Geospatial Analytics Technologies, successfully hosted the March 2025 edition of the PEPTalk series on Saturday, March 29, 2025. This virtual session, which attracted over 75 participants, featured an engaging and insightful presentation by the guest speaker, Dr. Abiodun Feyikemi Ipadeola, the Technical Director and CEO of Datametrics Associates Limited. The theme of the March series PEPTalk was “Intentional Growth: Building a Purpose-Driven Career in Public Health”.
The event was designed to inspire young professionals and students in the public health sector to build a fulfilling and impactful career. Dr. Abiodun shared powerful strategies for building a purpose-driven career in public health. Her engaging presentation left attendees buzzing with excitement and fresh perspectives.
The session commenced with a warm welcome, followed by opening remarks from the convener, who introduced Geospatial Analytics Technologies and highlighted their mission and activities for the year 2025. Afterward, the guest speaker, Dr. Abiodun Ipadeola, was introduced, setting the stage for the highly anticipated PEPTalk presentation, which lasted over two hours and left participants captivated.
A Roadmap for Success
Dr. Ipadeola began her talk by defining key terms relevant to the discussion. She described intentional growth as “something that is done on purpose, deliberately with a goal in mind. It involves being mindful, thoughtful, and deliberate in one’s actions, decisions, or behaviors.” To illustrate this concept, she referenced Robert Downey Jr.’s dedication to learning to play tennis left-handed for his role in Chaplin. “Do you have a vision?” she asked the audience. She emphasized the necessity of having a vision and mission statement, explaining that “the mission statement will always guide you to achieve your vission.”
A significant highlight of the presentation was the emphasis on focus and consistency as key ingredients for success. According to Dr. Ipadeola, “Everyone will have you defined in their mind, what impression are you or have you created in people’s mind?” She elaborated on how individuals must maintain their focus, consistently improve their craft, and master their chosen fields rather than attempting to handle too many things at once. She also spoke extensively about the importance of having a “bringer”—someone who connects one to opportunities. “When your intention is noble, you will get all the support you need,” she remarked, noting the value of integrity in professional growth.
She presented a structured roadmap for career growth, outlining the importance of obtaining the right qualifications, including academic degrees, professional certifications, associate or fellowships where required, and continuous professional development. She also stressed the role of discipline, technical competence, and networking. “Registering with relevant professional bodies helps you network with the right people,” she advised. Moreover, she encouraged participants, particularly fresh graduates, to engage in internships and volunteer opportunities as a pathway to gain experience and for career advancement.
From Theory to Real-Life Journeys
Her personal journey in public health and research provided a compelling narrative of dedication and perseverance. She shared her own career trajectory, recounting her transition from a medical laboratory scientist to a research assistant collecting data on the field to a lead Research & Evaluation Expert in the country. “My research journey started during my postgraduate training,” she said. “From data collector to principal investigator, I fell in love with research and never looked back.”
According to her, she moved from a research assistant to a field manager, data analyst, co-principal investigator, and eventually a lead author in multiple Scopus-indexed publications. She shared her dilemma of choosing between a lucrative job and pursuing her MLS program, stating, “One had to go, and the job did—it was a very painful decision because the job was meant to pay very well.”
Audience Reactions and Key Takeaways
During the interactive session, participants expressed their admiration and gratitude for the session:
Fidelis Bitrus remarked, “I have done it all wrong all this while, thank you ma” in reference to the communication skills discussed by Dr. Ipadeola. Similarly, Deborah Agbo described the session as “a mind-blowing session. Thank you so much, Ma.”
Mcsmith Tayim and Samuel Gaku also expressed their appreciation, with Gaku stating, “I am delighted to have joined this virtual meeting, which has been incredibly informative and insightful. I appreciate the valuable knowledge shared, and I’m confident that I’ll leave with new perspectives.”
Several questions were posed during the session, and Dr. Ipadeola provided insightful responses. Adetola Adebiyi asked, “Kindly suggest appropriate alternatives for ‘noted’. Thank you, Ma.” Dr. Ipadeola recommended using “This is well received, thank you ma/sir (or as appropriate)” or “This is well received with thanks, ma/sir.”
Samuel Gaku inquired, “May I request access to the slide presentation for future reference?” The Geoanaltech team responded, stating, “We are going to reach out to Dr. Abiodun to share the slides. Those that need it should register using the link provided in the comment section.”
Additionally, some participants, such as Kamil Ajagbe, expressed interest in obtaining the slides, while Ednah Thomas made a direct request for mentorship, stating, “Please Dr., I want you to be my mentor. I love your vigor, Ma. Thank you, Ma’am.”
The session concluded with a vote of thanks from the Geospatial Analytics Technologies team lead, who expressed immense gratitude to Dr. Ipadeola for her invaluable insights and encouraged participants to look forward to the next PEPTalk session. A heartwarming moment followed when the participants celebrated Dr. Ipadeola’s birthday, which was the following day, marking a memorable end to an impactful event.
Closing remarks and birthday celebration for Dr. Ipadeola
I like the do you have a vision part. Thank you so much for the insights.
Love page design too. All details properly place.