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A Tale of 3 Women Who Broke Barriers

March 20, 2025 by Gloria

Birds Who Flew Without Wings A Tale of Three Women Who Broke Barriers

A Tale of 3 women who against all odds broke barriers, Dr. Yvonne, Miss Ara, and Mrs. Ayanfe, didn’t let their past and background define them; read this article to see their stories, how they flew even when it seemed as though their wings had been cut.

Productivity And Work-Life Balance

August 27, 2024 by Temitope Dada

With the rise of e-learning platforms, online courses, video conferencing tools, and remote work, there has been a significant transformation in work styles. Now, anyone can work from home or any location as long as they have the necessary tools. Remote work has become a defining aspect of the contemporary workplace, offering flexibility and freedom. Nevertheless, it also brings unique challenges in terms of maintaining productivity and striking a work-life balance. Here are some best practices to effectively navigate the remote work environment: Establish a Dedicated Workspace One of the first steps to being productive in a remote work environment is to establish a dedicated workspace. This doesn’t have to be a full home office; even a small, well-defined area can suffice. A dedicated workspace helps to establish physical and mental boundaries, signalling to your brain that it’s time to work. Ensure that this space is comfortable, well-lit, and equipped with all the necessary tools. By minimizing distractions and creating a clear separation between work and personal life, you can improve focus and efficiency. Stick to a Routine A structured routine is crucial in maintaining productivity while working remotely. Start your day at the same time you would if you were commuting to an office. Set regular working hours and stick to them as closely as possible. This not only helps to create a sense of normalcy but also signals to others when you’re available. Having a routine also prevents work from spilling into personal time, which is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Prioritize Tasks and Set Clear Goals Without the usual office structure, it’s easy to get side-tracked. To combat this, prioritize your tasks at the beginning of each day. Tools like to-do lists, project management apps, or even a simple calendar can help keep you on track. Break down large projects into smaller, manageable tasks and set clear, achievable goals. This approach not only boosts productivity but also provides a sense of accomplishment, which can be motivating. Take Regular Breaks In a traditional office, breaks happen naturally, whether it’s chatting with colleagues or grabbing a coffee. At home, it’s easy to fall into the trap of working non-stop. However, taking regular breaks is essential for maintaining focus and preventing burnout. Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break, to maintain a balanced workflow. These short breaks can rejuvenate your mind and keep you productive throughout the day. Set Boundaries and Communicate Clearly One of the biggest challenges of remote work is setting boundaries, especially if you live with others. Communicate your work hours to those around you and establish guidelines for when you can be interrupted. Similarly, with your team, ensure that communication is clear and concise. Use tools like Slack or Zoom to stay connected, and set expectations for response times and availability. This helps in maintaining a professional atmosphere, even while working from home. Practice Self-Care Maintaining work-life balance goes beyond managing your time effectively; it also involves taking care of your physical and mental health. Make time for regular exercise, healthy meals, and sufficient sleep. Incorporate activities that relax and recharge you, such as reading, meditation, or hobbies. Remote work can sometimes blur the lines between work and personal life, so it’s important to be mindful of your well-being. Reflect and Adjust Finally, regularly reflect on what’s working and what isn’t in your remote work setup. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Is your workspace conducive to productivity? Adjust as necessary to ensure that you’re not just working hard, but working smart. Flexibility is one of the key benefits of remote work, so don’t hesitate to make changes that improve your work-life balance and overall productivity. In conclusion, remote work offers a wealth of opportunities but also requires deliberate effort to maintain productivity and work-life balance. By establishing routines, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care, you can make the most of this work style while staying both productive and healthy. Also read: Remote work and the future of the workplace

Apocalypse: My Father’s House

May 11, 2024February 13, 2024 by Nadirat Okegbenro

In loving memory of Thomas Deventis; a father and a brother. The plain words were all I could focus on as the burial ceremony came to an end and the guests began to file out to their houses. It was almost unbelievable that he was gone- I would not have believed any of the drama unfolding before my eyes if I had not been present the very moment he was lowered into the casket. Behind me, I could feel my mother’s gaze penetrating the deepest core of my soul- almost as if she could taste my jumbled mind.

