Moving On To Bigger Things

I have been quiet for long (again). But that's not 'cause I am tired of blogging (hell nah! far from it).

It's 'cause Miss Idowu here has been up to a lot, which required a lot of focus, energy, and a little bit of investing too (all types).

Good news is, I'm taking the blogging a step further and higher. Will spend more time blogging at a different location ( :( which means yet another dry spell over here) with a different approach/ focus.

Please stay with me and continue your amazing support. Follow US/Subscribe at gainrecruitment.blogspot.com . Visit to learn more about G.A.I.N.

We promise to be very entertaining, still very much insightful, and just as frequent...I mean before the dry spell periods :p or just scratch that. [You know what I mean anyway]

Thank you. And see you later xoxo

Ill-treatment at Heathrow (questioning Arik Airline's standards)

It's terribly sad when you get ill-treated by foreigners, in their country, especially when there in no basis to their behavior. My brother's mother in law flew into Heathrow airport on the Arik airline (on Thursday the 3rd of April, 2014) and the experience she narrated deserves to be thoroughly looked into.



She told us how when the Arik airline landed at the Heathrow airport, all the Nigerians were directed into a room and had 25 police officers in front of them, with dogs, to search them and their luggage. She told us how they were professional about the situation, as they were not informed why this was taking place (which made them all assume they either had a tip-off or something must have happened on a previous flight).
Why would anyone think it's okay to treat individuals that way?! Well, for us Nigerians, it's because we let people get away with that crap and don't say anything. I wasn't on that flight but I am saying something. I am saying it's not okay to treat us all like criminals without basis. I am saying it's not okay to segregate Nigerians out of a pack because you had one or two bad experiences. I am saying it's not okay to give us seats at the back of the plane on other non-Nigerian airlines (as my mum thinks it's intentional lol). I am saying we are human beings and have rights too; we may not scream it out but we know our worth...and we deserve better and to be treated fairly.

And now, as far as I am concerned, that has put a bad taste in my mouth about Arik airline. Thanks for tanishing their credibility, since you've acted like they carry criminals and can't do a thorough sweep of illegals. Nice job!

(My heart goes out to the elderly lady who felt traumatized after the incident. I heard she was treated the worse because apparently "people use older women to smuggle things now." *smh* Heard she was crying a lot and very confused... someone's granma. #ItIsWell)

Dreams Coming True: Case "Lupita"

Congratulations to Lupita Nyong'o'. She worked her butt off. Probably didn't expect this much fame and glory over a very short period of time (Dec. 2013 till now), however, this is just a typical example of hard-work paying off and believing in ones-self.

Receiving her award at the Oscars for best supporting actress

And as with fame comes backlash and misunderstandings. There's the Dencia vs Lupita ish, then a few minutes ago, I read about how some people are looking at her skin color as a seasonal "trend." Like that even makes any sense..."i like Pharrell's shorts suit, imma get me 5... i'm loving the new blonde looks, imma dye my hair blonde... i'm feeling Lupita's color, imma *blank*" #ridiculous

*Digress*
I thought to write this piece because I was watching on the news yesterday Dangote being interviewed. Dangote has made it to the top 25 Richest people in the world. Mike Adenuga is also on Forbes list... then I recollected someone telling me once that Adenuga was once a driver. And this man is now on Forbes list of the Richest people in the world. hmmm...what number am I on that list sef?! (Don't even bother teasing. A friend did and already told me it's not too late to become a driver :p #joker)
*Back to the matter*

Anyhoo, back to Lupita...

I wonder if she even thought she would have legends on her contacts list. 

She has graced the red carpet with her flawless skin (oh! how I love flawless dark-skin), rocked beautiful garments... however, I truly would have love to see her rock a little more African-inspired outfits or at least made by an African designer. Spread the love girl (or am I wrong?!)

Your dreams can come true... for real!

Greater than a Happy New Month

Don't you just hate those "Happy New Month" messages. You get the same "inspirational" text every month but for some reason your every-days seem to be all the same.

Personally, I don't think it's enough to wish people the generic 'Happy New Month.' Like for real, what does that gesture even mean?!

However, speaking in that context of wishes for others, we need to be a bit more motivating with our words. Even in churches today; only a few will tell you to pray against and for things. Let me explain (Kevin Hart inspired ;) lol):

• Some of our churches tell us to pray against a lot of things only, more than requiring us to pray FOR some things.
• We are also binding, rebuking, and breaking. What happens next? Everything is broken and you are left to just wonder what to do with your life now that you are free of all those "spiritual chains."

