SPECIAL DEDICATION TO TIVI

One issue that has given me great concern in recent times is how perverse our world has become. Hardly can you find someone of the opposite sex who wants a ‘friendship only’ relationship. By this I mean, it is very difficult these days to be friend to someone of the opposite sex, without the person thinking or suspecting you are up to something.

The world has gone that perverse! Take for instance, a guy to a lady. The guy becomes friend to a lady and after say, 3 weeks of ‘intense’ friendship, the lady poses the question at him: “Bros, what do you really want?”

What is it with this generation? The morally deficient musicals and movies constantly thrown in our face aren’t helping matters. It celebrates immorality and polluted relationships, thus making one suspicious of the intentions of a member of the opposite sex, no matter how unsuspecting it comes.

I had an experience not quite long that proved to me that there is indeed a breed of people in our generation who have refused to be blown by the mediocrity and moral bankruptcy that has invaded the land.

Some time ago, I visited one of the south eastern states of Nigeria, Enugu, for an official assignment. This was my first time visit to this part of Nigeria. The journey was about 6 hours from my base. No direct flight from my city, I was left with no option than to travel by road.

As we journeyed, my prayer was that we don’t get to the town by night-time. Guess you know how terrible it could be when you get to an ‘unfamiliar’ terrain all by yourself at night.

“At least, if we get to the last bus-stop before 6pm, I will get somebody to give me a little guide on where I could spend the night and possibly do some other stuffs?” I kept encouraging myself.

I wasn’t that lucky after all, we got to the town few minutes 7pm. As we approached the last bus-stop, some passengers started coming down as they reached their stop points, thus making my choice for a guide slimmer. Sadly enough, I had no specific stop point. The ‘city’ was my own stop point.

We finally got to the last bus-stop, the bus was now occupying 4 persons; the driver, myself, a lady and another guy. The guy hadn’t given a friendly look all the while the journey lasted, and I suspect it was a facade as he wasn’t too conversant with the city, judging from the way he kept starring at virtually every high-rise building in the city as we journeyed along.

The driver wasn’t even an option as he was already infuriated that passengers were “dropping anyhow” as though his motor vehicle was some local ‘taxi’.

To save myself any form of embarrassment, I just encouraged myself that this guy wasn’t an option to rely on.

My final option was a lady. I had noticed this sister avidly reading a Christian literature as we journeyed to this town. I suspected 3 things: either she was a born again Christian or maybe she resorted to reading because the journey was boring or maybe she was trying to impress God-knows-who. You never can conclude with ladies.

But, even if my three assumptions were correct, she still was a better option.

Oops, I almost forgot to tell you! I refuse to entertain the thought of relying on bystanders for help. There is well-known trick played out by fraudsters: they pretend to be stranded travellers, trying to win the sympathy of unsuspecting individuals, they end up playing several tricks on them that end up costing the sympathizers their valuables - in some cases, their lives.

Consequently, even sincere transit travellers or first timers don’t get or enjoy the sympathy and attention of the people.

Anyway, Tivi (that’s her name) was my only option. Like they say: when your chances are none or slim, you go with slim. I just had to. So, I approached Tivi and asked her if she knew any hotel close to the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus. I told her that I came for an official assignment and I needed any good but low-cost hotel around. I asked if she knew any.

Politely, she offered to help out. She took me to a local bus-stop where I could get a taxi that will take me to the heart to the city where I could get hotels to choose from. Maybe I didn’t say this earlier, I didn’t have enough money with me and I deliberately left my ATM card in my base to avoid using it at the slightest “I-am-almost-broke” instance. I didn’t have so much money in my bank account that could permit the luxury of unbudgeted spending on this trip.

Tivi entered the taxi with me because, according to her, it was also heading towards her direction. As the taxi got to her bus-stop, she came down and told me to do same.

Who was I not to? Moreover, how was I to know this wasn’t also my ‘destination’?

We alighted from the taxi and made for the other side the road. I was in the dark as to where we were headed. Tivi read my mind and immediately told me she wanted to save my money, she added that she stays alone, and that she was having an all-night prayer in meeting church that evening.

She suggested that I could pass the night in her place and leave for my engagement the next morning, if didn’t mind.

Trouble! I wasn’t comfortable with this help! Hell no! Though this is what I may have, should have or would have prayed for, but face-to-face with its reality made me very uncomfortable.

This brother was scared to his marrows. I started asking myself questions like “what kind of trouble have I entered?”

Why was I scared? This isn’t normal in our society. Ideal things are no more natural in our society. Somebody cannot just offer a ‘I-don’t-know-you-from-Adam’ stranger to stay in her house, for the whole night. She wasn’t even leaving the house for me with somebody; she was ‘giving’ me the house for the night.

I accepted to sleep at her place. At this moment, I was like a monkey tempted with a seemingly poisonous bunch of banana - it was already dark and I just needed a place to spend the night and this new arrangement reduced quite a lot of stress from my pocket!

As we walked to her place, I kept praying within me: “Father, preserve me from my ‘enemies’ this once and I will testify about this experience”. Irrespective of how much of a macho you think you are, certain things are bound to still scare you. Me? I was scared!

Spending a night in a stranger’s place? The thought was really awful. If only I was paying for it, I won’t be this scared. So many asinine thoughts were flowing in my head, right from the bus-stop till we got to her house.

When we finally got to her ‘house’, she introduced to me her best friend; I really can’t remember very clearly, but I think her name is Angel.

Angel is equally a nice person; she received me very lovingly, it seemed to me like everything had been pre-planned. Tivi equally introduced a couple of her student-neighbours to me. I later discovered she was a student of Institute of Management & Technology [IMT], Enugu. Most probably, she was in her finals.

We chatted for some time; I wasn’t still my normal self all through the discussion. I still ‘feared fear’.

All this while I hadn’t entered the room - my ‘lodge’ for the night, I found comfort in the warm ambience of the veranda. I played a complete ‘zombie’.

Like an over-trained kid would do, I told myself that if she didn’t tell me to sit, I won’t. So, I waited for her to tell me to come in before I did.

Tivi is without a doubt a great person; she introduced me to her friends as her ‘friend’. I was amazed. This gave me some form of respect before her other friends, far from what could have been if she had said I was a stranger she that just needed help for the night. Imagine how her folks would have viewed me!

Well, she and her ‘Angel’ friend offered to fix me something to eat, I refused. Far from reality, I wasn’t belly-filled, I was still very scared. Anyway, I had nice discussions with few of Tivi’s co-student neighbours.

Finally, she left for the all-night prayer meeting, together with some of her co-tenants and neighbours. They actually attend the same church. I was now all alone in the room. I truly had a great time, alone. I managed to make it fun.

I wondered endlessly if all “this love shown me was sincere”.

Morning reached and the “all-nighters” returned ‘home’. They entertained me with gist of whom and who slept during the prayers and who didn’t. Tivi cared enough to ask if I read during the night for my presentations, I was really amazed. This type of care can only be likened to the kind that Jesus can show. I was astounded beyond words. “Why all this interest?” I kept asking myself.

It was now a ‘fully bright’ day and I had gotten all-dressed up and ready to hit the street. She saw me off to where I was to take a taxi to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where my engagement was. She later asked me to call her when I return to my base so she will know I arrived safely.