Out of all the turns I could have imagined my life to take after my father’s death, this phase that I was living was definitely not an option. Two months after his death, I could still not understand why the lawyer will insist it was not yet time for his will to be read. This, as a result of the deceased’s order. How my mother, who, for some years now had been separated from my father, believed she definitely had a price to her name in the will and had refused to grant me peace till it was the supposed time was definitely a big hassle to my sanity- at least that was what I thought …

As I descended from the plane, I caught sight of Mr Marco in his regular black uniform, leaning against the car. I was happy to be back after being away for a whole week on an assignment to discuss some proposals about my father’s company. I switched on my phone and was immediately met with a beep sound after settling in the car for the ride to the company.

“Your meeting with the Antonio Groups has been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at the mansion” The text from my assistant simply stated. However, the fourteen words seemed technical to dissect. In my four months of working in my father’s company, I never heard of any Antonio Groups and the reason the meeting was at the mansion was beyond me.

“We should head home first” I said to Mr Marco, who from the rearview mirror appeared confused for a second but decided to not make a comment about the change of direction. As I watched him mask his confusion, I contemplated asking if he knew anything about the Antonio Groups since he had worked for my family for almost thirty years. On a second thought, what could he know, he was just a driver after all.

I was met at the door by my assistant who with a pad in one hand, held the door open for me with the other.

“We should head to your father’s study right away” he said right after the exchange of greetings. “Mr Antonio had a little delay on the way and should be here soon” Our attention was drawn to the opening and closing of the entrance door, followed by exchange of pleasantries between the person who entered and Maria, our housekeeper. My interest picked as I watched Maria relates friendly with the strange men. One of them patted her back in greeting; further confirming my assumption- the men must have been here a number of times.

“Oh! There you are, Carmen. How do you do?” The older of the two men said, moving towards me with a smile. “Meet my son, Ace.” He continued before my initial confusion could wear off. Now that they were both close to where I stood, their features were indeed similar. Just as I was about to open my mouth, my assistant beat me to it.

“You are welcome, Mr Antonio” at least now, I had a name to the face.
“It’s been a while, Shane. How have you been?” Mr Antonio replied. I let my eyes wandered past his shoulder as I watched his son check out the living room before turning and leading the way to the study.

Later that evening, I felt numb sitting on my bed replaying the day’s events. “I would leave you to it and ask Marco to let me know when we can set up another meeting with the other members” those were his last words before Mr Antonio and his son left the mansion that morning.

“If I get you correctly, there are certain files I need to go through to get the concept behind what is going on. Right?” I said to Mr Marco, who currently stood across me. “And you cannot direct me to where they are? I probed further. After the discussion with Mr Antonio yesterday, I was restless and needed answers to this madness as soon as possible.

I had summoned Mr Marco to get more insight since his name was mentioned yesterday, but seeing as the discussion went, there was no easy way out of this.

“Carmen, lunch is served” I heard Maria say from outside my father’s room. “Alright, I will be there soon” I replied absent-mindedly. It’s been six hours of me turning things over in search of some files I didn’t know of their existence. I had started with the study room, seeing as it was only logical to assume all paper works were kept there. The guest rooms had been searched one after the other, followed by the bar and gym. “What if there were no such files in this house?” I wondered aloud heading to the dining room until my eyes caught sight of the one door I grew up to find locked all year round.

The room was said to have belonged to my aunt who died from cancer while I was still very young. I’ve been told stories of how strong she was till her last day. My father had kept the room locked to preserve her belongings and memories after her death. The only time I had seen the door opened was when I returned from college one day and found my father and Maria exiting the room. As the housekeeper, Maria had been there to clean the room and my father had stayed back to watch her do it. My happiness of finally being home overpowered my curiosity and so I didn’t pay attention to it.

My legs moved towards the door and as expected, it was locked. Now that my father was dead and had the chance to reconnect with his sister, he had no need to hold on to mere possessions in her memory anymore. So, I ran out and got some tools to get the door open. It appeared to be a distraction from my initial quest but that could definitely wait. After several pushes and pulls, the door flung open, only it wasn’t a lady’s room but a room with shelves full of files. I sank to the floor the same time the hammer in my hand made a thud sound.

