Its Techie Tuesday July 19, 2010

So my Techie Tuesday focus is Startup Weekend Lagos!!!!!

I'm sure you are wondering what Startup Weekend is, well the concept behind Startup Weekend is 54-hours of “No Talk, All Action” where developers, designers, marketers, product managers and startup enthusiasts come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and launch startups!



Another way to say it is You Pitch, You Build, You Present, You Win.... well you pray you win. Startup Weekend usually produces some top Tech Companies and competition is cut throat because prizes include access to investors, opportunities to pitch ideas, Cash prizes, incorporation of the business, mentoring, trips overseas, etc.

Startup Weekend has generated over 503 successful startups and have cycles over 27,000 entrepreneurs through the Startup Weekend Camp. I think that's pretty impressive.



Let me disclose the conflict of interest. I'm on the planning committee of Startup Weekend Lagos, so yeah I'm excited about it! But I am also a Startup Weekend Alumni. So I know the value added by an event like this coming to Lagos.

Anyway the event is for Techies and non-technical people alike. If you have ideas, you like entrepreneurship and enterprise, you can effectively work in teams, and have the drive to create, this event is for you. There are  specific numbers of tickets available for people with technical skills like programming, graphic design, etc, as well as tickets for non-technical people like marketing, business, etc, and tickets for spectators that like to just see the process.

The event takes place from September 9-11 at the Canton Concourse in Lagos Nigeria. If you want more information, want to apply to attend, or want to get involved or sponsor the event please do contact us on the website.

Here's a cool video for you to get what it's all about!


The Entrepreneurial Spirit from Justin Gutwein of ShineOn on Vimeo.

This video is a peek into the Startup Weekend Culture. By the way, there were two Nigerian on the top winning teams of Startup Weekend Baltimore. One will be speaking at our event in Lagos!

Make sure to mark the date and follow Startup Weekend Lagos on facebook @SWLagos

Why am I still here?

Okay, so when I opened this blog, had a revelation that I really need to serve MY people. Who are my people? My Nigerian kindred. I felt a social responsibility to go back and bring my talents to Nigeria. I was so young... a little bit naive, and a lotta bit bold. I was ready to move back INSTANTLY. Here's the thing. Both of my parents were in the United States, well my mom was back and forth, but I grew up in the USA and I didn't fully understand the dynamics of the Nigerian culture.

Anyway a lot of things have happened since then and now. I've grown a few grey hairs (metaphorically speaking), and I have experienced a little more of Nigeria, the Good, the Bad and the Mushin.lol And I have come to realize a few things. I've come to accept these things, and even with knowing these things, I still have the  fire in my belly to take my behind to Nigeria.... I think that speaks wonders.

Anyway this is what I realized...

1) Nigeria is a very funny place. Nothing is as it seems. No one is as they seem and have to sort of grow and open your third eye.

2) Nigerian time doesnt just apply to parties... one hour is five, one month is one year, and you better have backups for my backups because having that deal done by tomorrow is really having it indefinitely postponed in some cases.

3) Words are words, they really mean nothing. Yes means maybe, Maybe means don't hold your breathe, and no means they will be doing it without you.

4) Agenda is the word of the day. Everyone has one. Friends, Family, coworkers, etc. I may not be your friend because I like you, but because of my agenda, I may not marry you because I love you, but because of agenda, I may not fund your business because I believe it will succeed, but because I can hold it over your relatives head that I helped you. lol

I could go on and on, but at least i've learned a few things. That being said. WHAT AM I still doing here????? Why am I still in the US of A?

Well you can't just up and dash to Nigeria. You need to test the waters, you need to go in phases. You need to strategize. You also need to psych yourself out. I think I'm doing just that.

My friend said Nigeria is an Extended camping trip. You dont go without being prepared. After all, just like camping there may be no light or running water, but there will definitely be mosquitoes. You need to get all your camping gear ready for Nigeria.

Anyway as the planning stage has come to an end I feel like I will start taking that trip pretty soon.

Voting outside of Nigeria

I had the privilege to talk to a friend of mine last year about the Gabonese elections. Apparently they have absentee balloting at embassies all over the world. People can register and can go to the embassies and consulates with their passports! They can vote and its handled in house! And best of all, their votes count... however small the percentage of overall votes...Go Figure!

 And it made me think. There are so many Nigerian living outside of Nigeria. In the USA, we are the largest African community. We are the most educated immigrant population too, but yet we cant put our heads together to fight for our RIGHT to vote in Nigerian elections. There's no "out of sight out of mind" when it comes to the rights of a Nigerian.

