Ada Osakwe Food Investor and Founder of Nuli Juice – Becomes First African to Deliver Commencement Address at Prestigious Kellogg School of Management.
Ada Osakwe, is an award-winning food entrepreneur, investor and passionate African development advocate. She is the Founder of Agrolay Ventures, an investment firm focusing on early-stage innovative food companies in Africa. Since 2015, the firm has built a portfolio of 10 high-growth investments in food and technology, including The Nuli Juice Company (‘Nuli’), Nigeria’s fastest-growing farm-to-table beverage producer and fast-casual restaurant chain that utilizes locally-grown vegetables and fruits.
Ada has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, MSc in Economics and Finance from University of Warwick, U.K. and BSc in Economics (First Class Honours) from the University of Hull, U.K.
On Friday, 19th June – Ms. Osakwe delivered the convocation address to the Kellogg School of Management Class of 2020. She is the first African to be given this honour and fourth black woman; following in the footsteps of outstanding Black-Americans Edith Cooper, – Global Head of Human Capital a t Goldman Sachs in 2017, Roslyn Brock, Chairman Emeritus of the NAACP in 2012 and media titan Oprah Winfrey, in 2011.
“I was incredibly honoured that not even up to a decade after graduating from Kellogg where I earned my MBA, I was invited to address the class of 2020.”, said Ada.
“As a young woman who has worked hard to promote Africa in all I do, this meant alot to me. I was sad when due to COVID-19, I was unable to join them in person. But by God’s grace, we will do so next year”.
With a critical phase of their lives upended by the ongoing global health pandemic, the class of 2020 completed the last few months of their MBA degree Program virtually, instead of on campus in the classroom, and they will receive their diplomas in the mail or on their
phones. Recognizing the need to offer extra inspiration at this extraordinary moment in history, in her commencement speech, Osakwe praised them for their bravery, resilience and courage!She let them know that life’s situations are not always as perfect as we hope, sharing details of her career path, transitioning from her private-equity job in New York, right after business school, to starting her own business as an investor and entrepreneur in Nigeria.
According to her,
“After my time in New York, I went into public service, joining the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture as his Senior Investment Advisor. This high-level role gave me unparalleled exposure at the highest levels. After four years, I gave up all the power and influence that came with my position, deciding to become an entrepreneur instead. Friends disappeared overnight, and my phone wasn’t ringing anymore. It was a difficult time as I felt I had to prove my professional capabilities to people all over again and rebuild my entire private-sector career from scratch. Thinking back, it was just what was needed to motivate me to make sure my start-up, Nuli, became the fastest-growing beverage brand and fast-casual restaurant chain in Nigeria.”
For Ada, it’s important to believe in yourself to make it through challenging times:
“So in your quest to thrive, there will be curve-balls thrown your way and you’ll have to take risks, it’s a given. But you’ve just got to trust your journey,”
she advised the graduating students.
Furthermore, she impressed on the importance of finding their voices saying
“globally, we are at a tipping point, as we see various forms of injustice being revealed. And so now, more than ever, the world needs brave leaders like you, and me, and all other Kellogg grads around the world, to provide solutions to the existential problems being faced by humanity. And so it’s so important to find your voice and help others find theirs too, during these extraordinary times.”
This message was important to Osakwe as she has recently been very outspoken about the Nigerian Government’s poor response to support Small Business owners in Nigeria through the difficult COVID-19 pandemic.
“Small businesses, like mine, a group that makes up over 80 percent of the labour force of my country, have been left alone to navigate these shaky waters”, Osakwe said.
She is Chair of the Small Business Networking Nigeria (SBNN), a new organization founded by small business owners to represent their collective voices and interests on issues around policy and business environment.
She had a special message for the women among the group;
“So for the amazing women among you, let your brilliance and awesomeness shine through as you keep amplifying your voices. As a young woman, throughout my life, I have suffered all forms of biases and discriminatory practices in the workplace and society. But this has never stopped me from forging my own path to greatness. And so go ahead and crash through that ceiling, tear down those walls, and create your nice, comfortable seat on multiple tables.”
As a Black-African, in her speech, Osakwe said she will always speak out against racial injustice and urged the non-blacks to also find their voices on this issue as allies to ensure there is more equality, tolerance and acceptance for all.
In closing she thanked the entire team at Kellogs School of Management, family, friends and mentors, who have all played strong roles in helping the graduates reach this point leaving them with the message
“I truly believe crises have the ability to bring out the best in humanity. Class of 2020, you have a front-row seat in this journey to shape the world we want to see. A better world”
Nigerian media personality Toke Makinwa has shared a heartwarming story about her encounter with singer D’banj. She revealed that he is the only Nigerian man who has given her money without asking for anything in return.
