Baton for a New Race

ATTENTION!                               ATTENTION!!                              ATTENTION!!!

Please poke all those who went to bed singing Green Day's hit... wake them up, September has ended!


In case you're wondering; while you slept, we cried, played, sowed, talked, loved and hoped a little more.


Its October 1, the first day of the rest of our lives, a day we celebrate the beginning of the next 50 years as a nation. 50 years that once again present the options to either push for greatness or turn up the volume on complaint speakers!


As we begin the last lap in 2011, we remember our tears - over the loss of dear ones, over unfulfilled dreams, over the failures of a potentially great nation, over the many stumbling blocks we face on the pathway to prosperity.


We shed tears because our hearts feel pain but I invite you to come with me into the rain, let it wash away your grief, depression and disappointments. Let it wash away every cloud hindering you from seeing the way forward. Let it not just be rain, let it be SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS!

·         Pray with faith that victory is near.

·         Enjoy the gifts in your possession (life and loved ones).

·         Activate the CAN - DO spirit.

·         Cultivate the habit of praise.

·         Encourage others by doing the right thing first.

Be at PEACE with yourself, that's the only way you can help the nation pursue peace.


92 more days to the New Year. It’s enough time to get a new job, make a major breakthrough in your business, conceive an award winning idea, sow a seed of kindness, seek for forgiveness from the one(s) you've hurt, forgive the one(s) who've hurt you, fall in love, propose/accept a proposal to/from the one you love.


POSSIBILITIES... Endless possibilities abound. Tap into it for a brighter, better and befitting future or wait on the side line, murmuring and complaining of the things that have gone wrong. It’s your CHOICE, the FUTURE begins now.


Receive the baton of a new day, a new grace, a new path; take off into EXCELLENCE.


Happy Independence Day Nigeria (ns)!!!

 

Today, I cried...

Today, I cried. No, I wasn’t flogged but I cried. I cried for the many times I had encountered near deaths, illnesses and other unpleasant situations and through it all God brought me out unscarred. I cried because I realise how ungrateful we all are sometimes. Because we complain about the lack of mundane things and fail to show appreciation for the essentials handed to us on a platter of gold.

I think about all those mornings I snooze for an extra 10minutes a total of 3 times before I finally get out of bed thereby saying so short a prayer I cannot remember once I jump into the bath!

I think about the many times I witnessed accidents on 3^rd mainland bridge and many of the other death traps we refer to as highways. I remember the journeys I have made within and outside the city, times my flight experienced turbulence and through it all I am still here.

The last 4 weeks have been really eventful for me. I have been happy, sad and indifferent; but isn’t that what life’s about. An acquaintance from my undergrad days passed away a day before she was to resume at an oil company in Lekki; she had been job hunting since 2008.

Sadly, last week we had met and spoken briefly at the airport in Abuja. Her mum found my card in her purse and called to inquire if she owed me as the family wanted to settle all her debts before the burial.

I’m just reading the story of Olajuwura Amoo-Onidundu and that’s what made me cry. Last month I had some medical issues to deal with but I was strong enough to get into an argument with the nurse. She had cut open the syringe before my entry into the injection room so I insisted a new one be used. When the matron intervened she said, ‘it would amount to waste of resources’, I then retorted with an indifferent look that if my HMO plan can’t cover the cost of an extra syringe then I’ll pay cash!

Since the introduction of HMOs, healthcare delivery seems to have nosedived even at the so called ‘good private hospitals’. A colleague was recently asked if he wanted silver, gold or platinum treatment after being diagnosed of malaria at the hospital. Apparently, the class of treatment he chooses would determine the type of drugs to be prescribed, recovery timeline and ultimately the bill!

 I won’t even mention government hospitals where you have to run around to buy everything from gloves to syringe and injection, drip etc; God help you if you’re in labour and there’s no family member in sight; well, you can tip a student doctor to help you. I know this from a friend’s labour experience at LASUTH/Ayinke Hospital.

All in all, I believe we, as a people, as a nation still have a chance to get better. To correct the anomalies, seize the future and make it truly ours. You and I can start by being truthful and faithful in all our dealings.

Have a fabulous weekend!

N.B

The original post for today EXPATRIATE IN THE BUILDING would be up next week!

Keep your Identity

As human beings we strive to make an impact either in our immediate environment or in the world. While working towards being a force to reckon with, there are a lot of forces that try to sway us. To succeed, we hold on tight to our beliefs and focus on the goals to be achieved.

