If you engage in Digital Businesses as a Cover for Fraud, Your sins will find you Out - Kehinde Odeyemi

As Digital Trends get disruptive by the day, there is every chance at it that onventional work modes will exit the human space soon. We walked the talk with Kehinde Odeyemi, CEO of The Echo Digital. This is what he has to say on the importance of Digital Marketing and how to read the trending signs of our age.

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest: I am Emmanuel Kehinde Odeyemi, I have a B.Sc in Electronics & Electrical Engineering (Communications). I am a professional Digital Marketer and the founder of The Echo Digital, T.E.D, an online marketing firm, founded in August 2017. Also, I'm a humanitarian at The Echo Care Foundation Africa, founded by me in June 2018


NNI: How has the  entrepreneurship/business journey been for you so far?

GUEST: My entrepreneur journey hasn't been smooth and neither has it been rough all through. There have been big wins, small wins, big losses and small losses. But importantly, lessons have been learnt.


NNI: Like Summy Smart Francis, Bill Gates, Strive Masiyiwa and other world's business models, what and who drives your entrepreneurship/business spirit?

GUEST: My entrepreneurial spirit is actually based on the fact that I have passion to help people. Through T.E.D, we have been able to solve over 650 marketing problems within 32 months and hired people so they can earn. At the moment, our staff count is about 30.

Also, a desire to be independent and creating a better life for myself and my unborn kids is a motivation. I am commited to making lives better.

NNI: In hosting innovative brand programmes like the TED Trade Fairs, Live in Concert and the TEDInvasion, what is your experience?
GUEST:  I own all the stocks at T.E.D,. This means if it goes sour, I lose the most and if goes so well I enjoy the most. One of the major characteristics of an entrepreneur is the ability to take risks, risk is something that I have learnt to calculate. The purpose of these events are: brand awareness, education and empowerment. However, the major challenge about hosting these events is having willing hands that can make it a success. Willing hands will always generate revenues.

NNI: What do you do at the TED Academy?
Guest: The T.E.D Academy is a Division of the T.E.D Organisation in charge of training people in digital skills such as SEO, Affiliate Marketing, Page Management & Development, Sponsored Ads, e.t.c. All done virtually! The participants are issued a certificate afterwards.

NNI: How did you come about digital Skills? 

Guest: Most of my digital skills are self taught.

NNI: What do you think of many youths who claim to engage in digital businesses as a cover for fraud?
GUEST: Their sins will find them out if they don't stop that nonsense

NNI: On the price rates and excessive use of internet browsing data  (positively or negatively) for SMEs and Companies, how does it affect your productivity?
GUEST: I use tonnes of data, that I can honestly account for. In the past 4 months, I have used over 200GB. To a certain extent, data in Nigeria isn't cheap if you compare it to other world countries but at the rate of data being sold, people in Nigeria can still make a life from it by going digital. You just have to understand that if you spend much on data usage, it better be fetching you money in return.

Read: Biography of Summy Smart Francis

NNI: As a company, Can impact truly be measured? Considering your CSRs, what defines social impact for you at the Echo Digital?

GUEST: Of course impact can be measured. Most people into business are not entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are business people but not all business people are entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship has to do with innovative solution to problems and trying to make lives better irrespective of their field. It is about risk taking, especially at the initial or incubation stage of your start-up. If you can't even afford to take a little risk for your brand, you can't use that word. Entrepreneurs think about people, business people think about themselves!

When it comes to CSR, we are making impact. For instance, The T.E.D Invasion Conference allows you to pick a ticket for a token and you get trained for free in digital marketing. The whole value embedded in the ticket is almost 18,000 naira and participants are asked to pay only 3,000 naira or 1,500 for it.

