Caleb University VC advocates human capital development at book launch

The Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University, Prof. Olalekan Asikhia, has called for a renewed national commitment to human capital development. He urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to embrace character building, skill acquisition and creativity as the foundations for personal success and national transformation. Prof. Asikhia made the call during the public presentation of two books —“See It, Say It, Do It: A Three-Step Guide to Achieving Success and Lifewire: Philosophies for Daily Living,” authored by distinguished academic, entrepreneur and transformational thinker, Dr. Ayokunnu Olowoporoku, at the prestigious MUSON Centre, Lagos Island. The VC, who addressed a gathering of academics, business leaders, professionals, students and policymakers, stressed that the future of Nigeria would be determined not by the abundance of its natural resources but by the quality of its human resources. According to him, the books offer practical insights for a generation seeking direction, purpose and sustainable success in an increasingly competitive world. He said: “The nations that will lead the future are those that intentionally develop their people. Character, competence and creativity remain the most valuable currencies of the 21st century. If Nigeria is to attain its full potential, we must invest deliberately in developing minds, nurturing talent and building leaders who can transform ideas into impact.” Prof. Asikhia described the publications as timely interventions that promote ethical values, purposeful living and leadership excellence, noting that they provide readers with practical principles capable of transforming aspirations into measurable achievements. Also speaking at the event, the Serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, challenged Nigerians to embrace self-leadership, continuous learning and disciplined execution as critical ingredients for national development. Bakare observed that although Nigerians continue to excel across the globe, the country has yet to fully harness its vast reservoir of human talent for collective progress. He noted that leadership deficits often stem from the failure to develop and effectively deploy human capital, adding that genuine transformation requires individuals to move beyond ideas and commit to purposeful action. The cleric commended Dr. Olowoporoku for producing works that focus not only on knowledge acquisition but also on execution, responsibility and personal accountability. He described the books as important resources for individuals determined to contribute meaningfully to society. In his remarks, the author explained that the two books emerged from years of reflection, observation and a deep passion for helping individuals unlock their full potential and live purposeful lives. He described Lifewire: Philosophies for Daily Living* as a collection of thought-provoking reflections designed to inspire wisdom, self-awareness and intentional living, while See It, Say It, Do It presents a practical framework for turning dreams into reality through vision, conviction and decisive action. According to him, many people possess great ideas and ambitions but remain trapped between intention and execution, a gap he seeks to bridge through the principles articulated in the books.