Though it’s been a very long time now, but I still remember TIVI, as though it was yesterday. I dare say she’s been the kindest of all humans I have met.

Whoever knows this young lady called Tivi should please send her my love, prayers and regards. She is indeed my heroine! I believe she graduated from IMT, Enugu [maybe it was ESUT… just can’t place it in my head] with the 2006/2007 session, can’t really figure that out. Indeed, she is a great person and I hoping I see her

From my experience with Tivi, my resolve to help and show love to people unreservedly and selflessly has become stronger. This, I believe, is the easiest way to make lasting impressions in people’s life. Tivi didn’t give me money, she gave care. She showed love. If she had acted ‘questionably’, I would have long forgotten her face, memory of her and her name. But, several years after, I still haven’t seen any man or woman like ANGEL TIVI.

Folks, we must choose to be our brother’s keeper, irrespective of the strength of our relationship with them. Every one of us is on earth for our brothers and sisters. Our brothers and sisters are not just those we are biologically connected to, they are those we see every day – those equally created in the image and likeness of our great God.

I recall this story today; it is also to bolster the all important blessing of having unselfish friendship with a member of the opposite. I mustn’t date you to help you.

We must stop being extensions of the immorality and lopsided way that life has been reduced to. Though this perversion has enjoyed huge applause from society, it still doesn’t make it right. Untainted friendship with a member of the opposite sex is still and very possible – just make sure that you are a reliable part of the pair.

The bible puts it this was, “he that needs a friend must first prove himself friendly…”

You must happen!

WHY DO PEOPLE JOIN THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE?

I have never been ashamed to say I am the son of a retired police officer, despite the fact that there are lots of reprobates in police force whose acts sometimes makes it a shame for anyone to identify with anything that has to do with the Nigerian police force....

We’ve always seen and heard of cases of irresponsibility and unruliness on the part of men and women of the police force, both in the rank file and at the top leadership positions, otherwise called superior officers.

There have been issues of accidental discharge, illegal extortion, outrageous demands for bail, unjustifiable arrests, and lots more. All these are various forms of recklessness are traceable to those with those in the rank and file – inferior officers.

While the superior officers, living up to flipside of their titles, indulge in higher and classier forms of recklessness. They extort money from their subordinates. If you must know, most of the roadblocks mounted by the younger officers are stirred, stimulated and inspired by the superior officers.

They equally divert government funds meant for the welfare of the men and women of the Nigerian police force. They also provide cover for the high-ups in society who are involved in various high-tech criminal activities, and loads of other wicked acts.

Mean while, these are people who are supposedly saddled with the responsibility of looking after the security needs of the Nigerian people.

The question I am quick to ask is not just why did government set-up the police force, but “why do people really join the police force?”

Recently, I got an insight that provided some answers to my curiosity.

Here is the gist: One of our contract staffs has relation who is a commercial motorbike rider. These guys (commercial bike riders) always have problems with the police. If they are not being held for issues regarding use of helmet, it would be ‘incorrect papers’ or working at ‘odd’ hours. My staff’s relative was not left out in this habitual nuisance.

The last straw that broke the camel’s back was when the guy was arrested by men of the Nigerian police force while he was working with his motorbike (popularly called Okada), actually this is his only means of livelihood.

He was arrested by the Police and dragged, along with his motorbike, to their station.

He was charged with some laughable offenses, and his bike detained. Expectedly, he was told to bail his bike? Nine thousand Naira (#9000)! For a guy who daily income is within the neighbourhood of #2,000, this was a lot of money. He managed to rally round to get the money, and finally paid ‘bailed’ his motor bike.

This sounds like this a fine for an offense! Whose responsibility is it to fine people for irresponsibility? Many questions, no answers!

The guy got home really infuriated and incensed. Guess what he did the following week?

He went to the State command of the Nigerian police force, which was at the time recruiting people, to take an application form – HE WANTS TO JOIN THE POLICE!

You don’t have to imagine much what kind of police officer this guy would be if he is eventually recruited. Terror re-defined!

This is just one case out of the very many we don’t know about. I find it easy to believe that majority of the folks in the police force entered with similar motives – TO BRUTALIZE AN D ENRICH THEMSELVES. Legalized armed robbery! In this case, it is done with uniforms and government vehicles.

While I refuse to believe that every police officer is corrupt, because I have seen a small number of men and women who have distinguished themselves in the force, such that after many years of retirement, people still seek them out to serve in various leadership positions that relates to security of lives and property and other areas. I am not in any way making reference to the ones who loot the police treasury and buy their way back to relevance!

My confidence to write this piece is partly because my mother is one of such distinguished ex-police officers. I am not trying to blow her trumpet; I have been inundated at different occasions with tales of how she conducted herself in service.

She’s been retired for about 6years now, but I still get to meet folks who upon hearing my name and knowing she’s my mother show me all kinds of favour. I hear from those who worked under her that she NEVER took bribe, and would walk you out of her office if you try to induce her with anything of such. She was a church minister/worker, so she had a name to protect. Despite the fact she was a single parent caring for 4 grown up adults who were all in expensive private secondary schools, she opted for doing odd-jobs, side by side her police work. She knew she would someday come out to face society, thus she did her extreme best to make and build a name for herself even though she was amongst ‘wolves’.

My call to every Nigerian in the Police Force is to be conscious of the future. Someday when you will be retired, will your current act allow you face society tomorrow? Do not think that the Nigeria or today will be the Nigeria of tomorrow where questionable characters buy their way to prominence. This mediocrity will not last for long; like a season, it will pass away.

I know of a retired senior police officer who was in the habit of extorting money from ‘anything’ while in office. Today, he is retired and can’t live up to the standard of life he lived in the police force, he lived no good name to rely on - he is now a fraudster – 419ner!

I am making a passionate appeal to the government of the day. Let’s stop deceiving our selves about issue that relate to the Nigerian Police. Isn’t it sad to note that a corporal in the Nigerian police force earns less than #10,000 monthly?

Will such a person pick up guns to face criminals? Never! If such a person is offered bribe of #80,000, why shouldn’t he take? There is nothing that boosts their moral in any way. We pay our judiciary very well so that they won’t subvert justice, leaving out the police. This is why the Police men and women are also subverting justice in their own little way. Some of them aid the release of armed robbers from detention cells; others ‘rent’ their arms to robbers to rob and all sorts of things.

We must put the issues of the police on the front burner. It must be handled with National importance. The likes of Tafa Balogun, Sunday Ehindero, Musiliu Smith and their likes failed the Nigerian Police. They got to the top position where they were supposed to influence things to work for the betterment of the Nigerian police. They wickedly enriched themselves and their cronies. Such men should NEVER be given national prominence; they should be left to rot in the bad names the built for themselves...

Every problem we postpone waits for us in the future. Such is the case of the Nigerian police force. Things had always been postponed and every new Inspector General promises heaven and earth, only to embezzle the treasury...

If nothing is urgently done, this madness will not stop. Criminals’ will equally continually gain recruitment into the force and reduce it to a national shame.

The government of Ya-ardua will be a disgrace to the nation if she doesn’t make significant steps in improving the welfare of the average police man and woman.

Changing their uniforms isn’t close to the way forward, working on the pay structure and welfare package is.

Truth must be said. Nigeria has the worst catered-for police force anywhere in the whole world. Their offices are nothing to envy, their cars are rickety, and their equipments are obsolete.

