THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP

“Your mentor is a picture of your future”…Pastor Sam Adeyemi

Mentorship is the art of training which a person who is more knowledgeable in an area gives to a person who is less knowledgeable in that area. The person being mentored (Mentee) goes through this training under the Mentor who is obviously more experienced or more advanced in a particular area. A mentor gives direction, advice, support, encouragement and motivation. It was Albert Einstein who said that if he has seen any further, it was because he stood on the shoulders of giants. Mentorship is like buying into someone’s experience and seeing from the kaleidoscope of their intellectual collections. A mentor replicates his mind, his thought, his personality in those he mentors.

Jesus would probably be a towering example in this regard. When he began his ministry, he chose 12 persons who would have to learn under him even though one of them was going to betray him. He poured himself out into them and thought them things about his Modus Operandi. They were privileged to learn from the centre piece of wisdom itself and the fire he lit in the world still shines to this day. If he died without mentoring anyone, it’s likely no one will be talking about Christianity. Many positive people that have walked past the earth have not been able to replicate themselves in their followers and this underscores the power of ideas- the intangible minute forces that can transform the very essence of humanity. An idea makes, an idea mares, an idea influences and flows hither and thither like the waves of the sea. Mentors activate the ideas in the mind of the mentees and help them discover who they really are.

In reality, what a mentor does to his or her mentees is to teach out of the ideas that have made him or her.  A mentor cannot give more than what he or she possesses. So if you have to choose a mentor, choose one that looks like where you are going to. Do not choose someone who molds block to mentor you in refining gold for he has no business with gold.  Don’t go to a Lorry driver and ask him to teach you how to fly an aircraft. Find a shining example in your area of interest and ask the person to be your mentor.

The many troubles that our world possesses is largely because of evil mentorship. An evil mentor breeds evil mentees. The Boko Haram scourge that is bedeviling Nigeria today is because of evil mentorship. Osama Bin Laden, the late Al-qaeda mastermind of the World Trade Center Terrorist attack of 2001 had many followers in his jihadist tendencies. Apart from masterminding terror attacks, he poured himself forth into many people and these people have become the dog in a manger of our today’s world. A former ambassador of Nigeria to Sudan, speaking to Punch Newspapers not long ago opined that Osama Bin Laden’s allies trained Boko Haram loyalists and this replication of thoughts, of ideas, of modus operandi is what Nigeria is suffering from at the moment.

It was Edmund Burke who said that said “Evil persists when good men do nothing.” The good men of our time need to arise to this call of mentorship, to identify teachable minds and replicate their thoughts and ideologies in them. The problem of our world today is that many of the good people are are skeptical about replicating themselves in people lest they lose what they think they have.  Part of the challenge is also that many young people don’t want to be taught. To the younger generation, do not go about in an I-know-it-all kind of ideology. In our nation today, mentorship is the way to go; it is one way that the younger generation can leverage on the experiences of the older generation. A young person who wants to get ahead is permitted to have more than one mentor. For instance, you can have career mentor, spiritual mentor, political mentor, academic mentor, leadership mentor and also financial matters mentor. It all depends on you and what you are interested in.

It is not compulsory that you must have met all your mentors personally because you can connect with them through their books, videos, updates, tweets, and in this digital era, whichever way you use, just get the right mentorship. Yet it is absolutely important that you have a mentor who you meet from time to time that holds you accountable for your next level and someone who will not tolerate mediocrity from you but will help you rise above your weaknesses and become stronger in your strength. This is really the way to go to place our nation on a stronger foundation, to build a stronger and more united and productive generation. 

You can find a mentor today and if you would like further discussion, you can contact me so we can discuss further on how you may get the right mentorship to advance your level in life.

Contact me on 08064284852.

I love you. Stay on top of your game!

MIRACLES STILL HAPPEN

The last time I checked, miracles still happen. They happen, like the snapshots of lightening across the skies, like the whispering of the butterflies in the summer, yes; like the smiles of heaven upon the earth, they are quick and precise and swift. Yes, Miracles still happen.

