26/06/2024
*The Importance of Following Your Own Path* By Bolaji Jegede
Be cautious when allowing the counsel of others to determine your life decisions. Not everyone is qualified to advise you. Age does not necessarily equate to wisdom.
Critically evaluate the people giving you advice. My sincere advice is to avoid taking advice from those who haven't experienced what you're going through. Often, such advice is inaccurate or outright wrong, sometimes given innocently, other times arrogantly.
Had I followed the advice of some close friends and family, my life would have been ordinary. From a young age, I dreamed of being a great entrepreneur and global leader. My parents, siblings, and friends advised me to secure a good job and live a comfortable life (This was not a bad proposition. They meant well), but something inside me disagreed. I knew my soul wanted more. I felt destined to carry the weight of many people's futures, even a nation's.
I relentlessly pursued my entrepreneurial ambitions. At the University of Lagos, I ran five businesses on campus: two printing and photocopy centers, a programming institute, a Forex trading outfit, a dealership for mosquito repellant, and an audio-book distributorship. I graduated with first-class honors in Chemical Engineering and was named Entrepreneur of the Year. Campus entrepreneurship was fun and free of major issues.
I earned a scholarship to Cambridge University for a Master's in Advanced Chemical Engineering. However, my entrepreneurial spirit led me to start my first limited liability company, Pabio Stone Ventures, in 2010 and an oil service company in Ghana, Pabio Stone Energy Services, in 2011. The real world, however, was much tougher. Within a year and four months, I lost all my money in Ghana. I returned to Nigeria broke and faced backlash from family and friends.
I took a low-paying job in the oil and gas industry in 2012, learning the ropes and performing multiple roles. After two years, I realized my earlier entrepreneurial efforts in Ghana were destined to fail due to my lack of industry experience. While my classmates earned significantly more (1.2 million Naira/month at the time) in international companies, I earned just 180,000 Naira/month. Some friends distanced themselves, and I second-guessed my decisions.
By 2014, I felt restless again. I resigned and restarted Pabio Stone Ventures. Facing numerous challenges, including being defrauded of most of my savings, I struggled with depression but held onto my faith in Jesus Christ. Despite setbacks, I continued to pursue different business ventures, convinced of my great destiny.
Today, in 2024, I am the CEO of Pabio Stone Group and Eternity Stone Group. Over 20 multinational companies have partnered with us for the Nigerian and African markets. I consult for the government and hold meetings with CEOs of global companies. My foundation, Pabio Stone Foundation, has touched thousands of lives in Nigeria.
At 40 years old, I can confidently say the world is ours for the taking. There are more heights to climb. I owe my achievements to my wife, who stood by me through difficult times, and above all, to Jesus Christ, who has guided and blessed me. My journey proves that everyone can think a particular path can lead to chaos but the destiny of a person who follows God will be fulfilled.
Thank you, Jesus.
Best regards,
Bolaji Jegede
CEO, Eternity Stone Group
CEO, Pabio Stone Group
Founder, Pabio Stone Foundation
[email protected]
[email protected]
https://eternitystonegroup.com/