Excuse me! The way I see them, it is as if the structure never meant them to function well, at least for long.

Something must be done, both by private individuals and government. We all have a responsibility to do something about the shame that the Nigerian police has become. We can’t just leave everything to bodies like the immensely controversial Nigerian Police Equipment Foundation, crowded by politicians and self-seeking element.

A great man once s said: “a society that does nothing about the multitude of people in her society who are poor cannot guarantee the safety of the few who are rich...”

I rest my case.

ATTACK YOUR LACK

The report by the United Nations reveals that the average Nigeria lives below $1 a day. This means, the average Nigerian survives on less than #116daily! Pathetic!

It is no news that over 70% of Nigeria’s population are youths, i.e below the age of 40.

By such analysis, it is clear that most of our youths have very little or nothing to live on daily; this is what poverty in a nation truly means – when the youths [her productive age] are poor! Why won’t they be restive? Why won’t there be armed robbery, prostitution and the likes?

A little child from an underprivileged home once was asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The young chap with hunger and frustration literally gushing out of his eyes angrily answered: “How will I grow up when I have no food to eat today... who is talking about growing up now...?”

When there is no food on the table, how can there be hope? With the apparent frustration in the land, dreams are aborted even before they are birthed.

By some means, man can live without water or food for some long period of time and yet he will still be alive [ask those people who fast and pray for a full month – Jesus Christ did it]. But, I have equally discovered that the easiest thing that put an end to a man’s life is HOPELESSNESS. A man without hope will not live another second; he sees nothing to look forward to or live for. Judas Iscariot killed himself because of hopelessness; his hope had been chattered!

Suicide and the likes are proofs of hopelessness. Man’s greatest need is HOPE.

But, what do you do in the face of several HOPE killers? Hunger, corruption, mediocrity, crime and many more? What do you make of your life when it seems as though everything around you seems to be after your dream, joy, happiness and hope? What do you do when you don’t know what to do?

Let’s approach this with a human face.

I want to start by saying, we were all created as individuals. The holy book says: “male and female created HE them...” Notice the singularity! So, you owe yourself this one thing: Fight for your life!

Convince yourself, by yourself, that you must live a mark. Decide on the mark you intend leaving at the end of your death. This will propel you to have a DREAM. Your dreams will then give you ideas. Your ideas will thus force you to work. Ideas are not meant to be buried in your thoughts, they are meant to be manifested on ground.

In the face of all these, you must be aware of the fact that this world is like a circle and there is a portion in this circle you were created to fill – RECOGNIZE and MANIFEST YOUR RELEVANCE.

You matter! Make a conscious effort to be ‘Unputdownable’. A conscious step! Don’t allow the mediocrity in society define your self-worth. Refuse to live like a rat.

I want to reiterate, like I did say in an earlier post, that “living your life productively well is your responsibility, and it is God’s responsibility to reward you for fulfilling your responsibility.”

Refuse to allow folks who have failed in their own endeavours succeed in making you fail in yours. A companion of success will be successful... As such, define your crowd.

In all these, you must know that ‘society’ will consciously and unconsciously fight your dreams and force you to lose your zest for life. Like I always tell my folks, increase the price of your dream, such that no challenge, bad news or depression will be able to afford it. You deserve to be a success, let nobody and nothing spoil that reality.

All these are conscious steps you must take to fight the apparent mediocrity and poverty in our land. Attacking your lack! A man who has a dream and expresses it can never be poor. The problem with our young people today is that most of them don’t have dreams of the future [pictures of where they are taking their lives to], and the few who have do nothing about making it a reality.

When you do have dreams, make it work! A dream without works is poverty defined!

Don’t wait for people to come help you make it work. Be responsible for yourself!

Poverty and all forms of lack are personal choices, they don’t jump on us; in one way or the other, we choose our circumstances. If you don’t want to be caught in or by the webs of lack, do something about it. Your choice today will create your chance [opportunity, prospect and ability] of tomorrow.

Complaining never made anyone rich or famous, it won’t start with you. Quite the complaining and be challenged by the mediocrity in our land to live a life that would count – a relevant life.

Let your dream give you hope for living and let your speech and actions reflect the enviable tomorrow you are headed for.

I want to see you at the top, where you truly belong!

You must happen!

THE PLACE OF OUR FAITH IN OUR WORK

Hello people, it’s no news that for over a week yours truly hasn’t made any post. A million apologies! Fact is, I have been having crazy work schedules and this has given me little or no space for anything else. From the start, I had intended to make my post daily, but somehow man proposes and God...

I have been told by almost everybody who cares to watch my work routine; I really hope to do this pretty soon. Sure, I will!

The issue today is: YOUR FAITH AND YOUR WORK: WHICH SHOULD COME FIRST?

I belong to the Christian faith, but quite a number of my friends belong to different faiths. In fact, one of the most sincere persons I have ever had as friend is a Muslim. This guy tells is epitome of truth and honesty. He always tells the truth as it is, unlike most of my ‘Christian’ friends.

About a week ago, I was at a dinner put together by a friend – Teajay Chunu; this dinner was equally a medium for him to introduce his next big idea to all his friends present – a creative workshop/seminar tagged: IMAGINE IT. Please visit this website for more information.

Since Teajay is a Christian, it was very important for me at the end of his speech to ask him this very significant question regarding his workshop: “Under what platform are you coming out, is it as a Christian businessperson or as a conventional entrepreneur...” I needed to get clarity as to the platform being used, because this will determine in a great deal, the shape the seminar will take, being that I have organized several workshops/seminars using both platforms.

The responses that my question elicited were more than I could immediately chew. It wasn’t even coming from the host (Teajay) of the workshop, but from others who apparently cared more or were more angered by the question.

What was the gripe? They seem to believe I was sounding old-fashioned or off-the-point. My offense was that I used the term ‘Christian businessperson’. They believed nothing like that exists anymore, or that nothing of such should be promoted, talked about or fronted.

They presented a few reasons for their resistance. According to them: “Many businesspeople have used the toga of ‘I am a Christian’ to secure deals only to give mediocre outputs.” They said they believe “persons who claim to be Christian businessmen are the worst set of people to do business with... don’t ever say anything about Christian businessmen again... Christianity is an individual thing... Keep it in your house when you are going for business...”

One of us quickly added: “it is not everybody that is successful that knows the person of Jesus. The principles of Jesus can also make anybody successful. The truth is, anyone can learn and put the principles to practise to attain success, without necessarily giving any attention or emphasis on the person...”

With the mode and eloquence they were making their pulse felt, there was very little or nothing I could say at that moment that would change their deep –seated conviction.

Like you know, there are certain debates you just don’t want to continue in, for the reason that the strong beliefs you have about the issue can’t just be explicated through words.

I was quite surprised such issue could even elicit a debate, being that everybody at the dinner were Christian businesspeople/professionals. Several thoughts began to ruminate in my head as to why, at least this magnitude.

In the middle of the entire debate, I was lucky to have one of my “dinner mates” stand up for me. He apparently agreed with the points I was trying so hard to pass across to others

The guy charitably put it this way said: “what Sule is trying to say is that the difference between Christian and non Christian businessmen are in what their VALUES are. It is reflected in their work and attitude to business...”

Hard as he tried, his point didn’t help much as our fellow “dinner mates” listed few names of non-Christian businesspeople that are successful and exemplify exemplary VALUES, the kind they believed in.

