ENTREPRENEURSHIP
TODAY ON FRANKLY SPEAKING – BECOMING A GREAT LEADER
Any significant progress in history occurred because someone decided to take the lead and influence others to pursue an agenda, resist an order or transform a process. The social nature of mankind is to always have a leader – one person that will take the lead and others would follow. For any great success to occur, leadership is essential.
I believe there are so many issues in our lives, and societies many aren’t comfortable with and we’d very much want to see drastic improvements. But in our small corners and conservative worlds, we believe we are too insignificant to influence or drive a major change. We look at ourselves and feel too small and insignificant to make any significant impact.
You’ll agree with me there are some Nigerians the rest of us hold responsible for everything that goes wrong or right in this country. They are popularly referred to as our leaders. In counting, they are probably less than a hundred but every issue bothering on our nationhood, the remaining 190 million of us hold these less than 100 people responsible. We also popularly believe they are the most influential.
Think with me this morning, how many of these very influential national leaders were born with the positions and titles and powers they hold today? How many of them even come from influential or privilege backgrounds? How many of them were born famous, popular or prominent? How many of them inherited the power, authority, name and positions they hold today from their parents? Probably none, or extremely few.
To console ourselves and justify our insignificance, many of us choose to believe these powerful leaders must have indulged in very ominous and mean dealings to become powerful and influential, it is not always the case my friend, many of them worked very hard to earn their positions of leadership and great influence.
This is not to justify corruption or mismanagement, but I assure you even the very corrupt leaders being exposed and arrested today worked very hard to get to that position where they eventually had access to our common wealth to steal it. They didn’t just stroll in there.
Today, I’ll sincerely want to admonish the younger generation to quit complaining and judging and make up their minds to take over leadership through hard work so as to subsequently take on key positions and fix things.
Too many young people complain bitterly about things not working well, yet they lack the will to work very hard, take over as leaders and manage the country better. Many forty year olds in Nigeria today don’t even have a copy of the Nigerian constitution. Very few can correctly sing the second stanza of the national anthem and many hardly study the yearly appropriation and fiscal plan. They have no idea what governance is all about, they do not understand public service, citizenship or nation building; they have no idea about public leadership, or true knowledge of our history, they don’t understand governance or contemporary politics.
Many of the youth want the current leaders out of the way today yet have refused to develop their own capacities to effectively take over as leaders. Oh, it’s so easy to criticise but if you’re appointed the governor of your own state today, how will your first 100 days in office look like? What will be your dominant thought? How to develop the state or how to quickly enrich yourself too? Let your conscience judge.
Ladies and gentlemen, all over the world, public leadership is not just handed over to the next generation, it is earned by younger people who work hard, have the knowledge, have developed capacity and are deserving of these sensitive public leadership positions.
As a career coach I’m frequently exposed to young people in their thirties and forties who lack the capacity to lead a team of just six people in their place of employment. They lack the discipline, maturity, humility and capacity to achieve results through just six people, yet they are experts at criticizing, judging and condemning every leader in every nation all over the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, all the young people, I believe it is time for your shift. It is time you shift from being a critique to a builder. It is time you take the lead. It is time you also decide to do the work and earn the role of influence and power to make happen the change you desire to see.
How do you do this, how do you start; from where do you start? Permit me to share with you today, six factors to consider and apply in order to become a great leader. I believe we all know leadership is not just occupying a position of power or authority, leadership is the ability to influence people. To successfully influence others and make them buy into your vision and support your ambition, diligently harken to, consider and apply the following traits:
1. Set your PRIORITIES – great leaders don’t live regular lives. They don’t live like everyday people. Great leaders set their priorities in life. They decide that one thing they want to do and commit at least 80% of their day to doing it. Great leaders give up pleasure for purpose and priorities. Their time is extremely valuable and they dedicate themselves to a course until they become distinguished as a master in that field of focus. To be a great leader, set your priorities.
2. CREATING IDENTITY. Great leaders don’t flock with the crowd. They create a different, unique and compelling identity for themselves using different but appealing instruments. Excellence in certain skills, capacities, abilities or achievements. Great leaders are known for being excellent at something. Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Music, Wole Soyinka, Literature, Gani Fawhennmi Lawyer/ Human right activist, E.A. Adeboye Religion. Great leaders distinguish themselves and create compelling identity through excellent performance at something. By so doing, they earn the credentials for great influence.
