Tony Elumelu, billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist, recently took to his Facebook page to share a message of encouragement and inspiration to young people just starting out in their careers.
In a post tagged “#FlashbackFriday”, Elumelu reflected on his own journey as a young man serving his national youth service in Sokoto, Nigeria.
“Circa 1985. I recall my Youth Service days in Sokoto, a young man, fresh out of school, enjoying the drinks we could afford (lol) and unsure about the next steps. In my uncertainty, I was sure of one thing, I will stand out wherever I found myself, through hard work and resilience,” Tony Elumelu wrote in the caption of a throwback picture of himself and his friend.
Despite not meeting the qualifications for a job he wanted at All States Trust Bank, Elumelu applied anyway and convinced the bank to give him a chance.
“I put in my application and said ‘Even though I do not meet these requirements if you give me the chance, I will prove myself’. I got this job and spent every day proving myself and earning my luck in the bank,” he said.
Elumelu concluded with a message of encouragement for young people just starting out in their careers. “Do it afraid and do it unsure! To the young ones out there, especially those who just passed out of NYSC yesterday, this is my message to you. The world needs your courage.”
