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FoodI Think We Should Have Drink Section/nightlife/ by 1johnjohn(op): 9:25pm On Dec 07, 2018
This night am relaxong in Anthony village.. With lawanson and coke!
It makes sense..I know most folks would having fun with d Dr in Lagos.
So Seun...I know most people would like to tall about fun in
Lagos.f
Give is a Rave column.
I need lots and lots of views.
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 4:59pm On Dec 07, 2018
Has the local Taxify paid you..
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 4:14pm On Dec 07, 2018
franksam2009:
07059015134
Can we do WhatsApp
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 3:59pm On Dec 07, 2018
Is it me and my cousin..Taxify is yet to pay me since last Tuesday.
AutosRe: Neat Used 2004 Toyota Corolla by 1johnjohn(m): 2:33pm On Dec 07, 2018
Hire purchase available?
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 2:30pm On Dec 07, 2018
drestoneokuta:
Gospel truth, even if your driving your car its just hand to mouth.

Guys be careful, task force is out with full force.. Just parted away with a "whole week's delivery" any minor offence na gone!!!.

Taxify Na **am!!!! Na to apply find better job e better pass this slavery
What happen
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 2:14pm On Dec 07, 2018
franksam2009:
Good morning sirs, I have a Clean car I intend registering in Uber, but the problem is the car has manual window, as in you have to wind d windows manually, will Uber and taxify accept this car please? It's a 2004 Corolla with working ac
Pls phone no asap
PropertiesRe: Xmas Bonus Mini Flat 200k Total Package 300k Walking Distance To BRT Palmgrove by 1johnjohn(m): 2:02pm On Dec 07, 2018
Post pictures!
BusinessRe: . by 1johnjohn(m): 5:53am On Dec 06, 2018
Any installamental payments.
AutosRe: 2008 Low Fuel Toyota Yaris For Sale. by 1johnjohn(op): 9:16pm On Dec 05, 2018
lordm:
Scam,
I guess you don't have any thing to do than that!
Autos2008 Low Fuel Toyota Yaris For Sale. by 1johnjohn(op): 7:59pm On Dec 05, 2018
I have a Toyota Yaris for sale. Details are below.
2008 model with ac chilling.
Runs like wolf
Buy and drive away.
Its a manual drive.
Price is 500 and you can call for negotiations.
Locations is Maryland
08023932104

RomanceRe: Nigerian man reacts after seeing photos of a white couple very simple wedding by 1johnjohn(m): 7:48pm On Dec 05, 2018
Nigeria...too fake country. I tries it ..but the family came after me..I did it low key anyways.
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 7:35pm On Dec 05, 2018
Terrence15115:
Good day. Please do you by any chance have a Yaris that runs like a cheetah? Asking for a friend
All I mean is the car moves fasssst!
Car Talk2008 Toyota Yaris For Sale. by 1johnjohn(op): 2:14pm On Dec 05, 2018
34pm
I have a Toyota Yaris for sale. Details are below.
2008 model with ac chilling.
Runs like wolf
Buy and drive away.
Its a manual drive.
Price is 600 and you can call for negotiations.
Locations is Maryland
08023932104

BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 1:34pm On Dec 05, 2018
I have a Toyota Yaris for sale. Details are below.
2008 model with ac chilling.
Runs like wolf
Buy and drive away.
Its a manual drive.
Price is 600 and you can call for negotiations.
Locations is Maryland
08023932104

BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 10:38pm On Dec 03, 2018
Full real men...am working it out...men like me used club all night. Life has changed. True we enter d game late but we make do with all.
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 5:07pm On Dec 03, 2018
For drivers..is there any other hustle while am driving round. The car is with me for 7seven days and I still delivery. But I feel I can make money. Any suggestion.. Bring it up. We are all ears
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 5:05pm On Dec 03, 2018
pooozeee:
I read that an uber driver was killed in Lekki phase 1

