Did you know the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyemi Ogunwusi was once a tomatoes seller? Interesting and inspiring at the same time. The Ooni made the revelation while speaking to National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members at the Osun State NYSC Orientation camp, Ede.

Speaking on the topic of “Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development”, he told them how he became an entrepreneur at a very young age to survive. The programme, organised by NYSC coordinator in the state aimed at tackling unemployment in Nigeria..

“I met Aliko Dangote, Dr Deji Adeleke and other successful Nigerians inside the market where I was selling foodstuffs. I used my background to redefine the way I was selling the foodstuffs….I made up my mind that I would be an entrepreneur. I was selling rice and sugar. At the age of 19, I fathered a child, which made the matter more complicated. Life was very tough because I had to cater for my child, but that made me to work harder….Today, I am proud to say that she is one of the present batch deployed to Abuja. That experience shaped my life and made me to keep starving. I started going to Benue to bring yam tubers, which I turned to yam powder. I want to encourage you today, whatever you are selling or doing, do it with zeal.”

Amazing you would say, but the the Ooni paid his dues. Most celebrities you see out there have too. And that should inspire you.