Multiple Bold Steps

Copyright © 2018 by Abayomi Adeyeri.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2018901625

ISBN:                   Hardcover                             978-1-5434-8374-1

                            Softcover                               978-1-5434-8373-4

                            eBook                                     978-1-5434-8378-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Rev. date: 02/07/2018

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Foreword

Acknowledgment

Introduction

Chapter 1: Growing Up as a Toddler

Chapter 2: Stepping Out into the World

Chapter 3: The Four Walls of College

Chapter 4: Strategic Bold Step

Chapter 5: Career Transformation

Chapter 6: Post–Bank Capitalization Experience

Chapter 7: Heritage of Commitment

Chapter 8: Life at Management and Senior Management Level

Chapter 9: Divine Inspiration

Chapter 10: Giving Attention to Intention

Appendix A

About the Author

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my mom, Florence Bola Ala-Adeyemi (PhD).

Foreword

Examples are pathways to solving problems of life no matter how difficult they appear to be. They provide perspectives and workability frameworks through which defined conclusions regarding certain issues of life can be arrived at. Thus, to neglect examples—especially those that give clues to your desired expectations—is to sign in for frustrations, unending trials, and guesswork without any appreciable attainment.

This book, Multiple Bold Steps, is a dynamic piece of work from someone who has seen life from different angles and who, by practical ingenuity and concerted efforts, has risen to an enviable status worthy of emulation today.

The author is a person I’ve known for close to twenty-five years, since the undergraduate days. His dynamism, restlessness, and purposeful drive towards achieving great feats in life are legendary.

I therefore consider this book as not just an inspirational writing but a presentation from the heart of someone who has achieved success by approaching life from the principles as contained in the work.

By going through this book, you will discover that just anyone can succeed and in a prime time of life, by first building on a solid relationship with God and then growing in relevance through adequate knowledge that will eventually enhance capacity for wealth.

Inside it are keys that will open doors to efficiency and excellence in every aspect of life rather than waiting endlessly for help that is uncertain.

May your understanding be enlightened towards taking multiple bold steps to actualizing your desired future as you read this book.

David O. Abioye

Abuja, Nigeria

Acknowledgment

The first acknowledgment goes to Almighty God, who has kept me all the way. He is the one who gave me inspiration to write this book, and His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Without Him, I wouldn’t have been able to take any bold step in life, and this book would never have been a reality. Thank you, Jesus!

I must also acknowledge the following people who, at one time or another, directed my career path. I so much appreciate them for the drilling and encouragement that molded and made me strong and tough on the job. They are

Akinsola Akinfemiwa, Jolone Okorodudu, Patrick Akinwuntan, Tony Okpanachi, Funke Osibodu,Temitope Oshikoya, Henry Ajagbawa, Jibril Aku, Kingsley Umadia, Dele Alabi, Segun Oloketuyi, Joe Mbulu, Segun Akintemi, Premier Oiwoh, Erica Abu, and Vincent Ebube.

I must also acknowledge some of my colleagues that I drew inspiration from during the course of my career growth/transformation. They are

Titilola Olanihun-Oladejo, Olusola Babalola, Idowu Oshokoya, Yemi Olaniyi, Chris Olushola,Peter Erameh, Moshood Adelotan, Sylvester Ekpen, Joshua Ohioma,Valentine Ozigbo, Benson Oraelosi, Yinka Oyefeso, Mojisola Oguntoyinbo, Yinka Afonja, and Soga Akinterinwa.

I must also acknowledge the following friends of mine for their support and encouragement in my life. They are

Omoefe Siakpere (e-Sec), Dotun Adeagbo, Femi Aina, Wale Agbeyangi, Victor Olowogorioye, Olushola Olowokure, Kunle Agunsoye, Kunle Ajayi, Folabi Soyinka, Olanipekun Lawal, Tunde Atere, Solomon Fashina, Gbenga Samuel, Woyin Olatunde, Clement Siakpere, Joseph Duntoye, Cyprian Njoku, Frank Utomi, Duke Okpohworho, and Comfort Okon.

