Failure is the elixir of success, Odegbami tells Nigerians at the 5th Sterling Leadership Series
As part of its commitment to fostering quality leadership in the private and public spheres of the Nigerian economy, Sterling Financial Holdings Company (Sterling Holdco) recently held the 5th Leadership Conference themed “Climbing Beyond”・A series (SLS) was held.
SLS is a quarterly interactive session that connects Starling leaders and customers with industry thought leaders and leaders.
The edition was a hybrid physical and virtual event, moderated by Ms. Sheila Ojei, Nigeria Country Manager, African Management Institute, and headlined by Dr. Segun Odegbami as the keynote speaker.
Odegbami is a multifaceted person who has made his mark in various fields. He is a former professional soccer player who captained the Nigerian national team and represented Nigeria in the Olympics twice.
After a career as a soccer player, he turned to writing and became a published author, journalist, and publisher.
Since its first edition in 2018, SLS has aimed to empower participants and spark transformative dialogue. Previous editions have featured prominent speakers such as Professor Wole Soyinka, Dr Omobola Johnson, Mr Howard French and Mr Yaw Nsaruko.
Addressing the audience on this topic and how to stand out in society, Dr. Odegbami said, “We need good players who work as a team, try to think as a team, have a clear vision and strategy, and approach practice.” Rehearse in combination with the latest technological tools to make your dreams a reality. ”
He shared advice from the late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, a former governor of defunct Bendel State, on harnessing the power of teamwork for victory. “It’s important for our team to have the right coach, strategy, talent, skillset and all the elements of information technology and artificial intelligence. We have the ability to boldly go where the angels fear.” We have a young generation, and if we have a coach who believes in the team and can lead it, the team will be successful.”
He frankly said, “If you become a street sweeper, sweep the streets as neatly as Michelangelo did in his paintings. will stop and say, “This guy has achieved great things,'' just like Lionel Messi did with football and Beethoven did with music.''
Rejecting society's stereotypes, he embraced a life of resilience and continuous reinvention, inspiring everyone to push their limits and relentlessly pursue their aspirations.
“I think 71 is a floating number. I identify as 40 years old, enjoy playing tennis matches as regularly as possible, and live and think like that.
“I know people think I should reach a plateau, achieve greatness, and be satisfied. But I'm going to move forward and encourage others to dream big.” I want to encourage you to keep watching. No matter what field you are in, especially if you work in banking, I will climb any mountain. We live in a time where a new world order is imminent. The world will change and Africa will be the center of the future.”
“Nigeria is the leader of Africa and Nigerians are unique globally. I say this as a well-travelled person. , intelligent, fearless, and unaffected by other cultures.
Encouraging the audience to persevere in the face of challenges, he said: Failure is a panacea and a tonic. That's what motivates you to try harder, and this is more noticeable in sportsmanship. ”
He further illustrated his point by sharing the experience of Chioma Ajunwa, a former track and field athlete and soccer player who rose from scandalous allegations to become Nigeria's first Olympic gold medalist at the 1996 Barcelona Summer Olympics. did.
“She wasn't planning on doing the long jump at the Olympics. She was training for sprints, and lo and behold, she went to work, but all the effort she put in, all the determination, And just to see the fire she built inside herself to prove everyone wrong. She won with one jump. So far, she won in Africa in the long jump category. This is the only jump that brought her a gold medal. It is the fire of failure that drives her to achieve incredible things.”
Referring to the issue of mass immigration from Nigeria, he said: “I was offered a job in the UK by Coca-Cola many years ago and had the opportunity to leave, but I have always seen Nigeria as a land of opportunity and I will not leave them behind. I still tell my students, myself included, that what looks like chaos is an opportunity.
“Not everything goes as planned, so your small actions stand out. That's all it takes to make a difference. It's a loss to the country when talented people leave, but it creates opportunities for those who stay. Thank you.
“But if you have a clear vision of where you want this country to go, the opportunities are here now. We have some great Nigerians who are seizing these opportunities and succeeding.” Mr Odegbami said.
In conclusion, he said that the football business is a huge global business, but we haven't even scratched the surface because we haven't thought about it yet. He also said Nigerians have talented and innovative young players, urging them to take advantage of the opportunities available in the game through information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI).
As the Sterling Leadership Series continues to spark conversation and cultivate exceptional leadership, Odegbami's insights serve as a clarion call to leadership with integrity and the unwavering pursuit of excellence.
Through thought-provoking initiatives and visionary leadership, Starling Bank reaffirms its commitment to shaping a brighter future for Nigeria's corporate landscape.
Source: guardian.ng