TWO CANDIDATES UNDER THE MICROSCOPE.

Today, I listened to an interview session granted not too long ago by General Mohammadu Buhari, the APC Presidential candidate, to Ebony Life TV. It was anchored by young people, so it got my attention. It was quite an interesting time. I listened to him and then I began to think of the meaning of Sai Buhari. Many of my facebook friends who support him always say Sai Buhari. By the way, I don't know what that means but I think it means something good. 
Recently, I've spent time listening to the two major candidates in Nigeria's Presidential election without bias. I've learned a lot and I wish we can stop a lot of hate messages being spread about the contestants and focus on objective analysis of issues and what commitments and strategies each party will bring on board.
I understand this argument that all is fair in love and war and because political strategies shares same art as war strategies, the battles rages on. This, I cannot stop; but we should fight in such a way that our country moves forward when all is said and done. Yet looking through the kaleidoscope of an unbiased mind, I have watched how both candidates respond to insult and hate and propaganda; how much of shit each candidate can take and remain focused and I still hold my views that President Jonathan is the candidate to beat.
In recent times, Obasanjo tore his PDP ticket but Goodluck's reply dripped of wisdom. I have listened to Goodluck's replies to his being clueless and I see someone who understands how to take shit and remain focused. I have followed the high powered propaganda against Gen Buhari and he threatens to sue the media house, threatens to back out from peace accord and I am doubtful he will be able to handle plenty 'democratic and constitutional shit' with his military disposition and background. Buhari is a good man but Goodluck Jonathan is better as a President. Buhari was asked what will happen if he should lose the election and he said he cannot lose while Jonathan said he will hand over if he does not win. These replies speak for themselves. I stand by my earlier support for Jonathan but now, I appreciate Gen. Buhari better by listening to that interview. Yet Buhari is not alone, he is riding in Tinubu's car. **cold shivers**
Sometimes, politics can be petty but we must not fail to keep the unity and integrity of our nation intact, we must not fail in our civic duties as much as we can. The difference between America and Nigeria is not in the snow that falls in Florida, nor the yellow buses that adorn the streets of Oshodi but it sprinkles forth in the fountain of our values, what one country takes very seriously that the other takes for granted. 
A friend of mind recently told me how she discovered that her Permanent Voters Card has been sold and how she dug deeper to discover the fraud that is the PVC collection; how a PVC is sold for 5,000 naira and how Politicians are mopping up uncollected ones, equipping their armory with the PVC and waiting for elections to come. This is Nigeria.
Are we going to have a free and fair election? Hopefully. ‪#‎AskProfJega‬. Am I sure who will win? Not really. ‪#‎AskGoogle‬ For me, my major concern is a Nigeria where the thoughts of election will not call to mind the memories of disintegration but rather the possibilities of a better, bigger and stronger nation.

BENEFITS OF AN EBOLA FREE NATION

If all the problems confronting Nigeria were tackled the way the dreaded Ebola virus disease was tackled, Nigeria might shock the world with a quantum all round leap even before 2020. For the first time in a really long time, politicians sounded sincere and reasonable, PDP and APC sheathed their swords and found a fusion of thoughts, even Boko Haram ducked for Ebola to pass. We did not hear the normal blame game tantrums that ramble from different quarters. While doctors at First Consultants were battling to quarantine Mr Patrick Sawyer, the man that brought Ebola to Nigeria, some people at MTN’s Boys’ quarter or perhaps in some superstitious rumour mill were conjuring up a salt and water solution. It’s still shocking how people bought into that salt water bath hoax. Everyone became suddenly aware of the plenty germs transferred by a single handshake. There were other innovations, the Ebola greeting with the waist or maybe someone cooking a little child in a salt solution. Anyway, thank God, we are an Ebola free nation, many thanks to the strategy employed by the ministry of health, and the heroic efforts and ultimate sacrifice of the likes of Dr Adedevoh, who contracted Ebola in a bid to quarantine Mr Sawyer.

While Nigeria was hunched under the weight of Ebola, a very good friend of mine was supposed to travel to South Korea for her Masters. In the wake of the Ebola heat, their entrance into South Korea was deferred. South Korea banned all the Scholarship students coming from Ebola prone areas as a safe measure. As they declared Nigeria Ebola free, South Korea has since called them to start school. While talking to her this week before she left, she was full of smiles and happy that being Nigerian did not get to frustrate her dreams this time. More business doors have also opened for many people since Nigeria became Ebola free. Confidence creeps into our minds, that if we work together, there is no mountain we cannot surmount. Many countries are using the Nigeria strategy as a model for fighting Ebola in their countries.The task now is to keep up surveillance, prevent re-entrance and continue in the assistance to other Ebola prone regions. Can we bring this unity of diversity to conquer our other internal enemies?  What else are some benefits of being from an Ebola free country? 

WHAT ARE YOU GOOD AT?

Friends, it's been a long time I posted in this space. Many things have been jostling for attention in my writing life. Well, I'm back here. I'm commencing with the question, what are you good at? Where is your passion? 

