The Success Digest

"I was tired of complaining anytime I watched African Magic. I couldn't stand the level of average quality." In 2012, while I was in filmmaking diapers, Fiyin Gambo was carving a niché for himself. Little did he know of what awaited him in the future. This prodigious and groundbreaking filmmaker was born Fiyin Joshua Gambo in Lagos, Nigeria on the 22nd of February, in the nineties. At a time in his life, Fiyin Gambo had wanted to be an Aeronautic Engineer. He had even gone as far as being awarded a scholarship from Bristol Helicopter to study PPL- Private Piloting when he was sixteen and in his final year in high school, but his destiny was tied somewhere else entirely- the world of moving pictures. This architecturally savvy youngster was on his way to changing the face of Nollywood. In his high school days at the Murtala Muhammad Airport Secondary School, Gambo and his friends had experimented with photography, but never took it seriously. He had started ...

She has dreams, lots of big dreams and she has started living them. Her story is fascinating. Just seventeen, Esther Patrick has done what most adults are still dreaming of doing- owning their own businesses. Patrick doesn't just own a business for herself, she is building a business empire. This teenage sweetheart was born Annabella Esther Patrick on the 13th of September, 1999 in Benue state, Nigeria. Her childhood was rough. She learnt how to survive and be dependent on herself. As a little girl of 8 and 9, she had began developing and honing her talent for commerce, making money for herself, buying and reselling things that were worth some money to her. It was the late Greek ship merchant and billionaire, Aristotle Onassis that came up with the theory he called 'historic necessities' created by hard times. According to him, experience has taught him that when nature provided man with and agreeable climate and abundant food, he had little energy and lacked initi...

On the 7th of December, Christ Embassy members the world over celebrated the epitome of excellence, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. Prior to that, there was the International Day of Service where members of this global ministry took to their communities in honor of the birth of this charismatic and endearing minister of God.  Widely described as God's gift to humanity, Pastor Chris was born December 7th, 1963 (the year is unconfirmed). He got born again as a child. Ever since, he has dedicated his life to ministry.  Pastor Chris has authored numerous bestsellers like the Rhapsody of Realities daily devotion which is now available in over 800 languages and has been distributed over 300 million times this year alone. His other bestsellers include, but not limited to, Prophecy: Understanding the power that controls your future; The Power of your mind; How to make your faith work; The Seven Spirits of God; How to pray effectively, Join this chariot, The Oil and the Mantle and...

The story of a gospel rap artiste and producer  "The result of challenge is what brings success... I started from a corner in my parent's home." These few lines neatly sums up the story of, arguably, one of the best rising gospel music artistes and producers in Africa, AYbEatz.  His, has been a journey characterized by destiny and the leading of God's Holy Spirit.  Born Ayodeji Oluwatoyin Ayinde in Ogun State. The second of five children, AYbEatz's foray into gospel music wasn't by chance, neither was it as a result of talent. "I see it as a calling." It is truly a calling; a higher purpose of the divine set at work in a mortal man; a leading by the supernatural towards a noble end.  Although, in his days in secondary school, AYbEatz wanted to be a journalist. He had the passion for communicating with people, until destiny came calling.  It was in 2007, in a small, infant Christ Embassy Galilee church, that wa...

A whole lot of people set out trying to make money. Their business goal is to make money, lots and lots of money, but ever since I could remember, I always wanted to create value. Few people actually understand the power of value. Value is that substance that has the capacity to attract people, influence, power, recognition and money. Value pulls people to you. It makes people recognize and respect you; hold you in high esteem; look to you for advice, counsel, answer, leadership. Value brings about acceptance. A lot of people lament about inequality in their work place, in the society etc, but equality is a function of value. The measure of importance society would place on you depends on value. So,  you see, value is key. Be distinguished. Value would take you places, open doors and set you on a high pedestal. When you are working on that business plan,  ask yourself "what is the value of my business?" If you can answer that, you can grow.

A Thought from Strive Masiyiwa  A Reflection: What is your vision?   Twenty-five years ago, a dear friend in America heard about the travails I was going through in Zimbabwe in my efforts to get an operating license for my mobile business. He was a senior director of one of the largest companies in America. He wanted to see how he could help me.   "I have been speaking to some very influential friends of mine about you," he began to tell me when we met a few months later.   "I think you have the potential to become a remarkable businessman. So, here is my suggestion: Give up the pursuit of a mobile business and come into something like McDonald’s. I have spoken to people there, and they will give you a franchise for any African country of your choice. You are just what they need. They will train you and give you capital."   He then explained to me how this remarkable organization worked. He gave me a pile of books on them, which I read tha...

Victoria Pepple is sincere, just, impartial, assertive, objective, radical, and unassuming... Victoria Pepple's road to fame didn't  come by chance, she worked for it and she has the flair. -Cosmas Nwokafor The first time I saw Victoria Pepple on TV, I knew I was going to love meeting her in person, and I wanted to tell her success story. I got the chance. We met somewhere in Victoria Island, Lagos. She struck me as a warm, personable and easy going person, totally down to earth; no pretensions whatsoever.  She exudes great charisma and absolute warmth. You get the feeling she is very accommodating. Born Victoria Ibitoru Pepple on the 1st of December at the Island Maternity Hospital, on Lagos Island, Victoria Pepple has been there, done that and reaching out to even more. She confessed to being a talkative- a trait that would've indicated her future to discerning minds. Prior to her TV career, Pepple started out has a banker, but got bored quickly. A year in ...

