(Alibaba. Photo Credit: Punch News)
Veteran Nigerian comedian and entrepreneur Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, has charged Nigerians to make a conscious and deliberate effort to develop their talents to the level where they command both commercial value and meaningful societal relevance.
Ali Baba made this charge while speaking at the Life Guide Colloquium held in Lagos on Wednesday, where brand strategist and leadership architect Jide Adeyemi also presented his book titled “Life Guide: Stories, Lessons and Insights to Empower Your Journey.”
Speaking on the theme of “Influence Engineering,” the celebrated comedian emphasised that raw talent on its own is insufficient for success.
He argued that individuals must intentionally and consistently nurture their abilities until those abilities become recognised and sought-after assets, both commercially and within their communities.
He noted that true influence is built gradually through purposeful self-development, and that real success should serve as a source of inspiration and empowerment for others.
Ali Baba also stressed the importance of a culture of recognition in Nigeria, urging people to acknowledge and appreciate those who create opportunities and contribute positively to society.
He maintained that recognising and rewarding such contributions is essential to building a compassionate and forward-looking society where more people are motivated to give their best.
Taking his turn at the podium, brand strategist Adeyemi called for more purposeful and intentional leadership across Nigeria, arguing that the country’s core challenge is not a shortage of capable leaders but rather a persistent lack of continuity, genuine concern for citizens, and sustainable governance.
He observed that while Nigeria is abundantly endowed with human capital, inconsistent leadership approaches continue to stifle national development.
Adeyemi pointed to the recurring pattern of incoming administrations abandoning the programmes of their predecessors in favour of personal agendas, describing this as a major obstacle to progress.
He stressed that sustainable leadership demands individuals who are genuinely people-centred, impact-driven, and committed to leaving lasting legacies rather than short-term political gains.
Despite Nigeria’s well-documented challenges, Adeyemi described the country as a land teeming with enormous opportunity, noting that the very gaps existing across critical sectors create fertile ground for innovation and enterprise.
He explained that the colloquium was conceived as a platform to offer guidance and clarity to individuals navigating the complexities of life, business, leadership, faith, and nation-building in an increasingly noisy and distraction-filled world.
On his book, Adeyemi said “Life Guide” was written to help readers develop personal clarity, build lives of purpose, and cultivate wisdom for growth across various spheres of life.
He described it as a call to readers to rethink their approach to living, embrace integrity, and adopt a more intentional way of life.
He also underscored the deep interconnectedness of leadership, faith, branding, and nation-building, arguing that no society can truly thrive without a foundation of strong values, stable leadership, and effective communication.