T.E.D also supports foundations, most importantly, TECF Africa and we have been able to hire many undergraduates to help them build work experience with us and get paid. So yes, results can be measured as we have been able to solve over 650 marketing problems with over 82% success rate.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth? Do you think we are making progress?
GUEST: As a matter of fact, the major targets for our online courses are undergraduate youths and one of the major benefits of the T.E.D Invasion is skill and knowledge empowerment for undergraduates. If young minds can harness the power of the digital age, they would live more fulfilled in various businesses. And yes, we are making progress. We are doing that fast too!

NNI: What exceptional skill do you think every entrepreneur and business owner should have? Why?
GUEST: Simple page management & development skill that helps you to effectively portray your brand properly on social media and it also helps you to grow your audience a step at a time. Quality is better, but in business, quantity should never, I repeat never be over-looked. Some people will automatically not patronise you because of your low followers count. This means so much too.

Also, Content Creation skill (SEO Writing & Branding is important too) and Email Marketing.

NNI: You also lead volunteers at The Echo Care Foundation. What is your Volunteer Experience?
GUEST: At TECF Africa, it's been awesome. A lot of people are volunteers but not VOLUNTEERS, if you know what I mean. Throughout my undergraduate days, I served people without expecting anything in return and today God is making people return the favour. Even before getting into the University, I've been involved in volunteering.

The only thing I have to say is that to volunteer isn't compulsory, nobody will beat you if you don't. But if you do out of your own volition, let your integrity show in your response to your responsibility. Integrity and Faithfulness is key in volunteering.

NNI:  Do you think funding levels for NGOs have reduced? Why?
GUEST: No it hasn't according to my knowledge, there are hundreds of organisations funding  and willing to fund NGOs as long as they can see a track record of successes and impact. Get registered, be transparent too!

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?
GUEST: Develop yourself at any opportunity. There is no time. What you don't pay 1,000 naira for today, you won't pay 1,000,000 naira for tomorrow even if you have it because having money won't chase out stinginess to oneself. Also if you don't pay a 1,000 naira today, you will be forced to pay 1,000,000 tomorrow.

Make your personal growth a priority. Having phones and gadgets are not important as what we can do with them. If you can't earn a living from them, you shouldn't invest so much in them in the first instance.

Grow and develop your mind and skills!

NNI: What new heights are you scaling at TED and TECF? What should we expect in the near future?

GUEST: The goal is to have T.E.D Invasion quarterly every year, every April in Obafemi Awolowo University though and across states or Universities at the beginning of every other quarter in the year.

We will be going public where 60 young individuals can own stocks or shares at T.E.D under our Academy, Events and Marketing Companies. They talk about investments and many young people still don't get it because they don't know how and why. Investment is the future.

We are going into awards by the end of the year where those that have done exceptionally well as individuals or organisations can be recognised. It won't be a regular event, these events started incubating in 2018. More details later.


NNI: Thank you very much for your time sir.

GUEST: Thank you very much for the honour.

Impact is giving Hope to Someone who cannot Repay You - Oyeleye Kehinde Emmanuel

 

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest:  Oyeleye Kehinde Emmanuel hails from Ikun-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government of Ondo state. I hold a bachelor's degree in Local government and Development Studies from the Obafemi Awolowo University, and I'm presently running my masters degree program in Public Administration though working as an administrative officer at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Ondo state. I am a Global Goodwill Ambassador (GGA), Peace Ambassador for YCAPF, Child Protection Ambassador at My Body is My Body and just recently I was named a Global Youth Ambassador at TheirWorld.

 

NNI: How has the social entrepreneurship journey been for you so far?

Guest: (Smiles) Hm.. My social entrepreneurship journey has been quite tasking for me such that it has helped to develop me better. I must say that the sacrifice committed to birthing result isn't a small thing.. But many thanks to God who had afforded us Grace for the journey

 

 

 

 

NNI: What does managing an NGO entail? Are there any special skills you have to learn?

Guest: Managing an NGO is like managing a corporate business outlet which requires skilled workers but in this case, Volunteers. However, soft skills are of utmost importance... Time management skills, problem solving skills, Emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills. Let me say that in this business, Passion, commitment and resilience is what makes a successful NGO.