(courtesy of Pixhaus.com)

Anyway I fast forward to a conversation I was having with one of my Nigerian Big Sistah. She was so upset at the whole hullaballoo about Nigeria at 50 and the monies being spent on it, when so little is spent on Nigerian healthcare or education. She was appauled by the groups here in america putting together parades and celebrations and making money off of independence parties while their counterparts suffer from hunger, disease, and lack of infrastructure. "What is there to celebrate" she said. I brought up that as Nigerians many times we can spend to go to Nigeria for December vacation, but we can't make a sacrifice to make our voice heard for the good out our country.

(courtesy of republicreporters.com)

Where are the rallies? Where are the protests? Wheres the action? Is there even one event focused on discussion and holding people accountable for Nigeria as a Failed state so far?

(courtesy of tdaxp.com)

Basically, if we don't take ourselves seriously, Nigerian crooks... oops i mean "politicians", wont take us seriously. Imagine if there was a great campaign with celebrities and dignitaries promoting forgoing leisure travel to Nigeria for the sole purpose of sparking a mass migration to Naija during election season. Imagine!

Also imagine if we could lobby to have absentee balloting now that we have our new biometric passports. I'm sure there's an independent firm out there that could be contracted to conduct non partisan, non-biased elections processes at Nigerian Embassies and consulates world wide. We are smart people. Lets think here! I would love to rally and lobby for such an ability. Just because I no dey 4 my papa land no mean I no dey Nigerian. I'm a Nigerian O! Green Pali for me o! I want to VOTE o!

Lets see which politicians would back something like that. Maybe only the ones that believe in a fair and free elections... ermm... none? God forbid! Well lets see. The thought is out there. I'm not claiming intellectual property rights on this. who ever is capable and sure of heart should get it done!

(courtesy of uhrobotimes.com)

Anyway until then, I have resigned to the fact that I just must prepare myself for voting in Nigeria! I will be there! I will be ready! I will Vote! and for the first time ever. Meet me at the Polling booth, its going down!

Marketing in Nigeria

Wow so a close friend of mine who is in the marketing/advertising field was talking to me about Nigeria and opportunities there and I came across a really cool website. If you are in the marketing industry it would be good to check it out. They profile companies, talk about the movers and shakers in the industry and post jobs and how to get in contact with companies.
www.NIGERIANADVERTISING.com

Top 10 reasons to move back to Nigeria Right now!!!

So my bestie B just came bak from Naija and she is already packing her things and going to move to naija permanently. One trip to Naija has turned her! she is a Returnee! It had me wondering... I really need to sit down and decide. What are the things that I can think of that make me want to move back to Nigieria. Is it just the feeling, is it just the thought of 'oh i moved back' or are there reasons in my mind why I should move back to Nigeria. So I put out my top 10 reasons to move back to Nigeria RIGHT NOW!

10. Food is so fresh, you will improve your dietary habits
9. In naija there's no racial anything. Everyone is black. You can't blame it on race. You just gotta make that money
8. There is nothing here in the states that i cant get in naija with enough money in my bank

7. Because we lack so many things there that anything you bring back with you will make a difference.

6. Africa is relatively shielded from this whole economic bust thingy... they've seen some losses, but not nearly as much as europe and north america will see.
5. If you have banked some money here saving for a house, you can definately for a small fee, ship ur ish to naija, get a place, and have a cushy buffer. Cost of living is low.
4. Opportunities for people with american degrees... even more for health care field

If you are young n looking to get married, there and many quality guys back home ready to settle down...

3. If you are wondering what there is to do in naija, man are you missing out! there's club scene, lunch with friends, tourism places like water parks in calabar, hiking trails, etc, the beaches are hot, people actually wear bikinis now on the beach, you can travel to other states and other african countries... ghana is a hotspot for tourism

2. Going to naija at a young age gives you the opportunity to go, make mistakes, and either rise up, or ditch and come back here and still have time to build up something good without any loss. just make sure to get an open ended return ticket. hehehehe

1. Because if you are not there to make an impact and change nigeria, then you dont matter, so dont complain.

Nigeria don't fail me

Have I possibly lost faith in my plan to move to Nigeria? It seems that in the past month, people and situations have been trying to disuade me from moving there. I spoke to one older Nigerian who said...

Naija is tough! dont trust Naijas! They will lead you on! They will ask u to
bring your ideas then steal them. You are too soft for Naija. You are too nice
for naija. They will eat you alive. Naija is no place for a woman!

After all that! I was so discouraged. But in teh back of my mind I'm thinking.. Nigeria has so many opportunities, it just matters your strategy. This person has had bad experiences, but will I? I'm young enough to take risks, and reap rewards. I can fail 20 times in you young life going after big things because if one pans out, I may do really well. This elder does not have that luxury...