I have noticed that most successful people rarely ever change the winning formula. Manchester United for instance has won more trophies and accolades from football lovers and critics worldwide because they’ve been adjudged consistent. They have a tradition which they guard jealousy. The British Monarch is also revered, respected and thought to have no equals, simply because it sets its own standards, creates rules and compels everyone who must interact with it to comply, be it individuals or nations.

Unfortunately, same cannot be said for some of us. A common saying amongst our parents in this part of the world is ‘remember the child of whom you are’. They say this because they are well aware of the challenges we face during our daily endeavours, because they know that the greatest and strongest of men have lost their identity just for a moment of pleasure, while being distracted by the most mundane things.

Samson lost his sight to a woman and Esau sold his birthright for common ‘Asaro’ (pottage), other great men in history have also lost their fame, fortune and integrity on account of their lack of self control.

Your identity doesn’t end with your name, social security number, personal data or DNA. It extends to your culture, beliefs, value system etc. It is not enough to chant the ‘I am African’ mantra. Show the world you truely are. Some people travel out of Nigeria and after a few months they rename themselves, bury their manners and sometimes disown their parents, all because they want to belong. You cannot be more English than the British!

A few others go off to study and become so wild one would wonder if they ever heard the word. This identity denial is also evident on our blogs. Why would you agree to things that are against your personal beliefs just so you gain another follower?

I, for instance have personal views about certain issues – no to violent/abusive relationships, no to friends with benefits set ups, no to office romance amongst others – I make these known as I comment on people’s blogs. I’m not asking that you adopt my belief system, you can hate me for it, that wouldn’t change my stand; in the end, you’d either block me or unfollow me. That wouldn’t change the price of tomatoes at Mile 12 market!

If you spend all your time following the trend and trying to become a mirror image of others, you’ll only end up publicizing their achievements while your own dreams die.

Haile Gabriel Selassie didn’t become a long distance race champion because of his handsome face;  Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie didn’t need a sexy name to win the Orange prize. I can almost bet the members of the review board cannot even pronounce her name! Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett didn’t have to go nude to achieve the enviable records she had in the movie industry. I’m sure some of you do not even know she once acted in the popular sitcom Frank Spencer.

Finally, all I’m just trying to say is, be true to yourself, your little beginnings would metamorphosis into a phenomenal future if you keep working at achieving your life’s purpose.

*This post was inspired by Beyoncé’s new video (Run the world). Although I’m not a fan, I’m disappointed in this new person I see. She seems to be infusing too much of Lady Gaga + Nicki Minaj spirit into her style; do you think she’s feeling intimidated by them? That yellow dress is such a disaster... the green one too.

On the bright side, it’s nice to see the African dance style. I particularly love the neck twisting/shoulder jerking one in 1:15min, I’m sure you remember it from 2face Idibia’s Nfana Ibaga video.

Enjoy the weekend y’all.

Needed: A helping hand.

A friend of mine had a little get together recently. While we boiled yam, I noticed her husband kept coming in to ask, ‘is it ready? Honestly I thought he was just hungry or probably they were expecting more guests. It all became clear some minutes later. Once she notified him the yam was ready, he promptly yanked off his shirt and got to work... pounding.

I didn’t taste it (I do not eat pounded yam) but everyone attested that the pounding was professionally done! At some point my friend mentioned to them that as a house rule, her husband does the pounding and that was when the argument began.

All the men, except her husband and one other guy felt it wasn’t right that he was the one pounding. According to them, it wouldn’t speak well of her if his relations were around! You need to see their looks when he revealed that he learnt it from his father... priceless.

He said his father had always told them that yam pounding is a man’s job!

Personally, I do not know how to pound yam and I’m not even eager to learn...

Dear Future Husband,

Where I come from, Eba is their staple food. Owning a mortar is not synonymous with being a good wife. A while ago, Mama Nkem at the market told me about Poundo yam, I have never tasted it but mum says its okay. If you ever crave pounded yam, just let me know, I’ll order an entire carton for a start. You know I’m doing this for you right? Or do you want me to have muscles like those bouncers?

XXX

            #TeamPoundo.

I have spoken with a couple of guys about this issue and while a few of them do not have a problem with helping out at home, some unfortunately have stupid reasons for not wanting to. I think the dumbest I’ve heard thus far is ‘you have to let her know her place. I just concluded that the guy had ego problems.

I do not think it’s a big deal if the man pounds for the family, and not just pounding, any other supportive role in home keeping too!

