The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus was excited as the Street to Forbes Campus Tour 2025 stopped at this prestigious institution. The highly anticipated event, themed “THRIVE,” took place at the OAU ICT Conference Hall yesterday and featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including renowned performance strategist Dr. Salami Abiola and convener and official member of the Forbes Coaches Council, Dr. Akin Akinpelu.
Dr. Salami Abiola delivered an inspiring address that highlighted the 3 “Cs” of THRIVE: Competence, Character, and Courage. He emphasised that developing knowledge, skills, and a positive attitude is crucial for success. According to him, the illiteracy of the 21st century is not merely the inability to read or write, but rather the failure to learn, unlearn, and relearn.
Additionally, Dr. Abiola stressed the importance of character, stating that everything is lost when character is lost. He encouraged students to prioritize building strong character and maintaining integrity in all their endeavours.
Dr. Abiola defined courage as the absence of fear, urging students to be bold and fearless in pursuing their dreams.
Following Dr. Abiola’s address, Dr. Akin Akinpelu took the stage to share valuable insights on what it takes to THRIVE in life. His key takeaways included the importance of taking responsibility for one’s own life, emphasizing that nobody truly owns anything.
He encouraged students to maintain momentum and keep moving forward despite obstacles. Using the metaphor of not being “angry with the ambulance that dropped you off,” he illustrated the importance of not blaming others for one’s circumstances but rather focusing on finding solutions.
Furthermore, Dr. Akinpelu urged students to have a clear vision for their lives and to value building relationships by treating others with respect and dignity.
The event concluded with a book signing session, where attendees who purchased Dr. Akinpelu’s books had the opportunity to get them signed. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, was represented by the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor John Adeolu Odedire.