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Architect FIFI EKANEM EJINDU
Princess Fifi Ekanem Ejindu is one of Nigeria’s foremost female architects, a fashion icon, and a successful entrepreneur. Additionally, she is a dedicated philanthropist. To top it off, she reigns as a business queen, presiding over an empire she painstakingly built from the ground up.
Offiong Ekanem Ejindu was born in Ibadan in 1962 to Professor Sylvester Joseph Una and Obonganwan Ekpa Una as her parents. She hails from a royal lineage, with King James Ekpo Bassey, an Efik monarch from the colonial era, as her grandfather. Due to her royal heritage, Princess Fifi holds the title of H.H. The Obonganwan King James in her social circles. She spent her formative years in Ibadan and received her primary education at the Senior Staff Primary School of the University of Ibadan. Subsequently, she moved to Lagos, where she completed her secondary education at Queens College, Yaba.
She made history as the first black African woman to earn a B.Arch degree. Following her achievement, she pursued additional coursework at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and gained professional experience at a private firm in New York City. Princess Fifi also furthered her education at the University of North Carolina, UNC Charlotte.
Just a few days ago, she was honored as the guest speaker at the public presentation of Lion Chief Mrs. Ngozi Nkoloenyi, who was being inaugurated as the president of IKEJA VIVA L’AMOUR LIONS CLUB. During the event, she delivered a succinct yet comprehensive speech on the five key principles of entrepreneurship.
Distinguished Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to acknowledge the existing protocols.When I was asked to be the guest speaker, I was tasked with discussing entrepreneurship. However, it’s impossible to speak on this topic without acknowledging the extraordinary lady we have all gathered to celebrate. She exudes courage, compassion, and love for all of us who have had the privilege of meeting her.Regarding her personal achievements, she has reached remarkable heights. Her career as a fashion designer and her philanthropic efforts speak volumes. However, even before all of this, I had the privilege of knowing her quite well.I am an Entrepreneur, which is probably why she asked me to address Entrepreneurship. Now, defining Entrepreneurship is not a straightforward task. Many scholars have tried, but I’ve come to the conclusion that entrepreneurship is more about mindset and attitude. It involves qualities like risk-taking, creative thinking, unwavering persistence, and an acceptance of failure as a stepping stone. I could elaborate, but I’ll distill it into 5 core principles – the five P’s.The first ‘P’ is Planning. In entrepreneurship, meticulous planning is crucial. This is where our Nigerian system faces challenges, often leading to numerous failed projects due to a lack of proper planning. Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.The second ‘P’ is Passion. Knowing what you truly desire is essential, and that’s where passion and motivation to make a difference originate. Passion is the driving force behind any successful business. The third ‘P’ is Patience. To nurture a business, you must be willing to invest time and effort without being easily discouraged. Patience is indispensable.The fourth ‘P’ is Perseverance. The key to success is sticking with it, no matter the challenges. Most people start a business, face delays and discouragement, and give up – this is where the problem lies.The final ‘P’ is Problem Solving. Critical thinking and the ability to think outside the box are vital. If you face obstacles in your local environment, consider expanding your horizons. Seek opportunities and gaps that extend beyond your immediate surroundings. This is the essence of entrepreneurship.I’d like to leave you with one thought – Self-awareness is paramount in business. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses, and remember the Serenity Prayer: ‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
