#DrAkanSpeaks

Am I smiling or frowning?

I used to consider myself a 'travelling Ninja' with a black belt and there are signs of these. I have five different luggage sizes and I know the combinations to pick depending on the duration of a trip.

All my luggage are almost pre-packed except for toiletries and my refills. I once flew into Nigeria on a night flight arriving Lagos in the morning, had several meetings and had to take the night flight back to london the same day. One of the air hostesses on the flight out of Lagos looked at me and said 'I can swear you were on the flight last night' and I just smiled. I could have been wearing their lovely uniform too.

I can go on and on about many experiences but today I realised that COVID has demoted me to a white belter. I can't even throw my punches no more. From checking in, to security pass to wearing of the mask, to unconsciously becoming a mileage calculator (2 miles apart to other people), I felt lost in this new pond of life.

Is it better to be a small fish in a big pond, a big fish in a small pond, a small fish in a small pond or a big fish in a big pond?? What do you think??

For me, it doesn't matter as long as you swim, occupy and impact lives with no restrictions!!!

A fish must swim and swim I must. Looking forward to delivering impact sessions to the University of Lagos, University of Benin and Babcock University and other institutions back to back as I start my Africa Flexylearn Mobile App Tour this week. See flyers for more details.

While things are not normal, I am hoping I can crawl my way back to a black belter even if it’s a ‘virtual one’. But as I walked through Frankfurt airport today on a first trip after 18 months, I realised that when you are doing or about to do what you love, the joy overflows.

So yes I am smiling behind the mask😃😃

#career #africa #education #flexylearn ...

#DrAkanSpeaks

How come you don't have a British accent?

This was the only question a participant asked me after I delivered a one-hour training session on Internationalization of enterprise and self.

So I spent all my energy delivering this talk and all he was wondering was why I spoke in a Nigerian accent if I had lived in England for 18 years.

Haba my brother!!

Firstly, I was 22 when I came to England so my accent had formed. Secondly and to be honest I have tried to speak the accent and the thing is not letting me and I don't want to bite my tongue. 🤣🤣 Kudos to those who can speak 'spiri spiri'.

But mostly importantly and this is the hook, I discovered much earlier in my career that I might be living in England but it is my African originality that sets me apart. It is my niche and pride.

Africa has become the preferred destination for business and investment. No wonder overseas organisations and government are flocking to Africa. Well instead of going to Africa to know what it's about, guess what, I am African so talk to me (in my strong naija accent). But then I also show Africans how to truly excel in the new global era.

There is something no one can do better than you on earth and it is being yourself. You are the best at being YOU. So go excel cos you are worth it.

If you have been following me on here or wanted to hear me speak, you now have the opportunity to.

I will be delivering a supersonic session in Abuja on Internationalization of schools and resource mobilisation (winning international funding) at the CEBAR Learning Hub in Abuja hosted by my good friend and incredible education expert Carol Barlow @cebar_consultancy @cebar_learninghub

So if you are a teacher, school owner, educator, SME or entrepreneur or you know one, you need to call or get them to call the number on the flyer and book your space. Only 50 spaces are available.

See you in Abuja soon and have a lovely week people.

#abuja #flexylearn #career #school #education #universities ...

Happy birthday babe.

Her name is Kaela, a Hebrew name which means 'Beloved' but to me, she is Ima-Abasi, my baby girl.

At 2, I remember her first dance when the music came on and it was not just about the dance but the rhythm in her steps. Then at 5, she said she wanted to write a book and yes she did (though I wish she finished it) but nah, her creative mind was onto the next thing.

At 6, she picked up music and the piano was her resting place and by 7, she picked up drawing/painting and my house felt her colourful rage. 'Dad, I want this new art pen, she would say and when I ask her how much it is, the price would shock me cos I could buy 50 pens with it but what do I know, this pen is different. 'It highlights the contours of the painting dad' she would say and I would just nod pretending to have a clue what she is talking about.

At 10, she designed the cover of my career book, The Graduate Code and all through the COVID lockdown, she was my trusted photographer and cameraman for my many video sessions. And oh, she is not cheap I can tell you that. I wonder where she got that from🤔

At 11, she composed and performed a rap piece which was the highlight of my 40th birthday party and at 12, she started her little company drawing customised events cards for friends. She has still refused me to invest in her company. 'I don't want to owe anyone, she says 🤣

Respectful, Godly and courteous with flare and not to forget our big intellectual arguments which I love because she has a mind of her own. You better watch how you talk about 'women' around her, because she will hunt you down 🤣

As you celebrate your 13th birthday today my dear, May the good Lord bless you richly and expand you to fulfil his design and purpose for you and I am grateful for the opportunity to be your dad.

To those who have been impacted by my writing, my talks, or heard me talk about her, please wish Kaela a happy birthday.

My beloved and my muse.

#gokaela #drakanspeaks #career #opportunity #design #art #inspiration #painting ...