I am obsessed with Africa. Its beauty, ugliness, diversity, history, failures & potentials. Africa & Nigeria give me the reason to keep going. When life happens & things don’t work out as is normal in life, I look around, soak in the upsides from my current situation & ‘voila’, I find the energy & will I need, to insulate myself from the existing pain. Whether it is a maturing bill I am unable to meet despite best-laid plans as others who also owe me did not come through and I have done all I can to raise the funds needed, or my colleague/partner quitting on me at my lowest moment, or someone I had thought had my back put a knife in it. The possibilities of the Africa & Nigeria of my dreams keep me going. They say to be successful, you live 10% in the past (so you learn from your decision making), 20% in the present (so you adapt and survive) & 70% in the future (so you can create the tomorrow in which you are king, where all is possible). Africa is my 70%.
My tomorrow is about the Africa of my dreams. Africa where EVERYONE is relevant. From the teachers to scientists, soccer players to engineers. That is why at Platform, we invest in all sectors & support entrepreneurs focused on leading the change of our narrative as Africans.
So having spent last week at the Vatican as a guest of his Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson on the invitation of the awesome & humble Professor Eddie Anyesu and the sustainability Visionary, Prishani Satyapal where major plans at ensuring Africa contribute its share at rejuvenation of the earth through investments in green projects starting with the Mining industry in South Africa( more on this another time); I set off to meet with the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Mr. George Pololikashvili; former President of Barcelona FC Joan Gaspart and his Son Guillermo Gaspart CEO of ByHours, one of our Portfolio companies seeking to expand to Africa and eventually Joan Laporte, current President of Barcelona FC. We had robust discussions and detailed plans on how to unlock Tourism on the continent (announcements coming at the UNWTO annual event in Marrakesh later this year). Africa has so much to offer. From the only second suspended lake in the world in Oyo state, Nigeria, to the cradle of Civilization in South Africa. We need to leverage AFCTA to remove the barriers and open up our continent. Nation-building is our collective responsibility.
On my way back home, someone asked how I am able to do all these. I said Faith and Grace. I have faith in God that He will send his private jet of Grace to pick me at my bus stop, so I start walking there. Ignoring the naysayers, dodging and avoiding stones and bumps to the best of my abilities. I stay focused on my journey. There is nothing special about me, it’s all Grace. The best way to receive is to give, so I give my all to people who in turn point and open doors for me I never knew or dreamt existed.
Keep dreaming all, the Universe listens.