My point simply is after you pray/ work against something, start praying/ working for something else.

So on to the motivational ish...here's a little food for thought for the new month.

1. LEARN TO TAKE ACTION. "Stop letting people who do so little for you control so much of your mind, feeling, and emotion" - Will Smith
   

THEY know it...How come YOU DON'T!

First and Foremore, HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone.

So it's like I officially went on sabbatical. I went mute for a couple of months because I felt no one was really listening and figured, 'hmmm...I could always talk to myself in my head, why bother noting it down.' [I get crazy like that :p lol). However, like I'm trying to get you all; I got inspired myself.

Summary: Keep GOOD friends around. They are ALWAYS there when you least expect it. (S/O to Miss M. aka Smurfette. You know who you are *hehehe*)

Now to push your buttons:

So, I came across an article published by an Amy Chua (the Chinese lady behind "Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mother) and Jed Rubenfield for the NYTimes. For those of you who haven't gotten the chance to hear about it or read up, the topic was on "What Drives Success" and they talk about the fact that other ethnic (non-American) groups seem to be doing way better and living the real American dream- equality of opportunities and achieving ones highest aspirations and goals. Here's my favorite part of the article highlighted below:

Please read it one more time and let it sink in.

This paragraph alone tells us how great a people we are and should be. Success is in us. The sad part is for some reason, we let that drive just shrivel once we are done with "school."

Let's get one thing straight. WE ARE A GREAT NATION! The Americans and a lot of others living in America (and outside) know it; why don't we show and act like it?!

It's 2014 people. NOW is the TIME FOR CHANGE!

M-Pact Dis! (Cain Village, Maryland)

We did it again. We had another Soup Kitchen this past Saturday.

For those of you with questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment. Anyone can get involved. It's all about giving back to the community...sharing with others; being thankful to God for what you have and what you are able to give.

This time we chose a community in Maryland (around Mende- under the bridge sha). Our locations are totally random so if you have an idea of a community we can visit next, please let us know :). At first, the community elders didn't want us around. They said, "we don't need (your) charity" however we saw the situation in that area and thought we could just move to a neutral spot and whoever visits gets blessed ;).

Anyways, here are the pictures of yet another successful outreach.

We had about 12 boxes of Indomie noodles, 40 bags of pure water sachets, 500 hard-boiled eggs (11 of those crates courtesy of STYTIG FARMS ;) ;) ). I'd like to toot my own horn though- I BOILED 330 EGGS ALL BY MYSELF that morning. #phew# That's a whole lotta work though.

Back to the pictures now:

Accidents and those who are prone

Response to the title    =     EVERYONE.

Yes dear, this includes you.

Maryland. Heading towards Mende (under the bridge)

Saturday morning (yesterday) and there's already a 5-car chain accident. How to avoid an accident like this is to keep a safe following-distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. What can be considered safe is enough distance that another car can almost fit into. I know this is probably hard to do in crazy Lagos, however it's better SAFE (not getting into an accident at all) than SORRY (being in an accident, being delayed, and having to fix your car).

Moving towards Western Avenue

In case you are having a hard time comprehending what you are looking at, it is an overturned truck/ lorry which was carrying cement. Maybe the driver was asleep?! Maybe he lost control of the wheel?!
My preventive suggestion here is:

• Caution your (truck/bus) drivers to drive at a reduced speed (at least the very many uniformed officers can contribute by helping regulate this). A "Tell me how I'm driving" sign on the back of the truck is a good way of feedback from other drivers (that care); because guess what: an accident on your vehicle will NOT be covered by the driver involved.
• Encourage your drivers to be asleep during the day, by not giving them much work during the day. If they get a chance to sleep during the day, they should be more energized and awake during the night, when traveling with your vehicle.

Accidents aren't merely an unpleasant sight and commotion bound. They are a huge hassle on the parties involved and can be reduced/ avoided.

People please learn to be more patient on the roads. It goes a really long way... try it out for a while (it may be annoying 'cos people might want to make you feel like you can't drive, but greatly rewarding).

What's YOUR advice on how to drive/ live safer in Lagos???

Driver's Licence Palava.

Someone tell me why oh why there's just one driver's licence center in the whole of (New York-size) Lagos State?! :-s

And from their website, you would think they are definitely living in the 21st century like the rest of us #smh. People say there's nothing to do/ no jobs. I say here's a perfect job opportunity (for at least 200 Nigerians). FRSC, we appreciate your work so far (-ish) but please, consider having more centers...maybe in major cities. Then, your staff can also live happier lives and attend to the rest of us properly.

