Monday, 19 October 2020
NATIONAL CREATIVITY CHAMPIONSHIP BRIDGING GAP ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERI - UDOM IDONGESIT
Friday, 16 October 2020
COMMUNIQUE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR, NATIONAL CREATIVITY CHAMPIONSHIP, AN INITIATIVE OF EMMANUEL MORAH FOUNDATION WITH COLLABORATION, ENDORSEMENT AND SUPPORT FROM VARIOUS PARTNERS
Saturday, 21 September 2019
Know Ur SDGoals - @SDGPoice
#KnowUrSDGoals
To achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16 we need to establish the rule of law on the basis of equality ⚖️
UNODC ensures that human rights of vulnerable groups e.g. women, children and victims are addressed in the context of crime prevention and criminal justice reform in an effort to #LeaveNoOneBehind.
#UNGA #SDG16
Source - @UNODC
Tuesday, 17 September 2019
Sustainable Solutions Africa Coming Soon
Money matters matter! This week, Abosede Alimi Director, Strategy, Funding and Stakeholder Management at Lagos State Employment Trust Fund will take the Sustainable Solutions Africa 2019 cohort on 'Fundraising - Attracting Funds to your Cause'.
We are more than eager!
#lsetf
#sustainability #sustainablesolutionsafrica #skill #myweforgood #fundraising #funding
Tuesday, 13 August 2019
America a Christian Nation - President Donald Trump
America, a Christian Nation - President Donald Trump
In agreement with what President Trump said:
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of AMERICA, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks
Separately, TRUMP angered some American Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
Quote:
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT... Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans.
'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.
'We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!
'Most Americans believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools.
If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'
'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.
'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great AMERICAN freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.
'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE’. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country that accepted you.
NOTE:
IF we circulate this amongst ourselves, WE will find the courage to start speaking and voicing the same truths.
If you agree, please SEND THIS ON and ON, to as many people as you know....and for those who disagree move to a third world country and live there. "
In agreement with what President Trump said:
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of AMERICA, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks
Separately, TRUMP angered some American Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
Quote:
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT... Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans.
'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.
'We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!
'Most Americans believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools.
If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'
'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.
'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great AMERICAN freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.
'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE’. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country that accepted you.
NOTE:
IF we circulate this amongst ourselves, WE will find the courage to start speaking and voicing the same truths.
If you agree, please SEND THIS ON and ON, to as many people as you know....and for those who disagree move to a third world country and live there. "
Monday, 5 August 2019
Sunday, 28 July 2019
Origin of Benin Kingdom. - Ramson Adamu
The original founders of Benin kingdom are the Edo people,were initially ruled by Ogiso meaning”Kings of the sky “who called their land Igodomigodo.
The first Ogiso (Ogiso Igodo) wielded influence and gained popularity as a good ruler.He died after a long good reign and was succeeded by Ere,his eldest son.
In the 12 century,there was a great palace intrigue and crown prince Ekaladerhan, the only son of the last Ogiso,was sentenced to death as a result of the first queen(who was barren)deliberately changing an Oracle’s message of the Ogiso.
In carrying out the royal order that he be killed,the palace messengers had mercy and set the king free at Ughoton near Benin.
The exiled prince Ekaladerhan changed his name to Izoduwa meaning “I have choosing the path of prosperity”and find his way to ile Ife.
Chief Oliha mounted a Search for the barnished prince Ekaladerhan-whom the Ife people now called Oduduwa.Oduduwa,who could not return due to his advanced age,granted them oranmiyan his son to rule over them.
After residing at his palace in Usama for some years he called for a meeting of the people and renounced his office remarking in vexation ile-ibinu “ile means land “binu” mean anger, and thus the kingdom was called ibinu,which was mispronounce as Bini In 15th -16th century by the Portuguese.
#mamaafrica
#ariseafrica
#onepeopleonecontinent
#africamyfatherland
Friday, 7 September 2018
Earth trembling in Abuja - Kunle Lawal
In Abuja,over the Last few days there have been tremors spanning the Gwarimpa- Maitama area.The most probable cause is the effect of constant quarry explosions in the Mpape area.
Of the over 532 MDAs (Ministries,Departments and agencies) there has been no clear cut explanation to reasons for the occurrence and no adequate response for support in eventuality of a situation or a solution
Nigeria is not above any of the earths crusts major fault lines but can we continue to just not know and proceed like all is well
The capital city of The most populous black nation can do better - only location and weather separate Abuja from Paris,Dubai and Washington
We can Do Better
#KL2019
Thursday, 6 September 2018
SoroNsija Experience - Sue H
SoroNaija Experience
Irony of Life in Nigeria
Rich man marries and have 4 children. Poor man marries and start mass production of children that he can't afford to train because the only thing that gives poor man joy is the body of his wife.
The country has beaten him to the level that sex is his only idea of enjoyment.
Politicians steal your money, sleep with your wife and girlfriends and sister, make sure you don't go to school, even when you struggle to, he makes sure you don't finish on time let alone getting a job.
He sends his children to the best schools abroad so they will take over from him when he is done playing with your future.
He initiates a poverty alleviation program, videos himself cutting tapes during the mounting of an electric pole. He gives you N4000, bags of rice at rallies and arms to fight his opponents.
He paints the roads and puts Street lights when there are no light in your home. You hail him!
He spends millions on billboards of his fake projects, hires the best PR experts to keep you drooling with hunger and uninformed and keep on doing damages to your common sense. You defend him.
Second tenure, no jobs, no food, the N4000 has finished and the bag of rice wasting in the pit of your toilet. He must recover the billions he spent buying your votes. For he is not qualified to lead but you qualified him.
You start making use of the guns he bought for you. You kill the poor like yourself who is suffering the effects of the N4000 and bag of rice that you took. You try to Kidnap his friends, their police orderlies fire back at you.
His friends tell him that there is insecurity in town and it will affect their mobilization for him for second term.
He shouts ahhhh, second tenure is like the second round of sex that puts one to sleep after, except, perhaps, he works for vivid entertainment or one of those Hollywood porn industries.
He complains of lack of security to the commissioner of police and General Officer Commanding, Air Officer commanding or the Flag Officer Commanding.
He spends millions hosting them. They tell him what to do. By now, you have become a threat.
He buys even a bigger gun for the police and the military plus operational vehicles.
He pays for radio and TV jingles to warn you.
You rob, you die. You protest, you die. You stay at home, you die of starvation.
Then, you get recommended to a church and since you can't pay tithes, pastor turns you into an errand boy.
He sends you to buy biscuits for his children, wash pants for his wife and clean his cars.
You sweep the church for free while awaiting your heavenly reward while the pastor fly private jets and drive flashy sedans.
You are happy that your pastor is rich and argue for him in midst of your friends.
He runs to the UK at the slightest symptoms of headache but prays for you when you are sick and tells you to bring your sick mother to church for prayers instead of taking her to hospitals to waste money.
She dies and he tells you that it was God's will while his mother has been in the UK for months receiving the best treatment that tithes can buy.
He buys a new land for a new church branch, you help to carry blocks and turn concrete, then collect blessings as reward. You are happy to be working for the salvation of your soul, heaven will pay.
The pastor lives his heaven on earth.
The new church building is completed on your sweat.
He invites the president, governor, senator, house of representative member and every other person who made sure that you are poor by design.
The whole area is policed with guns and armored cars. You are comfortably seated at the back while straining your neck to see who and who came.
The president and governor and senator plus their contractor friends donate hundreds of millions for the new church while you cheer from the back.
The food they shared didn't get to you but you are happy the president and governor and senator came to your church. You even brag to others of how your pastor is well connected.
You get home, hunger Knocks angrily on the belly door, your neighbor bails you out while you wait for heaven to pay.
10 years on the jobless job, pastor's children have been sent abroad for studies. Age is no longer on your side, pastor hooks you up with another aunty that sweeps the church for free with no education just like you and Weds you both on a Friday evening church service and you are happy. Your children starts the cycle all over again.
What is the difference between an Ordinary Thief (OT) & a Political Thief (PT)?
