DANIEL CHINAGOZI

I and Daniel first met in church in University where we were both undergraduates. I was in my 4th year at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) studying Civil Engineering and he was in his first year studying Environmental Technology. I believe it was a variety Sunday and I was moderating. He was leading the 1st year choir and stood out in a white suit. I had just read something from the bible that period; 1Kings He later became the financial Secretary and then President of the Chapels Student Group. We started a friendship and used to meet up and talk once in a while. I was in the habit of making Sunday lunch and inviting different people over and vaguely recall inviting him offer once. We struck a friendship that took time to blossom but even then two things were very clear about Daniel: he was different from his peers and had a hunger to make a difference. When three years later I had finally graduated, done my NYSC year and had started motivational speaking, I put together an Unleashing the Power to Achieve with George Akomas jr workshop for FUTO and it was Daniel who I turned to for help. The workshop wasnt the huge success we had had hoped for, with only 18 participants (of the 50 we had planned for), but it was a first for both of us and for Daniel, the beginning of great things. He later was part of the team that started a financial educational Journal Millionaires tonic for the students and the weekly journal was in sales in about 7 higher institutions and at its prime, had a readership of about 10,000. After a short break in 2007, the Millionaires tonic team started organizing Starting Up as an Entrepreneur seminars and workshops with over 300 students in attendance. Daniel also started other profit making business ventures in school. He didnt neglect his academics and his final year project won the universitys Best Project Award for 2007 and as a representative of his school at the Nigeria University Project and Research Fair and Award, which held in UNILAG, he came 3rd. This led to his being retained by the Department as a Research Assistant in which position he worked on the first departments Journal, assisted under- and postgraduate students in their final year projects and thesis . Finally he went for NYSC to continue his drive for excellence.

Daniel Chinagozi

George & Friends

www.georgeakomasjr.com

I put together an Unleashing the Power to Achieve with George Akomas jr workshop for FUTO and it was Daniel who I turned to for help. The workshop wasnt the huge success we had had hoped for, with only 18 participants (of the 50 we had planned for), but it was a first for both of us and for Daniel, the beginning of great things.

During his National Youth Service Corp, he started teaching entrepreneurship to fellow corps members in camp. Not stopping there, after completing his service year, he went on to other states to teach entrepreneurship and today has trained over 7, 600 corps members in 7 States, helping over 56 of them start their own businesses.
This number does not include the former Niger Delta militants he has trained (under the Federal Government Amnesty Empowerment Program) or any of the other trainings he has conducted. In all, Daniel has trained over 10,000 entrepreneurs and has helped start over 200 small businesses. Daniel is driven towards entrepreneurship, environmental management and Renewable energy development and has several companies to help achieve his targets. With both With PalmNet Consult Ltd and Capacity Development International, he trains and consults for entrepreneurs and has a target training 1million intending Entrepreneurs by 2020. With Blueprint Concepts Nigeria, PalmNet Waste Management & Environmental Services and PalmNet Energy, He is building a range of other of his business interests. He has a Certificate in Oil and Gas Management and did so well that he was retained as a lecturer. Presently running a program with MIT- Challenges of Global Poverty, in line with expanding his quest for finding a solution to Africas poverty challenge Married to a wonderful young lady and blessed with a lovely daughter, they jointly run De Daniels foundation that awards academic scholarships to students at various levels both locally and internationally. Daniel is just 28. ******************************************************************************

Daniel Chinagozi

George & Friends

www.georgeakomasjr.com

here are a few things that resonate in Daniels story.

First of all is his passion and energy. When he takes on a project he will work tirelessly to make sure he achieves his objectives. I have known him to take herculean jobs preparing training manuals and slides for other people for peanuts because he loves what he does. At one time he insisted he would tag along with me on my trainings and conduct some sessions for free just so he could stay in the heart of things. In each case, he always ended up getting something bigger and better. Second is his drive for excellence. Anything he touched- he would go the extra mile to excel at, whether it was in church as an undergrad (year one coordinator, financial secretary and then president-in 3years); as a student (winning the first ever best project award), as a Corp member or as a business man. As I have always said...success is a habit! Third is his honest humility. Everywhere he goes, everyone is eager to teach Daniel because Daniel is so eager to learn. I willingly, without hesitation offloaded every e-book I had on entrepreneurship over 7 years ago in gratitude for his help with my workshop I dont touch any consulting job without Daniel, even if I could do it myself- his drive and passion keep me on my toes and over the years he has become more than just a friend and business partner- I consider him a confidante and younger brother.

As is true for everyone who has become a success in life, whatever Daniel finds to do, he makes sure he does it well

Celebrating his birthday in a boys home.

Daniel Chinagozi

George & Friends

www.georgeakomasjr.com