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2009 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY – THE ABUJA EXPERIENCE
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic


Just saw my friends tweet that he was on his way to the eagle square. “wow! That sounds nice” I thought.

I took off and fled like an eagle bird and headed for the eagle square, which plays host to many national and international events in the Country.

However, I got down and saw apparently no sign of celebration happening there. “let me get closer and see” I soliloquised. Moving some meters forward towards the entrance, I saw the contingents from some states of the federation scantily dispersed around the parking lots, rehearsing their lines and decorating their carnival floats.

Finally, I was at the right place. It was 11.00 am by my clock and nothing was close to happening. The participants present could not even fill one of the pavilion where the bullet-proof glass demarcations were located. I was thinking the programme could possibly be a late afternoon event but was soon disillusioned when the programme kick-started with the few contingents from less than 23 states of the federation at about 1.00pm. Then I began to ask the questions – why do we have so poor state representations at the event? Could it be that the rest states were not invited or the states could not honour such invitation? Whatever the answers are, one thing was clear, the event, an annual event, once in the year, with global reckoning could not have meant less in the eyes of the States Ministries of Youth.
Be that as it may, one would have expected that youths from within Abuja will troop in en-mass and celebrate their day. However, the apartheid attitude of youth indexed by their low turn-out in the event was a pointer to two facts - either the youths are not happy for some particular reasons and developments in the country, or the federal ministry in charge ever hesitated publicity. Even with that, what will it cost the ministry to write some schools in Abuja and surrounding states (Nassarawa, Benue, Kogi and Niger) or even the NYSC to mobilize a select few delegates to the event. Am sure the youth corpers will be particularly care to attend.


Still pondering on the answer? Well, let me help you by saying the mood and tempo of the speaker of the National Youth Parliament (NYP) demonstrated a lot answering clues to the questions. First, He didn’t sit at the VIP’s segment until he was introduced, while some friends encouraged him to agree with the plea to join the high table. Reluctantly, he joined and acknowledged everybody on the high seat.

Similarly, when he was invited to deliver his speech, he was the first and only person to speak (and not deliver speech) offhand and passionately from his heart. You could read it in his lips that he was far from happy. But at the same time, he enjoyed his speech, ata least by mentioning that education can nail boko haram and Niger delta if the ASUU situation is addressed. That accorded him applause and a few ovations from participants, for his boldness to speak frankly on the issue.

In all, Benue State, Rivers, and Delta States emerged with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively in the carnival anniversary dance and march pass. While Benue went with the sum of one hundred thousand naira, Rivers went with seventy five thousand naira and Delta went with fifty thousand naira. The presence of the UNFPA Country director and her team who came before the minister could not go unnoticed or unapplauded.

August 14, 2009 | 8:50 AM Comments  0 comments

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THE BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS THE BETTER: LESSONS FROM MY TRAINING
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

THE BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS THE BETTER: LESSONS FROM MY TRAINING

Sometimes, the bigger is not always the better. The reason for this could not be far-fetched. After a thorough navigation of 4 major cities in Nigeria, I was finally lucky to be selected alongside one of my friends as one of the Industrial Trainees at the National Hospital, located in the heart of Abuja –Central Business District.

Hardly had I kick-started when I started grumbling about the work ethos, respect and potentials. I discovered that being a medical establishment did not distinguish it from the attendant bureaucracy, disrespect, poor co-ordination and management issues associated with many of its counterpart in the ministries.

I was particularly unperturbed with the no-pay policy, believing the experience I would acquire would compensate for my personal expenses. I was however shocked to the marrows at the level of exploitation of Industrial Trainees without commensurate experience garnered to cushion that effect. Students would carry out the physically demanding activities without even ‘knowing what we were doing’. We could not explain the theoretical and medical basis for our activities. At some point, all the students were having the same complaint- “they are not teaching us anything”.

Personally, the highpoint of it was when my laboratory Chief threatened to slap me for not ‘attending to all patients at a go’ I then gave it a re-think. Is it worth the course? With that, I gave it a probation time after which I would back out if changes were out of view. A week later, I approached my lab Chief for a day off to enable me submit some documents at school so that I would be assigned a school supervisor to visit me at my workplace.

To my amazement, he rejected my application, blatantly requested that I see my supervisor before he could do anything. I did understand he was following ‘protocols’. The same protocol was however waved for a colleague of mine who was apparently the errand boy for the laboratory chief – getting soft drinks and credit cards for his girlfriend when they visit. The colleague had verbally taken a 3-day off which was granted without having to write any of such letters or see any supervisor.

