Today is December 30, 2023, and there is approximately 48 hours left in the year. It’s time for me to reflect on the year as it draws to a close. While I understand that the excitement often associated with transitioning from one year to another is largely psychological, and that January 1, 2024, holds no more inherent significance than December 4, 2023, I still find value in looking back and retrospecting on the year that’s nearing its end on the Gregorian calendar.

Sincerely, it’s been an incredible year of growth, achievement, and significant milestones, notwithstanding its array of challenges—financial, career-related, and in life in general. Nonetheless, I am grateful to the One in whose hands my soul rests, as this year has marked several crucial milestones in my career and life.

It was the year I completed a decade as a university lecturer in the academic realm—a journey defined by dedication, passion, and continual learning. Commemorating this milestone fills me with gratitude for the myriad of minds intertwined with mine on this journey. Reflecting, I find immense fulfillment in the career path I’ve carved as an academic, shaping lives and nurturing talents. I see a niche I’ve crafted for myself, and I’m thankful for choosing to express my expertise through teaching, research, and community service.

Beyond the lecture halls, 2023 unfolded new chapters. A six-month expedition outside academia with Opolo Global Innovation, fostering innovation and digital skills across diverse landscapes. It was an enriching period bridging academia and industry, nurturing creativity, and cultivating groundbreaking ideas. This journey validated some of my previously held views on entrepreneurship and empowerment for future generations. It was also a phase of continual learning, re-learning, and unlearning. Whether at the Osogbo campus of Osun State University, the picturesque campus of OAU Ife, the windy, hilly roads of Otan Ayegbaju, or the agrarian community of Ifetedo, I contributed to managing stakeholders, fostering innovation, and facilitating conversations that deepened the digital economy.

The year also marked the completion of a deliberate five-year career roadmap—a strategic voyage navigated with purpose and online visibility, crafting a digital footprint echoing aspirations and endeavors. A journey that commenced in 2018 and concluded in 2023. At its inception, it seemed an insurmountable task. Reflecting on the end of this personal 5-year calendar, I am nothing but grateful to my Creator, whose silent guidance steered me toward good and shielded me from harm. I’ve checked all the boxes in the 5-year targets, moving now onto another 5-year journey.

In 2023, a collaborative highlight emerged in initiating the inaugural LinkedIn Local programme in Osogbo—a platform fostering connections, conversations, and community growth, close to my heart. Around 2019 or thereabouts, recognizing the benefits of maintaining a presence on LinkedIn, I felt the need to bring this conversation to my locality. However, I couldn’t materialize that dream until I embraced the youthful energy and vibrancy of Lukman Adeoti, who eventually brought us LinkedIn Local Osogbo 2023. I’m proud of what he and his team are doing to pave the way for a community-driven beneficial digital economy. I promise more support in 2024.

Personal and academic triumph intertwined in 2023 with the culmination of my Ph.D. journey—a result of years of dedication, research, and unwavering perseverance. The final graduation, a testament to resilience and scholarly pursuit, occurred in November 2023.

Yet, the year didn’t conclude without an additional benefit—leading a team to secure the NASFAT grant at Fountain University. It was a collective victory—a testament to collaborative efforts, shared visions, and the power of teamwork.

As I reflect on 2023, it’s a year replete with diverse experiences, each thread contributing to the vibrant fabric of growth, impact, and meaningful connections. Here’s to embracing the lessons learned, cherishing the victories, and eagerly anticipating the untold narratives of the coming chapters. Cheers to the year that was, and to the unwritten stories waiting to unfold in the years ahead.

I express gratitude to the team of supporters who ensured the year was fruitful for me. Special thanks to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, for His mercies, grace, and protection. I also extend gratitude to my friend and business partner, Mutiu Iyanda, for being the driving force behind the 2018 calendar. I’m pleased to see how we’ve collectively progressed in our individual and collective lives.

To my mentors—Prof Ayo Ojebode, Dr. Emmanuel Mogaji, Dr. Olusegun Fariudeen Liadi, Prof. Nnamdi Madichie, Prof. Nduibisi Ekekwe, Prof. Saheed Aderinto, Dr. Segun Aina, and others, young and old, whose guidance continues to illuminate my path, I say a big thank you. To the Fountain University community, starting from my Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olayinka Ramota Karim, the Registrar, Mr. Sheriff Adenekan, my HOD, Dr. Azeez Olusegun Sanni, Ridwa Kolawole, Akeem Azeez, Dr. Adegbenga Raheem Akintunde, and others, may the Good Lord preserve our lives beyond 2024. Finally, to all the individuals I worked with at Opolo Global—Femi Kalejaiye, Deji Ajani, Femi Ajayi, Dr. Shukurat Bello, Michael Oyalana, Michael Ewuola, Kehinde Ogunmiloro, Ogunsakin, and others, I extend a heartfelt thank you. I look forward to witnessing all of you chasing your dreams in 2024.

#ReflectingOn2023 #Milestones #JourneyContinues

I always look forward to Salah and the Christmas/ New Year holidays because, amongst other things, those are periods when affluent folks use to show off their affluence. The affluent northerners use the Salah period to show off their exotic cars and houses while the affluent Easterners use the Christmas and New Year holidays to show off their exotic mansions erected in their villages in the East. 

Videos and pictures of palatial mansions in villages in the East have been trending on social media since the holidays. The Easterners are jumping on the trend of “operation show your village” to share videos and pictures of the beautiful edifices erected in their homes and communities and I for one am proud and impressed by how beautiful some Eastern villages are. 

Seeing some of these state-of-the-art mansions erected in the eastern villages, one will be forced to take stock of the economic benefits or economic value of such pocket-draining ventures, this has also generated the argument that building such money-gulping houses in the villages is a waste of resources as it will be of no economic value to their owners compared to houses built in the city.

Personally, I strongly believe that the Igbos erecting those pocket-draining edifices in their villages are not building them with the mindset of investment or for economic or financial gain. They built them for social, emotional and sentimental satisfaction. These are assets of sentimental, emotional and social value; and to their owners, all these intangible values are enough for them. 

My father always tells me whenever we have the chance to talk that it is the investment or an asset I bring down to my village or to my ancestry home that is the safest. My father, undoubtedly is talking from the lessons the Igbos are forced to learn from the civil war where many easterners lost their businesses, and their properties in different parts of the country and were forced to flee back home to safety leaving everything behind and had to start from the scratch after the war. Some prophets of doom still believe that with the way Nigeria is moving another civil war could be brewing and many Igbos will be forced to leave their investments, properties and assets in their cities of residence and flee back home for safety as it happened in the 1950s through the early 60s but may God forbid. 

My father’s advice supports the popular Igbo proverb that says; “Aku ru ulo”, which when loosely translated means; “bring your wealth home where it will be safe and much appreciated”. 

Be it as it may, for the sake of argument, let me play to the gallery and share just two economic benefits these palatial mansions may bring contrary to what some haters may think

Firstly, an eastern community or village with such beautiful mansions will easily attract investors and tourists; this will therefore generate revenue for the community. Moreover, an eastern community with such beautiful edifices will facilitate development in those villages and will no doubt attract the attention of the state government to come and further develop the community.

Therefore, as an Igbo businessman or career person doing well in your field of endeavor, if your people are yet to benefit from your wealth then you have not started as it is said that charity begins at home. Take your wealth home where it will be safest and much appreciated; Aku ru ulo!!!