In May edition of OduduwaNews personality Interview, our correspondent had a chat with the C.E.O/Founder of Tobest Agricultural Products Limited.
Mr Tobi was a one time President of Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University. He spoke on what Unionism/Leadership should represent, the expectation from student leaders and many more.
As a background player in Politics, Mr Oluwatobi gave an assessment of Engr. Makinde’s administration.
Enjoy reading.
OduduwaNews: Can I meet you sir?
Mr Oluwatobi: My name is Oluwatobi Matthew Ogunlere, the Founder/CEO of Tobest Agricultural Products Limited.
OduduwaNews: As a one time President of the Faculty of Science of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, what was Unionism experience like?
Mr Oluwatobi: It was an opportunity to me. Leadership is not a birth right but a privilege to serve. So, when I was given the opportunity, I tried my best.
OduduwaNews: Is Students’ Unionism achieving its purpose?
Mr Oluwatobi: Well, for now, I can’t say. The body is meant for a better welfare of Great Ife students. It’s high time, students stopped aiming at political position as an opportunity to embezzle or abuse power.
OduduwaNews: Coincidentally, the current holder of the Position you held some years back was accused of embezzlement, is leadership all about the money and fame that come with it?
Absolutely No! Leadership is not about embezzlement of fund or fame.
OduduwaNews: What should student leaders represent?
Mr Oluwatobi: According to Arnold H. Glasow, “One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency”
Also, John Maxwell said, “a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
As a leader, there must be a vacuum you’ve observed. This would trigger you on how to fill it up by providing solutions to solve such problems.
You don’t just wake up that I want to become this, I want to vie for this post or that. No! There must have been some things you’ve observed in the system that you want to correct or improve.
Then when you get there, make sure you don’t disappoint the people who trusted you with their votes. You have to deliver.
OduduwaNews: From Unionism to being an Agric Entrepreneur, how was the transition, what was the motivation?
Mr Oluwatobi: To me, it’s easy because both unionism and entrepreneurship deal with people and good management. If you can manage people and their resources well, then you are good to go. Unionism and entrepreneurship deal with goals and visions that must be achieved.
My motivation is about creating and adding values to people’s life. In Unionism, you solve problems, but no profit. But in entrepreneurship, you solve people’s problems, you get profit. So, if you can balance both together, public funds won’t be entering your eyes anyhow.
OduduwaNews: How is the experience like and what advice will you give for a youth who’s consider going into agriculture?
Not easy, but the motivation to create value and impact lives with good legacy will keep pushing you not to relent.
Agribusiness not a quick get rich scheme. You have to be consistent and focused. Some farm businesses are capital intensive, while some are not. In all, if you have interest in it, start from somewhere.
I started from being a distributor for Amugold and Mr. Cook when I was in part 2. I also combined garri, eggs etc with it.
OduduwaNews: You’re gradually becoming a politician, democracy in Nigeria, are we where we are supposed to be?
Mr Oluwatobi: “Are we where we are supposed to be” as a question is ambiguous. In some states, they will say they are progressing .. while in Nigeria as a country, we still have a long journey ahead.
It’s high time we started voting based on credible personalities; it’s high time our leaders took it as a responsibility that they owe the masses GOOD GOVERNANCE, it’s high time the citizens made use of public amenities well and judiciously. For instance, I was perturbed when I heard that some unscrupulous element cutting the tracks of the railways. That’s bad!
We all have our quota to contribute, as we are clamouring for better leadership and better Nigeria, we must also be good Citizens of Nigeria.
OduduwaNews: Oyo State is your home after Ekiti, how can you assess the achievements of Gov. Seyi Makinde in 2 years?
Mr Oluwatobi: 90%. I want to use this opportunity to tell all Oyo Indigenes that you are blessed to have GSM as a Governor at the right time and moment 👌🏼
OduduwaNews: What should we be expecting from you in the nearest future, are you contemplating contesting for elective position?
Mr Oluwatobi: Expect more of creation of values, impacting people’s lives and obviously job opportunities from our brand .
Life is in stages, for now I’m focusing on Tobest Agricultural Products Limited. If any opportunity shows up to serve, I will honourably accept it to serve the people.
OduduwaNews: What advice do you have for Gov. Makinde?
Mr Oluwatobi: I want to use this opportunity to implore him to keep being the people’s governor.
OduduwaNews: Any word for the youths?
Mr Oluwatobi: No matter how loud the social media noise could be, never look down on yourself but keep focusing and never relent.
OduduwaNews: Thanks for your time sir.
It’s most appreciated.
Thanks.