Founder of 10X Africa, Wisdom Ezekiel, alongside other business leaders, has urged Nigerian youth to harness technological innovations to navigate economic challenges effectively.
Speaking at the 2024 10X Africa Conference, Ezekiel explained the significance of resilience, strategic thinking, and continuous personal development in overcoming obstacles. He encouraged participants to view challenges as opportunities, saying, “Redefine hard times. Every hard time comes with great opportunities. Look on the good side rather than complain or give in.”
Ezekiel in a statement on Tuesday advised attendees to periodically reassess their strategies, eliminate unproductive efforts, and adopt innovative approaches to remain relevant. “When you learn new skills, you open up new opportunities for yourself. Learn something new and advance your life. If all the money you have is what you worked for, you may work for a very long time.
You must grow to the point where you make money while you’re sleeping,” he added.
To further empower participants, Ezekiel spoke about the 10X Africa Masterclass, a six-session online program starting in January 2025.
This initiative, featuring seven facilitators, will focus on strategies for overcoming adversity and achieving scalable success in the coming year.
The first keynote speaker, Dr Samson Olatunde, shared his experience of transforming passion into a profitable venture.
He stressed the need to understand the business aspect of one’s passion and build systems that ensure sustainability beyond individual efforts.
“Passion is good. But without a system, it can become useless. Once you start doing something that benefits people, they’ll guide you on how to grow and diversify. You’ll leverage their insights.”
The second keynote speaker, Dotun Oloyede, urged participants to think big, even when starting small.
He pointed out the importance of courage, commitment, mentorship, and embracing technology to drive innovation. “Every great achievement we admire today started small. It is the things you’re committed to doing that will translate to success, not the things you’re merely interested in,” Oloyede stated.
He further stressed the value of mentorship, saying, “There are some levels you will never reach without mentorship. Have the right attitude, a heart of service, and a humble approach.”
Akinola Adetola, the third keynote speaker, echoed these sentiments, breaking down perceived limitations tied to background or gender.
Adetola asserted, advocating for self-leadership and service as keys to growth. “Success has no gender. The battle is in the mind, and you must pay the price to win it,” he added.
Other notable speakers, including Tope Mark-Odigie, Femi Adisa, and Omoruyi Edoigiawerie, provided additional insights on leveraging technology and entrepreneurial skills to thrive in an ever-changing world.
The 2024 10X Africa Conference concluded as a beacon of inspiration, equipping attendees with tools and strategies to embrace challenges as opportunities for transformation and growth.