9 years ago | posted by Angelica Pratolini

Category: Headlines

Tag: Team

Let’s go to Nigeria with Steve

Teezily: Hello Stephen. How are you today?

Stephen: Hi, I am doing pretty fine, thanks and you?

TZ: Where are you from?stephen

ST: I am originally from The Republic of Biafra. It may be interesting for you to know more about my roots.

The Republic of Biafra was a secessionist state in eastern Nigeria that only existed from 1967 to 1970. After two and half years of war between Biafra and Nigeria, during which millions of Biafrans died, the Biafran forces agreed to a ceasefire with Nigeria that received massive military support from Great Britain. Biafra was finally reintegrated into Nigeria.

So, in essence I am NIGERIAN.

TZ: What’s your favorite thing about your country?

ST: Hmmm, it may sound unrealistic, but believe me, Nigeria, in spite of its negative global reputation is still the country where justice is not only the privilege of the rich. It's still the place where everyone lives with the hope and belief of a better tomorrow. Last but not least, I admire this most populated and richest African country because it is inhabited by the most optimistic people in the world. An average Nigerian has no ''impossibility'' in his dictionary.

TZ: Tell us about your studies.

ST: I obtained my bachelor degree in Literary Communication and Foreign Languages from the University of Nigeria, while I spent a semester abroad in Republic of Benin (a Francophone West African country). Subsequently, I obtained a certificate in "Business German and Intercultural Communication" from IIK Düsseldorf Germany. Recently, I also finished my Master degree in International Business from IESEG school of Management here in France.

TZ: How many languages do you speak?

ST: Igbo is my mother tongue and I speak Nigerian Pidgin which is the Lingua Franca in my country. I also speak English, German , French and some Chinese.

TZ: What exactly are you doing at Teezily?

ST: Hmm.... At Teezily, we do almost everything, due to the fact that it’s still a young start-up. However, I am officially the '’Global Business Developer’’

TZ: What’s your favorite thing about France so far?

ST: That's easy! ''La cuisine française''.

TZ: How do you spend your free time here?

ST: Having spent most of my ‘French life’ in Lille, where I studied, I usually commute between Paris and Lille during the weekends to spend quality time with friends.

TZ: Tell us about your best memory here in France.

ST: My best memory? Just one? I would say I have enjoyed every single moment of my stay in France, especially here in Paris.

TZ: Tell us your life quote.

ST: I have actually two mottos in my life.

  1.  ''Through hard work, perseverance and faith in God, you can live your dreams''

  2.  ''Impossible is a word found in the dictionaries of the mediocre or even fools''


TZ: What have you gained from Teezily so far?

ST: In today's global marketplace, the chances of losing business due to cultural misunderstanding runs high. Having worked with colleagues from all spheres of the earth and being in the ''international seller support'' team where I am always in contact with our sellers from all over the world, has enhanced my intercultural skills.

TZ:  Thank you for your time, Stephen!

ST: The pleasure is mine.

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