The days of ‘mummy in the kitchen cooking rice, daddy in the parlour watching film’ are long gone! I’m not advocating that women should cross their legs and watch E! all day while the family starves and the home becomes a potential ‘Clean House Crew’ destination. All I’m saying is, there’s nothing wrong in daddy rocking the baby while mummy makes dinner... in the end, everyone is happy and she probably won’t have a headache later on in the bedroom. *wink*

Fighting Fairly: Hold that tongue!

*Special thanks for all the comments on the last post, especially for Naijamum's addition to the list.

I noticed early in life that I had a way with words. It must be because of all those new words my dad made me write and learn from NTA news and Concord newspaper. It was in my junior secondary school days that I learnt that every gift or skill acquired can have its negative side if not carefully/properly used.

I had ‘tongue-lashed’ this friend of mine for allowing someone copy her in a test because that’s what good friends do – they tell each other the truth! Well, it just happened that the truth is resisted if not told with wisdom. We never spoke to each other until I took my mum’s advice and apologised in SSS 2. Going forward, I tried to be careful with my ‘bluntness’ but yet again fell short.

This time around, I picked a fight with her because she was ‘dating’ a junior. In my opinion, it was improper conduct and unbecoming of a school prefect... pray tell, who made me judge? Till this day, I still see her action as wrong; however, my reaction wasn’t any better.

Fast forward, 3^rd year at the Uni.

Lovely Miss Bee introduces me to Mr A, a new member of our study group. Mr A and I develop this chemistry (nothing relating to love) and become almost inseparable. Miss Bee being the hyperactive person she is would drift back and forth, in and out of many groups – she was that jovial.

Weeks to the semester exams I receive a text from her, officially ‘unfriending’ me. As a rule, I never let anything get in the way when I’m trying to achieve a goal hence I wait till after exams to address the issue. Within the one month it took to complete the exams, herself and Mr A had exchanged countless texts... enmity was brewing, and sadly, I was caught in the middle.

Miss Bee claimed she was ending her friendship with me because Mr A had ‘stolen’ me from her and since she didn’t want me to feel like I had to make a choice, she was going to let him have me! Truth is, I wouldn’t have been bothered if not for the harsh words she used in describing Mr A.

It’s been over 6 years and although I’m still in touch with them both, things are exactly not the same. Last year, Miss Bee apologised for all the hateful things she said and asked if I could help put in a word with Mr A to forget the past. Although I’ve tried to, I totally understand Mr A’s standpoint of ‘yes, she’s forgiven but we cannot go back to how we were before’!

If I didn’t know better, I’ll say to him, activate your church mind and let it go, but honestly, I can’t. I have put myself in his shoes and I’ve concluded that friendship with someone who once called me a beast, threatened to kill me and hurt my family will take the Holy Spirit’s intervention.

In all these, I have learnt one very important lesson. In our daily interactions with family and friends, we are bound to offend/annoy each other, whether on purpose or just because of the peculiarities of our personality. When we do, depending on which side of the divide we are at the time (the offended or the offender) it is important to stop in our tracks and think of what our actions/reactions/inactions may lead to.

Fighting fairly is a skill we all must learn to acquire as we deal with our colleagues, family and friends. I now know that although the work and traffic induced stress in Lagos can get one angry without notice, it is no fault of the person who’s getting the brunt of your caustic tongue.

Words, either nice ones or hateful/haughty ones, stay in the mind of the one who hears them long after the speaker has forgotten. Personally, I’ve tested the silence first, speech later therapy, and it has worked thus far, saving me from regrets and earning me admiration especially at work. If like me you enjoy airing your views then it may be very difficult at first but with every chance you get to walk away, you become better at it.

In the end, relationships have been shattered past repairs and countries have gone to war not because the issues could not be resolved, but because of the impact of the words carelessly said to each other. Let’s put this little member of our body (tongue) in check before it sets the world on fire.

IS IT WORTH IT IN THE END?

I am so disgusted at the news on BBC today. The story is about 20 year old Claudia Seye Aderotimi, who has just died following a silicon injection administered on her in a hotel room. The reports say she had travelled from London to Pennsylvania to get the ‘buttocks injection’ which she ordered via the internet.

Pray tell, why would anyone, a Nigerian at that, still be interested in body enhancement after the numerous deaths in recent times? Let’s assume at 15, she wasn’t old enough to understand the causes of Stella Obasanjo’s death in 2005, is she so cut off from technology that she hasn’t seen the stories about Michael Jackson???

As the name ‘Claudia’ depicts, she’s of a Christian background, probably a catholic, aren’t there teachings about this in the bible?

