Kedu, ?

Compliments of the season! I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season with loved ones. Jesus is the reason for this season!

Towards the end of December, I always take stock of all my activities by reflecting on the year and strategizing for the new year.

However, I entered 2024 with no concrete plans because of my not-so-good experience with last year - all plans for 2023 fell short.

So I decided to go with the flow and trust God to direct me - and my Lord indeed was merciful to me this year *teary eyes*

Below were God's merciful deeds unto me for 2024:

▪︎ Became a volunteer aka Food Banker with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative and had the opportunity to coordinate a group outreach with my team at Project FoodShare. See Punch newspaper feature HERE

▪︎ Upgraded my Masters of Ceremony (MC) skills by joining the Elevated MC Group & Mentorship program with Joyce Daniels, and based on my new knowledge, I got paid for three MC tourism gigs and for moderating a panel session

▪︎ Kicked off #OperationStructure by enrolling for the 90-day Business Legal Structure Cohort 2 with Barinaada Legal and got two of my brands trademarked. Read my testimonial HERE

▪︎ Hosted the Tourism Webinar 2024: Tourism Legal 101 in partnership with Barinaada Legal to commemorate World Tourism Day 2024. Watch recap HERE 

▪︎ Started my tourism podcast, 'See the World with Ajala Nene' in partnership with African Business Radio and Wopka with two seasons under my belt, i.e. 26 episodes. Listen and watch HERE 

▪︎ Successfully hosted the Tourism Women Luncheon 3.0 in partnership with Ekondo and Jollof by Jara to celebrate International Women's Day 2024. Watch recap HERE 

▪︎ Participated as a Jury member for the 2nd time with Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism 2024 

▪︎ Part of the NESG Tourism and Hospitality Industries team at the Stakeholder's Validation Review of the National Tourism Policy hosted by the Ministry of Tourism in partnership with Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG)

▪︎ Hosted the Ajala Nene’s Puff-Puff Party: See the World Podcast Launch in partnership with Africa Business Radio, Wopka and Loving Lagos to launch my tourism podcast. Watch recap HERE 

▪︎ Attended the Voice-over Academy 1-week Procourse Bootcamp and became an emerging voiceover artist, and became a member of the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists. I shared my journey HERE.

▪︎ Started my Masters in Media & Communication at Pan Atlantic University. Shared a bit of my experience HERE.

▪︎ Grateful to God for surrounding me with the "gift of men and women," who supported me in my 2024 projects and ventures - both in cash and in kind. From family, friends, and colleagues - I am super grateful to all of them for their support *grateful heart*

▪︎ Above all, God took care of my family, loved ones, and I. He protected, provided, and persevered us, despite the economic downturn. I am eternally grateful to Him *claps hands in prayer*

Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

This hymnn always reminds me that no matter how tough things get, God has always got you, .

As 2024 wraps up today, take out time to take stock of all the blessings that came your way this year.

Yes, I know it was a tough economic year. But the fact that you made it through this year means you deserve to celebrate your wins *throws confettis*

Celebrate yourself today, *warm smile*

Till 2025, remember...

Life is short, live it to the fullest.

Happy New Year, *fireworks*

Your Wanderluster,

Ajala Nene