 

 

NNI: In pulling up innovative programmes and schemes, what is your experience?

Guest: Innovative programs are at the mercy of the Volunteers and leaders we have as a family. The creativity and innovation isn't a one man thing. We relate as a family where everyone's voice is recognized and respected. Gaining mastery of how to relate with your team will by default ease the innovative process. For me the experience has been amazing.

Read: Everything You Should Know about Female Genital Mutilation

 

NNI: What do you do at the Acalypha Initiative?

Guest: Acalypha Initiative is a non governmental organization that seeks to bring hope to children living in low income communities through our tripartite programs, ranging from Educational Sponsorship, Advocacy and Sensitization, and Charity Project.

 

NNI: What do you think about NGOs and Awards & Recognition? 

Guest: I have not been so desperate for Recognition and fame. However, what I see in this day and time is competition between and among NGOs and not collaboration. Many are so conscious of awards and Recognition such that they loose the very essence of why they started out. Many well meaning NGOs are doing well but have deviated from impact to ways of getting recognized. That is why many do not leave behind a legacy.

NNI: Can impact truly be measured? What defines impact for you at the Acalypha Initiative?

Guest: Impact can be measured depending on the parameters individuals use to measure it. For us at Acalypha Initiative, impact for us is when can minister hope to a child who can never repay us back. Our Impact isn't defined by number but by that one life who for his or her cause such project was organized.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth? Do you think we are making progress?

Guest: Global Youth development is actually progressive in this day and time with access to the internet, opportunities, training, conferences, fellowships etc.

NNI: While NGOs revolve round people, recent World Health Issues have affected NGO operations. What role do you think NGOs can play as regards Global Health Problems like the Coronavirus?

Guest: NGOs at this time should work alongside the WHO to rase awareness and focus on ways to harness the use of technology for their advantage. Possibly, NGOs can distribute sanitizers and nose masks to affected citizens. Online summits, trainings etc are needful at this time.

NNI: Managing an organisation requires funding. Do you think funding levels for NGOs have reduced? Why? 

Guest: Yes running an NGO requires funding however, if we all have to wait for funding no one would change the world. I must say that the government is not even helping in funding at all safe for embassies, banks and private firms who through pitching competitions have to select those that become beneficiaries of the grant.

One who runs an NGO must then leverage on other currencies that can create such result. For me money is one of many currencies one can use in running an NGO.. (smiles)

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: In this day and time my advice is that we all take precautions necessary with respect to the Covid 19 that has ravaged the globe. Also, individuals must be intentional about growth and self development through learning and relearning

NNI: What new heights are you scaling at the Acalypha Initiative? Any bigger plans?

Guest: There is no foundation without a plan, it's either it's realistic or not. 

We have got plans on ground before the Corona outbreak. However, we are looking at how we can leverage on this perilous time to still create change and impact the world. I must confess that we would be limited in our results if the situation stands as it is for the next couple of months. But in God we trust. All will be well. All we do isn't for fame but on an account of that we are sent by God, we are to retreat at this time to strategize and come back strong.

Thank you very much for your time sir.

   

We Are Only Familiar with What We Know' - Yemisi Ajeojo

Yemisi, 23, is passionate about community development, business growth and guiding young people to recognize and maximize the resources within and around them for growth, impact and fulfillment. Join Opeyemi Tifase on this interview with Yemisi, telling how Social Media is the new CV.

NNI: Can we meet You?

Guest: My name is Yemisi Ajeojo,  author of “Social Media is your new CV” a book where I shared how I have  gotten amazing opportunities from social media and how anyone can position themselves online for amazing opportunities. From what to share, how to connect with the right people to how to use Linkedin, the book covers it all. I am also the co-founder of Triift Africa, a social enterprise that provides easier access to low interest loans, business support and advisory. 