Find one thing you are very good at, just one thing. There could be many of them, but find your areas of strongest gifting. It could be speaking, it could be dancing, singing, acting, photography, decoration, organizing, writing, well, the list is endless. When you find that one thing, find a way to grow it into a passion, then turn it to a profession and the work will become play. May be the question should rather be, are you neglecting your talent?

Many people go to school to study courses that hardly find expression on their own. You may ask me what I mean. But these days, the work environment is growing and evolving everyday especially now that the importance of computers keeps growing. It's no longer all about what you studied in school but rather, what  you are good at. I have seen many people who studied Law as prestigious as the course may be, who thought once they left Law school the money bags will start rolling in. Some did not meet there expectation and now, they have just a tie and a sober black suit as a relic of their Law profession and doing 'charge and bail' while many other people who have a passion for Law are doing really well.

This post is in no way to spite any profession but the point is that the world these days is not ABSOLUTELY about what you studied. Many people are neglecting some important areas and running to where they think money rushes like a fountain. Areas like Photography, Graphic Designing, Interior Decoration, Baking, Fashion Designing, Printing, Music Keyboard, Foreign Languages, Computer Programming (and really, the list is also endless here;) are being neglected by graduates who fail to find a job immediately after graduation with what they read in school. It is good to have a wonderful University certificate and I think this is very important but find at least a skill you are good at. Find something of value you can do for fun.

While we are all seeking a better life, it's good to look within, to listen to that still small voice that tells you that you have a drop of genius within you. Don't open an Indomie shop simply because your neighbour's cluster of customers in his Indomie and Egg shop is scratching your eyebrows, you think that's the next best business. Don't start a dry-cleaning firm simply because your dry-cleaned cloths stand like Stock-fish when you wear them and you think your dry-cleaner is making plenty money. Look within, is this what you really want to do? Will you be willing to do that even if the money is not immediate.

While you are developing yourself, the big deal could always show up, and well, you'd not lose anything becoming a better you.

So, the next time you are tempted to blame the government for all the things going wrong around you, get on your knees, think, pray and get back to work. Believe me, God rewards hardwork.

Everything good will come in its time if you don give up along the way. 

I'm back and better.

With Love,

D-Motivator.

10 BEAUTIFUL BOXES OF EXCUSES AND THE NEED TO RISE ABOVE THEM.

1.      Abigail is somewhere whispering to herself, “You see, I can’t be who I want to be because I am not tall enough; look at Adanna, she is a very beautiful and tall.” And somewhere in her room, Adanna is wishing she could have the beautiful voice of Abigail. No matter what your excuse, someone is rising above it somewhere.

2.      “No, you don’t understand. I am too poor, I can’t figure out how my next meal will come. But you do not know that somewhere down the street, a rich man is asking for the grace on his hospital bed to just be alive for the next day. You are alive, so pray and get your hands busy.

3.      “I am too ugly, my face can’t be a brand in the media.” You are only guessing. Oprah Winfrey THOUGHT so too but she dared to BELIEVE and she rose above limitations.

4.      “My voice is too poor and I can’t be accepted for a radio show.” Joyce Meyer once thought that her voice was too poor but today she speaks to millions across the world.

5.      “Wait ooo. I left school with a third class, there is no hope for my beautiful tomorrow.” Remember, It’s only when you give up that it’s over. Even Tuface has no first class, no second class upper or lower; nor third class and not even a pass University certificate but he is a first class personality and the boss of Hypertek Music. Don’t let your certificate alone define who you are. Be the one to define your certificate.

6.      “I am afraid of speaking because my grammar is rickety.” Yet somewhere down the street, someone is speaking “Na only you waka come? All this blood you are sharing …will answer.” If you do nothing about it, it will remain that way. Stop giving yourself boxes of excuses and go down the street and find an English grammar book and polish your grammar. That’s the way to go.

7.      “I am a call girl; a runs babe, my parents don’t send me money again, that’s why I am now a call girl” Oh really? Who told you that what is in-between your legs can give you more money than what is inside your head? Explore your brain, task your mind, you will find a better essence for your life. You can still achieve those beautiful dreams of yours while using your head and not your waist.

8.      “I can’t succeed in Nigeria, I can only succeed Abroad.” Whoever said that creative people and people who know what they are doing don’t succeed in Nigeria? Just to remind you, a lizard in Nigeria will not turn into a Lion in America. You can succeed any where if you work hard and do the right thing.

9.       “I finished from school for four years and since then, I have not got a job.” You see, some people who have no certificate at all are making it and some other smarter people have started volunteering and getting recommendations. Some others are leveraging on the talent within them. Look within yourself and get determined. You will find a way out.

10.   “I am still too young to do anything; I am going to wait till tomorrow.” You see, tomorrow never ends, there will always be a tomorrow, so get started today.

Whatever your excuses are, you can drop them and listen to that voice within your soul that reminds you that all things are possible if you have faith enough to get them.

I believe in you. Stay on top of your game!

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.