1) The Ordinary Thief steals your money, bag, watch, gold chain etc.;
But the Political Thief steals your future, career, education, health & business!
2) The hilarious part is: The Ordinary Thief will choose whom to rob; But you, yourself chose the Political Thief to rob you.
3) The most ironic one: Police will chase and nab the Ordinary Thief; while the Police will look after and protect the Political Thief!
That’s the travesty cum irony of our current society!
And, we blindly say we are not blind!
It may not make sense to many but just read and be wise.
Its election period
Irony of Life in Nigeria
Rich man marries and have 4 children. Poor man marries and start mass production of children that he can't afford to train because the only thing that gives poor man joy is the body of his wife.
The country has beaten him to the level that sex is his only idea of enjoyment.
Politicians steal your money, sleep with your wife and girlfriends and sister, make sure you don't go to school, even when you struggle to, he makes sure you don't finish on time let alone getting a job.
He sends his children to the best schools abroad so they will take over from him when he is done playing with your future.
He initiates a poverty alleviation program, videos himself cutting tapes during the mounting of an electric pole. He gives you N4000, bags of rice at rallies and arms to fight his opponents.
He paints the roads and puts Street lights when there are no light in your home. You hail him!
He spends millions on billboards of his fake projects, hires the best PR experts to keep you drooling with hunger and uninformed and keep on doing damages to your common sense. You defend him.
Second tenure, no jobs, no food, the N4000 has finished and the bag of rice wasting in the pit of your toilet. He must recover the billions he spent buying your votes. For he is not qualified to lead but you qualified him.
You start making use of the guns he bought for you. You kill the poor like yourself who is suffering the effects of the N4000 and bag of rice that you took. You try to Kidnap his friends, their police orderlies fire back at you.
His friends tell him that there is insecurity in town and it will affect their mobilization for him for second term.
He shouts ahhhh, second tenure is like the second round of sex that puts one to sleep after, except, perhaps, he works for vivid entertainment or one of those Hollywood porn industries.
He complains of lack of security to the commissioner of police and General Officer Commanding, Air Officer commanding or the Flag Officer Commanding.
He spends millions hosting them. They tell him what to do. By now, you have become a threat.
He buys even a bigger gun for the police and the military plus operational vehicles.
He pays for radio and TV jingles to warn you.
You rob, you die. You protest, you die. You stay at home, you die of starvation.
Then, you get recommended to a church and since you can't pay tithes, pastor turns you into an errand boy.
He sends you to buy biscuits for his children, wash pants for his wife and clean his cars.
You sweep the church for free while awaiting your heavenly reward while the pastor fly private jets and drive flashy sedans.
You are happy that your pastor is rich and argue for him in midst of your friends.
He runs to the UK at the slightest symptoms of headache but prays for you when you are sick and tells you to bring your sick mother to church for prayers instead of taking her to hospitals to waste money.
She dies and he tells you that it was God's will while his mother has been in the UK for months receiving the best treatment that tithes can buy.
He buys a new land for a new church branch, you help to carry blocks and turn concrete, then collect blessings as reward. You are happy to be working for the salvation of your soul, heaven will pay.
The pastor lives his heaven on earth.
The new church building is completed on your sweat.
He invites the president, governor, senator, house of representative member and every other person who made sure that you are poor by design.
The whole area is policed with guns and armored cars. You are comfortably seated at the back while straining your neck to see who and who came.
The president and governor and senator plus their contractor friends donate hundreds of millions for the new church while you cheer from the back.
The food they shared didn't get to you but you are happy the president and governor and senator came to your church. You even brag to others of how your pastor is well connected.
You get home, hunger Knocks angrily on the belly door, your neighbor bails you out while you wait for heaven to pay.
10 years on the jobless job, pastor's children have been sent abroad for studies. Age is no longer on your side, pastor hooks you up with another aunty that sweeps the church for free with no education just like you and Weds you both on a Friday evening church service and you are happy. Your children starts the cycle all over again.
What is the difference between an Ordinary Thief (OT) & a Political Thief (PT)?
1) The Ordinary Thief steals your money, bag, watch, gold chain etc.;
But the Political Thief steals your future, career, education, health & business!
2) The hilarious part is: The Ordinary Thief will choose whom to rob; But you, yourself chose the Political Thief to rob you.
3) The most ironic one: Police will chase and nab the Ordinary Thief; while the Police will look after and protect the Political Thief!
That’s the travesty cum irony of our current society!
And, we blindly say we are not blind!
It may not make sense to many but just read and be wise.
Its election period
Monday, 3 September 2018
*Yorubas Will Not Foolishly Follow Tinubu Again In 2019 As They Did In 20*Yorubas Will Not Foolishly Follow Tinubu Again In 2019 As They Did In 2015*
*Yorubas Will Not Foolishly Follow Tinubu Again In 2019 As They Did In 20*Yorubas Will Not Foolishly Follow Tinubu Again In 2019 As They Did In 2015*
Afenifere chieftain and statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo has urged former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to withdraw his support for President Buhari ahead of 2019 poll.
Speaking in an interview with the Sun, Adebanjo, said that Tinubu has done nothing for his support for President Buhari in 2015.
He also warned the All Progressives Congress, APC national leader that the South West will no longer follow him ‘sheepishly’ as they did in 2015, adding that people of the region are not fools.
According to him, “If Tinubu is not going to perdition and if he is going to be rational, he should withdraw from President Buhari and come home.
“There is nothing to report for having joined Buhari in the last general elections. What has he got to show for all the support for Buhari when he appointed all the security chiefs from Katsina?
“Tinubu has gained nothing. He is just bargaining with the Yoruba people. Whatever he is doing with Buhari would not serve the Yoruba interest.
“If he challenges that, he should come and say this is what he has brought to the Yoruba people since joining the Buhari government.
“Apart from the stooges Buhari appointed, all the major positions are in the hands of the Northerners.
“Except the positions given to some of them because of their efforts during the campaign, what did the Yoruba people gain as a body?
“Do you think that in 2019, everybody will follow former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu sheepishly to perdition. Don’t forget that the people of the South West are not fools.
“He deceived them in the first instance and I warned them.
Since that election of 2015, what has Tinubu brought to the South West since he took them there.
“My dear, I do not want to be talking about the obvious. If anybody is still in the fool’s paradise, thinking that Tinubu is leading the Yoruba, such a person is deceiving himself.
“Tinubu is just leading himself now and he is not enjoying the present government except he is deceiving himself.”
On whether the southwest will vote for APC again in 2019 because of the position of Vice president he said: "What is the strength of the vice president? The vice president we have now is the public relations officer of all the impunities going on in this government under the President and he is a lawyer.
"If he is the vice president and he does not know why he is there, if the time comes, when he comes home, we will tell him to report what he and Tinubu have brought by working for Buhari.
"Vice President Osibanjo is a qualified lawyer with a good parentage and training and he will be the first to come and defend that the rule of law is subject to the national security. It is a shame.15*
Afenifere chieftain and statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo has urged former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to withdraw his support for President Buhari ahead of 2019 poll.
Speaking in an interview with the Sun, Adebanjo, said that Tinubu has done nothing for his support for President Buhari in 2015.
He also warned the All Progressives Congress, APC national leader that the South West will no longer follow him ‘sheepishly’ as they did in 2015, adding that people of the region are not fools.
According to him, “If Tinubu is not going to perdition and if he is going to be rational, he should withdraw from President Buhari and come home.
“There is nothing to report for having joined Buhari in the last general elections. What has he got to show for all the support for Buhari when he appointed all the security chiefs from Katsina?
“Tinubu has gained nothing. He is just bargaining with the Yoruba people. Whatever he is doing with Buhari would not serve the Yoruba interest.
“If he challenges that, he should come and say this is what he has brought to the Yoruba people since joining the Buhari government.
“Apart from the stooges Buhari appointed, all the major positions are in the hands of the Northerners.
“Except the positions given to some of them because of their efforts during the campaign, what did the Yoruba people gain as a body?
“Do you think that in 2019, everybody will follow former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu sheepishly to perdition. Don’t forget that the people of the South West are not fools.
“He deceived them in the first instance and I warned them.
Since that election of 2015, what has Tinubu brought to the South West since he took them there.
