These dreams

The burden of ambition

The struggle against ordinary

The crave for more

Slightly better

Slight mega

Slightly greater

The push

The drive

Argghhh

Can the future be here already?

It wasn't always like this

Early to bed, Early to rise used to be the order of the day

The longer the sleep, the longer the dream..cos dreams were infused in sleep

But with age came responsibilities

With age came these dreams

With age came aspirations

With age came these goals and the burden of success

As these aspirations got bigger

The nights became shorter

Day times have become too short for an early bed rest

And even when we get/fall on our beds early

Immediately, we start dreaming

These dreams again

Same bed, same dreams, different nites

Tables have turned

Dreams don't stand the same

Dreams now stand outside sleep

This time we are dreaming with our eyes wide open

The longer the dreams, the shorter the sleep

The longer the post, the more I crave sleep

Goodnite guys!

A year today

It was just around this hour 365days ago, fresh out of school, 7-day old Electrical & Electronics Engineering Second class upper degree holder. In the days that preceded, the only people I probably wanted to talk to were Jaye, Funsho, Modupe, Harry, Aniekan and Dami, they were the ones that had come around to help me put things together for the book launch.

I can remember the emptiness on my graduation day, I wasn't just feeling what most people were feeling, all I had on my mind was the launch. The launch came and it was awesome. Many things worked well, all the guests had a wonderful time..I had fun too; in fact looking at the video, I couldn't believe myself.

Everyone that was around when all of these things were happening could testify to it that God was indeed with me. Amazing things happened, great amazing things! Sorry if I hype this one book launch too much, I know many more of my books will be launched, even after I pass away, but there's nothing as magical as your first.

Just last month, my mom sent the book to a friend in the UK and this is what he had to say: 

"Very many thanks for blessing me with copies of your debut. I had a friend with me when i opened the large envelope. After flipping through a copy, he refused to release it. I have read my own copy twice and am keeping it jealously.

Probably unknown to you, you have spoken the mind of God about wisdom, to the young and the old, this generation and generations to come.

I am quite excited with what i saw and read but not surprised. Your mum and i used to discuss the progress of our children many years ago and i have always seen you as someone who has a message for his generation. I thank God for using you in this very special way. I find the book very insightful, moreso, it has a spiritual touch."

365days later I'm sitted on a couch in a neatly furnished 4bedroom apartment that I have all alone to myself in the city of Port Harcourt, my 12th night in this city, it has been raining all day so I've just been pretty chilled, eating as much as I can while reflecting all day. I've talked to many people today and after their congratulatory messages they wanna know when I'm dropping my next book, some wonder why there are cob webs all over my blog and it might be surprising if I say I don't even have answers to some of these questions. I consciously took a break, but seeing as this break was taking too long I decided to break this silence.

I want to bring my blogging mojo back, I like this 30 day ish people have been blogging on, but some of the topics are just to fresh for me...I don't even know what they mean x_x

I would like to talk about how work has been in Port Harcourt some other time, I would like to talk about my observations. I would like to talk about my upcoming book as well. I would like to talk about how lazy I have been in certain aspects of my life. I would love to talk about my new dreams. I would like to talk about some of my fears. I would also like to talk about  my job search. I would like to talk about my inexistent romantic life and something I call the problem of over ambition.

Maybe I have my own list already, just maybe!

But I wrote this piece for one very key reason, and that is to appreciate God before all men. I don't know what things I do to deserve the things He has blessed me with, I've messed up on many levels but He has always been faithful. I love God and I believe Him in a most unique way, I can't find the right words to describe how much I believe God, but I must say I am a BELIEVER. Judging from the environment in which I grew up, judging from my average background, there are many things that my hands have touched that most people that were in those shoes with me are yet to dream of touching, God put me on another level and gave me bragging rights. I'm not the best, but I could have been worse. So as Paul said in 1Cor 1:31 "Let him that boasts boast in the Lord" This day I look at my CV and I boast in this one God. 

"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof" this journey just started!

Who will the Lord use?

