The 2025 Southwest Youth Entrepreneurship Summit and Training Programme proved to be more than just a gathering of Business leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs, it became a stage for life-changing moments, unexpected generosity, and powerful lessons in resilience.
One of the standout moments at the event held at The Oriental Hotel, Lagos, was the personal journey shared by Dr. Bidr Abdulhakeem Odegade, Founder of AKMODEL Homes. He detailed his humble beginnings, growing up as the son of a bricklayer, and how he initially aspired to study ”Pharmacy”; not out of passion, but because he overheard his classmates mentioning it. When he excitedly told his father, the man asked, “Can you mix drugs for me?” before advising him to focus on what he truly understood and had a passion for.
With no clear direction, Dr. Odegade wasn’t initially serious about his university application. But despite this, he got admitted to study Building Technology at Federal Polytechnic Ede and eventually graduated as one of the top students.
His father played a pivotal role in shaping his career, teaching him the intricacies of bricklaying, lessons that became the foundation of his success. Dr. Odegade credited his achievements to the principle of CMS – Coach, Mentor, and Sponsor, emphasizing that every entrepreneur must have these three pillars to navigate their journey.
He also shared a humorous but insightful story about naming his business; he copied and mirrored his Head of Department’s business name, tweaking it slightly for his own venture.
As a student, Dr. Odegade took a bold step and submitted a bid for a construction project at his school, despite not having a registered company. To his surprise, he won the contract. However, reality hit when he tried to cash the cheque and was told it was issued to a company, not an individual. This forced him to navigate the legal process of business registration; an early but valuable lesson in entrepreneurship.
Fast forward to today, he has built a multi-million naira real estate empire, with his company expanding into multiple sectors.
The Business of Selling Repossessed Assets
A speaker also shed light on an intriguing business, selling off high-value assets recovered by banks due to unpaid loans. When asked about the emotional toll of dealing with assets forcefully or voluntarily relinquished by high-net-worth individuals, his response offered insights into the business side of asset recovery.
Another key moment came when Omowunmi Odumusi, Head of Public Sector Payments and Partnerships at WEMA Bank, addressed the audience. She spoke about the challenges of entrepreneurship and startups, reassuring young business owners that WEMA Bank is ready to support promising startups with innovative ideas and strong growth potential.
Financial Insights: Cryptocurrency vs. Forex Trading
The summit also featured a financial expert who was asked about the similarities and differences between cryptocurrency and forex trading. His response was blunt: “I don’t trade cryptocurrency; I only focus on what I know.”
Adeniyi Ifetayo, CEO of Megastar Magazine, also weighed in on cryptocurrency investments. He advised that before investing, individuals must:
- Study the environment they want to invest in.
- Avoid emotional decisions when it comes to money.
- Only invest spare money, never funds they cannot afford to lose.
- Not be greedy, as greed leads to financial losses.
A Life-Changing Moment for a Cobbler
However, the defining moment of the summit came when a young cobbler shared his struggles. He came to the summit for networking purposes. His story moved Mr. Adeniyi Ifetayo, CEO of Megastar Magazine, who immediately pledged to support him by purchasing five pairs of shoes from him.
But the generosity didn’t stop there. Dr. Odegade of AKMODEL Homes, deeply touched by the cobbler’s resilience, went further, announcing a ₦1 million donation to support his craft. Overcome with emotion, the cobbler fell to his knees in gratitude, tears streaming down his face as he thanked his benefactors.
Hope for a Law Intern
The ripple effect of goodwill extended to a law intern who had expressed frustration over her career path and the difficulty in finding a firm to intern with and also not taken seriously in the office because she’s still a student. In response, Mr Adeniyi advised her. His words below;
”After your internship, start from where you are, be an advocate, volunteer to write contract agreements, give value. People are watching and they will definitely come for you.”
Dr. Odegade took it a step further and offered her a job at AKMODEL Group once she completes her studies, giving her renewed hope and motivation.
The Southwest Youth Entrepreneurship Summit was not just about theories and speeches, it was about real-life impact. From mentorship lessons and business insights, the summit transformed lives in real-time, proving that success isn’t just about individual achievement but also about lifting others along the way.