That was chip number 1.





Chip number 2 came when I was speaking to a so-called mentor... someone I thought was there to hear my ideas and help me launch them forward. After praising the idea and telling me it will pan out, I hear,

Oh you can never do that project. 6 people r doing it. you have neither the
resources or connections to get it. You are not even in the game

OMG! so after talking to a friend, then warned me that this person might want to do the project or give the project to their child. Or that they just might not want to see you succeed, or maybe want you to cut them in on the deal. It's amazing how people close to you may not be what you think they are.

The chips may cause a crack pretty soon.... but for now, my armor is still solid. I have faith in my mission!!!! Operation Gidi Bound!!!!

After all there so many things to lure you home such as....

www.bellanaija.com

www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com

http://tttfoto.blogspot.com/

http://naijablog.blogspot.com/

http://aramide.blogspot.com/

http://www.ecwaevangel.org/blog/

Let me know what you think of your experiences with returning to Nigeria, Moving to Nigeria for first time, or if you are planning to move to Naija or planned, but backed out.

A crazy hectic august

At the begining of this month, I had a last minute trip to Gidi. It was focused on project work and volunteering. After this trip, I really see myself living permanently in Nigeria. No if, ands, or buts!!! I really want to make a impact. I had the pleasure while i was there of volunteering at the Heart of Gold Childrens Hospice for motherless babies. It really touched my heart. I vow now that each visit to Nigeria, I will take supplies there and spend time with the children. They really need to the help. Check out www.hoghospice.org and check out my blog @ www.missadelaja.blogspot.com where I talk more in depth about HOG Hospice.


On the way back, I stopped in Paris. It was really relaxing. I took the train from Charles De Gaulle (spelling) airport to Paris. I needed to kill time, so I walked around, age breakfast, shopped, shopped, shopped, relaxed in the parks, etc. It was really nice.

I was glad to get back home, but met the crazy stress of school and research. Sometimes, I want to QUIT!!!!!!! I'm tired!!!!! I just want to graduate, and work towards that, but i also feel like i'm really destine to do so many things. It's hard to juggle business, volunteer work, other endeavours, and SCHOOL!!! But I'm trying. If school doesnt kill me, my parents will if i dont get my degrees. Note the word degrees has an 'S' on it. Anyway school is so sucky right now. I feel like i need time off. Personal leave of absence, but i'm too chicken to speak up. and i'm too scared that any break i take will become permanent. Anyway i let me shut up about that. A woman's gotta do what she's gotta do. and that's study.

Anyway my boss reams me out for my unexcused absence from school. Yeah I forgot to mention that my trip was unexcused. oops. i left on a wednesday and came back on a monday. i missed wed, thuds, fri, and monday. yeah. that will do it. I know he was extremely upset, but he is really good at calming a situation down. As i was getting over the scolding and back to my normal school grind, I realized my bday is coming up. Yup my Bday is today!!!!!!!!!

Anyway last friday I woke up wondering what I would do for my bday and just decided I wanted to party in Chicago.... so I did! it was the best bday since my 25th bday... yes am old. It was fun! I then realized my Gidi Girl Bee is also an August Babie... though she's only a virgo.. not a lushious leo, but anyway, we decided to do a joint aug bday bash!!! My girlfriend Natalia and I drove to Chicago for the festivities. Natialia is a fashion designer. she is fierce!!!! check out http://www.nataliavillafana.com/ her fall line will be up soon for orders. She is also always at shop chicago.

I have a little design skills of my own tho. Not on her level, but I can sew basics...lol I made a killer Ankara dress with bling for the event. I bought a pair of shoes that Natialia's sister makes... Candice Blake shoes... made in Italy! Contact Natalia for orders. Pics coming soon!!!!

We celebrated in VIP style at Shrine!!! I keep talking about shrine. That's because the place is fabulous!!!! They staff is nice, the managers, hostess, and staff. My waitress was cool. Very polite and fun too. She danced with us too! must be a fun job!!! Anyway, We had fun!!! i dance my ass off!!!! Biola danced her ass off!! and it was Natalia's 1st time listening to Nigerian music, but she loved it!!! Dj DeeMoney really did his thing!!!!! Mixin all he best Naija, West african, reggae, hihop, everything!!!! Amazing night!!!!

Also saw Wale from the Kolo Show. Those guys r doing their thing! shout out to yemi, fineboy and wale from the kolo show. Havent had a chance to meet yemi yet. www.tokstv.com

After the party was the afterparty! we went to soundbar. and danced my ass off some more!!!! Then went up to the house music part!!! had so much fun shaking my bum and my hair!!!! jumpin up and down, and all. love that music. cuz then you cant tell that i dont know how to dance!!!!