Telecommunications came into Nigeria in the 50s and from that time till the year 2001, the nation could only boast of 500,000 subscribers. When GSM was going to be introduced into this country, the governing board issued 5licenses and gave all the operators a mandate to draw 2.5million subscribers in 5years. Failure to record a subscription base of 2.5million customers would attract heavy penalties and might adversely affect the renewal of their licenses.
In no time, they had mapped out a 5yr plan to achieve 5 folds of what was not achieved in the previous 60years and as soon as they came up with a promising strategy, they were issued licenses.

Within 6months of roll out, they had hit the planned 5year subscriber base target!

There are 30million households in this country. There is not enough electricity generated to serve these households. A recent report showed that each household uses an average of 20 electrical bulbs and that if everyone could switch to power saver lamps, it will reduce the amount of megawatts required to cater for the nation

Internet has been a big deal since the 80s and its relevance has multiplied over the years. Mobile internet is now prominent in Nigeria thanks to the introduction of Blackberry smart phones and the likes into the market. People now move about with internet enabled mobile phones attaching increased relevance to the essence of the internet in many spheres of life.
Broadband is not yet a big deal in this country. How many homes have internet? Just as our phones can do more than just dial numbers, our cable TV connections can do more; those DSTV dishes can do more.
Soon there will be a crave to get every home in this nation connected.

Africa is an emerging market, the opportunities are boundless. Within the space of 1 year, the worth of Africa's richest man tripled.

Amongst many other things, I believe the future belongs to:
1. The visionary; those who recognise opportunities long before they become obvious
2. Those who understand that men were not born with "impossibilities"
3. Those who are passionate enough to follow through on every opportunity that comes their way
4. Those who are empowered with the right kind of information.

Common to emerging markets are the immense opportunities they present entrepreneurs with. Don't choose the path of least resistance. Come out to stand as the one the Lord will use.
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

I love this prayer..

I like to say this prayer this way...

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd

The Lord is my guide and compass

I SHALL NOT WANT

I shall never be in need

Before every need arises, His supply is already available

HE MAKETH ME TO LIE IN GREEN PASTURE

He gives me the most comfortable shelter

He causes me to lie in the midst of plenty

HE LEADETH ME BESIDE THE STILL WATERS

In the quiet, He speaks to me as He gives me clarity of vision and direction

HE RESTORETH MY SOUL

My soul is at rest

My soul rejoices in Him

EVEN THOUGH I WALK IN THE VALLEY OF DEATH

Even though I drive through dangerous streets

Even though I stroll through war zones

Even though I bounce past the territories of the enemy

I FEAR NO EVIL

I fear no witches, demon, or forces

I fear no fiery darts of the enemy

FOR THOU ART WITH ME

For I am in the King's entourage

For the host of angels are as a shield about me

THY ROD AND THY STAFF THEY COMFORT ME

The abundance of His supplies put me at rest

For in His presence are pleasures forevermore

THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME

Thou has chosen to pamper me

IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMY

In the presence of my mockers and haters

THOU ANOINTEST MY HEAD WITH OIL

Thou has poured thine Spirit upon me

Oh the oil of gladness

Thy anointing that breaks the yoke

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER

And just when I'm thinking I've seen it all, you show up again and do even more

You embarrass me with favours all life long

SURELY, GOD's GOODNESS & MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME

The goodies are at my command

As I'm calling them forth, they respond in my favour

And it will be favour unlimited because of His mercy that clefts for me

His mercy that pleads my case even when I'm unclean

AND I SHALL DWELL IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD FOREVER

AMEN

The house of mourning

 source: Google images

New births are recorded daily

Some received with joy, some with mixed feeling, others with regret.

People die daily

Someday you will die

Might be in a couple of hours, weeks, months, years or decades

But death is inevitable

All we possess are gifts from God and the Lord never requests for any of those things back from us. Nothing but the life He gives. He takes this one that we might enjoy life eternal.

I just got back into Lagos this evening after a short stay in the house of mourning.

It got to me a couple of weeks ago when I heard the news of his death as my mum broke down in tears on the phone, but the thought of his glorious exit did not spur up any feeling other than that of gratitude to God for a life well spent; It was easier to maintain that perspective while here in Lagos. But until I got to the centre of this all and his son rose up to the podium in church yesterday evening to give his eulogies, tears flowed freely from my eyes as he broke down in tears mid way into his speech; he held the tears back as he tried to exhaust what he had in writing but moments after that he burst into tears again as he was ushered back to his seat. Death is real.