Miracles happen, to a soul ready to receive, to connect to the frequency and unlimited grace of an all sufficient God. To the one attune with the Infinite, to the one that plays no blame game, to the one that takes responsibilities. I see her stand by the flowing fountain, inviting anyone courageous, anyone fearless and resilient that they may drink from the free fountains of miracles, for it flows, slowly but surely, igniting hope, reviving weary souls. Yes, Miracles still happen.

Where ever the bird goes, it must head home when the sun heads for the seas. When the clouds are saturated, they break forth in rain and the Mind, the centre piece of great happenings when laden with great expectations  and when in tune with the Infinite, with God, breaks forth and magnetize miracles. Yes, Miracles still happen

If you have waited for your miracles, don't give up. If your strength fails, don't faint.

The last time I checked, Miracles still happen.

Your Miracle is on the way. 

FIND AN IDENTITY.

Having rich parents is a great thing; having well-to-do people as uncles and aunties is also wonderful. It sure helps in someone's achieving of destiny. Yet no matter how much they may have, it is good to understand that "Nke anyi bu nke anyi, nke mu bu nke mu" ...Our own is our own, my own is my own. It is good to have an identity, something that defines us.  To fight that fight that you must fight for yourself, a strong will is important. An identity is Something that tells your story, what you are into. Having an identity is something every young person must fight to have. 

God designed us all in such a way that our beautiful diversities will help beautify our world like a coat of many colours. 

Those who have no identity are quickly lost in the crowd. The sons of Sceva went to deliver someone who was possessed by an evil spirit with the name of Jesus and they did not have any identity or authority to do so and did not even know the Jesus they were talking about. Then came the bombshell,"Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?" (Acts 19:15)  

Dear friend, be known for something, don't sit on the fence. Don't allow government's inactivity to weaken your morale or your quest to have an identity and don't allow your parents' affluence to make you sit back and do nothing. I remember this line in a song sang many years ago by Whitney Houston where she said, "I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadow.  It doesn't matter how people see you, what matters most is how you see yourself.

I end with this admonition, Dare to dream again, you can be different, you can find a unique identity today. 

I love you, Stay on top of your game!

D-Motivator.

IN YOUR TIME, YOU WILL SHINE!

Many young people of our time want everything to happen fast, ‘now now, osiso osiso, ozugbo ozugbo.’ This has put a lot of people unnecessarily on the wrong lane of line. Many others are locked up in a prison of their minds having unhealthy comparisons.

‘Kpum Isi ikpuru Linus, mana Isi gi odi ka nke Linus?’

Be at competition with your last best performance. If you compare yourself with Mr X, you may find yourself in a corner where you can’t be your best. Find your rhythm. That a younger person has made much money at his age does not mean you should think less of yourself or wish you must make it before nightfall. Instead, find where you are created to shine and start on time to do so. Today may not be your time, tomorrow may be. If you don't give up, everything is going to be alright, maybe not today but eventually.

KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE!

Dear Entreprenuer, Has anyone laughed at your ambition? Perhaps, at a uniquely bright but somewhat complex idea that can't be interpreted by the poorly visioned majority?






These under-listed names once had these brand names in their head, today, it's a huge reality and strong brands to reckon with.






