‘I funded my education with proceeds from a computer centre’

Simon Markus Yila is the founder of Motion Group of Companies. He was the best graduating student of Mass Communication at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) this year. In an interview with Yila speaks on how proceeds from his business centre fun

How did you start?

I had a resolution that I would be an employer of labour before I become a graduate. After my admission, I started registering my course mates, with my computer system. As I became familiar with this, I saw the need to get a shop in the school environment.

Who sponsored your education?

Saving culture saw me through my tertiary education.

I had a mindset of being independent even before gaining admission into the university. When I want something I work towards getting it. I don’t like looking up to someone else to help me solve my problem when I know I can be productive. The secret of it all is that I devised a style of saving. I gave myself a target to save every day and at the end of each semester, collect the savings, and that’s from where I paid for tuition and accommodation.

How did you emerge the best graduate, combining business with studies?

It was a herculean task, but I am happy that I was able to surmount it. It was not easy. They said I was one of the busiest students in school, having to run my information platform, NSUK Guide, my business, Mark Motion Tech, and my academics. I had at most two lectures every day, so I spent the rest of the day at the shop. Even though I had some employees, most customers preferred that I attended to them. Everything is about discipline; I believe that it’s not only about the people you have around that are looking up to you, it is also about you looking up to yourself.

What other thing can youths do to succeed?

Everything about this life is passion. I had some students that really admired what I was doing, students who were even better placed with highly configured computer systems, but all some do is play games with them. Many who indicated interest in what I was doing could not cope; after a week, you would not see them again.

Every man has a passion and until you identify your passion you can never excel in any business. What youths should know is that when you do something because others are doing it, you will fail. I didn’t start ‘Motion Group’ because others were doing it. In fact, it started in my room with me.

How do you feel being the best graduate?

It really has been God all the way. Some people are born great, some are born to be great and some are born to achieve greatness. You can be whoever you want to be, just identify your talent/passion and follow it.