In addition, I am the co-founder of Cirkle Labs a digital social enterprise Leveraging on community and collaboration to influence education, enterprise and employment at the grass root level with digital tools. I have worked in private and public sectors in both Nigeria and the UK in roles that cut across innovation, community development, project management, economic development, governance, strategic leadership and business development. At the heart of it, I am  passionate about making social impact- influencing people and systems, community development, business growth and ecosystems.

 

NNI: Kindly tell us about your book, ''Social Media is Your New CV''

Guest: I will always remember moving back to Nigeria in 2017 filled with a lot of uncertainties because almost everyone that heard that I was coming back had made sure to remind me of the unemployment statistics in Nigeria.

So, imagine my surprise when I got over 5 job offers in less than 2 weeks from people that I had met on social media. In addition to job offers, I have gone on to receive an invitation to speak at Tedx, speak at other amazing events and even sponsorship for some of the community projects  I have done from people I only met on social media. I wrote this book to share what I did right with other young people.

Majority of young people are on social media, and these platforms provide access to a  lot of opportunities and that is why I wrote this book.

Yemisi Ajeojo

I shared not just my story, but the story of other amazing people I know who have gotten job opportunities and even scholarships just by connecting with the right people  the right way and sharing the right content online. In my book, I have shared how anyone  can achieve this too.

From how to set up a profile that stands out, to how to network correctly on social media and even how to use and get results from LinkedIn.

NNI: How can you leverage on opportunities that digital media provides?

Guest: When you continue to develop skills, and acquire knowledge that adds value to the community, as well as clearly communicate this value on digital platforms and intentionally engage with the right people you will find it really easy to leverage on opportunities that digital media provides. 

NNI: What views do you hold as regards social media strategy?

Guest: A social media strategy whether as one created for an individual or business goes a long way to create an intentionality with being online and having a voice.

Read: OAU Final Year Student sentenced to Jail for Cybercrime

NNI: It is really strange how the older generation believe social media cannot earn one a living. What are your comments about this?

Guest: I don’t think it is strange, to a large extent we are only familiar with what we know. The job market is changing, 10 years ago or even 5 years ago a lot of the jobs that exist now with digital tools did not exist then. So, imagine growing up thinking that the only key jobs that provide financial security is to be a doctor, accountant, engineer or lawyer. But now you have a daughter or son who just sits all day with a laptop and earns money by working for  companies in countries  he/she has never been to. I can only imagine how hard it is to come to terms with.

NNI: What was your first experience as a TEDx Speaker?

Guest: I had the opportunity to speak at the first Tedx that took place in Bowen University in 2018. There are different ways to be a Tedx speaker, but the first thing is to have a message you want to share and be sure that you can share it as articulately as possible within a short period of time, maximum 12 minutes. This is very easy to achieve with practice. You can put yourself forward to speak at a Tedx event or just make sure that everyone around you knows the things you are passionate about and you would like to share this knowledge at Tedx event. That way, people are able to recommend you for opportunities when they arise.

NNI: What would you say is the biggest lesson failure ever taught you?

Guest: Failure has taught me to never define myself by a happening at one point of my life. That it didn’t go well today doesn’t mean I do not have a life to leave tomorrow.

NNI: What motivates you?

Guest: I am really result driven and passionate about making social impact. 

The poverty rate in Nigeria is very alarming . Each time I watch the news, it is like a big weight has been put on my shoulders  and I am staring at a ticking time bomb that will affect me and generations to come if I do not put my own effort towards addressing it. 

Thank you very much for the audience. Your story is quite inspiring.

If You Can't Build an Online Business, Build Your Business Online - Clement Oyinlola - Head of Operations, Terabyte

If you do not believe the popular saying that running a business without doing advertisement is like winking at a girl in the dark (you know what you are doing but the lady does not), Clement Oyinlola in this interview will convince you. Read his interview with NNI below.

NNI: Can we meet you sir?

