BLACK DOLLS

I never had a doll while growing up or maybe I did.  I just cannot remember playing with one. I have no idea why. Looking at Nigerian entrepreneur, Taofick Okoya's collection of black dolls got me thinking it would have been nice if I had them to play with as a toddler. Unfortunately, black dolls were scarce years ago.
Taofick was motivated to set up his company when he could not find any black dolls to buy for his niece.
He is making a difference by investing so much into his business in order to promote our African identity.
We recently did a story on him and it was exciting to see kids go for the Queen of Africa dolls and not the Barbie dolls. The dolls are dressed in colourful traditional attires representing the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups. Hopefully, he would grow to include other ethnic groups. The dolls are skinny though and Okoya plans to make the plus size ones. That will be really nice to see.
His business also highlights the fact that Nigeria needs to improve its local manufacturing industry. So things like this can be produced here and not in China. Getting to assemble them here is a relief as it creates employment for jobless youths.
Hopefully, this year, we will witness a growth of entrepreneurial Nigerians who will make a difference for their country.
Happy new year all!

Black Dolls

Taofick Okoya holding a Queen of Africa doll - Courtesy Reuters Akintunde Akinleye

Queen of Africa dolls - Courtesy Reuters Akintunde Akinleye