Fostering a healthy work-life balance is one of the many concerns of young professionals across the world, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic persists.
On Thursday, October 28, 2021, a diverse group of Nigerian professionals – Gbemi O, media personality; Claire and Akah Nnani, YouTube content creators and creatives; Funmilayo Falola, Head, Marketing Communications and Investor Relations, Wema Bank; Hannah Jonathan, Clinical Sexuality Coach – gathered to discuss balancing a healthy relationship and a hectic workload, while ensuring financial stability.
This discussion was held during the third edition of the ALAT Talk Series, a platform for the exchange of ideas and insights about life, relationships, technology, and finance.
The virtual series themed ‘Relationship, Love and Work: How To Juggle It All’ was held via teleconferencing application, Zoom.
The latest edition of the series was aimed at providing young Nigerians with the skills and knowledge required to combine a hectic work lifestyle with a healthy sex/love life.
Media personality and co-host of the OffAir Show, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, moderated the 90-minute session. Comments and questions poured in from the eager audience who watched on the Zoom app and via ALAT’s Facebook page.
Akah and Claire Nnani’s session was brutally honest as they shared their experiences as a couple, their transition into parenthood, and how they thrived as business partners while managing their demanding careers.
Akah emphasised the need for trust, “trust is important in all our dealings. We trust each other in setting boundaries and understanding each other’s perspectives while managing our business together.”
Claire buttressed Akah’s point with her take on the need for couples to reach an understanding, “It is hard not to see each other as competition, especially when you are working in the same space, but understanding your strengths is key.”
During the event, Funmilayo Falola, Head, Marketing Communications and Investor Relations, Wema Bank, reiterated the objective of the ALAT Talk Series and the importance of addressing key financial decisions from the onset: “At ALAT we are committed to improving financial literacy among young Nigerians by providing them with the tools and services to make the right financial decisions in any situation even marriages and relationships.
This is why we advise the need to address the seemingly difficult financial decisions from the onset. Investment plans, yearly and monthly budgets, individual and joint financial goals, allowances and childcare plans, are some of the important conversations to have in any relationship,” she added.
Speaking on the sexual status of many relationships in Nigeria, Sex Expert, Hannah Jonathan spoke about boundaries and influence, “Most couples do not set boundaries early in their relationship and are easily influenced by work, friends and family, which leads to stress.
“This stress causes frustration that can cause further issues in the future.”
Over the years, ALAT has developed several youth-focused initiatives to support Nigerians across the country in building sustainable relationships and a healthy lifestyle – and this third edition of the ALAT Talk Series is one of such initiatives.
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