A viral video on social media captured a recent interaction between Toke Makinwa and D’banj. She recounted his generous act during a time before her fame. This selfless gesture left a lasting impression on Makinwa.
“I was at a party one time and someone said this is D’banj and I was like, ‘Hi,’ and he goes, ‘I’m going to be the biggest thing out of Africa.’ That’s the kind of confidence this nigga had,” she recalled.
Makinwa recounted how D’banj pledged to give her a substantial sum of ₦10 million. Then, she emphasized that this he followed through on the commitment completely. She noted that the donor carried out this act of generosity without any expectation of receiving anything in return from her.
She said, “Then I was in banking and he entertained us all night. Then, many years later, I started my career and I wrote a book, He came to my book launch and pledged 10 million naira. He paid it the next morning and never asked for anything in return.”
“He is the only Nigerian man I know who has given me free money and didn’t ask, ‘What are you doing later?’ Or can I call you later?’ He is the only Nigerian man! Gave me 10 fucking million naira and this was many years ago. I fuck with him!” she concluded, praising him.
“D’banj gave me N10million at my book launch and he never asked for anything in return. The only Nigerian man I know that has given me free money.”
The singer, chuckling as he spoke, admitted that he had made the generous donation so many years ago that the memory of the act had completely faded from his mind.
Nigerian actress Nancy Isime has shared her views on marriage, revealing that, unlike many young girls who dream of their weddings, she is prioritizing her career and financial independence.
The actress appeared on the Creativitea Live with Lynda podcast for a recent interview. During this interview, she discussed her aspirations. Isime centred these aspirations around work and money. She did not focus on marriage as an aspiration.
She said,
“I’ve always seen myself working. I say this to a few people but when young girls sit down and daydream about getting married, I never did.
“I used to daydream about working and making my own money and being independent; I fear that I might not even have my dream wedding because what is a dream wedding? Even if I get married, it will just be a wedding that we both agree at the same time is how we feel and where we are at. If it’s a big wedding, fine, if it’s a small wedding, whatever we feel.” Isime added.
Nancy Isime stressed a point about her current stance.
She traced this stance back to her childhood and upbringing. During those times, her family did not always have money.
She explained,
“I’ve always been that child that always saw myself having my own money. Maybe because I came from a humble background where asking for anything was almost taboo. You’re supposed to know that there is no money, so don’t ask but if we give you, take. I used to be like, ‘I can’t wait to have my own money and do my own thing.”
Isime stressed two priorities. First, she wants to make her own money. Second, she aims to provide her ideal lifestyle for herself.
She concluded, “That’s why I’m such a believer in spending on myself; I spend on myself so much that nobody can take the position of ‘if not me, you won’t have this life.'”
Iyabo Ojo, a Nollywood actress, celebrates joyfully as she welcomes her first grandchild. Taking to social media on September 4th, 2024, Iyabo Ojo expressed her excitement for her lover, Paul Okoye‘s daughter, Vanessa Okoye, who has just welcomed her first child.
She posted,
“Yay! I’m officially a grandmother! Congratulations, my darling @vanzyvanz. Welcome to motherhood, kisses to my darling baby! I can’t wait to see you and the baby. Sending lots of love and kisses, I’m so excited, Obimbimbim @pauloo2104, the latest grandpa congratulations. I love you both.”
Okoye responded to Ojo’s post, expressing his own excitement about becoming a new grandfather, “New Grandpa in town 😂😂🤪🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️”
“Thank You Mama, ❤️🥹” Vanessa wrote.
Happy fans and followers flooded the comment section with congratulatory messages for the family on the birth of their new baby.
A follower wrote, “Congratulations to the Iyabo’s and Paulo’s families in general. I personally won’t get tired of congratulating people until it’s my turn.”
“I am so happy for you mama, this baby is going to live a healthy life forever, Amen,” another fan wrote.
Earlier that day, Vanessa shared the news of her daughter, Zariah Nwamaka Okoye’s birth, on Instagram.
Her caption read,
“My Beautiful Baby Girl has made me whole. My darling Daughter, you are the missing piece I never knew I needed, the missing beat in my heart. Today, a new chapter unfolds, a new journey begins, and I promise to pour my entire soul into nurturing, guiding, and loving you. You will be the sunshine that brightens every day, the calm in every storm, and the safe haven where love resides. I am forever changed, forever grateful, and forever in love with you, my sweet girl. Welcome to the world, my precious one.”