Guest: My name is Clement Oyinlola, born on the 18th of February, 1995. I'm a graduate of OAU from the department of Economics after spending my first three years in Electronics and Electrical Engineering, lol. I'm an entrepreneur and a business owner, currently working as the Head of Operations of The Tera Brand (Africa's number one and fastest growing advertisment, marketing and consulting firm). I'm a firm believer and currently serving as the Point Man Delegate of David City Tabernacle (DCT Church), Ile-Ife.

NNI: How has the digital entrepreneurship journey been for you so far?

Guest: Well, it has been a bumpy ride, full of lessons and lots of down-moments. I started business fully in 2015 and failed in my first 2-3 years. I started another business late 2017 and failed just about 12 months after. Then in July 2019, I started the business that's thriving today, The Tera Brand. Of course, I'm prepared for more failures, but I am certain I won't quit until I hit my goals, no matter how long it might take.

NNI: To you, what is the relevance of digital marketing and how can individuals leverage them for growth?

Guest: The world has evolved. Everything can now be done on the internet. My usual saying is if you can't build an online business, build your business online. Either ways, make sure you are leveraging the digital space. Business has never been this easier with the tons of available courses and training videos available online, much more, you can automate your entire business process down to payment and sales tracking. Not to now talk of the deep blue sea called digital marketing where you can access limitless amount of potential customers. The relevance cannot just be overemphasized. Individuals who really wanna gain presence and visibility have no choice but to use the digital space. WhatsApp is part of digital marketing, so if you're posting on WhatsApp status, you're part of the game.

NNI: What digital media lessons have you learnt from establishing a PR Firm like Terabyte?

Guest: When you are true to your values, people will respect you and seek you out. There are lot of copycats and fake people everywhere. Everyone is going about the fake it till you make it. I'm against this phrase, why fake what you don't have? Don't give the impression of who you are not. Be true to your word. I've learnt this practically from clients who request for metrics especially from WhatsApp views. And I always tell myself that if I promise 100k views and I deliver 70k views, I'm not true to my word. I recently underestimated our current reach with The Terabytes to 70k views across 15 campuses but in the real sense, we have about 100k reach. I won't tell customers 100k reach because of whipsaws. So, I'd rather underpromise and overdeliver. When I do this, customers are wowed and they become repeat loyal customers. I'm not out there to impress anyone. I'm out there to deliver value!!!

Clement Oyinlola

NNI: How does startup branding affect the future of digital revolution?

Guest: Your branding is the personality of your business. And your personality is what makes you different from the next person living next door. You are permitted to overlook branding when you're just starting, but you're not permitted to keep overlooking your branding. Apple is where they are because of their branding. They have given themselves that class and others are trying to be like them. Same with Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Coca-Cola, Nike, Disney and many others including Tera (winks). We guys (you know, I'm now sitting in the class of Apple), we guys are revolutionaries. We don't follow the conventional branding strategies, we are enforcing a new strategy that you already know subconsciously. It's called emotional branding. Lemme stop there!

NNI:  What do you think of data rates? How do they affect your businesses online? 

Guest: There's nothing we can do about that. Just factor it in as part of your operational cost. It's like when you're trying to have an office and you're saying you don't need a generator, remember, this is Nigeria!

NNI: What is your experience so far in the Forex Industry?

Guest: Hmm... I started my Forex journey in early 2017 and it has been full of ups and downs. But in the last one year, it has been consistent ups as a result of the many lessons I've not just learnt but adopted. I'm a learner, in every single thing you can think about. I just wanna keep learning and much more teach as well. I started my personal brand (ClementOyinlola.com) and it's my way to teach individuals on the different ways of earning from the Forex Market and also on marketing, branding and sales. It's still at the starting phase, it's all still rough, but in a matter of 30-60 days, you'll start seeing it everywhere. So, for all Forex traders or aspiring Forex traders, relax, there's legit money in the Forex market, the question is, *are you ready and patient enough* to master how to pick the coins from the mouth of the crocodile?

NNI: Many have results to prove that digital skills do not yield actual conversions. Is there anything they are doing wrong leading to these results?

