My full name is 'Akanimo' and in the 'Ibibio and Annang’ language of Akwa Ibom State Nigeria, it means 'More than Wealth'
Friends call me 'Akan' which means 'more' and it's okay especially for my British friends who would struggle to get the nuance in the pronunciation of my full name. By the way, Akan is also the largest tribe in Ghana and hence my 'Kente' outfit 😊😊
My mum tells me that as a baby in the womb, I was her worst pregnancy out of five because I moved my foot too early that my toe stuck to her side and she had terrible pains for several months. Bless her. As she put it, I seem to be in a hurry to be born and so instead of dwelling on the bad experiences she had, she called me 'more than wealth'. Talk of positive attitude.
What does your name mean? Please respond in the comments!!
I believe in the power of a name as I find myself always thinking 'what more can I do? It's a great question for everyone to ask.
Well, I recently signed a monster contract with one of the most reputable Edtech and skills solutions organisations in Europe (@theskillsnetwork ) to make over 100 short accredited CPD and Diploma online courses accross a range of areas, available to Africans at unbelievably affordable prices. Hence the big smile on my face 😊😊😊. Watch this space!!
#edtech #success #motivation #coaching #growth #education #personaldevelopment #leadership #africa #TheSkillsNetwork
I am sure she will kill me for this as she is a super private person so please dont tell her🤣🤣🤣
Today is the 40th birthday anniversary of an incredible lady I met 20 years ago at the University of Benin in Nigeria. Ifeyinwa!! She is my best friend, confidant, super fan, the loving mother of my two amazing kids and the God-given wife of my youth.
Those who live and have been to Lancaster know the power of her hospitality and that she has a masters degree in hospitality and an endless list of qualifications just makes her the best in her space. The smartest woman I know!!
Her patience, her love and her counsel has been the bedrock of my life and career and those who know, understand that this is unbelievably true.
So to the woman who genuinely dislikes public spaces yet understands and anchors my life's purpose, may I sneak in this celebration of you my dear as I wish you a happy 40th birthday filled with joy and God's blessings. To another 40 years and beyond!!! Love you loads!!
The world gets smaller every day!!
Several years ago I was completing my PhD at Lancaster University while I was doing some post-graduate support work at the international office for student recruitment. One day I worked into the recruitment office and a staff asked me about an application they had received from someone who wanted to come study his PhD at Lancaster University. I checked the application and to my surprise 'it was from a former lecturer of mine during my Bachelors degree some seven years previously'. He only had his MSc at the time he taught me.
Anyway, upon recommendation, he resumed for his PhD at Lancaster University. The first day we met on campus, I remember him talking down to me. He said 'Akan, I have resumed for my PhD and I guess you have resumed for your Masters degree here at Lancaster University too?'
Little did he know!!!
Your career in future depends on what you do today and how you treat everyone you meet!! Successful careers are a lot more about attitude than content!! The entirety of my career has been based on great relationships. I capture these insights in my new career mobile app launching soon. Watch this space!!
#career #recruitment #jobs #university #education #phd #recruiting #work #future
Two big congratulations!!!
A special birthday wish to a supervisor and mentor but also my colleague and friend, Prof Kirk Semple Kirk T. Semple the proud Scotsman!!
I celebrate you sir for the many amazing things you do but especially for your incredible passion for Africa.
A second super congratulations to the 232 professionals from 17 African countries who completed the one-month Flexylearn International Career Coaching Program (ICCP) yesterday.
Now that you have completed the Career Code, may you be bright and may you be bold as I wish you success and career gold!!!
Join me this Thursday, Friday and Saturday for three incredible webinars you don't want to miss - see flyers for details!!!!
#africa #coaching #leadership #career #educationabroad #university
