otentik

WAR FOR TALENTS

2010-10-30T21:29:00.002+01:00

Why do employees “sack” their employees and move on to a rival Organisation within the same sector of the economy? Why are some Organisations struggling at retaining their employees? Let us just not analyse why. Rather, let us remind ourselves of little things to be done in order to win the War for Talents. Remember, little hinges swing big doors.

Employee retention is a very important though often overlooked issue in many Organisations. A lot of times, it is until employee turnover becomes a burden on most Organisations that they begin to look into their Human Resource Management policies to find solutions. So they turn to Employee Retention Strategies.

The cost of employee turnover to an Organisation include both hidden and unhidden costs. The unhidden costs include replacement costs, that is the cost incurred to recruit and select a replacement for the vacant position, lost manhours, that is the hours of productive work that is lost while the position is vacant, and the loss of business clients especially in a service industry where a client might want to follow a particular employee who is leaving the Organisation.

Hidden costs of employee turnover include the cost of the knowledge that leaves with the departing employee, the damage to an organization’s reputation when customer service falters due to low staffing levels, the blow to employee morale and increased job stress when remaining employees are burdened with the distribution of the departed employee’s workload. The list goes on. It is a tough war!

To combat this problem, there are a few strategies that should be put in mind. These strategies must be incorporated into the Organisation`s Human Resource Policies.

First is that a proactive approach to employee retention must be developed before employee turnover becomes an issue. The best way to do this is to recruit and select the right mix of employees right from the start. The knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA) of a prospective employee must be a perfect fit with the job role. This way, the Organisation will avoid looking for curative measures because turnover would have been greatly prevented. If people are not well suited for their job roles, it is just a matter of time before they move.

Second, Organisations must utilize HR practices that emphasize individual employee growth such as investing in the employee by providing opportunities for Training and Development. This will improve an employee`s morale and commitment to the Organisation. A lot of Organisations think continuous employee training is an unnecessary cost. Wiser Organisations know better.

Third is that the top Management must be made aware of the need for them to openly commit to employee retention. Employees will want to stay on if they hear and see their Management show appreciation for their continual stay with the Organisation.

Fourth is that frequent employees’ surveys must be done to identify specific retention-related issues that need to be addressed before they lead to reasons why employees will want to leave. Instruments that can be used carry out this research abound, if only we look in the right places to find these instruments.

Fifth is that Organisations must ensure that they offer a work/life balance programme that allows the employee balance their responsibilities at work, at home and every other facet of their lives so they can find a sense of enriched life. Why can’t Organisations provided creche services for nursing mothers in their Organisations? Have you asked why some big Corporations pay for their Staff to register at some Sports clubs? For business-enhancing social networking right? True, but there are also personal benefits that accrue to those who are part of such clubs. It helps them to keep fit physically, knowing that a sound mind in a sound body is a tremendous asset to the Organisation.

Sixth, Organisations must provide great opportunities for career advancements. Many people leave Organisations when they realise that they are stuck in the rungs with no upward movement in sight. Organisationa charts might need to be revisited and adjusted. It might not necessarily mean increasing the layers but positions on a level can be increased to allow for increased responsibilities.

Lastly, Organisations must have a reward system that is good enough to retain its talent. The goal is not necessarily to pay the industry highest but to find a good point where employees will feel that their labor is well rewarded. If the Organisation is careless, it will lose out in the War for Talents because people want to work for Organisations where they feel rewarded. It is a known fact that no employer actually pays the true worth or value of an employee, but please, employees do not want to feel ripped off.

Designing an Incentive Programme for your Employees.

2010-10-30T20:21:00.002+01:00

Between employers and employees, monthly salary payment is a legal obligation. In Unionised environments, a default of two months in the payment of salaries can lead to Union agitations.

Incentives are not so. Incentives are not legal obligations from employers to employees. Incentives are additional rewards that employers give their employees to show some measure of appreciation for their excellent performance. It is also a source of motivation for employees who have gone the extra mile to contribute to the success of the Organisation.

As good as the idea of incentive program is, it is a very sensitive one. It must be carefully designed and implemented such that the result will not be negative. Some of the negative results that may arise from a not-well-designed and implemented incentive program are, first, employees might start looking for ways to cut corners to be able to receive incentives, for example, signing for extra hours which they did not work. Second, employees who do not qualify for the incentive package might resent those who get the incentive.

To design a very effective incentive program, several factors must be considered.

First is that the real motive for establishing the incentive program must be well laid out and it must be in line with the Organisation`s strategic objectives. This will ensure that the cost of the incentive program is covered and it is understood as money-well-spent.

Second is that the criteria for qualifying for the incentive must be well spelt out. A rule of thumb is that the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are agreed upon between the Human Resource Management and the employees at the commencement of the program, or maybe at the beginning of the year. KPIs are certain parameters that are established as benchmarks against which the performance of an individual employee is measured. The KPIs must be simple to understand and straight forward to evaluate. The KPIs must be stated and documented such that both employee and employer can easily refer to it. KPIs must also be established for work teams. The point at which a performance is judged to be exceptional must be well known. For example, it could be an increase of 25% in sales or a 40% decrease in downtime in manufacturing. Any performance above these set limits will qualify for an incentive.

Third is that the incentive package must be value-adding to the recipient. For example, the Organisation can decide to sponsor an excellent salesman on a two weeks vacation or offer to give educational scholarships to children of high performers. This way, the Management is seen to be interested in the employees’ overall well-being. It also brings a “feel-good” factor into the incentive program and this is necessary for the emotions of the employees.

Fourth and lastly, the award of these incentives must be done openly. It should not be a secret affair. Seeing high-performing employees openly rewarded will serve as a motivation for other employees and make the recipients to see themselves as role-models, thereby, keeping up their motivation.

As business owners and managers, we can invest in employee incentive programmes and get multiple returns in increased productivity. This sure translates into a more impressive bottomline for the Organisation. Remember, one of the primary reasons for being in business is to make profit. Treat your staff well and watch your business perform better than before.

WHAT`S IN A NAME???

2010-04-21T22:08:00.001+01:00

In someone`s life, one of the most frequent questions he is asked is “what is your name?” In the same vein, the most important introduction you have to do is to tell your name. What makes a name so important? Why do families, especially in Africa and similar cultures of the world attach so much importance to a name? Child-naming usually comes with a lot of celebrations and merry-making. Why, in the last few months, have some people named their children “Goodluck”? lol. Some names have assumed a larger-than-life dimension such that they have become Legends and Institutions.

In this brief discourse, let us examine what really is in a name. We shall do this on three levels. Please come with me on this adventure.

1. AN IDENTITY TO A PERSON: a name is basically to give an identity to a person. There `s a saying in my place that “a child is given a name so that he can be identified the day he causes trouble”. As sarcastic as it may sound, it aptly describes the basic functionally of a name. Brand specialists know the importance of a name.

Taking it a little further, a name gives more than an identity to a person. It allows other people to tag your character. Just as you tag pictures on Facebook and when you place the cursor on the person in the picture, the name appears, so it is in people`s mind when a particular Character is mentioned a name pops up. For example, if you grew up in Nigeria in the ‘80s, like me, when someone mentions “Armed Robber” around you, some names are likely to pop up in your mind e.g Lawrence Anini or Shina Rambo.

If I may ask, what kind of characters elicit your name in people`s minds? A lot of people resent IBB today because of his past deeds. A lot of people still idolise Gani Fawehinmi today, because of what he lived and died for.

The Good book says “a good name is better than silver”. Do you have a good name? What do people say about you in your absence? That is why it is dangerous to surround yourself with sycophants because they will never tell you the truth about yourself. People perceive what you project. If you project a good image, people will perceive you as a good person, and vice-versa.

2. A LEGACY FOR YOUR DESCENDANTS: the primary people who inherit your name are your descendants. Do you care so much about the name they inherit from you? If the fathers eat sour grapes, the teeth of the children will be set on the edge. Years ago, a friend of mine got a huge favor when he was seeking admission into the University from a stranger in the Admissions Office who heard his name. The stranger took him up and inquired about his family, only to find out that he was the son of the man who helped him (the stranger) to get Admission into the University, maybe some 20 years before then. Now the roles are reversed, my friend`s Dad is retired, having worked in another University, the person he helped to get admission now is helping his son to get admission. What kind of reception would your children get when you are far away? I met a man who is the grandson of a well-known occultic man. His grandfather was a national figure in an Occult group in Nigeria such that it was the National leadership of the occult that buried him when he died. For a long time, I could not stop thinking of this man without remembering the kind of person his grandfather was. Your actions today go a long way in determing the Legacy you bequeath your descendants.

