Hello again! Welcome back to “Diary of a Jaycee.” The journey through JCIN UI Week continues, and Day Two was nothing short of an intellectual awakening. It was an evening steeped in introspection, inspiration, and illumination – the kind of evening that lingers long after the screen goes dark. Let’s dive into the rich exchanges and timeless truths that shaped this virtual experience.
By: Kabirat Ojo
Dear Diary,
Day Two greeted me with the hum of anticipation. At exactly 7:10 PM, I joined the online session, already feeling the quiet thrum of excitement that typically precedes a meaningful encounter. The session didn’t start immediately; we waited for new members to join—a small delay that offered a moment of stillness. When Miss Adedayo, our gracious anchor, finally began the evening, it felt like slipping into a warm conversation. She first took a moment to graciously recognize esteemed personalities in our midst, including the Local Organisation President, JC Taiwo Olanlesi Odusote, and JCIN Senator Olutumbi Banto—a gesture that added a layer of dignity and reverence to the evening.
Soon after, our first speaker, Mr. James Obisesan, took the screen. From the very first sentence, he unravelled the myth of leadership. It wasn’t about commanding rooms or leading crowds, he explained, but rather about serving, growing, and being. According to him, leadership begins with self—cultivation through competence, compassion, and most importantly, character.
Gradually, he introduced Benjamin Franklin’s 13 virtues—each one not just a word, but a mirror. Temperance asked us to find balance. Silence reminded us to speak only when necessary. Order, that we should place value on structure and strategy in all we do. As he walked us through Resolution, Frugality, Industry, and Sincerity, I found myself underlining mental notes faster than I could write. Deliberately, he talked about Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquillity, and Humility—each like drops of truth in an ocean of noise. He wasn’t preaching; he was offering a compass.
Eventually, it was Mr. David Bankole’s turn. With quiet intensity, he transitioned us into the world of legacy. What is legacy, he asked, if not the echoes of our lives long after we’re gone? And just like that, we were no longer talking about leadership in abstract terms—we were talking about the stories we’re already writing. He explored digital footprints—the idea that our social media pages are not just platforms, but archives of our choices. Through powerful slides and even more powerful truths, he highlighted how what we post becomes our permanent record. Firmly but kindly, he warned us against common derailments: internet fraud, irresponsible intimacy, and the fallacy of get-rich-quick dreams. He emphasized that true wealth, like true leadership, is crafted over time—through alignment, discipline, and action.
Tenderly, he offered his own story. He admitted that during university, he hadn’t quite found his stride. But during NYSC, everything shifted—a CEO encounter, some intentional growth, and the next chapter of his life began. It was this vulnerability, this realness, that hit the hardest. Finally, invoking Nelson Mandela, he wrapped up by showing us that legacy isn’t about age or accolades—it’s about patience, integrity, and timing.
Just before the session ended, I found myself filled with a strange mixture of peace and urgency—peace from the truths I’d learned, and urgency to begin applying them.
As the digital room began to empty, I couldn’t help but wonder: what deeper insights lie ahead in Day Three? If today taught us how to lead and leave a legacy, what might tomorrow reveal about sustaining that impact in the real world? Stay with me—I promise, the journey only gets more thrilling from here.
This is wonderful. I learnt leadership is not about age or accolades but it’s about integrity, patience and humility. Well done everyone who made this possible