GIVING YOUR CHILD AN EARLY START TO SUCCESS II - READ THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TEMILOLUWA ONILOGBO

In this interview, Temiloluwa talks about his passion and interests. He is a teenager who is passionate about drawing, designing and the sciences. Read this interview to find out more about him, his interests and his advice to other teenagers yet to find out their passion. Enjoy!

Please can we get to know you?

My name is Temiloluwa Onilogbo, I’m 15 years old and I’m in my fifth year of high school.

Temiloluwa's work

What is your major in school (Sciences or Arts)?

I don’t really know what a major is – haha – but my favourite subjects in school are maths, the sciences (especially Chemistry) and art.

Why science?

Sciences are basically Maths applied to real life, especially in Physics, and I really enjoy Maths and the interesting experiments in subjects like Chemistry. I’m quite good at Maths (I got a Gold Award in this year’s UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge) which is why I’m going to take it along with Physics, Chemistry, French and Psychology for my A-Levels after GCSEs in pursuit of an engineering course at University.

     

Why Engineering?

I will probably go for Chemical Engineering because I really like science and it’s something that I would want to do. Also, it pays well – haha.

What do you love doing during your free time?

Generally, I like to play sports like basketball and tennis with my friends; I really like drawing and painting and do it a lot. I sing in a rock band as well as play the bass guitar and keyboard.

 How do you put your skills to use?

I’ve been playing the bass guitar for two years now and I play it in my church’s praise band.

You mentioned something about really loving to draw and design? Can you tell us more about this interest? When did you start drawing and designing?

I’ve been drawing more seriously since I was 11 years old and I draw influenced mainly by the Japanese manga/anime style like in shows such as Naruto. I do a lot of random designs but I am also in the process of writing a manga of my own. I even have a Facebook page: T3MILOL’s Drawings and Stuff at https://www.facebook.com/t3milol .

Temiloluwa's work

 Where did you learn it?

For the most part, I learnt how to draw things from taking photographs as well as from my Art teachers in school. In terms of the manga style, I get that mostly from TV and manga I read.

Did you get enough sufficient knowledge from school or you went for some more training?

In my school, they don’t teach the style that I use the most so I learn by myself using books and watching YouTube videos. My favourite artists on there include Mark Crilley, Whyt Manga and Sophie-chan.

What tools/software do you use in drawing and designing?

To make the drawings and paintings, I use a range of media, including traditional watercolour paints for example as well as digital programs such as Photoshop and Manga Studio.

Do you do creative work for people?

I have done some design work for people – designing logos for T-shirts; leaflets and flyers – but I haven’t actually worked for pay before.

Who encourages you to do the things you love? You say you are preparing for your GCSEs, how do you get the time to do things you love in the midst of school work?

My parents and people in my church who know about my artwork support me to carry on. In terms of how I find time, I just make sure I crack on with my work so I have spare time.

What is your advice for other young people who are yet to realize what they are good at or are passionate about?

I would just say that even if you don’t know now, when you find that there’s something that you’re good at, you find yourself doing a lot or something you really like, then you should work at it and then see how far you go.

Thanks for your time.

HIGHLY RATED BOOKS III

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.  - Charles W. Eliot

Hope's wristwatch by Tony Marinho

This book is a favorite among kids between the ages of 6 - 16 years. Hope's Wristwatch is divided into two major sections. The first section is a collection of beautifully crafted short stories that creatively illuminates various aspects of life we are all faced with. The second section covers various topics bringing to light, circumstances and events that are insightful, clear and superbly controlled.

Review by Dapo Olugbade. Thank you for sharing.

You can't go wrong with Hope's wristwatch. You will find stories and poems that will make you laugh, think and act. If you have children who can't stand long story lines or big books, this is a book for them.

Do you have books you consider a must read for others? Kindly send us an email to magicalbooks4all@gmail.com. Please include the title of the book, a synopsis and a cover photograph. You stand a chance of getting an e-copy of one of our most sought after books in our network.

GIVING YOUR CHILD AN EARLY START TO SUCCESS

“At each man’s birth there comes into being an eternal vocation for him, expressly for him. To be true to himself in relation to this eternal vocation is the highest thing a man can practice” – Soren Kierkegaard. 

A lot of our children struggle with identity issues. As they grow up, they aren’t really clear about who they are, what they want and find it difficult to answer questions like “what would you like to become in future?” 

 As parents, we can make this confusion state less threatening by being more sensitive to our children. We need to help them identify their nature; temperaments, emotions, stress levels, interests, strengths and weaknesses. We also need to help boost their self esteem and focus on building a self assured, confident and independent child irrespective of their weaknesses. From experience at our reading clubs, we have found out that focusing on building a child’s strength and self esteem can really help a child overcome some of his weaknesses.

Unfortunately, some parents focus more on the weakness of their children making them feel inferior to their peers or siblings. It could be because we compare them to ourselves and our own abilities or that we compare them to other children.

We need to remember that every child is unique. Let’s nurture their uniqueness as early as we can.  A child who knows exactly what he wants to do and who has been given an enabling environment to learn and practise all or some of the things he enjoys doing  at age 15 would probably turn out better than another who knows what he wants out of life with no skills to achieve it at the age of 25.

The world we live in is fast evolving, creating more spaces for people who are skilful and passionate about what they do. Let your child have a space in this world too by giving them an early start to success!

