Hi guys, hope your week has been great. This post is loooong overdue but its better late than never right, so here is the post.
I attended this event I talked about last month, TedXGbagada, it was truly a ‘must attend’ event, it was mind blowing and I had so much fun.
As usual I was a volunteer and I met one of the organizers of the #BECOMING event I talked about here and he called me a ‘PROFESSIONAL VOLUNTEER’ (that statement made me blush, lol). I worked with the social media team and we were in charge of live tweeting of the event.
Remember I said in this post that I did live tweeting for the first time, I’m so glad I did it then, I’m a ‘pro’ now *winks*.
So I’d be sharing a breakdown of the event for those that couldn’t make it. The speakers were awesome and L-O-A-D-E-D…

The stage was magnificent

The event started with registration, taking pictures and selfies, arrival of guests and speakers, red carpet and all those good stuff.

The volunteers in the building..

My puff was on fleek..

Can you sight Chinenye, the Ankara Queen? My partner in greatness.

The 1st speaker was Mark Essien, the founder of Hotels.ng. He spoke on “Jumping into the future: the technology Africa can create”

Mark Essien

Highlights from his speech
*Nigeria’s banking technology is better than German’s banking technology. *Nigerians should not copy the West but think about skipping a generation and do what has not been done. *Nigerians can invest in solar trees to extend electricity to villages instead of using cables.
*To solve transportation problems, Nigerians can create self driving ‘kekes’ (really? Engineering guys put on your thinking caps)
*The future of Africa is in using our problems to create inventions that will put us ahead of the world.

The next speaker was Dorcas Odeyemi, a seasoned educationist. She talked on how play makes work better.

Odeyemi Dorcas

*Play is very important, it is a drive, a need, a brain-building must do
*Play helps children to develop their skills, it makes them lifelong learners. It is the only way children learn because they enjoy it.
*The skills needed in life are not learned behind desks, they are learned through play.

After her session, there was a short break, the food was life. I enjoyed every bit and bite. The cakes brought out the foodie in me.

Yummy right? I know.

Can you see TEDx on the doughnuts, so cool...

Up next was the exceptional entertainer and comedian Bovi. He spoke on “The gift is a curse”. I have never seen Bovi that serious before, he was an engaging speaker and he sure cracked our ribs at some point.

Bovi

*The internet and social media have changed things today. Social media have ruined our conversation skills. People don’t spend quality time with each other anymore.
*Social media is encouraging narcissism (excessive love of oneself). We are beginning to worship ourselves.
*When you love yourself too much, you’d end up killing yourself.
*Entertainers who have truly made a mark are not those that worship themselves but those that give back to the society.
*When you fail don’t be afraid to start again.
He took us back to history of Narcissus and Greek mythology. He ended with asking the audience if we could spend only 5 hours on the internet each day. (Is it possible? What do you think? Some people might just die, lol).

Next was my talented friend and saxophonist Tuke Morgan (if you don’t know her, how do you breathe, lol, check this post to meet her). She played her single, Trust.

Tuke Morgan

The next speaker was the media guru Toyin Poju-Oyemade.

Toyin Poju

*Ideas rule the world but if the idea is still in your head how will it make a difference (hmmn..deep right?)
*Know what you want to do and tailor your life towards it
*The average Nigerian is suffering from a lack of self belief
*If you don’t have self love, self trust and self esteem, no one else will believe in you
*Fear plagues the average Nigerian and keeps us from chasing our dreams
*Anyone who has achieved anything worthwhile has failed at some point.
*How many people can persevere with their dreams after doors have been shut against them?
*You need to be able to motivate yourself to chase and stick to your dreams
*Just do something even if it seems like rubbish in the beginning.
*You need constant self motivation and people that can help you. Surround yourself with people who believe in your dreams
*Fulfilling your goals will not be a bed of roses but you have to brush off the struggles and move on
*You owe it to yourself to make your dreams come true
*No matter how hard and dark life is you can be a light. Let your light shine.

Next was a surprise life performance by Timi Dakolo (The Voice). I literally melted under his performance. His voice was electrifying, awesome and goose bump-inducing. Choi, I could listen to that voice over and over and over again. After the song (Wish me well), he gave us the ‘main dish’: he spoke about his life story.

Timi Dakolo

Shining teeth with Timi Dakolo

*If you do nothing, you will be nothing
*It is riskier not to take risks in life
*You have to know your trade and improve in it
*Gather as much information about your field as possible
*When it comes to your passion, everyone else can be wrong
*The world doesn’t know what keeps you awake at night. Follow your heart.
*The difference between two people lies in the information they have
*There are no rules to any trade, just tools
*Keep it simple. Simplicity is the highest form of complexity.

After him we had another break with more food, yummy…..

Participants enjoying their snacks

I wasn't left out. #foodie

Up next was Taofick Okoya, the creator of the first ever Nigerian fashion doll called “The Queens of Africa”. He spoke on his inspiration for the Queen of Africa dolls. His little daughter wished she was a white because of the white Barbie dolls she had; it broke his heart and made him ask himself some deep questions.
What is the beauty standard for Africans? Is being African synonymous to being ugly? Is looking white more acceptable? If yes, to whom?

*African women aspire to be ‘white’ but attack white people who attempt to be black. Why? Black skin is beautiful because black does not crack. Black people are uncomfortable with white people ‘acting black’ because they haven’t fully embraced their color. Africans need to appreciate their history and culture.
*Black dolls are associated with so much negativity. If you are asked to choose between a white and black doll what would your choice be?
*The next time you say ‘black is beautiful’ make sure you mean it.

The final speaker of the day was the personal photographer to the President of the Republic of NIGERIA, Bayo Omooboriowo. He is soooo cute and humble and guess what he is happily married to my classmate back in secondary school, what a small world we live in (shout out to all Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Ojo peeps out there, we rock!!!).

His photography is U-N-I-Q-U-E

He shared his story of his journey as a photographer. I was humbled, overwhelmed and shocked at the same time.
Some his words and lessons
*I intend to make the best use of my life to influence my generation (what about you, yes YOU)
*I was not born with a silver spoon but I made a promise to make diamond spoons for my children (me too oh..)
*The skills in our hands are enough to put food on our tables
*Don’t make excuses for your yesterday but use it to make a better tomorrow
*You have to be willing to do what it takes; you have to give it your all
*Until you find a need a fill it your life is incomplete
*You never know who is watching, do what you are passionate about as if you are getting paid.
*Keep chasing whatever you want to do, you would get results eventually
*Invest in your mind. Be passionate about learning.
*You need to be ready to make sacrifices to achieve your dreams
*Don’t follow the crowd. Do something different. Find a gap and fill it.
*Until you set yourself aside and carve your own niche, you may not achieve anything
*Ignore your doubts and finish what you have started
*Passion is key. Discipline is key. Integrity is key.
*The investment you make today is a prerequisite for your tomorrow,
*It’s up to you to cultivate the seed of greatness inside.

There was a board for participants to write something they wanted to do before they die.

Goody bags.. Yaay!!

TedxGbagada ended with a vote of thanks by the convener Yemi Akamo and yeah our amazing host and compere was the one and only Omoo Anetekhai.
That’s all guys, I know this post was very lengthy but I hope you enjoyed it and it was worth your time. Don’t forget to drop your comments guys and share too. Talk to you later.