“My dear, I do not want to be talking about the obvious. If anybody is still in the fool’s paradise, thinking that Tinubu is leading the Yoruba, such a person is deceiving himself.
“Tinubu is just leading himself now and he is not enjoying the present government except he is deceiving himself.”
On whether the southwest will vote for APC again in 2019 because of the position of Vice president he said: "What is the strength of the vice president? The vice president we have now is the public relations officer of all the impunities going on in this government under the President and he is a lawyer.
"If he is the vice president and he does not know why he is there, if the time comes, when he comes home, we will tell him to report what he and Tinubu have brought by working for Buhari.
"Vice President Osibanjo is a qualified lawyer with a good parentage and training and he will be the first to come and defend that the rule of law is subject to the national security. It is a shame.
#copied
Afenifere chieftain and statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo has urged former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to withdraw his support for President Buhari ahead of 2019 poll.
Speaking in an interview with the Sun, Adebanjo, said that Tinubu has done nothing for his support for President Buhari in 2015.
He also warned the All Progressives Congress, APC national leader that the South West will no longer follow him ‘sheepishly’ as they did in 2015, adding that people of the region are not fools.
According to him, “If Tinubu is not going to perdition and if he is going to be rational, he should withdraw from President Buhari and come home.
“There is nothing to report for having joined Buhari in the last general elections. What has he got to show for all the support for Buhari when he appointed all the security chiefs from Katsina?
“Tinubu has gained nothing. He is just bargaining with the Yoruba people. Whatever he is doing with Buhari would not serve the Yoruba interest.
“If he challenges that, he should come and say this is what he has brought to the Yoruba people since joining the Buhari government.
“Apart from the stooges Buhari appointed, all the major positions are in the hands of the Northerners.
“Except the positions given to some of them because of their efforts during the campaign, what did the Yoruba people gain as a body?
“Do you think that in 2019, everybody will follow former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu sheepishly to perdition. Don’t forget that the people of the South West are not fools.
“He deceived them in the first instance and I warned them.
Since that election of 2015, what has Tinubu brought to the South West since he took them there.
“My dear, I do not want to be talking about the obvious. If anybody is still in the fool’s paradise, thinking that Tinubu is leading the Yoruba, such a person is deceiving himself.
“Tinubu is just leading himself now and he is not enjoying the present government except he is deceiving himself.”
On whether the southwest will vote for APC again in 2019 because of the position of Vice president he said: "What is the strength of the vice president? The vice president we have now is the public relations officer of all the impunities going on in this government under the President and he is a lawyer.
"If he is the vice president and he does not know why he is there, if the time comes, when he comes home, we will tell him to report what he and Tinubu have brought by working for Buhari.
"Vice President Osibanjo is a qualified lawyer with a good parentage and training and he will be the first to come and defend that the rule of law is subject to the national security. It is a shame.15*
Afenifere chieftain and statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo has urged former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to withdraw his support for President Buhari ahead of 2019 poll.
Speaking in an interview with the Sun, Adebanjo, said that Tinubu has done nothing for his support for President Buhari in 2015.
He also warned the All Progressives Congress, APC national leader that the South West will no longer follow him ‘sheepishly’ as they did in 2015, adding that people of the region are not fools.
According to him, “If Tinubu is not going to perdition and if he is going to be rational, he should withdraw from President Buhari and come home.
“There is nothing to report for having joined Buhari in the last general elections. What has he got to show for all the support for Buhari when he appointed all the security chiefs from Katsina?
“Tinubu has gained nothing. He is just bargaining with the Yoruba people. Whatever he is doing with Buhari would not serve the Yoruba interest.
“If he challenges that, he should come and say this is what he has brought to the Yoruba people since joining the Buhari government.
“Apart from the stooges Buhari appointed, all the major positions are in the hands of the Northerners.
“Except the positions given to some of them because of their efforts during the campaign, what did the Yoruba people gain as a body?
“Do you think that in 2019, everybody will follow former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu sheepishly to perdition. Don’t forget that the people of the South West are not fools.
“He deceived them in the first instance and I warned them.
Since that election of 2015, what has Tinubu brought to the South West since he took them there.
“My dear, I do not want to be talking about the obvious. If anybody is still in the fool’s paradise, thinking that Tinubu is leading the Yoruba, such a person is deceiving himself.
“Tinubu is just leading himself now and he is not enjoying the present government except he is deceiving himself.”
On whether the southwest will vote for APC again in 2019 because of the position of Vice president he said: "What is the strength of the vice president? The vice president we have now is the public relations officer of all the impunities going on in this government under the President and he is a lawyer.
"If he is the vice president and he does not know why he is there, if the time comes, when he comes home, we will tell him to report what he and Tinubu have brought by working for Buhari.
"Vice President Osibanjo is a qualified lawyer with a good parentage and training and he will be the first to come and defend that the rule of law is subject to the national security. It is a shame.
#copied
Sunday, 27 May 2018
SoroHighlights 27518
SoroHighlights
Alliance for New Nigeria holds emergency NEC Meeting.
March for Girl Child education hold at Abuja
nPDP lists Candidates for SaveNigeria
Children Day Celebration hold today 27 May 2018
Obj calls for definite action against Buhari second term bid.
Alliance for New Nigeria holds emergency NEC Meeting.
March for Girl Child education hold at Abuja
nPDP lists Candidates for SaveNigeria
Children Day Celebration hold today 27 May 2018
Obj calls for definite action against Buhari second term bid.
Thursday, 24 May 2018
SoroHighlights 24518
SoroHighlights
Obj endorse David Mark
ANN FCT exco visits NTA Channel 5.
North Korea records a blast.
Buhari told to stop killings or face EXIT.
Court declare Innoson Chairman WANTED.
Obj endorse David Mark
ANN FCT exco visits NTA Channel 5.
North Korea records a blast.
Buhari told to stop killings or face EXIT.
Court declare Innoson Chairman WANTED.
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Creativity and I - Morah Emanuel
Unleash Your Creativity, Create Your Reality (Part One)
By: Oga Brown
(C) 2018
(Being A Presentation to participants of Unleash Ur Creativity3 held at Fastrut Estate, Mpape, Abuja on Tuesday, 20 February, 2018)
What Will Stop You?
- Access to finance
- Power
- Corruption
- Tax Rates
- Transportation
- Political Instability
- Informal Sector
- Access to Land
- Customs and Trade Regulations
- Tax Administration
- YOU! (Coffin)
Federal Government of Nigeria Policy Strategic Focus 2017- 2020 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP)
- " To grow and develop the economy sustainably, it is imperative to invest in the Nigerian people, especially its youth."
- "All initiatives under job creation will prioritise youth as beneficiaries. The implementing agencies will collaborate closely with the ministry of Sports and Youth Development to ensure that the capacity building and Skills Acquisition Intervention are targeted at youth dominated sectors such as ICT, Creative Industries and Services."
The Creative Industries:
Government Programme Strategy in the creative industry is to support creativity including Film Production by resuscitating the Presidential Tourism Council to drive tourism and the creative industries.
- Increase Film Production by 15% on annual basis
- Export Video to generate USD 1 billion in Foreign Exchange by 2020
- Improve Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights for Artistic Works Produced in Nigeria
- Increase the number of individuals using the Internet from 47.4% to 75%
- Encourage the development of a special Funding Window
- Provide Incentives for Private Sector investment
- Strengthen enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights and Crackdown on Piracy of Artistic Works.
The Creative Industries
- Films
- Music
- Broadcasting
- Publishing
- eChannels
They are big potentials to create jobs and generate Foreign Exchange Earnings (YouTube others..)
Nollywood is one of the fastest growing entertainment industries in the world and cannot be without its pocket of challenges.
Challenges In The Creative Industries:
- Low level of Technology Input
- Week Intellectual Property and Rights Regime
- Lack of Access to Financing
- High rate of Informal employments
Options
- Private Sector Involvement
- Clubs and Co-operative Societies
- Civil Societies and Non-Governmental Organisations
- You
Creative Industry Stakeholders:
- Ministry of Sports and Youth Development
- Ministry of Trade and Investment
- Ministry of Information and Culture
- Foreign Embassies
Creativity and I
"True Creativity is being in Union with our Own Devine Nature." - Anon.
