A former Chairman of Ecobank, Chief John Odeyemi, has called on youths to embrace integrity and education as essential pillars for future success.
Odeyemi made the call on Sunday at the latest edition of the ‘God in My Life’ series organised by the Torchbearers Society of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, GRA, Lagos.
It was reports that the ‘God in My Life’ series features accomplished Nigerians, telling the stories of their lives and how God helped them to attain great heights.
The series has featured many prominent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Speaking on Sunday, the ex-Ecobank chairman highlighted the impact of integrity and sound education on his life’s journey, urging Nigerians, particularly the youth, to embrace the two.
“Today’s young generation must focus on integrity and educational advancement to build a better future. I am grateful to God Almighty and the Anglican Church for their role in developing human resources that fuel the progress of our industries and economy,” Odeyemi said.
Reflecting on his personal journey, he recounted how faith and education shaped his life, stating that”My success was made possible by the support of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s scholarship, which allowed me to pursue my studies and teach in secondary schools.
Those formative years, along with the friendships I forged, were crucial to my career development.”
He contrasted past and present times, emphasising the need for the current generation to rebuild the community spirit of earlier years.
“In the past, we focused on mutual growth rather than mischief. Today, we face economic challenges, but we can overcome them by returning to our foundational values.”
Speaking at the event, retired Archbishop of Kwara State, Olusegun Adeyemi, praised Odeyemi for fostering integrity and educational excellence in the country.
“Chief has really done well, and he is a very hard-working man, and God has been helping him with it. Come rain or sunshine, I will never leave God. Heaven help those who help themselves. It might be a bit difficult to give credit to God, but the truth is, God did it all,” he added.
In his remarks, a lawyer, Festus Ogbu, appreciated Odeyemi for his good work, stating, “We are grateful for all you have done for the Touchbearers Society. You have been a good leader and we are grateful to have you.”