"I came, I saw, I conquered" -Julius Ceaser  So, you didn't see it coming? Didn't dare to believe that a man like Trump could become the next US President. Well, I've got news for you, he is!  Donald Trump has been an enigma on the political terrain. His controversial speeches were a source of public discourse, incitement and international outrage. Nonetheless, Trump has proving naysayers wrong and gone ahead to win the election. Not even the Obama bulldoze could stop him. Here is a man, a champion, who brave the odds and won the battle. A man the political class discredited, his party disowned and deserted him, the powers-that-be campaigned against him. Yet, he came out victorious in the end. He came, saw and conquered.  Donald John Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Jamaica Estates, Queens, a neighborhood in New York City. He was the second youngest child of five children.  He is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization, which ...

1. Eagles fly Alone and at High Altitudes. They don't fly with sparrows, ravens, and other small birds. MEANING Stay away from narrow-minded people, those that bring you down. Eagle flies with Eagles. Keep good company. 2. Eagles have an Accurate Vision.They have the ability to focus on something as far as 5km away. No matter the obstacles, the eagle will not move his focus from the prey until he grabs it. MEANING Have a vision and remain focused no matter what the obstacles and you will succeed. 3. Eagles do not Eat Dead things. They Feed only on Fresh Prey. MEANING Do not rely on your past success, keep looking for new frontiers to conquer. Leave your past where it belongs, in the past. 4. Eagles Love the Storm. When clouds gather, the eagle gets excited, the eagle uses the storms wind to lift itself higher. Once it finds the wind of the storm, the eagle uses the raging storm to lift itself above the clouds. This gives the eagle an opportunity to glide and rest i...

Now the fifth largest Economy in Africa  Lagos State has emerged as the fifth largest economy in Africa, consequent upon which, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, disclosed that his administration is in the process of setting up an Economic Management Team, EMT, comprising distinguished individuals from the private sector and the public sector to manage and improve the feat. Ambode spoke on Tuesday at the Lagos House in Ikeja when he received a delegation from the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce on courtesy visit, disclosing that the emergence of Lagos as Africa’s fifth largest economy was very instructive. He promised that his government would explore synergy with private sector with the view to catapult the State into a true global city-state in the true sense of the word. Ambode said: “Very soon we would be setting up what we would refer to as an Economic Management Team to drive the fifth largest economy, because that’s the way we need to envision ourself and this Ec...

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to succeed at their business and others do not? Well here are some tips to help you in your success journey: 1- Learn how to sell yourself Everyone lives by selling something. The sooner you realize that, the better for you and your business. Everyday, we are called upon to sell something- how ideas, business plans, proposals and what have you. It is important we acquire the right set of skills to be able to articulate our ideas and vision to pull in the necessary support and investments. 2- Delayed Gratification Every business owner needs to cultivate this ability- an ability that allows you to forgo immediate rewards in exchange for a long term objective. For example, your first quarterly earning might needed as a reinvestment for your budding business. 3- Discipline A very important component is discipline, You need to be discipline enough to achieve your set targets. Stay on track, refuse to waiver and go for what you want....

I saw something pretty cool of Forbes- world's list of top earning celebrities. I find it interesting that even after death, some celebrities are still earning money. Now this list is for 2015, but no matter, it's still a pretty exciting (phenomenon?) to write about. check 'em out; 1- Michael  Jackson The King of Pop himself leads the list. According to Forbes, Jackson made about $115 million. The drivers of his fortune are mainly the  Vegas Cirque du Soleil show Michael Jackson One, the Mijac Music catalog, recorded music sales and half of the  Sony   /ATV publishing empire. 2- Elvis Presley It's like the kings have it with the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley coming up at second with $55 million even in death. 3- Charles Shulz Well, Peanuts creator, Charles Shulz comes up third with a nice $40 million. Not bad at all. 4- Bob Marley This popular Jamaican music and reggae legend ranks number four with $21 million thanks to his Marley Beve...

I left a stable office job at 22, traveled  a lot  and become an Internet entrepreneur in Budapest, Hungary, by 24. Seriously, I did. Want to know how? Here goes: When I was 22 years old, I had everything I thought I always wanted. I had a good job with a good salary at a successful company, in Budapest of all places. I had a promising career in front of me. Even with that “bright future,” I wasn’t happy. I was fresh out of college, and I was eager to make a lot of money—but I also wanted to travel, to see the world. I didn’t see the world, though. Instead, I saw the inside of an office, every morning, afternoon and early evening.  And by the end of the week I was too drained to go anywhere but home—let alone take a weekend trip. I was losing motivation, and the thought of spending the next 40 or more years working 9-to-5 inside a cubicle scared the crap out of me. There has to be more than this . So, without a very solid backup plan, I quit. The seeds of thi...

We’ve all heard the stories about the mega-successful who wake up early every day and conquer the world before most people put the coffee on. But what about the other time of day that plays an equally important role? What are successful people doing right before bed? Do you want to know the secret? They set themselves up to have an even more productive day tomorrow. Here are six bedtime habits of highly successful people. 1. Read for an hour Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates is an avid reader. Each night before bed, he spends an hour reading a book, ranging on topics from politics to current events. Aside from the obvious benefits of gaining new knowledge, reading daily has also been shown to reduce stress and improve memory. A  2009 study from the University of Essex  revealed that reading for as little as six minutes a day can reduce stress levels by up to 68%. Another big benefit from cracking open a good book on a nightly basis is that it can improve the long ...