3. A MONUMENT FOR YOUR COMMUNITY: there is a Cenotaph in the town-centre where I grew up (Ilesa, Nigeria). It is in memory of a man who died 100 years ago. Ogedengbe Agb’ogungb’oro was the warrior who defended my tribe during the days of inter-tribal war in the 19th century. For his bravery, he is still remembered. Obafemi Awolowo will be remembered forever because he brought free western education to Western Nigeria several decades ago. It is of no use if you live in a mansion and people in the next compound to you live in abject poverty. Some people adopt the Ostrich mentality and they go to live in beautiful estates where they are oblivious to the poverty in the environment. How much does it cost to make a bore-hole to give a community safe drinking water? Someone I know celebrated his 30th birthday some years ago by donating four bore-holes to different communities. He spent just a million naira to do that. You may not have a million naira but you definitely have something. Another person took the bills of giving series of career guidance clinics to several secondary schools in a community. What do you intend to be remembered for in your community? Do not be a serpent that passes on a rock and leaves no marks. Youth Corpers have built hospitals and roads for local communities in some interior parts of Nigeria. What can you do? Do something positive to make your name outlive you. Let your name be a monument for your Community. The least form of influence is only to benefit yourself and your family. Let people who are not related to you rise up and bless your name for making an impact on their lives. Build a monument in the hearts of men by your impact. Let your name be a monument.

A Peep into Nigeria`s Educational System

2009-05-25T14:40:00.003+01:00

Recently, I had the opportunity of witnessing first hand the real situation of things in our Government secondary schools. I was posted to a government school within the city of Ibadan for my NYSC. At first, I thought that with my degree in Psychology I would get another posting apart from a school job. After a few days, I decided not to pursue a change.

The school was established several decades ago as a mission school but the Government has taken over for several years now.

The first thing I noticed was that the school had been fragmented into five (5). There is junior school 1, junior school 2, junior school 3, senior school 1 and senior school 2. I was told that this happened because the Government issued a policy that there should not be more than 30 students in a junior class and 40 students in a senior class.

Each school has its own Principal, VP and administrative staff. The office of the Principal is just a cubicle that can not take more than 2 people in with the Principal. I also discovered that there is no facility for Guidance and Counselling even though I was told one of the Teachers is a Guardian/Counsellor. I was interested in their G & C unit because of my background in Psychology but there is no space for the G & C office.

I also discovered that promotion in the Teaching service is so difficult and of little benefit. One of the Principals was recently promoted since the last promotion 11 years ago. The promotion brought about six thousand Naira (N6000) increase in Salary and three thousand Naira (N3000) increase in Tax, so the net increase is three thousand Naira (N3000). Even the paltry salary is not paid on time.

Lest i bore you with stories that do not gladden the heart I`d better stop. But then, let this ring out as a clarion call, from Lagos to Maiduguri, to Abonema, to Birnin-Kebbi and even the most unheard community in Nigeria, let true Patriots arise to the occasion and bring solutions. not just by talking but actually doing something tangible about the state of our educational system.

I have enlisted in this army and we shall take the land. If you are interested in joining us, drop a comment, send me a mail, call me on phone. The most important qualification you need is a PASSION for Nigeria and the future of Nigeria.

This is saying Happy Children`s Day to the Nigerian child. Even though the situation does not look like one that warrants a celebration, I want to say and proclaim that "THERE IS HOPE".

WHAT HAS GOD GOT TO DO WITH YOUR ACADEMICS?

2008-12-04T22:02:00.002+01:00

Some weeks ago, the academic secretary of the christian fellowship I attended during my undergraduate days called me and asked me to contribute a little piece to their publication. He gave me the above topic and this is the write-up i gave him to publish, but hey, I still have the copyright, so it is being published here first.

It is usually said that life is in phases and men are in sizes. One very important phase of our lives is our academics. There is nothing such as a spiritual life or academic life. Life is one, but it has many phases, of which academics is just one of the many seamless interconnected phases. An example that comes readily to mind is the leather football. It has many shapes and sides. Take your academics as one of those 5 or 6 sided shapes on the football. Without one, the football is not complete. So it is that our lives are not complete if one area is missing.

The most important factor to realise in the pursuit of academic excellence is that God is as much concerned with our academics as with every other phase of our lives. Has it ever occurred to you that God did not create a world in which He would not be needed? It has been said that no one can understand the use of a product as much as the creator or inventor of the product. In the same vein, God created us and every aspect of our lives, so we can only come into full realisation of his intentions for our lives by acknowledging Him. Prov 3: 5 & 6 says “trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths smooth.”

Another important factor to consider is that wisdom is very crucial to academic excellence. Wisdom determines how you spend your time, what kind of people you move with, how you use available resources, how you make and execute plans. Wisdom is not bought in the supermarket. God is the source of true wisdom. James 1: 5 says “if any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and He will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn`t find fault with them.”

God is concerned about you. He has good plans for you, to give you a future and a hope. Putting God first is important in our academics and also in every other phase of our lives. Learn to acknowledge God in all you do and never forget to ask Him for wisdom at every step of the way. The question this short piece started out to answer is “what has God got to do with my academics?” The answer is that God has everything to do with your academics because he said in the last part of John 15: 5 that “...without Me you can do nothing”

YOU WILL SUCCEED.

THE MEASURE OF A MAN pt.2

2008-11-06T11:50:00.001+01:00

Having discussed about Creativity as a measure of a true man, we move on to discuss another important attribute – CHARACTER. By character I mean the true essence of who a person is. Character refers to the consistencies of a person`s words, thoughts and actions. Character refers to the real fabric of who you are. If I ask you that “who are you?” you will most likely tell me your name. That is not wrong, but the paradox is that your name does not fully answer the question “who are you?” What your name gives primarily, is an identity. It does not give a picture of who you really are. Character is what makes a name to become a brand. For a name to become a brand, it has to be associated with something. The very first and easiest thing your name can be associated with is your character.

Human beings hear in pictures. This is what I mean – if I mention the word “bag” to a 6 year old, what first comes to his mind is a mental picture of a bag. This is because he has seen a bag before and it had registered on his mind. If I say “hyrax”, he might ask me what that is. This is because he most likely has not seen one before. A hyrax is an ancient animal, so he might not have seen the picture anywhere.

In like manner, a person`s character is what creates a true picture of him in the mind of other people. Beyond your physical attributes, your character goes a long way to describe who you really are. So when your name is mentioned, your character is what comes to the mind of someone that knows you. Someone once said your character is who you are when no one is looking. That tells me that character is not formed in public. It is developed in private but it can not be hidden from the public. As my people will say “character is like smoke”.

How would the people who have known you for a long time describe you? What one word would such people use to describe you? A real man is a man of positive and enviable character. Will people who have met you describe you with any of the following words – dubious, wicked, selfish, greedy, violent, or will you be described with the following words – sincere, loyal, courageous, patient?

SINCERITY is a mark of being a real man. To be sincere is to be honest and open. How honest and open is your line of business? Do you pay the right kind of tax for your business? Can your clients and people you do business with take your word at face value? The Bible says let your “YES” be “YES” and your “NO” be “NO”. Can you be trusted to keep your word? Remember, your word is your bond. Be a real man, be sincere.

LOYALTY is a virtue in short supply. Loyalty means to be faithful to whatever cause you are involved in. You as a man are involved in several causes – family, work, business, friends, organisation, country and God. How committed are you to these causes. If you were committed to your family, you would be faithful to your wife and provide for your children. If you were committed to your nation, you would not soil her image. The wisest man who ever lived said “many a man will proclaim each his own goodness, but a faithful (loyal) man who can find”. You can be that faithful man.

COURAGE is the ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action. Life they say, is not a bed of roses. There will be difficult times and there will be discouraging situations. Courage is not the absence of a storm but in spite of the storm, still steering towards your course. Courage is personal resoluteness in the face of danger or difficulties. As a man you can not afford to chicken out in difficult times. No soldier becomes a General without fighting and winning battles. Stand, fight and win. Like someone said, when I was in school and there was a student protest, “if we fight we may win but if we do not fight we have lost”. Be a man, if life throws you lemons, make lemonade.