My acknowledgment also goes to all my relations / siblings / family friends, especially the following for their role in my life and development. They are

Aunty Elizabeth Owoeye, Tola Danso, Chief Tunji Adeleye, Mama Folabi (Mrs. Soyinka) Chief Tunde Ala, Mr. Dare Adeyeri, Mr. Bamidele Adedapo, Aunty Yinka Aladenusi, Aunty Busola Airebemen, Elder Bola Adeyeri, Mr. Jide Adeleye, Elder Chris Ekpekurede, Professor Olowokure (Baba Olowokure), and Professor Awoniyi.

I must not fail to acknowledge the following people who have stood by me spiritually and physically. They are

my mother-in-law, Mama Olayinka Osabiya; my adopted mother, Mama Ann Aziegbe; my spiritual mother and Mama (we call her Mama’s Mama), Rev. Grace Ekperigin; Pastor Emmanuel Ademola, Pastor Korede Komaiya, Pastor Dele Bamgboye, and Pastor Chuka Agwuegbo.

The following people fast-tracked my career path because of their contribution to my bottom line while in the bank. When every other person lost hope in my bank, they stood by me and supported me. They are

Mr. Mike Balami, Mr. Olaniyi Salami, Dr. (Mrs.) Cecelia Obianwu, Ms. Maria Emmanuel-Ate, Mr. Bola Ologunleko, Mrs. Gladys Ziregbe, Mr. Jide Ipinsagba, and Deacon Chris Iyovwaye.

My recognition also goes to two individuals I have never met physically, but I see them every day because their pictures are conspicuously displayed in my office. They are the founders of Guaranty Trust Bank and Channels Television, namely, Fola Adeola and John Momoh respectively. I keep drawing inspiration from them, as you will read in this book.

I also thank Mr. Toyin Ajayi, the proprietor and founder of Preston International School, Akure, Ondo State. Preston, without doubt, is a school to reckon with in Nigeria today; and this happens to be the alma mater of our children. He is a source of encouragement to me and our business today.

I want to appreciate the following individuals for their support in ensuring I succeeded during my last assignment as Regional Head, Public Sector, South South/South East, Ecobank. Hajia Maryam Abubarka and Hon. Rueben Izueze.

Their support came at a time I needed same for maximum productivity. Thank you so much.

My appreciation also goes to the following people for their love and kindness towards me:

Chief Taiye Olawoye, Dr. Gani Enahoro, Aunty Mansurah Hebeebu, Demola Akinbola, Pastor Dolapo Kwakpovwe, Dr. Sultan Habeebu, Mr. Biodun Asiwaju, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, and Mr. Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN).

I want to also appreciate all my siblings (Tolu, Soji, Sade, Seyi, Funke, and Jimi) for their love and care—especially my elder sister, Mrs. Folasade Saliu. She has stood firmly as a pillar for everyone, and she has further fostered love among all of us.

To my spiritual fathers, I say a big thank-you for allowing God to use them for my inspiration and growth, both spiritually and financially. They are

Bishop David Oyedepo, Bishop David Abioye (who wrote the foreword of this book), Pastor Abraham Ojeme, Pastor Theophilus Makanjuola, Pastor Isaac Folaji, and Pastor Yinka Folorunsho.

Finally, my appreciation goes to my lovely wife, Ibironke Adeyeri (Ronkus), the one who has made this journey so smooth and encouraging. I thank her so much. And I also thank our two sons—namely Folaranmi and Ayomikun—for their support, love, and care. You are a bundle of joy.

Thank you, Jesus!

Introduction

Multiple Bold Steps is a book written out of inspiration. It is a summary of my life from toddler to adulthood. There were challenges, but the challenges were used as a ladder to success. Success is a function of your definition. The roof of one could be the foundation of another, and vice versa. The bottom line is contentment. No one is born a failure. If you fail, it is simply your choice. This book will encourage—especially our youths in Nigeria who easily give up as a result of unemployment. It will also encourage everyone within the life-earning cycle to begin to think like an entrepreneur if they are not thinking like one already. You don’t have to wait to be an employee, but rather, engage