Leading financial services group, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc., on Wednesday May 2nd, 2024 held its annual event – Youth Leadership Series 2024 at the prestigious Multipurpose Hall of the University of Lagos.
This year’s Leadership Programme is titled; “The Growth Code, Unlocking The Secret And Strategies To Personal And Professional Success” and was hosted by popular TV presenter, Olive Emodi.
The Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Demola Sogunle, who delivered the keynote address, advised all the young professionals, entrepreneurs, career driven individuals and students, majorly from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), to carefully select their friends. He said they should not surround themselves with people who do not have direction, citing that “birds of the same feather flocks together”.
Sharing a bit of his story, Sogunle, said he graduated with first class from the University of Ibadan (UI), and also finished his masters with distinction, better than his first degree. This he said while he emphasized on the need to unwind and rest. He advised the young participants to start a journey with the end in mind.
Sharing his journey in the financial institution, Sogunle, said he started with Stanbic IBTC as a consultant while he was undergoing his PhD programme, adding that he was doing five things at a time at that period. He advised the students to increase their capacities.
“Don’t stop learning”, the Chief Executive said while he revealed that he started banking at the base and he rose to the rankings.
Sogunle, advised the students that they should not go for the certificate, rather, they should go for the knowledge. He encouraged the students and young professionals who paid rapt attention to his teachings that they should try to learn from the experience of those who are ahead of them.
On Succession plans, the Chief Executive, advised the participants whom he believed will one day become leaders of organizations that they should raise those who will take over from them, stating that the people they are raising to replace them must be better than them. He warned on the dangers of handing over to somebody who you are better than to succeed you, stating that it is a big risk for an organization. He asserted that success without a successor is a failure.
On values, Sogunle said in Stanbic IBTC, there are eight values and personal values. He noted that between the bank’s eight values and his personal values, there is an alignment which is the reason things are working for Stanbic IBTC. He said Stanbic IBTC is trusted because of its values.
On integrity, the Chief Executive, stated that at Stanbic IBTC, any staff that violates the law, as little as driving against the traffic light is, would be sanctioned by the organization because they believe in integrity.
Sogunle said; “If you want to succeed you must talk about your mistakes, energize others and search for better idea everyday. You cannot make a change with rational behavior, change the way you talk, learn to trade-off and know why you are doing it. You must see everyone as a mentor, grow people around, always over-deliver, be candid and be true to yourself,” the Chief Executive said, while he quoted Jack Wilshere.
In conclusion, Sogunle, said you must watch your circle, he warned saying; “don’t move with mediocres, move with people who are bright and intelligent.”
The panel sessions was moderated by Olive Emodi who also doubled as the compere of the event. The first panel session, themed; “HACKING THE GROWTH IN THE PROFESSIONAL CAREER” had two panelists; Bisola Aiyeola, a Nollywood actress, and Oyinkansola Oni, a Youth Development Advocate.
Bisola, was joined by Oyinkansola who connected virtually from the Diaspora. Bisola, shared her MTN Project Fame experience, as she revealed that her acting started way back in Project Fame. She also disclosed some of the mistakes that she made, owing it to her sense of entitlement, a feeling that people must invest on her.
She said she knew from her early days that she was going to end up as an entertainer.
Also, the second panel session, themed; “Catalyst To Running A Successful Business In This Current Terrain” equally had two panelists; Omo Anenih, Founder of The Dew Centre, and Salem King a.k.a Story Teller. For those who don’t know, Salem, is a Freelance Content Creator with over 155k followers on Instagram.
The Head, Marketing and Communications, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc., Mrs. Bridget Oyefeso, gave the closing remark. She thanked everyone for attending this year’s Stanbic IBTC Youth Leadership Series. She specially thanked the group executives, media partners, the event planner and everyone that made the event a huge success.
She enjoined the students to keep an eye on the forthcoming scholarship programme. She said over 200 students will be given scholarship in this financial year. She also urged the students to follow Stanbic IBTC on the various social media handles.
The event came to an end with Nigerian singer, Philip Kayode Moses, popularly known as Pheelz, as he raised the roof with his hit song – Finesse and some of his other hits songs.
