“Entrepreneurs take risks and spread prosperity”. These were the words of one of Nigeria’s leading entrepreneurs, Leo Stan Eke, at the weekend. I was in the group of people who had the privilege of listening to this entrepreneur; indeed a serial entrepreneur, who addressed a gathering of a mixed audience in Lagos. It is always good to listen to those who have done what one is trying to do, or what one did sometime in the past, even if one was not quite successful in it. A second, missionary journey, even a third one, is like a second chance in life, and if anyone has to take it, he had better be more prepared than he was on the first journey. And so when people get a chance to listen to those who made it in their careers or business or trade, they do so with rapt attention. That was exactly the atmosphere when Leo Stan spoke to this group last weekend. He had no written speech. He had no notes. He spoke off the cuff but his words resonated with the audience and came with force that can only be borne out of the confidence of a man in the know of what he is saying.
Most people may not know Leo Stan by name but they know some of the enterprises he founded. He is a pioneer in the Nigerian Information Communication Technology (ICT) space in which he has founded many institutions that became giants in their own rights. Zinox Technologies, which is probably Africa’s leading integrated information communication technology company, is one of the groups that now include technology distribution, task systems, Yudala and many others.
So who is an entrepreneur and what distinctive qualities do we find in him? According to Leo Stan, “entrepreneurs are called to spread prosperity”. They are a gift to their society, because the result of their enterprise is for the entire society and not themselves alone. He tried to explain the real import of the word “called” by stating that entrepreneurs are doing a duty, which the Almighty God has called them to do. In other words, the prosperity of the entrepreneur is not meant to prosper him and his family alone. An entrepreneur is not successful on his own accord. He is on a mandate from the Creator. That mandate is to bear a burden; create something new; something for humanity. This, according to him, means that the entrepreneur must be ready to take risk the consequences of which he faces alone, but the benefit of which he must share with the rest of humanity. This presupposes some sacrifices to be made by him, and sacrifices entail pain and are resentful. The successful entrepreneur must be patient, confident in his ability and have a lot of faith in God. The fruit of the labour of the entrepreneur is for the benefit of humanity.
Leo Stan was not an invited guest speaker nor was he on a motivational speaking engagement. However, what he said extempore resonated much more than the contents of many commissioned speeches. Nigerians have become very aware of the need to innovate and invent in order to create the Blue Oceans of their own. There has been an explosion of programmes of enterprise development and skill improvement. What has not been well articulated is the system of hand-holding and mentorship. The apprenticeship system, which some Nigerians, especially the Igbos, have used to survive the many misfortunes of a citizen Nigeria has paid off considerably but now needs to be more scientifically articulated, expanded and implemented on a national scale to support the fight against unemployment and quackery, especially in the artisanry space. A successful apprenticeship system should be united with our technical education system and implemented in such a way that it support or technical manpower needs.
It was a very powerful short speech by a successful innovator to a group of equally very successful people, who were brought together by circumstances and a good cause. Driving his point home, Leostan said that the basic requirements for success are courage and a giving spirit. Indeed, one needs a giving spirit to be willing to take so much risk for rewards that are for all to share. Surely, our elders are right in saying that the best way to learn a road is to ask those who travelled it recently. Those who succeed as entrepreneurs must be courageous because the road is never smooth. There are all kinds of challenges and trials that line the road, and only those who fall and rise and dare to try again,get to the crown. Being bold is part of courage. Those who think small or, dwell in the routine calls of the day, do not break new grounds. Entrepreneurs do not just think outside the box; they make new boxes and break traditional lines of thinking to do something differently. They are always asking questions and interrogating everything around them. They have a restless spirit that rests only when new challenges are engaged.
Successful entrepreneurs also seek knowledge. In other words, they do not fly blind. They go out to get knowledge in the fields of their interest and perfect their training wherever training is required. They are thorough and do not leave anything to chances.
“Entrepreneurs interrogate every element of their calling. They seek knowledge. More importantly, entrepreneurs spread prosperity”. Giving to good causes is also part of the nature of successful entrepreneurs, according to Leostan. They set out to conquer, not only for themselves but for humanity. Those of them that belong to organizations that require them to make financial contributions, such as in the Christian tithes, pay them with religious regularity.
Some people say that the views of successful people are easily accepted without questions. They may be right. Would anyone question a neurosurgeon’s story of how he performed a successful operation to which they are living witnesses? I doubt it.However we view it, the fact is that successful 21st century Entrepreneurs add great impetus to a thriving economy and that technological knowledge is the tonic we need to sustain wealth, live healthier and longer.
Emeka Osuji