Guest: Permit me to smile here...lol... Everyone is looking for the magic beans for instant result. Truth is you can manipulate the results you get from the digital space. Remember anything digital can be hacked. Also, some people don't have the concrete understanding of how digital conversion works. For example, you ran an ad on Facebook and Facebook metrics showed you that your ad reached 5,647 people. Those 5000+ people that saw your ad are Facebook's leads. If out of them, only 60 messaged you or clicked your link, those 60 people are Facebook's conversion. At that level, Facebook has done her job and has converted 60 people to you. Now, those 60 people are now your own lead which is your sole responsibility to convert them. If you are able to convert 10, good and if you are able to convert none, it's all on you. Facebook already done her job. So, when you're working as a digital marketer, you need to understand how different leads and conversions actually work. I was forced to come up with a disclaimer for our clients last month that we are an advertisement company, we do not promise that you will make sale, we only promise that we'll show your ad to as many people as possible who are your potential customers. Those who reach out to you (which I'm certain people will), it is your responsibility to convert them to sales.

NNI: Is advertising always a worthy investment?

Guest: There's this popular saying that running a business without doing advertisement is like winking at a girl in the dark, you know what you are doing but the lady does not. So also is advertisement. As long as you're not doing your business just for yourself, you need to reach out to people outside your circle. I'm not the social in quote kind of person, but I realised that I can't be running a social media business and not be social, so I learnt it. I currently have over 800 students in our organization across 15 campuses in Nigeria and 4 African countries (which will be launching soon). That's not even the goal, that's just our introduction into the market...lol... So, back to the question, advertisement, if done well and right, is a worthy investment. And about doing it well and right, we have the best and smartest brains on our team for that. We don't just want you to run your ad because we want your money, we want your advert to be effective and get you leads.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth as regards the digital world? 

Guest: Like I already mentioned, the Digital world has made all those easier. You can attend a summit via teleconferencing and so, there's a positive correlation between global youth development and digital world. Just yesterday, I dropped an idea with my team that we would be working on soon across the entire African continent, it's called THE AFRICAN FACE, we are yet to have the full structure but it's sure going to be a creative strategy for all African youths to connect with each other using the most basic platform.

NNI: What's your believe as regards interconnected growth? Is it absolutely possible for a brand to develop in isolation and without partnerships? 

Guest: For the past 11 months, our partners have been our customers and potential clients. We are currently at the stage where we are raising funds for growth through external investors. Our company registration is currently ongoing and so once it's done, we'll be partnering with external investors for our brand growth and development. Apart from business, there's no self-made person, success is not really a lone wolf journey as we have been made to believe. You only need to find the right set of people to be your best set of people. I am partnering with over 800 Nigerian students to deliver value through Tera and I'm also on the lookout for investors to partner with for our growth and development. There's need to connect and partner for growth. You just need to find the right set of people to connect and partner with. Even at that, you'll still meet some Judas (permit me to use that name). I know of people who started with us in some schools and felt like they could also do same. They left the team and started their own brand. It's quite painful but it's expected. The sky is wide enough for anyone and everyone to soar. I'm a keen believer in loyalty and trust and it gives me joy that my managers are loyal and trustworthy. In short, I have the best team and partners.

NNI: Demand is making price for digital skill courses increase. This is fast becoming a problem and turning back potential students. From experience, how can this be solved?  