PATIENCE is the capacity to wait for something. We live in a “Microwave generation”. There is instant coffee, instant food, instant cash, instant anything, and even instant miracles. We no longer want delayed gratification. We want it now. Life does not always favour the microwave mentality. The creator made life to run on processes. Think about it, God took six days to create the world, but could he not have created everything in an instant, since He is God? I think God wanted us to learn a lesson there. To always allow the process to take it`s full course. Real men understand the benefit of not disrupting process. Wait patiently, do not be driven by desperation. Children are the ones that always want it now. Be a man.

These character traits are not exhaustive. The list is endless. Real men of good character are scarce. This is a clarion for men of character in our generation. WILL THE REAL MEN PLEASE STAND UP?

THE MEASURE OF A MAN

2008-07-28T18:34:00.001+01:00

Who do you think a real man is? How would you define real manhood? What are the attributes that you think describe a real man? Is it just about being “male”? Like the Porters in a female hostel in my University would announce at the close of the visiting hours “...all male men, please it is time to move out...”

You must have seen some adverts that describe what is perceived as being a man. One of such adverts shows an empty glass of beer; with the rider “...a man was here”. Another beer is advertised as “brewed for the strong”. Another describes “...greatness in every man”. The list is endless.

From another perspective, a man is described by the muscles; size, tone, shape and so on. A true man in that perspective has the six-packs, bulging biceps, the V-shaped trunk; looking like Governor Arnold. Physiologically, a man is expected to weigh not less than 70kg.

A real man in another sense is judged by how virile he is, i.e how many women he has been able to conquer in bed and probably put in the family way. In that wise, there are many “men” in traditional Africa. In Africa also, men don`t cry.

To some, a real man is seen by the “engine” in which he cruises, the kind of club he attends, and how much cash he throws around.

We could go on and on to describe how our generation perceives the true measure of a man.

I want to gainsay these popular opinions about the true measure of a man.

A real man is CREATIVE. To be creative is to move up from the lowest rung of the “life pyramid”. At the lowest rung, all you find is CONSUMERISM. Little wonder why all third world countries are consumer nations? As long as a person will not put to use the limitless power of imaginative ideas given him by God, he remains a consumer. A pointer to how creative a person can be is how much a person is able to achieve with little resources. I do not think the ability to be resourceful is given to only a few. If you must be creative, you must be able to think resourcefully. The greatest capital needed in any business venture is not money; it is resourceful thinking, bringing forth novel ideas. The greatest men in our world, either dead or alive, were men who saw problems as opportunities. Being resourceful about those problems launched them forth into greatness. A real man must be a person who holds the ace in at least one aspect of life.

A test to how creative you are. When last did someone around you come up to you to solve a problem and you delivered? Most men who show their greatness only at bars and clubs create more problems than they solve, if they ever solve any.

Men who drive civilization, economies, technologies, good governments, successful organisations and good families are creative people. They are problem solvers. They never wait on another person to solve their problems for them; they rather go all out to find solution to every problem around them. The best inventions that have made life so easy these days are the results of creative thinking. Infact, the most enduring names are not those perpetuated by biological offspring but rather by products bearing the name of their creators. Do you know Rank Xerox is a person`s name? So also is Ford, Mercedes, Daewoo and so on. Do you know about Ford`s biological children? But at least, you know the Ford Motors – his brainchild. Believe me, brainchildren outlive biological children. Bill Gates would be remembered 300 years from now, not because of his sons but because of Microsoft. Which would you rather have? I want both anyway.

The pyramid is fully loaded at the base. If you want to move up, then step up your CREATIVITY QUOTIENT. There is no limit to how far you can move up on the life pyramid if you become a problem solver.

There are a lot of creative people in our world but we can never have enough of them. You can do much more than all those who have gone ahead. You can bring creativity to bear in your own little corner of the world. Think globally, but don`t be deceived not to act locally. There is a lot you can do for your family, your organisation, your neighbourhood and so on. Be counted for something. You can make a difference. Don`t just be the neighbourhood bully, be the neighbourhood lifesaver.

TO BE CONTINUED...

I pledge to Nigeria...

2008-02-07T13:00:00.001+01:00

I pledge to Nigeria my country,

To be faithful, loyal and honest,

To serve Nigeria with all my strength,

To defend her unity,

And uphold her honor and glory.

So help me God.

Almost everyone who grew up in post-independence Nigeria can remember saying this pledge every morning at school. Morning assembly was not complete until pupils said the pledge. Looking back, I think we should have taken it more seriously than just being for primary school pupils.

What really does a pledge mean? It is a solemn vow that one promises to keep and fulfill. It is a pledge to …Nigeria my country. Meaning that, the nation Nigeria is supposed to be personalized by every citizen. You can`t ever take anything about Nigeria too personal because it is ‘your Nigeria and my Nigeria. Do you ever think that you have a personal stake in Nigeria? You sure do. See Nigeria as your personal possession.

You and I pledged to be faithful, loyal and honest. If you really consider it, it is such a lofty vow that we all made to Nigeria, howbeit unconsciously. Faithfulness is simply a measure of how dependable a person is, especially when things are bad. Being faithful to Nigeria means you can still be trusted to do what is right, even when it is not convenient to do so.

A wise man once said, “depending on an unfaithful friend in times of crisis is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking with a crippled foot”. Simply, an unfaithful person is a source of handicap rather than an asset. Can Nigeria have faith in you to do things right? We seem to have had a difficult time understanding the concept of “the rule of law”. This is so because we have not learnt to always do things right, no matter the situation and circumstance. Simply, faithfulness is the reason why a married man will not take a very good opportunity to have a fling with a colleague when they both travel abroad on an official trip. At least, they are both far away from home and no one will know. He does not take such opportunity because being far away from where anyone will know still does not make it right. We seem to have come to perceive being right as relative, but I am sorry to say, it is rather absolute.

Our perception of right and wrong seem to have been dulled by several years of not finding any benchmark about right and wrong to which we can refer to as a nation. What seems to define right from wrong is that whatever benefits you is right and whatever does not benefit you is not right. This faulty perception is clearly against the vow we took in the primary school to be faithful, loyal and honest to Nigeria.

Anyway, notwithstanding how bad things may seem for us as a country, I see hope (not referring to the book written by a former head of state). I see hope in a new crop of Nigerians. Men and women who are renewing the pledge they took in primary school. Men and women who live by the values that will eventually create a new Nigeria. These men and women are the prime citizens of a new Nigeria. I belong to this elite group. Do you want to know more about us? Spare a few minutes and visit newnigeriaclub.net/authentic You will be glad you did.

2008-02-06T08:57:00.000+01:00

NATURAL COMPENSATION

Have you ever taken a good observation of people with physical challenges? I mean people who are maybe lame in the feet or blind or deaf? Did u notice that these people with one form of disability or the other are compensated by nature in some other parts of their body? If you find a man who has lost his sight, it is very likely that his sense of smell and hearing will be sharper than that of the other person without that disability. If you find a man who is lame in the feet, he would most likely have very muscular and strong arms.

In Genetics, the law of use and disuse is what explains this phenomenon. The law explains that a part of the body not being used will lose its functionality while the part that is being used very well will develop better and gain more specialization. To me, this seems to be a way of natural compensation.

The same way it is in the area of our talents, skills and proficiencies. You sure can not do everything perfectly. You must have found at least one thing that you are not very good at. Let us liken that challenge to that of the person with physical deformity.

So, what can u do about this challenge? I have just one suggestion: forget about that which you are not good at and concentrate on that which you are good at. Pay less attention to your disability but more attention to that which you can do fairly well. Develop such proficiency that no other person can easily beat you at it. Be known for that which you do very well.

You definitely have talents and skills which are rare. Identify those talents and skills, polish them, enhance them and they can sure be a money spinner for you. God never created anyone without some special gifts or talents. Do not sit back and mourn what you lack, you most likely have something that compensates for that lack. You may not be a good orator or public speaker but you may a master strategist and planner. You may not be a good poet but you may be crafty with numbers. You may be tone deaf musically but you may be so caring to be a good nurse. You may not be a good stand up comedian but you may do well as an opera singer. You may not like maths but you may be an artist greater than Picasso.