However, I was being careful not to be hasty at deciding, so I called one of my sisters and discussed with her. Her reply ”Akin, there’s no point still staying, just leave” gave me so much relief that I felt soothed. I then proceeded on my journey and had to deliver a presentation at a seminar on business development that weekend. That was another relieving experience for me sufficient to justify my travelling. Though I had financial bills to pay for that, I derived joy and satisfaction.

Call it a double blessing and I would agree. “Hello, would you mind joining my company at our holiday retreat we are having in Ada, Osun State? I have spoken to my boss about you and he is enthusiastic you’ll be speaking before his presentation”. That was the voice of my sister in a telephone call I received on my way to the school. For me, that would be hectic but delightsome. I sounded a big ‘yes’ not minding the rigours I would have to go through.

“Cookoo rooh koo” That was a beginning of a new day. I was meant to have the presentation in the morning so I quickly tidied up the last bit of it. We had a breakfast meeting with the organisers and it was wow! I arrived back into the hall some minutes to the termination of the first presentation. “I need a friend… I need a friend…” That was the opening for my presentation. It was so slamming that some of the participants came to tell me “I like the passion with which you deliver”. I didn’t actually expect less. It was a material that took me about 3 months to draft the content and design.

I learned from this that you receive comfort and accolades for doing what interests you and you get physical pains and derogation for forcing yourself into an unknown field. Too boring it was! Similarly, you’ll be ready to make sacrifices only for things that interest you, your passion. Thirdly, you get a surge of energy to get going in your field even when it is not ‘logically’ or ‘physically’ possible. Above all, I noticed when friends come to hear you are observing your training in Abuja, they scream. When they get to hear the establishment, they say ‘congrats man, you are the luckiest guy’ but when you compare their stipend and experience earned with yours; you’ll agree with me that big names are not big pockets or experience. In order words, the bigger is not always better.

August 6, 2009 | 5:41 AM Comments  0 comments

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RE: Professionalism of Highest Order
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Hi all,

It was quite interesting to read in papers of disgraceful acts of our politician in the hood. I mean it depicts the level of desperation and ardent stickling our Nigerian politicians are to politics. Not in good turn, but still interesting is the fact that the bean is cooked by politicians, eaten by politicians and spilled by politicians.

That may however not be surprising to any NAIJA person who's watched the trend of events in recent times, even though, still 2 years far from a new election. However, what may be of great concern is the way the media has been covering the events between the embattled house of assembly member and the Governor of Ogun state.

For God's sake, what gratifying reason whatsoever, would a national newspaper like Compass newspaper advance for publishing the whole picture of a man entirely nude. Not just would that act be called unprofessional but suspicious. Little wonders why some people came out with the position that the governor is the major stakeholder, I mean owner of the newspaper publication.

I the spirit professionalism, I think the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) has a lot of investigation to do into the conduct of that reporter. not just alleging him to be soponsored but digging his political interest. The Nigerian re-branding project is still on, and if some escapees are found on the edge of lawless acts, then the whole idea will be contrasting, particularly debranding.

Just let's do our own part
One thing I know for sure,
No mater your desperation in acheiving a feat,
You will only be buried with 2 feet -
Your left and posibly your right one,
That is if not amputated by law or stricken by sickness.
Best burials so far.

July 3, 2009 | 9:07 AM Comments  0 comments

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YES AT HEART, NO IN MOUTH…hiding your emotions
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

YES AT HEART, NO IN MOUTH…hiding your emotions

They’ve been together for 3 years running. Regarded as best of friends by all and sundry, the truth which they both admit, yet…
They have been nicknamed husband and wife, girlfriend and boyfriend, yet…
They have known each other so well to their houses and people, yet…
Well, you may say ‘why didn’t they define their friendship?’ - your guess is as good as mine.
Or how do you describe it if he’s been her chief adviser about her boyfriend vis-à-vis she is to him about his girlfriend.

This scenario is not strange to many of us. At least, if there were no gatecrashers, there would be no heart mangers (who cushions your heart when your boyfriend breaks it). Come to think of it, is there any word like boyfriends/girlfriends? It’s better made an issue of latter discuss.

Just one question keeps begging for ideal answers within my heart. Ideal – because I have had many answers already, but how ideal are those answers?

Why is it that when a guy asks a lady out, the answers are always pending? I mean pending – even if you’ve known each other for long, say three years. Just like the scenario above. The guy later asked her out and as usual – “I need to think about it”, was her reply. Even when she has thought over it severally in her imagination their entire three years of togetherness! Or is it possible that it never crossed her mind he could ask her out in the entire years? Funny enough, her ‘yes’ has been prepared in the last three years, why then would she say ‘no’ in the first place?

Not only did she delay for weeks, her mouth was friendly with initial ‘no’ while her heart was beating- ‘yes, yes…’ all this is the time!