There are like 7 different spots you will have to visit to get everything all done and do note that you SHOULD NOT expect to be all done in a day or two.

 A typical schedule at the center would include:

M-Pact Dis! (Day at Modupe Cole)

On Thursday, I was privileged to make another trip to a place with great abilities (despite a number of shortcomings... my first visit there was in 2005, before I went off to college).

Modupe Cole is a Child care and Treatment center/school/home for handicapped and mentally challenged individuals, in Lagos state. It is located in Yaba and caters to people with different disabilities such as autism, multiple sclerosis, down syndrome, birth defeats, after-effects of polio, etc. Not everyone resides at the Home though; some of the children do come from their own homes.

This center is equipped with a school, vocational training rooms (shoe making, hair braiding, mop making, artistry, weaving, etc), a library, common rooms, as well as dormitories.

Do enjoy the pictorial/ video-capture of our (FirstBank executive trainees') fun day at Modupe Cole Center.

Outcome of the charity event (Ikota Outreach)

It went down last Saturday. It REALLY went down.

The charitable event I made mention of earlier took place on the 23rd of February, 2013. About 17 of us, bravely, traveled down to a little community in Ikota, to spread some 'Valentine' cheer (that's right! Show love anyways...just because).

It was comforting to give, however a bit saddening that people live in such bad conditions. Poverty isn't only the lack of; it is also the selfish act of not wanting to share what should conveniently go round. Simply put: Scarcity Mentality.

Bottom line is, I'm just glad a number of us were about to give back to our community. A community which was in a way part of our upbringing.

I won't bore you too much with words. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Welcome to your virtual presence at the Ikota Outreach.

Entrepreneurship (and serving the community)

2012 was a pretty cool year. We thought together. We shared ideas together. We also (day)dreamt together. However, 2013 is the year of implementation.

What's your plan this year? Future goals??? Do share (we can help each other grow).

On the note of helping each other, I have decided to join a FANTASTIC MAN in his passion of farming, and I tell you...it is still a topic of further (later...and thorough) discussion. I also have the privilege of being a part of two spectacular events coming up this weekend.

The first one is a Charity Event. My dear friend, 'Mide, is at it again.
[People, when you have a passion for something, you have NO CHOICE but to get it done]

So, 'Mide has put together another opportunity to bless the less privileged, with hampers (school bags) containing items like

Innovative thoughts can occur in ANYone...even YOU!

Without talking about YOU for a second, let's talk about someone who took that brave step. Meet the 15 year old [yea! you read right] who is changing how we test for Cancer.

I've always thought (and still do) that we are missing the simplest things because we are thinking too hard or too far out. Sometimes I think the cure for AIDS [if the US government doesn't already have it and being selfish with it...to make pharmaceutical companies keep selling... - #sigh# another topic for another day people] is right under our noses but we are all just looking for complicated/ complex solutions to these problems.

Thank goodness for 15-year-old, Jack Andraka, a high school freshman, who came up with a simple and inexpensive test to diagnose pancreatic cancer. Here's his story:

Jack Andraka is a 15-year-old student from Maryland, who took first place in this year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), with his mind-blowing discovery of a paper sensor that detects pancreatic cancer 168 times faster than current tests. His discovery is also 90% accurate, 400 times more sensitive, and 26,000 times LESS expensive than today's methods. Summary: It's much more better.

"I became interested in early detection [because a friend's brother was killed by the disease], did a ton of research, and came up with this idea," Andraka said. 

Jack Andraka's dip-stick sensor can test blood or urine for a certain protein called mesothelin, which indicates the presence of the specific cancer. According to Andraka, it can detect cancer even before it becomes invasive.

He plans to use his $75,000 winnings to invest in his college education, with plans to become a pathologist. However, in the meantime, Jack plans to start clinical trials with the sensor, meet with Quest Diagnostics, and get his product on the market within 10 years. [hmmm... what was I doing in high school/ college?!...one word = alcohol x_x ]

What are you gonna do now?

Empowering the Kids

I was listening to the radio this morning. I think it was 99.2 FM or so. And for the first time ever, I didn't change the station while "random talking" was going on. They were talking about the next generation of kids and something I paid close attention to was when someone mentioned that in (junior) school, all kids are recognized whether they have exceptional grades or not and she thought this gave them no real idea of the real world, because in the real world, mediocrity does not get awarded (with a consolation price). Not everyone agreed with her idea of keeping it totally-real with the kids and only awarding those who actually deserve it - which should push the others to do better if they wanted to be recognized too (as well as be great in future). In their own defenses, mediocre kids need encouragement and consolation-acknowledgement is essential.