May his Soul rest in Peace
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 5:04pm On Dec 03, 2018
Men be wise bros...Lekki boys Don wise gaan. Most babes for Lekki won't sleep for men house. Eyes wide open as Dec don land. May his soul rest in Peace
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 10:24am On Dec 03, 2018
GAZZUZZ:
you fair tell am say you go start trip nah grin
Loool. Taxify is babe..as soon as I reach ur no...na to click arrival..this fine girl too any 16mins to come.. Come dey wex I should have call her. I only call u when u have first call me..am learning everyday folks.
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 10:39pm On Dec 02, 2018
julietromeo:
WC counter attack? Counter attack with useless finished and acceptance rate. Taxify is loosing it seriously. Its a wrong time to reduce fare by 15%.
I don't understand what this mean folks

BusinessRe: Buy At Alaba International Wholesale Price by 1johnjohn(m): 6:40am On Dec 02, 2018
Can you send a whatmessage.09051550315
Let's partners n do business.
BusinessRe: How I Intend To Make Side Money In 2019 by 1johnjohn(m): 6:27am On Dec 02, 2018
Its nice yea but make installment..where's ur office
BusinessRe: A Profitable Business You Can Start With 15,000 Naira by 1johnjohn(m): 6:24am On Dec 02, 2018
1johnbode@gmail.com
Anthony village
RomanceRe: SEE THIS: How to Permanently Memorize Any Number in 10 Seconds [Picture] by 1johnjohn(m): 6:09pm On Dec 01, 2018
Am at your back...pls who saw the thread on how to.join the join the Us army or naval. I forgot it..
PropertiesRe: Taken....off the market by 1johnjohn(m): 12:50pm On Dec 01, 2018
Naso pictures
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 2:09am On Dec 01, 2018
Buying fuel at falomo....reply ur location. Nite drivers!
Jobs/VacanciesRe: With Bsc And ACA, I Still Dey Beg For Food by 1johnjohn(m): 8:02pm On Nov 30, 2018
Look at puchcv.com
And also why don't u approach learning centers... To tech.. Foreign universities in Ghana and Togo..some friends just got jobs in those univerties.. Meanwhile go for mountain prayers..if you can drive.. Then driver for Uber or Taxify.
CareerBrains, Focus And Grit: A Profile Of Odunayo Eweniyi, Co-founder, Piggybank.ng by 1johnjohn(op): 5:44pm On Nov 30, 2018
I had originally wanted to do an Odunayo Eweniyi profile back in August 2017. I’d recently started using Piggybank.ng and coincidentally, at a house party, I’d met two people who knew her back in Covenant University. They were both recent Piggybank.ng converts as well and the conversation somehow ended somewhere between “Odun is goals” and “Piggybank is such a great idea, why didn’t anyone think about this before?”

The story of a 24-year-old Nigerian woman (born and raised in Nigeria) who already had one successful company and another soon-to-be-successful one just four years after graduating college was too compelling not to consider. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen at the time.

It’s 1:04pm on June 5, 2018 when a (now 25-year-old) Odunayo walks into the cozy meeting room, just to the side of the general office area, where I had been asked to wait for her. Piggybank.ng, the [second] company she co-founded two years ago with five of her friends, has just raised $1.1 million in funding and she’s talking animatedly on the phone.

There is some kind of bank trouble (I couldn’t tell if it was Piggybank related) and she’s patiently listening to the person on the other end. “Will I have to come in to do the form thing?”, she asks the person. She takes off her backpack and jacket before taking a seat at the edge of the leather couch closest to me, still on the phone.

The call ends and she drops her phone on the table in front of us. “Sorry I’m a bit late. Google Launchpad kini,” she says turning to me and pushing her glasses further up her nose. “Oh, it’s fine,” I respond. “Thank you for speaking to me. I’ve wanted to this for a while. I don’t know if you remember but I reached out last …” “Yes! You sent a DM last year,” she says, leaving me a little surprised.

I spent the next hour and fifteen minutes having a conversation with Odunayo and at the end, I had been educated, inspired and impressed – all at the same time.