It has become more of a law than principle to have ladies delay to communicate their usual initial ‘no’, expecting the guy to persist – sort of branding themselves while putting him in the ‘begging’ mood?
Hear their reasons: ‘Agreeing on the spot makes me look cheap and weak’. Good answer, but I’d rather it’s not ideal enough for the 3-year observing kind of guy. That cheap thing was a trash! In short, pending means ‘no’ especially if you still wait to be pestered and reminded over and over again.
Isn’t it funny? – Your best friend for 3 years. You think he doesn’t know what’s cheap in you or your weak points all these years? That’s not a point! Think about it.
Next, he asks why you are saying no. You want to be smart with him; hence you retort, “I’m already engaged”. Gosh! That’s another blunder you just committed. I may not know the right answer/excuse you could give to ward a guy off, but I am sure of one thing. Tell him you are engaged and you just opened the discussion game for him freely. “Of course I don’t expect a pretty lady like you, intelligent, vibrant…to be single at this age, except there is a problem you don’t want to discuss…” you can imagine a million ways he picks up from there. The truth is your answer was meant to ward him off but it is his most expected answer, to which he has rehearsed possible techniques to sort that out.

Some ladies also think it’s terrible to have such guy as a friend who’s not talking for three years. Well, you may be right but I challenge you – how many of you or your friends are not gatecrashers or gamblers in relationship? You don’t have bystanders who you just think – he would be a right click in case this one fucks up even if he never asked you out. You call it deputy or assistant boyfriend/girlfriend. Besides, you don’t marry your enemies, you marry from your friends and it could be any of them, no matter how close you think you are.
Before I run short of ink, a word for the ladies - remember the men are wired to be impatient naturally, so don’t delay or expect to be pestered to talk. The next time you see the guy, he may just be talking something else while you keep looking to his face, expecting him to ask again and again.

To the guys – abeg, no dey shield these ladies from prospects if you no dey do now. Allow guys who gree do some chance so the lady is not at loss. In short, stop shielding!
Do you think ladies who are interested should ask the guys out? Text first
Name /phone number to +2348066868276.

December 17, 2008 | 10:30 AM Comments  0 comments

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CRITICAL THINKING IN THE MODERN AGE
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

CRITICAL THINKING/E-INTELLEGENCE IN THE MODERN AGE

Going through the school of ‘thinknology’ is not an easy thing to come by among students and even corporate workers in the business circle. This pivots the topic on a cosmopolitan platform in the audience it attracts - both the old and young, working and undergraduate class.

Thinking intelligence as is otherwise called, is a very critical tool to the survival, happiness and success of individuals in their workplaces, family and life as a whole. It is the process of intentional arrangement of thoughts for wonderful results and performance. Very technical as it is, it encompasses the techniques of discerning what to think (selective thinking), how to think (thinking technology), and when/where to think (thinking smartness) and application of ordered thoughts (thinking proficiency).

Needless to highlight the essentials of critical thinking, we would help ourselves by imagining what stands us out from the other species of living entities – the apes, monkeys, guerrilla, buffoons to the least developed species. The advantage you as individual have over them is your capacity to process, refine and apply fresh thoughts to impress smartness over them. Thus, not even the energy most animals have more than you gives them the advantage, but your ability to order thinking patterns and apply them to produce results, give you the competitive advantage.

Foremost, you need to understand that the brain has variations in its performance act at different times and moods of the day. It’s been thought of, that the learning portion of the brain is most impressionable in the early morning and at nights. This thesis might not work for every individual but it has a verifiable fidelity if well examined. Suffice to add that you need to identify the time your brain is most impressionable and avail it to the maximum in a process called THINKING SMARTNESS. You don’t just waste your time for critical thinking by substituting it with a less cerebral work like exercise. This way, your ten-minute thought at this time is more valuable than your thirty-minute thought at other times. The brain is also expansible in capacity, and can be worked upon to produce wonderful results.

Similarly, what you are to think should be factored in, before you determine the best time that will do for the thinking. For instance, thoughts for poetic and emotional works are not best fit for the afternoon when most environments are noisy. However, this time could be very relevant for absorptive or observation thinking. This is the time you can deliberately absorb ideas and visions in the microseconds as it ‘filters’ across your mind. Usually, the stimulants for such thinking are embedded within the environment; hence you must have the capacity to absorb such thoughts or visions, which are to be worked upon (cerebral work) later during the time for cerebral, intellectual and critical thinking (usually at nights) when distractions are minimum. This explains the phenomenon of SELECTIVE THINKING.

