At the final Midweek Recharge service for July 2025 , Daystar Christian Centre hosted an insightful panel session on “Doing Business” featuring accomplished professionals: Adetutu Afolabi, Edward Esene, Samuel Ijiyokunola, and Tope Mark-Odigie.
The discussion, moderated by Tope Mark-Odigie, focused on how to run a profitable business without compromising Christian value, a recurring struggle for many entrepreneurs navigating Nigeria’s business landscape. Here are the take home points from the discussion:
1. Integrity in a Corrupt System:
Edward Esene shared the real pressure that business owners face daily, including the temptation to cut corners just to survive. He encouraged business owners to anchor themselves in values, even when the system pushes otherwise.
Dr. Adetutu Afolabi shared emotional and eye-opening stories of standing firm on her convictions in the pharmaceutical space. From refusing to sell expired drugs to returning inflated payments, her actions demonstrated that integrity may cost in the short term, but pays off in the long run.
2. Every Industry Has Its Nuance:
Tope Mark-Odigie reflected on the grey areas entrepreneurs face, especially in industries like real estate. Her powerful phrase, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,” captured the fine line between ethical compromise and survival in local business environments. Her insight reminded us that navigating ethical dilemmas requires wisdom and community support, not isolation.
3. Ministry Through Marketplace:
Each panelist emphasized that doing business is also ministry. Entrepreneurs are value creators, and every product or service delivered with excellence is an extension of God’s purpose. The panel encouraged business owners to see their ventures as platforms for impacting lives.
Samuel Ijiyokunola gave an example of standing firm in a service-based business when tempted to accept unethical payments. His story highlighted that character builds long-term credibility, leading to bigger and cleaner deals.
4. Tough Decisions Are Necessary:
A major takeaway was that firing staff, setting KPIs, and maintaining performance standards are necessary parts of business leadership.
They encouraged entrepreneurs to lead with both heart and structure, combining empathy with professional processes to sustain vision and profitability.
This panel wasn’t just a talk; it was a divine business mentorship session for Christian entrepreneurs. The conversation reminded us that our values don’t have to be sacrificed on the altar of profit. Instead, when we build with integrity, we build to last.
As Pastor Sam Adeyemi often says, “Your business is a platform for transformation. Build it right.” You can always watch the replay on YouTube.