The Journey

As the first child of two professors, Odunayo had always been about her books. She breezed through primary and secondary education with top grades before attending Covenant University, a controversial church-owned college that has produced a curious number of millennial startup founders and also where she met her business partners.

Growing up, Odunayo wanted to be a doctor. “I wanted to be a doctor but I feel like there is a certain level of empathy you need to become a doctor and I don’t think I have that,” Odunayo said. “So when it was time to fill JAMB form, I put Computer Engineering instead. My parents made sure I went to Covenant University [which I love, by the way – just in case they read this], to avoid any of that strike business and I’m super thankful to them for that.”
She graduated top of her Computer Engineering class in 2013 and, as is common with a lot of middle-class Nigerian families, her parents wanted her to get a Masters’ degree next. “I started applying to schools and I actually got accepted into two Ivy League universities, which was super cool,” said Odunayo, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

Two weeks after graduating from the university, Odunayo was on her way back from a job interview when her would-be co-founder, Somto, saw her through a window and called out to her. She had been contemplating the job she had just interviewed for (and gotten) so when she met up with Somto and found out they had a discount card startup called Parolz, she decided to join them instead.

Somto had been a pretty awesome engineer from their Covenant University’s days (Odunayo says he once built a miniature airplane that could fly in college) so she figured she didn’t have anything to lose. That event would fundamentally change Odunayo’s life.

The early days

Odunayo wasn’t a co-founder of Parolz but she was the company’s swiss army knife. She handled operations, social media and anything else that needed to be handled. “I’ll learn anything I need to learn as long as it moves the needle. That’s just how it is,” she told me, scratching her nose and pushing up her glasses again. “If I need to be X company’s COO, best believe I will learn everything I need to be that company’s COO. I don’t have a lot of life philosophies but one of them is to do your absolute best in ANYTHING you’re doing. Anything at all.”

PushCV!

While working at Parolz, Odunayo was also going to interviews with Bankole Oluwafemi and writing for Techcabal (yes, that happened) on the side. Meanwhile, Somto was building something called CV Flash to help people who couldn’t write CVs properly or did so with terrible English.

At some point, Somto needed help with the CV service he was building and Odunayo joined him to help write CVs for people – effectively becoming a co-founder. Soon, customers started asking them, not only to write CVs, but also to send them to employers as well. So they did just that. “That’s literally how PushCV was born,” she told Dotun Olowoporoku, back in February.

By March 2014, the team (including the other four members of the group) started to realise that the discount card business wasn’t working so they started to concentrate on PushCV instead. But Jobberman was already a thing and they needed to differentiate themselves. They figured: instead of just sending job applications to employers (like Jobberman), a great differentiator would be to screen the applicants first and send the best candidates to the employers thus becoming a platform for pre-screened job candidates rather than just, well, candidates.

By August 2014, they had formed a team and applied to Olumide Soyombo’s Leadpath Nigeria. He invited the team for a meeting and subsequently wrote a cheque for $25,000 – their first investment – and gave them an office space in Yaba, Lagos’ prominent startup hub.

Piggybank!

By the end of 2015, PushCV was profitable and the team was already thinking of the next thing. It was great to help people get jobs but the team felt they could do more.

Then on the last day of 2015, someone shared pictures of her kolo, in which she had saved N1000 everyday in the calendar year, on Twitter. Immediately, one of Odunayo’s co-founders, Josh Chibueze started to look for a way to digitise this concept. They asked PushCV users how else they could help and saving salaries was the top choice. By mid-January 2016, version one of the Piggybank product was ready.

Being the unofficial devil’s advocate in the group, Odunayo kept the team honest as they fleshed out their ideas for Piggybank. “I’m usually the one that questions everything,” she said, laughing and stretching her legs. “I’m a self-professed pessimist,” another laugh, “but if you can assuage all my what of this, how about if this happens, then we are good to go.”

In no time, the team had beta-tested version 1 of Piggybank, shut it down, then Paystack launched and by April 2016, a fully launched Piggybank was available to the public.

