Sola POPOOLA
Young Nigerians have been urged to embrace consistency, discipline and visibility in their personal and professional pursuits to achieve growth and build sustainable brands.
This admonition came at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, as personal development advocate, Ayo Akande, popularly known as AY Nigeria, launched his new book, _Rules of Engagement: What They Don’t Teach You About Life, Power and Becoming_.
The book launch, held at the Ekiti State Startup Garage on Saturday, October 10, 2026, coincided with Akande’s birthday and attracted dignitaries,including students, professionals, entrepreneurs, friends and associates .
Speaking at the event, the author said he did not write the book merely to acquire the title of an author or to make money from sales, but to make a meaningful contribution to his generation.
The event also featured the eighth edition of Connect and Grow with AY Nigeria, a platform dedicated to youth development, networking and exchange of ideas.
Akande urged young people and business owners to remain consistent in pursuing their goals, stressing that success requires discipline, deliberate effort and the ability to make their work visible.
He admonished entrepreneurs not to wait for perfect conditions before taking action, but to start with available resources and improve their ideas along the way.
The author challenged young people who believe Ekiti State offers limited opportunities for business growth to reconsider their position and explore the potential within their environment.
He equally encouraged them to develop distinctive brands around their skills, crafts and businesses, noting that effective branding could attract customers, increase visibility and create new opportunities.
Akande urged participants to build structures that could sustain their ambitions and empower themselves with knowledge and discipline needed to achieve long-term success.
According to him, consistency in taking practical steps towards a goal could help individuals overcome challenges and establish themselves in their chosen fields.
Explaining the inspiration behind Rules of Engagement, Akande said the book was a product of two years of writing and reflection on personal experiences and lessons. He described the 24-chapter publication as a practical workbook designed to guide readers through issues relating to life, power, influence, leadership, personal development and nation-building.
He explained that the chapters address lessons young people often learn through disappointment, discouragement, difficult experiences and personal struggles, adding that readers could return to different sections as they encounter new stages of life.
Akande encouraged young Nigerians to obtain copies of the book and share its lessons with others, describing it as a guide for those seeking to understand leadership, influence and personal growth.
He also acknowledged the contributions of his mentors, friends, family and associates to his journey, while appreciating the publisher and printer for their efforts in bringing the publication to fruition.
Also speaking, a scholar, Dr. Sikiru Olowoyo, commended Akande for his consistency and commitment to mentoring young people in Ekiti State and beyond.
He recalled their early involvement in youth-focused initiatives, including AY Nigeria’s school outreach activities, and noted that Akande had continued to pursue his development goals with dedication over the years.
Olowoyo described the book launch as a significant milestone in Akande’s youth development efforts, saying the publication provides another avenue to share knowledge and experiences with a wider audience.
He praised the author for investing time and effort in producing the book and expressed hope that it would contribute to personal development, leadership and nation-building among young Nigerians.