Dr. Dayo Olomu (DDO) is an example of how anyone can overcome adversity to succeed and thus become an inspiration to others; he is a renowned international motivational speaker, human capital development expert, learning and development professional, business transformation strategist, corporate trainer, business mentor, executive coach, award winning event host and bestselling author of “four Indispensable Strategies for Success”; “My 50 Greatest Lessons in Life & Winning Principles for Success” and the audio programme, “You Got The Power” which was sent to more than 180 countries by Success University (now known as World Ventures) in September 2008.
He is the Chairman, CIPD South London; Member, Board of Directors, Southwark Diocesan Board of Education and Founder, Dayo Olomu Foundation UK.
He holds an honours degree in Business Information Systems, MSc in Human Resources and an honorary doctorate. He has a Diploma in Coaching, an Advance Certificate in Public Relations and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Further Education. He is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) and a Fellow of the Institute of Information Management Africa (IIM). He spoke to Charles Okogene on why he left music business for public speaking and philanthropy
Are you still in music business?
Though, I love the music business but I am no longer in the music business
Why did you leave?
I left to because I wanted a new direction and to live a purpose driven life and become a key person of influence. I did a lot of praying and asking God for direction. I read a great book, “Hearing from God” by Joyce Meyer. It really taught me how to listen to know the voice of God. It was then that I realised that God was leading me to working with people and developing people and organisations. And to be able to do that and have a competitive edge, I discovered that I must have a good educational background backed with a good personal brand and network. And that is what I did.
Do you have more fulfilment as a motivational speaker?
I feel fulfilled because I am living my dream. I am living a purpose driven life of inspiring, impacting and influencing. I am happy that I have been able to restore belief to many people who have lost it, vision to those who can no longer see and cure many people who suffer from possibilities blindness. I am delighted to be a noble warrior who is winning in different aspects of my life. Winning as described by Israel’s ‘Winning Guru Yehuda Shinar in his book “Think Like a Winner” is someone’s ability to maximise his or her potential even when under pressure and in competitive situation – while demonstrating constant improvement”. What I enjoyed most about my work, career and business are: 1) making a difference; 2) inspiring and empowering people and organisations and 3) having fun while making a difference & inspiring and empowering people and organisations. Isn’t that GREAT? When work is a pleasure, life is a joy. I believe in what I do – I am paid to make a difference in people’s life – what a great job. I go to work every day with passion.
I am now mentoring and coaching up and coming speakers and leaders which is like gaining immortality. If I teach them and they teach others, then what I know lives forever. To me, being successful is not only achieving my goals, but also helping others to strive, win and be successful, which I have been doing for the past few years for people and organisations. I believe that it is important to have long and sustainable success.
What does it take to be a public speaker?
The first is passion, then start where you are; pick a subject you know that you want people to know about (or pay for later); join a public speaking association like Toastmasters International and finally practice speaking publicly free speeches or small seminars.
In the summer of 2003 I joined my local Toastmasters Club in Croydon to develop my public speaking and leadership skills. I later became an advanced toastmaster and the Founding President of Croydon Communicators. From Toastmasters I moved into motivational speaking, starting out at Black History month and had my first event as a Seminar Leader on September 6, 2004 at Croydon Town Hall, Surrey, UK.
It seems you have gone into philanthropy; feed the poor and homeless?
Yes
What else do your foundation do?
Mentoring, youth empowerment and supporting the less privileged in the society, especially women and children.
Dayo Olomu Foundation was launched on Saturday 2nd April 2016 at the Soni Irabor Youth Empowerment Forum which took place at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
The vision of Dayo Olomu Foundation is to “raise transformational leaders, mentor professionals, empower youths economically and support the less privileged in the society, especially women and children.’
As at today, we have:
* Offered mentorship and support to 1500 youths.
* Provided financial support to 250 people – mostly women.
* Reviewed more than 500 CVs and and assisted 50 people to find employment.
* We have donated soft toys to the children at Heart of Gold Children’s Hospices in Lagos founded by Mrs. Laja Adedoyin and Love Home Orphanage, Magodo, Lagos.
*We hosted 53 children from Makoko, Lagos and took them out to the cinema to watch “Black Panthers”
*We recently fed the less privileged at Iyana Ipaja to celebrate our thried anniversary
*In the UK, Dayo Olomu Foundation (DOF),’ is involved in feeding the homeless people in Croydon, Surrey at The Queen’s Gardens through Nightwatch charity.
Looking back, I am just doing what Archbishop Desmond Tutu said to me when I asked him that ‘how can we change the word.’ He responded, ‘Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
And why did you go into philanthropy?
To make a difference in the world and make the world a better place than I met it.
On 23 October 2012, when Archbishop Desmond Tutu came to Croydon to speak at Fairfield Halls as part of his “Conversation for Change” initiative, I met, walked and talked with him. During the walk, I asked him what can we do to change the world, he responded that, “Dayo, do your little bit of good wherever you are. It is those little bit of good put together that overwhelmed the world”. That statement made me to go into philanthropy
