Stop Waiting For Government, Monetize Your Talents, US-Based Cleric Tells Nigerian Youths
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United States-based cleric and Senior Pastor of Jesus House Baltimore, Pastor Tola Odutola, has urged Nigerian youths to stop waiting for government jobs and instead discover, develop, and monetize their God-given talents as a pathway to sustainable success.
Odutola gave the advice while speaking at an empowerment seminar themed “Maximizing Your Potential” held in Ibadan. He challenged participants to identify their natural abilities and deliberately nurture them into valuable solutions capable of creating wealth and impacting society.
According to him, the journey to greatness begins with self-discovery and a commitment to personal development.
“Where we start first is to ask ourselves: ‘What gift do I have? What is that thing that inspires me?’ Every greatness in life starts with a seed,” he said.
He encouraged young people to cultivate their talents so they can move beyond being job seekers to becoming entrepreneurs and problem solvers.
The cleric also stressed the importance of self-belief and resilience, noting that success is largely determined by personal determination rather than environmental limitations.
Recalling his childhood in the Oke-Bola area of Ibadan, Odutola urged youths not to allow difficult circumstances or the absence of influential mentors to limit their aspirations.
“I grew up in this same environment and attended school here. I wasn’t waiting for a father figure to pave the way. You have to struggle, push yourself, and remain focused because you owe yourself the responsibility to succeed,” he said.
Odutola further cautioned Nigerians against excessive dependence on government support, arguing that thriving economies are driven by innovative individuals and private enterprise rather than government intervention alone.
While acknowledging that governments have a responsibility to provide an enabling environment for businesses and economic growth, he maintained that citizens must take the initiative by creating opportunities for themselves through entrepreneurship and innovation.
Speaking on career development, he observed that many university graduates eventually attain success and financial fulfillment outside their original fields of study, emphasizing the need for flexibility and continuous self-improvement.
He added that the empowerment programme was designed to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, equip them with practical knowledge, and provide the support needed to transform their ideas into successful ventures.
Odutola therefore called on Nigerian youths to embrace creativity, build marketable skills, and leverage their talents to create value, insisting that sustainable success comes from identifying opportunities and taking deliberate action rather than waiting for government employment.
