The CEO of Umera Farms and book reviewer, Olamide Alao-Akala; author of the book, Dr Yemisi Adepoju; and CEO of Reb360 Limited, Tope Mark-Odigie, at the public presentation of Broke After Payday, held in Lagos.
For the author of 'Broke After Pay Day,' Yemisi Lucy Adepoju, it has become imperative to interrogate emotional, cultural and behavioural patterns behind financial exhaustion. Speaking at the book launch held at RovingHeights Bookstore Lagos, recently, she recalled, 'as the chairperson of a cooperative since 2015 and rising to the management level, I saw a lot of employees going through the headache of pay check to pay check.' Irrespective of the amount earned, she noted some still live from pay check to pay check.
To her, 'I've seen people earn N500,000 to N600,000 and are still owing. The financial embarrassment is crazy. And I felt how do we break this cycle? I wrote this book because I want to see a change in Africa and want employees to understand that it doesn't matter their situation is, whether black tax or a terrible partner. All that matters is that you can get out of it.'
Divided into eight chapters, Adepoju added reading the book, applying the principles and joining the community, 'your life will never remain the same. It is about changing the narrative. Many people are working but not happy. Some are in the prison of debt. The book addresses it. There must be a story relating to someone you know, if it doesn't relate to you personally.'
Speaking further, she disclosed adopting story telling strategy in the book makes it relatable. For instance, the title of Chapter One is, 'Who chop my salary?' The character's salary was paid and within 30 minutes, it was gone. She cautioned, 'if you cannot manage N30,000, you will not be able to manage N5 million. So, you must also have a structure or budget. Money is a tool that needs to be sent on errand and return in multiple folds. You want to buy the latest phone, do you really need it? You want to change your car, is it really due for a change? Sometimes, delayed gratification is important. You can invest, and the proceeds of that investment can fund your lifestyle. But because we are not patient and want to live luxury life, we feel we are not among.'
In their reviews, real estate entrepreneur and television host, Tope Mark-Odigie, agreed on the principle of budgeting. To her, 'I feel we haven't had enough conversation on budgeting.' On his part, Head, Strategy & Corporate Development, Tulcan Energy Resources Limited, Dolapo Akinwale, noted the book addresses realities of Nigeria. He stated, 'the book is practical. For instance, some youths want to be like celebrities. Most of them probably don't have what they flaunt online. They live fake lives. We must live within our means and track our expenses. We must learn how to make, retain and multiply money. Scripturally, you can also embrace principle of tithing. I recommend this book wholeheartedly.'
On his part, Prof. Sunday Owualah of Department of Finance, University of Lagos, described the book as a well-thought compendium of advice that, if heeded, could save many workers from the agonising nightmare that follows payday. To the don, 'the book is experimental and illustrative. Its lucid and smoothly flowing style makes it very easily comprehensible to readers.'
Speaking in a similar vein, Chief Executive Officer of Umera Farms Nigeria, Olamide Alao-Akala disclosed, 'what makes this book unique is its mix of storytelling, workbook exercises and survival strategies.'
An entrepreneur and strategist who thrives at intersection of agriculture, private equity, finance and human transformation, Adepoju breaks myths that keep people broke and creates pathways to freedom and legacy. Through her books, coaching and speaking, she challenges professionals to stop settling and embrace purpose. Beyond finance, Adepoju is also a wellness advocate and life coach.