3. INCLUDING OTHERS. Great leaders are fantastic salesmen. They do not keep their dreams or ambition to themselves. Their everyday task is to include others. They seek every avenue and opportunity to sell their idea, vision and ambition to everyone they meet. They are passionate about including others – getting them involved and securing buy in.
4. SEE BEYOUND YOUR MENTOR – Great leaders usually have more than one mentor. They hardly want to be like any of their mentors, they actually have dreams bigger than any achieved by their mentors. They pick the strength in every mentor they have, add it to theirs and build a dream much greater than that of the mentors. Great leaders don’t want to be a copy of a revealed glory, they want to reveal their own glory. Great leaders dream beyond their mentors.
5. HAVE DEEP CONVICTIONS – Great leaders are not superficial in life. They are deeply convinced about what they want and are willing to die for that which they believe. Opposition will come, challenges, betrayal, tough times, oppression, loneliness and even rejection. Great leaders never give up. They die there; they are not cowards, they don’t let go of their dreams.
6. HAVE ETERNAL VALUES – Great leaders see beyond this life. They see beyond earthly rewards, they are mostly driven by eternal values. They fear their maker, they know they are accountable on judgment day, they believe they are on assignment and they fear God more than they fear man. Great leaders do things more because of God than because of man. They have eternal values.
Ladies and gentlemen, all the young people in the house this morning, enough criticism, judging, complaining and lamenting about leadership. It’s time you shift your grounds, don’t just talk, become a great leader too, apply all you need, be a leader too, let’s fix these problems, let’s take responsibility.
By Muyiwa Afolabi
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Franka Undie Pioneers AI Solutions In Healthcare, Garners Distinction, Special Award From Foreign Varsity
Franka Undie, a Nigerian from Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State has graduated from the RUDN University with the highest distinction in Applied Mathematics and Informatics/Data Science and Digital Transformation in her Master’s degree. Her outstanding achievements include receiving a special award for her groundbreaking scientific research aimed at revolutionizing the healthcare sector through artificial intelligence (AI).
Mrs Franca Undie Okache
Recalled that In 2019, Franka Undie captured national and international attention when she received over 20 MSc admissions from prestigious universities around the world. Opting to pursue her studies at RUDN University, she has since demonstrated unparalleled dedication and brilliance, culminating in her recent graduation with a distinction in MSc degree.
Mrs. Okache’s MSc thesis has set a new benchmark in the application of AI in healthcare. Her research focuses on developing an AI system that not only aids doctors in decision-making but also provides clear, understandable explanations for its recommendations. This innovation is designed to enhance the decision-making process in medical practice, enabling doctors to make better-informed choices based on comprehensive patient data.
Her AI system stands out for its user-friendly interface, which demystifies complex AI algorithms, making them accessible to medical professionals without extensive technical backgrounds. This breakthrough holds the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes by ensuring that medical decisions are both data-driven and comprehensible.
Franka’s exceptional work has not gone unnoticed. She was honoured with a special award by RUDN University for her scientific contributions, highlighting the impact and importance of her research in the field of AI and healthcare. This accolade is proof of her innovative spirit and the practical relevance of her work.
Beyond her academic and research accomplishments, Mrs. Franka Matthew Okache’s personal life also reflects a commitment to excellence and service. She is married to Mr. Matthew Okache ANIPR, the Chief Press Secretary to Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly. Her family and friends are immensely proud of her achievements and the positive representation she brings to Nigeria on the global stage.
Apuye Angiating is an experienced, multi-competent, and Pro African Entrepreneur with a proven track record of excellence in the agricultural, real estate, investment banking and healthcare sectors. He has a knack for turning ideas into creative impactful brands that address the unmet needs of the underserved and at-risk communities, focusing on developing local content/potential to compete with global brands.
Mr Apuye Angiating
He has a passion for promoting youth and women productivity, which has led to the creation of brands with an inclusive ideology evident in the composition of his team and workforce. His entrepreneurial drive to help accelerate sectorial growth and entrepreneurship is playing a pivotal role to create jobs and self-reliance in a competitive economy like ours.
Mr Apuye Angiating is a USA based Agropreneur and the MD/CEO of Uteb Agro Consult and Farms Co. Ltd, with presence in Ondo State, Ekiti State and Cross River State. A reputable and established Agroprenuer with large scale farming projects in Ondo and Ekiti States, in maize/corn cultivation, creating employment for several members of these states. From the humble beginning as a small-scale farmer in Akure, Ondo State, his journey into agriculture and farming has been one of continuous growth and innovation.