" Willingness to extend the Love within us through Creative Expression is our way of transforming the world for through Creativity we begin to move from the life SCRIPTED for us by past Conditioning to a life of Autonomy and Freedom."
- Nick Williams (Power Beyond Measure- an inspiring guide to personal freedom.)
Past Conditioning ( Lord Ludwig) "How can savages have conception of God! How Can?"
True Creativity Is:
- Something We Have To Do
- Something We Must Bring Into Being
- Something New and Innovative
- It Is Something akin to Making Love
- It is actual Love Bursting out of Us
Now That You Know
Get Up Script It Film It Show It
Unleash Your Creativity
Create Your Reality
Write Your Own Script
Be in your own movie
Become the Director
Use the Clapperboard
Call Out Cut!
Action....!
Earn the Joy of Your Learn
- Paul and Silas the a principle of creativity and I.
I thank the organisers for this enterprising venture and like a mustard seed 2-ET Media Network and the Entrepreneurship Enhancement Centre, Not forgetting MTN, UNESCO...Members of The Directors Guild of Nigeria, The Benin Film Academy and particularly, Mr and Mrs Eyaba for this show of Love expressed through their creative geniuses residing inside for those who can!
I believe this Film Making Capacity Building Project specially designed to empower the African Youths through Filmmaking has met all necessary requirements for participants to dust off their lethargy, wear their creative crown and earn some pounds in this season of "Onyonye ge tobunu che."
Now...
- Do something New in My Life
Oga Brown presently lives in Abuja, the FCT. He is an International Speaker, Writer Entrepreneur and Dancer
He is the CEO of Braunplan International Limited, a Training/Management Consulting and Publishing Firm based in Nigeria.
Soromagazine.blogspot.com.ng
Sunday, 10 December 2017
APC Reaction on a Succesful PDP Convention
APC Reaction On The Emergence of Uche Secondus as PDP National Chairman
The ruling All Progressives Congress issues a statement below in reaction to the emergence of Uche Secondus as national chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
Mr. Secondus was elected at Saturday’s convention of the party which took place at the Eagle Square Abuja.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BY THE APC BELOW:
In reacting to revelations of how money-for-votes and systematic rigging was brazenly perpetuated during the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) is mindful of the popular axiom: “A leopard cannot change its spot”.
The abnormalities that trailed the PDP National Convention have further exposed the PDP as a Party not ready and willing to change. Indeed, the PDP has once again displayed itself to the generality of Nigerians that it is a Party with corruption deeply rooted in its DNA.
Again, it is tragic that the PDP which used to pride itself as “the biggest political Party in Africa” has now been reduced to a regional party. By frustrating South West Chairmanship candidates, it is unfortunate that the PDP has decided to punish the South West for not voting for the Party in 2015.
We urge members of the PDP that can pass the integrity test to join the APC so that we can together bring about the much-needed Change the country deserves.
SIGNED:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)
Elected PDP Convention Executives
1. National Chairman – Prince Uche Secondus
2. National Deputy Chairman South – Elder Yemi Akinwonmi
3. National Deputy Chairman North – Sen. Gamawa Babawo Garba
4. National Secretary – Sen. Ibrahim Tsauri
5. Deputy National Secretary – Dr. Agbo Emmanuel
6. National Treasurer – Hon. Aribisala Adewale
7. Deputy National Treasurer – Alh. Wada Masu
8. Financial Secretary – Ibrahim Husseini Maibasira
9. Dep. Fin. Sec. – Hon. Irona Alphonsus
10. Nat. Org. Sec. – Col (Rtr) Austin Akobundu
11. Dep. Nat. Org. Sec. – Barr. Hassan Yakubu
12. Publicity Secretary – Kola Ologbondiyan
13. Dep. Nat. Pub. Sec. – Hon. Diran Odeyemi
14. Nat. Legal Adviser – Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem
15. Dep. Nat. Legal Adviser – Barr. Ahmed Bello Liman
16. Nat. Auditor – Mal. Adamu Mustapha
17. Dep. Nat. Auditor – Miss Divine Amina Arong
18. Nat. Women Leader – Haj. Mariya Waziri
19. Dep. Nat. Women Leader – Umoru Adizet Hadizat
20. Nat. Youth Leader – Rt. Hon. Udeh Okoye
21. Dep. Nat. Youth Leader – Umar Babangida Maina
Friday, 1 December 2017
Alhaji Lai Mohammed Lights Chrismas Tree at Zuma Film Festival 2017
It was a night of glamour, celebration, dance and recognition as Zuma Film Festival return after three year since 2014.
The occasion was launched and unveiled by the Nigerian Minster of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who in his outstanding self spoke in French and English, stating clearly the marvelous works of the present administration in area of youth Empowerment, social development, Enterprise Development and commitments towards a prosperous Nigerian nation free of corruption.
He said that he's pleased to be in the presence of the Moroccan Ambassador, who played a vital role towards a successful outing of the Zuma Film Festival Abuja 2017 as Sponsors, and also recognised the relevance of all partner of the programme, MTN Nigeria, TSTV, Multichoicr Nigeria, DSTV and the famous Jabi Lake Mall for their support and commitment to Celebrating and recognising excellence of our great movie industry.
Also at the occasion was the Representative of UN Women, who spoke of their great achievement in gender equality and rural women development in Nigeria. A UN women short movie was showcased at the launching titled, Two Women and a Moroccan movie too.
As part of the programme for this year Zuma Film Festival was the light of the Christmas Tree at Jabi Lake Mall which was orchestrated and performed by the Alhaji Lai Mohammed in company of the Moroccan Ambassador and delegates of the Moroccan Embassy in Nigeria.
Tomorrow, event will see General Yakubu Gowon chair the lecture which starts by 10am at the Hall of Jabi Lake Mall Abuja with continued film show in the evening.
Thursday, 16 November 2017
Tribute to General Victor Malu - Oga Brown
Facing General Malu
By:
Oga Brown
(C) 2017
@Hillspride, Maitamakuchi, Abuja, Nigeria.
At 17 my "uncle" and neighbour told me am too small to become a cadet of the Nigerian Defence Academy. The General told me out. I insisted i need a Letter of Attestation from him as my Uncle but he re-directed it to a Lieutenant Colonel instead. l know then that i was literally "Denied" becoming a Commissioned Officer. I know the difference when a General signs and when a "smaller" officer signs. Particularly when the General is a "Principal Staff Officer" of the NDA. Because he told me I was too small to be a Soldier, I dared the recruiting officers to try me for size at the Ground Training Group where I was recruited into the services of the Nigerian Air Force at 18!
I worked with the Directorate of Public Relations and Information from my first day on resumption at the Tactical Air Command and as the youngest reporter in the service, I became an immediate attraction and covered most assignment relating to the Air Officer Commanding. This means am in touch with both local, national and international tattling. General Malu was ECOMOG Commander and his scheduled visit to TAC is causing jitters at the Quarter Guard and trepidation at both the Command HQ and the then Base Services Organisation (BSO), now BSG. We all know that his first stop to inspect the guard of honour will be at the QG and his mood will be determined from thence hence. The question is who is going to be the quarter guard sergeant to deliver a good and beautiful parade! That was when the RSM remembered me.
I was in the office working on a story of the general's coming when a message came that I should report to the QG. By now they have been rehearsing for almost a week yet the AOC was not satisfied! So I was sent for to take over the command with immediate effect! To those who recommended me, they know I can do it but will I? Even after training I was still heady! But the pummelling has reduced my ego to pulp except that I was more thick than my mate! Ask them they know me!
The AOC came that evening to supervise our rehearsal and he nodded his head that the parade was militarily impeccable! But how will an Air Craft Man (ACM), equivalent to a "mere" Private present Parade to a General! This can't happen! What is the next best option? Make this tiny looking diminutive 18 year soldier wear a field rank of sergeant! And that was what the Oga patapata did! By my reckon, I never one day in the course of my assignment heard that any one has been given a Field Rank talkless of using same for and through the period leading to the d-day!