Look inwards and away from your inabilities, see the abilities. Disability is relative and it only becomes important when you refuse to see the abilities that compensate for what you lack. The word ‘disability’ itself has 70% of its letters as ‘ability’, meaning, for every 30% of disability you may think you have, there is a compensation of 70% ability. God never created anyone to be a loser. Even if life has thrown you lemons, get up, pick the lemons and make lemonade. Your brand of lemonade might just sweep the market, who knows?

Think possibilities. My Bible tells me ‘God is able to do much more than I can ask or think’. So, be careful what you think, because He answers not just prayers, but thoughts too. I have made up my mind to think more about the things I can do rather than those which I can`t.

This is a wake-up call. Take advantage of your compensation.

SEE YOU AT THE TOP.

2008-01-24T15:49:00.000+01:00

BE GRATEFUL

Few days ago on my way to work it occurred to me again how good and kind God has been to me personally. I do not know about you. I do not know if you think you really have the power to keep yourself alive. Forget about the good diet, the hygiene, the exercises, the medical check-ups and the rest of the things we do to stay healthy. A lot of people actually die from 'unknown causes'. I mean people who lived well. Yesterday, there was the picture of a lady in the papers who died from being hit by a bus while trying to cross the road. She would never have planned to die that fateful day. She did not die because she is such a bad or devilish person, just as you are not alive because you are so good and pious. The Almighty preserves who He wills. So, if He has chosen to preserve you, be grateful to Him.
It is very easy when you look around and see certain things in your life or around you which you are not happy about. But then, it is also possible that if you look well, you will find more than one reason to be grateful to God.
I believe God even preserves from certain troubles by not allowing them to happen at all. So, we do not get to know about them.
Concentrating more on what is unpleasant puts you in an 'offside' position in receiving more blessings from God. Even if some things are unpleasant with you, think about it,they could have been worse. You have a reason to be grateful.
There is an African proverb that says 'if a child shows gratitude for yesterday`s favours, he positions himself to receive today`s favours'. So if you want to receive more blessings from God, be grateful for that which He`s already done.
My advice for you today: BE GRATEFUL.

ARE WE IN ORDER?

2008-01-07T12:51:00.001+01:00

“…let everything be done decently and in order.” 1 Cor 14:40

Order in the context of our discussion of today is simply defined as everything being arranged in its proper place. That is to say, there is the proper place for everything. Bringing this to a larger picture, permit me to say that everything about your life has an appropriate place. Putting your whole life into perspective, you discover there is an appropriate way to handle every issue of your life. Picture your life as a jigsaw puzzle; it does not make sense until everything is put in its proper place.

I have a few reasons why you and I may need to cultivate the habit of order:

1. ORDER ENHANCES BEAUTY. Have you ever seen a shelf disarranged? It sure does not look any inch beautiful. I had the privilege of organizing my boss` book shelf when we moved to a new office months ago. After several days of sorting and arrangement, the shelf took shape and it was a good sight. The same way a person`s life takes a beautiful shape if everything is put in order. Everyone appreciates the beauty of a well laid out housing estate as compared to a slum. If a life lacks order, it looks like a slum. Is your table or shelf or wardrobe disarranged? Try to arrange it and see if you like it or not. If you like it, do the same to issues of your life too. Your appointments, your daily itinerary, your spending pattern, even your dressing, and everything about your life must be in order. Then, real beauty will be seen on you.

2. ORDER PROMOTES PRODUCTIVITY. Have you seen a production line before? There can never be any successful production without a well laid out production process. Process design is a fundamental course in Engineering. Things don`t just happen, they have to be deliberately orchestrated. Creating or producing something takes a step-wise process. If any of the steps are missing, you come out with a fake or sub-standard product. Following such steps to ensure productivity is what order is about. A productive life, just like a production line requires order. If you are not yet at your optimum, check to see if everything is in good order. Do you want a qualitative life? Then create order in your life.

3. ORDER ENHANCES SAFETY. Several years ago, a young cousin of mine needed to do her home-work. She needed to sharpen her pencil, so she reached for the side pocket of her bag to get a razor. Instead of coming out with a razor, she came out with blood. She had just cut her fingers with the razor because she did not put the razor in its wrapper before putting it in her bag. The moral here is that when order is neglected, safety is compromised. Not all accidents are inevitable. Some can be prevented by doing things orderly. When you drive, be orderly, when you speak, be orderly. Let`s take some responsibility for our safety by learning to put order into our lives.

It is not too early or too late to start. At least, it is better to be late than never. You still have a whole life ahead of you. It is time to take your life to the next level. Little blocks fit together to make a building. Order is just one of those little blocks. But mind you, if any of the blocks is missing, then the building is a failure. Do not leave out this little block as you build your life.

SEE YOU AT THE TOP.

LIVING WITHOUT REGRETS

2008-01-07T12:45:00.000+01:00

I wrote this on the 1^st of January, 2008, but posting it now. Compliments of the season to you. Let us start this year by considering how to live in 2008 and beyond without regrets.

What is regret? Simply, it is a feeling of sadness about something wrong or about a mistake you have made and a wish that it could have been different or better. By the end of 2008, I want to take a stock of the year and have no regret about anything whatsoever.

HOW CAN YOU AVOID REGRETS?

A prime factor to avoid regret is to take your decision making process seriously. Decisions are always time bound, you should not be too hasty neither should you be too slow. Apart from timing, decisions should not be made without adequate information and knowledge about the subject of decision. You will have to make decisions about almost everything that comes your way. When you make decisions, consider the long term effects of such decisions. Do not be short sighted. Every decision you take now will determine whether or not you will have any regret at the end of the year.

Next is your attitude to opportunities. Several opportunities to take your life to a higher level will present before you. But then, opportunities should be well discerned because not every attractive opportunity is actually a good one, so watch out. Also, a lot of times, opportunities come dressed in overall called “work”. Be alert, watch out for such opportunities to improve your career, improve your value in the organisations you belong to, improve the quality of your social relationships and improve your life.

Also important is your “locus of control”. Locus of control is the process of attribution. It could be internal or external. External locus of control means that you attribute everything that happens to you to the action or inaction of others or external factors. Internal locus of control means you take personal responsibility for everything that happens to you. If you operate an internal locus of control, you will learn to lead your life more responsibly and avoid regrets.

2008 comes really loaded. I pray that the evil therein will not be yours but the goodness and the blessings in the year will be yours.

2007-08-23T15:31:00.000+01:00

SHARPEN YOUR AX

“If the ax is dull,more strength is needed but wisdom is profitable to direct” Eccl 10:10

Have you ever tried to cut with a blunt kitchen knife? Were you ever hooked into cutting grass with a blunt cutlass? I have been in both situations before and the only wise thing to do in those situations was to sharpen the tools. If you do not sharpen the tool, you will have to use more strength. But why would you want to use more strength if you can just sharpen the cutting edge and then use less strength?

What are the advantages of using a tool with very sharp cutting edge?

1. You expend less energy. In cutting with a sharp tool, you do not have to use all your energy. The efficiency of the tool is at optimum.

2. You spend less time. Because the tool is sharp, it takes shorter time to cut. The time spent on a task using a tool with a dull edge can be used to accomplish more tasks with a sharp tool.

3. The job is neater. If you try cutting with a blunt kitchen knife, it will never cut neatly and smoothly. For you to get a neat job, you need to use a tool with a sharp edge.

4. Ultimately, you are perceived as a wise fellow. You will never be appreciated for a job not well done. If you can accomplish your tasks effectively and efficiently, you will be respected for it.

I want you to see yourself as a tool and whatever you do as the cutting task. How sharp are you as a tool? How much of success have you achieved in your assignments? If your answer is short of 100%, then you need to whet the edge of your cutting edge. Is your boss is always complaining about your work output? Are you always short of meeting your deadlines? Do you get frustrated midway into a task? Are u frequently identified as the weak link during team reviews? Are you dissatisfied with what you do? If your answer is “yes” to any of the above questions, then you need to hone your tool.

How do you sharpen (hone) your tool?

1. Identify the need for sharpening. It is said that the first day a mad man identifies himself as mad, then he has began to recover from insanity. The same way for everyone. If you identify your need for sharpening, then your journey to improvement has begun.