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1 : 27)

Aren’t we Africans? A people who are distinguished worldwide for their ‘heavy lips’, ‘bulging tummy’ and ‘mountain moving backside’?


I can almost assume that this girl is a student in the UK with family members and friends who love and dote on her, whom she has now thrown into tears and sadness, all for the mundane desire of a body that rocks?


We must re-orientate our young ones in the way of the Lord. They must begin to understand that they were made by the perfect creator and that their bodies are the temple of the Lord and must be kept holy.


I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well (Psalm 139:14)


Parents, guardians, religious groups and churches have a lot more to do. In a world where there are revolutions everywhere, where young people are seeking to make an impact and write their names in the sands of time, no one should be driven by low self esteem as to embark on a suicidal journey such as these.


Love yourself in totality because asides from the TRINITY (God the father, Son and Holy Spirit), no one else will love you perfectly.

Beauty is not in the face, it is a light in the heart.

What shall it profit a man to gain the world (in this case, people's admiration) and lose his own soul (Mark 8: 36).

The boyfriend or 'babes' she probably sought to impress would shed tears, but only for a while and move on with their lives. Some will learn, others will promise to use a qualified physician in a proper hospital. The cycle goes on. For how long shall a generation continue like this?


IF ANY MAN HAVE AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR

27TH JANUARY: WE STILL REMEMBER

I remember, just like yesterday, the day had started like any other. It was a Sunday, so the quietness in the neighbourhood was understandable. And then suddenly, I felt it. The vibrations and quaking of the ground. The noise of the windows slamming shut.

For a minute I thought Nigeria was experiencing her first earthquake. Running out, I noticed the bright lights in the distance. No... these weren't fireworks.

As I stood there watching, the man-induced evil was taking its course.

Lives of the innocent - men, women, children of all ages - were wasted, all because a few people, whom unfortunately have been mandated to safeguard lives and properties, had failed at their duty.

We may never know what really happened on that 'Black Sunday', but we would forever remember the future leaders, bread winners, benefactors and dependants, who for fear of the unknown, made unscheduled journeys to the land of no return.

It’s been 9 years, while many do not remember; those who lost loved ones continually say their prayers while others who have been rendered homeless count their losses. 

The question is, are the armouries safe now? Or have the bombs changed hands and locations for explosion?

Aren’t we all, as residents in Lagos and indeed Nigeria sitting on bombs that can explode at any moment?

AWAY FROM SERIOUS BUSINESS

Hi people, as you all may have noticed already, its politics, politics and more politics in Nigeria at the moment. Political parties are holding their primaries to determine who will represent them during the presidential polls in April. Yesterday, (January 13th) delegates of the ruling party - PDP - voted President (Dr.) Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as their flag bearer. I'm sure you all have overdosed on the details already.

To take our minds off the PDP comedy primaries, here's a selection of 'political cartoons' (sorry its politics again but hey, they are just cartoons... Enjoy!

1. Jona and friends 

2. 'To hell with the cabal' says Dora Akunyili

3. Did IBB step aside or did he get 'flung aside'?

4. Sanusi catches the lawmakers redhanded

5.Epileptic power supply

6.Yerima marries 13year old

7.The masses suffer while the elites say AYE to enjoyment.

8.Corruption in high places

9.Is Goodluck enough? ... Guess we're yet to find out

10.Consensus express

 11.Corrupt Governors and the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission

 12. In sickness and in health... till God do us part

13.Corrupt Nigerian legislators

14.Octopus PDP grabs its all... RIP Octopus Paul

  
15.Blame it on AbdulMuttalab

16.Like a thief in the night...

17.LDR - Long Distant Regime

18.Politicians on rampage

19.All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others - Napoleon

20. What You See Is What 'We' Get

These cartoons are the brain child of Etim Bassey Asukwo, a journalist with Business Day Newspapers. He's also a retired blogger, check out www.asukwo.blogspot.com for more hilarious and thought provoking sketches.

*Pictures courtesy www.cp-africa.com and www.asukwo.blogspot.com.

R. S. V. P. 2011

As Nigerians, we are at that point again, in the making of our political history, where we have to take our fate in our hands and decide how we want to be led into the future which unfortunately many have already written off as bleak.

It is time to begin the ever worrisome process of choosing those who would on our behalf, think, promulgate and execute laws that should take us to 'the promise land' or at least guide us in the path towards it.