I've never lost anyone that close to me before, and if he had not truly lived a righteous life, I wouldn't be discussing my deceased uncle on my blog. Very kind and humble man! As a kid he would always come around with his wife in their Peugeot station wagon and they would always come with sacks of this special "Garri saki" for momsy. He was a generous man, never will he visit without dropping something for the boys!

I remember the last days I spent with him, memories of the Saturday evening of his 62nd birthday in August 2009 is still fresh in my heart. For hours we sang hymnssssss. We started off singing songs we knew by heart, then we grabbed hymn books and we sang for hours after which he prayed for us and shared his thoughts on marriage and other things of life.

So I saw my uncle this morning and he looked the same. He was fast asleep and my mom kept on calling "Broda Tunde" but he wouldn't wake up. That's the closest I've been to a corpse and if not for the coffin one would think he was taking a nap while waiting for others to dress up too and join him in his outing. Death is real. It's an endless sleep!

I'm happy he died a righteous man, he knew he was going, he had ample time to give his parting words to his loved ones. To me, that's a golden opportunity. I know he is with the Lord right now.

So Solomon said

"(1) A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one's birth. (2) It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. (3) Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad."
- Ecclesiastes 7:1-3

And just like the pastor said in church this morning. So many of us go to the house of morning to sympathize and share memories of the departed while we fail to reflect on our own lives.

My Uncle is gone. Who's next?

How prepared are we for the inevitable?

How prepared are we for death?

The game, they say is the same but the players are different. On the stage of life, they say same stage different actors.

"Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom"

What are you doing with what you've got today. Yesterday is gone and never to be replayed

Tomorrow is only a promise

Today is all you've got

What are you doing today?

It's so easy to say the cliché "live each day as though it were thy last" but is that truth reflected in our daily lives??

It is important that we all take some time out to go into the house of mourning (a place of sober reflection) to think things through. If you die today, what will be said of you? What legacy would you have left behind?

I spent a couple of days in the house of mourning and it has helped to place better relevance on time

Corporate slave trade

Word came to me on Friday that the start-up pay for graduates in NNPC is less than a hundred thousand naira and this stirred up great discomfort in me, I was sad as I couldn't contain the shock knowing what NNPC generates in financial returns on a monthly basis. To a large extent, I have a problem with the way things are done in this country, particularly how university graduates are treated, I earn a little above $300 every month and the goverment pays me additional $64 that I often feel insulted to withdraw from the bank; and once in a while when I get to discuss my pay with some people I get that "wow, you're lucky oh" and I always do a good job in containing my feelings.

I don't believe in operating based on local standards, after all our curriculum in the university was gotten from the western world, so your harvest for investing your time into getting educated should be somewhat comparable. Those that work the hardest earn the least in the country and it's disturbing.

If you were to be selling coffee at Starbucks or to be at the sales stand in McDonalds, are you telling me your monthly pay per month can be anything less than $1,000?
So we wear expensive clothes, work 8-5pm i.e. 9hrs per day, 5 days a week, which is 45hours a week and ultimately 180hours a month only to get $300 in your account (less than $2/hour) and no one is saying anything about this?

Agreed NYSC is service to nation, but what do you have to say about the average banker that gets #150,000 ($1,000) a month working 7am - 7pm (12hrs) daily, 60hrs a week, 240hrs a month
If you work 240hrs/month in McDonalds at $11/hr (google statistics) that's $2,640 = 400,000 in Naira. How many people earn up to that in this country? Some managers don't get two-thirds of that!

WOW!!
So well over 70% of those that I see waking up as early as 4:30am just so they can get to their office for 7:30am then end up getting back home around 9:00pm don't even earn up to $10/hour???!!
What/where then is the reward for their labour?

Things just have to change!

The vacancies are not there and the applicants are plenty, so the applicants that are offered the very few available jobs can't even negotiate their worth. They throw the offer letters on your laps and you either take it or any of the many other qualified candidates will take it. 

