The Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria, Ibukun Awosika, has advised young entrepreneurs to believe in themselves, noting that success comes to those who are willing to take risks.
Delivering the keynote speech at the maiden edition of The Event Xperience Africa (TEXA) held recently, Awosika engaged young entrepreneurs on building successful businesses through discipline, integrity, and consistency.
Awosika urged them to “believe in themselves, launch their dreams and keep working on them even when situations might appear too difficult, or when there seem to be limited support.”
The 3-day conference which took place in Lagos at the Landmark Events Centre, is targeted at beginners and professionals in the event and allied industry, with networking sessions, curated classes, panel sessions with topics on branding and marketing, finance, legal, technology, delivering excellent client service and more.
Awosika told the gathering of young men and women “that successful businessmen and women across the world are those who are willing to take risks.
“There are some skills and talents that you have, but you won’t know you have them until you are in situations where they are required. As you work towards the place you want to be, you should never be afraid to show what can be done. In Nigeria, let nobody try to tell you that you cannot achieve success when you want to start a business. But whenever you do, always remember that people are watching, so always apply integrity and be disciplined,” she added.
A release from Red Media Africa, said notable experts engaged the audience and participated in panel sessions, with Steve Babaeko, Charles O’Tudor, Ivie Ogbomwan, Tricia Ikponmwonba, Chioma Ifeanyi Eze and Stella Duru highlighting issues on entrepreneurship during a Kola Oyeneyin-moderated session themed ‘The Business of Events’.
Cross section of attendees at the TEXA19
Anchored by Tobi Olanihun, the second session themed ‘Uniformity and Diversity in the African Event Industry,’ was made up of international events professionals such as Jhandell Afi (Ghana); Astou Djamat-Dubois (Ivory Coast); Susan Maina (Kenya) and Chioma Nwogu (USA).
The Event Xperience Africa (TEXA) is a global networking event designed to bring together seasoned and new event professionals across the African continent, taking participants on an exciting, informative, insightful and unusual experience, engaging them on trade secrets, curated sessions, emerging innovations and trends in the events industry.