Since my blog was created as one of the mediums through which I can express my thoughts and take on issues, therefore I am going to explain certain truth and fundamentals I couldn’t share with my folks at Teajay’s dinner last week.

I will not deny the fact that quite a number of us have had bitter experiences with some people in business who call themselves “Christians”. They put you under emotional blackmail just to get the deals, only to end up grossly under –performing. The sad part is that, you can’t take them up with the law, being that they are your “Christian brothers and sisters”.

On a personal level, most of the mediocre jobs that have been executed for our organization were handled by ‘brethrens’. Worse still is the fact that most of them tell all manner of lies when they default on deals. Yet, they claim to be ‘Christians’.

I have seen lots of jobs that were abandoned midway, by some so-called Christians. They either ran off with the money they were given for the job, without finishing the deal or they managed to complete it with second-rate equipments and materials. I have seen church building projects that were given to brethren to handle and they were executed disappointingly. In many cases, the buildings never reach completion...

These guys are given the deals on the basis that they will not disappoint, being that they profess Jesus as their Lord and Master, only for them to turn their opportunity into a monumental mess.

There is no gainsaying the fact that today’s world fears the wrath of the devil more than they fear God’s...

In the face of these challenges, the multi-million questions are:

How should we approach these all-important issues? Is it wisdom to say: “from this day forward, everybody should hide his/her faith in his/her pocket – ‘Christianity is a personal thing’?” Do we now belong to a shameful faith that should be treated like a second life? If Jesus were to be modern-day businessman, what would be the steps/actions He’ll take to change these wicked misrepresentations of Christian businesspeople? Are you of the opinion that we close our eyes to it and say it is not [or too much] a problem to be tackled?

Are we on planet mainly to make income or impact – to make money or influence our world for Christ?

I really don’t want anybody telling me, like most of my folks at the dinner did, that: “go to work, and let your results tell people about your faith...”

Fact is, I see this as an easy and unforgivable escape route. This attitude to Christianity doesn’t give you any sense of commitment. There becomes absolutely nothing to prove. You have just indirectly said to people that you are accountable to no one, but the deal. Thus, failing or disappointing your client could easily be an option – “in any case, he doesn’t know if I am a Christian, and this issue doesn’t even concern church stuff sef...”

When you have succeeded in hiding and de-emphasizing [or denying] the reputable name of your Father, there is therefore no name to go all-out to protect!

What I have discovered is that our selfishness now even swallows up our faith. Everybody wants to make money and a name for himself. Each one of us wants to be very famous and be celebrated by our world, undermining the reality that WE ARE MERE SIGNPOSTS, NOT THE SIGN!

I will have to talk more on this tomorrow, by God’s grace. By the way, I am using this medium to specially endorse Teajay Chunu’s creative workshop tagged: IMAGINE IT. Make sure to be there.
Do have a favour-full day ahead!

You must happen!

UNDERSTANDING YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Often time, when you ask people about their assignment on earth, they always mistake it for some religion talk.

Far from it, every one of us has an assignment here on earth. The creator of this earth did everything with purpose in mind – He never created anything without reason. What He sees as purpose is what we consider as our ASSIGNMNET.

Life is reduced to a struggle if we don’t know or value our assignment. No man’s assignment is an extension of another; we all have unique assignment.

So, how do you know your assignment? There are certain gifts that God created you, we call them innate abilities.

These gifts are tools for your assignment. Equally, there is always something you are passionate about; it could be media music, politics, business... anything!

Passion is a leveller; everyone has it for something.

Your passion is tied to your assignment. You passion could be your interest or your hatred for something.

I hate poverty. Even if you want to pay me any amount to be poor, I will reject it. So, it fired up a passion in me to help people succeed through the fulfilment of their unique dreams.

I equally hate it when Christians beg. I hate it when Christians are referred to as church rats. I hate it when I see a Christian clothe himself in rags. Thus, it fired in me a passion to teach Christians how to use their gifts wisely to enjoy the best from life.

On the business angle, I love to see my idea work. I love it when I share ideas with people and they return to tell it’s the best they’ve ever heard. I feel deep joy anytime I see the fruits of my thoughts and ideas. I love to see the output of my creativity. Thus, I knew I had a thing for business management/ideas development. What did I do? I set up a company whose only interest is my passion.

Finally, I am angered by the moral bankruptcy in the media. I am angered by the way our children are being polluted through the media. I am annoyed at the manner in which the moral fibre of Nigeria’s hope is being damaged by people who should build it – the media {through morally bankrupt music, movies, deceiving news and lots more}. Thus, my interest is fired up to get into the media. In a short while from now, we are invading the media.

I had to explain all these so you will be motivated to locate where you belong. I am more than convinced all of these are my assignments on earth which is tied to one simple divine order I received some years ago – “build me a people of character, wealth and relevance...”

Yours doesn’t have to come the way mine came, not at all. That’s why we are all unique, and our experiences are also different – both with man and with God. There are people God talks to via challenges, secret pains, excitement, strange voices, experiences, dreams etc.

However, your assignment will always be about other people. It cannot be about you. If it’s all about you, then that is an AMBITION, not an ASSIGNMENT. The question maybe, “if it’s entirely about other people, how would I make my income, feed...”

The holy book answers it this way: “a man’s gift will make room [wealth] for him...” Send out your gifts and profit will come. As you live your assignment, people will definitely appreciate you for making their life better – it could come in form of payment of gifts.

Moses was called by God, for the people. Joseph was raised by God, for the people. Aaron was raised by God, for Moses. David was raised by God to conquer Goliath, for the people. Jesus was sent by God, for the people.

These men never lacked anything. You don’t have to be a priest. Your assignment may just be to change the face of engineering, beauty pageants, carpentry... It could be anything!

If your assignment is not tied to making other people’s life better, then there is a problem. Your assignment is one that will force you to look for all means to express it; even if it has to be free of charge. You just want to do it. You know it will make people better, so that propels you to action. This is why it is called ‘YOUR ASSIGNMENT’. Assignments are commands or errands by a higher authority, they are meant to be executed...

Each one of us is on planet earth to fulfil a command or an errand.

I love to inspire people through speeches and writings. There were times in my life when I begged editors to allow me write for their magazines, I begged endlessly. For heaven’s sake, I wanted to do it FREE, yet I begged persistently for it. Did most of them answer me? No! I had to create my own path...

I knew I had something that could make people’s life better. Even if they had to put my name as anonymous, I just didn’t care. ASSIGNMENT! I didn’t care about recognition or remuneration. I just wanted to affect lives with what I have within.

Friends, I implore you today: take out time and have a sincere conference with yourself. Ask yourself this all important question: “What is my assignment?” It is miserable to live through life without knowing your assignment. That is the definition of a WASTED LIFE.

You are important on this earth. You are not an error or an oversight. Each one of us has a portion to fill in the circle called EARTH; mine may not be as big as yours, but the reality is that I have a portion to fill. Get this truth into your head and begin to live according to God’s command that says: “occupy till I return...”

Never underestimate the importance of God in all of these. You did not create yourself; you cannot know why you are here, by yourself. Get acquainted with the one who created you and the planet you are in- “for the earth is the Lord’s [he owns it] and the fullness thereof [together with everything inside], and all that dwells in it – including YOU...”