2. Make yourself ready for the sharpening. It will require effort, it will require time, it will require finance and it will require you. But i can bet, it will be worth it. The dividend will be more than the investment. You will thank yourself for doing it.

3. Go all out to learn. This is where the honing is done. No one is above learning. Learning exposes you to change. It processes you into a better product. Learning must ultimately lead to change. You must not be the same again after an episode of learning. There are several ways to learn. Here are a few tips:

a. Go back to school. Does that sound harsh? No, i don`t think so. You may have to get a higher degree. That means, you will learn more deeply than you have. You may have to take a switch. I mean take another course that would enhance you.

b. Read. I mean read books along the path of your career which you want to enhance. Almost everything you want to learn are scattered in different books. Finding those books and reading them will increase you. Read and internalise the things you find in those books. Nobody brings knowledge into the world at birth. You have to amass it. Start on a serious race to improve yourself by reading. Buy books. If you can`t buy books, hook to a library. You must know someone who has a book that you need. Borrow it. But believe me, if you buy books for yourself, you are making eternal investments into yourself. Infact, you can buy second hand books if you can`t buy new. It will be well worth it.

c. Attend Seminars, Conferences, Workshops and Training sessions. These programmes afford you to be able to listen to people who are more knowledgeable than you explain a few more secrets that you need. They afford you the opportunity to meet and interact with sharp, upwardly mobile minds.

d. Apprentice yourself to a master. This is not meant to put you down. I mean look for someone who knows more than you, connect with that fellow and ask questions. Draw from his well of knowledge and experience. Listen to him, watch him and learn from him.

Put these few tips to use and let us watch you become a more productive person. Be wise. Sharpen the tool so that less strength will be needed and eventually you get to keep your strength to use for other things. The English man says a word is enough for the wise, but the Yoruba man says just half a word is enough for the wise,for when it gets inside him it becomes whole. So choose to be numbered among the wise.

2007-08-05T00:32:00.000+01:00

LIVING FOR OTHERS

- A TRIBUTE TO ADEOLU AKINYEMI @ 30

Yesterday, my mentor, friend, brother, teacher – Deolu Akinyemi, CEO Generis Solutions, Lagos Nigeria, turned 30. I’m writing this as a mark of honor in celebrating a great man who has lived his life for the benefit of others and in the midst of all that, has become an icon of the true measure of success which a lot of people strive to attain. You think he is young because he is just 30, but believe me, his achievements tower far above his age.

I have known him for 7 years now and I have heard about and witnessed the life of this great man. When he was an undergraduate-that was when I met him-he virtually spent all his time teaching tutorials to his classmates and junior colleagues. By the time he was in his finals (Part 5), he had to teach the 4 levels behind him almost all their courses. Recently, someone who met him earlier than I did said he had actually been in the habit of organizing tutorials for his classmates since Primary 6.

Since he started his working career as a HR practitioner, gathering experience with Procter & Gamble, WA and later Virgin Nigeria, and now his own brain child-Generis Solutions, he has always been into efforts that would impact the next person positively. His various seminars and trainings, which I have had the privilege of attending and sometimes being part of the organizing team, have always been value-adding for all who participate, with startling testimonies after. He is the country representative for Clubfreedom (an international investment club) in Nigeria and he has been doing a lot to get as many people in the club, invariably making us millionaires in a legitimate way.

To celebrate his birthday yesterday, he wrote a cheque of 1 Million Naira for Little Saints Orphanage in Lagos – what a way to celebrate your birthday. Also, he’s giving discounts on his services for this month.

I could write on and on about his selflessness but that’s not the point. The point is encouraging you reading this piece to begin to look at ways of living your life, not just for yourself but for others too.

Everyone who has made positive impact in our world is a person who lived not for himself alone but for others too. You do not have to wait till you become a multi-millionaire before you can impact others. `Deolu did not wait.

You have a smile to brighten the day of your colleague at work, a touch of comfort to that child who is hurting, a listening ear to that young fellow who needs a friend to talk to, a meal to share with that hungry fellow next door, some time to teach what you know to that person who does not know what you know, a word of prayer for that person in trouble, a lift to that neighbour who is almost late for work, a word of encouragement to that person who is going through a rough time… and so much more that you can give.

The most important gifts are not the most expensive ones but those that reach down to the recesses of the heart of the receiver to lift him/her up to a higher level. You have something someone else will appreciate, give it. You have a helping hand, offer it. You have a little money, spare part of it. You can actually live your life to better the lot of someone else. You might just be the Angel that fellow has been praying for. Be the answer to someone else’s prayer and watch God speedily answer your own prayers. What you make happen for others, more than that will God make happen for you because the harvest is always greater than the seed.

Live a meaningful and purposeful life; do not live for your self alone, live for others too.
To Pastor Dee – as many of us who knew him in school fondly call him – HAPPY BIRTHDAY. May your life continue to bring hope, joy, light, comfort and many good things to others, and as you do that, may you continue to increase in influence and fulfillment.

2007-07-03T15:13:00.000+01:00

THE POWER OF VISION

Last Saturday, I had a wonderful privilege to speak with a gathering of senior secondary school students, some fresh school leavers and a few undergraduates. This seminar is an initiative of a High School Principal and her husband to develop the youths in their area. Such an opportunity some of us did not have 10 years ago when we were leaving the Secondary school.
This write-up is an overview of what I discussed with them. Putting in mind that they are quite young, I had to make it as elementary as possible but not in any way compromising the quality of the discussion.

VISION is ordinarily defined as the ability to see. In Nigerian parlance it basically means what you perceive with your two "korokoro" (naked) eyes. Taking the definition a bit higher, and for the purpose of this discussion, we say VISION is the ability to see ahead, imagine what is yet to happen, also as a MENTAL picture of your desired future.

Martin Luther King Jr. in his famous 1963 speech –I have a dream, defined a vision of America where there would be no racial discrimination. Over forty years after, we see that dream coming to pass.

Recently, the Nigerian Government defined a vision of Nigeria being one of the 20 greatest economies in the world by the year 2020. They called it VISION 202020.
Have you seen a building plan before? That is the vision of the desired house.

VISION is different from sight. Sight is what we see with the physical eyes but Vision is what we see with the eye of the MIND. A blind Songwriter was asked what could be worse than not having sight and she said "…having sight but no vision".

Henry Ford of Ford Motors had a vision of an average American family being able to own a car. He started by making one car at a time. Now, Ford Motors has surpassed that dream.
Bill Gates of Microsoft had a dream of every American being able to own a PC. Now, not just Americans can have PCs, the whole world is benefiting from that Vision.

A man can never be greater than the quality of his Vision. The picture in your mind would determine the focus of your efforts and would eventually create who you become.

What a person will become is not totally determined by any of the following:

Background. M.K.O Abiola, one of the richest men this country ever produced and a notable philanthropist came from a very lowly background. Early in his life he sold firewood to survive but eventually made it, becoming a very successful business man. That was because he did not allow his background to create a limitation in his mind. Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of one of the largest church organizations in Africa and indeed world over, grew up in a village and never had a shoe for the first 18 years of his life. He became a PhD holder in Applied Mathematics well before the age of forty. Today, he is a great man. You cannot find a connection between his background and who he has become.
Gender. Some people erroneously think a particular gender is more likely to succeed. Even if there are 8 boys and just 2 girls among the 10 most likely to succeed people in your graduating class does not in any way reduce your chance to succeed, if you are a girl. Some of the most effective Government ministers that just finished with the last government in Nigeria were ladies – Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Obiageli Ezekwesili, and Nenadi Usman. As long as a girl can catch a better vision for her future, she can become whatever she wants to be.
Age. Nobody is too young to be great. Even if you are young, now is the time to catch the vision of greatness. You do not have to be old to be great. The Vice-Chancellor of the newly established Osun State University is in his forties. He is a professor. I was reliably informed that he was not made the VC of one of the 1st generation Universities in Nigeria last year because he is young. Please do not be limited by such myopic thinking. Also, the most effective ministers in the last government were the youngest in the cabinet. Catch a vision of greatness early and become great early

What are those essential qualities that make for a good vision?

