Some of you here at Ladybrille follow my work on AfricaMusicLaw.com (AML), an entertainment law blog empowering the African artist and the creative industry at large; by addressing legal issues that affect their bottom line, and providing tips to help them. If you do follow me on AML, then you know that I have spent considerable time, over the years, addressing legal and business issues in mainstream Nigerian pop culture, including cases that involve Nigerian celebrity blogger Linda Ikeji.
In many of those articles, I have also said Linda Ikeji is an overall driven woman who shows such dedication and passion to her work, and audience. Now, I am adding yet another description about Ikeji. She is a woman committed to giving back to her community, particularly to young women.
Yesterday, the celebrity blogger took to her blog to announce that she launched a start-up fund project titled ‘I’d Rather be Self Made‘ where she set aside 10Million Naira (Nigerian money) for young Nigerian women entrepreneurs. She also announced winners from the first installment of her project.
I commend Linda Ikeji for investing in our young African women, especially women entrepreneurs, and providing the mentorship and guidance to help these women succeed.
Kudos to you Linda.
Ladybrillers check out the statement Linda Ikeji shared on her blog regarding her project.
Cheers,
Ms. Uduak
“I am so excited and I can’t wait to help more young ladies start their own businesses. So earlier this year, I announced that I was going to set aside a N10million grant to help young ladies with dreams, ambition and great business ideas to start their own small scale businesses. And finally, I’ve done it. I’ve spent over N5million on 15 girls…and I have another N5million to give away before the end of the year. You have a great business idea and need start up capital? I’m here to help! .:-)
So here’s how it happened. I met with over 800 ladies in January this year, I got a panel to look at their proposals, we asked about 50 of them to present their ideas to us and then we shortlisted to 15 girls who are the first beneficiaries of the ‘Linda Ikeji I’d Rather Be Selfmade’ project. Above are 11 out of the 15 beneficiaries. Four girls who live outside Lagos (Jos, Umuahia, Ibadan and Warri) couldn’t make it to our meeting this past Sunday August 23rd. See some photos and more after the cut
Two of the girls got over N600k each, another two got over N500k each, two got over N400k, others got over N300k and N200k. Only one girl got N150k.
Asides from giving them money to start their businesses, I will also use my platform (LIB) to push their businesses. Whenever I post anything from any of my SelfMade ladies, I will indicate it’s one of my girls so you guys can please patronize them.
This money is 100% my own money. I didn’t collect a dime from anyone. I want to first give away this N10million and see what the girls do with it before getting others involved. I’m truly hoping to make a new set of self made women and like I said when I stared this, I plan to do this for as long as I can. Once this N10million is exhausted, I will bring out more money.
Also, I told the ladies/beneficiaries that if I see that their business is going well and they are really dedicated and extremely serious about succeeding, I will pump in more money into their businesses and by the end of 1 year, any lady who has most succeeded with the little they got to set up their business, will get an additional N1million. Two of them will actually get N1million each.
I really, really want more women to succeed, to be more independent, to make their own money, and to stop sleeping with men for money. And I will do everything I can to help as many ladies as I can.
Having said all that, I will be calling for a new set of girls in the coming weeks. So if you’re interested, get a proposal ready. Tell us what you want to do and how much you need to do it and be ready to face a panel to defend your business idea. I wish you and yours all the best and as soon as my team and I are ready, I will announce where you can meet us. So stay tuned. Kisses!..” –Linda Ikeji
Ms. Uduak is best known as an advocate who uses the tools of media and the law to help creatives and businesses clearly articulate their true brand identities, and communicate it to the world through their products and services, to maximize profits. She is a lawyer, speaker, author, journalist, and recognized thought leader, and trailblazer for her work on Africa’s emerging global fashion and entertainment markets, and the niche practice of fashion law in the United States. She is also the founder and publisher of Ladybrille® Magazine, and an Attorney and Partner at Ebitu Law Group, P.C, where her practice focuses on Fashion, Business, & Entertainment Law and Trials. For more information about her, visit www.msuduak.com.
