Academic qualification not a guarantee for wealth creation- Olumide Emmanuel 

Onome Amuge

Olumide Emmanuel, founder, Common Sense Group and general overseer of Calvary Bible Church has advised Nigerian youths that academic education, although relevant, is not enough for wealth creation, underscoring the need for them to develop soft skills that will serve them well in various aspects of their lives.

The renowned businessman and finance & relationship coach, pointed out that soft skills, such as effective communication, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, analytical thinking, and relationship management, are essential for youths to address personal and professional challenges, and ultimately keep their life goals on track without distractions.

Emmanuel made the assertion during an empowerment programme tagged “Wisdom for Singles”, held recently at the Lagos State University (LASU), where he stressed the importance of prioritising value creation and converting these value-added services into products or services in the pursuit of wealth generation.

Emmanuel, popularly known as the Common Sense Guru, urged Nigerian youths to make wise decisions in their relationships, particularly as they begin to explore romantic connections with the opposite sex. He enjoined them to develop and adopt what he tagged as common sense principles in their growing stages.

“Growing up in life, you come to realise that there are different dimensions of knowledge and understanding that you will need to have in order to be all that you are supposed to be. But as you begin to navigate through life, you realise that even though the phrase common sense is something that we generally hear being said or been thrown around, you realise that common sense is not really common,” he noted.

Emmanuel stated that it’s crucial to avoid becoming a casualty in the domain of love and relationships, and instead, make wise choices and decisions that we won’t regret later in life.

The relationship coach advised that students should understand that being single is not a sin, nor a crime, nor a disease. He described singleness as a stage in life, a state of wholeness, and a preparation for another phase in life.

According to him, being single is not a disadvantage and does not limit their potential or capabilities in any way, as they can still achieve success, prosperity, influence, and global impact, all while remaining single.

“ If you are single right now, I need you to understand that you are going through a phase in your life, and the next phase will be another dimension of glory.

“But the stage you are in right now is also a dimension of glory. So, instead of you spending the single stage of your life feeling inferior, feeling inadequate, you need to enjoy where you are on the way to where you are going,” he added.

Addressing those in relationships, he noted that such relationships  must be defined and they must use their brains in decision making rather than dwelling on emotions.

“When your emotion is the driver and your brain is the passenger in the vacuum of your life, an accident is inevitable… Don’t take your heart on the journey without your brain. Because every time you take your heart on the journey without your brain, you’re going to end up becoming a casualty,” he advised.

Emmanuel, in his speech, underscored that lust, infatuation, and love can all feel very similar, especially early on in a relationship. This, he stated, is why it’s crucial to engage the brain and logical reasoning when assessing potential partners.

Emmanuel likened the campus experience to an aquarium where fingerlings are laid to become strong, mature fish. He further noted that each student has the potential for a bright future and, as such, it is essential to make well-informed decisions.