Beyond the preceding example, you need know that not every thought that visits your brain should be hosted. That’s why the term ’filter’ has been used to refer to processing of thoughts in above paragraphs. You may not have the control over the things that come to your mind but you have an option of choosing which of them should be hosted or entertained. DANGEROUS THOUGHT is the term used to describe thoughts that deserve no hosting in the brain. For instance, thinking of suicide as an option or panacea to any problem is a thought in this category except in extreme cases of medical termination of lives and its correlates. However, such thoughts are not impossible to pay uninvited visits to your brain in a dampened economy like that of our nation – Nigeria.

Some thoughts that will destroy your life and the thoughts, which mould it, pass through the same channels. That is why persons with psychiatric deviations/disorders are exempted to be tried as accused in the law courts.
For instance, RAPE is a dangerous act that has been premeditated and hosted in the brain as dangerous thoughts for a long time before it reaches a threshold and bursts out to manifest in the act. Thus your cognitive ability to identify good and bad thoughts and filter them through your mind is the THINKING MANAGEMENT level you must reach.

Here is a spice to how you can deliberately filter and manage your thoughts as they come to your mind. As thoughts come, you must first link them to results and consequences. It is very risky to host and build an idea you have not thought out the consequences, no mater how positive or negative they are! Then imagine you are to die in the next few minutes and ask yourself- will I like to have that consequence in my epitaph after my death? Similarly, there is a place of conscience – it is that thing that helps you see why a good is good and why a bad is bad. Usually, deciding good or bad thought doesn’t take much time like processing the thoughts. The conscience has a pre-programmed ability to identify the good and the bad and it usually does this in not more than a few minutes/seconds after the thought hits the mind.
The moment you drag for minutes with your conscience in identifying a good or bad thought, it is usually an indicator that the thought is faulty but you are seeking motivations to engage in it. After identifying whether the thoughts are good or bad, then deliberately ward off the unpleasant thoughts. You must identify the source of that thought and remove it. If it is; an object - remove it; your location - exit the place; people around you – excuse yourself and so on. This process of how you think is another must-reach level called THINKING TECHNOLOGY.

THINKING CONDITIONING is one of the ways to boost the mind for effective thinking performance. Here, you must know the things that ‘put you in mood’, your ‘excitants’ for a particular thinking performance. This also varies with people; for some, it is music while others tap inspiration, (a result of critical thinking) from reading. For some, it is brainstorming that sharpens the mind, while others are ‘put in the mood’ by compliments and applauds. Take for instance, you want to …….. Those things that make you think critically about that subjects are the excitants. You need to have the ability to connect to these excitants to achieve effective thinking. If you have done thinking related to that before, just reminisce/recall the things that were constantly repeated shortly before the thoughts flow. Then connect to them to condition yourself to such thinking. Sometimes it might even be colours. You may have noticed that some colours make you think well more than the others. This is a testimony to the fact that colours are cerebral communicating languages. Some writers can’t write effectively without background music because the thoughts would not flow while such easily distracts some writers. Some cannot think without being well fed; some go to the oceans because it opens their mind to think. Some people are better thinkers in dim lights than bright light. Hence thinking conditioning is the process of making available, all the possible excitants that make you think effectively on a particular subject. Just putting your brain in that congenial atmosphere will do.

Coming practically, you may have noticed that going to funerals usually help you think and appreciate the value of time and speed in your life. This is a typical example of thinking conditioning. Sometimes it happens subconsciously. Low or no noise and being alone help you think with ease.

After good thinking, what next do you do? You need to arrange your thoughts and translate them to results. This phenomenon is called THINKING PROFICIENCY – thinking to get desired results. Here is a clue to arranging your thoughts. It’s called the MIND MAP. To do critical thinking, you need to first identify with thinking smartness, condition your mind to think and open your mind to think. Sit back and write everything that comes to your mind as they come. Initially it may appear distorted like it makes no sense but just write it down. Do not develop the ideas initially because you will be closing the gate to entry of some new visitors, brighter ideas that will amaze you. You get to a limit where continuous flow seem to seize, then link your points/ideas up with arrows or dotted lines and you will find sense in the ‘nonsense’ you thought on paper. From there, group them and further develop the ideas that come lately as you think on each group. This way, you have ordered maintained a constant flow of thoughts, arranged and ordered your thoughts to produce the desired result.

In all, you must think by the day, think by the minute and do split-second thinking when the need arises. This will help you grow immensely, measure your thoughts and succeed gradually by the day. Remember, the brain is expansible in capacity and you do this by thinking consistently. Just like any unused machine, thinking is a lubricating fuel to the brain; hence any unthinking brain eventually seizes production and dries out in a BRAIN DRAIN. So think well, splendid and excellent things that would mould and not fold your life. You must grow by thinking! I welcome you to the thinking college.





September 3, 2008 | 3:26 AM Comments  0 comments

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