Intriguing Networks

Today I randomly thought about Ifeoma Malo. She's a kind soul who's on an active mission to ensure I reach my career potential. As she flashed through my mind, I performed an exercise I do every now and then. I developed a flow chart & Venn diagram to trace how we met, up to the last point of connection and also highlighting interconnections.

You see, in over 40 years, I've never met any significant person through "networking". I'm an introvert who rarely puts herself forward at large events. But God has a way of ensuring I meet those I should, through referrals. The people I'm close to end up introducing me to other interesting people. So, how did I meet Ifeoma? Let me trace it for you.

Zeal Akaraiwe introduced me to Ifeoma. I had put up a random post on Facebook about wanting to meet older women and he suggested her, among others. We were to meet someday in Abuja but eventually met up in Lagos. 

I met Zeal through Kola Oyeneyin. Kola remarked that Zeal was an interesting fellow who showed up at his Falomo outpost of the 2012 fuel hike protests. He suggested Zeal was someone I should know. I can't remember the precise location where we eventually met.

I got to know Kola via email and then in person. As the convener of Sleeves Up, he was a project member for the first youth led Presidential debate - What About Us? - in 2011. I was also on the project, but representing Enough is Enough Nigeria and Nigeria Leadership Initiative. We exchanged numerous project emails and then met in Abuja, on the day of the debate.

Now I joined Enough is Enough Nigeria (EIE) because of Chude Jideonwo. Chude invited me to EIE's inaugural meeting and afterward, I became a Board Adviser and scripted the organisation's first governance policy document. Yemi Adamolekun, soon to be Executive Director of EIE, once worked at Alder Consulting and we were collegues there.

Tolu Ogunlesi introduced me to Chude Jideonwo and he also nominated me for Nigeria Leadership Initiative's (NLI's) fellowship programme. I went on to serve on the Board of the organisation. Chude, Yemi and Kola later joined NLI.

I met Tolu through Kayode Adekanye. Kayode had applied to a subsidiary of Alder and it was Yemi Adamolekun who brought his intriguing application to my attention. Although, he didn't get the job, I reached out and we became friends. 

So, Yemi introduced me to Kayode and Alder Consulting introduced me to Yemi.

I officially met Mr Leke Alder of Alder Consulting, through my sister Yemisi Ogunlade, who had done an internship there. She was also the one who encouraged me to apply for a job there.

Of course, I met my sister through my parents ??.

So, the very first person in the process chart is my mom/dad. In the Venn Diagram are Yemi, Chude, Kola and Tolu - all interconnected.

While there is no moral to this story, I think it underscores the importance of relationships and friendships, particularly genuine values-driven ones.

May you find your own connections.