Siyanbola  Oladipo is the Managing Director/CEO Bowill Errands Courier Limited and Gen. Secretary, Association of Nigerian Courier Operators (ANCO). In spite of the challenges of being born in a polygamous family, he  has remained focused; keeping the dream of being great within him and that has manifested today.

He has fulfilled his desire  by  adding value and smiles on people’s faces by creating  employment opportunities.

Excerpts:

Humble beginning…

*Oladipo

I am Siyanbola  Oladapo from  the ancient town of  Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba race and I was born into the family of Chief Joseph Oyebamiji Oladapo of blessed memory, a ‘successful polygamist’ and a wonderful and caring mother, Mrs. Abike Oladapo. Our family is a wonderful and cohesive Christian large family. With an average of five children per wife (and they were of seven), you can have an idea of our family size.

The intricacies of the polygamous home where I grew up prepared me for future challenges and I will therefore ascribe whatever humble impact I have made in life to that upbringing which shaped my spiritual life, moral values, perception of life, mind set, educational life, course of study, social and community service life.

Looking back, I can conveniently conclude that being raised in the ancient town of Ife and a polygamous environment instilled certain attributes in me. So I started my life  having a better understanding of conflict management mechanism, essence and importance of unity, tolerance, love, team work, cohesiveness, selfless service, fear of God and healthy rivalry.

Interestingly, we were all raised under the same roof, house and were given the same education, made to eat and dish out food from same pot . We were all determined to succeed in life and we appreciated the essence of good education and we all have our dreams and aspirations. Mentoring by the elderly ones became an important tool in shaping our future. Our mothers were living in love with one another. Any of the seven wives can discipline any child irrespective of whose child he was and there were no Jews or Gentiles. Therefore, every mother made efforts to ensure that her own children were neither left behind nor dropped out of school.

My primary school was an Anglican school and my secondary, a Catholic school. The strict upbringing of Anglican and Catholic doctrine reinforced my Christian faith and moral values that helped also to prepare me for the future. The pattern of our after school schedule was that a child once in primary 3 must enroll as a member of  Boys Brigade and Girls Guide .

Once in primary six(6), whether you have good voice or not, you must be a member of the Choir. It is a must that we must all work for God. Another attribute I gained growing up was service to God. None of the wives dared disrupt these programmes. Monday through Friday was fixed with one church activity or the other.

The typical day starts with 6am morning prayer in the church which was not far from our house and once back, we all converge as a family to pray. The roaster was prepared with the full participation of the children: some leading hymns, some reading Psalms and some leading prayer. At night also, it was a great offence for anyone to miss 9pm evening prayer. Mothers therefore ensured full attendance because the mother will share from the tongue-lashing that follows the absentee child.

So the virtue of going to church, having the fear of God and good name were imbibed in me while growing up and we all grew up with fear of God.

Though, I’m not advocating polygamy, I must give kudos to my father for the efficient control he exercised over his family. The children were  and still are close to one another; a feat many monogamists cannot boast of. Daddy was too strict and disciplined but I tell you those things helped form what I later become in future. All members of the family can recite many portions of Psalms off  hand. My father was a leader of prayer warriors, a member of Guild Of Stewards and  he served till he was 80 years.

When I left Ife, I started my working career in Oyo State Civil Service, Office of Governor in Ibadan which exposed me to civil service workings, where I cultivated the habit of savings from a ‘meagre’ salary.  I used my savings in sponsoring myself for the first two years of my education without bothering my parents.

I was well prepared for future challenges but these days, we only have mums and dads but those days, it was mother and father.  I  learnt the efficacy of prayer, virtues of good name and I  learnt  to appreciate that when you are better off in life, it’s not by your own making but God’s.

Building a formidable career

It takes seeking the face of God. Some people will set up restaurants/hotels and it will liquidate while some people may be selling amala by the road side and build houses from it. You need to do thorough planning, take things steadily and be consistent. Building a formidable business has to do with your perception of life. It’s not about money but adding value to life.

That is what I can advise anybody, and that is why I can come into the business of Courier where we need the skilled and the unskilled. I could have diverted money I invested in courier business to buying and selling without adding value, but I didn’t and now, I’m putting food on the tables of many people. So you must have strong character, have faith in God and you must be focused. You must be total when preparing to build a career.

Mentors

My parents. Great people they are. I will choose them over and over again when I come to this world.

Trips that added value to my company

All trips I have ever embarked upon were educative and sources of inspiration to me. I am very observant and look out for new things and ideas. Sight-seeing to me is appreciating what we do not have in my country , products that could do well and institutes that abound in those countries that were not in my country . Each time I travel, I enrich my knowledge of business. It is therefore impossible for me to point out to any particular trip.

Memorable moments

The most memorable moment of my life was when I started my business and generated revenue and I’m now paying salaries thereby reducing unemployment in the country and putting smiles on the faces of others. I was also thrilled when my eight-year-old daughter Dolapo used the expression ‘Sister Damola does not have taste of adventure’. I was so thrilled at the expression and knowledge displayed by her.

Regrettable moments

Regrets? None. Nothing like failure in my dictionary. I see those situations (FAILURE WHICH MIGHT LEAD TO REGRET) as getting FEEDBACK which also propels me to strive more. I turn regrets to sources of strength and it has worked wonders for me.