Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest industrialist, don tell women entrepreneurs say dem suppose dream bigger, stay focused and build strong mind to face business challenges. E yarn dis one for keynote address during di 25th anniversary of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ).
Dangote talk about how e dey handle pressure. E say every morning when e reach office, e dey ready for trouble, and when trouble come, e dey face am. But when evening reach and e get to gate of him house, e dey drop all di problems and enter house. E use di example to encourage entrepreneurs make dem no carry work stress enter personal life.
Di event get theme, ‘Rooted, Rising and Ready: Born in Africa, Built for the World.’ For di event, Dangote challenge women make dem raise ambition and pursue opportunities beyond wetin dem don achieve. E tell dem say, “You can get there. Dream big, do not dream small.”
E still tok say doing business for Nigeria no easy. E mention poor infrastructure, high cost of running business and difficulty to get affordable long-term loans as some of di obstacles. But e urge entrepreneurs make dem no let those things discourage dem. According to am, success need determination, proper planning and mind to face difficult situation. E add say nothing good for life dey come easy, and if e easy, everybody go be the same.
Dangote remember him own business journey, especially di financial wahala during construction of Obajana cement plant. E say high interest rates wey banks charge that time put pressure on di company operations and expansion plans, but e no stop dem from following long-term vision.
E also yan about health. Di industrialist say e dey check him blood pressure regularly and adjust schedule when necessary. E advise entrepreneurs make dem learn how to manage pressure and no allow business challenges swallow their personal life.
Dangote link business success to vision, tenacity, focus and ability to face challenges without letting emotion overpower person. E also announce say Dangote Group dey expand beyond Nigeria, with plan to set up $2.5 million caprolactam farm and production line for Namibia. Before e finish, e encourage di women entrepreneurs make dem remain ambitious.