Over the years, he has expanded his operations to encompass 175 hectares of farmland with ambitious plans to reach 1000 hectares and beyond within the next five years. This expansion is not just a testament to his vision but also a reflection of his unwavering commitment to promoting agro-allied services and driving sustainable growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Innovation is at the heart of everything he does, from precision agriculture techniques to the adoption of climate smart practices, he is constantly exploring new ways to enhance productivity.
In a bid to promote indigenous excellence, Mr. Angiating has established the Superfine Vegetable Oil Factory in Bebuagbong Village, Ipong, Obudu LGA of Cross River State. The Superfine Vegetable Oil Factory is a testament to his commitment to local empowerment and sustainable development. As the first indigenous vegetable oil factory in Cross River State, he takes immense pride in pioneering an era of agricultural excellence. With state-of-the-art oil processing machines and a cutting-edge oil refinery, the superfine vegetable oil factory epitomizes the fusion of tradition and technology, delivering unparallel quality with every oil drop. Superfine vegetable oil is produced, refined and packaged to perfection in nutritional value in the 21st century.
The Uteb Agro Mentorship Hub pioneered and powered by Mr Apuye Angiating is a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth and development providing support, resources, and mentorship to budding entrepreneurs and established businesses alike. Through this mentorship program, he provides agricultural inputs and financial support to women and youths who aspires to venture into agriculture. Mr. Angiating is also planning a scholarship scheme to support Northern Cross River State students who are studying agriculture in tertiary institutions.
Currently Mr. Angiating is looking homeward with a proposed plan to establish cassava and maize projects in Cross River State. The discussion is on-going with the Commissioner for Agriculture, Cross River State and other community stakeholders.
As an Innovative entrepreneur, over the years he has created and established new business models to generate profit, accomplish company goals, and assist his community. With applied creativity, he has identified opportunities, developed innovative business models to meet consumer needs, improved market competitiveness, and transform ideas into business success. These are vital in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and addressing modern societal needs to push the boundaries of progress.
Considering his Entrepreneurial pedigree, Mr Apuye Angiating has been nominated as the Innovative Entrepreneur Man of the Year 2024 by Yala Achievers Award which is slated for July 28th at Transcorp Calabar, Calabar . This is to celebrate his remarkable accomplishments of who has shown immense and outstanding entrepreneurial innovation, leadership, creativity, and dedication towards providing gainful employment for Cross Riverians and Nigerians at large. The growing importance of Apuye’s works highlights his crucial role in encouraging innovation, inspiring future entrepreneurs, and driving economic growth.
Apuye Angiating holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the prestigious Howard University, Washington DC, USA. He is married to Victoria Utebye Angiating and the marriage is blessed with three lovely kids
Nigeria’s biggest annual symposium on career information, business development, employment and economic opportunities for students, young professionals and SMEs in Nigeria, National Career Fair, NCF, has moved to provide 6000 fresh jobs for unemployed graduates nationwide.
The annual event which is back for its 6th edition is designed to reduce the growing unemployment rate in Nigeria and respond to the growing needs of the society- student undergraduates, graduates through an all-encompassing career information program; and has this year introduced a Nationwide campaign tagged “#EmployAnIntern” in a bid to create instant jobs for Youths and students.
According to the convener of the NCF, Oluwaseun Shogbamu, “The #EmployAnIntern campaign is designed to engage a growing Nigerian workforce positively. The campaign encourages Organizations, to employ interns all around the country on the NCF platform that have been trained in work etiquette and professionalism either on the short or long term basis. The campaign is directed at both established companies and entrepreneurs, thus opening the minds of students, job seekers and youths to a whole new world of job descriptions they never thought existed.”
He added that the nationwide tour of the annual free symposium which will begin in Lagos at the Main Auditorium of the prestigious University of Lagos on the 7th of December, 2017 will be held across the six geo-political zones in the country and will also feature sixty (60) speakers and professionals while partnering with top HR personnel, Vocational training institutes, as well as Capacity Building-Oriented oraganisations.
The organisers of the National Career Fair however urged youth to take advantage of its platform to enhance personal branding by either volunteering for the event in various states or applying for various job and internship opportunities to be provided during the course of the nationwide tour.
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