A Nigerian social entrepreneur and outsourcing professional, Olusoji Oyawoye, has urged youth in the country to develop a positive and purposeful mindset in order to lead meaningful lives.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the commissioning of a workplace and lifestyle project called House 12 in Ilorin over the weekend, Oyawoye emphasized that despite the negativity and hopelessness portrayed by many in society, there are still abundant opportunities for youth in the country.
Oyawoye, who believes that Nigerian youth can aspire to achieve their dreams, added that they need to cultivate a positive mindset and engage with people who have the right attitudes.
“Be careful who you associate with so you are not misguided. Surround yourself with people who have the right ambitions and a positive mindset because you are a product of your environment.
“Secondly, look inward and identify your strengths and passions beyond academics. Academics are important, and some people excel in it. But I have a quote that says, ‘Who you know is more important than what you know.’ You may have excellent grades, but someone with a lower grade and the right connections may land the opportunity.
“There’s a lot of negativity in society, but focus on the positive aspects that are also there. Browse the internet for opportunities for personal growth, such as free or paid professional training. Access knowledge, take advantage of vacation trainings, or explore ideas online,” he said.
The social entrepreneur stated that three factors are essential to finding one’s purpose in life. “The first is your identity – who you are. The second is influence, which stems from our identity. Who you are determines who you will influence. The third is your income stream. So, I urge our youth to find their purpose in life, because a life without purpose is a miserable life.”
Speaking about the workspace project, Oyawoye, who is one of the five sons of the first Accountant General of Kano State, revealed that House 12 was initially a family house that was later turned into an orchard and is now transformed into a workspace and lifestyle project.
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“It’s a way of giving back to the community,” he said.
“House 12 offers shared workspaces designed for maximum productivity and collaboration, versatile meeting rooms ideal for intimate gatherings or professional workshops, and a spacious event hall capable of hosting a wide range of celebrations and corporate functions with a capacity of 150 to 200 guests.”
He also mentioned that the services are tailored to meet the needs of remote workers, tech enthusiasts, startups, creatives, students, and event hosts in the heart of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
“Our commitment to fostering creativity and innovation extends to our content creation and photoshoot spaces, designed to provide the perfect backdrop for capturing captivating visuals and engaging multimedia content.”