(vii) IGBINEDION ON LIVING TO WIN IN LIFE AND BUSINESS

We have considered the life and times of Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion in

the foregoing write up. In a biography like this, the assignment cannot be said to have been completed successfully without addressing the lessons to be learnt from Chief Igbinedion's experience.

Clearly, Chief Igbinedion's philosophy has been to live to win in life and business, he is guided by principles which have been mentioned in the early chapters and some of which have been referred to in this chapter for the purpose of emphasis.

As an entrepreneur or pioneer, Chief Igbinedion is an innovator and as such, he does not imitate others, rather he sets the pace which others follow. Carving out road for others to follow has its own hazards. One must be prepared for failure if it occurs and must have the courage to move forward with a planned project, avoiding being dissuaded by prophets of doom. Failure is not strange to the pioneer or entrepreneur because it is part of risk taking which differentiates the pioneer from the follower.

Chief Igbinedion's entire business life has been characterised by pioneering effort. We have mentioned the Mid-Motors, vehicle assembly plant, the Okada Airline, the Igbinedion Hospital and Medical Research Centre, the Igbinedion Education Centre and the Okada Town Development project all of which among others are pioneering efforts of unique dimensions.

In random interviews, Chief Igbinedion gave the following advice on how to live to win in life and business. He observes that failing is part of the pioneer businessman's adventure and that the person who has never failed has never taken any risk. Business to Chief Igbinedion is a game, which should be played to win but not at all costs. The entrepreneur places premium on good reputation without which business will hardly prosper. A good reputation is more valuable than money, it helps to open up investment opportunities, creating more room for the growth of the entrepreneurship. The entrepreneur must learn to cope with rejection particularly in situations where the corporate structure is unstable and erratic; or where improvements on the status quo are viewed with discomfort.

The businessman must have set goals and must believe in his ability to achieve his objective; to move the Himalayas if that is what his ultimate success demands. He must have confidence in his venture and if an entrepreneur, he should not be a watcher of the clock or a napper for while he is napping, his rival could be on the prowl and picking up points at his expense. The businessman may not be able to outwit or outspend his rival but, he can out­work anyone. Thus, to succeed he has to be conscious of his time and the effort he engages in his project. He has to be a decision maker. Most decisions do not only end up at the desks of the entrepreneur they also originate from there; and in most cases the entrepreneur is on his own.

The businessman has to maintain at all times a cool temperament. Occasions may arise where he is tempted to react harshly to the activities of others. But in general, he should not always see himself as the leader of men but just a senior partner in their common business endeavour. This is the only way to ensure that there is always an army to be led.

To succeed in business, the businessman should lead by example. He should consider it his responsibility to work harder than those he is leading or at least demonstrate the need to do so. He should have a meticulous eye for details and where his calculations have been misplaced he must have the ability to accept the situation and try again. He should avoid being fooled and not to take all that glitters beyond the glitter; but take time to discover the gold.

Finally, succeeding as a businessman would be meaningless if success in the home is not planned for. Success at the work place is all but a shallow triumph if not accompanied by victory at home. Never underestimate the value of good family life. The successful entrepreneur or businessman must be able to maintain a healthy relationship of both situation and avoid developing one at the expense of the other. Indeed, both must go together if the businessman is to claim to have lived to win in life and business.

From all indications, Chief Igbinedion has lived a life directed by philosophy and managed by persistent determination. And at 60 he has indeed lived a creed.

"Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he has encountered and the courage with which he has maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds."

Orison Swett Marden

(i) IGBINEION ON THE CONCEPT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR

(ii) IGBINEDION ON CHIEFTAINCY TITLE AND NATIONAL UNITY

(iii) IGBINEDION - OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER

(iv) IGBINEDION ON NIGERIA AND THE DIASPORA

(v) IGBINEDION ON NIGERIA AND CHRISTIANITY

(vi) IGBINEDION ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

(vii) IGBINEDION ON LIVING TO WIN IN LIFE AND BUSINESS

CONCLUSION

This website has attempted to unfold Chief Osawaru Igbinedion from the cradle to manhood and from a humble beginning to a position of enermous affluence...READ ON