Inspiration to stay focused on your goals comes in many forms. From reading an inspirational book or watching and inspirational film. From talking to friends and family, throwing ideas back and forth, or observing your daily surroundings. My inspiration of recent has come from a British born Nigerian living in the UK, named Paula B Sofowora. A lawyer for financial services organisation Zurich, Sofowora has created a book called "Discover Nigeria". It’s a book to help readers explore the West African country and discover what it’s really like. With an exciting range of colourful photographs and up-to-date information, the book covers all aspects of Nigeria, from history and geography to family life, ethnic groups, sports and cooking. It also touches on famous Nigerians all around the world, such as musicians Seal, Fela Kuti and Sade, mathematician Phillip Emeagwali and Hollywood actors Sophie Okonedo, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Sofowora says, “Discover Nigeria gives those with an interest in learning about different countries the opportunity to discover the history, language and culture of one of the richest countries in Africa”.
“Discover Nigeria” is the first volume of the “Discover” series which Sofowora has written and is a useful resource to support the National Curriculum in Citizenship, Geography, History and Religious Education at Key Stages 2 and 3. She has also written two brightly illustrated picture books about Ijapa, a Nigerian trickster, for children aged 5- 9 and is editor of the quarterly online magazine Naija Konnections which can be found at www.amlappublishing.com.
I've had the privilege to have viewed all three of Sofowora's books before they reached the shelves at Waterstones and Amazon and I can tell you they are impressive. It's not often I've personally come across a black individual producing a product, who has simultaneously been able to carry themselves professionally, whilst having produced an equally professional product, which they plan to sell to the general public. There is normally some excuse... due to lack of time, resource, whatever - they are unable to produce a squeaky clean quality looking product. Listen up peeps. There is no excuse for laziness when it comes to work. Be the best you can be as I'm sure there may be other factors the general public or potential employer may plan to scrutinise you on, even if their reasons for doing so are unfair – that’s life. Don't give them the opportunity to embarrass you on something you could have rectified before hand.
Sofowora has a day time job which I would imagine is extremely stressful. A lawyer at a financial services company? Of course she's stressed, with next to no time to do anything else. Especially in this CREDIT CRUNCH climate. However she knew for her to be taken seriously in the publishing world and as a black woman, she would need to come correct. She should be an inspiration to all Oprah Wannabe's. If she can do it, why can't we?
“Discover Nigeria” is published by Amlap Publishing and is available from December 2008 at all major bookshops and on line at www.amlappublishing.com, retailed at £14.99. ISBN 978-0-9546116-2-0. If you found out a bookstore doesn’t stock the book, make sure to leave the book details so they CAN start stocking it. Remember… its all about supply and demand
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