Come April 2011, Nigerians aged 18 and above, would file out to vote-in another crop of political leaders. Many have concluded that it would be business as usual - stolen ballot boxes, mass thumb printing and poll-centre hijacking etc - however, I'll like to ask that we all do our best to ensure it isn’t.

The future we all talk about will someday be our present. When that day comes, we don’t want to be full of regrets.

We have blamed our fathers long enough forgetting our children will blame us even more if we fail. It is time to practice what we've preached, let's do our part and leave the rest. Be the face of the change you seek.

REGISTER: Come January 15th, the registers would be officially opened for eligible electorates, do make out time and register in the area where you intend to cast your votes. Observe the process with keen interest, check the slip and ensure your name is correctly spelt. Keep your slip for verification thereafter.

SELECT: The primary purpose of every election is to identify the people's choice of leader through their votes. There are quite a number of candidates veering for various positions, endeavour to identify them all. Gather as much information as you can on each of them, let your fact finding include, their past, records of achievements and misdemeanours and most importantly their manifesto. Do this before Election Day (April) and decide whom you will be casting your votes for.

Politics of rice, beans, recharge cards and tee shirts would only produce 'Ghana must go' hugging leaders. Choose wisely.

VOTE: The elections have been slated to hold in April. It is tempting to sit back at home and watch movies all day - please don't! Make your way back to the registration centre or designated polling points and CAST YOUR VOTE. It is important because if you don't, you'll be helping some undeserving candidate get into office. Remember, political thugs find it easier to carry out mass thumb printing on empty/unused ballot papers. Don’t give them the chance.

PROTECT: When you're done casting your vote. Monitor it, ensure it is counted, keep the records and compare with the ones INEC releases later.

Remember, your Smartphones are not only entertainment gizmos; they can help create the future we hope for as Nigerians. Monitor proceedings and share pictures, text messages, reports, videos and other forms of data on social networks (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube etc).

While you're at it, be careful, only the living can tell a story.

LONG LIVE NIGERIA,

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

For more information, visit:

www.inecnigeria.org

www.enoughisenoughnigeria.com.

INEC = Independent National Electoral Commission

THE GOSPEL OF POLITICS

It is no longer news that Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly has alleged that he and other members of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) were offered a $50,000 bribe by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ).

There have been many counter-allegations, people have asked for the evidence of the initial allegation, others have asked how he came to know the exact figure being handed over. I am still wondering why the others did not blow the whistle and why the clarification that the money was not offered directly by the President came days after.

The more I think about this story, the more I am confused about the actual roles of the men involved and the ones they have decided to play.

1. Pastor Bakare

As a man of God, his primary role is to shephard his flocks to eternal rest in heaven. The calling of a true Pastor as I have come to understand it, is to teach, nurture and chastise his members based on biblical precepts until they are rapturable.

In this Sahara Reporters/ Aso Villa visit drama, he decided to become the voice of the voiceless, an activitst of some sort, fighting to ensure the unborn generation has a safe landing in Nigeria when they finally arrive. I honestly do not see anything wrong in pursuing a good cause, however, I think a man of his calibre MUST be discreet and apply a lot more wisdom where politics is concerned.

IMHO, men of God should stick to their core competence; a foray into politics would only soil their name and put a question mark on their reputation. Pastor Bakare should take a cue from his spiritual mentor/father - Pastor W. F. Kumuyi as well as  Pastor E. A. Adeboye. Your role in politics should be enlightening your congregation about their rights and duties as citizen while earnestly praying for the well being of the nation.

2. President GEJ

Since the June 12, 1993 elections and all associated matters especially as regards  Late Chief M. K. O. Abiola's denied mandate, the upcoming 2011 elections seems to be the first in which Nigerian's are being unanimous about the choice of a candidate. GEJ seems to be the only one we see (I don't know other parties talk less of their candidates) and would be willing to give a chance. Now to hear allegations of corruption is simply disappointing otherwise known as falling our hand.

To avoid a future occurence, I strongly advice that this particular incidence is investigated and  guilty parties duly purnished (that is if you didnt mastermind it). However, if for any reason you assented to this, then #SlapYourself... actually, that'll be a huge betrayal especially for all those artistees who have put their goodwill to use to support your goodluck. Did I hear you say they were paid? Well what of the Niger-Deltans who are looking up to their 'son' for a brighter future? 

ASIDE

BTW there's an entertainment package set aside to take care of government guests, this 'care' includes souvenirs, breakfast/lunch/dinner and somethings cash gifts. This obtains not just at Aso Villa but all State houses, High Commissions and other parastatals.

