By Etop Ekanem

The Managing Director of Background Check International, BCI, Mr Kola Olugbodi, has urged Nigerian graduates to utilise the untapped potential for innovation within the country borders.

Olugbodi, who bemoaned the economic situation of the country said within the challenges lies an opportunity for innovation .

Olugbodi who  delivered the convocation lecture of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State says graduates should adopt economic difficulties as platforms for creativity, advocating  mindset shift that transforms adversity into a catalyst for transformational change.

Olugbodi who shared his life experiences to the amazement of the audience said “a can-do spirit” should be the focus of the graduates. He said he never allowed his disability to affect him in any way as he derived a sense of satisfaction in accomplishing tasks himself ,which overshadowed his challenges.

According to him, “When life gives you lemons, make a lemonade out if it You are whatever you make out of life’s challenges.”

Olugbodi enthused that despite the disability on his leg he devised a method to drive a car as he developed a positive mindset beyond his personal limitations.

He urged the graduates to be persistent in all their pursuits despite challenges and failures in life and challenged the graduates never to accept anything in the negative but to remain dogged in life.

Olugbodi spoke in an exemplary and experiential way to his audience which included the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Adesimbo Kiladejo; former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and  other dignitaries.

He counselled them on not accepting rejection as the norm in their pursuits, adding: “Pioneering the background check industry in Nigeria was greeted with skepticism and discouragement but he weathered the storm with his positive mindset . Background Check International, BCI, now operates beyond the shores of Nigeria.”

He  further advised the medical graduates to adopt entrepreneurial mindset within the healthcare sector, adding that establishing medical start-ups, exploring tele-medicine solutions and collaborating on innovative healthcare technologies can create new avenues for success. He further urged the young graduates to embrace entrepreneurship in order to contribute to the vital role in shaping the future of healthcare in Nigeria.

Olugbodi further advocated a network of like minded individuals both within medical field and other disciplines in order to foster collaboration and idea sharing. He further advised the graduates  to equip themselves with digital skills ,explore health tech bysolutions,and leverage advancements like artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance patient care.

From left, Professor Adesegun Fatusi,  Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, UNIMED, Ondo State, Professor Joseph Fabayo, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife and Mr Kola Olugbodi,  Managing Director, Background Check International, BCI at the event.