By Agatha Emeadi
Mrs Florence Omolola Johnson-Idowu, a lawyer, is the co-founder and president, Association for Forest Conservation and Green Industrial Charcoal Merchants.
The charcoal merchant is also the former legal adviser/secretary, Association of Charcoal Exporters of Nigeria and a principal partner at Adekunle Jones & Co, a law firm.
Johnson-Idowu in conjunction with her husband, founded Bellissio Limited and RXTrace Limited.
She has chalked up certifications relevant to her entrepreneurial interests. These include the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), among others.
How did you become an exporter?
As an undergraduate, I used to listen to news a lot, especially news about the economy and business. Be it micro or macro economy, I always wondered how we had trade deficit, import, export, theories, arguments and complaint over the television. So, I just asked myself, what can I export? One day I looked through the window and saw charcoal and said, I will do it. Even if it is kolanut, bitter-kola whatever, I will make sure I go into export. So, my sister’s friend who worked with a Foundation had contacted me earlier for an enterprising program which I did not honor. The second time she invited me; my husband and I attended and took it off from there. That was how we started. We had a lot of challenges and failures because of too many middle men. One would have done everything right, but at the end of the day, one cannot even account for her funds. Then, there is no way to authenticate what the buyer is saying at the other end. It was difficult getting the right company to partner with. It was much more difficult to keep a customer than to get one. Beyond that, one also thinks of sustainability, longevity, balance and the lifespan of the business. Again, I also thought of how to keep my customers satisfied so I can have balance. With all these, we insisted and progressed as well. We are going close two decades in the export sector.
So, what was the interest that led you into entrepreneurship as a lady lawyer?
I graduated from the Faculty of Law, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) and was called to Nigerian Bar in year 2011. Before my call to the Nigerian bar, I was involved in the international export trade. My husband and I established FOJ Multi-Dynamic Interchange Nig Ltd. We are into exportation of charcoal. We have established verified forest in various states over the years. I have been able to gather experience in the environmental sector. There are not so many lawyers that are vast in forestry and international law. Not just in Nigeria, but due to globalization, one has to be on top of her game regarding laws from various countries; where the goods are being exported and discharged. We are trying to get charcoal export sustainably produced in compliance with the regulation, sensitize the public and members, have standards for charcoal export to meet up with international standard. I am also working with Galvanizing stakeholders, ministries, department agencies, exporters and maritime workers. I am working with government to create a value exchange. In addition to all these, I inherited my father’s chambers, Adekunle Jones & Co. I am also a chief executive of other organizations like Bellissio Limited, RXtrice, and the proprietress of Gracestone Schools.
How did you become interested in the two tedious professions?
Well, the beauty of Law is that as a lawyer, you can navigate yourself into any other field. What is required is the just the application of the law. One always finds out that law is applicable to every aspect of one’s life. So, this really helped me to traverse the business terrain because most times when we have issues with regulation or standardization, where there is barrier to trade, I realize I have a solution or at least an idea of what I should do. Then I start working towards that idea to bring the solution. Sometimes, it looks easy, but definitely not easy. This couples with the fact of other courses I did during my Advanced Level studies. It helped me to navigate some challenges. Taking up challenges is my hobby. I love solving problems. When I see a problem with regulations or legal issues, it looks easy for me to handle and I would start working towards the solution.
My young age and face have led to some loss in business opportunities. Again, for the fact that I am a young woman, before I could say jack, the job is given to a man. So, it is usually very difficult to break barriers to achieve things, but once I am consistent and persevere, I would have my way. That spirit guides and lets me understand that there is no difficult situation that I cannot surmount.
What aspect of export do you engage in?
I am into charcoal export and have close to two decades experience in it. With export, one will already know every other requirement or procedure along the value chain. It is just that the specification of the products is practically the same in application. I am an expert in charcoal export.
As a young female lawyer, you hear of domestic violence and divorce cases, both of which have become very prevalent in our society. What are thoughts on these?
Apart from parental or sibling’s violence which the victim puts on hold because one cannot choose where to be born or people to be her sibling, I think when one is in a relationship and experiencing domestic violence and still remain there, it is one’s choice to be there. No woman is a planted tree, you can move if one’s environment becomes threatening to life, does not give the woman peace, not serving well, she can move. Who says you cannot be better on your own or meet another person that will treat you better? The best thing as a woman is not to be provocative. So, you don’t hit back on anyone. Just caution yourself, you have a right to defend yourself and remove yourself from toxic relationship. You don’t expect people to change overnight, it is better to simply leave where they are and start life somewhere else.
It might sound difficult because of cultural and religious beliefs. But one can de-programme and control herself. I still think women should move away from domestic environments. There is no award for enduring suffering and pain.
What has been your highpoint in life?
The highpoint in my life was when I recently celebrated my 40th birthday alongside my mum’s 80th birthday. I just looked at my life because I had planned to retire at 40 and that is the reason why I work round the clock. I am always working, planning, thinking and strategizing. So, when I look at my life, I think I have had a taste of everything. I am blessed with a good husband; my children, career and businesses are a source of joy to me. I have not gotten to the peak of my career, but I am on a good journey where I think I have made significant progress. At this stage of my life, I can look at myself and say I am truly happy. It is not everyone that can say that. I have been able to achieve what most of my seniors, mates or even those younger than me have not been able to achieve. I have been able to balance it out.
What about the low points?
There have been several low points, but the one that comes to mind easily is anytime I go into business, have plans with people that believe in your vision, people you are representing their interest, without achieving what you set out to achieve due to some draconian government policies that creates barriers.
At this point, one then realizes that an entrepreneur does not hold all the gains, but holds all the risks. My lowest point is that when such unforeseen circumstance happens, and it deviates from achieving what one set out to achieve, the investor will not give the entrepreneurs the latitude to sort things out.
So that negative commission that can tamper with the person’s goodwill is a low point for me. Part of one’s credibility is when you say something, you should be able to keep to your word. When things are beyond my control which affects projections are my low points.
How did you meet your husband? What was the attraction?
I am happily married to my wonderful husband. I guess I am one of the fortunate ladies that are happy in marriage because I am enjoying my marriage. I wish what I have will be so for other ladies. We met in a commercial vehicle while travelling from Ijebu Igbo to Lagos when I was in my final year in the university. He came to school for his clearance, that was where we met.
How was growing up?
Well, now that I have the opportunity to assess other families and scenario’s, I can see that I had the best my parents could offer. I had a very good upbringing. My parents treated us equally and that I strive now to achieve with my own children.
When I see unbalanced families, I simply appreciate my late father who institutionalized balance in every aspect of our lives.
I am the last of my three siblings. We have our internal squabbles, but family will remain family and love will always rule because we will always lift each other up. Our parents taught us we have different paths to greatness and that must rub off on each other. That is the way forward.
My mum and I celebrated our birthdays recently. She turned 80, while I turned 40. It means my mother had me when she was 40 and that means a lot to me. I am so grateful to God that we celebrated and made her happy. I always ask what is the purpose of life and what I came to understand is the happy memories that one creates and the people who witness it. The quality of life that one creates is the essence of life.
Who is your role model and why?
I actually have different role models based on what stage of life that I am and what I want to achieve. I can tell you that my parents, especially my father are my role models. When my dad was alive, I used to say he talked too much. He has told me this story several times, now that he is no longer living, it is those stories that come automatically to my head that help me navigate through life. I loved my dad’s discipline. He was not perfect but his positivity was great. He belonged to the generation when you give him money for keeps, write down the serial number, you will come back and meet that note the way you gave it to him. He was that credible.