Let's talk about Fela Durotoye

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I am a member of "The Let's Talk About Series" community. I'll be sharing notes from one of the sessions we had this year. The session was on Fela Durotoye.
This session and a major part of the notes you'll read below, was contributed by Tobi Afolabi (TA Speaks), the pioneer of the Let's Talk About Series.

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Let's talk about Fela Durotoye

– Why he started his initiative (find out the name and focus)
– Passion and interest
– His leadership style and attitude
– His legacies and values that he holds dear which you will like to imbibe
– Major take away from the discussion of the personality

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Who is Fela Durotoye?

Fela Durotoye is the Chief Executive Officer of the GEMSTONE Group, a leadership development institution with a distinct mandate to raise a Generation of leaders that are Empowered, Motivated and Stirred To Operate with Natural Excellence (GEMSTONE).

Fela has a Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc) in Computer Science with Economics, as well as a Masters degree in Business Administration (M.B.A) and a Master of Philosophy Degree (M.Phil) in Strategic Management, all from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife.

Fela is an Alumnus of the Kennedy School of Government of the prestigious Harvard University in the United States as well as an alumnus of The Leadership Institute in Arlington, Virginia.

Most recently, Fela Durotoye was recognized by the Universal Peace Federation and the Youth Federation for World Peace as a UNITED NATIONS YOUNG AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE. He has won several national and international awards for his leadership development and nation building activities.

Fela started his career as a Project Finance Analyst in Ventures & Trusts Limited (V&T) in 1992. In 1998, he brought his experience to Phillips Consulting Limited (PCL) where he excelled to head the Customer Service Group. In 2001, Fela Durotoye established V.I.P CONSULTING Limited. In 2007, V.I.P Consulting went through a corporate transformation from a purely management consulting firm into a social enterprise called VISIBLE IMPACT LIMITED. Fela Durotoye is widely acclaimed as Nigeria’s most sought-after transformational speaker.

Why did he start his initiative(s)?

Fela Durotoye is one of the few Nigerians who have decided to invest and develop his own country rather than abroad. He has a vision that by 2025, Nigeria should be the most desirable nation to live in.

He is fondly called Mr. Nigeria, and he has a very endearing character. Maybe because of his great love for our fatherland or public speaking prowess, or demeanour; but one thing is certain, he is a great personality.

Mr. Nigeria has a number of laudable and high impact initiatives as we have seen from his profile which includes: Eden, Visible Impact, Gemstone, Speaker's Corner, The Future Leader Program, Yes!, True Nigerian Project, and the latest kid on the block – The Fela Durotoye Leadership Network.

Focusing on the GEMSTONE Project, established in 2012 –

The Gemstone Nation Builders Foundation’s aim is to inspire, empower, motivate, and uplift leaders from every level in the society. The youths most importantly, through this initiative, are encouraged to get involved in the process of Nigeria transformation into the world’s most suitable nation to live in by 2025. The Foundation creates a platform for encouraging and empowering Nigerians to have and chase their dreams.

In his words, "my life's passion is to build people into super achievers, organizations into global player and nations into desirable societies".

Apart from the well known Gemstone leadership program, Fela Durotoye is starting up CAP (Campus Ambassador Programme), a program to mentor and coach 100 selected youths on campus in three different states Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Fela Durotoye Passion and Interests –

* Passion for the growth and development of his country.

* Passion to groom and develop young minds.

Important lesson to take from here:

Our interests and passion will certainly inspire all that we do and how productive we become. So, ask yourself, what are your interests and what are you passionate about? How can I make a difference or what can I do to inspire progress in the areas I am passionate about?

Fela Durotoye's interest can be simply defined as – nation building. Any activity that gets him involved reengineering the mindset and values of individuals, he is passionate about. He does this through Leadership development.

Why Leadership?

Leadership is not all about having a position (although, it is an element of leadership). It is about identifying problems and doing everything and anything to ensure it is soved, not leaving it the same way you met it. Fela Durotoye understands this principle of leadership. Why? Anyone who must be an active contributor to our national growth and development must first start by being able to lead himself. When faced with challenges, do you wallow in self pity or spend hours complaining, instead of actually look for ways to overcome such challenges? When you can successfully lead yourself on a purposeful path and know who you truly are, it will certainly reflect in the lives of your association and you certainly can go on to identify problems within the society and be confident you can solve.

A lot of people are lost today. Many do not even know the essence of their lives; while an overwhelming majority just live each day as it comes, trusting that tomorrow will take care of itself. Unfourtunately, this group are at the helm of authority in our nation.

Fela's core interest in leadership development is the key to our socioeconomic revolution in Nigeria. To expatiate a little more on my perception on his core interest – Fela, by his words and actions, understands who he is and what he has been designed to do. This I believe makes it possible to have his own vision 2025 for Nigeria and is working arduously towards it, even without an elective office.

This journey certainly is not a 15 years journey. That's why we have to discover ourselves early enough as young people that we are. Let our nation and our people be blessed because we crossed her part.

Leadership style and attitude that one should love and learn from?

* His Winner's mindset and approach to life.

* His liberality.
He gives you opportunities to lead, take key decision on behalf of the team, which I find interesting and worthy of emulation.

Values that are worthy of emulation from Fela Durotoye?

• Excellence
• Humility
• Compassion
• Focus

These value are very key to his growth and are worth imbibing.

Another value is his patriotism.

(Tobi Afolabi speaking) A very important value he demonstrates is his humility. I remembered that at a gathering in UNILAG, I asked to take a picture with him and the way he embraced me like his own and posed for the picture like even his life depended on it made me feel so special! I learnt that day that no matter how far I may rise, I should endeavour to treat everyone with as much respect as I can.

Something also very significant about Fela Durotoye is his unreserved support for his wife, Tara (CEO, House of Tara). It is amazing when we see men who are not scared of their wife's success. Always ready to help, support and mentor their wives. It is a great value that is worth 110% emulation. It is very rare in this our clime, but seeing men do it gives me joy. I believe we shouldn't be scared of our wife's accomplishments or successes. It, for me even elevates the man's status and ego (Tobi Afolabi speaking)

Fela's industry and persistence is worth emulating. One doesn't just arrive at that level suddenly. Hardwork and persistence is very key to sustainable growth.

And this is the end of the session. Hope you learnt a lot from this and you're inspired?

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The Let's Talk About Series is a personal and career development discussion platform that discuss diverse topics to help boost people's productivity and build personal confidence. They are passionate about self discovery, and believe the strife for personal development helps in adding value to one's life; creating opportunities and setting priorities for the areas that make them most effective.

You can check out the community on Facebook.

Fela Durotoye

Welcome to the Blog. I love Positivity. I love sharing Positivity. I encourage You to always be Positive. Positivity pays. It's what we all need to achieve both personal and cooperate Success and Fulfillment. Develop a Positive Mindset. Build Positive Relationships. Have an open mind to Learn and Improve. Always seek to grow and be the best available Version of Yourself. Always Believe that You CAN!

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  1. Daniel Adulphus19 December 2017 at 08:59

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