Triple G Conference, a maiden event created by Sola Oyebade (Mr. Mahogany) to celebrate International Men’s Day, aimed to empower and inspire young men aged 20 to 35 through a combination of panel discussions and networking opportunities.
With a goal to create a platform that fosters personal growth, professional resilience, and brotherhood in a positive, empowering way, the conference spurred conversation that highlighted the struggles of men and how they could address them.
According to Sola Oyebade, the event was long overdue, noting that “when we look around, we see that there’s a lot of events and a lot of support systems for women out there but there’s nothing for men.”
He emphasized that men, particularly young men, seem to be getting lost, with no clear support system or mentors to turn to. As he put it, “Who’s their support system? Who can they talk to? Who are their mentors? Who can they look up to?”
Oyebade highlighted the pressure society puts on men to be strong and not show emotions, saying, “You must be a man. You must be strong. You must make the money. You must pay the bills.”
He noted that this pressure can lead to mental health issues, which are often stigmatized and hidden. “Mental health issues, it’s much higher than people think. We try and hide it. We don’t know who to talk to,” he said.
The conference provided a platform for men to open up and share their struggles, with Oyebade encouraging them to “be vulnerable and open up and say, these are the issues I’m facing. How do I deal with it? I feel I’m alone.”
He also emphasized the importance of mentorship, noting that “each of us has different lessons that we can impart on people. We all have different stories.
Oyebade noted that the speakers were chosen for their ability to impart valuable life lessons, saying, “We’ve got a cross variety of speakers from entertainment, to business, to tech, to fitness… People that are known, very well known, as well as people that nobody knows at all, but they’ve achieved things in their life.”
Speaking on the topic, ‘Boss Moves, Soft Life’, Deyemi Okanlawon – Creative Entrepreneur and renowned actor shared some of his struggles when he started his acting career and how he sailed through. He also shared some useful tips on building a savings culture.
“I try to save and keep my money where I know I can’t touch it for a certain period of time. My desire has always been to build a comfortable life not just for myself but for everyone around me.
“I have been acting for 12 years and I have never had a management. Recently, for the first time, I hired a manager. That person is bringing in structure I know my business needs. I am not going to put myself into trouble because I want to look like a big man. I’m not going to hire people I don’t need,” Okanlawon said.
He advised participants at the conference not to put themselves under pressure trying to.make.it big.
“I have failed so many times and in so many levels. Failure for me is an indication of growth. Focus on the goal,” he added.
Ayo Akinola, Co-Founder, PiggyTech Global Limited advised participants that whatever they do, they should build a good savings culture and only engage in projects they can fund.
“Whatever you do, save and grow your business. You have to be true to yourself. Can your business scale without choking you? If you are looking to go into business, do what people can pay for.
“A lot of times, the reasons businesses fail is lack of funding. Sometimes runway help you just test things. Don’t grow beyond your scale. There are talents around you that are also on your level. It is important to grow as you start to scale. What got me into systems is that I had a mentor,” Akinola disclosed.
The event featured a diverse range of speakers, including industry experts and mentors, including Jason Poshe, Founder and Creative Director of Jason Poshe; Ugo Monye, Creative Director, Ugo Monye Clothing; Ibukun Tunde Oni- Physician and Serial Healthtech
Entrepreneur; Samuel Ayowole- Fitness Coach, Deyemi Okanlawon – Creative Entrepreneur and Ayo Akinola, Co-Founder, PiggyTech Global Limited.
Ultimately, the Triple G Conference aimed to change the narrative around men’s mental health and wellness, providing a safe space for men to share their struggles and receive support. As Oyebade put it, “How can you change that narrative? You know, and that’s what we’re here to do.”
