Dr. Olamitoye Advises Nigerian Graduates To Key Into Entrepreneurial Skills As Precursor To Achieve Success In Life

BY ABUSATAR HAMED

IBADAN – Former President of Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA), Dr. Abib Olamitoye, has advised Nigerian graduates on the critical need to hone their entrepreneurial skills as a precursor to achieve success and legitimate wealth.

Olamitoye who stated this against backdrop of the increase in number of educated youths in the labour market noted that trackable affluence and successful lives are still feasible in the country if the nation’s youth, apart from educational attainments, explore commercially oriented skills that will enable them to become self reliant.

The renowed business mogul and philanthropist, gave the charge on Tuesday, November 12, 2023, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, while delivering a lecture at the 75th Anniversary and 2023 Convocation Ceremonies of the University of Ibadan (UI), at the International Conference Centre of the institution.

Olamitoye, who is the Chairman of Abib Olamitoye Group, with interests in hospitals, philanthropy, hospitality industry and motivational book writing, noted that lack of entrepreneurship training in each course had been the bane of unemployment in the country.

He maintained that every fresh graduate must cultivate saving culture for money because ‘If you cannot save, you are not safe’, just as he implored them to always set goals and work towards achieving them with determination.

According to him, “every fresh graduate, who is determined to succeed in life should cultivate the habit of reading, especially in the areas of new fields they want to venture into. Even as a trained medical doctor, I have read books about people from other disciplines.

“When I wanted to venture into hotel and hospitality sector, I took one year leave to read at least 10 books written by those that have excelled in the sector. The outcome is the remarkable success achieved that you are reading about today.

“Being successful in life is anchored on a tripod stand including: vision, ambition and building a great life. You should set a legitimate goal, write it down and let it be comprehensive and work towards it. Don’t be distracted by what is happening in the society and you must guide against setting a small ambition because it is as bad as no ambition.

“In order to achieve the set goals, you must be strategical, methodical and progressive in your approach.

“Also, entrepreneurship training is key to a successful life. There is no longer white collar jobs for everybody. You should learn to become employers of labour.

“So, the youth should study the lives of those who are genuinely successful, who are legitimately wealthy, whose wealth are trackable – that you can track and see that the life they have lived is stainless.

“These are the kind of things that can inspire our youths to the position of eminence. Therefore, if you are going to be rich, then the path to follow must be stainless. It must be with integrity. It may be slow, but it is possible.

“You have to think big and start small. Anywhere you are in the world, the principle of success is the same. Prosperity is knowing what you want to achieve. If it is money, how much? Then, find books on how to have money.
Many people are not successful because they don’t know that if they can think about it, they can get it.

“This means what the mind of man can conceive and believe, the man can achieve. This is the key. Most of the people in the world of Nigeria today, as we have it, will become billionaires of tomorrow. But anything the youth want to do, they should start early. Succeeding in business is a matter of consistence and resilience. When you fall down seven times, stand up eight times.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Kayode Adebowale, disclosed that a total of 223 students graduated with First-Class Honours from various faculties of the university, while another 17 students graduated with First-Class Honours from the Distance Learning Centre (DLC) of the institution.

He added that another 74 students also made First-Class Honours from affiliated institutions, among the total of 6,826 graduands.

Olamitoye was later presented with an award as commencement speaker by the University of Ibadan management.