2 Generations (2G)

An entrepreneur thinks of two ‘generations’: idea generation and the next generation.

“Talent is universal, but opportunity isn’t.” – Tunde Onakoya

From generation to generation, ideas rule the world. Creative ideas are often expressed through innovative solutions. Without innovation, we doubt creativity. Innovation is short-lived if creativity is short-sleeved. Creativity may not be patentable, but through its expression as innovation, it becomes not only patentable, but also inheritable. Thinking is not inheritable, but the things it births are.

Great product and business ideas are traceable to contact with, or experience of product and business innovation respectively. Social enterprise initiatives are products of idea generation. An entrepreneur thinks of ideas that meet present as well as future needs. As an inventor in my own right, my experience with creativity always confirms to me that evergreen relevance and usefulness are the hallmarks of an invention or innovation. This talks about how what we produce or introduce as entrepreneurs benefit mankind. What are you producing? What are you introducing to your world? Think 2G!

Dynamite is an explosive made of nitroglycerin, sorbents (such as powdered shells or clay), and stabilizers. It was invented by the Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel in Geesthacht, Northern Germany, and was patented in 1867. Alfred Nobel wasn’t in the best of health but he knew he wasn’t dead. Yet, there was his obituary, prominently featured in the morning newspaper. To make matters worse, not only had the newspaper killed him off prematurely, it had described him as a man who “became rich by finding a way to kill more people faster than ever before.” The French press service that provided the story had made a mistake. It was actually Alfred’s older brother Ludvig who had died while vacationing in Cannes but a reporter had gotten the brothers mixed up. Alfred was deeply disturbed by this chance preview of how the world would remember him. Yes, he had invented dynamite and gelignite, the most powerful explosives known at the time, but he had always envisaged that they would be used to the benefit of mankind. Indeed, he had spoken of producing a substance of “such frightful efficacy for wholesale destruction that it would make wars impossible.” Unfortunately, he was wrong.

Alfred Nobel had loathed war all his life and was stunned when his obituary referred to him as a “merchant of death.” He vowed that he would not be remembered as such! So he decided to leave his immense fortune to foster science, literature and peace. The Nobel Prizes were born!

A Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate played chess nonstop for 60 hours in New York City’s Times Square in a bid to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon. Tunde Onakoya, 29, hopes to raise one million dollars for children’s education across Africa through the record attempt.

Alfred Nobel left an inheritance technically!

Tunde Onakoya has left an indelible mark!

You too should!

To live an indelible mark, do incredible things. Think of 2G (idea generation and the next generation).

Alfred Nobel had acquired 355 patents worldwide when he died in 1896. The Nobel Prizes are widely regarded as the most prestigious awards given for intellectual achievement in the world and are conferred in six categories: physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, peace, and economics.

Tunde Onakoya had set out to play the game for 58 hours but continued until he reached 60 hours, surpassing the current chess marathon record of 56 hours, nine minutes and 37 seconds, achieved in 2018 by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebo and Sjur Ferkingstad. The record attempt is “for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education,” said Mr Onakoya, who founded Chess in Slums Africa in 2018. The organisation wants to support the education of at least one million children in slums across the continent.

Think of 2G! My name is ‘Niyi Kolade aka thinkUP…liberating souls and celebrating solutions.

Let your mind generate great ideas.

Let your generation feel your impact.

Let the next generation be in your mind.

An entrepreneur is a leader; he sets the pace! An entrepreneur is a thinker; he resets the space! Thinking of idea generation without the next generation in mind is not sustainable.

Think like Tunde Onakoya! Remember the 3C’s of life: Choices, Chances, and Changes. You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change. I am tempted to add the next C: Chess! Go figure that out! You can only be fulfilled in your field.

Think 2G!

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