My 2021 Year in Review

People are everything

Dear friends,

When Dad passed on a few days before my birthday in 2020, I resolved to take responsibility for my life more than I’ve done in previous years. But I don’t think I ever foresaw the excruciating demands of adulthood dawning on me earlier than expected. Like many people, there were a few times, this year, when the demands to thrive and live my dream hit hard.

The result has been the most?challenging year of my life. This year, I’ve faced many challenges (as we all did) but with inspiration — from GOD, family, friends, and colleagues — I’ve learned many lessons along the way. I had to dedicate more time to family and friends. If any of my siblings or mum celebrated birthdays, I’d be intentional about making the day count. I’d travel to Ekiti to celebrate family observances.

In the same vein, this year was a reminder that people are everything. Every time I reminisce on where I’m coming from, I am reminded of just how important it is for me never to settle for less in all I set my mind on.

As always, I got to write the Orion Class 2017 of Babcock University and outlined some of the ways I believe we can build formidable institutions as we continue to?transcend greatness?and shine bright across the globe in our various endeavors. You can read it?here .

Creating value with my work

2021 has been a year of big transitions for me but it hasn’t changed why I love the work I do. One of the most exciting things that happened to me was working on the first phase of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office Digital Access Program where we promoted community-based initiatives to enable students from low-income families to access remote learning materials, digital education resource options and digital opportunities. Read more?here .

I was excited to be one of the change agents building a movement to wage war against plastic pollution leveraging citizens’ engagement and public mobilization. The #MissionZeroPlastic was proudly supported by the Cocacola Foundation: a collaborative endeavor that engaged individuals and communities nationwide across multiple cities. Read more?here .

Amongst the impressive milestones my colleagues and I at AREAi were able to achieve, this year, was the need to tackle LITERACY CRISES in the world particularly in Nigeria — which I’m deeply passionate about. Together, we launched the FastTrack initiative, enabling us to address the global learning crisis and provide equitable access to language learning materials for low-income students with 1,000 beneficiaries in 10 months. Read more?here .

I was thrilled to see the recognition this project availed us at AREAi when our technology-enabled self-assisted and accelerated literacy and numeracy skills development program, #FastTrack was selected as one of the five winners of the first-ever?Theirworld Education Innovation Awards. Read more?here .

I know a lot of people are curious about a subject closer to home: my exit from AREAi. I am humbled and privileged to have contributed my quota to the process that has culminated in laudable initiatives at AREAi, but I can’t deny that it’s been a year of great personal transitioning for me.

Adapting to the realities and demands of the health tech, wellness tech and fin tech space is a work in progress. As a Communications Executive at Flying Doctors Nigeria, the most interesting thing that I have observed these past months is the balance that comes with work and life generally. The psychologically safe work environment resonates deeply with my inner convictions for growth. I am excited about the FDHIC Catalyst Fund launched recently which avails you the opportunity to invest alongside us as an angel investor by signing up to be a member of our collective. You can learn more about that?here .

My work with the Babcock International Model United Nations (BIMUN) also experienced a lot of changes beyond what we have always done in previous years. The 5th session of BIMUN was a huge success. For 5 years, we have built a POWERFUL platform for young people across the world with compelling interest in the workings of the United Nations. There is more on that,?here .

Failing Forward

The area I see as the biggest disappointment is the unending years of my postgraduate studies at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. This is something I’ve spoken about a few times because it didn’t have to be this way. Moving forward, I aim to be intentional about concluding my fieldwork at the earliest. In 2022, progress is possible, but not inevitable.

Key Insights

I’m really excited about my work with?Flying Doctors Nigeria ?and the?Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Company (FDHIC) . Huge progress has been made on the digital marketing front, recently, and there’s a decent chance that our digital footprints will get better in 2022. This milestone will accelerate progress in the quest for accessible, affordable, and available healthcare for all.

I am also looking forward to continuing the work of development communication through engagements with the?Babcock International Model United Nations (BIMUN) . One area where we might see some real progress soon is in partnership with more United Nations Agencies in Nigeria and educational institutions, both tertiary and secondary. This would be a huge step forward, because we want to catch them young for transformational leadership in national and international affairs. The 6th session of BIMUN is fast approaching. Book a seat and ride with us! The trip is set to be value-packed! Proper communication, negotiation, strategic partnership, public speaking, and many more useful skills are up for grabs at the BIMUN22 conference. Learn more?here .

Forging ahead…

I think 2022 will be the year when I finally settle into the corporate world. For me, that will mean driving the digital marketing strategies at Flying Doctors Nigeria. I believe the last few months at the Lagos Business School, Pan Atlantic University studying Digital Marketing: Strategies for Winning in the Digital Age has prepared me for this. I’d like to keep up with my family, particularly my extended family through scheduled calls and visits.?

I want to consolidate my habit of travelling within and outside Nigeria, because I’ve always held on to the belief that travelling is part of education. I am ready to fly again in 2022. Also, I’d like to continue reading biographies, newspapers, and books, because they are the secret behind my rich vocabulary bank till date. My best read in 2021 is Former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi’s , My Life in Full. I’m in awe of her story. I see myself in her story and I hope humanity does. I am presently reading The Godfather of Banking, Jim Ovia’s, Africa Rise and Shine. I can’t wait to share key insights with you.??

I’m looking forward to more speaking engagements on issues of leadership, communication for development and conversations on the national question as another election year draws near in Nigeria.? I am optimistic of more stage appearances as I continuously nurture my dexterity in acting. This year, I had my second stage appearance for the play, Madam Kofo's Salon. I’m delighted to see all these skills of mine find expression without stress.???

Connect with me

I would love to stay engaged and work more closely with you in 2022. Please engage further with me if you wish to do so in the following ways:

1. Consulting on organizing international events, conferences, particularly Model United Nations conferences as well as the A-Z of being an outstanding delegate at any international event/summit. Reach out here .
2. By following me on social media – Twitter , LinkedIn , and Meta (formerly Facebook) .??

In the meantime, I wish you a very happy new year 2022.?

Agbájégoríìté Ekiti