LESSONS FROM EBUKA'S AGBADA

A few days ago, a young man from my country named Ebuka wore an “Agbada” to his friend’s wedding and it broke the internet in Nigeria.

Oh, just in case you are wondering who this young man is, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu is a Nigerian lawyer and media personality from Okija in Anambra State, Nigeria. He is mostly known for hosting the reality show Big Brother Naija, the long running Rubbin' Minds Talk Show on Channels TV as well as co-hosting The Spot and Men's Corneron Ebonylife Television.

For viewers outside Nigeria, an Agbada is a traditional attire worn by Yoruba men to formal events.

For a long time, the Agbada has not gone through any real form of innovation. People have just been wearing the same designs from time immemorial, and we have all just accepted it like that...

... Until Ebuka wore an Agbada designed by Ugo Monye to Banky W and Adesua Etomi's traditional wedding ceremony.


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Everybody was talking about it and they are still talking about it.

I however learnt a lesson from this story (as usual... Lol).

You see, I’ve once heard about the designer of the Agbada from a friend. I’ve heard how he has built his brand consistently over the years. I've also heard he is a very good designer who is very particular about details and who has an eye for style. He is even making money, he has a flagship store in Lekki Lagos, but his brand name was not among the big names we hear on Social Media.

Meet Ugo the tailor who made the attention seeking Agbada Ebuka wore to Banky W’s wedding. He has 8years experience in design Agbada.  The Agbada is the talk of the town.

So one day... Ebuka wore one of his products, and it broke the internet. Yes! It broke the internet in Nigeria.

All of a sudden, everybody wanted to know who the designer was and his Instagram followership grew by over twenty thousand in 3 days.


Amazing, isn't it? Hmm....


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You reading this article, just be building your business and brand ohhhh.


Face Front.


Focus on your passion.


Focus on what you are building.


Keep delivering First Class service.


Don’t worry about whether your business has been recognized among the big names, or whether you have gotten any award or whether your popularity is not as high as you would like it to be.


Your time is coming!


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Whether it's graphics you design, or perhaps you are a stylist, keep those services you render First Class. Don't worry if you are not a household name just yet. You just keep delivering value with your designs and products. Someone will rock those designs someday and promote your work, like Ebuka promoted Ugo Monye's design.


Your time is coming!


I know it sounds easier said than done, and I even have to remind myself of this all the time when I realise that I have started comparing myself with other people.


Comparison has never brought me joy.


I have realized that my path is different.


What I’m building is different.


My journey is different.


My struggle is different.


My time of recognition will also be different.


All I’m doing now, is just to focus on this thing that I’m building.


One day, I’m going to blow... and it is the work that I’m doing now, that everybody will see.


I will share the stories of the lives that have been impacted because they came in contact with me...and that’s what everybody will see.


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I will share the platform I used to impact lives, and it will be my current work at The Elite Academy.


The point here is… it is not when I blow that I will start creating my capacity building courses or building my brand or organizing summits, conferences and workshops.


These things are already existing and they are the products that the world will one day discover.


And don't be tempted, not even for a second, to quote that very popular religious line that says: "one day of favor is better than eight years of labour or hustle." Like you, I also believe in the grace and favor of God, but I also believe in diligence and hard work. The eight years are as important as the one day, cos' you don't learn that craft in one day. Too often, folks miss the plot by constantly chasing the "one day" instead of building themselves up for "the day". Ugo Monye is already well positioned to handle the blow out. So keep building and developing yourself. Your time is coming!


So my friends, where is your business?


Where is your brand name?


What are you doing now that can position you for the top?


How hard and smart are you working right now?


Do the work and every other thing will follow. Remember, we don't wait to prepare in the future, we prepare in the present for the future. The future will only open up for us based on what we are doing right now in the present.

Keep working, and like Ugo Monye, your time will come!


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