An interview with Seyi Tinubu, CEO & Founder of Loatsad Promomedia; Founder of Noella Foundation, on his role on mentoring young millennials in the tech sector and other inspiring empowerment programs to ensure greater economic growth.
RECENTLY, YOU HAVE EXECUTED SOME GREAT INITIATIVES TO EMPOWER CERTAIN SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY; WHAT MOTIVATES THESE PROGRAMS?
ANS: I think we are in an era like no other where individuals with innovative ideas need to be empowered so they can add value to society. Also, I feel individuals who demonstrate winning spirit despite the challenges they go through should also be empowered; and so giving back to the community through various programs and initiatives would help us achieve greater economic growth, which eventually leads to achieving the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs)
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THESE INITIATIVES
ANS: OK, my wife and I came up with the Noella Foundation, birthed from the idea of giving back to humanity. We thought about what we could do to empower people, children and adults alike. So the Foundation is the umbrella body of these initiatives. The maiden initiative of the foundation is the STEP initiative where my passion lies, developing the tech space so we can develop and play on a global scale through technology. So, the STEP initiative was to fuel innovative tech startups with mentorship and seed funding of 5 million Naira, so these young businesses can grow with the knowledge and capital provided them. We also go further to ensure that we keep tabs with these startups to ensure that the required growth and expansion is achieved. We have other initiatives like scholarship schemes, empowering disabled, welfare schemes, equipping schools with facilities etc These initiatives are carried out by the foundation and supported by Loatsad Promomedia.
DO YOU HAVE ANY KIND OF PARTNERSHIP TO ENSURE THE INITIATIVES ARE ACHIEVED?
ANS: Oh yes, for the STEP initiative, I bring together some of the top players in various sectors to help coach and mentor the young millennial entrepreneurs, guiding them on how to grow their business, making the right business decisions, co-partnering with other businesses and other best practices they require to build, nurture and expand their businesses. For other forms of empowerment which Noella Foundation embark on, Loatsad Promomedia stands as a sponsor and partner to these initiatives, because the Noella Foundation is solely a non-profit organization.
WHAT SPECIFIC GOALS WOULD YOU SAY THE FOUNDATION HAS ACHIEVED
ANS: Through the STEP initiative, we have impacted tremendously in the tech sector by disbursing a seed fund of 5 million Naira to the winner to grow and expand their operations. In addition, we monitor the tech startup closely to ensure that growth is achieved after providing the winner with money and mentorship. We are not just interested in giving these startups money but we want to achieve a significant growth and expansion through our impact and initiative. In addition, one of our goals is to ensure that we see 10 students through university, 20 pupils through secondary school with the disbursement of scholarships. We also want to ensure that certain schools in certain communities within Lagos State get materials to better equip their pupils and increase their education standards. Recently, we donated six inverter batteries to Pacelli School of the Blind in Surulere, Lagos, while Eagle Wings School at Ilaje, Bariga got classroom chairs and tables and renovation of a flooded area within the school. Consequently, our goal is in giving back in key areas that would help achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED TO CARVE A NICHE FOR YOURSELF IN ADVERTISING, BEING A YOUNG LEADER AND MENTORING YOUNG MINDS?
ANS: It has taken a great deal of hard work, commitment to adding value and dedication to achieving our goals. Most importantly, it has been about having the right team who buy into your vision of empowerment and innovation. We are a young workforce, driven, and with a great deal of passion. Everyone at the company is involved in decision making and finding locations. We sit as a group and try to find out what is missing in the country or where we could have a presence. We are persistent and tenacious and we believe we offer real value. Our aim is to let brands thrive in the best possible way and we see our services as a unique medium to facilitate that process. For mentoring young minds, I would say at some point in your hustle, you have to share your journey with people to inspire them and let them know that they can achieve success as well. So I have to let young people see the brighter future by teaching them the tricks, not forgetting that the process requires a lot of effort from them as well.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR 2019
ANS: We want to empower more people. Several initiatives that would be executed to create opportunities for people to excel. We envision a new year of growth and greater empowerment. For Loatsad, 2019 will be a better year than the last four, we expect to create more iconic sites and to expand on our digital offerings as well. We hope to give more brands better locations for advertising opportunities; also, to have more strategic partnerships. We want to light Lagos up. In all, we are optimistic we will conquer new grounds in business and empower more people for greater economic growth.