The day came and the whole Command were waiting to see how General Malu will react to this arrangement. He was a no nonsense man and known to speak his mind. What he doesn't like I am warned he takes immediate action! I was frightened to believe that if the parade go awry, I may loose my next rank, if not my job! There was no kind of fear I was not threatened with... Facing General Malu.
For me facing crowd or anybody is second nature. I know about Audience Analysis. Unknown to them I was too ready to face Malu eyeball to eyeball, face to face and roll out the command. I know this command too well. I was among the pioneers that set up cadet in Army Day Secondary School, Ogoja, I was a general in Sardauna Memorial College, Kaduna Cadet and commands parade from my wee teens when i had my yellow soldiers in Angwa-Shanu, a founder of Junior "Man'O'War in Christ the King Primary School, Okpoma, Army Children School, New Cantonment "A" while "TheBull" was in Primary six "A" and I was the class captain as well as the football number one and captain at time. I formed the "Eleshin Squad" in Yemetu Aladorin, Ibadan to and through the ground training group of the Training Command in Kaduna. I have enough experience to command any parade.. Infact if I should tell any one why the military was an attraction, it is because of the parade. So to me, there was no fright, just fun...
Face to Face with General Malu I remember vividly what I said, and as he goes to his source, I want to put this on record for his memory's sake:
General Victor Malu's visit to my military formation, made me the Youngest Field Sergeant in the Nigerian Air Force as at then. I have been gone now fourteen going on fifteen but the tradition remains thesame. I have exchange guns for microphones. Am due for another kind of message that will not require me to add "Force". I don't like that word. I know you too don't like it, even Malu! So I am giving you this parade in honour of your goodsoul my "General"!
"Parade, parade Attention!
General Salute, present arms!
"Sir!
I, NAF....11111 oblique 2222. "Sergeant Oga Brown... Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force, Makurdi, .....On parade, parade ready for your inspection Sir!...
May I have your permission to march out the QG Sir?....
Sentry Man Standfast, remainder into the guard r
oom fall out!"
Ask any one who is not called to arms what it takes to look into a general's eye. Now go and ask those who know General Malu, the erstwhile ECOMOG Commander, former Chief of Army Staff and you will agree that only few like us can look General Malu in the Face and tell him what I told him...
Today I salute the courage of Malu to do his assignment to the letter, I salute his confidence to make life threatening speech and get away with it? Whatever happens I love the General I saw Face to Face. Maybe if he were my uncle at the NDA I probably would have remained in the service. Like three of my current generals in the services of my fatherland!
Work In Peace General Victor Samuel Leo Malu...
By:
Oga Brown
(C) 2017
@Hillspride, Maitamakuchi, Abuja, Nigeria.
At 17 my "uncle" and neighbour told me am too small to become a cadet of the Nigerian Defence Academy. The General told me out. I insisted i need a Letter of Attestation from him as my Uncle but he re-directed it to a Lieutenant Colonel instead. l know then that i was literally "Denied" becoming a Commissioned Officer. I know the difference when a General signs and when a "smaller" officer signs. Particularly when the General is a "Principal Staff Officer" of the NDA. Because he told me I was too small to be a Soldier, I dared the recruiting officers to try me for size at the Ground Training Group where I was recruited into the services of the Nigerian Air Force at 18!
I worked with the Directorate of Public Relations and Information from my first day on resumption at the Tactical Air Command and as the youngest reporter in the service, I became an immediate attraction and covered most assignment relating to the Air Officer Commanding. This means am in touch with both local, national and international tattling. General Malu was ECOMOG Commander and his scheduled visit to TAC is causing jitters at the Quarter Guard and trepidation at both the Command HQ and the then Base Services Organisation (BSO), now BSG. We all know that his first stop to inspect the guard of honour will be at the QG and his mood will be determined from thence hence. The question is who is going to be the quarter guard sergeant to deliver a good and beautiful parade! That was when the RSM remembered me.
I was in the office working on a story of the general's coming when a message came that I should report to the QG. By now they have been rehearsing for almost a week yet the AOC was not satisfied! So I was sent for to take over the command with immediate effect! To those who recommended me, they know I can do it but will I? Even after training I was still heady! But the pummelling has reduced my ego to pulp except that I was more thick than my mate! Ask them they know me!
The AOC came that evening to supervise our rehearsal and he nodded his head that the parade was militarily impeccable! But how will an Air Craft Man (ACM), equivalent to a "mere" Private present Parade to a General! This can't happen! What is the next best option? Make this tiny looking diminutive 18 year soldier wear a field rank of sergeant! And that was what the Oga patapata did! By my reckon, I never one day in the course of my assignment heard that any one has been given a Field Rank talkless of using same for and through the period leading to the d-day!
The day came and the whole Command were waiting to see how General Malu will react to this arrangement. He was a no nonsense man and known to speak his mind. What he doesn't like I am warned he takes immediate action! I was frightened to believe that if the parade go awry, I may loose my next rank, if not my job! There was no kind of fear I was not threatened with... Facing General Malu.
For me facing crowd or anybody is second nature. I know about Audience Analysis. Unknown to them I was too ready to face Malu eyeball to eyeball, face to face and roll out the command. I know this command too well. I was among the pioneers that set up cadet in Army Day Secondary School, Ogoja, I was a general in Sardauna Memorial College, Kaduna Cadet and commands parade from my wee teens when i had my yellow soldiers in Angwa-Shanu, a founder of Junior "Man'O'War in Christ the King Primary School, Okpoma, Army Children School, New Cantonment "A" while "TheBull" was in Primary six "A" and I was the class captain as well as the football number one and captain at time. I formed the "Eleshin Squad" in Yemetu Aladorin, Ibadan to and through the ground training group of the Training Command in Kaduna. I have enough experience to command any parade.. Infact if I should tell any one why the military was an attraction, it is because of the parade. So to me, there was no fright, just fun...
Face to Face with General Malu I remember vividly what I said, and as he goes to his source, I want to put this on record for his memory's sake:
General Victor Malu's visit to my military formation, made me the Youngest Field Sergeant in the Nigerian Air Force as at then. I have been gone now fourteen going on fifteen but the tradition remains thesame. I have exchange guns for microphones. Am due for another kind of message that will not require me to add "Force". I don't like that word. I know you too don't like it, even Malu! So I am giving you this parade in honour of your goodsoul my "General"!
"Parade, parade Attention!
General Salute, present arms!
"Sir!
I, NAF....11111 oblique 2222. "Sergeant Oga Brown... Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force, Makurdi, .....On parade, parade ready for your inspection Sir!...
May I have your permission to march out the QG Sir?....
Sentry Man Standfast, remainder into the guard r
Ask any one who is not called to arms what it takes to look into a general's eye. Now go and ask those who know General Malu, the erstwhile ECOMOG Commander, former Chief of Army Staff and you will agree that only few like us can look General Malu in the Face and tell him what I told him...
Today I salute the courage of Malu to do his assignment to the letter, I salute his confidence to make life threatening speech and get away with it? Whatever happens I love the General I saw Face to Face. Maybe if he were my uncle at the NDA I probably would have remained in the service. Like three of my current generals in the services of my fatherland!
Work In Peace General Victor Samuel Leo Malu...
Sunday, 12 November 2017
Time Flies - Prof Yemi Osinbajo
REMARKS BY THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, AT THE 10TH CONVOCATION OF LEAD CITY UNIVERSITY IN IBADAN, OYO STATE, ON NOVEMBER 9, 2017.
PROTOCOL
I am honoured to have been invited to celebrate this special day with you. The 10th Convocation ceremony of the Lead City University.
In celebrating the past, we honour the selflessness and enterprising spirit of the founder and all those who not only dared to envision this great institution, but turned it to a dream, to this city of great edifices to nurture the great minds of the imminent future.
So today we must honour the founder of this place of creativity and learning, Prof. Jide Owoeye; a man whose life and times have proved that with vision, hard work, and the courage of your convictions, you can achieve practically anything.
By establishing this University and before it, several other educational institutions, he has shown that securing the future of the following generations is the most important service that we owe the present.
