Olusayo Adeleye

𝗪𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀

Welcome to September!

I saw a video recently where a man raised an alarm that he had gone to a particular bus station very early in the morning and almost everyone at the bus station was ‘stoned’. Men walking about like zombies, drooling like babies, totally oblivious of their surroundings.

That situation isn’t isolated; our society is currently plagued by the menace of addiction to various debilitating substances but that is not my focus this morning.

As we step into a new month, I would like to talk about something we all have in common with these people but rarely admit—addiction. As a matter of fact, I’m here to reveal a little secret: We’re all addicts. Yes, you too, and even me. If I list my addicitons ehn….Let me just keep kwayet.

But wait, don’t panic. Addiction isn’t always such a bad thing. It’s simply a strong attachment to something, a habit you can’t quite shake. For some, it’s that irresistible cup of coffee first thing in the morning. For others, it’s a devotion to their evening Netflix ritual. Some people must eat pounded yam daily.

Should I talk about our addiction to phones and the internet? Some of us are hooked on productivity apps, while others can’t stop scrolling through their social media feeds (you know who you are). For me, TikTok is after my life. Please if you know where they hold Tiktok Anonymous meetings, holla at your girl.

The point I am trying to make is, addiction is part of being human. We all have something we’re drawn to, something that gives our day a bit of structure—or in some cases, a bit of chaos; something we almost can’t do without. The key is to make sure that what we’re addicted to is actually adding value to our lives.

So here’s a thought: What if we chose our addictions wisely? Instead of letting life’s distractions pull us in every direction, we could get addicted to things that truly matter. Imagine being hooked on learning something new every day. Or becoming so obsessed with kindness that it’s practically your middle name. (Who wouldn’t want that?)

As we enter September, it’s the perfect time to take stock. What are you addicted to? Is it helping you become the person you want to be, or is it time to make a switch? Remember, addiction isn’t the enemy—mindless addiction is.

This month, let’s be mindful of our habits and embrace the ones that make us better, happier, and maybe even a little bit nicer. After all, if we’re going to be addicts, we might as well be addicted to something that makes life a little brighter and better.

Cheers to a splendid September !

Lots of love.

Olusayo

I recently attended an event that ran late into the night. As the evening wrapped up, I was still debating whether to head home or find a place to rest when my host informed me that they had already arranged accommodation for me. Relieved and very thankful, I dragged my tired self from the event hall to the room that had been assigned to me.

When I opened the door, I was immediately hit by a blast of icy air. For a moment, I thought I had mistakenly stumbled into the hotel's cold storage room. The air conditioning was cranked up so high that it felt like I had walked into a freezer. Now, if you know me, you'd know that my tolerance for cold is practically nonexistent. There was no way I could survive in what I was now calling the "freezeroom" with a bed. Hiannnn!

The first thing I did was switch off the AC—there was no way I was going to sleep in that cold. Once the room temperature was more bearable, I began to settle in for the night. But as I lay on the bed, something made me take another look at the door. Even though I knew I had locked it when I first entered, I got up to check it again.

Still not satisfied, I decided to take extra precautions. I pulled out the chair from the desk and wedged it firmly under the door handle. This way, even if someone managed to unlock the door from the outside, the chair would block it from opening because the handle was tightly secured. Satisfied with my makeshift security system, my two-factor authentication, I finally relaxed and drifted off to sleep.

This experience made me think about how we approach security in our everyday lives, particularly in our transactions. Just as I took extra steps to secure my hotel room, it’s important to take extra steps to secure your legal and financial matters.

Engaging a lawyer in your transactions is like adding a second layer of protection—your very own two-factor authentication. No matter what you are doing- drafting a contract, reviewing a deal, starting a business, entering into a partnership, buying a property or even planning for your future, a lawyer ensures that your interests are safeguarded from all angles, giving you the peace of mind to sleep soundly, knowing you’ve done everything possible to protect yourself.



NB: So who has tried this my 2 factor authentication method before?

When you realise the value you carry, you create a scarcity around yourself.
You can't be seen everywhere and anywhere.

𝗪𝗛𝗢'𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗜𝗥𝗖𝗟𝗘?

If you’re looking to embrace optimism and practice positive thinking, take a close look at the people you’re spending your time with. Are you surrounded by those who see the glass half-full or those who tend to focus on what’s missing?

I used to be one of those who saw the glass as half-empty, always bracing for the worst, a total pessimist. I assumed that was just how life worked—until I started hanging out with people who had a completely different outlook. They didn’t ignore problems or pretend everything was perfect, but they had this incredible ability to dream of a better tomorrow, even when things weren’t going their way.

These people didn’t just cheer me up when I was down; they inspired me to see challenges differently. Instead of wallowing in what went wrong, they’d brainstorm solutions and keep going, even after hitting a few bumps in the road. It wasn’t that they never felt sad or disappointed—far from it. But they didn’t let those feelings define them or their future. They believed that failure was just a stepping stone to success, and that belief started rubbing off on me.

