Oluwakemi Makanju’s Post

Thank you for highlighting the critical importance of biodiversity and the urgent need for transformative action. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework indeed marks a pivotal moment in our collective efforts to address biodiversity loss. As you rightly pointed out, achieving the ambitious goals set forth by 2030 requires a comprehensive approach that involves every sector of the economy. The private sector and private capital play an indispensable role in this transition. By adopting nature-restorative business models and sustainable production practices, businesses can not only contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss but also unlock significant economic opportunities. Sustainable practices can lead to innovation, create new markets, and drive long-term profitability while ensuring the health of our planet. Collaboration between public and private sectors is essential to accelerate the shift towards a more sustainable and resilient global economy. We can, and we should create a future where economic growth and sustainability go hand in hand ensuring a healthy "livable" planet for generations to come. It is our responsibility and we owe that much!

As my birthday approaches, I can't help but reflect on last year's experience. Just days before my birthday, I found myself in and out of the hospital. My body had shut down from the relentless pursuit of my evolving passions and the drive to actualize every possibility I envisioned. From that experience, I learned a profound lesson: gratitude impacts our entire being—mentally, physiologically, and emotionally. It’s a holistic influence that permeates our entire system. This year, I’m embracing everything from a place of gratitude. Taking everything from a place of gratitude means approaching life with a mindset of thankfulness and appreciation. It involves recognizing and valuing the positive aspects of your experiences, relationships, and circumstances, even in challenging times. This perspective can lead to a more positive outlook, improved mental and emotional well-being, and a deeper sense of contentment. 1. #Mindfulness and #Awareness: Being present and fully aware of the good things in your life, no matter how small they may seem. 2. #Positive #Focus: Shifting your focus from what you lack or what’s going wrong to what you have and what’s going well. 3. #Resilience: Using gratitude as a tool to build resilience, helping you to cope better with stress and adversity. 4. #Improved #Relationships: Expressing gratitude can strengthen your relationships by fostering a sense of connection and appreciation. 5. #Holistic #Well-being: Recognizing that gratitude positively affects your mental, emotional, and physical health, contributing to overall well-being. Remember to continue to cultivate a more fulfilling and #balanced #life. Happy Birthday, darling! #sustainability #cleanenergy #selfrelationships #gratitude #climate #humans

The journey into Climate started in 2014 when I got the opportunity to work on the Lighting Africa Program providing project management and business development support. At the time, I had to make some tough decisions as to how picking this opportunity would impact my career and family because some other opportunities had presented themselves. I'm forever grateful to the guidance of Eme Essien Lore whose mentorship provided clarity on the impact of the choice I was making, and who encouraged me along the way once I made my decision. It's been a rollercoaster of tough decision-making but a very worthy and rewarding path. Two years ago, I was keen to deepen my impact in the climate and clean energy space. I developed an interest in climate assessment and finance and decided to take a course that will yet broaden my horizon in the world of #cleanenergyaccess #energyaccess and #climatefinance, #technologytransition #energytransition #policy #sustainableenergy #projectfinance #innovation. Of all the choices, Yale University's program stood out as the most suitable with a curriculum that encapsulates every crucial aspect of energy transition. The curriculum is very thorough and well-curated. It was quite a process of application and admission but worth it once you get in, trust me, lol. The faculty was profoundly knowledgeable and supportive; and aaaah, the juiciest of all....the selectively picked cohort made every class discussion rich and stimulating. I’m very happy to share that I have completed and obtained a new certification: Financing and Deploying Clean Energy from Yale University! I'm also grateful to enjoy the mentoring of Dr. Chinyere Almona and Femi Akinrebiyo. I'm thankful to everyone including Allwell Nwankwo, PhD Arthur Njagi Nana Asamoah-Manu whose phenomenal leadership on different projects have impacted me. My former and current colleagues whose duty of care I'm grateful for Rachel Moré-Oshodi Fanen Acho Olakunle Owoeye, CEM®, CMVP®, Mandela Washington Fellow Chuks Okoli CEM®, CMVP® Roland Abesin, and many others who provided mentorship, encouragement and guidance on this journey.

