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.