Dr Adeyemo receiving souvenirs from JCI members
The Chief Executive Officer, Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Dr. Babatunde Adeyemo, has urged Nigerian youths to follow the footsteps of Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola in order to achieve success in their various legitimate endeavours.
Dr Adeyemo, a real estate mogul, stated this while addressing a gathering of young Nigerians under the aegis of Junior Chamber International (JCI) on Sunday at Continental suites, Abeokuta.
He said Nigeria needs hope and people who can help change the narrative and make the country a better place for the citizens and residents, adding that with self confidence, goodwill, patience and perseverance, greatness awaits any youth who makes honesty, consistency and integrity his pillars in the way he pursue his life dreams.
Great Achiever Magazine reports that Aliko Dangote is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa, which, according to Bloomberg is worth an estimated US$18.7billion.
This therefore placed Dangote as the richest man in Africa and the 78th richest person in the world.
In the same vein, Femi Otedola, a great philanthropist and foremost businessman is the founder of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, among other chain of businesses that span shipping, real estate and finance.
Dangote and Otedola nurtured their brands from cradle to prominence and success through years of perseverance, integrity, doggedness and faith in the country’s greatness.
Adeyemo, while citing himself as an example to encourage the younger generation to persevere, be patient and honest, said it is still feasible for one to succeed in Nigeria without stealing, cutting corners or engaging in dubious activities, noting that there are wealthy Nigerians today willing and ready to support worthy ventures if only they could find people of honour, integrity and honesty to handle or manage them.
He recalled that he started Pelican Valley estate with barely N2.5m and nurtured it to the vibrant brand it has become today, within about 10 years after take off.
Dr Adeyemo described JCI as a platform for nurturing leadership ideology and skills for youths, saying that it gladdens the heart to know that despite the impression being created by the world and the media that the best of the youths had left the country for greener pastures abroad, there are still young Nigerians with faith in the capability of the country to be great as exemplified by JCI members.
He thanked JCI for bestowing on him, the body’s 2023 Award of ‘Personality of the Month,’ pledging to partner with JCI on any worthy cause in future.
Adeyemo said, “it is very unfortunate that average Nigerian youth is not patient. They talk about revolution, revolution. I’m not against revolution. In fact, I’m a revolutionist and I believe so much in revolution but revolution is meant to be systematic because if you had a drastic revolution and there is change in regime suddenly, which youth is going to take up the mantle of power or leadership? Is it the Yahoo Yahoo youths we have now? Is it the Japa youths? Is it the brain drain apostles? Is it the impatient youths who want to ride G – Wagon immediately? Is it the drug addicts generation? Average Nigerian youth wants to experiment with drugs and gets hooked?
“Let’s renew our faith in Nigeria. You can be the good person you want to be and achieve what you want to achieve. If I can do it with Pelican Valley without stealing, any young Nigerian can do same if you have the patience and perseverance. Nigeria is full of wealth and resources. Look at Dangote, look at Femi Otedola. They attained great success by perseverance and believing in Nigeria,” Adeyemo said.
