Sosu-Ezirim Empowerment: The Motivations for the Underprivileged and Challenged Backgrounds
Helen Atim Sosu-Ezirim is an entrepreneur and founder, Youth Empowerment advocate and The Street University Project, a free entrepreneurial and empowerment programme for under-privileged youths from the slums and challenged backgrounds.
Can you share your journey into the business world?
My journey in the business world started at a very young age when I would design shirts for men and women, as well as create accessories unique for gifts. I also started dealing in jewelry before I began my journey into modelling, acting and TV presentation. I later started events management and interior design. A few years ago, I started soft skills training and fashion accessories business I run till today.
What exactly do you do?
I am a TV presenter, spoken word poet, events planner, writer and entrepreneur. I am the author of the poetic motivational bestseller book, “The Street University” by Helen Sosu and founder of The Street University Project (TSUP). I run an entertainment contents and events company called: We Are POETS (People Of Exceptional Talents and Skills).
I am the CEO of House Of Hokame, an interior design and fashion accessories business. I am a presenter on THE AMAZONS, a lifestyle TV Show with Lilian Imoni, and produced by Aisha Falode, a veteran and highly skilled presenter too.
You founded The Street University Project. What is the initiative all about?
The Street University Project (TSUP) is a free entrepreneurial and empowerment programme for underprivileged youths from slums and challenged backgrounds. TSUP has a track record of motivating and empowering thousands of youths in various skills since May 2008. It started after the publication of my book, The Street University, a collection of motivational poems, where one of my poems won the Editor’s Choice Award at the International Society of Poetry, USA. The rave and interests the book received made me think it was best to take it up beyond just writing the book to actually starting something that connects with the youths in our society.
People like Kachi Onubogu and Julius Oyekanmi made me realize it was more than just doing a workshop, that it was a project, a platform where many young lives can be touched positively.
What were your initial challenges and how were you able to surmount them?
I had no idea how the project would go, other than that I wanted to do a motivational workshop with celebrities with background from the streets who had made success stories of their careers.
Deep down, I knew it should be more but I didn’t know what. I had to pray about it and that was when I got the clarity I needed. By using the colors of the street lights, Red, Yellow and Green as our insignia, we were able to create a plan that helped us flow with ease from one stage to the next. I am truly grateful to the professionals and celebrities who have supported us all these years for free: Clarence Peters, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Joke Silva, Uche Iroha, Adasa Cookey, Ita Asuquo, Black Image, Zeb Ejiro, Ali Baba, Minister for Aviation Festus Keyamo; Lexy Mojo-Eyes, Dr. Eddie Iroh, Pupa Orits Wiliki, Tee Mac and many more on board.
You have great empowerment passion for youth, why is this so?
I am from Badagry, Lagos State. But I grew up in Ajegunle and seeing what happened to a lot of youths at the time because they didn’t have much encouragement to push themselves beyond their environment bothered me. I saw it all – the stabbing, teenage pregnancies, pick-pocketing, school dropouts, you name it. Most painful is the fact that these were highly intelligent youths, all they needed was the opportunity to thrive. I was privileged to go to the best schools in my time, and I also grew up seeing my mum help young people all the time. So all these led me towards youth empowerment especially for underprivileged youths; knowing that opportunities and privileges make all the difference in a young person’s life. Through our empowerment programmes, we are grooming and touching young lives positively.
Who are your role models?
My Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, He is my Senior Partner. My mother, Elizabeth, is my Champion role model. Nonnie Roberson (of blessed memory), Mo Abudu, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Harvey and of course, Baroness Floella Benjamin.
What is your take on youth doing businesses online? Are they doing well?
A lot of youths are making awesome business impacts and success stories online, and it goes to show that all they need are the right tools, right support, right platforms and they will soar. They are doing really well.
In what ways has the internet impacted businesses?
In very tremendous ways. Since the advent of the internet, businesses have never been the same. Every business can reach out to customers all over the world now, which means there is no such thing as purely local business anymore. In fact, every business is potentially international with a lot of opportunities to reach far and wide.
How do you combine work and family?
It’s not a walk in the park, but it’s rewarding on both ends. Being able to do the things you love, and also being able to spend quality family time with loved ones. I try to create a balance and give appropriate time to both, plus my husband, who is very encouraging and supportive.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
In the next five years, I see myself on various platforms that can be used to reach out to more youths in need of entrepreneurial empowerment. I also see myself embracing more business skills sets that would help in no small measure to grow my businesses.
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