Insurance mogul Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi has added another feather to his cap – writing. After working with figures for years, the brain behind one of Africa’s leading insurance company, Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc., tells it all in his new book titled: Akin Ogunbiyi: Footprints of a Peerless Entrepreneur. The businessman-turned-author shared his book experience with dignitaries in Lagos. EVELYN OSAGIE writes.
After trading in and conquering the world of numbers, Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc. chair, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, is set to delve into the market of words. As one known to have a knack for spotting and promoting talents, his creative zest has led him onto the world of words – writing.
Ogunbiyi, who believes ‘storytelling is the bridge between numbers and evaluation process’, is out with his book entitled: Akin Ogunbiyi: Footprints of a Peerless Entrepreneur.
It was a cerebral voyage into world of the mogul-turned-author when he took dignitaries into his “grass to grace” story at a media unveiling of his book at his company’s headquarters in Lagos.
According to the author, the book features some of his thoughts, voyages and intellectual exploits.
“The strength of this well-researched book lies, in taking these into account and in crystallising otherwise complicated narratives, into readable form without missing out on the essentials. It is certainly a prelude to my autobiography, which would come out in the fullness of time. It deals with how young entrepreneurs should see life, perceive life and see their vision and pursue it to a logical conclusion,” he said.
The event, which was anchored by Pastor Gbenga Ogunko, former Group Managing Director of Mutual Benefits, featured readings from sections of the book by the author and other dignitaries in attendance.
They included the wife of the author, Adedotun; Company Secretary, Mutual Benefits Assurance, Mr. Jide Ibitayo, and the company’s Group Finance Director, Hakeem Oguntola, among others.
Ogunbiyi led the pack as he read from the book, beginning with his early childhood “Life in the Village” that informed the man he became. He brought to life his adventures as a teenager in school, hunting, farming, fishing and so on; calling attention to some life’s lessons acquired along the way.
“My siblings and I usually went to the farm at about 5:30am to carry out assignments for their father and return early to go to school. These were the things that gave them joy then, especially when they had a bountiful harvest or had a big catch in the river,” he said.
From his early life, Ogunbiyi then took guests to his “Life as a student at Ife”, nestled on Page 27 of the book, noting that university exposure shaped his perspectives and moderated his thinking as he got to understand human beings more, the essence of networking better, appreciate the value of hard work and importance of distinction.
From his going to Agricultural Insurance to setting up his own firm, it is evident that the road to success was not an easy one as reflected on Chapter Two (“Setting out in Life”) of his book. But, as he read on, the book posits that with mentors one can reach the destination quicker and safer.
“When I wanted to start Mutual Benefits, my father didn’t have all the tonnes of money, nor my mother. But, Chief Aret Adams volunteered to be my guarantor when I needed N5 million in 1995. What I will tell young people is, ‘please, make a good first impression at any point in time. You never can tell who God has positioned on your way to help you. So, make a good first impression. The result of the N5 million is what we see today.
“You can also have models or mentors without meeting them. But, how do we get our young ones to start the habit of reading books. I publish in The Tribune newspaper every Monday on entrepreneurship and leadership. I still read, but the young ones want to cut corners. If a child is born, he has to go through the natural developmental stages, without that, he can only meet failure. So, I believe this book will go a long way to inspire young ones,” he said.
His wife, Adedotun, also read some pages of the book, precisely pages 55 to 62, while stating that she sees Ogunbiyi as her “pearl of excellence, her pride, prince charming and a miracle packaged by God especially and specifically for her.
The foreword of the book, written by a former Commissioner for Insurance, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Fola Daniel, read by Mr. Ibitayo described the book as “an excellent motivational material in mentorship”.
On how he felt reading the book to his guests, Ogunbiyi said: “It was actually an exciting time. I never knew we would have something like this, but having to read a portion of the book was really interesting and exciting for me. And, of course, having my wife read that aspect that I wrote about her, I am sure I will get a good treat from her.
“All together, it was very interesting. I feel very satisfied. It’s a book I know will inspire many young boys and girls. That is exactly what we want the book to do. There are a lot of things that will inspire a lot of people in the book.”
