I woke up to her message. Edgar, can i too support you with N100k? I was weak. Why i asked.
The Peter story has further energized me. She recanted. I had wanted to ask all week after reading the story if your friend and his Head of Corporate Comms but with the millions you call every day, I say make i respect myself.
I laughed and said lets deal. She continued, when i read your story about your friend who ridiculed you, i was touched. It reverberated cos i am in the same space – looking for funds for my programme Woman and a Half with the attendant frustrations.
I smiled. Chile has over the years founded two initiatives- the woman and a half and the 1k miracle group.
The 1k miracle group of which i am a member is the most exciting. It takes 1k lunch money from its members and pays hospital bills for patients in various hospitals in the
Country.
She has diligently grown the franchise from the two of us to over 700 people. Raising over N60m in the process. A true nightingale.
Then her Woman and A half initiative which is an initiative the allows professional women to express themselves while building very powerful careers.
The franchise has taken women all over the world – Dubai, Germany, UK and recently sequestered women in the beautiful island cove of Inagbe off the coast of Lagos. She is planning Zanzibar and other exotic locations next year.
Doing all these while still carrying on with an exciting career as a banker throws her up as a modern woman. The type of woman that positions herself as a help mate and not a dominant sphinx in the home
So i said to her, I know you are looking for money for your Woman and a Half Event this Dec are u sure i shunt be giving you the N100k
She smiled and said, ‘ Edgar i know you don’t need my N100k but i want to stand up to be counted. The lives you touch, the way you inspire people and remember you are my mentor. So if peter is your rock, let me be your Mary Magdalene.
I just send the account number before she changes her mind.
I left that conversation feeling warm. My budget is over N100m, i have the reach and network to pull out the money.
Her budget is N10m and she is struggling to reach 50% of that but like Peter, she feels the need to be part of the movement whatever movement that my story with Peter may have evoked
Just like Clem the talented Fashion designer who after reading about Peter gave him a contract and Seyi who sent N100k to Peter and Janet in Abuja who sent a huge N3k, and now Chile sending N100k, the love and warmth of Nigeria is beginning to evolve into something quite remarkable.
I thank Chile and all those who have been touched by Peter as they move even as i exhort the rest of us to also move – not give me money o, but look at your neighbour and just say, ‘ how are you, bro?
It will go a long way
Thanks
Duke of Shomolu
