"Prioritising is very key"- Oby Ohakim

She is a lawyer, an entrepreneur, a wife and most importantly, a mother. She is Barr. (Mrs.) Oby Ohakim- the founder of ProjectBaby Nigeria.                                           
                                                                 

                                           

Let's get to know her;

My name is Oby Ohakim. I'm an in-house counsel at a Quasi-government agency and I specialize in corporate litigation. I'm also the founder of ProjectBaby Nigeria and I'm the mother of 2 truly exceptional boys – J and CJ. 

    What is ProjectBaby Nigeria about? 

ProjectBaby Nigeria is a God-led vision which developed out of my passion for Early Learning!! Basically, we design and create innovative and affordable Early Learning Resources which encourage multi -sensorial learning through play!! We believe that by learning through play, children develop a lifelong enthusiasm for thinking for themselves.

Our goal is to inspire young mothers, caregivers and preschools - to engage their kids in hands on learning activities using age-appropriate learning resources; rather than through Screen time. 

 What’s your inspiration?

My 2 boys – J and CJ, are my inspiration. By watching my kids development and how they learn through play; I’m constantly inspired to design and produce resources with a child's academic and social development in mind.

Essentially, ProjectBaby evolved out of the desire and need to make unique learning resources easily accessible in Africa, taking into account the affordability of same.

More so, I've always had a passion for early learning with my mother being the Proprietress of Divine Offspring International School (with 5 branches in Lagos) I grew up learning with resources like these and with my kids I've always adopted this hands on practical approach to learning.

How did you start projectbaby?

I first started my “mommy blog” www.playsuitsandlawsuits.com in 2016 - as a way to share my experience as a young working mom. However, the blog surprisingly grew into a very useful online resource providing tips, encouragement and inspiration to other new moms – like me, who were just trying to figure out parenting the best way we can.

By September, 2017, the “mom community” had organically grown, and I started ProjectBaby Nigeria to encourage young mothers on the benefits of engaging children through purposeful play and use of age-appropriate learning resources.

 What challenges do you face?

I'll say my biggest challenge generally is trying to find a balance – being an active, present mother and still trying to be a good employee, and run a business. It's a bit tricky and can be difficult because young kids require a lot of attention, and so does a full-time job. 

 How do you overcome those challenges?

I’m very big on prioritising, creating plans, schedules, lists and sorting things – this kind of helps me stay organised and on top of things.

It was indeed a mind-blowing and very interactive session with her...... Did I mention the fact that she is very chic? yep! I just did!

Momma and her boys- J and CJ

With her hubby and first born son

Momma Showstopper!

"Sean John is my inspiration"- Bolaji Sparks.

Inspired by Sean "PDiddy" Combs years ago, Today you can rightly say he brought his dream to reality by being one of Nigeria's recognised fashion designers. Interestingly, he is a lawyer and the founder of the Bolaji Sparks Foundation- a charity project that deals with promoting education, community development  as well as helping the less privileged in our societies. He is Bolaji Habeeb Olumoh- the brain behind the "Bolaji Sparks" brand.

Bolaji's story is one that inspires me so much- read below;

"I started in my final year of university- I attended University of Ilorin, Kwara state. I kicked-off  with 3000 Naira which was my pocket money at the time and started by  making a customised shirt which I wore and advertised around the hostels. Gradually, I grew into making natives, suits and today, I have my own shoe line"

Speaking of challenges? Like every other entrepreneur, Bolaji has faced a few challenges- read what he had to say below; 

"First, I had to hide all I was doing from my folks at home as at the time - all my parents wanted was for me to get my law degree. Also, I started with little or no capital and that played a huge role but I was never going to give up. Also, people did not want to pay for the value of what I was giving them. They always wanted to pay less but with time, it changed because I was persistent and consistent.  GIVING UP IS NEVER AN OPTION. I owe it to God- He is the source and the only reason I am at the level I am now".

The legendary Timi Dakolo dressed in a Bolaji Sparks Agbada
with his beautiful wife

The Duke of Spades Mr Richard graced in a Bolaji Sparks attire on his big day.

The Duke and his Duchess

Style Defined!

The Richi2019 Crew

Super Woman Oma

 She is a lawyer and a serial entrepreneur- the founder of SOS foundation, the CEO of Du materials fabrics as well as the brain behind the Legal IP coach..... Intriguing!
She is Miss Ifeoma Phillipa Okenyi.

how it all started;

Du Material Fabrics;

"Du Materiel Fabrics started as a side hustle. I'd moved back to Nigeria for NYSC and afterwards headed straight to law school, I missed working and the independence the pay brought plus dipping into my savings was not funny. I'd dabbled in a bit of fashion sales here and there whenever I was home for the holidays but this was reality. I'd always liked fabrics, had even done a textile texture course over a long summer during university and everyone wanted the new silk buba and Iro look. I asked around about prices and it seemed  people in Abuja and it's surroundings were buying from Lagos. There are major markets in Abuja but it seemed people were looking for something different. I did a few trials, both with fabrics from Nigeria and overseas and though it was meant to be a short side hustle I enjoyed it, and I've just carried on along side my career and other businesses trying to get it to its zenith."

Legal IP Coach;

 Legal IP Coach is me, I am legal IP coach (that's my Instagram name by the way). My love for teaching is what inspired the legal ip coach brand. My team and I under our law firm niche out a legal educational platform called the IPHUB to help businesses who are building their Intellectual Property Portfolios meet and interact, learn and grow together. What I didn't foresee was the gap in knowledge of the benefits of what owning ones IP rights were to business so as the demand arose for one on one consultations to teach clients about this gap i created the Legal IP  to better assist and fill in those blanks spaces.

S.O.S Needs Foundation;

The name of the foundation is "S.O.S Needs" Foundation (in its full terms it means "SIBLINGS OF SPECIAL NEEDS FOUNDATION").

"I am a sibling to the most beautiful young teen you'll ever meet, she is diagnosed as high functioning autistic and she's my inspiration for creating the foundation.There's a lot of behind the scenes work still going on so we haven't launched yet. There's a gap in knowledge for siblings within the home where there's a child or adult with a special needs, there is also an automatic transference of the said child or adult to a sibling or family member where the carer mostly the child's mother passes away without caution or real concern if the new guardian is indeed the right person to take care of the child or adult. There are also gaps in insurance, legal guardian documents, travel documents, trusts & monetary accounts that should be raised for such precious ones and the biggest issue, government, interstate and federal lapses for people with special needs. These essentially is why I do everything else I do to be able to move such a programme into society."

However, one of the challenges she is facing is the lack of a proper textile company in Nigeria amongst others but with the right spirit, Ifeoma and her team made a choice to look above them.

Catch a glimpse of Ifeoma doing what she does best below;

The Serial Entrepreneur.