In line with Edward Morgan Forster, English novelist, and quick story author, “failure and success appear to have been allotted to males by their stars. However they maintain the facility of wriggling, of preventing with their star or in opposition to it, and in the entire universe the one actually fascinating motion is that this wriggle.”
The idea of future or destiny in Africa is a reasonably controversial one. In Africa, future, typically used interchangeably with destiny, connotes what occurs or will occur to man in life that can’t be modified, no matter any human effort. An integral a part of this conviction is the idea that not all males have the privilege of a terrific future. Some are destined for odd lives, whereas others are blessed with the fortune of an excellent life.
Therefore, destiny is considered the inexorable pressure that drives each creature towards its eventual finish. Every particular person has a predetermined destiny. It’s laid out for them on the time of their creation. Destiny is, for essentially the most half, inevitable.
You could possibly change among the particulars, however until there may be divine intervention, no creature can escape the eventual pressure of destiny upon their life. Future might be modified, as a result of everybody has Free Will. Free Will is the facility to make your personal selections, it doesn’t matter what future has in retailer for you.
Each selection that’s made can steer future. Future is troublesome to keep away from, although, as a result of it typically appears that these selections but to be made are a part of that future. How wonderful!
Perception in destiny and future shouldn’t be restricted to Africans. The traditional Greeks equally acknowledged the function of destiny as a actuality exterior the person who formed and decided human life.
In trendy occasions, the idea of destiny and future have developed the misty halo of romantic future, however for the traditional Greeks, destiny represented a terrifying, unstoppable pressure. In a few of his performs, literary icon, Williams Shakespeare, additionally created impressions that assist the fatality of life.
In Macbeth, for instance, we see a person who pursues his aim of the throne ruthlessly, with murderous ambition. When the witches’ prophecies, upon which he has primarily based his hopes, become simply as deceptive as any oracle’s pronouncement at Delphi, the viewers is extra prone to blame Macbeth for his inordinate ambition than to bemoan his destiny with him.
Although many would readily garbage the very foundation of the destiny and future speculation, consider it or not, sure occasions that occur in life are likely to name consideration to the fact of destiny or future as key determinants of the course or path of man’s life. Many toil endlessly by way of life however by no means actually obtain the targets they set out for themselves.
Many even exit the world in tragic and mysterious circumstances simply on the brink of accomplishing their targets in life. Then again, many who idle away in life and are thought-about by many as unserious parts and or misfits typically prove to develop into inexplicable successes. On this sensible, destiny or future is believed to be the unseen hand that navigates the course of man’s life, both for good or for evil.
The method that produced Otunba Femi Pedro because the Deputy Governor of Lagos State on January 4, 2003 was a transparent demonstration of the place of destiny or future in figuring out the course of occasions within the lifetime of a person and, certainly, the society. Earlier than he emerged because the occupant of the exalted workplace, neither he nor his most ardent followers may have romanticised the chance. That Otunba Femi Pedro ultimately grew to become the Deputy Governor of Lagos State and in the end grew to become a serious participant within the nation’s political panorama may very well be linked to the supremacy of destiny.
Nonetheless, it must be famous that those that will harness what future has in inventory for them should not be idle. They have to be males who’ve ready themselves very properly to leverage golden alternatives at any time when destiny comes knocking.
Otunba Pedro has at all times been a targeted, visionary, and hardworking character. His journey has been one with profound and enduring influence throughout numerous sectors. Every chapter of his life has been outlined by an unwavering dedication to innovation, service, and progress, making him considered one of Nigeria’s most revered and influential figures.
A banker to the core, Pedro’s banking profession started in 1982 with the Central Financial institution of Nigeria (CBN). In 1988, he transitioned to the personal sector, becoming a member of First Metropolis Service provider Financial institution (now First Metropolis Monument Financial institution), the place he served as Govt Assistant to the financial institution’s Chairman and CEO, the late Otunba Subomi Balogun.
Pedro’s profession took a major leap in 1989 when he grew to become a founding member and one of many seed buyers of Warranty Belief Financial institution (GTBank). He served as Chairman of the Institute’s Lagos Department throughout that interval, reflecting his management and affect inside the banking business.
After leaving GTB, Otunba Pedro started yet one more floor breaking journey because the Managing Director and CEO of Comet Service provider Financial institution. This financial institution later grew to become First Atlantic Financial institution, which, after a subsequent acquisition, modified its title to FinBank and is now a part of First Metropolis Monument Financial institution. Underneath his visionary management, First Atlantic Financial institution (FAB) grew to become Nigeria’s first true fintech establishment, revolutionising the banking sector.
In 1999, Otunba Pedro launched Nigeria’s first Web banking infrastructure and launched the Flash Me Money cell cash platform, which helped solidify FAB’s place as a fintech pioneer.
His partnership with Infosys to implement the Finacle banking answer additional modernised the financial institution, guaranteeing its place on the forefront of the digital banking period. Introducing first@tlanticonline in 2000, Nigeria’s first Web banking system, was one other landmark achievement, offering clients unparalleled comfort and entry to banking companies.
A passionate writer, in 2020, Otunba Pedro printed System for Wealth, an award-winning e book outlining important wealth-creation ideas by way of entrepreneurship, funding, and management. The e book offers a sensible information for aspiring entrepreneurs and highlights overcoming monetary boundaries such because the poverty entice and cash phantasm. His insights have impressed many, particularly these navigating difficult financial environments.
An ardent philanthropist, Otunba Pedro has awarded scholarships to numerous underprivileged college students and made important contributions to charitable causes, together with the Rotary Membership, the place he’s a serious donor. He additionally serves as a mentor to many younger Nigerians, guiding them towards private {and professional} success.
All through his distinguished profession, Otunba Pedro has persistently exemplified the values of integrity, excellence, and repair to each his group and the nation.
As Otunba Pedro reaches the milestone age of 70, his unwavering dedication to enhancing the lives of others has continued to depart an indelible mark, whilst his legacy continues to encourage and uplift many.
As this quintessential and memorable character joins the septuagenarian membership, we sit up for extra excellent contributions from him, particularly towards the reengineering of the nation’s financial system as being spearheaded by President Bola Tinubu and his staff. Ogunbiyi wrote from Lagos.