It’s been four days I discovered the room and went through different sections of files. Finding out about the room was one issue, realizing that every single person in this mansion was engaged in a business with my father was another. I remembered once when I asked my father how the domestic staff could dedicate so many years of their lives to working for us and why he felt we needed that large number of people to keep this house running, he had said it was for the best and they were not complaining. This could be the reason I was never around for long. If I was not in a boarding school, I was on vacation.

The Deventis Incorporation had only been a front for him. The real channel was not known to the world- not even me, Carmen Deventis. Like my father, his partners had a company to their names; the same way there was Antonio Groups. Right now, I could not care about showing up at the company. What I needed was a chat with Mr Marco.

“Good morning, Mr Marco, or should I say Mr Marco Jones?” I greeted sassily. If he was any surprised by the use of his full name, he didn’t show it. “So, can we talk now?” I quickly added and headed into the house before he could give his response. I try not to look back, as I hear footsteps follow me to the door, knowing fully well I didn’t give him any other option.

“I would suggest we wait for a while as others are heading here for a meeting” came his response. “Really?” I raised an eyebrow at him. “I am beyond shock at how much of an outcast I have been in my father’s house for the past years and even after his death” I said as I massaged my forehead in anticipation of the headache building up. “I would be in my room till then”.
The chatter and greetings downstairs was enough to drag me out of my thoughts. A quick glance at the clock indicated it had not been more than forty-six minutes I came up here to wait for the next puzzle to be unraveled. Deciding to get this behind me, I made for the stairs and soon discovered the “guests” were now in the study. Walking in like a deer caught in headlights, I muttered my greeting and made my way to the available seat.

As they all took turn to express their condolences over my father’s death, then welcoming me back home, and giving a brief summary of what they were in the house for, the only thing that stuck to my head was the word ‘drug’- the part I wanted the discussion to get to. Thirty minutes later, one of the men who I believed was addressed as Mr Rivera finally went into details of how the business had been on hold for two months in honour of my late father. And now that they were here, they would like to get things back in motion.

“Marco, I believe you’ve confirmed the available stuff yesterday, right?” Mr Blackwood directed to Mr Marco who nodded his head. My confusion must have been evident on my face because the next thing I heard was me being addressed by Mr Blackwood himself. “You should come with us, Carmen. You will understand better that way”.

I remained seated and allowed everyone to file out in hopes of getting a change of outfit before joining them. However, they were headed to the same room I had been in days ago when I exited the study. I had just closed the door behind me when one of the men punched in some numbers and a part of the floor opened up and made a pathway beneath the room. All these years, I had believed this was just another random room in my father’s house.

I followed them down the stairs as they chattered like they were walking into a regular bar. Unexpectedly, the underground was well lit, and adequately furnished. I soon found out this was not just a room underneath the ground; it was a labyrinth. As I passively followed whoever was in sight around the different rooms, I started to see some of the ‘supposed’ domestic staff at different stations. They were there in production, packaging, logistics and others. This was not just a storehouse; the whole process took place there.

I soon saw a closed door with the tag DEVENTIS T.O. on it. Despite my shaky hands, I continued to rummage through the different files in the office until a paper slipped out of a particular one with my name on it. Maybe this could provide an answer.

Techniques for Setting Achievable Goals at Work and in Personal Life

February 7, 2024 by Amos Akande

In our previous article, we explained what goal is and what it is not. We also defined goal-setting and looked at its importance.

In this article, we shall look at the techniques for setting achievable goals at work and in personal life.

Whether you are setting group goals for your team or personal goals, it is important to start with goals that are big enough but still realistic. The goals that you can achieve.

Tips for Personal Goal-Setting
1. Consider Your Passions
Part of the process for how to set life goals should be deciding what inspired you and what your values are. You should be passionate about your goals if you want to achieve them in the long run. What do you want to become in the future?

