Gbenga Sesan Junior Achievement of Nigeria | Tech & EDM Career Seminar. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. February HOW TO FIND YOUR GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY Giving Hope to the Demoralised Youth

State of the Nation Nigerias image is not presently at its best. From infrastructure to education, politics to social life … absence or vices are more common than access and virtues Many have concluded that theres no hope, hence the continued migration – human capital flight The present state of our education leaves a lot of questions unanswered: Where are our specialists? What happened to the laboratories and libraries? Where are the hostels and meal tickets my uncle told me about? Why is my lecture note comparable to my dads 1977 notes? But this same nation has – and is producing – global giants in numerous fields of endeavour

Hes African-American Despite the odds, some young people have gone ahead to identify opportunities. During the civil war, while some gave up all hope, a young Biafran was busy preparing for the future. When he wanted the password, he was black. Today, hes African-American The list of Nigerians who have made a mark – and keep doing the same - is endless What come to your mind when you hear names like Phillip Emeagwali, Wole Soyinka, Emeka Anyaoku, Pat Utomi, Bunmi Oni, Christopher Kolade, Gamaliel Onosode, etc, etc Is it possible to flourish in this place that some have called a desert?

Hes always very lucky! The distance between you and your dream is just as thick and wide as just one opportunity Every admired world-citizen today has had a golden opportunity. From Wole Soyinkas 1986 award to Gamaliel Onosodes prowess in the boardroom, opportunities clearly raise the bar Golden opportunities dont jump on people. They must be recognised, and must be prepared for… While others see it as one of those adverts, you see an opportunity that youve always been waiting for When you have an idea of your lifes direction, and walk towards it, it will be easier to connect with – or find - opportunities

Where are you headed? The whole world will stand aside for a man who knows where hes going It is your responsibility to identify your own career path, and it does not have to be defined by JAMBs 1978 brochure. Its the New Economy and multidisciplinary is the key word Locate your passion. What can do you for free? What are the things around you that you wish to correct? Keep walking, even if you walk slowly. If you cant fly, run. If you cant run, walk. If you cant walk, crawl. If you cant crawl, shake your body. If you cant do all these, call for help… Dont join the rat race out there! Build your life…

Seen the Golden Eggs? Information and Communication Technologies provide dynamic platforms of opportunity for todays youth – the web generation Explore the web, search for all you care to know. The worlds knowledge bank also needs your contribution. Get a webpage, start a weblog, join mailing/discussion lists, attempt online courses, get opportunities on the web Your passport into the future will be built on an understanding of emerging technologies. Stop wasting time online, get stuff Two are better than one. Locate like minds, and team up to walk in the same direction and arrive at your destination with some help

Stop Press! Dont pack your bag after your last paper, except youve completed the final course – SMP Plan your next three years, or at least have an idea of the direction youll be moving in… Never underestimate yourself based on your past – or immediate past – performance In the next few weeks, pens will be tossed in the air and songs will flood the halls. Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, here I come… but in the next few years, only YOU can tell where you will be – where you want to be! There are people, opportunities and challenges in Great Ife and Nigeria that can take you there. If you aim at nothing, you will get it!

Gbenga Sesan Junior Achievement of Nigeria | Tech & EDM Career Seminar. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. February HOW TO FIND YOUR GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY Giving Hope to the Demoralised Youth THANK YOU