I want to see you at the top – where you truly belong.

You must happen!

INSPIRATION FOR PERFORMANCE

There was a time in my life when I blamed other people for my woes and failures. I blamed just about everything. It was always somebody else’s fault, but mine. I blamed my parents, government, friends and environment...

The more I did this, the more I failed. The more time flew, until it dawned on me that I needed to wake up and LIVE my life. Most people even blame God for what their challenges and brick walls. Guess its high time you knew that your destiny is not even God’s responsibility. Everything that will make you what you dream about is already available... His word says; “Whatever you imagine [think, desire and determine] to do, nothing will be restrained [impossible or withheld] from you..."

Dear friends, it is high time we sit up and face life with the utmost seriousness it deserves. It is never too late to do what’s right.

Our destiny is our responsibility. God’s responsibility is to reward us for fulfilling our responsibility. The ball is in our court now, let’s make our dreams happen. If anything must work, it is up to us. Life is not magic, neither is success. Even miracles have processes and procedures; somebody does all the behind-the-scene works. If you must get to the mountain top you must climb there – nothing happens by chance.

We all have individual responsibilities that we need to stand up to. Your life is your responsibility. Just as we’ve got unique finger prints, we’ve got unique responsibilities. Nobody will help you fulfill yours because they’ve got theirs. Stand up and face it! Stop complaining; start doing the little you can, steadily... for it is said that: “slow and steady wins the race...”

Responsibilities are meant to be executed – execute yours, today!

Everything is created from something. Something doesn’t come from nothing. Identify your gifts, your skills and your talents – trade it, use it!

You are created for profit. I believe in planning, I equally believe in strategy and tactic. But, we must know when to step out from planning to doing.

You waste when you wait; wasting is waiting. Do something about your dream, today!

The Holy book says: “the path of a just man is like a shining light, it keeps getting brighter until the perfect day...”

This tells me that it is when we dare that our path becomes brighter. You will never see brightly until you set out. Success awaits daring.

Get into the ring and face your fight.

You must happen!

DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR DREAMS!!!

I woke up this morning with the above words reverberating in my head.

Friends, I want to ask you: "what are you doing about your dreams?" In life, we have so many talkers and few doers. You must take a conscious step not to belong to the crowd who always wish they did things or the few who wish to do things – DO THINGS!

Life only rewards the working hands. You will never be famous for talks; the best identity the world will give you is ACTIVIST OR CRITIC. Only doers are termed ACHIEVERS. You have to make a choice which name you want your generation to identify you with.

The greatest book in the Holy bible is called “ACTS of the Apostles”, not the SPEECHES of the Apostles. What will put your name in the great book of your generation are your ACTS.

Resolve to take that bold step today. Go, do something about that challenge you have long pretended about. Go, source for funds for that business idea. Go, talk to the woman you truly desire to marry. Go, buy that form for the training you have always wanted. Go, register that business idea. Go, market that product. Go, make that bold step today.

Think big, start small and grow great. Things will always get better, if only you start now.

Life is like a staircase; you mustn’t see all the stairs before you start climbing... To make progress, you must get started...

Mind you, your destiny will not just happen; you must make it happen. Once again, life only rewards the working hands.

I want to end today’s post by saying: BE AN ACTOR! YOU WILL NEVER BE FAMOUS FOR READING SCRIPTS! ACT NOW! What destroys greatness is when you ‘know’ but refuse to ‘do’.

I want to see you at the top... where you truly belong!

You must happen!

ARE WE REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR CHILDREN?

"Tell me, who’s responsible for what we teach our children? Is it the internet or the television stations?" – Asa (Nigerian Musician).

Just the other day, a young girl of about 13 was brought to a private clinic close to my house by her mother. My attention was drawn by the commotion outside. “Why were they guests to the clinic?” I wondered. What I discovered hit me like a blow: The young girl was pregnant.

This girl in question isn’t a new face to me, she lives in the neighborhood. I can still remember lucidly the day she was born and I have watched her grow. Occasionally, I do give her money or gifts. So, when the news broke that she was pregnant, I was moved to tears. The level of decay in society immediately became more obvious to me.

The first question anyone would immediately ask is, “who could have impregnated a minor?” Another comment that may come out from a person stunned like me will be: “her mother did not train her well?” Yet another person could say: “this girl is a bad child?” Trust Nigerians, they will say any of these without thinking twice. All of the above comments have their own just sides, but let’s talk about the core issues.

Like every other, there are two sides to this coin. First, the parents. Secondly, society. The question I started this piece with aptly explains the responsibility or irresponsibility of the parents. I am very aware her parents don’t spend quality time with her and her siblings. You always see this young girl with friends, some of whose sight could make an adult quiver. I am sure she doesn’t get or enjoy uninhibited interaction with her, as well as her father. Guess their thought will be: “let’s not spoil her...”

A father must be her daughter’s first boyfriend. Let the young girl understand what genuine love truly means by virtue of the selfless and pure love she enjoys from her father. Only then will she know that a man doesn’t have to go to bed with her to show he loves me. Thus, when she starts making male friends she will know who a real man is – one whose love is not self-seeking or polluted.

In same vein, we should not avoid giving our children sex education because somehow, somebody else or something will teach them, and then you would have no control of what they have been taught or the product they churn out. Sex is such a sensitive issue that no matter how young the child is, he/she wants to know something about it. My parents taught me nothing about sex or love; I did my own discovery myself. Most of the outcome of my ‘discoveries’ didn’t favour me.

Have you noticed that when you give a teenager/youth a magazine of general issues that happens to have a romance session, the chap will first read the romance session? This tells you that the crave is innate – whether child or adult. I believe they truly deserve to know the truth, from home. If you fail to be responsible for your kids, someone else will, without your permission.

In today’s world, the kids have found themselves new parents; the internet and television stations. These kids now effortlessly make musicians, actors/actresses and broadcasters as role models.

For the records, I am not against having these guys as role models!

But, I believe parents owe their children some degree of enlightenment, so they can make informed choices. Such that, when a child takes an actor/actress as a role model, he/she has profound and clear cut understanding of the enormity and implications of his/her choice.

We must enlighten our kids that there is more to reality than TV.

Now, the second issue here is society. Society has endorsed a lot of wrong things. Our regulatory institutions are not working, at all.

Issues concerning the Nigerian child are always a last thought. Those in leadership positions saddled with the responsible of being the eyes of government on the Nigerian child take undue advantage of their positions to enrich themselves.

Most musical videos are not supposed to be seen near television screens. Most movies [both local and foreign] are not supposed to be on our screens. The video clubs are supposed to have regulatory agencies. Public internet centers are supposed to be efficient supervision. Movies should be produced with the basic understanding that there is a FUTURE to build and that the children are watching. Many of the so called movies that are authorized for general viewing still have certain elements hazardous to the moral fiber of the young ones.

It is not all about money. The children are watching. They learn more from our actions than our words. We don’t have to keep saying “it doesn’t matter”. Fact is, it does. Institutions and government agencies must begin start rewarding distinction, not just corrupt people or sex symbols. Our kids need worthy and honourable people to look up to. We need new role models to show up on the horizon. They in business, entertainment, sports, religion etc.