As we do this, we also celebrate the great scholars, and the fine academics who make up the faculties here at the Lead City University. You are the thought leaders at a pivotal time in our national history, whose enormous task is to guide the present and inspire the future. And as we celebrate also and perhaps most importantly, the reason why we are gathered, the graduating class of 2017, congratulations and many congratulations also to the parents, family, guardians, sponsors, and loved ones of the graduands.
I was 60 years old in March this year, and I must confess that it was one of the greatest surprises I ever experienced! I just suddenly became 60. I can clearly remember when I graduated when I was 21 years old. How time flies. One of the most important lessons you will learn is that time flies. Whether you are wasting it or using it well, it simply flies by.
There are a few other lessons I learnt along the way. And at the age of 60 I’m entitled to give some advice, and l will share some of them with you. Some you might agree with, others you may not, but I would be most flattered if you remember them and whenever you meet me in life’s journey, somewhere down the line, you will tell me whether I was right or wrong.
First I learnt is that talent, an excellent degree, even coming from a well-off family, does not mean success and certainly does not mean greatness. The most talented people, those who get the best degrees, and even from a well-known family, do not necessarily become the most successful in life.
The difference between success and failure, mediocrity or excellence, is character. Along with character is the importance of opportunity, but perhaps most crucial, is the grace of God.
So what is character? And l will define it my own way; character is a set of values that shapes the conduct of an individual. It is the set of principles, spoken and unspoken, that a person observes and lives by.
I will speak about some aspects of character that I have learnt would make the crucial difference in life. These are, trustworthiness, courage, hard work especially (innovation) and self-discipline. Let us take trustworthiness, the currency of business, commerce and social interaction is trust. If you can be trusted, if people find you trustworthy, your class of degree or what your family name is will not matter. You will be successful.
As a young student at the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, in 1980 my school fees were delayed in a particular term. There were problems with the remitting from the Central Bank in Nigeria. So I spoke to the student’s counsellor in my faculty who asked me to go to the bank and ask for a loan. I asked how? How do l go for a loan when I don’t have any money? I owe over 600 pounds and I probably have only 50 pounds in the bank, where would I get the collateral to take the loan?
Anyway, I got to the bank and l explained the problem to the lady across the counter that I needed to pay 600 pounds for my fees, and she simply asked the name, and l brought out my ledger, she looked at it and found out I had no money in there. She asked me when I thought I could repay, I said maybe 6weeks. She then gave me a document I signed and she gave me 600pounds.
I paid my fees and I paid back when my cheque came. But in the same United Kingdom, a few years after, if you carried a Nigerian passport, the banks would not even open an account for you. Why? Some Nigerians abused the trust that financial transactions require. They thought, how foolish these oyinbo people are, they used credit cards to buy cars, furniture, electronics and ran back to Nigeria and hampered the opportunity of others in getting a loan from the bank account.
And if you look at the past few years, many foreign banks have closed accounts of Nigerians because of the numerous attempts to defraud on those accounts. So no matter how much money you have in your account, they just say we don't want your business because it's just too much trouble to do business with people who cannot be trusted. So because of the untrustworthiness of a few, a whole nation is painted black. But there is an opportunity here, because so many Nigerians and foreigners must do business in Nigeria.
The world is in search of the Nigerian of integrity, the trustworthy Nigerian to do business with, to employ. Everyone wants faithful partners or employees. Even thieves are in search of trustworthy people to keep their money with.
The other lesson is that you must repay when you borrow, whether it is from a friend, relation or a bank. Credit is the lifeblood of business, the life blood of commerce. You are dead if your credit sources dry up. And let me just go on quickly, l think it is important for us to just look at one or two other issues along the lines of character and hard work. But just before l go into that, let me recall a story, a story of a friend of mine, while a we are talking about trustworthiness.
I have a friend, Remi Morgan; he owns perhaps the largest Christian bookstore in Nigeria. Possibly the largest bookstore in Nigeria. When he wanted to start his business of importing bibles and Christian books from the US, no publisher in the US wanted to give him credit. Why? Many Nigerians who they had done business with in the past had taken credit and simply disappeared. So he had to pay cash for everything.
Now if you want to have a profitable busines,,,s, you must have credit line. But if you don't have credit, you can't do profitable business. But gradually, he began to build trust, as time went on he began to show that he could be trustworthy. They gave him credit for 30 days, then 60, then 120, and he made sure he paid back, so everybody wanted to do business with him.
Suddenly every Christian and business book publisher around the world want to do business with this honest Nigerian. So later on, his bookstore company possibly became the largest bookshop in Nigeria because he showed that he could be trusted.
The moment you show that you can be trusted, everything changes. Simple as it may sound, hard work and diligence is one of those character attributes that will set you apart. And let me dwell on this point; from here on, it really doesn't matter what you are hired as at your first job, whether you are hired as lowly as a receptionist, or as a personal assistant, no matter how lowly it may be, what is important is how much hard work and diligence you put to it. This is what will recommend you in the future, and l want you to remember that it doesn’t, really matter how that job is, it does not matter whether it’s an important job or not, but what will recommend you is hard work and diligence.
While I was teaching at the University of Lagos, as a young lecturer, in the department of Public Law in the Faculty of Law, there were 3 typists in the department. The chief typist, senior typist, and the junior typist. Because in those days before laptops and personal computers, typists in universities had to do a lot of work and they were very important because you always needed to type all your materials.
When there was work to do, what l discovered was that the chief typist would disappear. He works only till 4 pm. The senior typist would be nowhere to be found. But a gentleman called Adereni the junior typist, who only had his school certificate, was remarkably hardworking. Sometimes I would drop him off at his home at 1am.
Years after I was working as an adviser to the then Attorney-General of the Federation Hon. Bola Ajibola, who later became a judge of the World Court. While in the court at The Hague, in the Netherlands, one day he called me and asked if I could recommend a good secretary who is hard working and could do long judgments. I had three options, chief typist, senior or this junior typist, but the junior typist at a time had only school certificate, he didn’t have any other qualification but l choose him. He got to the Hague, and typically worked hard and diligently. Every judge in the court wanted him to work with them. He later moved his family over to the Hague and got degrees and made a good living for himself. One day he remembered me and actually sent me a car.
I just want to say that it was so apparent that all that this man had to proof, despite the fact that he had no qualifications at all, all he had to proof was diligence and hard work.
Solomon in the bible, the wisest man on earth, said these very wise words; the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favour to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill, but time and chance happen to them all.
Time and chance is another way of saying opportunity is crucial to success. And I’m sure many of us are familiar with that saying, opportunity knocks once as they say. But I think it's probably more true to say that sometimes opportunity whispers. Besides, as Ravenhill an intellectual said, “the opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity.” In order words, opportunity itself has a lifespan and you must seize it within that lifespan.
But to seize opportunity, you must be prepared. Most people have great hopes and dreams. But they are hardly ready for the opportunity when it comes.
Let me tell you another story. A lady worked with me many years ago. One of her greatest ambitions was to do a Master’s degree in law in the US. She prayed hard about it. And everyone in the department knew of her desire. One day out of the blues, we got an offer from a US foundation through the embassy to nominate a candidate preferably female, to do a Master’s degree and fellowship in a US University.
Wow the rejoicing that day. We were all so excited. We had only two days to the deadline. We had to submit her passport that afternoon. Then the bombshell, she didn't have a passport! We desperately tried the next day to obtain a passport but it didn't work. To cut a long story short. She lost the opportunity. She had everything else but missed her moment.
So there are some here who will say I want to work in an international organization, may be the United Nations, and you know that to stand a good chance, you need a second language apart from English. So if you haven't started yet, now is the time to learn French, Spanish, or even Chinese. So you won't be like the young man who was asked if he spoke a second language and he said yes, English and Itsekiri.
I think that aside from hard work, innovation will be very important. Here in Nigeria, many young people are using technology to disrupt existing assumptions and create new opportunities, new markets for themselves. Nollywood film industry, Jason Njoku is not an actor or movie producer, but he has used technology to create a new line of business in the Nollywood film industry. He is the proprietor of the Iroko brand TV; he made the Iroko brand the largest mainstream licensors and distributors of over 5,000 Nollywood films and African Music. Iroko has attracted $20 million in equity. So is the story of Jobberman, which was listed in the Forbes Magazine Top 10 Tech start-ups in Africa.
