Have you asked yourself why some people succeed and others struggle to survive? The answer is not far fetched. Successful people have the ability to stay true to a cause until it produce result and not everyone can do that. Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase is a true example of a man who has shown patience, worked hard and as a result success came. So, today, we will be learning from his story.
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Sunny Ojeagbase is a pastor, author as well as a business coach. His company, Complete Communications Limited, is the brain behind Complete Sports Newspaper.
Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase Background
Dr. Sunny Obazu Ojeagbase was born on 31st December, 1950 in Oshogbo, Osun State, but he is a native of Edo State, Nigeria. He attended St. James Primary School, Oshogbo in 1962 but could not proceed to secondary school due to his poor background. Afterwards, his father advised him to learn a trade, so he tried his hands on different skills. From being a mechanic to learning short-hand and finally, printing which he learnt for five years.
At the time, civil war was on, so he applied to join the Nigerian Army and was enlisted. After being discharged from the army, he enrolled for General Certificate Examination (GCE) and he passed. Today, Sunny Ojeagbase holds a Diploma in Mass Communication from University of Lagos. He is married to Esther Obazu-Ojeagbase and they are blessed with children.
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The Turn-around
In 1974, Sunny Ojeagbase was in debt and he ventured into pool betting with the hope that it’ll rescue him out of it. Unfortunately, he went deeper in debt and most times, spend his salary settling debt. As luck will find him,
a friend gave him a pamphlet titled “Seven laws of Success” by Albert W. Armstrong. So, after reading the book, he realised he had to set goals for himself and acquire relevant skills. He also learnt other keys which included, taking care of his health, having faith in God and persevering.
Thereafter, he moved from being in debt to being able to manage his resources up until the time he went into business. He called this stage his 360 degree turn-around.
Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase Career
The saying, “a man’s gift will make way for him” is clearly seen in Dr. Sunny’s life. He is a sports fan, an English lover and former basketball player. So, he combined the three hobbies to something that will fetch him money. He started freelancing with Herald Newspaper as a sports writer and later to Daily Times as sports reporter in 1979. He also worked with The Guardian, New Nigeria Newspaper and Concord Group of Newspapers.
While working with media houses, he came across two books on a visit to his uncle’s house, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill and “A Positive Mental Attitude” by Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone. These books changed his thinking and made him decide to be an entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurial Journey
After resigning from Guardian newspaper, Sunny started producing a weekly sports newspaper called Sports Souvenir in 1983.
Not only that, he equally started Complete Football, a monthly all-colored football magazine. It was first of its kind in Nigeria.
In addition, he launched Complete Sports, a Nigerian daily sports newspaper in 1995. Also, in the same year, he started Success Attitude Development Centre (SADC), an NGO focused on raising future entrepreneurs. After sometime, SADC gave birth to SuccessDigest.
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SuccessDigest
The magazine is a mix of inspiration and step-by-step guidance on how to succeed in business. One of its aim is to teach its readers how to make money with peace of mind. It is one of the widely read business magazine in Nigeria.
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SADC Bookstores
SADC Bookstores was opened one year after the launch of SuccessDigest Magazine. The bookstore sells only entrepreneurial related books in the area of business, finance, motivation, personal development and many more. Through the bookstore, SADC students have easy access to recommended books.
SuccessDigest Leaders’ Club Conference
This was formerly known as SuccessDigest Entrepreneurs Conference. Its an annual event that brings together students under the tutor of SADC. The first edition took place in November, 1996.
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SuccessDigest Enterprise Awards
An award given to entrepreneurs to reward them for the risk taken in the process of doing business.
SADC ‘Be your own Boss’ Seminars
A training organised for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. It holds every weekend
In the same vein, he launched other services such as; business products and services/consultancy in 1998, SuccessDigest Business Opportunity Expo (SDBOE) in 1999, SuccessDigest Leaders’ Club (SDLC) in 2010, Entrepreneurial Couples Forum [ECF] in 2006 and Youth Empowerment Conference in 2007.
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Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase Books
- How to Make It in Nigeria – Building Your Wealth from Ground Floor Up
- How to Bullet Proof Yourself from Poverty, Ideas – The Starting Point of All True Riches
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Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase Quotes
“If I was still in the army, I will not be as rich as I am today”.
“When you look down the road, you will see what you can create and what it will bring”.
“There are always people whose needs I have the urge to meet and I’m always working towards meeting those needs”.
“For your business to thrive. It is either you know how to market your business or you have a good marketer on your team”.
“I have learnt from experience, never run from your creditors”.
“In trials and errors, gems emerge”.
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Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase Philanthropy
He established SADC Benevolence Fellowship in January 1998 to reach out to widows and the less privileged in the society. So, they come together every third Friday of the month to receive cash, clothes, food items and health talks as well.
Awards and Recognition
As a reward for consistent hard work, SADC has received several awards to its credit. Spain based business initiative direction, BPD in Madrid named SADC’s SuccessDigest as one of the winners of its international crown award in November, 2008.
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