You will agree with me that things weren’t as bad as they are now, as regards our values system. If nothing is done now, what becomes of tomorrow’s world? What kind of society will our children inherit? What kind of society will they bequeath to their own children? Moral bankruptcy is worse than financial corruption!

There is no sarcasm in the aphorism that says ‘the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step’. If things must change for the better, it must start now. We have so much of mummies and daddies, we need FATHERS AND MOTHERS. People who will stand up to be role models to their kids. People who will give their children a standard to hold on to.

Our children need dependable, responsible and faithful parenting. They do not deserve to be neglected. We really don’t have to train our child as bad as we were trained. The Holy book could not have been wrong when it admonished us to “train up a child in the way that he should go, such that when he is of age he will not depart from it...”

Let’s build a tomorrow we will be proud of.
You will happen!

LESSONS FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

An idea acted upon can make you live like royalty for ever……

In the course of my job as a business coach, I meet tons of young people who sincerely desire to get started in Entrepreneuring but don’t know how to get started [our organization has special interest in these people]. Some of them have been victims of 'Idea theft'. Guess that sounds very normal!
They had shared their wonderful ideas to 'trusted' folks, hoping they'd get some level of direction on the “hows” of making their dreams happen, only for the smarter guy to personalize that same idea.

Ever had your idea stolen before you acted on it? It doesn't matter much if you say someone 'personalized it', 'colonized it' or 'modified it', the sad reality is that “it was stolen”. Unfortunately, in the business world ‘idea theft’ is no crime; rather it is generally applauded. There are lots of books that have been written hailing this 'concept'. Fact is, there are many multi-millionaires who made every kobo they have exploiting other people’s ideas... In my university days, there was a guy who was renowned for this and he just didn't pretend about it - he [and those around him] saw it as strength... As expected, there will always be a victim!
While I do not condemn IDEA THEFT in its entirety, this post is however motivated for you not to be a victim. Fact is, life is not fair! New York's Donald Trump once said "Life is a bitch..."

Friends, what separates successful people from failures is ‘the will and the strength to act on whatever it is they believe in’. Failures will always procrastinate until a smarter person adds their idea to his.

From experience, some of the common reasons I have discovered often makes young entrepreneurs talk their ideas out of themselves are:
1. Over excitement: moving from dreaming to talking. Instead of dreaming to planning.
2. Lack of faith in the idea: weak desire.
3. Intimidated by the size of the idea: under-estimating their capacity and over-rating the capacity of the idea.
4. Lack of fiinancial and material resources to convert the idea from form to function: most of them wait to own the money with which to start launch the idea, while some are blinded to the right places to source for funds.

One thing must be made clear here, there are other individuals who are not deficient in any of the 4 areas listed above, but they lack good IDEAS.
These guys see potentials in other people's ideas, they think through ideas and put their thoughts on paper, they are not intimidated by the size of any idea - they believe in their strengths and the envisaged end result propels them to sail ahead, they equally know how to gather the resources to get the idea running.

When you have an idea, you must be ready to go full length to get the relevant information to get it running, without necessarily letting off the idea itself. That is what I call uncovering and acquiring all you need to take your ideas from "RAW to RUNNING”.

Here is my super formula for young entrepreneurs: TELL THE WORLD WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, BUT SHOW THEM FIRST.

You must be determined to get enough information on how to beautify and package your idea and take it to the market. You can lots of FREE resources on this from this website.
People will not have their money over to you just because you have an idea, but you will be make wealth if you push out a refined and relevant idea.
Our country, Nigeria, is rich in oil, yet our people are suffering. Apart from mismanagement of scarce resources, another reason is because she can’t refine her oil; the refineries are very close to not working. Some other countries don’t have the oil but they’ve got the refineries, therefore they make a larger bulk of the money.
The market will not just pay you ‘oil’, but for ‘refined oil’. You need to go all the way, while still preserving your ‘recipe’. Part of your own duty is to give the idea good shape so it can have relevance and proper market value in today’s world.

Another point I need you guys to know is that what will make your idea/dream/business/project soar is not just paper money, marketing is very important. The next ideal stuff refined 'oil' needs is MARKETING. For you to succeed in business and in life, you must learn certain elements of SALES and MARKETING. I know a lot of people who "hand-off" their idea to people simply because they believe they lack basic marketing and people skills.

To my mind, anything on earth can be learnt. So, with close observation and a little research, you too can be a successful marketer; taking your idea/business to right places, using the right words and exchanging value for income. You must be prepared to go all out. Do something. It is the OUT-come that guarantees the IN-come. If you don't send your strengths on errand, success will positively avoid you.

The crux of what I have been saying is that in Entrepreneuring, apart from your idea, there some important attributes you need to consider, you get some before starting out, while others come while you are in the field: CLARITY, CONVICTION, COURAGE, and DRIVE to get started.
Get materials, read books, ask intelligent questions! Having an idea isn't everything. It is just one side of the fight, getting it running is another.
Nobody can understand or run with you idea like you would. So, get your self equipped and don’t leave it in the hands of ‘caretakers’.

Entrepreneuring is deeper than a business idea, it is a life. Perhaps, you may just need to put your idea aside for a while, get yourself equipped, at least to a convincing level. If you are not yet ready to ‘run’ with the idea yet, shut your mouth.
It makes no sense to ‘spit’ out an idea you hope to start running with in 3years time. You must control your exuberance, otherwise someone will keep profiting from it!

Are you lacking in any of the 4 areas I listed above? Settle down, think your way through to success, don't start out hastily. Believe in yourself, and be rest assured of this reality: you just may have to fail your way through to success. Be prepared. Don't start out hastily, because it's not a 2 day journey...

Learn the necessary entrepreneurial skills from those who are succeeding, people who are been consistent with their stuffs. Learn the ‘hows’. Sit your butts and learn. You just may need to have a mentor, this will reduce your chances of failure and increase your chances of success.

If you are well equipped, nobody can steal your idea or shove you aside. There is the issue of patent registration, that’s quite a process in our country at the moment. If you can't go ahead with that, the best I can advice for now is ‘MANUAL PROTECTION’.
You must learn to discipline your tongue if you you want to succeed in business.

You must happen!

THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE OF CONTINUITY

I have always believed that life becomes a struggle when we start repeating thing that had already being done. Someone once said that the purpose of inheritance is for two generations not to suffer the same thing.

As a nation, the reason life has being reduced to a struggle for us is because we lack the continuity spirit. Every leadership that comes introduces a project discarding the one he met, no matter how laudable. This is the formula for failure.

Until we start having national team players in leadership positions, success may continually elude us as a nation.

This lack of continuity syndrome is not a gender thing, even the female folks are toeing the line also. Every leader that comes on stream wants to be carry the toga of ‘initiator’. They falsely believe that this is the best way to put your name in the sands of time. Lie!

Once upon a time, there was Late General Sani Abacha whose wife came up with the FSP (family support program). Not long afterwards, General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s wife came out with hers. In 1999 when Olusegun Obasanjo came into office as President, his wife Stella came up with hers: Childcare Trust. Eight years after, Nigeria got another President whose wife, Turai, wanting to follow the trend and desirous to be one the first ladies who have founded a ‘pet project’, came up with an entirely new one: WYEP (women and youth empowerment program).

Why do we have this continuity problem? To my mind, this is a sign of weakness and not strength. Any man who cannot follow through another man’s vision is not suppose to come forward for leadership. It is not a personal acquisition we are toying with, it is the future of a nation [over 140 million people]!

