Leadership experts offer tips on growing business, recognising opportunities at Lekki crusade
By Ishaya Ibrahim
A leadership expert, Dr Remi Olabode has provided insights into how to build a thriving business in Nigeria during a recent event tagged “Mission to Ibeju Lekki.”
Olabode presented the insights during a two-day evangelistic crusade held between December 6 and 7 in Ibeju Lekki. The event was sponsored by a Nigerian-born and U.S.-based physician and pastor, Dr David Tarkon.
During the outreach, Dr Tarkon who is the presiding pastor of the City of David Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Atlanta-Georgia, bankrolled free medical care for over a thousand residents of Ibeju Lekki and provided food grains to everyone that attended the crusade at the Ibeju Lekki Local Government Secretariat.
A leadership masterclass was also held to train residents on entrepreneurship, the importance of recognizing opportunities and building thriving businesses.
Dr Olabode during his presentation, harps on the importance of character in building a thriving business.
He asked the audience what would be the most important variable to start a business and succeed.
While many gave varied answers, he told them the most singular thing they need to succeed is not money, it’s not even information, it is themselves.
“It is you. If you are crooked, if your ways are not straight, and you are lazy, and you don’t have information, you can never be a good leader and a good business person. The first and most important thing that you need is you. Who are you?
“The Bible says there is no partiality with God. We are the ones who are limited. I tell people that God is like the ocean. If you go there with a cup, you will be full. If you go there with a teaspoon you will be full. If you go there with a tanker, you will be full. If you go there with anything, it will be full.
“So, I’m talking today about leadership, but I will focus on entrepreneurs. Why do I choose that? It’s because when I travel out, I see many Nigerians leaving Nigeria. And I see many white people coming in. What are they seeing that we are not seeing? Why are you leaving your inheritance and they are inheriting it?”
He said knowledge is what stands between people and the wealth that God has made available on earth.
“Even the Bible says his people, not other people, the people he has redeemed and bought with the blood of Jesus if they lack knowledge, they will die in penury.”
One of the speakers, Pastor John Emmanuel, focused on entrepreneurship and leadership. He encouraged attendees to rethink their mindset and recognize their potential for success.
He said: “Along the line of creating value, the first thing is recognizing opportunity. Opportunities can be hidden under problems. Many times we see problems as things we don’t want to be part of. But inside of that problem are opportunities. Remember the bible says as a man thinketh in his heart so he is. As young people you think people who are from abroad are better than you. That’s a lie from the devil.”
The event aimed to inspire and equip young entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to build successful businesses and create value in their communities.