MAGICAL BOOKS' EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MRS GBONJUBOLA SANNI

Mrs Gbonjubola Sanni is the co-author of ABC of Financial Intelligence for Toddlers and ABC of Financial Intelligence for kids. She is also a Chartered Accountant with a Certificate in Financial and Business Intelligence. In this exclusive interview with Magical Books, Mrs Sanni talks about herself, work and her passion. Enjoy!

 Please tell us a little about yourself (your name, hobbies and educational qualifications)

My names are Gbonjubola Olanike Temitope Oluwaseyi Sanni. I decided to include some other names that people don't know I bear :) I like gisting, hanging out with friends and I also love to travel and meet new people. Reading educative articles, books and stories are a pastime for me. I also like to walk or jog to keep fit. I am a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor degree in Agriculture. I also have a Certificate in Financial and Business Intelligence. 

 Why did you decide to leave the Accountancy sector to write books?

I haven't actually left the Accountancy sector because I still consult for Small and Medium Enterprises in the area of financial management. I, however, decided to follow my passion to help people succeed in discovering and developing their talents while working towards achieving financial freedom. It was while at this that I discovered that parents are not armed with the necessary intelligence to help their children through in this regard. Therefore children grow up also not knowing next steps till they are forced to make a living. This is why I am passionate about training children in financial literacy through the books I write.

 What are you currently doing now?

I am now a SME & Personal Finance Management Expert and a Financial Literacy Advocate for Children.

Tell us more about your books. 

I have co-authored 2 books on financial literacy for children. They are ABC of Financial Intelligence for Toddlers and ABC of Financial Intelligence for Kids.

ABC of Financial Intelligence for Toddlers  is aimed at helping preschoolers start out with the basics of financial intelligence using letters of the alphabets. It shows each letter of the alphabet alongside a picture of the word beginning with the sound. As simple as this is, it will help to improve your child’s financial vocabulary which will in turn develop his or her financial power. These words will make a lasting and positive impression that will help your kids now and for the rest of their lives.

ABC of Financial Intelligence for Kids, on the other hand, is a ten chapter book that talks about money (how to make it, how to manage it and how to invest it), vision and goal setting and the concept of financial freedom in a way to make it come alive in children. It is a timely tool for kids in an age where the real value of money has been turned on its head as a means of measurement, rather than reward for value created. As a society we need to re-calibrate our values and those of our kids and embrace change. This little seed is a timely contribution to reshaping the next generation of leaders. It is a great book for kids between the ages of 5 and 12 years. It is also very good for parents as the best way to really learn something is by teaching it.

We observed your book print is very beautiful. Was it published in Nigeria?

Thank you. I hear that question so many times. Yes, they were published here in Nigeria and like I always say it was published in Mushin in Lagos State.

 Why financial books for children? What inspired you? 

As a personal finance management expert, I discovered that many adults do not have the necessary intelligence to help their children. Also, as a product of the Nigerian school system I know that financial intelligence is not taught in schools even though becoming financially free is what everyone is after. The books are to help bridge this gap in the society. I am passionate about having a better society and starting with the children is a great way to do that.

  

Do you think Nigerian parents feel financial literacy is important for children? Are your books only targeted at the Nigerian audience?

Many Nigerian parents are yet to understand why financial literacy is important for their children even though many of them have money issues that they don't want to pass down to their children. Financial intelligence is very vital for every individual, children inclusive. We all go to school because we want to make a living and we never get to learn about what takes us there. Isn’t that funny? Introducing financial education to children will help in teaching them right from the start. It is the best way to help them build their knowledge and understanding of how to manage their personal finances later in life. 

The ones currently in circulation are targeted at the Nigerian market. We are, however, working on the one that can be used by every child anywhere in the world.

What has the success rate been so far?

The success rate has been good I must say, but the best is what I am looking forward to. My belief is that financial literacy is not for a few but for every child, every adult and every family and we will reach everyone.

Apart from books, what else do you do to promote financial literacy in children? 

Apart from my books, I blog and tweet about financial literacy. I speak at events for children and teens and in church seminars too. I also get to play interactive games that teach financial literacy with children and adults. I have also taken advantage of international events such as Global Money Week and Financial Literacy Month which is ongoing this month to speak or write about financial literacy in both the old and new media.

Mrs Sanni engaging children at the Magical Books Summer Reading Club, 2013

What are your future aspirations?

My future aspiration is to see a society where every individual works to make their society a better place as against working for self. This can only be achieved when people discover and develop their talents at a tender age and then work at it with passion adding value to their environment. This is the secret to wealth.

  

What would you like to say to parents? Any other last words.

One thing parents need to understand is that young people are encountering money earlier and earlier in life compared to us. A survey conducted in 2009 found that the average age at which children first have their own mobile phone is an incredible eight years old, while the average age that children borrow to purchase items online is just 10. It would be no surprise if the average ages have dropped even further since then.

In addition to these trends, our increasingly cashless society, the development of new technology and recent use of smartphones and tablets by children are reasons why the case for financial education from an early age becomes incontestable.

Thank you Mrs Sanni for granting  Magical Books an interview with you.

It’s my pleasure.

If you would like to order for Mrs Sanni’s books or invite her for speaking engagements, kindly send an email to magicalbooks4all@gmail.com. Thank you.