Page 72 - Future Leaders 2018-2019

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LAST YEAR’S TOP 10

Last Year’s Top 10

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MAZINO MALAKA, 21 IFEOLUWA ADEYEMI, 21 KINGSTUN NELSON, 21

Qualifications Qualifications Qualifications
LLB in Law, University of Leicester Final year, BSc in Economics with Final year, BSc in Sport and Exercise
Japanese, University of Birmingham Science, University of Birmingham
This year has been a year of learning and
unlearning. I’m a few months away from Over the past year, I have found myself After appearing in Future Leaders, I
being called to the Nigerian Bar, which in four different continents and seven applied for a year of study in Hong Kong.
is incredibly exciting. My company, MLK different countries, including cities such I spent 200 days there, studying and
Records, has gone from being a label to a as Dubai, New York, London and Hong living as a local. I also spent over 100
media company this year. We aim to start Kong. At the start of the academic year, I days travelling around 12 different Asian
up from January 2019, working with a few began my year at Hitotsubashi University, countries to embrace the culture.
young companies in Nigeria. one of the top business schools in Tokyo, I joined The University of Hong Kong
I have grown in strength and faith. after receiving a double scholarship from public speaking society and took two
Moving back to Nigeria, there are so many both the Japanese government and the modules in Mandarin.
obstacles and so many reasons to sit Mayor of Toyota city. I have also taken part in a number
back and let your dreams go away, simply I was then selected as one of 130 of internship placements. I secured a
because it seems difficult. Finding the people in the world to attend Princeton bespoke placement with the Worcester
strength to push past all the barriers has University’s annual business conference in Wolves, a professional basketball team.
tested my faith in so many ways but given New York. As well as discussing business A week after returning to the UK, I began
be perseverance. solutions to global problems, I met the my second 10-week internship with Lloyds
Being featured as one of the top presidents of Microsoft and Cadillac and in their commercial banking division. Then
10 future leaders last year gave me the CEOs of several corporations. I will begin my bespoke placement with
confidence and a fire that could not be Despite being half way across the PlayerLayer, a sports clothing technology
quenched. It made me underestimate world, I was determined to carry on with brand, sponsors of a number of teams and
myself less and believe that there’s so The Grand Gospel 2018, a life-changing recent partners of the well-known brand
much more still worth fighting for. Also event in Birmingham, where over 500 Under Armour.
being featured the year I had graduated people came together to worship For anybody who is considering going
was such a cornerstone in my life. through singing, dancing and acting. to university, I would strongly encourage
My advice to anyone going to university, The University of Birmingham Gospel you to take a similar approach to myself
is to actively GO to university. There’s so Choir also appeared on Sky TV after being and the many amazingly accomplished
much to get out of the experience, beyond selected as one of ten choirs in the UK individuals in this magazine. Make the
the certificate. You have the opportunity to participate in the annual University most of every opportunity that presents
to learn, meet people from all ends of Gospel Choir of the Year competition. itself, but make sure that you enjoy it!
the earth, be part of events, clubs and Following my return to the UK, I began I haven’t got where I am because I
an array of sports. Don’t leave university an investment banking internship at invested hours into projects to impress
wishing you could have done a lot more. JP Morgan in London. During the course others. I do it because I enjoy it. This
There’s so much available to you; enjoy it of the year, my heart changed to value makes it easy to push your limits, exceed
and engage yourself into it all. You never people above all else. I have realised that expectations, and to really develop
know what could happen, open your heart it is more important and better to live a yourself. “Do not climb a mountain
to the experience and cast away all fear. life of sacrifice for others than to live a so that the world can see you, climb a
You’re going to do amazing. self-centred life filled with vain ambitions. mountain so that you can see the world.”

70 FUTURE LEADERS 10 ANNIVERSARY EDITION
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