Must be personal and unique. You are created differently from every other person, so nobody can correctly define the vision for your life. It has to be your personal creation. It has to be your idea. I know someone who is a Doctor only because her father is a Doctor. That is not a personal and unique vision. Nothing is wrong in wanting to take after the profession of your parent or some other person but you must have your own vision and reason for doing so. You can be something nobody in your environment has ever been. You do not need to be like anybody at all cost.
Must be compatible with your talents, temperament, interests etc. Whatever you want to become must be something you have a natural liking for. If you do not have a natural liking for taking care of people you do not need to catch a vision of becoming a Nurse or a Doctor. If you lack the ability to teach naturally, you may not become the best Teacher. If you are always sad and moody, you may not be able to become a very good actor because an actor needs to be very flexible to take on any role. God did not make us all to do everything equally well. Find what you do very well in and create a vision of being the best at it.
Must be workable. I mean if you look from where you are standing you should be able to see ahead. If you have a dream of becoming a car manufacturer, you do not go to school to study History, Literature and Government. But you rather pay attention to Physics, Technical Drawing and Further Mathematics. Every thing you do today must have a contribution towards that desired future. There is no magic formula for becoming great at anything; you must work hard at it.

Having a vision for your life is sounding like a good idea to you already, right? But then, I expect you are asking in your mind, what does having a vision for my future do for me at this early age? What’s in it for me?

It drives you. It motivates you. Everything you do will point to the target you have created. A wise man said "aim at nothing and you will get it". The choice of subjects you take in school, the kind of school you attend, the kind of exams you take, the kind of opportunities you look for and a lot of other things would be motivated by the vision you have for your future.
It determines your lifestyle. Believe me, not any lifestyle would support your vision in life. The hairstyle on Kanu is fine but you can not wear that and be the best Lawyer in town but you can be a singer or a football star. If you intend to be the state Governor one day, you will not go around fighting and getting into Police trouble every time. You must live like someone who has a vision. Do not be an NFA (No Future Ambition). If you intend to be a Chartered Accountant or an Economist do not live a wasteful lifestyle. You must be disciplined to achieve your dreams. Sport champions do not eat just anything, sleep anyhow or live anyhow. So also is anyone who wants to be a Champion in life.
It determines your friends. Have you heard the saying that "one rich man among ten poor people is a wretched fellow"? Likewise if you are the only young person with a vision for a good future among your friends then you have the wrong friends. Change your friends. Find people who will encourage you to aspire to greatness. Associate with people who are better than you and be encouraged to become better. If your best friend is NFA you will be NFA too. Let the picture of your desired future determine the kind of people you move with. You can not choose your family but you can choose your friends.

The process of working out your vision and dreams would always have challenges. Mind you, I did not say problems but rather, challenges. You must be ready to move on even when it is difficult. That is what it means to have COURAGE. Against all odds, you must put in everything you can afford to realize your visions and dreams. To be courageous, you must have:

Desire. This means you must really want to achieve your goals. You must want it so badly.
Decision. Your desire must be backed up with the decision and the readiness to give all that may be required of you.
Determination. Your desire and decision must be backed up with determination. I mean even when it’s not working you do not give up. Even when it is still a long way to realize your dreams you still hold on to it. It may not happen shortly, it may take some time, so you have to be determined to hold on at all cost. If you give up before you realize your goals you will have nothing to show for it at the end of the day.

Success is not an event. It is what you become over a period of time. I mean it is a process. Start the process today and you will soon get there.

2007-06-25T10:00:00.000+01:00

THE RIGHT WAY TO SAY "NO"

One of my Mentors once told me that some of the best decisions we ever made and will ever make are those in which we say "NO". Sometimes, saying "NO" could mean running counter to popular opinions, going against the way things have been done in the past, it could even be perceived as vendetta. People would interpret it in several ways, different from what it actually is. To say the least, people in our culture do not like saying "NO" neither do they like to be told "NO".

In organizations, families, Government establishments, among friends and indeed within any human social interactions, we get to points where we have to bargain, negotiate, strike deals, mediate in crises, make and receive recommendations, make requests, submit budgets and cost quotations, offer approval, and very many other day-to-day activities in which we have to make decisions to either say "YES" or "NO".

When you make or receive business proposals, when you make presentations at committee meetings, when you bid for contracts, when you apply for travel visa or perhaps you are the Consular Official interviewing people for travel visas, even when you meet a beautiful lady and you want to invite her for a date or perhaps you are the lady being asked out for a date, there would be instances when you will have to say NO! to people and there would also be instances when you will be told NO!

Reality is that we will never be able to say YES! to everything that comes our way or else one discovers that everything spirals out of control. Decision making entails a lot of negotiation and give-and–take. You will not always have your way and also, you will not be able to give in to every request made towards you. You will not always be in a win-win situation.

In order for us to say "NO" without being disagreeable or seen as anti-social, we must learn not just what to say "NO" to, but how to say "NO". Knowing how to say "NO" would ensure that we make good decisions and above all retain our good names, good intentions and good relationship with people whom we meet and interact with As much as you learn to be very approachable in your social contracts so also you must learn to say NO!
Here are a few tips to help with this:

1. SAY NO! IF, AND ONLY WHEN YOU MEAN IT. I have a friend who never says YES! to anything until she has first said NO!. It is a very sensitive word and should only be used if it is sincerely meant because, like people say, words are like raw eggs, once it drops can never be gathered again. If you mean to say YES!, you do not need to first say NO! and then say YES! Later. Saying what exactly you mean is a very good way of increasing your credibility. Have you heard the saying that when a lady says NO! to a proposal she actually means you should ask again? I think it is a faulty perception about our ladies anyway. Lack of credibility can destroy the best of interests in any sphere of life. Let your YES! be YES! and your NO! be NO!. If you say NO! you should be ready to back it up with your subsequent actions. It is no use when say NO! and you act YES! Say YES! when you mean to say so, and say NO! when you mean to say so.

2. SAY NO TO IDEAS, NOT INDIVIDUALS. When disagreeing, make sure your argument is against a particular idea, a particular opinion, or a particular mindset. Do not, as a matter of principle, disagree with the "person" of whoever is pushing such ideas. I have witnessed business meetings in which people had differences of opinion and it led to arguments. After one of such meetings, some people stormed away from the board room while some of us still stayed in the lobby to gist. As a matter of fact, I dropped off a lady with whom we stood up against each other at the meeting at home after that meeting. We chatted as if we never argued an hour ago. We remain friends up till now. Whereas, some people on that board are still not on talking terms because of such arguments at meetings. As you marshall your points, make it clear to everyone that there could be a better idea but not necessarily that you are better than the other person. As a matter of fact, you are not likely to be better or superior, you just probably have access to more information than he does, which has helped you to form a seemingly better opinion. Look beyond the person, look to issues and opinions. Do not question people's efficiency, intelligence, abilities and capabilities. It injures their self-esteem and nobody feels good around someone who belittles him/her. You may someday need this fellow's goodwill to get something else more important done. When offers are made to you and you have to say "NO", please do well to reject the offer but not the person making the offer.

3. USE THE RIGHT WORDS. Human beings are not wired to see intentions but rather, we see the actions and in this case we may only infer from the words we hear. People must hear what you are saying and understand it as what it actually means. In order to do this you must be sure to use the right words. On no account must you use words that are derogatory or insulting as you put forward your points. Courtesy demands that you respect whoever you are talking with, age, position, title, wealth, qualification notwithstanding. Bosses and Superiors have to be careful for this. Speaking rightly to your subordinates would ensure that they remain motivated and loyal to your corporate goals. The Good Book says "a soft answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger". We would do worse than the actual saying "NO" when we do not use the right words. Voice tones, inflexions, loudness and so on would go a long way in determining how favourably your words are accepted. There is an African saying that the same words would either bring out Kolanut from the person spoken to or bring out a sword. We must learn to speak gently, calmly and quietly. No one likes being shouted at. If you want to say "NO", you do not have to shout it to the whole world.

4. DO NOT DELAY, DO IT NOW! There is no point in postponing what you have to do. If you have to say "NO" you do not have to keep it till later. The more you refrain from voicing your disagreement the more it is assumed that you do not have a different opinion from what is being said. Assumptions could be very costly to people and organizations, do not let other people make assumptions about what you stand for. The most dangerous side to be on an argument is neither, but rather on the fence. It is not a sign of agreeableness but a sign of weakness when you find it hard to make up your mind. You must understand that saying "NO" if you have to, does not make you in any way a bad person. Delaying could portray you as someone who does not have a mind of his own. Delaying to say "NO" if that is actually what you have always intended to say about a particular issue would eventually slow down the decision making process and that would incur great costs.