Guest: We stick to the basics. Simple. I was discussing with a friend, you might know her, she's Toluwakemi, the WhatsApp Queen. She was talking about how a particular investment program fee is high and I was like, very soon, yours will be high too, that it's only a matter of time. Same discussion ensued with the co-founder of Tera, and he was also telling me that very soon, we'll become expensive. Inasmuch as I love expensive cause it gives you a class of your own, we should not forget that there's something they call volume and depth. When you're expensive alone, you have depth, that's Apple. But Microsoft leveraged both volume and depth. They are expensive, yet affordable for the masses. You can combine both volume and depth. Segment your packages but make sure each package is valuable enough and allow you to afford the next package. Lemme explain... Assuming I have a community and monthly subscription is $29, I can also have a package for $9 for those who can't afford the $29 such that if you by my $9 package, I'll be able to equip you enough so that you can afford my $29 package. That's value. Not just about me making money, but about making your life better. So, there's a way trainers or tutors can adopt this strategy and it will also build trust in your students and you can easily keep them forever. I mentioned something like this briefly in the last part of my eBook, The Forex Scam (which you can pre-order for $19 against the regular price of $49). So, the more the demand, the more valuable the product is, and the more you can leverage on volume while also building depth.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: My fellow young individuals, let's prove to the world that we are not lazy. Let's prove to the world that not all Nigerian youths are scammers or fraudsters. Let's prove to the world that we can achieve our dreams legit. That we can put our hands to work and get the results we are proud of. That we are not ready to fail and that we are ready to keep pushing and digging till we find the diamond. That we are ready to wait and endure the growth process and be proud of the person we are becoming. That we are ready to fight our Goliath, walk on water and rise again from the dead.

NNI: What new heights do you hope to scale in the near future?

Guest:  I will be launching the V100 project soon. It stands for The Vision 100. The goal is to establish my presence and brand presence (The Tera Brand) in 54 African Countries, 100 Campuses each with nothing less than 200 Active Ambassadors in each campus. The project should last for the next 5 years, so watch out for 2025! There are many other heights I hope to scale, like be featured in Forbes 30 under 30 (well, who doesn't). This has been a goal for me many years back even before I knew what kind of business to do. Also, this may sound funny, but I wish to be appointed as the CBN governor before I clock 40 and before I'm 50, I wish to be on the board of directors for the World Bank.

NNI: Thank you very much for your time sir.

Guest: Thank you for taking your time to follow me! I'm open to new and valuable friends.

   

Influence is not a Function of the Position You Occupy- Daniel Olubunmi

Daniel Olubunmi, a Physiotherapist and Youth Leadership Model shares his views on youths, leadership and the future. Join us as we Walk The Talk with him in this Interview.

NNI: Can we meet you? (Personal, Education, Career wise and everything else you want us to know)

Guest: I'm Daniel Olubunmi, a graduate of Physiotherapy from the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I'm the first child of 3 children and hail from Modakeke, Ife East Area Local Government, Osun State. I finished my both primary and secondary education at the Royal Nursery & Primary School and Royal Comprehensive High School, Modakeke, Osun State, respectively. I'm a believer, a Multi-Instrumentalist, a student leader on  Campus, a Corporate Compere and a Public Speaker with major focus on Youth inclusion in politics and leadership, Social media and Entrepreneurship. This is what I basically do, in conquering my locality.

NNI: What defines social development and impactful leadership for you?

Guest: Social development is basically anything that moves the society forward, anything that contributes to the society. My definition of impactful leadership is leadership where one makes impacts, influence lives positively, makes disciples and have people go on to do very amazing things.

NNI: Is leadership a mix of different skills? What exactly makes up complete leadership?

Guest: Yes, leadership is a mix of different skills. There are a lot of skills that come together to make a good leader, and so along the way, we just constantly learn different things, we keep on adding different things to it. For example, empathy, you know, being able to empathize with people, and listen, you have to be able to learn how to listen. Leaders listen. Another example is reading - leaders read. You have to develop yourself. Leaders put others first. Leaders are firm, you have to learn how to be affirmative and not mean, at the same time. Leaders are good decision makers. So there are so many skills that come together to make a good leader. So it's just something we keep on layering on because it's not one thing that makes a leader, a couple of things come together to make good leader.

NNI: It is usually said that a leader must be a follower. How realistic is this?

Guest: When we talk about, a leader being a follower, the first thing I think in this context is, leadership is about the "followers", about  the people that follow you. As a leader, you must make these people your priority, you must listen to their needs. In that way, you follow them. You must make them the centre. That way, you're following the people that you lead. But in another context, when you talk about leaders being followers, it also means, as a leader, you have to have someone that's leading you as well, someone you're mentored by or someone you're constantly learning from. That way, you're a follower. Sometimes, you learn how to be a good leader, by learning how to follow.