:-?

You have to agree with me though that kids of nowadays have no concept of reality, which  truth be told will set most of them (if not all) for failure in the real world.

I would like to share a speech I retrieved from the internet which has Bill Gates addressing a bunch of high school kids about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. You may already be aware of this talk, however, it's worth a second look.

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!


Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.


Rule 3: You will NOT make $60, 000 (~ N 9.5 million) a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.


Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Series of Fortunate-Unfortunate Events

Lemme start off with my least risky encounter today.

I went to the British Council today (personal business people b-) ). I met with a young gentleman who was a security guard. We got talking (official business) and he told me how he was always excited to see marketers at work and stuff, while I was half not-interested - as I think marketing can be a drag 8-| . He enlightened me that he used to work as a marketer...#GetThis#...for Standard Chartered bank :-o . Now he's a security guard, just trying to make ends meet. He went on talking about how it's hard tryna talk to any girl he likes 'cause they won't take him seriously (ermm... a bit off topic he went). blah blah blah...

Anyway, I called that risky because it's a deep realization for a lot of us. We may be struggling (and I'm not saying you should settle for just anything), however, we should also realize that what we need to do is work every position we are in to our fullest potential.
[Also, I think he tried to hit on me just before I left :-/ ...Risky! yet fortunate]

So, I'm heading back to work after this encounter and trying to put down a quick note for my report when I get stopped by...ermm...not LASTMA or LAWMA or a Traffic Warden. Some dude in a Fushia-like uniform-top. He requests why my seat belt is not on x_x [I totally forgot to do that and didn't even notice him on time]. On a normal day, he would've made me pull over and sieved my vehicle and/or demanded a fine (which would go into his pocket, of course). But fortunately for me, he let me go...thank God 'cause I was definitely in the wrong here and wouldn't have known how to get out of it.
[Also, this guy I remember very well. He demanded I pay a fine sometime in the past, when my friends (Salo baby and Sole-sole) and I made a U-turn on that street. Apparently, that wasn't allowed and there were no signs but becuase he knows it's not allowed, he believed we were wrong ...RISKY! yet fortunate]

Now time for dessert!

Sitting at the traffic light, waiting for the green signal. The traffic signal finally changes to green. I look both ways to make sure no car is still approaching. Every incoming car seemed to have stopped right before the white line on the ground. Still proceeding with caution, then one bus zooms right across in front of me :-o...

I'm thanking God I wasn't in a hurry to go 'cause it wudda been a straight-up major causality. In shock and still proceeding with caution, another smaller car zooms right in front as well. I just looked straight at the SIX (6) traffic controllers in front of me, as some were still chatty, while the others looked shocked as well.
[RISKY!!! bless-you-Lord fortunate]

I'm still a believer of when-it's-your-time-it's-your-time and it obviously wasn't and isn't my time o:-) .
I have so much impact to make in my society. No one will bring me down.

NO ONE!!!

###P/S: Real names of friends hidden to protect their identity. hehehe :p ###

M-Pact Dis!

#yawn#

What a long weekend it was. Shout out to my muffin who celebrated her birthday this weekend. May God grant you good health and a prosperous life (IJN...Amen!)

Yes beautiful people. It's yet the end of another weekend, and a moment to share with each other the positives we've involved ourselves with during the week. Motivate each other to go into the new week with a better attitude (and make the world a better place).

I'll take the floor first ( 8-| like I always do) and say what other way to show love than showing great appreciation. The  act of kindness I would like to share with y'all is to WHOLE-HEARTEDLY THANK YOU ALL for the views, comments, support, and love you've shown to my page. I couldn't have made it this far without y'all (so believe it or not, you are actually nicer than you thought >:d< ). My blog is just 2 months old and I feel so accomplished already...and for that I say THANK YOU (Jah's blessings).

If there's anything else you think my blog might be missing and would like to suggest a few heres and theres, I'm very open to your suggestions (also as long as it doesn't defeat my purpose :-> )

So go out there and continue to be kind. Have a great JULY everyone. Happy New Month!!!