Building Piggybank

Building Piggybank and still being actively involved in Sharphire’s other businesses (as part of a six-person team, no less) cannot be an easy job. According to Odunayo, grit is why she has been able to make it all happen. “It’s a combination of different things but if I was to sum it all up, grit is the word. When you know where you’re coming from and the understand the responsibility of your position, you just have to do what you need to do,” she said, stretching her legs in front of her and clutching her jacket a bit closer.

“I guess it also helps that we are a big team and everybody kinda has their specialties. When the work gets overwhelming for someone or we need to get something done for one of the businesses, we move resources around within ourselves to make it happen,” Odunayo said, responding to my question about the six of them making decisions, especially for a product like Piggybank that is deeply personal to its users.


The Piggybank management team.

That’s also why only three people are publicly listed as Piggybank’s co-founders. Behind the scenes, the startup actually has six co-founders but for investors (and PR’s) sake, the team elected to have Odunayo, Josh and Somto as the brands’ public faces.

Building Piggybank has not been easy but by building the product off user-recommendations, Odunayo and her team have seemingly cracked personal savings culture in Nigeria. Piggybank itself has grown off word of mouth, for the most part, and that shows the psychological aspect of the product – users typically have an emotional connection with the product (myself included).

“I think about it often and sometimes, I can’t believe how much people champion Piggybank. It’s so personal to them that’s why we want to do as much as we can for our users,” said Odunayo.

After the raise

Odunayo’s team have plans to launch a group savings feature on the Piggybank platform in the coming months as well as stepping up marketing spend. They also plan to remain as lean as possible – something that has been a part of the team’s strategy from day one – although it has also acquired a significant stake in a microfinance bank which should help it expand its offerings.

“You can’t just throw money at everything, you know. We have to use the funds diligently and pick up the pace,” said Odunayo, when I asked her why the Piggybank office is so small and minimalist. Fair enough.



But ultimately, the plan is to build the company to a point where it doesn’t matter if any of the original founding members are running things or not. In Odunayo’s words: “Leaving a legacy [or having meaningful impact] is important. If I can get Piggybank to the point where it’s thriving with or without my involvement, then I’m good. That’s why we are all working as hard as we are – so that 5, 10, 15 years down the line we can look at how the company is changing lives and impacting the community and say to ourselves: ‘We did good.’ That’s what it’s all about.”

The future

As is evident from her story, Odunayo is not your average Nigerian woman. She doesn’t consider herself “fashionable” (she’s a sneakerhead though) and she’s a homebody who would rather watch shows/movies and drink some wine instead of going out. She’s not particularly concerned about marriage and she mostly plans for the mid-term, albeit neurotically so.

Odunayo is also passionate about education, something I suspect she inculcated from her parents. “I plan to get into education at some point. It’s something I am very passionate about so that’s definitely going to happen,” she said with a giant grin. For now though, she is concentrating on Piggybank and turning the product into a millennial juggernaut.

“It’s very important to know where you’re going and [what you need to get there]. When you think about that and you think of the people that have expectations of you [like my parents, in my case], it becomes easy to do the work and keep pushing.
BusinessRe: If You Are Uber Partner In Lagos, Please Share Your Experience Here by 1johnjohn(m): 6:43pm On Nov 29, 2018
ifyeez:
I have tried GLO Smile4G Swift4G Ntel 4G MTN 4G, now am on Airtel 4G 2k for 7gb a month, then backup network Ntel Wawu plan for enough data for enough movies download and youtube streaming n data sharing to nice rider,
I share if I like you only....
Get airtel 4g and thank me later. grin grin grin
I need an men!
AutosRe: Cheap Auto Parts From The USA - Import To Nigeria by 1johnjohn(m): 4:32pm On Nov 29, 2018
Send me WhatsApp 09951550315.
Less patner
BusinessRe: Real Estate Mentors by 1johnjohn(m): 4:27pm On Nov 29, 2018
Reach me on 09951550315

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