Founder of 10X Africa, Wisdom Ezekiel, alongside other prominent business leaders, has called on Nigerian youth to leverage technological innovations to navigate economic challenges and unlock new opportunities. The call was made during the 2024 10X Africa Conference, where Ezekiel emphasized the importance of resilience, strategic thinking, and continuous self-improvement to overcome obstacles in today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape.
### **Viewing Challenges as Opportunities**
Ezekiel encouraged participants to shift their perspective on challenges, urging them to see difficult times as potential stepping stones to success. “Redefine hard times. Every hard time comes with great opportunities. Look on the good side rather than complain or give in,” he advised. He further encouraged attendees to reassess their strategies regularly and eliminate unproductive practices in favor of innovative approaches that would ensure long-term relevance.
“If all the money you have is what you worked for, you may work for a very long time. You must grow to the point where you make money while you’re sleeping,” he added, highlighting the importance of skill development and financial independence.
### **Launching the 10X Africa Masterclass**
As part of his commitment to empowering the youth, Ezekiel unveiled the 10X Africa Masterclass, a six-session online program set to begin in January 2025. This initiative, featuring seven expert facilitators, will focus on strategies for overcoming adversity and achieving scalable success in the upcoming year.
### **Keynote Speakers Share Insights on Entrepreneurship**
Dr. Samson Olatunde, the first keynote speaker, shared his journey of turning passion into a profitable business. He stressed the importance of understanding the business side of passion and building sustainable systems. “Passion is good. But without a system, it can become useless,” he cautioned, adding that once a business starts benefiting people, it will naturally grow through valuable insights.
Dotun Oloyede, the second keynote speaker, urged participants to think big, even if starting small. He emphasized the value of courage, commitment, mentorship, and the strategic use of technology in driving innovation. “Every great achievement we admire today started small. It is the things you’re committed to doing that will translate to success, not the things you’re merely interested in,” Oloyede explained.
Akinola Adetola, the third keynote speaker, addressed the issue of perceived limitations tied to background or gender. He advocated for self-leadership and the importance of service as keys to personal growth. “Success has no gender. The battle is in the mind, and you must pay the price to win it,” he asserted.
### **A Collaborative Vision for Youth Empowerment**
Other speakers, including Tope Mark-Odigie, Femi Adisa, and Omoruyi Edoigiawerie, provided additional insights on how technology and entrepreneurial skills can be leveraged to thrive in an ever-changing world.
The 2024 10X Africa Conference concluded on an inspiring note, equipping attendees with the tools and strategies to embrace challenges as opportunities for transformation and growth. Through innovation, mentorship, and strategic thinking, the youth were empowered to reshape their futures and drive impactful change.
