She Left the South for Kano With No Perfect Plan
Veronikka | Proof of Life - Episode 39
I have personally enjoyed watching Veronikka grow. Not just career-wise, but as a woman who keeps choosing herself, choosing faith, and choosing boldness even when life asks difficult questions. From hospitality to radio, from radio to HR, from the South to Kano and back again, her story is one of movement, curiosity, and courage.
This episode of POL feels especially important because Veronikka reminds me that sometimes growth is simply saying yes to life before you feel fully ready for it. She carries warmth so naturally, but beneath all the laughter and energy is someone deeply reflective, deeply intentional, and brave enough to keep evolving publicly.
In this conversation, we talk about family, career pivots, moving to Kano, Nigerian men, ambition, faith, survival, and the strange sport that is adulting in Nigeria.
Hello VERONIKKA, What does “Proof of Life” mean to you in this current season, especially after navigating different careers, cities, and versions of yourself?
Proof of life is the feeling of actually being alive, taking it one day at a time, and feeling every bit of the fuel increment, whether you use it actively or passively. Oh well, we praise GOD.
What kind of childhood shaped the Veronikka we know today? What lessons from family or growing up still stay with you, even now?
I grew up in an animated home. We would pause a movie to create our own movie using their scripts. We would go, “just imagine say this man fly come enter…” and another person would add to it and make it even funnier. My mother wasn’t exempted, oh she would join in and we would have the best laughs and we still do, till today. We were allowed to dream far and have our imaginations. Light or no light, we had our own entertainment.
I am loved at home, always have been, always will be. The selflessness my friends may attribute to me, comes from an overflowing love I have always had. My mother mainly, that’s my person. I’ve met some of your mothers and honestly, my mother is so special. I told her that today. I have never met any woman like her. Till today. She didn’t need to say much, just by how she treats us and people around us, we had all we needed.
That is what shaped me. My family. The love of my siblings, the check ins, how genuinely interested we all are in each others life. I am who I am because of the family GOD gave me.
What I learnt and still stays with me? Love o, love well. If them no return am back, well, their loss. But them no go forget you. That’s for sure.
You’ve had such an interesting career journey from hospitality to radio and now back into hospitality through human resources. Looking back, what has each version of your career taught you about yourself and what truly drives you?
Oh well, in truth, I am not done with radio. I paused, but I will definitely find my way back – that’s my first love. WHO LEAVES THEIR FIRST LOVE???!!!
…Well, technically I did.My new bae has its own perks and a beautiful way of loving me. Don’t mind me, my script-writing side never left. I have enjoyed every bit of every transition. My radio side taught me audacity and subtly prepared me for all the office politics and drama that the HRM role brings.
The HRM role has groomed me into such a mummy. It’s a good thing- the balance, the strict and the interesting stories and sad moments too.
What drives me? Me, I drive me. I have a driver’s licence now…lol.
Becoming an OAP already takes confidence, but moving your life from the South to Kano is a different level of bravery .
What pushed you to make that decision at the time?
I have always wanted to see the north.Before the current chaos the insecurity in some parts of the north has brought, we had northerners living amongst us, cows have been moving through streets to their ranches or to the slaughters for years and we laughed with almost every “aboki”. So when the opportunity opened up, I figured, if a station that big, opens in the north, of course they’ll have plans for extraction if any smerr-smerr happened.
Gratefully, nothing like that happened while I was there, till now even. All good.
Let’s talk about the North properly. What were your biggest culture shocks moving to Kano?
The same way almost every state has a corner or settlement for northerners, that’s how northerners have theirs too in Kano State.
All northern states aren’t the same o, similar, but not the same. Oh, Kano is beautiful, their sauces and foods are giving bougie. The aesthetics in Kano businesses are out of this world.
Beautiful views.
I realized that, unlike in some states like Akwa Ibom where the local dialect is supreme, the people in Uyo are actually willing to teach you and they understand Pidgin English perfectly.Kano State is not like that. It’s not that they don’t want to teach you their language, they just don’t speak Pidgin English at all, so they can’t even teach you if they wanted to. Not everyone is like this, obviously, but you go need learn small Hausa o.
Was there ever a moment in Kano where you paused and thought, “What exactly am I doing here?” And on the flip side, what moment made you grateful you actually made the move?
Yep, on days I didn’t understand the language. Lol.
I loved living in Kano. I met awesome people mehnnnnn. I knew why I was there, beyond me wanting to see the North. Kano state was a retreat for me. Every moment, I was grateful, I still am grateful, I would do it again.
For anyone considering relocating far away from home to chase work, peace, or growth, what would you honestly tell them? What should they prepare for emotionally and mentally?
Move with GOD. Take that leap, whether you have perfected your plans or not, work with the HOLY SPIRIT. It is beautiful.
Like Nike, just do it.
Through all your transitions, what has work taught you about ambition, survival, and womanhood in Nigeria? Is there anything you wish you had avoided earlier in your career journey?
Pursue what you want o. Do it scared, do it happy, do it sad, but pursue with GOD. AH. Pursue. Quite sadly, women have to work almost more than two times harder than a man in this country to earn an honest living, however, it shouldn’t deter you. Pursue with CHRIST JESUS.
Okay, small rant session. What are your honest thoughts on Nigerian men today? The good, the exhausting, the confusing. We need the full review, please.
Nothing to rant about, really. Good men dey o. Good men dey.
I think everyone is overthinking this love thing. If e no work, quick comot, keep your body and the cookie, it doesn’t add nothing my dears. The only rant about men I have is that more men should gut out and rat out the idiots amongst them. There are genuinely horrible people – males and females – walking this earth. Name and shame.
You will have daughters, too; you have sisters and mothers. Don’t take this stuff lightly.
Furthermore, don’t take low effort from women. You deserve all the great love there is. A woman who genuinely loves you, and you love her back. Love that you can let your guard down and still be protected through and through.
The Nigerian economy right now is basically character development. How are you personally navigating this version of the country, and what worries or motivates you most about the future?
Navigating with GOD.
Trekking once once and actually beginning to enjoy it. It’s life. Nothing dey dia. Before the driving and high taste, you been dey fly bus. Calm down, nobody will remember this stuff, and if they do, well, you are a memorable person, how won’t they remember you?
I am worried about the fact that it may never get better. More people are diving towards the “if you can’t beat them join them” philosophy. It is scary.
My actual thoughts about this isn’t publishable and may tilt towards treason. Let’s leave it there. But GOD dey.
You strike me as someone who reflects deeply. What books, stories, or ideas have stayed with you recently? And what dreams are quietly sitting in your heart right now?
The dream is in the pipeline, I won’t say now. But, una go halla my name one day ooo.
Book- The Bible and I am watching more sermons from Pst Selman these days. Blessed man.
Before we close, drop one random thought currently living rent-free in your head.
I need to buy land and stocks, if I met any of these content creators that’d ask me what I wanted, GOD go help us.
Thank you, Veronikka, for reminding us that courage can still look soft.
It is safe to say that this is a good place to peace out for the week.
Till next week! Have Fun.