5. KNOW WHEN TO STOP. In any event of pushing a different opinion or rejecting a proposal or an offer, know that you have limits. Learn when to stop. When expressing your opinion, you do not have to continue speaking endlessly just because you think you have a superior opinion. Speak long enough to be understood but little enough for more to be desired from you. He is not a great speaker who speaks endlessly but one who speaks for the appropriate duration. You do not have to be the person who speaks longest to win the most support for your opinion. Men who speak only when necessary and with few words are always more respected and their opinions more sought after and acceptable.

You are about to enter the best season of your life so far. Enhance your interaction skills and make a better show of your social contracts. You would always have to work with people, as a Boss, as a Board/Committee member, as a Salesman, as a Purchasing Officer, as a Manager of people in various spheres of life. Give attention to these things so that your profiting will appear to all men. You do not have to make an enemy just because you said "NO". You can actually win more friends and increase your sphere of influence. If you have to say "NO" please do it the right way.

YOU WILL SUCCEED.

2007-06-25T09:53:00.000+01:00

FOR BOYS ONLY

If you are reading this article I guess you might be a boy, I mean a young man in the making, probably late teenage or just out of teenage. That, actually, is my target audience. If you don't belong to that category, welcome all the same, you might just be helping yourself to some insightful information.

This piece was necessitated by a young man who called me few days ago around 1am. We spoke for over 1 hour. Guess…when a young guy holds someone up for over an hour in the night on phone, it's most likely about "girl" issues. You are not totally wrong but that was just for a few minutes. The main gist was about the relationship between this young boy and his father. They are not getting along well. Too many arguments and complaints from both sides. I am putting up the nuggets I offered him, in case it would help another young guy.

Last Saturday, I travelled for a party with a few friends. My Dad was at that party too. After a while, he asked one of my friends to call me. When I got to him, he asked that we go for a walk. We went for a walk and came back after about 20 minutes. The little time we spent together helped us both to catch up on latest gist about each other - work issues, travel plans, health and a lot of other things. We left the party separately, I travelled back same day. That day, I thought to myself, this could not have happened some five to eight years ago.

Come to think of it, in the process of growing up the period we seem to be most at loggerheads with our fathers is just when we are about to break into that stage when we no longer are boys, but men. Remember the process of molting in insects. It is called METAMORPHOSIS. Simply put, it is transformation. Becoming a man is not a day's job. It takes a lot of hard work.

No responsible father will watch his little giant grow into an irresponsible man. To a large extent, he thinks his own future depends on what and how his son turns out to be. Whether you realize it or not, he is a major stakeholder in your future. He wants to see you succeed as much as you also do.

In this process, we get to disagree a lot, get angry at each other frequently and sometimes we are tempted to think he is an enemy. A father and his young adult son at this time would have differing opinions, different tastes, and different perspectives to life issues and so on. If care is not taken, to handle this challenge with caution, we might become estranged from our fathers.

The best coach a young man can have is his father. It is said that even if a young child has more new clothes than an elder, he cannot have as many old clothes. This underscores the experience which your father has that you do not. When you get to that point where things seem not to be well between you and your father, some practical tips could help. I have tried them and they indeed worked for me.

BE PATIENT. There is nothing you will achieve by heating up the atmosphere. Let your father get as angry as he can get, as long as you remain calm, the situation will not get out of hand. You do not understand him because you two are seeing things from different perspectives. Because of this, you need to be calm at all cost. The metamorphosis must not be disrupted, so there is need for patience. Time is an important component of such transformation. When you jump up you come down, but when you grow up you stay up. It takes time to grow, please allow that time. Be patient. Patient with your father and patient with yourself.

NEVER TALK BACK. No matter how angry you get because of whatever your father does or says, never, never, never, talk back at your father. I mean, never answer him in your fit of anger. Do not say something in your anger that you will have to apologize for when your anger has subsided. To be quiet would be better than raising your voice at your father. There might be a remote possibility that his line of argument is faulty, but even then, courtesy demands you to accord him every respect.

HONOR HIM. The Good Book says to honor your parents because this is the first commandment with a blessing. This blessing is that you would live long. Do not do anything to dishonor your father or put him down. You have to listen to whatever he has to say and always do all that you can to obey his orders. Be careful for the way you present him or talk about him among your peers. If you do not present him honorably, your friends would not treat him as such and I am sure you do not want your friends disrespecting your father.

TRY HIS PERSPECTIVE. Maybe you could come off whatever pedestal you are looking from and try to look from his own perspective. He might be right, but how would you know. Because he has seen more of real life than you, his wealth of experience might just be all you need to ensure a smooth transition into Manhood. A wise man once said "I can see farther because I stand on the shoulders of those who have gone ahead of me". I think that works in real life. When he offers advice, please take them. When he corrects you please try and make amends. It won't hurt to see if his methods can actually deliver the results you want. Do your best to try and look from above his shoulders. Save yourself some stress of trying everything out on your own. You sure can trust that no real father would lead his son astray.

I do not promise a quick fix to the relationship problems between you and your father but I sure know this can be a starting point to making things a lot better between you both. You can bet that he loves you and he wants to see you end up better than himself. It is the joy of every father, including yours, to see his son become greater, better, wealthier and more influential than him. If you are a young lady reading this piece, I do hope it can help you too.

I certainly know you will succeed and eventually make your father proud. That, also, is my dream. I can't afford his death now because he has to live to see the results of his labour. Believe me, it was not easy form him. He almost developed high blood pressure in his quest to see me turn out right.

To my greatest Coach and dearest Father - thanks for all you have ever done for me, the arguments, the fights, the accusations and more importantly the corrections. I am not there yet but I will soon be there. Please hang in till then. I LOVE YOU.

2007-01-24T01:22:00.000+01:00

WHAT MANNER OF PRESIDENT???????????

As we draw near to another round of General elections, history beckons on us as a people. We have never had a successful democratic government handing over to another democratic government. This is much different to what we had in 2003 because there has to be “a change of guards” at the Presidency. We really have to make history this time.

But then, looking at the array of individuals who are jostling for the top spot, I keep asking myself this question “which of these men is our best option”? I ask this question ceteris paribus, if all eligible voters are registered, if election is free and fair in all sense of the word, if the playing field is level, if voters are not intimidated or arm-twisted, if…, if…, you know what I mean?

Not minding all the power play that has been showing in the last few weeks, not minding who is the “anointed” candidate of the ruling party, not minding who won the recent opinion polls, not minding the great records of achievements in academics, governance, business and so on being wielded by the different contenders, who is the best person for the job?

From my own perspective, it is of prime importance that whosoever will become the President of the most populous black Nation be able to define for the “at least” 140 million Nigerians what the Nigerian dream is all about, if ever there is one. If there is none, he should be able to envision a new pathway that we all would be proud about and be eager to work towards. In simple terms, he must be a visionary. Enough of leadership without direction and foresight. Even the good book says “if the blind lead the blind they both will fall into a ditch”. If we must entrust the next 4 years of our National life to a man, then he must be a man who knows the way.

Recently, I got thinking of what the true meaning and essence of Leadership is. I think it summarily means to show the way. The way to true national integration, where there won’t be a need for hostage taking in the Niger Delta to agitate the needs of the people. The way to true patriotism, where a Nigerian would think of the image of the country when he’s transacting any business across the borders of this nation. The way to true accountability and transparency, where public office holders would be accountable to the people.

We need Leadership at this time, when the youths of our Nation take pride in internet fraud, when the political class seem to take joy in politics without ideology and philosophy, when our professionals would rather practice their professions abroad, when qualitative education is not within the reach of the better part of the citizens of this Nation living below the poverty line.

I find it very insulting that at this age and time, politicians are promising free education, potable water, good roads and other things that are not supposed to be added advantages of voting a party or a candidate. We should know better, not being shortchanged. We should start to look forward to more value adding incentives if we have to vote for anyone, not for basic amenities. We should vote, not out of sentiments but rather from an objective and realistic mind. We should not vote based on which geo-political zone or ethnic nationality a candidate comes from but rather based on merit of past records and his ability to envision and lead us into a greater Nigeria of our dreams.

