Experts have mentored young people on the need to evolve their talents into a business entity or craft that will give them financial freedom, thereby contributing to job and wealth creation in the country.
The experts, who spoke at the Custodian Mentors Conference 2023 in Lagos last week, also gave tips on sustaining an existing business despite operating environment challenges.
On his part, the group managing director/founder, Custodian Investment Plc, Mr. Wole Oshin, urged the youths to have strong determination to live their dream, urging them to choose a good mentor that will guide them along that process.
Addressing the over 100 participants at the event, he said: “As mentee, you are privileged to have these mentors here with you, so learn from them. We don’t have that privilege. What we did was to try our luck, but with determination, we have been able to get to where we are. We have brilliant youth across the country today and all they need is a good mentor.”
Advising the participants to choose a good mentor, he added that, “you can easily adopt a bad mentor on social media because there are lots of bad influencers in that space, as well as there good ones. We feel it’s important to guide the young people of this country who are the leaders and managers of tomorrow to be mentored by successful entrepreneurs, successful influencers and people that have done great things.
“At some point, they were like you, but the only difference is that they have something burning inside them and they were able to pursue it. My hope is that, after the conference, participants could go on to rule their world. We want a strong future where we have strong Alumni coming out of this conference.”
Stressing that the conference was his company’s Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) to support entrepreneurs and professionals who are ready to take the next big step, he said, his dream is to see that the next managers of the nation’s economy were alumni of these conferences.
Similarly, a renowned lawyer and entrepreneur, Mrs Seyi Banigbe, admonished young people to believe in themselves and pursue their talent to fruition, adding that, though the road to success could be rough and tough, strong conviction will make one sail through in their chosen career path.
“Embrace your logo (yourself), you are unique, learn to embrace you and own your space. Whatever your background is, it could be your breakthrough. You may have had a rough upbringing and background, but polish yourself, have a burning passion for what you do, be excited to meet people, and value those people you meet along your path. Try to sow the right seed and reap the right harvest. Marry the right people because whoever you marry will either make or mar you.
“Choose your team quickly. Don’t always talk about problems, find solutions around the problem. Don’t be dragged back by challenges but always be attracted by opportunities. If you can adhere to the aforementioned principles, it will take you to your success,” she advised.
Similarly, the group programme director, Classic FM, Chukwuma (Chico) Augwekwe, urged participants to always improve on their chosen endeavour by engaging in constant learning and grooming from mentors to run a successful business and career.
According to the On-Air Personality and actor, “when you are in your space, look out for what you can pick alongside what you are doing. Be observant and learn from the mistakes of your predecessors. Be hardworking, believe in yourself, follow your dream. The opportunities will always present itself, grab it and win.
Moreover, Celebrity Photographer, T.Y Bello. urged upcoming entrepreneurs to always be positive about their dreams, understand what they want to do, urging participants to leverage online to equip themselves with knowledge about their careers.
She encouraged the participants to actively engage with their environment and affirmed the power of perception in creating positive changes, saying “the things that surround you, that come out of you and the people that you engage with all the time, will change the quality of life you are going to have.
“There is no knowledge that you can’t get online nowadays, so equip yourself. Your mentors are those who add values to your dream and perspective about life.The ability to perceive and always be positive matters.”
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