Mr Aladedahunsi Moyinoluwa Anthony, a graduate of ODUDUWA UNIVERSITY is a reputable, confident and talented young man. He is gradually rising in his entrepreneurial skills. In an interview with ngr campus, he talks about is campus days.
What course did you study?
I graduated from the prestigious Oduduwa University in 2015, where I Studied Political Science, in Social Science Department
Why did you go for that course?
Actually, it was not my intention to study Political Science, I picked Mass communication as first choice and chose Political Science as Second Choice but I was offered Political Science which I gladly accepted.
What was your best course in school?
Didn’t really a have best course while in school, but the course I found much interest in was Political Evolution. I think the main reason why I found interest in the course was because of the quest for knowledge.
What was your worst course?
CSC101 and CSC102 which were borrowed courses, I’m so poor in mathematics so I found it difficult to comprehend.
Who was your best lecturer?
I didn’t have a favorite lecturer , all my lecturers were wonderful, to mention but few Prof. Bamisaye, Dr. Nofiu, Dr. Lasabi, also Dr Alex, Prof. Nwoke, Dr. Uche, Mr. Emeka and Dr. Alimi…
Were you in love when you were in school?
I was in love but not in a relationship. I believe to love is a must, but relationship is by choice.
How was the school authorities able to stem the tide of cultism in your school?
The school authority used some measures like rustication, suspension etc.. We hardly had social activities while I was in school. I could remember vividly while in 400 level, an incident happened and the school had to cancel social activities till further notice. In my own opinion I believe the authorities tried their best.
Were you involved in any sport while you were in school?
The sport I enjoy most and I’m very good at is Basketball, but I was also into football while I was in school, I was the goal keeper for my department for 3years and I also played in school team in both sports. I’m more of a basketball player than a goal keeper, I was one of the starting 5 in the basketball school team, and we featured in couple of competitions out of which was NPUGA (Nigeria Private Universities Game). It was nice getting involved in sport while on Campus, I will say my university days would have been so boring without participating in Sport.
How can you describe your social life in school?
Basically I was not the social type, I dedicated my time to the three dimensions of my life – Study, Business and self.
How can you describe your university days?
My university days comprises the Good, bad and the ugly. At a point, the going got tough, but we just have to get strong and strive till the end.
What school event in your campus days still recalls in you mind.
Face of OUI organized by White house Entertainment. The event boosted my clientele in 2015, my brand was among the sponsors. This event is one of the big in OUI, till date students look forward to the event yearly.
Were you given any awards while in school?
Yes, I won two awards, Class 15 Mr. Entrepreneur and Most Popular student in Political Science Department.
You had an entrepreneurial skill when you were in school, please tell us of your experience?
Alright. Well I will say it has not been easy, but with the help of God I’m where I am today. My journey as an Entrepreneur started in 2013 ,when I realized I didn’t have to depend on month allowances from home before I could survive started my Laundry business small while thinking “BIG”, I literally started with nothing, I only converted personal resources which are my Iron, Spray, bed space in the school hostel… And 150 naira as my start up capital. It wasn’t easy running a business as a student, but having applied *Time and Energy management* I was able to combine my three dimensions of life which are school (lectures…), business (Laundry) And Self (Basketball and guitar). I developed a high sense of responsibility towards time management, because time management is an essential ingredient in Business ethic and if it’s not properly managed, it will make one irresponsible. I was able to develop clientele basically with the help of friends and referrals. From the little I was making I was able to save to purchase a washing machine. Any money I make, I pump back into my business. I work daily to obtain knowledge I care about what I want to achieve. The invention of the internet has made things easy, I spend time on the internet “seeking to know”. KLT (Know, Like, and Trust) principle is also lubricant to my growing. That is, I work in a way where by my clients/potential clients *Know, Like and Trust my work*. Having said all, Most importantly I leverage on *God*
What were the challenges you faced?
I had a lot of challenges, but I’ve learned to see opportunity in every problem, the fact that I combined Business with Education was a challenge on its own. Time and Energy management was one of my major challenges, but I was able to put in some measures to overcome the challenges, there were days I would wake up as early as 3:30am just to launder clothes before going for morning Lectures. Lack of adequate resources for my business was another major challenge at that point in time I was washing with my bare hands, I had no washing machine so I had to manage my time and energy well. Throughout my stay in the university I lived in the hostel, living with other people’s differences was also a challenge. It was difficult for someone like me who likes privacy but had no choice then to cope with it. Discouragement was also a challenge, when I started my business, I was discouraged, but I was so undaunted about what I do, I didn’t let the discouragement get to me.
How were you able to balance academics and entrepreneurship?
As a student, doing business was not primarily to make a lot of money or to become a millionaire, its possible though, the primary reason of doing business while in school was to learn the rudiment of business. As I have said earlier, time and energy management was the major challenge I had, I created to-do-list for myself, I don’t joke with my time, I was doing my business to assist myself financially knowing the main reason while I was in school was to study, I didn’t let the fact that I was making money get into my head.
Are you still into the business?
Yes. I’m a professional Launderer. Now I have four employees working for me.
You graduated during class 2015- How special was that set?
We had wonderful set of individuals in class 15, prior to our final year, I wasn’t involved in any activity organized by class 15, but in our final year, things changed, I became famous, I started relating with most people I had no contact with at first, it was fun, I was among the planning committee for Class15 week, I contributed my quota and it was a huge success. I made friends with insightful people that motivated me to improve. The likes of Holiness Ekpe the CEO Lion’s Den Academy, Samuel Akinjide, Akinkunowo Odunayo, Eval Eka C.E.O Wide Heart Nation, Rotimi Babayemi, Anjorin Taiwo and so on… My friends in class 15 have immerse impact in my Life. If I have another opportunity to be an undergraduate, I will love my circle to be like that of Class 15.
When you think of your school what comes to your mind?
When I think about OUI Opportunity, upbringing comes to my mind, I’m a product of OUI and all I am today started in OUI, the school allowed me the opportunity to explore my potential. It’s so possible for the school to deny students from, by that I may not be able to do my business, I’m grateful to OUI for the opportunity and for also including Entrepreneurial studies in her curriculum.
Rate your school, in a scale of 1-10
8
What advice do you have for young undergraduates?
My advice to young graduates is to stay focused, they should be prepared to pay the price, nothing good comes cheap, there is a price to pay for a prize to be won, and also they should learn how to monetize their passion. They shouldn’t be meticulous to start small. One of my principle is I do today what I wish I had done tomorrow; Start Small think Big and Learn fast.
