If we consider the possibility of living to the ripe old age of 100, why haven’t we set goals spanning 80 years?

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) global president, Joseph Owolabi, posed this question to Strathmore University ACCA students during his visit to the University on the afternoon of  5th October. Over the past few decades, the partnership between the two institutions has remained robust. Each year, the Strathmore Institute of Management and Technology (SI) trains and graduates certified accountants under the global body.

Mr. Owolabi’s visit began with a closed door meeting with key figures within the University leadership. These included the SI Principal, Angelica Kiboro, and the University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Elizabeth Gachenga. 

Born and raised in Nigeria, Mr. Owolabi greatly appreciates the empowerment of young African scholars. He has carried this passion throughout his career and presently as the president of this global body of professional accountants. Speaking during the meeting with the Strathmore Institute team, he shed light on the purpose of his visit – to get ACCA members together and inspire young people. He commended the team for their commitment to what he termed the ‘vital role of nation building’. “Innovations of the future will come from institutions like Strathmore University; these are the people who will solve the problems of tomorrow,” he stated. 

After this meeting, Mr. Owolabi was eager to meet and interact with the students. They must have been just as eager to hear from him, because the Microsoft Auditorium was filled to the brim. 

His entire address was centered around inspiring the students to shift their mindset when it comes to success: “You’re not successful until you do something more than once.” His nuggets inspired the students to view success as a long term goal – extending not only through their lifetime but also for the benefit of future generations.

“Pace yourselves and give yourself the opportunity to fail. Over the course of our lives, we will encounter failure many times, but when we view success as a long term goal, we learn to view the journey as the reward.” He advised them to focus on what they have going for them in the present even as they work toward the future. 

The session closed with an award and recognition ceremony of the top performing students and instructors. 

A truly insightful afternoon, Mr. Owolabi left having imparted each person, both student and staff, with something to carry forward. 

This article was written by Celia Kinuthia.