Define your priorities and what will bring you true personal satisfaction. To find your passion, pinpoint what your core values are.

What are you passionate about? What do you derive joy doing? What do you want in life? Consider what you want to achieve. What you like to do best, what you can do.
Your goals should be meaningful to you and provide you with a sense of pride once you meet them.

2. Set Goals You can Control
Your personal goal should be on something within your control, not on something outside your control.

It should not be dependent on other people. It should not rely on external factor that you have no control over.
Be realistic about what you can and can’t be directly responsible for.

3. Imagine Your Future
Take some time to ponder about what you would like your life to look like. What does your ideal future entail? Ask yourself some questions that will point you in the right direction.

Do you want to work for yourself? How many hours do you want to commit to on a daily basis?

Tips for Setting Goals at Work
1. Brainstorm
Spend some time brainstorming to reflect what you want to do as a team. Think of what you want to achieve, your vision as a team, what do you want? Think of these before you write down your goals for the team.

2. Include Everyone
It is important that everyone is carried along and heard during the goal-setting process. Each member of your team should feel they can speak openly and contribute their ideas or goals.

There should be we-feeling, every member of the team should have a sense of belonging, should be seen as a member of the team and have a say in the goal-setting process.

Having everyone’s input will help create goals that everyone is invested in. There should be shared vision where every member of the team contribute excellently during the goal-setting process, and make him feel he is a member of the team.

Write down each team member’s idea, no matter how silly, so that they feel heard. Together, you can go through each goal to decide if it works for the whole team.

Read Also: Strategies To Build A Successful Career (Part 2)

Working While Studying in Canada – A Guide for International Students

January 20, 2024 by Opeyemi Kareem

Are you a student of a university in Canada who is looking for a way to gain experience and make a little money on the side? Well, you clicked the right link! You are of course aware that, as an international student in Canada, you can work for up to 20 hours a week. Working and studying at the same time is, after all, one of the many advantages of going to study abroad in Canada. But it can only be possible if you meet the requirements that make you eligible to earn while studying. Once you pass these requirements, you can work on or off campus. If you wish, you can help your spouse to get a job while you study. Working on Campus Working while studying on campus means that if you meet the criteria, you are allowed to get a job in the buildings around the school campus. You are only allowed to work on the campus where you are studying if your school has more than one campuses. However, there are exceptions on the basis of which you can work at both campuses: if you are working as a teaching assistant or if your work is related to a research grant, you can work as many hours as you want so long as you are eligible. If you decide to work campus, your employers can fall under one of the following categories; · The school · Yourself (if you run a business on campus) · A member of the faculty · A student organisation Eligibility You can work as an international student on campus without a work permit if; 1. You have started your study program. You cannot start working if your study program has not commenced. 2. You have a valid study permit 3. Your study permit explicitly says that you are allowed to work on campus. 4. You are a full-time public/private post-secondary school student. 5. You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN). When are you no longer eligible? You should know that you risk your student visa being taken away if you keep working when you are not eligible to. You should stop working when: · Your study permit expires. · You are no longer studying. · You are switching schools. What is a Social Insurance Number (SIN)? It is a 9-digit number that is given by the Canadian government and enables you to work and receive government benefits. To be able to apply for this number to work on campus, your study permit must have this condition printed on it. “This permit does not authorise the holder to engage in off campus employment in Canada. May accept employment only on campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f). must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.” Working Off Campus You can work off campus without a work permit. Just like working on campus, you must only start working after your study program has begun. You can only work for up to 20 hours a week if you are eligible and if you have your SIN. Eligibility You can work off campus if: 1. You are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI). 2. Your study program is at least six months long 3. You are enrolled in a training program. 4. Your study program leads to a degree, diploma or certificate. 5. You have started studying. 6. You have a Social Insurance Number (SIN). When are you no longer eligible? You must immediately stop working if: · Your study permit does not grant you access to work. · You no longer meet the requirements. · You are only taking general interest courses. To get your SIN to work off campus, your study permit must have this condition printed on it: “May work 20 hours per week off campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in paragraph 186(v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.” Opeyemi Kareem

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