Ben Murray-Bruce – Silverbird Group


Adenike Ogunlesi – Ruff N Tumble


Ahmed Barma – ABS Merchandising


Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede – Access Bank


Alaba Olukayode – Dr Kay


Aliko Dangote – Dangote Group


Atuyota Akporobomeriere a.k.a. Ali Baba


Ausbeth Ajagu – Betcy Group of Companies


Biodun Shobanjo – Troyka Holdings


Chidi Anyaegbu – Chisco Group


Cosmas Maduka – Coscharis Group of Companies


Emeka Henry – Generation Next


Fayemi – Pyramid Spices


Femi Otedola – Zenon Petroleum


Folu & Bose Ayeni – Tantalizers


Frank Nneji – ABC Transport


Innocent Ujah Idibia – TuFace


Isaac Durojaiye – DMT Mobile Toilets


Jim Ovia – Ex CEO Zenith Bank


Jimoh Ibrahim – Global Fleet, NICON


Kehinde Kamson – Sweet Sensation


Kenny Ogungbe & Dayo Adeneye – Prime Time Entertainment


Larry Izamoje – Brila Sports


Leke Alder – Brand Consultant


Leo Stan Ekeh – Zinox Computers


Lucky Uduikhue – Data-Point Microsystems


Mike Adenuga – Globacom


Nduka Obaigbena – ThisDay


Nsikak Johny – Nisk Motors


Pat Utomi – Entreprenuer & Social Activist


Raymond Dokpesi – Daar Communications, AIT


Razak Okoya – Eleganza Group


Sam Ohuabunwa – Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals


Samuel Adedoyin – Doyin Group


Seye Kehinde – City People


Stella Okoli – Emzor Pharmaceuticals


Stella Ogiemwonyi – Sea Petroleum & Gas


Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase – Success Digest


Taiwo Oluwadare – Banker Turned Consultant


Tony Elumelu – Ex CEO UBA Group


Wale Babalakin – Bi-Courtney


Wale Tinubu – Oando Group


...Courtesy of Nairaland.


Don't give up, the next story to be told could be yours.


Sincerely Yours,


D-Motivator.

THE POWER OF SMALL THINGS.

There is power of little things; when things are little, we tend to neglect them. People are naturally inclined to do big things. People want to make it big, to drive big cars, to own big houses, to work with big corporations. Whatever your intention is, there is great power in small things, small tasks, small enterprises, small kind actions, and small bold steps. A wise man said that everyone is trying to accomplish big things without knowing that the big things are made up of small components.

While you are preparing to do big things, prepare yourself by being efficient in handling small things. It is your efficiency in handling small tasks that makes you qualified for greater things. But you see, what happens is that great things often come in small packages and we don’t recognize it when they come. Great opportunities can come disguised as work, great moments can come disguised as challenges and if we are not prepared to take on responsibilities and confront challenges, we may go on complaining as though no opportunity ever came around.

Do not dissipate your energy doing everything; find something you were created to achieve. Get dedicated to God and start with the small things around that everyone is neglecting. Sometimes, you are looking for platforms and you may forget simple platforms and fix your eyes on big platforms. Start performing from your small stage and the bigger stage will come. Serve God on the smaller platform and the bigger platform will come. Do not fold your hands simply because you think no one is giving you an opportunity. Look around you, you will find where to start from.

Our people say that what we are often looking for in faraway places can actually be found in nearer places. Look within you, what is that small thing that you have been neglecting; your ability to act, your ability to sing, your ability to write, your dexterity with computers, your negotiation and speaking abilities and with all that you’ve got, you still think that you’ve got nothing? Dear friend, you have a lot. What you simply need is polishing of your small skills; and you know that slow and steady polishing will always graduate you as a finished product.

So check out where you can start from and if you don’t really know where to start from, pray and ask God for direction. Remember, when Jesus asked his disciples, ‘What do we have?’ and they answered him, we have NOTHING except five loaves and two fish, yet those NOTHING in the hands of God fed five thousand men and still remained. When Moses had NOTHING except a ROD, the rod in the hands of God divided the RED Sea and proved to be the perfect tool for the moment. When David bragged that God was able to give the giant into his hands, he had NOTHING in his hands except his catapult, that simple tool in the hands of God brought down the giant called Goliath.

So are you ready? Wouldn’t you rather look within, look around and identify those small things that can stand you out when you do them. I believe when you start, you will grow from doing small things in great ways to doing big things in even greater ways because efficiency begins with perfection in getting small things done in great ways.

Stay Blessed and Motivated!

I WALKED AWAY!

Pensive, lost in thought and drinking a bottle of chilled Fayrouz; music in my ear, and a song is playing...'Don't give up, it's not over, when you give up, then it's over!' Wiping the last remnant of tears...picking my pen...writing...

