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atthethenIBTCattheageof15%u2013IrealisenowthatIwentintouniversity(andthenmyMasters)withaconfidencebelievingthatIhadwhatittooktobeagoodbanker,onlybecauseofmyholidayjobsinIBTC,workingwithactualbankersandIrealisenowthatthisunconsciouslyplayedabigroleintheconfidenceIdisplayedwhenitcametomyCitibankinterview,formyfirstjobasapost-graduate.WhenaskedatthatinterviewbyMichelAccad(thenCitibankNigeriaMD)whyIfeltIwouldmakeagoodbanker,IsimplyansweredbecauseIhadtriedmyhandsatitbeforeandtookhimthroughmyvariousholidayjobsatIBTC.ItislookingbacknowthatIrealisethattheconfidencethata22-yearoldmedisplayedtoabankCEO,wasduetoyourinfluence.WhenImovedbacktoNigeriatobeginmycareeratCitibank,Ilivedwithyou&mydearAuntyDudun(mygistingpartner),asyouobviouslyknow,butyouprobablydonotknowhowmuchIlearntfromourconversationsoverdinnermostevenings.IonlyrealisenowthatinspeakingaboutworkandbankingeveryeveningwiththeownerandCEOoftheforemostinvestment-bankinthecountryatthetime,IwasunknowinglypickingupthingsfarbeyondmycurrentageandjobgradeandthatagainmaypartiallyaccountforwhyIhavebeenfortunateenoughtofindmyselfinboardroomswithinandoutsideNigeria(Chairingsomeofthem)andalsofoundingandrunningmyownbusiness,beforeturning50.Youstartedabankataveryyoungagei.e.at33andIstartedmyownbusiness(PetralonEnergy)at38%u2013Iamoftenaskedthesedays,whatgavemetheconfidenceorforesightorvisiontodaretostartmyownoilandgascompanyatsuchayoungageandI%u2019vehadtothinkaboutitandyoucomeupasoneoftherecurringinfluencesforthatdecisionImade.Itdidnotseemasboldoraudacioustome,havinghadthebenefitofwatchingyourownlifefromsuchacloseviewsoyetagainyourquietinfluencecomestomind.AsIapproachmyownlandmark(turning50onmynextbirthday),Ifindmyselfpre-occupiedrecentlywithhowtosuccessfullytransitionfromrunningabusinessthatrevolveslargelyaroundthefoundertoensuringabusinessthatwillcontinuetothriveafterone%u2019sexitandIfindmyselfonceagainthinkingaboutyouandhowyoumanagedtotransitionfromFounderandCEOofIBTCtoStanbicIBTCthatisthrivingafteryourexitfromthebusinessandsoyoursilentinfluencecontinuesandyou%u2019remostlikelyobliviousofthis.IalsofindmyselfincreasinglythinkingaboutNation-buildingandlegacyandwonderingifitisenoughtocreatepersonalsuccesswhilesurroundedbysomuchunemployment,sufferingandsocial(andmoral)decayallaroundoneandthenitoccurredtome,%u201ccrap,IamthinkinglikeUncleAtedo%u201d.28AHONSI
