This year, we debunked the myth that dreams only materialize in the realm of sleep. Nope, here at Ikọ, dreams come true when you roll out of bed after a night of dreaming, put on your boots and work (don't forget to brush, because hygiene matters even in startup land 😂).

What a rollercoaster of awesomeness 2023 has been for us at Ikọ! What began as a mere dream unfolded into a tapestry of ideas. Ideas, in turn, evolved into meetings—some filled with animated discussions, and let's be honest, the occasional friendly argument (because where's the fun without a bit of banter? 😂💀). Roadmaps were meticulously crafted, and execution plans were set into motion. Our dream team, a diverse and extraordinary group of individuals from various walks of life, came together to turn imagination into reality.

From bonding over Sunday evening Twitter spaces to building a waitlist filled with incredible souls who eventually became part of the Ikọ Family, love permeated every step of this journey. With sweaty hands, pounding hearts, and the occasional dose of fear, doubt, and worry, we braved it all. We did it scared, and guess what? It turned out to be one heck of an exhilarating adventure. We embraced experimentation, faced failures head-on, shed a few tears, and engaged in the occasional virtual neck-grabbing (let's hope those group chats and Slack Channels remain classified 😂). Yet, here we are, standing tall at the end of 2023, armed with lessons learned and victories earned.

As we bid farewell to this incredible year, we're sending prayers to the Almighty who guided us through it all. May our hearts keep beating, the air in our lungs continue to flow, and the blood in our veins never run dry. With His grace leading the way, 2024 will witness the fruits of our collective labor. We're determined to show that whatever you plant, water, and nurture as a family will flourish.

We'll keep pushing as long as there's life within us, striving until every African who reads and writes becomes an integral part of this vibrant and growing ecosystem of African readers and writers. Here's to dreams that defy the ordinary and a future that's as bright as the passion that fuels us. Cheers to Ikọ and the incredible journey ahead! 🚀🌟

@nkereuwem, @kegbu, @emmanuella, @precious, @eyo, @jojo, @godsgift @ewan

Thank you for letting me be part of your 2023, I love you guys so much.❤️🙏🏿

With immense gratitude and boundless excitement,

Shalom,

CTO, Ikọ Africa 🚀❤️