Jobberman's story is a fascinating one. In 2009, Olalekan Elude, Ayodeji Adewunmi and Opeyemi Awoyemi at that time, students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, started a site called Jobberman in their hostel to help connect people looking for work with companies looking to hire. Now Jobberman is one of the top 100 websites in Nigeria, and it gets 5,000 applications every day.
Just last May, Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook mentioned them as one of the major technology innovators in Nigeria. They have grown the company into a multimillion-dollar company. The young founders have now divested their interests in the company and are investing in other young Nigerian start-ups themselves. Jobberman follows the same principle as the others, they simply linked supply and demand.
There is a Venture Garden Group, a group of young people, another story of creating new markets and opportunities within existing markets. Venture Garden is a data driven Automation Company founded by three young Nigerians average age of 28, the company focuses on big data, automation and revenue assurance systems and has taken innovation to new levels.
For example, one of the subsidiaries, PowerTech, provides automation for the National power grid which now allows real-time monitoring of energy flow from generation to distribution and payment to all parties, to promote transparency and sustainability of the electricity market.
Social Media is possibly the internet's most outstanding phenomenon. It has created its own economy, and the only limits of opportunity are those of your imagination. For example, see how many young people have taken advantage of it to innovatively redefine the press, journalism and communication.
Today bloggers such as BellaNaija, Linda Ikeji, and news aggregators, like Nairaland command larger readership than regular print newspapers. Linda Ikeji alone has more people reading her blog than any Nigerian newspaper. Nairaland, founded in 2003 by 20 year old Seun Osewa, claims about 1.6 million subscribers, several times more readers than the combined number of readers of all Nigerian papers put together.
Nairaland creates no content of its own. To start off, it cost Seun Osewa less than N10,000 a month and Internet access, to build this multi-million Naira business and it’s so incredible when you hear about these young people. I remember a young friend of mine too, who at some point used to sell videos and gift items after we left university. This young man became an entrepreneur who owned the biggest marketing company in our country today. The young man is seated here today, his name is Bolade Osibodu
Finally, I have learnt that success is more easily attainable than greatness. You may be a successful businessman, politician, or professional but greatness is not for everyone. But I think I learnt the secret of greatness, you will only be great if you devote your life, and your efforts, to serving others.
The path to greatness is self-sacrifice for the good of others. Mandela is great because he gave his youth and his professional practice as a lawyer, in the struggle against apartheid and a South Africa that would treat all citizens as equals.
Martin Luther King is imprinted in history because gave up everything for the dream of a nation where none would be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. But most importantly, he taught the world like Ghandi did, that you can overcome evil with good, Mother Theresa the catholic nun, became great because of the many years she spent in leprosy settlements in Calcutta taking care of lepers, the forgotten and untouchable.
Let me end by telling the last lesson I have learnt, it is that courage and determination is the answer to the tyranny of history. A history of personal failure can cripple your hope, limit your scope and frighten you into a small vision.
Our family history, the misery and deprivations of our beginnings, the shame and disgrace of the past, sometimes the spectacular failures of the past are the tyrannical weapons of history. They whip us in line when we are thinking big, cutting us down to size as our self-esteem rises. Our past, yelling unworthy, unworthy, unworthy, at us as we struggle to do right, live right, and act with dignity.
But history we must remember, is not only a record of the past, it is the past, it is gone! Our future is not determined by history or the past unless we allow it. Your history is not your destiny. You have a chance to make your destiny.
I pray for you that the Almighty God will help you, the grace of God will support you, that the coming years will be easy and exciting and that your journey will be smooth.
Thank you.
Released by
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
10 November, 2017
PROTOCOL
I am honoured to have been invited to celebrate this special day with you. The 10th Convocation ceremony of the Lead City University.
In celebrating the past, we honour the selflessness and enterprising spirit of the founder and all those who not only dared to envision this great institution, but turned it to a dream, to this city of great edifices to nurture the great minds of the imminent future.
So today we must honour the founder of this place of creativity and learning, Prof. Jide Owoeye; a man whose life and times have proved that with vision, hard work, and the courage of your convictions, you can achieve practically anything.
By establishing this University and before it, several other educational institutions, he has shown that securing the future of the following generations is the most important service that we owe the present.
As we do this, we also celebrate the great scholars, and the fine academics who make up the faculties here at the Lead City University. You are the thought leaders at a pivotal time in our national history, whose enormous task is to guide the present and inspire the future. And as we celebrate also and perhaps most importantly, the reason why we are gathered, the graduating class of 2017, congratulations and many congratulations also to the parents, family, guardians, sponsors, and loved ones of the graduands.
I was 60 years old in March this year, and I must confess that it was one of the greatest surprises I ever experienced! I just suddenly became 60. I can clearly remember when I graduated when I was 21 years old. How time flies. One of the most important lessons you will learn is that time flies. Whether you are wasting it or using it well, it simply flies by.
There are a few other lessons I learnt along the way. And at the age of 60 I’m entitled to give some advice, and l will share some of them with you. Some you might agree with, others you may not, but I would be most flattered if you remember them and whenever you meet me in life’s journey, somewhere down the line, you will tell me whether I was right or wrong.
First I learnt is that talent, an excellent degree, even coming from a well-off family, does not mean success and certainly does not mean greatness. The most talented people, those who get the best degrees, and even from a well-known family, do not necessarily become the most successful in life.
The difference between success and failure, mediocrity or excellence, is character. Along with character is the importance of opportunity, but perhaps most crucial, is the grace of God.
So what is character? And l will define it my own way; character is a set of values that shapes the conduct of an individual. It is the set of principles, spoken and unspoken, that a person observes and lives by.
I will speak about some aspects of character that I have learnt would make the crucial difference in life. These are, trustworthiness, courage, hard work especially (innovation) and self-discipline. Let us take trustworthiness, the currency of business, commerce and social interaction is trust. If you can be trusted, if people find you trustworthy, your class of degree or what your family name is will not matter. You will be successful.
As a young student at the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, in 1980 my school fees were delayed in a particular term. There were problems with the remitting from the Central Bank in Nigeria. So I spoke to the student’s counsellor in my faculty who asked me to go to the bank and ask for a loan. I asked how? How do l go for a loan when I don’t have any money? I owe over 600 pounds and I probably have only 50 pounds in the bank, where would I get the collateral to take the loan?
Anyway, I got to the bank and l explained the problem to the lady across the counter that I needed to pay 600 pounds for my fees, and she simply asked the name, and l brought out my ledger, she looked at it and found out I had no money in there. She asked me when I thought I could repay, I said maybe 6weeks. She then gave me a document I signed and she gave me 600pounds.
I paid my fees and I paid back when my cheque came. But in the same United Kingdom, a few years after, if you carried a Nigerian passport, the banks would not even open an account for you. Why? Some Nigerians abused the trust that financial transactions require. They thought, how foolish these oyinbo people are, they used credit cards to buy cars, furniture, electronics and ran back to Nigeria and hampered the opportunity of others in getting a loan from the bank account.
And if you look at the past few years, many foreign banks have closed accounts of Nigerians because of the numerous attempts to defraud on those accounts. So no matter how much money you have in your account, they just say we don't want your business because it's just too much trouble to do business with people who cannot be trusted. So because of the untrustworthiness of a few, a whole nation is painted black. But there is an opportunity here, because so many Nigerians and foreigners must do business in Nigeria.
The world is in search of the Nigerian of integrity, the trustworthy Nigerian to do business with, to employ. Everyone wants faithful partners or employees. Even thieves are in search of trustworthy people to keep their money with.
The other lesson is that you must repay when you borrow, whether it is from a friend, relation or a bank. Credit is the lifeblood of business, the life blood of commerce. You are dead if your credit sources dry up. And let me just go on quickly, l think it is important for us to just look at one or two other issues along the lines of character and hard work. But just before l go into that, let me recall a story, a story of a friend of mine, while a we are talking about trustworthiness.