Getting You Inspired To Change The World

"Give to the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you." - Madeline Bridges

"If we want to change things, we must first change ourselves. If we want to play - if we want to change the world - we must first show up on the field to score. " - Paul Rusesabagina

"If you get, give. If you learn, teach." - Maya Angelou

"Don't ever forget that you're a citizen of this world, and there are things you can do to lift the human spirit, things that are easy, things that are free, things that you can do every day. Civility, respect, kindness, character." - Aaron Sorkin

"The miracle of your mind isn't that you can see the world as it is. It's that you can see the world as it isn't." - Kathryn Schulz

 "Smart may have the brains, but Stupid has the balls...Smart Critiques, Stupid Creates...Smart has the plans, Stupid has the stories...Smart sees what there is, Stupid sees what there could be...Stupid may fail, Smart doesn't even try...Smart had one good idea and that idea was [initially] Stupid." - Diesel

"No matter how convenient it is for us to reach out to people remotely, sometimes the most important task is to show up in person." - Blake Mycoskie

"If you can change the way people think. The way they see themselves. The way they see the world. If you do that, you can change the way people live their lives. That's the only lasting thing you can create." - Chuck Palahniuk

"To make any kind of progress, we need to imagine a different reality and believe it's possible." - Tali Sharot

"We can all reduce our life to a description that makes people feel sorry for ourselves or we can expand our life to a dimension where we connect and give to others." - Tony Robbins

"Why you? Because there's no one better. Why now? Because tomorrow isn't soon enough." - Donna Brazile

"If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person." - Fred (Mr.) Rogers


"When you stand and share your story in an empowering way, your story will heal you and your story will heal somebody else." - Iyanla Vanzant

Where is your "Soccket?!"

Do you daydream about inventions you would like to see happen but too scared to even delve into it?

I know I do, but the difference is I'm not scared. [Hunnie, if I was scared, I wouldn't even have this blog...and don't get me started on my ideas ;)...it's big baby!]


You have plans that could change the world. Not necessary for the aim of getting your name out there, but for the goal of making a GREAT IMPACT in the universe.

Nahhhh! Don't be confused (as to where I'm going with this). I'd like y'all to take in this story I came across while reading Oprah's online ....#thingymabob!

#AndNoI'mNotAnOprahFreak...Don'tEvenKnowHerLikeThat# 8-|

            "

                     Genius Idea: The Soccer Ball That Can Power a Lamp

      In 2010 Julia Silvermand and Jessica Matthews traveled halfway around the world, hoping to light

      up some of the more impoverished villages of South Africa and Nigeria by testing some soccer balls

      there. But not just any soccer balls: their Socckets, as they call them, house gyroscopic mechanisms

      that harness energy from the ball's motion. After being kicked around for 30 minutes, the balls can

      power a small LED lamp for three hours- long enough for a child whose home lacks electricity

      to do homework or read a book. Since most communities in Africa are crazy about soccer, the ball

      was a hit. "The kids thought it wad magic," Silverman says, "but I could also see the wheels turning

      in their heads. One boy came back with a drawing of a ball with windmills sticking out of it. They 

      wanted to be inventors, too."

      The idea of the Soccket dates to an undergraduate engineering class at Harvard. There, Silverman

      and Matthews...drew on their experiences abroad- Matthews's family is from Nigeria, and Silverman

      had worked in sub-Saharan Africa- to devise a technically simple idea that could make a huge differ-

      ence to the 1.4 billion people in the world living without electricity. The group knew that kerosene

      lamps emit dangerous fumes. While brainstorming alternatives, they thought of so-called shake 

      flashlights, which are powered by motion, not batteries. Soon they'd put one inside a hamster ball to

      demonstrate how the global mania for soccer might help bring light to the places that don't have it.

      After the term ended, Matthews and Silverman worked with a design firm to create a more realistic

      prototype, a dead ringer for an actual soccer ball, except for the small plug on the outside.

      In 2011, the duo quit their jobs...to focus on the Soccket...Matthews says "We want people to

      realize that making a difference doesn't have to be serious and boring. It can be as simple and fun

      as playing soccer."

                                                                                                                                        "

=d>                  ...                 :-b

I know what you are thinking. Finance is what's holding you back. Well if you have an idea that's phenomenal I bet no one would be stupid enough NOT to invest in such a gold-mine :-c . Plus, I'm all about making dreams come true. Pitch your idea to me ;) and we can strategize how to win with Dangote or whomeverz got the ...#HowDoIPutThis?!#... Cha-ching! b-)

So, what's it gonna be? Are you gonna remain a dream-killer 8-} ? A daydreamer 8-> ? Or a Go-getter <):) ?!