Senatorial Bill & Silverbird @ 30

My sincere appreciation to everyone who has stopped by to feel my pulse.God bless you real good.

Last weekend I was listening to the news and there was a mention about activities of the National Assembly (NASS). Can you believe those guys? They are trying to pass a bill that would fuel their selfishness for life. This bill, if passed into law, would ensure that life allowances are paid to all past Presidents, Military leaders, Senate Presidents, Speakers of the House of Representatives, the Deputies (vices) of all the above as well as past Chief Justices!  The bill stipulates that “the allowances specified in this section shall be applied for the upkeep of the spouse and education of the children…up to the university level. For the avoidance of doubt, the allowance shall cease upon the death of the last spouse of the office holder.”

This means that asides from the billions that leave the national treasury unaccounted for, these honourable chair throwers and distinguished kung-fu fighters want to secure their wasteful habits up to the 10^th generation! Why am I even surprised, afterall these were

the people whom last year shouted down a bill meant to care for the old and disabled with their thunderous nay. Why should anyone ask to give free money to a man (Buhari & Co) who came into power by bloodshed (coup) or to a woman who used tax payers’ money to fund a birthday celebration (Patricia Etteh)?

Since the law stipulates that the President must assent (sign) a bill before it becomes a law, I patiently await his response. He alone can rescue us from the foolishness of these honourables.

Moving on, I watched the celebration of Silverbird Group @ 30 over the weekend and I could not help but notice certain things.

Discipline and persistence pays. It’s better to fail at something than not to have tried at all.

In all you do, never kick against the government in power, you’ll only get your foot broken in the process. When they disappoint and make unfavourable policies (as they are wont to), re-strategise without changing your value system. You will achieve set goals; it may only take a while longer.

As I figured out, Mr Ben Murray-Bruce has been relevant through all regimes since 1980. Not because he has always been favoured by their policies, but because his goals have been flexible enough to accommodate them without derailing. If you need another example, go read up about Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Lastly, the power of oratory cannot be overlooked. The most influential men of our time and decades past have been known to give thought provoking and mind boggling speeches. As you move up your career ladder, learn the use of words and the command of language. If it doesn’t earn you a promotion or that new job, it might save your political career or like we all saw at the anniversary gala, get the President to officially commit $200billion to the industry where you earn your living (in the case of Mr Ben Murray-Bruce, the entertainment industry.

WHAT MTN IS TELLING US

Over the years, there has been quite a few unforgettable adverts on TV. From inspirational to creative, hilarious and sometimes outrightly stupid, we’ve seen them all. In recent times, some companies have consciously invested in bringing creativity back to TV adverts. One that easily comes to mind is MTN the telecommunication giant. 

MTN literally raised the stacks with their adverts thus entertaining us while simultaneously selling their services. I remember ‘Mama na boy’ which I later heard was yanked off because some women empowerment groups thought it was discriminatory against the girl-child, well, like I told a friend, they should have changed it to ‘Mama na Twins”.

Then there was ‘Princess, I need you to read me my speech’, and then came ‘Merry Christmas Uncle John’. I also remember ‘Don’t step on my toes this time’ (the one in which Nollywood actor Femi Branch was having an imaginary dance with his babe who was in another location). Or who would forget ‘Step out to your balcony, I have something for you’. Okay, i’ve digressed enough.

The advert for MTN’s e-presence is why I am blogging today. A group of executives are at a board meeting, trying to decide the best way of getting their partners to town at the shortest possible time. They seem to all have ideas but their suggestions are either not cost effective or time conscious. In the end, a guy gives them the perfect solution – MTN Video Conference Call via e - presence. Now what’s the point you may ask?

Well, I think that company is like Nigeria in many ways. Most of the members on the Board are clueless as to how to attain defined goals, just as Nigerian leaders have no idea of how to lead us out of the wilderness.

Just as in many companies, Directors are usually the eldest in the organization, this is so that their wealth of experience can come to bear, unfortunately in the case of Nigeria, the grandmas/grandpas in powers have failed to show any intelligence. All we hear about are missing treasury funds, misappropriated allocations and what not!

In the MTN advert, the solution came from the guy who appears to be the youngest in the room, I hope someone is watching and learning. The youths should be given the chance to have a say, at least it’s their future that is at stack. Imagine IBB saying there’s nothing we can offer, when we all know that corruption as we now know it was legalised during his regime.

I’m disgusted when people talk about the good old days because honestly, I don’t remember those days. But then I take solace in knowing that one’s future is what you make of it!


Have a nice day bloggers.