Optimism doesn’t mean you’re always happy or never cry. It’s about holding onto the belief that setbacks are temporary and that there’s a way forward. This mindset is incredibly powerful. Optimistic people often take more risks, not because they’re reckless, but because they trust that even if things don’t go as planned, they’ll figure it out. And guess what? That’s exactly what makes them more likely to succeed.

As I surrounded myself with these optimistic people, I started to see problems as puzzles to be solved rather than insurmountable obstacles. It wasn’t easy at first, but over time, their perspective shifted my own. I learned that optimism isn’t just something you’re born with; it’s a skill you can develop. And the best way to learn it? Spend time with those who already practice it.

So if you’re feeling stuck or pessimistic, try spending more time with people who dream big and believe in those dreams. You’ll likely find that their optimism will start to influence your own outlook. Remember, many of the world’s most successful ventures started with nothing more than a dream and a belief that it could be achieved. Surround yourself with people who think like that, and you might just find yourself achieving more than you ever thought possible.

Cheers to a more optimistic YOU!

He sat across from me in the office and brought a bag containing different documents. He brought out an invoice booklet, a receipt booklet, a waybill booklet, rubber stamps, and even some handbills he had designed and printed for advertising. He had been running this business for the past three years and now wanted to incorporate the company. In his words, “I am now ready to go global.”

I looked at the name on the office stationery and knew straight up that he was going global alright, but definitely not with that name. He had chosen a very generic name that had a 0.001% chance of being available for registration.

I looked at him and wondered how to break the news without breaking his heart. I asked how he had been collecting payments for services rendered and he said he had been using his personal account but he had lost some jobs because he didn’t have a corporate account bearing his business name.

I asked further how he came about the name he chose and he said it was by revelation after praying with his wife. I told him it was a lovely name and I was actually impressed by his intentionality but the name would most likely be unavailable for registration because it was such a common name and would have been taken by someone else. I went on the post-incorporation portal and searched. As I predicted, the name was registered in 2015 and there were also different registrations incorporating the same name.

I could see the disappointment in his eyes and I told him it was not a hopeless situation and could still be salvaged but he would have to add another word or two to the name to differentiate it from existing registrations.

As we discussed options, I emphasised the importance of getting legal advice early in the process. Starting a business is thrilling, but it’s also full of potential pitfalls. Legal and regulatory compliance requirements could be daunting to deal with as a novice. With the right guidance, he could avoid these obstacles and build his business on a solid foundation—one that could truly go global.

So, dear business owner, remember this: While starting a business is exciting, it’s also a journey filled with potential legal challenges. Working with a professional from the start is crucial to turning your business dream into a sustainable reality, especially if you, like my client, have big dreams of going global.

Cheers to your global growth,

Olusayo Adeleye

𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗕𝗔 𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗣 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗔 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗣𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

Enhanced Security: The digital stamp offers better protection against forgery and unauthorised use compared to traditional physical stamps. This helps to ensure that only licensed practitioners can authenticate legal documents.

Convenience and Accessibility: Lawyers can easily access and apply the digital stamp from anywhere, reducing the need for physical handling and making it easier to work remotely or on the go.

Time Efficiency: The digital stamp speeds up the process of document verification and authentication, allowing for quicker turnaround times in legal proceedings and transactions.

Environmental Impact: By reducing the reliance on physical stamps, the digital version helps in minimising paper use and the carbon footprint associated with traditional stamping processes.

Improved Record Keeping: The digital stamp can be integrated with digital record-keeping systems, providing a streamlined and organised way to track the use of stamps and maintain accurate records of stamped documents.

The week is starting on an exciting note for the legal community! The Nigerian Bar Association has just launched digital stamps and seals for lawyers, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! As a tech lawyer, who relies heavily on digital skills and tools to run a hybrid law practice, this innovation feels like a breath of fresh air. Before now, I had to scan one of my seals and affix them to my digital documents.

For years, I’ve embraced technology to make legal services more efficient, accessible, and secure for my clients and the introduction of digital stamps is a huge leap forward, making it easier for us to authenticate documents from anywhere, anytime. It’s a great reminder of the amazing feats we can achieve if we embrace technology.

I’m genuinely excited about the opportunities this brings for all of us in the profession and I must say it is a good way for the outgoing NBA administration to end their tenure. Talk about saving the best for last.

Hearty cheers to my dear colleagues as we continue to embrace change, stay ahead, and continue to provide top-notch service to our clients in this digital age!

⚖️

Your thoughts shape your world. Get your mind ready to walk in abundance this week with these affirmations.

I trust that God is my provider, and He supplies all my needs.

The Lord blesses the work of my hands and prospers me in all I do.

I am a steward of God’s resources, and I manage them with wisdom and integrity.

God’s favour surrounds me, and He opens doors of financial opportunity.

I seek first the Kingdom of God, and all good things are added to me.

My faith in God brings abundance and prosperity into my life.

God’s blessings make me rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.

I give generously out of the abundance God has given me, knowing that God blesses a cheerful giver.

The Lord directs my steps and leads me to financial success.

I walk in God’s abundance, trusting that He has great plans for my prosperity.

