We bring to you yet another inspirational article from the “I Know a Nigerian Star Writing Competition.” Read and be inspired.
Ojo Israel Oluwafemi, a graduate of Mathematics from University of Lagos, is a Nigerian Star and so, deserves to be celebrated. The so-called rich men today count the money they acquire over a period of time, but this man on a daily basis counts the number of lives he has positively affected.Ā According to him; “the richest man on earth is that one who goes about investing in peoples’ minds”.
Ā Ojo, born on 25th September, 1983, has a great passion towards investing in the minds of the populace, most especially the young ones. While studying at the university, he took teaching as a part time job, as a classroom teacher, he greatly impacted the students with his wealth of knowledge in various fields.
Ā Few years later, he became the head teacher at Great Oki Schools, Iyana-Ipaja, a post he held for over five years before establishing his own school. With his friendly look and smile, together with his good gesture, friendliness and humility, he helped immensely in attracting parents to the school, making it one of the most populous private primary schools in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.
Ā After his university education, in 2008, he wrote his first book ‘Better to have loved and lost than never’, a novel that educates youths, revealing to them theĀ importance and necessity of the often talked about but hardly known friend of the youth- Love! This educating bookĀ of his is highly sought by youths and since its release has sold thousands of copies.
Ā In that same year, Ojo Israel, the Director of Ruphem Publications Network organised a life changing event tagged ‘Ruphem Youth Summit’ which still holds every year in Lagos. This annual free-participating event, now with over a thousand participants is aimed at investing in the minds of youths.
Annually, Ojo invites successful men and women from different walks of life to motivate and inspire youths towards success attainment. This great event has hosted celebrities like Teju Babyface (Comedian), Chioma Ajunwa (First Olympic Gold Medalist in Nigeria), Holy Mallam (Comedian), Akin Ogunbiyi (GMD, Mutual Benefits Assurance PLC), Shola Allyson (Gospel Artiste), Seyilaw (Comedian), Feyikemi Niyi Olayinka (Presenter, LTV) and other great motivators whose motivational speeches have transformed the lives of youths.
Instead of marking his 30th birthday with a car or a house like many others do, Ojo preferred to mark it with his newly opened school, Ruphem Basic School. He treats his members of staff with utmost care, love, and respect. To his pupils, he is a father, and to all, he is a real friend, always there when needed, offering practical advice on just about everything, from how to develop one’s talent, to how to surmount personal tragedy with courage. He works often with his favourite quote: “a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle”.
With his musical skills, he has not only blessed lives at great events, but has also taught youths to do the same. He is a writer and teacher whose versatility as well as writing skills is immeasurable and highly admirable. He is a motivational speaker and counselor who can stir up the depressed with just a statement. With his ever friendly manner of approach, everyone who knows Ojo cannot but admire him.
According to a German psychologist, Erich Fromm; “man’s main task in life is to give birth to himself: to become what he potentially is; the most important product of his effort is his own personality”. Stars are born every minute, but only those who give birth to themselves deserve to be talked about. Ojo Israel is indeed a Nigerian Star and a good role model to all Nigerian youths who aspire to succeed. He believes that success in life is tied down to the number of lives you can transform, the number of faces on which you can put a smile, and the number of minds in which you are able to invest.
He is really a blessing to this generation and I strongly believe that with his meritorious deeds, Nigeria and the world at large will take a new shape and the youths who are confused about their purposes in life, whose hopes have been shattered and battered, will again have a reason to live.
CORPORATE ADDRESS:Ā Ruphem Publications Network,Ā 8, Olanrewaju Street, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.
PHONE:Ā 08035834025, 08052354259
Expect more exceptional and life changing articles from the āI Know a Nigerian Star Competitionā.
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This āI Know A Nigerian Starā Story was submitted byā¦
Smart Endurance Abavo, an undergraduate student Ā of English and Literature, University of Benin, Nigeria. He is a poet, a novelist and actor destined for greatness.Ā He can be contacted via:Ā smartabavo@yahoo.com,Ā 07034591402.