Imisioluwa Bamidele

Behind every successful project lies a dreamer who envisioned it before it came to life. In this vein, NASELS Press had a conversation with Precious Lijoka, the convener of the Step Up Summit, to learn about her journey so far, the birth of the vision and the challenges encountered.

The Step Up Summit, held on Saturday, December 14, was an event designed to empower young people with a focus on Business, Finance, and Leadership. The summit featured exceptional speakers, including finance coach, Coach Bori, social media strategist, Adeife Adeoye, and other distinguished personalities.  

Interviewer: Can you share a little about your upbringing?

Ms Precious:I am Precious Lijoka, and I am from Ondo state, and I have the same upbringing as everyone else -The normal go-to-school, come-back-home routine. I wrote the UTME and WASSCE, and now I am in the University. That is just a little bit about my upbringing.

Interviewer: What birthed the entrepreneurial spirit in you?

Ms Precious: Well, it is just a decision that I made myself that I wanted to go into entrepreneurship.

Interviewer: Do you have any mentors that have guided you on this journey?

Ms Precious: I have both spiritual and business mentors.

Interviewer: How has your freelance journey been?

Ms Precious: The freelance journey has really been good, and I thank God for it. It takes consistency for you to stand out.

Interviewer: You were the organizer of the Step Up Summit, what gave you the courage to pull that off?

Ms Precious: I do not have any courage. I can only say that it is just God because personally, I did not have the courage to organise the event. I received strength, and it is by the strength and the power of God that I was able to hold the event.

Interviewer: Can you tell me how and when this vision was birthed?

Ms Precious: The vision for the Step Up Summit came to me on May 7 during a time of meditation. It occurred to me that I had to organise an event this year.  The date, December 14, was revealed to me in a specific and remarkable way. I also knew the time and theme of the event from the outset.

Interviewer: Did you ever think of cancelling the event?

Ms Precious: Of course, I did think of giving up a lot of times. But when the event was a month away, I did not know how my heart was just so strong. So it was as if it was either I do it or I do it. About a few months before the event, I had considered canceling numerous times, but I persisted in pleading with God for His grace, and He eventually came through.

Interviewer: What would you describe as the toughest aspect of organizing the event?

Ms Precious: Securing funds and dealing with disappointments were the toughest part, but God eventually came through.  

Interviewer: Knowing fully well that you started planning late, how were you able to get sponsors?

Ms Precious: How I got sponsors was inexplicable; therefore, it was a miracle. I give all credit to God. What I noticed is that once God has said something, He would do it. Nothing was too late for Him.

Interviewer: Did you expect the large turnout of the crowd?

Ms Precious: Although the planning started late, I believed the vision was divinely inspired, and because God had given me the go-ahead, I was confident it would work out and it did. I thank God  for the turnout; I did not know that a lot of people would turn out eventually, but I give God all the glory for the turnout of the crowd.

Interviewer: With 1.0 being a wrap, what should we look forward to in Step up summit 2.0?

Ms Precious: They should look forward to more opportunities in the event and expect a better experience. They can be assured of having a great experience at the second edition.