I look forward to reading your comments on what manner of President we need at this time.

GOD BLESS NIGERIA!

2006-11-26T23:00:00.000+01:00

HI I`M BACK
I`s been a long time and i seem to have gone AWOL. Sorry about it. A lo of other committments took me away. Anyway,i hope to be more committed henceforth.
Can i tell you about the book i`m reading at present? It`s titled MARTIN LUTHER HAD A WIFE.
I had been seeing this book for several years but i just never got interested. Some days ago i picked it up from a friend and decided to read it. Believe me,it`s one of the best books i`ve read on rlationships and marriage, though i may not have read too many. So,watch out for some of the invaluable lessons picked from it,but then you`ll do yourself a lot of good if you find the book and read it. Also i`ll be coming up with some thoughts on nation building,you know,you can`t attend the Church i attend and not be passionate about Nigeria,so watch out.

2006-08-28T00:14:00.000+01:00

NIGERIA: ON THE MARCH AGAIN(part 2)

In my previous post i told about how i ran into the National Village Square Meeting. I`ll now tell u about the group that called the meeting and my thoughts about what i witnessed.

THE RESTORATION GROUP www.restorenigeria.org

The Restoration Group searching for a new generation of leaders to restore Nigeria has worthy ideals and values. Though I’ve not indicated my interest to be a member of the movement, I have great respect and admiration for the things they stand for. The Vision is “To be a people’s movement driven by servant Leaders which inspires wealth creation and the elevation of the dignity of the human person as the basis for governance”. The Restoration Group opines that Leaders in the new Nigeria should possess the 4C attributes of

1. COMPETENCE

2. COMMITMENT

3. CHARACTER

4. COMPASSION.

The Restoration Group is not yet a political Party but intends to become one shortly, either in its own right or as part of an existing political party, while at all times maintaining and pursuing its vision, mission and core principles.

MY THOUGHTS

Since last week Saturday, I have been asking myself how Nigerians can be made to value their own lives, put credible people into political offices, not because they were bribed during campaign but because they see a genuine desire to serve the Nation. Most of the personalities I saw at that meeting, who aspire to one elective office or the other cannot play the kind of “Ghana-must-go” politics that is rife in our country. My dilemma is that how do we get to remove the warped and twisted mindset of the average Nigerian on the street? The average Nigerian needs a brainwashing and perhaps, mindwashing too, so that he can think right and refuse to sell the next 4 years of his life for N200 or whatever paltry sum he is offered to make him vote for those greedy politicians who are ready to loot the State to fatten their bank accounts abroad. Since they bribe and rig to get into office, they have to recoup their “investment”. So they think and they justify and institutionalize corruption.

Can we get Nigerians to say NO! and ACT RIGHT? To me, this is the greatest task for the new breed of leaders such as Restoration Group is searching for.

GOD BLESS NIGERIA.

2006-08-27T23:54:00.000+01:00

NIGERIA: ON THE MARCH AGAIN (part 1)

On the march again,

Looking for Mr. President,

On the march again,

M.K.O is our man o!

That was a Presidential campaign jingle 13 years ago when Nigeria was preparing for what is reputed as the most free and fair election in the history of Nigeria’s democratic experiment. That election never amounted to anything; the results never saw the light of day. The annulment of that election plunged Nigeria into a mire of socio-political and economic crises. It took us another 6 years after that before we could have something close to an election again. We had an election in 1999 and again in 2003, now we are preparing for the third consecutive democratic election in 2007, the first of its kind in Nigeria’s history (we’ve never had 3 elections back-to-back without military intervention).

Saturday 19^th August remains a very interesting day in my memory. I set out from home that day to witness two of my friends getting married to each other. Lola Ajose got married to Seun Olusola Ogunyale. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Seun Olusola.

After that, a friend and brother asked me to come with him to a meeting that promised to be interesting. It was to be a meeting conveyed by Nigeria’s Professional and Business elite, howbeit a political forum. I went with him to AGIP Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos for THE NATIONAL VILLAGE SQUARE MEETING. The meeting was organized by a group called the Restoration Group. In attendance were a cream of Nigeria’s Professional and business elites, Youths and Politicians among whom was Prof Pat Utomi who gave a keynote address. Other speakers include Comrade Adams Oshiomole (Nigeria Labour Congress President), Chris Anyanwu, Dr Ayo Ighodaro, Mr. Teco Benson and a host of others.

In his keynote address, Prof. Pat Utomi identified the lack of Accountability Politics as the bane of Nigeria's political system. He encouraged that Business executives, Professionals, Youths and indeed the good people of Nigeria should move into the mainstream of Nigeria’s politics as we approach another election year. He said those who fear to walk in murky waters may get carried away by mudslides, using the case studies of Liberia and Cote d`Ivoire where good people stayed away from politics and watched their countries disintegrate before their very eyes. He opined that people of good reputation should not sit and watch the system go from bad and worse.

Chris Anyanwu in her speech called for the proper education of the Nigerian Youth. In her words “our youths need to be educated, not just acquiring degrees”. She campaigned for an educational system that would make the average Nigerian youth be at par with his peers from other developed countries of the world. She also emphasized that if we’re smart enough to do things that have given our country its bad image (419, internet crimes etc), then we’re smart enough to do a lot of positive things to develop Nigeria.

Comrade Adams Oshiomole in his speech opined that Nigeria must get out of the mire of poverty by transforming its vast human capital into wealth, citing Indonesia, Singapore and Japan as examples. He emphasized that the thrust of the coming generation of leaders must be job creation which will ensure that Nigerians will live comfortably, above the poverty line.

That is just a bit of what i witnessed. In the next write - up i`ll tell u about the Restoration Group and what they profess,as we were told at the meeting. I`ll also tell you my thoughts about the whole idea that the Group is pushing.

Lets look forward to a better Nigeria.

2006-08-14T20:45:00.000+01:00

My full names are OTEMUYIWA, TOLULOPE AYORINDE. I am a Nigerian and a proud one at that. I come from a family of four, I have just one sibling. I’m 5ft 11` in height, dark in complexion and quite slim.

I attended Franciscan Nursery & primary school, Ilesa Nigeria. Then I proceeded to St. Peter’s Unity Secondary School Akure for my junior secondary and Osun State School of Science Ile-Ife for my senior secondary. At present, I’m studying Psychology at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife. Great Ife…Great! (Did I hear u say great too?)

My personal interest lies in anything that involves people. I rather prefer to be with people than to be with machines. Well, that was a fact I stumbled on while doing something I enjoy. I teach Bible study in my campus Fellowship’s foundation school (a kind of training school), so after doing that for a while I discovered that my happiest moments were times spent in teaching and also listening to the students in my class, helping them through a few challenges, counseling, encouraging and leading them to achieve their individual goals and the corporate goals of the school. Eventually I became the head of the school and I enjoyed that too. I learnt so much about leadership in the practical sense of it, with faculty strength of about 40 and average student population of 200 per semester. The people interest and skills I discovered in myself while doing those things informed my decision to study Psychology (I did not set out to study Psychology initially but I had to take a switch, that’s a story for another day).

One of my best hobbies that I just discovered is driving, although I’ve been driving for over 5 years, even taught a few friends. Now I think I enjoy doing it. Another of such great hobby I have is interacting with people - listening and also speaking when necessary. I love sight seeing too.

Some of the values I’ve held on to and they have really helped me are: with God – to be personal with Him, with my family – to be faithful, with my friends – to be sincere, with my work – to give my all, with my partner – to be the right mate, with my beloved country Nigeria – to be faithful, loyal, and honest.

My role models include Dr Myles Munroe (the first time I heard him speak live was when he came to speak in the Church I attend in Lagos, I wish to meet him someday, perhaps soon) – I find his teachings and writings so captivating and always setting me on my feet. Rev Sam Adeyemi – my Pastor, a man taking the gospel outside the walls of the church to affect every aspect of contemporary life. Dr Wale Funsho – a leader I find to be a friend and a brother, he’s so practical. Mr. Deolu Akinyemi – a young man with a meteoric rise and who is never comfortable to succeed as a lone ranger but pushing others to succeed too. Pastor Dipo Alaka - a man who taught me leadership by giving me responsibilities and also baring his life to me. And, I’ll never forget, my father – Joel Olugbenga Otemuyiwa – most of my values I picked while watching this hero of mine.