian fashion scene.Ore Osoba is the CEO and creative director of Coz Designs. He is a 21-year-old graduate of Computer Science from North American University, Republic of Benin. Ore hails from Ogun state, Nigeria and he is the last child of his family.

: Coz Designs’ Works

While in his final year in the university, he decided he didn’t want to work for anyone and wants to start his own brand. Ore, who has always been a fashion lover knew anything he will do would be fashion related though. According to him he decided to go into bags because he noticed there aren’t a lot of bag brands in Nigeria and bags are very important fashion accessories as they play a big role in fashion .

Ore talks on life as being the creative director of a leather luxury brand. Ore says, “Being a creative director is not an easy job. I design all of our bags . Before I design I imagine the person I am designing for. I want every design to make a statement and play a role. I want my designs to give my customers confidence.”

On his goals and aspirations, Ore says, “I want Nigerians to believe in Made in Nigeria products. I want my customers to carry my designs and be confident that they are rocking Made in Nigeria.”

Currently, Ore won the best entrepreneur of the year at the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award Ceremony. The award is the biggest and most respected Nigerian entrepreneurs award. He was handed the award by the governor of Kano state. He was also nominated for the ‘Best Youth Company” at the African Youth Choice Award. Ore was also named the future of Nigerian business by Natasha Nobles, an American based blogger. Ore says, “I hope to inspire youths that you are not too young to be successful or to know what you want. Your life is your boat and you are the captain. You are not too young to take charge.”

: Models rocking Coz Designs at the Africa Fashion Week

Ore attributes his drive for success to his mum and his passions. “I grew up with my mom. She is a very hard working woman. She worked three jobs to send me to school , so she is one of my biggest drives. And I love what I do. Fashion is my passion. I love to see my customers happy and satisfied.”

Ore hopes to expand Coz Designs all over the world. Currently, the brand is selling in 16 countries. He hopes to expand to more countries and more outlets. The brand will be launching its new collections soon. These will be posted on the brand’s IG page @coz_designs. Coz Designs is currently making big waves in Nigeria and a number of the Nigerian celebrities have been known to rock the brand.

: Simi

: Mr.2kay and Beverly Osu

: Nedu of Wazobia

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Redefining Education for Young Nigerians

Posted on December 16, 2016December 21, 2016 by Olubukonla Aloba

While serving as a Youth Corps member in a remote village in Edo state, Nigeria, Ajayi Oluwafunminiyi birthed the idea of Read and Think Initiative. On discovering that most students in the rural community lacked purpose and a sense of direction, Ajayi thought of a way to promote literacy and career awareness among the young students. According to him, “Some saw no reason for schooling, some others perceived it as punishment and this made teaching and learning difficult and ultimately the purpose of schooling was defeated.”

Ajayi, a graduate of Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and a member of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport whose core area of skills are research and data analysis put his research skills to use in figuring out the challenges facing these students and the best way to reach them.

Ajayi Oluwafunminiyi

Ajayi discovered that many people find themselves on the wrong job and live below their true potentials because of the choices they made earlier on without the right information. He conducted a survey to sample the opinions of students concerning their reasons for being in school and the factors influencing their choice of career. With the understanding he now has, he is driven to help others especially students who still have the chance to get it right early. He has been able to reach out to about 1000 students through the initiative’s monthly outreaches to schools. The aim of the initiative is to “promote literacy and career awareness by sensitizing, enlightening, re-orientating and motivating students in order to prepare them for purposeful scholarship and resourceful citizenry.”

The initiative held its first campaign across three villages. Ajayi says, “Apart from the sensitization, there was an essay competition where the winner won a scholarship. An indigent but talented J.S.S 1 student was also awarded a scholarship. This was a huge success and the experience motivated me to do more when I left the village.”

The initiative projects to reach out to at least 100,000 Nigerian students on a yearly basis in both rural and urban centers. The initiative plans to organize a yearly essay and debate competitions on topical issues bothering on career choices and self-awareness among schools where winners will be rewarded. In addition to that the initiative also aims to reach out to the less privileged by sponsoring the education of truly indigent students who exhibit a great deal of talent and potential such that such talents do not just go to waste and intends to do this on a yearly basis.

Ajayi added that he has an understanding of the talent mix and personality traits. Using the analysis of John Holland’s theory of personality types, he realizes he is a social type. He falls into the category of people who like to teach and address people. He enjoys doing this a lot and according to him it is his area of strength. With a positive outlook on the future and a determination to create a positive change in his society, Ajayi says, “Our next plan is to reach out to physically impaired students. We realize they face tremendous challenges in learning, so we intend to contribute the little we can in making resources available to them.”

