Introduce Your Self
I am Oyedeji Oluwasegun Emmanuel, Popularly Known as Goldyn Raplana, The CEO and the brain behind Lana Nation.
What’s Your Background?
I was born in Jos the capital of Plateau State in the early 90’s, into a family of six, am the second child and also the first son of the family.
My hobbies:
I like making noise, I make researches a lot. I always try new things and I like surfing the internet.
Tell us your journey to entrepreneurship.
The journey (Irinajo Mi) it all started when I was a kid, about 12 years old or so, that was when I wrote my 1st song and but could not afford the money for studio session, but I never stopped I keep writing and in 2010 then I was in JSS 3, I met some guys who seem to have the same dream like me, B. Benz, Adequate and Hollat Yungin. We formed a music group namely Day Boiz Entertainment headed by me. We contributed money and recorded our 1st song titled “My Girl Friend” and later recorded “Dance for me”, but we later split. After the splitting of the group, I joined Da Prestigious Crew which later fizzled out along the line too. By this time, I was already in SS3, my love and passion for music made me to use the money my dad gave me to register for NECO for music. I use the money to record my first single titled “Orin” featuring V.cent. My dad was angry and forced me to pack my things from Ibadan to come and meet him in Abuja in 2013 and that was how the entrepreneurship journey started. I finish my secondary education in Ibadan at Bishop Philips Academy, Iwo Road, Ibadan in 2013, before I travelled to Abuja that same year. When I got to Abuja I realized that there is more to life. I realized that poor people don’t do music. So I joined a computer training school, where I got Diploma in computer, and after that I discovered I also have talent in graphics design. Graphics is what I love doing to do. I make lots of money from graphic designing and along the line I also became a blogger. So in 2015 I travelled down to Ibadan to write my SSCE Examination and stayed back in Ibadan since then. 70% of the youths in Ibadan are familiar with the name Lana Nation when it comes graphics design, music promotion within Ibadan and in local shows. Lana Nation is an upcoming record label and a graphic design company.
What About your growing up: Growing up?
I enjoyed it, though I was not born with silver spoon and unfortunately have no spoon at all. It was me myself and I, ever since my parents divorced 12 years ago, I never rely on anybody. I believe in my self. I believe in my hustle and I also believe in Lana Nation.
How has your growing up influenced your career?
It really influenced my career I would say. If you have listen to my hit song “Ijo Ope”, “E ra ata e sebe, e ra epo e sebe”, hawking pepper in the song, describing the life I lived in Jos, Abuja, Lagos and Ibadan you would agree with me that I am familiar with different tribes, culture, languages etc. And the hard times made me who I am today, because if I actually have everything I need, I may not believe in hustle.
What challenged you into starting your business in spite of what’s happening around us?
What really challenged me is that I like independence. I don’t depend on anyone for anything and I like to be a leader. I like to be a giver as well.
As a young entrepreneur, what motivate you to push for success?
What really motivate me to push for success is my background, my dad is just a civil servant and could not afford to sponsor his children education and lots more. I can also say the hard times, but what really made me to push for success is because I want to be successful. I want to be a legend, I want people to learn from me. I want to mentor many lives.
Who is/are your role model(s)?
Dr Yinka Ayefele, who sees fulfilment in disability. Timaya who scored 16 in University Matriculation Examination by Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) and his name appeared in JAMB. Williams Bill Gate who is a drop out, but people go to Universities today to study what he invented. Nelson Mandela never believe in NO and from Prison he became a president.
What has been your greatest fear as a young entrepreneur?
Ooh, that’s failure and NO. I never believe in NO, that’s what keeps me moving. When life gives a thousand reasons to give up, I gave it a million reason to move on. I never believe in no.
What has your gender played in achieving your goals as a young entrepreneur?
It played the major role, because no food for lazy man. So as a man I must fight for myself.
What’s your advice for young entrepreneur?
My advice for young entrepreneurs is that they should never believe in NO. When you fail try again and again. There is no crime in falling, but it is a crime when you fall and refuse to rise again.
What’s your take on the state of the Nation?
My own concern is about the youths, youths are the leader of tomorrow, we should stay out of trouble. Bad gangs corrupt good manners. We should focus on our dream. We are the only hope for this nation.
Facebook: Goldyn Raplana Twitter/IG @goldynraplana