Welcome friends. These are my thoughts, my musings, my convictions. I have always been an optimist and I still am. I have always been positive minded and courageous and today that has not changed. But on the 15th of March, 2014, I was given a new reason to ponder; to think on what has become of us as a nation. It is no longer news that about 23 persons lost their lives in different states of Nigeria while attending an interview organized by the Nigeria Immigration Service on 15^th of March 2014. Before that day, I had allayed my deep fears on the organization of the exam when I heard that the venue would be a stadium. I did not necessarily want to work for the immigration service but I wanted to have a firsthand experience of the Nigerian situation because I applied for the job before getting my present job. I prepared and went, the time was 7a.m, 15th March, 2014. When I reached National Stadium Abuja, the crowd I saw there, to say the least was unprecedented. It was much more than I had imagined. I observed that everybody wore white and white with white shoes that was supposedly for a fitness test. Many people also had medical fitness certificates or paper ; whatever you may choose to call it.

I began to ask myself, why a medical fitness certificate for just a job test? Who gave the information that white and white should be worn? What would be the modalities for the physical fitness? I bottled up my fears and observed carefully, deeply aware of the confusion and cluelessness of the person currently serving as the Director of Immigration and many other leaders holding critical positions in Nigeria. While the moment lasted, I remembered vividly the encounter I had while trying to get an International passport earlier in the year. I remember scolding a senior immigration officer at the Immigration head office in Soka, Abuja for trying to extort money from me for a passport and how he asked some gun wielding officers to send me out of the premises just because I dared to challenge his corrupt practices.

Let me spare you the details of that encounter for I later got my passport at a different location, at their Gwagwalada office, Abuja.

Back to the event of 15th March; mind you, I was wearing my own white and white, oblivious of who actually authorized the dress code and the medical certificate within the short time of notification for the test. Once in a while, an ambulance will pass with siren blasting. I never knew some people had already died in an earlier stampede. I was there from 7 a.m till 2pm. It was at about 2pm that I saw young people like me that came for interview, gathering nylon bags and stuffing it into  each other to create a sort of nylon ball...and started playing it like a football, chasing very excitedly in the field at the national stadium...people that came for a test. Some people started having different forms of display, obviously trying to entertain others that came for same interview. At this point, I wept. Is it that we do not know what to do with ourselves or the government does not know what to do with us? Who is to blame? Qui est Coupable? An exam that was scheduled for 7a.m and until 2p.m, nothing had happened, not the fitness test, not the test, nothing. This means that whoever authorized the gathering thought everyone that came around as stupid folks who can be made idle from morning till night and then attend to them at any time they feel like. I became annoyed and my adventure ended. It was not a joke to me anymore. I knew that things could be done differently; I knew that we could do better than this, I know that we could be the greatest country in the world if we channeled the energies of the young people I saw on March 15 together.

When I left, I assured myself that I did not belong to that group and would not be fulfilled if offered the job; so not minding anyone or anybody, I left the venue, sad, depressed and very disturbed; that was by 3.30pm and the exam had not started.

I sympathize with the families of those that died in the course of the interview. Please take heart, please wipe your tears, may God console you.

To my fellow young people who held on to write the test, I salute your strong will and courage and faithfully hope you will make the successful list without lobbying but I think we have more work in our hands than we could imagine. We can't trust our future on the government; we must chart a new course for ourselves, for our children and unborn children. Our people say that he who has been rejected does not reject himself. We need entrepreneurs to drive development, we need creative leaders and politicians, honest civil servants, competent professionals who would know exactly what to do in nation building.

This resolution starts from within; what can you do, what can I do? What can we do to make something good out of our lives? Do not say there is nothing you can do, build networks, develop yourself, build your vision. It may take time but stay committed and together we shall create a better future.

Nigeria, oh Nigeria! May your children rise to deliver you from leaders befuddled by mediocrity and cluelessness.

Friends, no matter what happens, Nigeria is still ours to plough, not to plunder!

Stay Positive.

D-Motivator.

(A note written on 17th of March, 2014, after the immigration recruitment exercise that caused a great stampede, resulting to the death of over 23 people across Nigeria.)