To volunteer or donate to this initiative, contact @Ajayi Julius Oluwafunminiyi on Facebook.

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Adeike Ogunsade Becomes The First Recipient Of The Uphold Africa Fund

Posted on November 30, 2016December 21, 2016 by Olubukonla Aloba

After much deliberations on the applications received from various candidates, Adeike Ogunsade a graduate of Industrial Chemistry from Bowen University Osun state, Nigeria, emerges the winner of the Uphold Africa Fund. This sets Ogunsade as the first recipient of the fund, a sum of N100,000. The fund is set up as a way to assist young African entrepreneurs in their business and social entrepreneurship start-up. Ogunsade is the founder of Crowncare Couture, a fashion company located in Abeokuta, Ogun state Nigeria.

Ogunsade’s passion for fashion design goes way back from her childhood days. She says, “My primary school teacher identified my exceptional flare and gift for sewing and design at the early age of seven, while she taught me Needlework as one of the school subjects.” After some years, she spends her holidays at a local tailor’s workshop in order to gain more skills. She continues to self-train herself with books on fashion design and a sewing machine.

By 2010, Ogunsade decides to enroll in a fashion school and completed a 3-month intensive course on Womenswear Fashion Design. She got an award from the school as the best student of the year. She produces bespoke dresses, wedding dresses, casuals and ready-made female dresses (including corporate and native attires) with carefully selected fabrics and quality finishing.

After graduating from the university, Ogunsade decides to launch her own business. Currently, Ogunsade also runs a fashion school which she started in March 2016. Presently, the school boasts of an enrollment of 12 students. On being selected as the winner, Ogunsade says “Thank you so much, I’m so happy.” She intends to use the fund to, “Expand the capacity of the business arm to sewing and selling of quality Nigerian ready-made wears.This will be done by stocking/purchasing fabrics and sewing materials of both local and foreign standards to produce quality dresses.”

She also intends to use the fund in creating a website that will showcase quality dresses made from her workshop. This will in turn expand her contacts. Ogunsade also says, “I intend to train more youth that can take up fashion designing as a career. This will reduce unemployment.”

Finally, she plans to “re-invest the profit that will be made through the sales of dresses, sewing materials and sewing equipment in procuring new industrial machines and expansion for more quality dresses.”

Below are some of her designs.

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Meet the Face Behind SpYzE Fashions

Posted on May 30, 2016December 21, 2016 by Olubukonla Aloba | 8 Comments

With a deep craving of wanting to be different and successful at what she does, this young Nigerian entrepreneur set out to make her dreams come true. Despite the economic crunch going on in her country she wasn’t to be deterred. She is closer to her dream than she thought and is ready to give it her all and let the world know she is here to make a name for herself.

Tomiwa Yomi-Alliyu (Spyze Fashion) Tomiwa Yomi-Alliyu (CEO, SpYzE Fashions)

Tomiwa Yomi-Alliyu is a 23-year-old, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria undergraduate, the face behind all the nice form-fitting attires that graces my Facebook timeline every time. She sews all kinds of ladies wears. She is very comfortable with any style and does as directed by her customers. She is out to prove to the world that she is definitely a millennial. She knows where the world converge today and she is out to meet them there. She gracefully uses social media to her advantage. After successfully launching her fashion business, SpYzE Fashions, via social media about two months ago on March 8, Yomi-Alliyu said, “It has been positive vibes all the way from old schoolmates, friends and acquaintances online. They all admire my handwork and give me reasons to keep trying.” Most times, the bulk of her patronage come from her close friends. She hopes to get more from all and sundry.

spyze fashions 4

Yomi-Alliyu whose passion for fashion started out as a love for combining colors and putting things in shape is really optimistic about what the future has in store for her and her business. She said, ” I hope to have my own brand, set up a fashion channel and to be recognized globally in the fashion world.” She believes in starting up a business certain factors needs to be in place. She said, “One has to be determined, dedicated and disciplined. Diligence is the mother of good luck.” She looks up to a lot of top fashion icons and hopes to meet with some of them someday. To anyone who is planning to launch a business she has this to say,” You can do anything they do, only you must try to do it better.”

Below are some of her works. To patronize her, she can be reached via BBM 559692FF.

spyze fashions 5 SpYzE Fashions.jpg 2 Spyze fashions 6

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