₦airaland Forum

He lost his sight and found himself.

Ettu Sodiq Omotayo lost his sight as an undergraduate in Nigeria. After becoming blind, he decided to live the life of his dreams. Following is the story of how he became a sound engineer and entrepreneur, providing live sound at events around Nigeria.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_sUkNvs0WI

While studying Industrial Chemistry at the University of Ibadan, Ettu Sodiq Omotayo realized that he was finding it hard to adjust and refocus anytime he moved from a lighted environment into a dark one. He eventually went for tests and was informed that it has glaucoma and needed to undergo surgery. It was to cost N6,000 (at that time) which he did not have. He eventually lost his sight after being unable to raise the funds.

After losing his sight, he opened a small shop where he began playing cassettes using the sound system he had always owned in his house. People began to enquire if the tracks he was playing were for sale, and he immediately created a business out of that. Soon after, he began to get enquiries about whether he could supply sound (using the same home speakers) for small events like naming ceremonies. He started offering that service as well. One day, has was asked about a wedding ceremony. He requested for a deposit, used that to purchase the needed microphone, and was in business!

Today, Ettu has expanded his sound production empire and has successfully provided live sound for several functions around South-West Nigeria. He has also expanded into transportation business, owning a number of vehicles for intra and interstate travel.

In all, he is completely blind.

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I think it's a great example of starting where you are, with what you have and in spite of your limitations.

eNigeriaOrg:
Inspired

How does Ettu see his computer to select tracks? How does he see his sound mixer to change settings? He doesn't! He has just learnt the positions of everything. He operates his computer using the keyboard.

Ettu is also happily married. He has 4 children, 1 of whom is a graduate, 2 are undergraduates and the last born is in senior secondary school.