I have a friend, Remi Morgan; he owns perhaps the largest Christian bookstore in Nigeria. Possibly the largest bookstore in Nigeria. When he wanted to start his business of importing bibles and Christian books from the US, no publisher in the US wanted to give him credit. Why? Many Nigerians who they had done business with in the past had taken credit and simply disappeared. So he had to pay cash for everything.
Now if you want to have a profitable busines,,,s, you must have credit line. But if you don't have credit, you can't do profitable business. But gradually, he began to build trust, as time went on he began to show that he could be trustworthy. They gave him credit for 30 days, then 60, then 120, and he made sure he paid back, so everybody wanted to do business with him.
Suddenly every Christian and business book publisher around the world want to do business with this honest Nigerian. So later on, his bookstore company possibly became the largest bookshop in Nigeria because he showed that he could be trusted.
The moment you show that you can be trusted, everything changes. Simple as it may sound, hard work and diligence is one of those character attributes that will set you apart. And let me dwell on this point; from here on, it really doesn't matter what you are hired as at your first job, whether you are hired as lowly as a receptionist, or as a personal assistant, no matter how lowly it may be, what is important is how much hard work and diligence you put to it. This is what will recommend you in the future, and l want you to remember that it doesn’t, really matter how that job is, it does not matter whether it’s an important job or not, but what will recommend you is hard work and diligence.
While I was teaching at the University of Lagos, as a young lecturer, in the department of Public Law in the Faculty of Law, there were 3 typists in the department. The chief typist, senior typist, and the junior typist. Because in those days before laptops and personal computers, typists in universities had to do a lot of work and they were very important because you always needed to type all your materials.
When there was work to do, what l discovered was that the chief typist would disappear. He works only till 4 pm. The senior typist would be nowhere to be found. But a gentleman called Adereni the junior typist, who only had his school certificate, was remarkably hardworking. Sometimes I would drop him off at his home at 1am.
Years after I was working as an adviser to the then Attorney-General of the Federation Hon. Bola Ajibola, who later became a judge of the World Court. While in the court at The Hague, in the Netherlands, one day he called me and asked if I could recommend a good secretary who is hard working and could do long judgments. I had three options, chief typist, senior or this junior typist, but the junior typist at a time had only school certificate, he didn’t have any other qualification but l choose him. He got to the Hague, and typically worked hard and diligently. Every judge in the court wanted him to work with them. He later moved his family over to the Hague and got degrees and made a good living for himself. One day he remembered me and actually sent me a car.
I just want to say that it was so apparent that all that this man had to proof, despite the fact that he had no qualifications at all, all he had to proof was diligence and hard work.
Solomon in the bible, the wisest man on earth, said these very wise words; the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favour to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill, but time and chance happen to them all.
Time and chance is another way of saying opportunity is crucial to success. And I’m sure many of us are familiar with that saying, opportunity knocks once as they say. But I think it's probably more true to say that sometimes opportunity whispers. Besides, as Ravenhill an intellectual said, “the opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity.” In order words, opportunity itself has a lifespan and you must seize it within that lifespan.
But to seize opportunity, you must be prepared. Most people have great hopes and dreams. But they are hardly ready for the opportunity when it comes.
Let me tell you another story. A lady worked with me many years ago. One of her greatest ambitions was to do a Master’s degree in law in the US. She prayed hard about it. And everyone in the department knew of her desire. One day out of the blues, we got an offer from a US foundation through the embassy to nominate a candidate preferably female, to do a Master’s degree and fellowship in a US University.
Wow the rejoicing that day. We were all so excited. We had only two days to the deadline. We had to submit her passport that afternoon. Then the bombshell, she didn't have a passport! We desperately tried the next day to obtain a passport but it didn't work. To cut a long story short. She lost the opportunity. She had everything else but missed her moment.
So there are some here who will say I want to work in an international organization, may be the United Nations, and you know that to stand a good chance, you need a second language apart from English. So if you haven't started yet, now is the time to learn French, Spanish, or even Chinese. So you won't be like the young man who was asked if he spoke a second language and he said yes, English and Itsekiri.
I think that aside from hard work, innovation will be very important. Here in Nigeria, many young people are using technology to disrupt existing assumptions and create new opportunities, new markets for themselves. Nollywood film industry, Jason Njoku is not an actor or movie producer, but he has used technology to create a new line of business in the Nollywood film industry. He is the proprietor of the Iroko brand TV; he made the Iroko brand the largest mainstream licensors and distributors of over 5,000 Nollywood films and African Music. Iroko has attracted $20 million in equity. So is the story of Jobberman, which was listed in the Forbes Magazine Top 10 Tech start-ups in Africa.
Jobberman's story is a fascinating one. In 2009, Olalekan Elude, Ayodeji Adewunmi and Opeyemi Awoyemi at that time, students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, started a site called Jobberman in their hostel to help connect people looking for work with companies looking to hire. Now Jobberman is one of the top 100 websites in Nigeria, and it gets 5,000 applications every day.
Just last May, Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook mentioned them as one of the major technology innovators in Nigeria. They have grown the company into a multimillion-dollar company. The young founders have now divested their interests in the company and are investing in other young Nigerian start-ups themselves. Jobberman follows the same principle as the others, they simply linked supply and demand.
There is a Venture Garden Group, a group of young people, another story of creating new markets and opportunities within existing markets. Venture Garden is a data driven Automation Company founded by three young Nigerians average age of 28, the company focuses on big data, automation and revenue assurance systems and has taken innovation to new levels.
For example, one of the subsidiaries, PowerTech, provides automation for the National power grid which now allows real-time monitoring of energy flow from generation to distribution and payment to all parties, to promote transparency and sustainability of the electricity market.
Social Media is possibly the internet's most outstanding phenomenon. It has created its own economy, and the only limits of opportunity are those of your imagination. For example, see how many young people have taken advantage of it to innovatively redefine the press, journalism and communication.
Today bloggers such as BellaNaija, Linda Ikeji, and news aggregators, like Nairaland command larger readership than regular print newspapers. Linda Ikeji alone has more people reading her blog than any Nigerian newspaper. Nairaland, founded in 2003 by 20 year old Seun Osewa, claims about 1.6 million subscribers, several times more readers than the combined number of readers of all Nigerian papers put together.
Nairaland creates no content of its own. To start off, it cost Seun Osewa less than N10,000 a month and Internet access, to build this multi-million Naira business and it’s so incredible when you hear about these young people. I remember a young friend of mine too, who at some point used to sell videos and gift items after we left university. This young man became an entrepreneur who owned the biggest marketing company in our country today. The young man is seated here today, his name is Bolade Osibodu
Finally, I have learnt that success is more easily attainable than greatness. You may be a successful businessman, politician, or professional but greatness is not for everyone. But I think I learnt the secret of greatness, you will only be great if you devote your life, and your efforts, to serving others.
The path to greatness is self-sacrifice for the good of others. Mandela is great because he gave his youth and his professional practice as a lawyer, in the struggle against apartheid and a South Africa that would treat all citizens as equals.
Martin Luther King is imprinted in history because gave up everything for the dream of a nation where none would be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. But most importantly, he taught the world like Ghandi did, that you can overcome evil with good, Mother Theresa the catholic nun, became great because of the many years she spent in leprosy settlements in Calcutta taking care of lepers, the forgotten and untouchable.
Let me end by telling the last lesson I have learnt, it is that courage and determination is the answer to the tyranny of history. A history of personal failure can cripple your hope, limit your scope and frighten you into a small vision.
Our family history, the misery and deprivations of our beginnings, the shame and disgrace of the past, sometimes the spectacular failures of the past are the tyrannical weapons of history. They whip us in line when we are thinking big, cutting us down to size as our self-esteem rises. Our past, yelling unworthy, unworthy, unworthy, at us as we struggle to do right, live right, and act with dignity.
But history we must remember, is not only a record of the past, it is the past, it is gone! Our future is not determined by history or the past unless we allow it. Your history is not your destiny. You have a chance to make your destiny.
I pray for you that the Almighty God will help you, the grace of God will support you, that the coming years will be easy and exciting and that your journey will be smooth.
Thank you.
Released by
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
10 November, 2017
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