A retired Director of the National Youth Service Corps, Mrs Adetoun Comfort Makinde has disclosed that success is not what can be transferred from one person to another.
Makinde made the disclosure during a motivational lecture she delivered to 2021 Batch ‘A’ (Stream II) corps members deployed to Ondo State and their colleagues dislodged from Lagos State.
According to the one time Director, Human Resource Management of the noble Scheme, wealth and other materials is transferable from one person or generations to another but success is what you work for.
“There are so many factors or indices that you can use to measure success. These indices include discipline, dedication, hard work and commitment. They are interwoven and interrelated, and they determine how far one can go in life”.
“If you want to go far in life, you need to create opportunities rather than looking for one. The successful entrepreneurs and captains of industries in our society like Dangote, Otedola and the owner of Innosons Motors identified opportunity and created brand for themselves”.
Mrs. Makinde who served as Coordinator in Kebbi, Ebonyi and Kwara states respectively before moving to Directorate Headquarters, said that hard work is the hallmark of a successful person.
“My dear children, you can inherit wealth or business conglomerate but how successful you are will be measured by indices mentioned earlier. It is hard and impossible for a lazy individual or person who lacks focus to get to the zenith of his/her career”.
“When I joined the Scheme as a young graduate, single and energetic, my focus is to reach the pinnacle of my career and by dint of hard work, and the mercy of God, I was able to achieve it”.
“My dear children and great leaders of this country, I want you to be consistent towards attainment of the goals you set for yourselves. You can always change your plan but I admonish you not to change your goals”.
“The roads to the top are strewn with thorns and consuming challenges but if you remain focused and refused to be overwhelmed by the dictates of the environment, and with implicit faith and trust in God, the sky would be your starting point”.
“Avoid moving with lots of friends that will kill your dreams but rather remain resolutely committed to what you believed in and ensure that nothing stands on your way to achieving it because success is not for only dreamers but those who actually brace all odds to actualise the dreams”.
Mrs. Makinde who had brief stint as the Acting Director, Ventures Management Department between 2015 and 2016 where she turned things around and made a success of the place appealed to the corps members to ensure that they make something positive out of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme of the Scheme.
“The world has moved from paid employment to skill acquisition where your certificates can be enhanced with the skills and vocations acquired will make you a force to reckon with”.
Mrs. Makinde who retires into private business challenged the corps members not to despise the little beginning.
“Start small with your meagre allowance and with perseverance and commitment, you will get there” she concluded.
The State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani had earlier thanked the retired Director for the love she has for the youths of this country which is evident in the sacrifices made to come over to the camp in retirement to motivate the corps members.
Mrs. Ani then charged the corps members to give full and undivided attention to the lecture as this may be a turning point in their lives.
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