OLATOWUN CANDIDE-JOHNSON
Olatowun Candide-Johnson is a lawyer with thirty+ years’ experience in corporate and commercial law and in business development and governance of multinational corporations. During the course of her career, she worked in Law Practice, Shipping, & Oil and Gas. Whilst working with the Total Group, she worked in different divisions including three years at the New Business (Affaires Nouvelles) Division in the Paris HQ. Before taking early retirement, she held the roles of General Counsel, Executive General Manager, Management Services Division (incorporating Legal, Audit, Insurance and Anti-Corruption Compliance) and Chief Compliance Officer for the Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria. In 2016, she obtained a Global Executive MBA awarded by LSE, NYU Stern and HEC (Paris), known as the TRIUM Global Executive MBA.After many years in corporate life, she turned her sights to an entrepreneurial pursuit and challenge to open an exclusive space in Lagos to help bridge the “business connections” gap experienced by leading Women in Nigeria. The response to this opportunity is “GAIA Women Club” (GAIA – meaning “Mother Earth”), a Members only Business and Social Club for Women (www.gaiawomenclub.com). GAIA is based in Victoria Island. Olatowun is Chairman of African Delivery Technologies (ADT), parent company of Kwik.delivery, a French start up which aims to become the first platform for last-mile delivery in urban areas in Nigeria. She is also a Founder Parent of Lagos Preparatory School, Ikoyi, one of Africa’s leading British curriculum preparatory schools in Lagos; Member of the board of directors of the Nigerian-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce; “Expert” – African Women on Board (AWB); Member of the Committee on Tourism & Hospitality of the Institute of Directors (IOD). She is also an angel investor and a member of Rising Tide Africa – a network of female business angels investing in entrepreneurs across the African continent.Olatowun is Wines & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 certified, and Dame Chevalier de l’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne (2017). She loves all forms of the Arts, Culture, food & wine, Pilates, yoga, books, and travelling to interesting places etc.
Mena Imasekha
Mena Imasekha is the Business Development & Operations Manager of GAIA AFRICA. She is passionate about an operational strategy to optimize company efficiency and growth, whilst utilizing company resources to achieve company objectives. With over 7 years of experience in strategy, Mena believes in growth through analytical processes, product and service development, research, consumer feedback, planning, and policy. Mena is a graduate of Imperial College London and also sits on the board of Women Impacting Nigeria a female-led, not-for-profit organization dedicated to women’s human rights, gender equality, and empowerment of women.
Nwamaka Joy Ihieme
Nwamaka Joy Ihieme is the Human Resources Manager at Voltaire Lifestyle Services Limited (owners of GAIA AFRICA Club and Gaby Lagos), where she has served since February 2024. With over a decade of experience in Human Resources, People Management and Administration, she has held strategic roles across various industries, including Advertising, Oil & Gas/Marine, Healthcare, Education, and Hospitality. Her expertise lies in talent management, organisational development, employee relations, and process optimisation. Throughout her career, Nwamaka has led HR teams to strengthen key processes such as talent acquisition, performance management, and employee engagement, resulting in enhanced staff productivity and operational efficiency. Nwamaka holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of Benin. She is a certified Human Resources Professional and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (MCIPM). Also, she is a Member of the Association of Elite Human Resources Professionals (AEHRP). Beyond her professional pursuits, Nwamaka enjoys photography, music, fashion and styling, travelling, driving, and conducting research. She is passionate about fostering a culture of lifelong learning, open communication and employee development. She firmly believes that attracting, retaining, and developing top talent is key to driving organisational success and fostering a thriving work environment.
Alex Odiwe
Alexander Uche Odiwe, FMVA, is a highly skilled and dedicated Senior Accountant at Voltaire Lifestyle Services Limited. With a proven track record in financial management and analysis, Alexander brings precision, insight, and strategic thinking to his role. His expertise is underscored by his FMVA (Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst) certification, reflecting his strong analytical and technical acumen in the financial space. Known for his unwavering integrity, sincerity, and honesty, Alexander embodies a commitment to delivering the best outcomes for his organization. His dedication to excellence ensures that his contributions consistently drive efficiency, transparency, and value in every financial operation he oversees. Outside of his professional life, Alexander is a devoted family man, happily married and the proud father of three children. He finds balance and purpose in both his career and personal life, continually striving to set a positive example through his work ethic, reliability, and values-driven approach to life.
