Unveiling Jarushub Analysts Council (JAC) – The Jarus Eggheads

Like I have mentioned several times, the primary foci of this blog are career, mentorship and political economy.  Other areas (politics, sports etc.) that we have delved into are secondary.  My goal is to make this platform Nigeria’s online hub for issues bordering on career and mentorship in particular.

As the blog continues to take shape, I have received several emails from readers, some of whom followed me from Nairaland career section (where I have been an active contributor since 2008), seeking my opinion/advice on issues bordering on career and related decisions. Two good heads, the popular truism goes, are better than one. That is why I have come up with a new idea of constituting a standing team of peer counselors for the blog.

• JARUSHUB ANALYSTS COUNCIL (JAC) – THE JARUS EGGHEADS

I have named the team, JARUSHUB ANALYSTS COUNCIL (JAC), to be aka’d THE JARUS EGGHEADS or THE JARUS GANG.

• MODUS OPERANDI

Any email I receive asking for career advice or related issue shall be passed on to JAC to examine and give their honest opinion based on their personal experience, experience of people around them, what they have seen and read, etc. I will then publish both the issue and the views of each member of JAC.  I will also act as the moderator. 

• GOAL

The goal of this initiative is to share experience and raise a generation of Nigerians that are savvy and enlightened.  I have always harped on the fact that information gap is the bane of many otherwise brilliant young Nigerians. Nobody can tell how impactful  a piece of information can be in the life of a fellow human being. We hope to contribute our little to plugging that hole through this platform.

• THE TEAM

I have drawn the team from my pool of friends whose intelligence I can take to bank. I have related with them for many years and I believe their judgments are usually scientific. Despite having access to a couple of high ranking executives, I have decided to use my peers for this idea. I have underway another initiative, THE BRIDGE , which will involve making use of my modest contact to link young Nigerians with some select, older Nigerian achievers, for mentorship. That is still in the works and shall be unveiled soon by God’s grace.

For this current idea, I am drawing my team from my peers – most being my mates, while a couple are older. This will guarantee faster response and they are also more likely in tune with current or recent realities.

The team, JARUSHUB ANALYSTS COUNCIL, consist of:

1, IDRIS AYODEJI BELLO, Msc (Oxford), MBA

Idris , 34, holds a First Class degree in Computer Science from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (2002), and three Masters degrees from University of Houston, Rice University (both in United States) and Oxford University (United Kingdom). He has worked in multinational organizations like Procter and Gamble Nigeria and Chevron US. He currently works in an energy giant that sits at number one in the world’s famous Fortune 500 companies. The highly multi-tasking and energetic Idris is one of the brains behind many Africa-focused entrepreneurial drives, including Afropreneur, Wennovation Hub and AfyaZima. His strides have been featured on global platforms like CNN and Huffington Post.

2, MICHAEL TAIWO PhD (Arkansas)

Michael, 30, holds a PhD degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Arkansas , United States (2012), and Bachelor of Science degree (First Class honours) in same discipline from Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile-Ife, Nigeria (2006). Michael has a track academic record, finishing in year 2000 as overall best WAEC candidate in Kwara State. He currently works in United States office of an Anglo-Dutch energy giant.

3, OLANIYI OGUNBAYO, CFA, ACA, ACCA, ACS

Olaniyi, 30, is the Managing Director, Affiniti  Capital Management Limited, a privately-funded hedge fund with focus on Nigeria’s Fixed Income Market.  He holds a First Class degree in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University (2006) and also ran some courses from University of California, Berkeley, United States. Niyi is an associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, United Kingdom (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and Institute of Certified Financial Analyst (CFA). He is also an authorized dealing clerk of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.Niyi has held several positions in various companies like Meristem Securities Limited, UBA Plc, PHB Asset Management Limited, Bank PHB Plc and CardinalStone Partners Limited, where he was the Head, Fixed Income and Currency Trading, before resigning mid-2012 to float his own investment institution.

4, OBAFEMI BAMIDELE, Msc (Edinburgh), CFA, ACA, ACCA, ACS

Obafemi, 30, holds a First Class degree in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University (2006) and a Masters degree in Operational Research from University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (2009). He is a Chartered Accountant (Nigeria and UK), winning overall best candidate award in Nigeria for both ICAN and ACCA exams.He is also a Chartered Stockbroker, CFA charterholder, as well as holding authorized dealing clerk license of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE). Obafemi’s career journey has seen him through a number of top Nigerian and multinational entities like Afrinvest West Africa Limited, CSL Stockbrokers Ltd, RenCap Securities, before moving to a multinational energy giant, where he currently works as finance analyst.

5, MUYIWA ADENIJI, ACA, ACS

Muyiwa, 32, bagged his first degree in economics (second class upper) from Obafemi Awolowo University (2006). He qualified as a chartered accountant in 2004 and chartered stockbroker in 2006. He is a manager with Procter and Gamble Nigeria.

6, NAJEEM EWESESAN, MBA, ACA, ACCA

Najeem, 35, holds a first degree in management and accounting (second class upper) and an MBA, both from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. . He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, United Kingdom (ACCA). Najeem is also an associate member of the Risk Management Association of Nigeria (RIMAN). He is highly experienced in financial and risk management, and currently a Senior Banking Officer at one of Nigeria’s top 4 banks.

7, SURAJ ‘JARUS’ OYEWALE, ACA

I am the founder and editor of Jarushub, West Africa’s premier indigenous career and mentorship blog. I hold a First Class degree in economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and currently run my MBA at Edinburgh Business School of Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom. I am a chartered accountant, winning a couple of prizes in the qualifying examinations of the institute. I had a brief stint in Vetiva Capital Management Limited before moving to Oando Plc, where I spent four years, manning various desks within the finance department. I currently work in an independent oil and gas company as Tax Accountant. I will serve on the team as moderator.

My team have agreed to spare me few minutes out of their busy personal schedules and analyse issues brought forward to them. While thanking them, I encourage readers to feel free to pose their dilemma to them so we can all benefit from their pool of experience. Together, we can raise a generation of informed Nigerians. Just send an email to jarushub@gmail.com if you have any issue to share. But only serious, value-adding cases please, not some fabricated dilemma.