Chief Executive Officer of Lifecard Investment Company Nigeria and Lifecard Dubai, Pastor Grace Ofure Ibhakhomu, has recounted how a powerful lesson from Pastor Chris Oyakhilome transformed her mindset about success and opportunities during a period when she was eager to meet Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote.
Speaking on the theme “Who Will Build Africa? Raising A Production Generation,” Pastor Grace Ibhakhomu said she once had an opportunity to participate in a one-day mentorship programme involving Dangote at a time when she was already active in real estate development around the Dangote Refinery.
She explained that the opportunity generated excitement among participants because it offered them a chance to meet the billionaire businessman and take photographs with him.
According to her, however, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome delivered a message around the same period that completely changed the way she viewed such opportunities.
She recalled Pastor Chris telling participants that some people attend events involving influential personalities simply to take photographs rather than to learn or build meaningful relationships.
“Some of you here, the only reason why you go to places is to take pictures,” she recalled Pastor Chris saying.
Pastor Grace Ibhakhomu said the message made her rethink her own intentions and caused her to prioritise learning and personal development over the desire to be seen with influential people.
She noted that while many of her colleagues eventually had photographs from the event, she was among those who did not take a picture because she had chosen to attend Pastor Chris’ programme instead.
“But guess what? I said, ‘We will camera follow you.’ As I speak to you, everywhere I go now, I am the one begging, ‘Bless me. Leave me alone,’” she said.
She said the lesson became significant in her journey and contributed to a transformation that eventually saw her move from seeking opportunities around successful people to becoming a mentor to many of those who had once been ahead of her.
“Everybody in that class, I am now their mentor,” she said.
Pastor Grace Ibhakhomu also recalled that some of the people who supported her at the time later became part of her journey, including a classmate who paid for her ticket to Kenya when she could not afford it.
She said the experience taught her that true advancement does not necessarily come from being physically close to successful people but from acquiring wisdom, applying knowledge and following the right direction.
“I went to Harvard. I went to London Business School. I am adding another one. I like the CV. But the truth is, I listen to the Holy Spirit more,” she said.
She linked the experience to her broader message about the need for Africans to develop the capacity to produce rather than simply consume.
According to her, education, relationships, opportunities and exposure are valuable, but individuals must ultimately use them to create businesses, products, solutions and opportunities for others.
She therefore urged participants not to attend conferences and programmes merely to take photographs or be associated with prominent personalities but to identify lessons and opportunities that can transform their lives and businesses.
Pastor Grace Ibhakhomu said the ultimate measure of an opportunity should be what an individual is able to produce from it.