Have a blessed week.

Her voice rang excitedly on the phone, ‘Aunty mi, are you in the office?’. I answered in the affirmative and she said she would see me in an hour or so. When she got to the office, I could hear her run up the stairs and couldn’t help wondering why she was so excited. She burst into my office, dragged me out of my chair, twirled me round and round ,and then gave me a bear-like hug. After she released me and I caught my breath, I was like “Ahn ahn, this lottery money, we will share it o”, because I felt only a windfall could make her this excited. “Aunty mi, I am getting married again”, she squealed excitedly.

Oh wow!!! I was thrilled to hear this. I know we had been praying together and I know she started seeing someone sometime last year but I guess things had moved on quickly while I was caught up with other things and there I was standing face to face with another answered prayer.

It was my turn to be excited; I hugged her again and this time my hug was fiercer than hers. I started praying for her after congratulating her. My joy was full and e get why.

Omolayo(not her real name), went through a devastating divorce about five years ago, after surviving two years of cruelty and abuse in her former marriage. The marriage and divorce left her wrecked financially and emotionally. All she had were her two children. The process of recovery was tough and she had to start picking the pieces all over again. With resilience, determination and by dint of sheer hard work, she bounced back again and today she has a business bringing her revenue in millions every month.

Her words jolted me out of my reverie. “Aunty mi, I came here for two things: to give you my wedding invitation and to tell you that I want us to prepare and execute a prenup before the wedding”. I asked whether her fiance was fine with signing a prenup and she said she had discussed it with him and he was fine with it.

Having had such a horrid experience in her first marriage, she was doing all she could to ensure that she puts as many safety nets as possible in place this time and signing a prenup is one of such safety nets. This doesn’t mean she doesn’t love her husband or that she will not do all she can to make her marriage work. It only means that she is putting commonsense first and trying to protect herself. What's that they say again about being once bitten?

Just in case you are wondering what a prenup is. It means a prenuptial agreement and it is an agreement signed by a couple before they get married. The agreement generally covers subjects such as debts, entitlement to retirement plans and accounts, separate and joint property, living expenses, gifts, separation and divorce, rights of parties to property in the event of death.

Before you tell me that prenuptial agreements are a foreign concept, fashioned by the Western World to destroy marriage, Section 72(2) of the Matrimonial Causes Act recognises the rights of couples to execute prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. The content of prenuptial agreements vary and will depend on the circumstances of each couple.

In my opinion, I think Omolayo has made a wise decision and I have prepared the agreement, taking into consideration the peculiarities of this couple. So what do you think about prenuptial agreements? Would you say ‘yes’ to them or do you belong to the school of thought that sees them as a taboo? I would love to hear from you.

Meanwhile, I have a wedding to plan. How much is a basket of tomatoes in your area?

Have a fulfilling week.

🎨✍️ 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀! 📚🎬

Did you know that your creative endeavours are automatically protected by copyright law the moment you put them into a tangible form? 🌟 That's right! Whether you're a writer, artist, musician, filmmaker, or any other kind of creator, your original works are inherently yours to protect.

But here's the thing: while copyright automatically vests in you, there's an essential step you should take to fully enforce your rights — registration! 📝

First off, what exactly is copyright? 🤔 Copyright is a legal concept that grants creators exclusive rights to their original works, allowing them to control how their creations are used and distributed. It covers a wide range of creative works, including literary works (like books and articles), visual arts (such as paintings and photographs), music, films, and even software!

So, which works are eligible for copyright protection? 🖌️🎶 Generally, any original work that is fixed in a tangible medium of expression is eligible. This means your masterpiece must exist in a physical or digital form that is perceivable either directly or with the aid of a machine or device. From that short story you penned to that catchy tune you composed, if it's original and tangible, it's likely eligible for copyright protection.

Now, here's the important part: to fully safeguard your rights and have the necessary legal backing to protect your work, registering your copyright is crucial. 🛡️ Copyright registration provides you with tangible evidence of your ownership and serves as a powerful tool in asserting your rights in case of infringement.

So, dear creators, whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned pro, remember to not only create but also protect your creations by registering your copyright. It's an investment in your hard work, talent, and creative legacy! 💡✨ #

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭? 𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐭.

The post-covid era has made virtual presentations the new normal.

You can sit in your office or house and speak online, real-time to anyone in any part of the world.

How then do you bridge the gap and ensure that your virtual presentations have as much impact as if you were in the same room with your audience?

In this post, I share 8 tips to help you master and make effective virtual presentations.

🌐If the post resonates with you, please share with your network.

Storytelling is one of the most powerful techniques you can use as a public speaker to make your message more relatable and to enhance your authenticity and credibility.

The last time I shared some storytelling techniques for professionals, Racheal Olufeyikemi Abiodun asked if there were guides to creating fictional stories, and I promised to share some tips here. So today, I share some of these tips for integrating fictional narratives into your presentations.

This list is not exhaustive, so please feel free to add more tips in the comments.

Cheers to many more impactful speaking opportunities.