I missed out on an opportunity to speak up at a youth event I attended in my father’s Church two weeks ago. It’s been eating me up….maybe the mental torture is why I even came down with Malaria…lol A young man had spoken up repeatedly that what women want in a relationship is money and he would try to acquire it before “settling down”. It is commendable that he wants to be able to provide for his future family. However, I was concerned that this may be his sole drive, and may potentially lead to a limited sense of worth in a relationship. While his submission may hold for some ladies (at least the ones he’s related with that made him come to that conclusion), I beg to digress. When women say they want a man who can provide or is rich, I believe they essentially say they would love a partner who can protect, defend and lead them. Money being one of the many tools through which these expectations can be fulfilled. Whether you agree or not, the female folk have been vulnerable to a societal structure that exposes them to belittlement, danger and some irrational positioning. This is why a woman would feel the need to be protected. However, this is largely miscommunicated, and the men may miss an opportunity to present themselves in a manner that aligns with the ability to cater to their emotional, physiological and physical needs wholesomely. A man, as in the case of that brother, would be attractive if he could communicate and show through reasonable actions that he is kind, compassionate, thoughtful, responsible, disciplined, and can lead, amongst many other qualities that money cannot buy. These attributes are strongly desirable by women. Men should seize the opportunity to showcase their character strengths, which hold far more value for women in today's world. If a man had hitherto defined his sense of self-worth only along the line of financial provision, what defines him now that women rightfully and increasingly participate in economic activities and achieve financial independence? Men should not miss the opportunity to showcase innateness towards character strength that is far more valuable than what money can buy. Develop your discipline muscle; believe me these are far more valuable to a woman. Be true to your woman, love her unconditionally, protect her, be kind to her, be visionary in your leadership, be vulnerable, show her you are human, allow yourself to truly connect at a level your heart jumps for joy, discover yourself beyond the definition the society has projected on you. It’s a vicious cycle. Women have also run with a definition that does not resonate with our innate being, as men have also been pressured and cornered to believe their only sense of worth is financial provision. There is more to both genders than the handouts we have been given. I do hope that young man gets to read this. Have a fabulous weekend and remember to be kind to yourself. Love, Christiana Oluwakemi #love #relationships #gender #genderparity

The world and diverse cultural communities have pressured fathers to believe that their only function is to provide. The world has also witnessed many men rise above this expectation and cross boundaries to provide true leadership and strong involvement in developing a well-rounded family (the smallest and by far the most important unit of any community). Today, I celebrate first, my husband, my brothers and others who have acted in the capacity of providing FATHERING to me in many ways that this post can not capture. I celebrate your push to rise above stereotypes and live your potentials FULLY; providing support emotionally, financially, directionally, engaging across various functions of the home front, involved and active parenting beyond how the world had hitherto defined you. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for all the difficult times the weight was heavy on your shoulders, and yet, you kept pushing. Your resilience and grit does not go without acknowledgment and deep appreciation. We see the way you tap into the divine power of fathering and rely on the power of the Almighty to help you fulfill God's mandate in your life. Thank you for exemplifying the love of God and showing us the way. Thank you for your continued re-introduction to the Almighty God in the way you conduct yourself. You are seen, appreciated and adored. #sustainability #familysustainability #gender #genderbalance #genderparity #community #family

The first month of the year is shutting down already! I do hope you have started some Personally Determined Contributions (PDCs) towards your role in ensuring a livable planet for us all. PDCs do not have to be measured in same metrics as NDCs but it can be simple every day changes to your daily energy and resource use. You can look at the few change options available here to develop or review your own PDC. https://lnkd.in/eM2YmjmP I hope the year is kind to you. Happy New Year! #nationallydeterminedcontributions #personallydeterminedcontributions #climatechange #climatemitigation #climateadaptation #cleanenergytransition #ruralelectrificationagency #energyaccess #sustainability #livableplanet #livableearth #ourhome #AfricanEnergyCouncil