Every leader wants history to record his as a “Founder and Initiator”. This country has remained the way it is because of the selfishness of a few. Selfishness is the reason we have several wonderful but abandoned visions and projects littered everywhere.

Selfishness is the reason most political office holders try to make a rubbish of their predecessors. Selfishness is the major reason no government continues with the [beneficial] policies of its predecessors. Faithlessly however, this is manageably done if the predecessor is a political ally. Continuation of his projects or policies by a new regime will not be as a result of deep conviction, but a tactic of compensation or a ploy to hide his inadequacies. The several probes we see today in our country is just a n excuse to abandon the visions of the past government. Every new regime comes as a saint, and this goes on and on.

How long will our leaders keep playing games with the collective destinies of the Nigerian people?

Once upon a time, when a certain government came into power, she made lots of noise of where it was taking the country to by the year 2010. That was how the Vision 2010 anticipation started. The smoke [seem to have] ended with that regime. Several years down the line and with 2years to 2010, no meaningful reviews has been made by the government of the day; evaluating areas where there have been failures and areas where successes have been recorded, with a view to plotting a better and enhanced roadmap for the progress and future of Nigeria.

Shamefully but frankly, we have consistently produced leaders who sincerely and unapologetically don’t believe in this country and her destiny.

On May 29th 2007, a new president was sworn in. We all believed [and still do] in him, due to his track record as a governor. I think one fundamental flaw he has made, which may hunt him in future, is that he has abruptly downplayed the fact that there was already a target and a picture of where the country was headed as formulated by previous leaders and other other statesmen who should know better.
What are we going to do with Vision 2010? Suspend it, dump it or add it? Kill it?

President Umaru Ya’ardua’s government has come up with her own projection for Nigeria; Vision 2020! Why are we moving in circles? Couldn’t we have pursued the 2010 vision to a logical conclusion, before formulating another from there? Is it not obvious that we don’t believe in the labours of our hero’s past?

What is wrong with us? Why are our leaders be poor students of history?

In another 3years, Nigeria may(?) have a new president, chances are that the new President may want to impress himself and follow the wrong paths of his predecessors by coming up with his own “Vision something something”.

We don’t just need a principled, educated or religious person as our leader; we need a “National Team-player.” Friends, what makes for an outstanding leader is not just his ability to build a vision but his ability to synthesize with the ‘picture’ he met and bring it to completion, or at least to a logical conclusion.

An exceptional [national or state] leader is one who is able to connect to ideas he met in motion, previously stirred or formulated by his predecessors that were not brought to a logical conclusion before their leadership terms expired. Our leaders must learn to be national team players. To my mind, a good criteria to know if someone will be a good leader is to check how well he had worked under someone in leadership position. How loyal, how efficient and how humble he had been as a subordinate.

When you abandon your predecessor’s vision, yours will equally be abandoned, and the nation will keep experiencing retardation. No matter how defective you think someone’s vision is, there’s always something to learn from it.

The problem of food scarcity we are experiencing today would not have being. The government before had formulated certain agricultural development programs that have not been followed through by their predecessors.

No man has the monopoly of knowledge. The question is, what is our approach to national development? Is it a must that we even start new things?

There are so many laudable abandoned visions that could be ‘resurrected’ to move this country forward. Let’s swallow our pride and do it.

For this country to move to its long deserved height, we need selfless and visionary leaders. Not just fantastic talkers. We must stop doing things to consciously write our names in history, let our results and positive impacts locate us in history.

May Jehovah Nigeria bless you!

YOU TOO CAN BECOME A CELEBRITY

One of man’s basic crave is RECOGNITION. People naturally feel bad when it seems as though they are not being recognized or not given the kind of attention equal to their expectation.

Everybody wants to be celebrated. Everybody wants to be heard. 99% of the things we do is in fulfillment of our individual desire to be noticed... the cars, the clothes, the houses, the jeweleries!

Now, what truly makes one a celebrity?

A celebrity is someone who has given the people something to celebrate or joy about. There is ‘something’ he/she puts in the ‘face’ of the people, such that people can’t help but constantly revere, commit to memory or even them.

Fact is, you don’t have to be in the showbiz world to be a celebrity. Just give people something to celebrate and you will become one. Either you make news or you make noise - provided it draws positive attention, else you will be reduced to a scandal.

Remember our own Dr. Abalaka? The guy became an instant celebrity when he told the world he had found the cure for HIV.

Remember Mr. Peter Obi of Anambra state? The guy became an instant celebrity after he was impeached twice and still got back to claim his governorship mandate.

There is no gainsaying the fact that everybody wants to be celebrated, but it's amazing how many people believe it is only by having something to do with showbiz that immediately makes you a celeb.

Dear friend, are you a doctor? Please, give us something to celebrate, break new grounds. Are you a mechanic? Give us something to celebrate, make a discovery in your field - break new grounds. Are you a lawyer? Do something big, break new grounds.

Nigeria's Festus Keyamo became an instant celebrity because of his fearlessness, braveness and vocal power as a lawyer; people couldn’t just help but be drawn towards him.

Are you a farmer? Give us something to celebrate, break new grounds. Dare something new, today!

Whoever you are and from wherever you are, break new and uncommon grounds and your song will continually be on our lips. We are not tired of celebrating people, we are just awaiting the few who will break new grounds and we will celebrate the them, forever.

Thomas Alva Edison was a school dropout, he was even called a dull brain by his teachers. But, he was and still is a world-class celebrity, though he's dead for more than 100years now. h

He is still being celebrated because of his immense contribution to humanity. He dared uncommon things, and succeeded.

Bill Clinton is a celebrity, so also is Oprah Winfrey. The common factor? They have given us something to CELEBRATE? They have used their skills and talent to enlist millions of faithful fans. There is something about these people we see and just admire – there is a tiny portion of our heart that is reserved for them.

Friends, you too can become a celebrity. It is not a showbiz thing. Your unique dream, if acted upon, can make you a celebrity...

Young Joseph is the bible became an instant celebrity after he solved a national problem.

What are you waiting for? Give us something to celebrate.

You will happen!

LYRICAL INSANITY = MORAL BANKRUPTCY

Ask anybody, particularly those in the entertainment world, how the Nigerian music industry is currently doing and you will hear words like: GREAT, AWESOME, BOOMING…When I look at the above responses and the 'object' in question [music industry], I am literally moved to tears. How do we judge growth and development as a nation? Is there no place for values? What’s our 'new' definition of ‘GROWING’?

I love music a lot. Though I can’t sing [very well], but I do appreciate good music - lyrically sane ones. Sonorous voices are also one of my greatest appeal, talk about Whitney Houston’s or Naija’s Christy Essien Igbokwe. Great voice, great lyrical strength.

A few days ago as I was doing some shopping in a local supermarket, I was attracted by a voice I heard singing close-by; I had to ‘search’ for the voice. Little did I know it was just a child of about 9 or 10years was ‘supplying us melody’. I made effort to listen more - I badly wanted to know if the lyrics were as good as the rhythm.