I love my chicago ppl!!!! Dami, GidiGirl Bee, T, BT, you all make me so happy! I have so much fun!!! I just shake and wiggle!!!

Speaking of Dami!!!! ooooo loooooord!!!! Boy can dance!!!! you put him in a room by himself and its a party!!!! dAAAAAAAAMIIIIII!!!!!!! his name should be DAMN-you can -dance! whooo!

anyway! was a fun wknd!!! We also shot an episode of GidiGirls with GGB and GGA back together again! was a reunion. I missed GGB so much while i was away!!!

Pics of the wknd coming soon. and make sure you check out GidiGirls Webshow @ www.gidigirlswebshow.blogspot.com episode ...erm i've lost count!

Check it out tho


Now i'm back in lansing. tihs place is so dry i feel i can poke my eyes out so as not to see time flowing backwards. sheesh!!! for the love of all that is degree granting.


awyway. today is my bday!!! i went to work, I hate going into my office BTW. its so distracting. n so 'my office' bleh!!!! but my mom sent me FLOWERS for my BDAY!!!!!! I love u mommy and sis!!!! muah!!!! kiss kiss!!! Roses to be precise! roses and a balloon to be even more precise! Loved it!!!! N my GGB and T called me. Natalia did too, and lotsa friends. made me feel really good.

After work, i had moer work (meeting with a researcher) outside the office. was productive. talked about work stuff and the direction of our research. stuff like this is what keeps me going!!!

Anyway after that, I went to meet natalia. she is making my dress for the pageant!!! I'm so excited!!!! the sketches look so FABO!!!! n the materials r extra sexy!!!! I cant wait!!! check out www.MNIApageant.com

Now I'm in a freakin coffee shop. Have to work on assignments for school/research, and pageant assignments. This blogging action was just to get my writing juices out!!!

Kiss Kiss n happy bday to ME!!!!!

Day 1- In the Beginning, there was Angel

Since I was young, I wanted to make an impact on the world. It was in college that I realized I could make an impact on Nigeria. Soooooo cliche? Well all I know is that I have made a decision to move to Nigeria to find my place and fulfill my destiny. Lol . Anyway the journey has begun. Along the way I’ll blog about all the crazy things going on in my life. I’ll talk about school, business, pageant life, friends, love and all that pertains to a gidi girl in the making.

So far let me gist you….

School wise, I’m on my grind. I try to balance school and making money. I love my research… BTW I research drugs (Drug abuse and things that pertain to it such as high risk sexual behaviors, mental health, etc) I get tired sometimes, but I can’t wait until I am Dr. Miss Adelaja. Whoo hoo!!!! My boss is cool. He has so many ideas in his head. I love it, but sometimes I get tired. But it’s a rite of passage.

Also I am about making money. I have so many business ideas and not enough me or time to do it all. I need about 10 extra arms like an Indian goddess and a Delorean with a flux capacitor. I love meeting dedicated able minded people that are ready to take on challenges because those are the ones who succeed in life. Keep it up my people. We are of the tribe called hustla.

Part of making money means looking for opportunities to start business in Nigeria. Nigeria, a fertile ground for small businesses. Mmmmmmm. Do you smell that? Smell it! It’s success! When you smell raw sewage, it’s an opportunity. When you see trash, it’s an opportunity. When Okada dey bash your car, and you smell burning petrol leaking from it, IT’s AN OPPORTUNITY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I plan to move to Nigeria ASAP. I love it. I never lived there before, but ‘if you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere’ and they weren’t talking about New York! Na Gidi be that o! Lol did I mention that I am working on my pidgin?

Other things going on right now? Well, I’m in the Miss Nigeria in America Pageant! MNIA baby! I’m so excited. They have me representing Abia State! I will do it to the fullest! You can read more about that on my other blog. www.MissAdelaja.blogspot.com You can find out about the pageant at www.missnigeriainamerica.org

Also, I have a webshow coming out this Monday July 25th with my Gidi Girl Bee from Naija Villa!!!!! You can check out that blog on www.GidiGirlWebShow.blogspot.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Personally my life is cool. I have bad luck with men, but at the end of the day, I’m really enjoying myself. I like being single. I LOVE independence. I REALLY LOVE going on dates. Some are good, some are bad, some just plain ugly. Family is awesome. My parents have mellowed down quite a bit. They are cool. They are like my best friends now. We talk about any and everything.

It may seem like I ramble, but that’s part of my process and you just have to deal with it.
Hope I can keep this blog thing up!

Xoxo
Gidi Girl Angel