I returned from a memorable two-week holiday in Nigeria this week. As a Nigerian girl living in the UK, I love to visit often, especially as my parents and brothers live there.
At the start of this year, I decided to use my gift of speaking and writing to help transform minds across Africa, beginning with my home country, Nigeria.
It’s interesting how provision shows up the minute you make a decision. The day I had the idea to go on this new journey wasn’t when the doors opened. Rather, the doors opened when I said an emphatic ‘no’ to the intrusive thought that showed up as self-consciousness. Listen to the latest episode of Living Inside Out podcast to get the full gist on that.
You see, thoughts of how others would perceive me often hindered many of my ideas from materializing. I was going to ask my network for introductions to relevant parties and I found myself at the crossroads.
Turn left and I’d surrender to the dissuading thought of ‘not wanting to bother anyone’. Turn right and I was saying ‘yes’ to my vision, to be all that God created me to be. I turned right, and immediately received an invite to meet an influential personality who could help me on the next leg of this journey.
It was also along this journey that I seized the opportunity to speak at one of Nigeria’s most prestigious events, The Leadership Group’s Conference and Awards ceremony, graced by the presence of the country’s leaders and senior politicians. President Bola Tinubu was the guest of honour.
Well, overnight, the organisers changed the programme and shortened my slot from ten to five minutes. Still, the audience of high-ranking officials did not faze me, because at the core of who we are, we are all the same. It was the content that bothered me. I wanted to make an impact and five minutes was tiny! But by God’s grace, I did.
Titles are external labels; but the human heart remains the same.
Nigeria: Building Connections & Crafting Brands
Challenges have a way of being so insistent, they demand to be meditated on. I was facing my share of challenges before I left, but the rich, red soil of Nigeria, the love of the people, and the incomparable cuisine gathered me into a warm embrace. I had a wonderful time. Seeing my parents in excellent health warmed my heart. Spending time with friends, and reconnecting with loved ones, some of which I haven’t seen in 30+ years was gold.
Starting a new career in a different country requires PR and I was invited to guest on AIT news for International Women’s Day. I have to tell you, that I was shocked at the unfiltered questions the host asked. It was chauvinism in it’s raw, unprocessed form. A confirmation that I was in the right place at the right time. My goal is to help transform minds of women in Africa by helping them to identify and expose limiting beliefs, so they can propel forward. Having a platform at the Leadership Conference, as well as being on AIT was a welcome head start.
In addition, I had my first radio appearance in Abuja on a fun, girly show called Chics, on KISS FM. I HAD FUN!!! You know how women come with so much energy and inspiration wrapped up? I was soaked in it.
Another first was my newspaper interview with Leadership News: You can read it here:
Navigating PR: Building Bridges in Nigeria
I will be running a PR workshop for anyone who has a business, or is looking to raise the profile of their personal brand. Having done my own PR for most of my business, I have learned a thing or too. I will teach you all I know, including how I was able to get the level of press I did in a short two week period, in Nigeria. The principle is the same in every country. Send an email to pa@toksaruoture to signal your interest and get on the wait list.
If you are looking to develop a deeper connection with yourself, and with others, I encourage you to start by getting to know yourself better- and you can do this by rewriting your story. There is a truth buried within yet we tell ourselves a narrative which holds us back. My on-demand Write Your Rock Star Story course is now available and you can take it at your own pace. Check it here.
Let’s Connect:
Have you subscribed to this podcast? Why don’t you do so on your favourite podcast app? Then head to Youtube.com/toksaruoture to watch and subscribe to my show, Living Inside Out. I would LOVE to connect with you on social; let’s stay in touch at toksauoture.com and hang out together on Instagram- @toksaruoture and on Facebook, Living Inside Out.