Irritated! This fittingly explains how I felt when I heard some of the lines… the most prominent of the words I think I heard were “shake what you mamma gave you…”

Fear catch me! You don’t need anybody to explain to you what the young lad was singing about. A boy of less than 10years with such words? As I stared at him open-mouthed, the level of rot in society and the negative impact of our music equally stared at me straight in the face… I was scared for the bad seeds my generation is sowing in the lives of the much younger ones - the professed ‘digital’ generation. We claim our leaders and fathers destroyed this nation due to their selfish attitudes, corrupt acts and moral paucity… Honestly, our moral bankruptcy far outweighs the collective crimes we think they have committed.

Entertainment wise, we are zero when it comes to morals! Guys, hardly can you find any modern day Naija song that has sane lyrics. It is all about sex, sex and sex… As much as music is meant to entertain and make happy, it is equally supposed to educate, positively!

Disgracefully, we are not even conscious of what we are teaching, or learning?

Because of other observable facts associated with this ‘digital’ age, music and musicians are now what raise kids the most. Kids want to sing their song and equally be like them. Unfortunately, over 80% of our music artistes are negativity teachers. All they have are contents a child’s mind shouldn’t be exposed to. Their lyrical insanity is a clear reflection of their moral paucity. Shamefully, this is the kind of people ‘society’ refers to as ‘icons’? Recently some were made "AMBASSADORS" by one of the telecom providers. Shame! Is our music industry [and the nation] now so sick that sexual perverts can enjoy huge media attention and role model status? Yes, we are happy they chose the part of using their talents to entertain, but we must tell them the content of their entertainment is not good enough, with the exception of very few. Truth is truth. What am I advocating for? Rich and positive lyrical content!

You can’t be more catholic than the pope; we have our style, our respect for human dignity, our originality - why are we ashamed to reflect and celebrate it through our music? Has respect and genuflection of moral values now a primitive form of art?

It has been repeatedly proven that 70% of modern day crimes are music motivated. We must appreciate the fact that music advices, music directs (and misdirects), music builds, music destroys, music does a lot of things… When will our folks begin to see their art in this light? Or are they fully conscious of what they are doing?

Surprisingly, the very few artistes that are not singing about their sexual exploits and their corrupt tendencies are either preaching crime or ‘prophesying’ doom on their homeland. I heard one of them say “a fool at forty is a fool forever, Nigeria is over forty…” What good is such a song to society? Can’t we just sing about solutions?

A couple of months ago, one of Nigeria’s ‘most celebrated’ new generation musicians was quoted to have said: “Two things sell most in the world; SEX and DRUGS, since I don’t DO drugs, why shouldn’t I DO sex…” I hope Bill gates, Oprah and Donald Trump gets to read this! Yet, he was one of those decorated as an “Ambassador” by the telecoms company. As if to say, “this is what a perfect Nigerian youth should look like!”

My question: isn’t this the kind of person and his art a threat to society? AM reminded here of the ‘Yahoozee’ crooner. His music was aired on CNN and The Oprah Winfrey’s show, just to buttress the fact that Nigerians are fraudsters. Imagaine! Yet, someone called him an “Ambassador” and a good “export” for the country! I believe music should be handled with the care of a message. Only a messenger of positivity should be in music, not perverts and hungry town criers.

As I write this piece, I remember the legendary Evi Edna Ogosi. Her music was always a message. It was her song that thought most people of my generation how to ‘cross the road’… “Look your left, look your right, look your left before you cross…” Her music was both a teacher and a message. Isn’t it a shame when the past looks more enviable than the present? Quite frankly, it is a shame!

Talking about someone like 2face Idibia, the reason an artiste like him will continually be an icon is because of the positivity in his music; his love songs are not lewd. The younger ones want to be like him, they should know that his secret is great talent mixed with positivity.

When we are not being bombarded with lyrics that celebrate all kinds of moral bankruptcy, then we are faced with the pictorial content of the music videos are morally meaningless, debasing and disgusting. You can hardly see any music video that doesn’t parade half-naked ladies; this is both degrading and misrepresenting of the average African woman. What a false impression and representation of womanhood! Shame! In my view, this is another form of assault on womanhood. Don’t let’s talk about our own Nollywood! That’s another day’s gist!

Am beginning to feel that there seems to be a silent voice from ‘society’ that says to every young musician: ‘we aren’t going to buy your music if the lyrics aren’t impure and if it doesn’t parade seductive half-clad ladies…’

When their music is not talking about how to seduce the opposite sex, it will be about a sexual experience or some sexual fantasy! Can’t we have songs that provide direction for living, give hope and heal wounds, correct ills, give ‘clean’ entertainment? What’s happening to our censor’s board - the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation? Isn’t it shameful that what viewers consider as air-undeserving is considered as ‘acceptable’ by those who we thought should know better? This goes to show the strength of the moral character of those at the helms of affairs at the NBC! These same people are quick to ‘ban’ certain religious programs… Shame! Femi Kuti’s BANG BANG and Zule Zoo's KEREWA was banned, but it still found its way out to TV screens! How?

When it comes to awards, I don’t know what our entertainment organizations and media outfit put into consideration when they give artistes awards both for their style and their music video! What are our criteria for applause and recognition?

The question is, what are the functions of PMAN? Other professional bodies [like the NMA, NBA and others] sanitizes their associations’, but the rot, wrangling, bickering and power struggle in the PMAN’s (Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria) leadership will let none of these happen.

Just about anybody can now claim to be a MUSICIAN, in Nigeria. Check out any association where the leadership faces power struggle and internal strife, you will always find mediocre having a field day. Apart from the undue acceptance that greets their works by the ‘society’, the commonest of all reasons why these moral perverts have a field day is because nobody checks them. So, they go publicizing and impacting their moral deficiency to the public, no thanks to TV stations that give them thoughtless airplay.

Happenings in the entertainment world further strengthens the reality that the desired change we have repeatedly talked about and long awaited can best be worked out by each of us. We can’t trust it on associations of the high-ups in society. If anything will change, it will have to be our individual responsibility, action and reactions!

Nor be our leaders hand the thing dey, Na we cause our problems, Na we go still correct am. The more we sleep, the longer our problems will remain.

When you see what you don’t like, DON’T ENDURE OR PRETEND - speak against it! This is the route to national change. If only a lot of us have been speaking hard against the evil trend of things in the entertainment industry and doing our bit to correct what we can, I believe something reasonable could have been achieved.

Our pretense and silence makes us sink deeper; we need a change in attitude! We have brothers, friends, neighbours, sisters, relations in the entertainment industry; we need to call them to order. Wetin sef? Dem nor deaf, them gol listen.

You don’t have to be dirty to make money or gain fame! Decency needs to start selling in our society! Sanity must be given rich publicity!

We need men of character to infiltrate the entertainment world. We need to prove to those the morally bankrupt folks out there that positivity sells. Am not saying every music artiste should go gospel, but what I am saying is: let’s have ‘clean’ hip-hop, let’s have ‘clean’ R n B, let’s have ‘clean’ rap… We need clean entertainment.

Besides, love or romance songs mustn’t come in ‘dirty packages’. Besides, real love is pure… We need lyrically sane audios and clean pictorial videos that are not morally debasing, corrupting, humiliating, demeaning, degrading and mortifying in any way.

As you take your place as a change agent; to correct the ills in society and speak against those things you think are not right, things will change in this nation. Every true revolution begins with one man. I strongly believe that your reading this post to this spot further proves that you are one of the change agents this country has been waiting for. Get into the ring and make things work, positively.

You will happen!