NNI: How have you managed leadership and influence?

Guest: Leadership is essentially influence, and influence is not a function of the position you occupy, but a function of the leadership and sound counsel you proffer. Leadership is who you are before what you do.

So leadership is really the ability to influence other people. In this sense, it is to influence other people to do positive things. The most important part of leadership is influence, because if you're not influencing anybody, nobody is going to follow you. If you do not influence anybody, you're not making any impact. These two, cannot be separated.

NNI: By global trends, there is a call for youths to take leadership. How best can a youth position himself to be worthy of leadership?

Guest: A young person can position himself to be a leader by deciding to be a valuable person. The first thing is working on yourself. The first step is YOU. I work on myself, I want to be a "young leader" and position myself as a person of value, so I'm giving value to people in my community. It's just as if I'm giving value to the people that are on my WhatsApp contact list. So basically, developing yourself, and in too little ways that you can contribute. People think leadership is always about being in the front, maybe leadership is as simple as, Ohhh, some people are having a conference, and I want to volunteer to be an Usher, that is leadership. That is positioning yourself in the community to be worthy of leadership.

NNI: What is the measure of good leadership? Do you think social impact  can be measured?

Guest: It can be measured. There are some things you can't exactly measure, but impact will always be seen, like that's the thing, impact will always show, it'll be obvious. You can't have impacts, and it's invisible. So the metric for measuring it may differ, but impact is a measurable stuff, it's something you can see, something tangible. Not like, ohh this is the road I built, sometimes, it is the influence in people lives.

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Influence is not a Function of the Position You Occupy - Daniel Olubunmi @danolubunmi We walked the talk with popular student leader on his views on youth, leadership and influence. Read interview on www.nelocnews.com.ng #nelocmedia #nelocnews #interview

A post shared by NELOC Media (@nelocmedia) on Jul 31, 2020 at 9:57pm PDT

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth? Do you think we are making progress?

Guest: Yes, we're making a lot of progress on Global youth development and growth. A lot of young people are becoming more aware, and I think awareness is the first step, and that is growth, especially in Nigeria, across Africa and across the world. So I think that's good, even out of the progress, young people are speaking out, young people are taking actions, young people are leading.

NNI: From your recent social media activities, it shows how well you have fused your personal brand into your love for promising leadership. How did you achieve this?

Guest: Well, there's a need to educate the people coming behind us, it's key. A lot of young people wants to be a leader, but they don't know how to achieve this, they basically don't know where to start from, and some are afraid of the unknown, while others are over-ambitious. So I've been able to gather enough contents on student leadership from my experiences as a student leader, and also pointers from friends in their different fields, tailoring it to meet the needs and curiosities of the younger ones. This is why I have embarked on a campaign for sustainable leadership via my social media platforms, to educate this current generation, and make Nigeria a better place to live.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: To fellow young individuals, leadership is a process, one step at a time, you have all the time to develop yourself and add value to yourself, this way, you'll stay relevant. Most importantly, build your character and strive to have a strong conviction. Money, position or office could influence and establish relationships, but it's not enough to sustain it. Only a ripe character can.

Ask for help, if there need be, and extend help to the next person, with whatever you have in your capacity, volunteer for an event, meet new people and make friends, it'll help build a network of people, of like minds, around you. Finally, be deliberate, be conscious and be intentional about leadership.

 

NNI: What should we expect from you in the near future? Any intentions to go into full time politics? Any big plans?

Guest: Full-time politics? (Laughs) I cannot categorically say yet. This is just the starting point. Definitely, there are plans, but then, man plans, God decides! The difference will tell in matter of few years to come. Basically, the major goal is to be fruitful and multiply, into building the Nigeria of our dreams, and subsequently, making impacts throughout the Continent of Africa.

Thank you very much for your time sir.