The people know that the jobs are not there but they don't understand that the jobs are not there, so they are brokenhearted after every unsuccessful attempt thinking that they are the problem. But the problem is most often not with the applicants, it is the system that is messed up. 

Oh African child

Where doth they hope lie

What happened to the days when employers were glad to recruit university graduates into their workforce. If I was well informed I heard the trend was: go to school, graduate, get the job that has been waiting for you all this while, get offered a car and comfortable housing. These benefits are no more! But wait a minute, I think the benefits are still there, but they are reserved for those without black skins. They treat the son of the soil like crap and offer the best of the best to foreigners, they are the ones enjoying the best of this land, they are the ones lodged in posh hotels eating the best dishes and living in the best suites. Agreed they are competent, but must they rub it in our faces? Can we not grow competent indigenes?

My heart goes out to mothers who borrowed money to send their children to universities with the hope that in a couple of years, there will be reasonable return on investment.  But our graduates are roaming all around the streets looking for the jobs that are not there. Those that are meant to create the jobs have left the world of works, to dwell with the 'powerful' so that they can get into political office and eat 'the good of the land' they've not worked for. If only those political gimmicks can be translated into business strategies, if only that greed can the translated into a thirst for economic growth.  Prices of crude oil has sky rocketed, which means there will be plenty of excess crude oil reserve cash for the nation at the end of the year, but we can't celebrate just yet because we know what selfish channels those funds will be directed into. 

The government is bad and the people are crying

But who/what is the government?

The people are the government 

The people are therefore bad and the people are crying 

Agreed most of the political office holders are not doing it right, but should the captain of industries join them?

If the educated earn that low then we should not be surprised when they tell us that millions of Nigerians live on less than a dollar per day. What are we doing to ourselves, why have we chosen to embrace this poor standard of living. 

My heart bleeds as I share these thoughts and I can't wait to put things in order, I crave for that moment in time when I will be a major employer of labour in this nation. I am too convinced I shall grow a model organisation, I am to convinced that the financial remuneration I will be offering my staff will be enviable worldwide. Reason being that I would be doing it out of love for humanity. We need love to get things right in this country!

Do these things bother you?

Share your opinion...

Would you call it Compromise?

People only dare what they dream. 

But I realise that the processing of daring these things could often be unpredictable, along your way you tread smooth paths, crooked ones, you come across cross roads and the likes; the underlying fact is that you are constantly faced with thousand more decisions moments after you make that one supposed 'big' decision.

So I thought to share these thoughts on Negotiation.

Negotiation always means Compromise and Creativity

In the words of George Ross (Donald Trump's legal assistant) from his book Trump Style Negotiation

A basic fact of life is that we never get anything we want. So in the course I teach at New York University I tell my students that negotiation is a process in which people learn to accept an available compromise as a satisfactory substitute for that which they really wanted.

Everybody goes into a transaction thinking that they know exactly what they want. But they usually can't get it, so they have to learn how to compromise along the way..

For example, if I go into a car dealership, I might start out by saying "I'm looking for a sports car with four-wheel drive and a sun roof." Then I see a new model and say, "I really love that one. That's what I want" 

The dealer tells me, "That has everything you said you wanted and it's only $36,000." I didnt intend to spend $36,000 for a car, so I tell the salesperson that's beyond my budget. The salesperson says, "I can show you two other models in the $25,000 range, but neither one has all the features you want. How important are those features to you?" 

Eventually I have to forego some of the frills I wanted... What I ended up with wasn't exactly what I originally had in mind but it was a satisfactory compromise for what I thought I really wanted. Every negotiation and everything you do in life has pluses or minuses - you have to weigh the pluses against the minuses - you have to weigh the pluses against the minuses - and a  decision is reached when the pluses outweigh the minuses. It's that simple, although getting there often involves a lot of frustration, aggravation, and arguments.

What do you want from life?
What has life offered you?
Did these words help relieve that funny after effect of "maybe things would have been perfect if I had gone with plan D" you get after making a decision?
Feel free to share your thoughts on Negotiation.

"Let us never negotiate out of fear. But, let us never fear to negotiate" 

- John F. Kennedy