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
   

Saving, Childhood

I have heard the likes of Michael Jackson did not have a childhood. Probably because he started his career at such a young age and didn't have the opportunities most children have, to play in the fields and hang out with his age group.

But what if your child had all these "luxuries", but yet is lacking the true essence of having a childhood?!

(True stories...as I am just as sad they really happened)

What if your 5 year old comes to meet you to ask your permission to kiss his girlfriend, because all the others in school are kissing their girlfriends?!

What if your 10 year old tells you, "Mummy, you let me visit my friends who are guys but you never let me visit my friends who are girls. How do you know i'm not gay?"

Or, what if in a bible class you are supervising, a child stands up and talks about Solomon having many wives and concubines and God still loving him, only to justify why he doesn't see anything wrong with having many girlfriends.

What would you really do? How would you handle it?

We really need to be better adults in our communities and save a child's childhood. That's all they have now and truth be told, they need us to direct them right. However, just in case you are caught in such a predicament, what would you do?

Internship Opportunities (my giving-back project)

I have definitely come up with a lot of great ideas in the past. Some I'm still praying will see the light of day; others... let's just call part of a phase in my life. But the most recent, I refuse to let go of. It's the introduction of an internship program in Nigeria.

I'm probably not the only one who has thought of it, or even the first to do it, however I have a goal and I refuse to let any "competition" destroy my passion for great (and fair) success in our children/ youths. I see a gap and I want to help seal it up. There is a need and I will help satisfy it.

I remember when I was in college, I was fortunate enough to experience what the outside world was like. I got a lot of practical experience, both in school and during my summer internship programs. They were all worth it. Learning something news is always worth it. However, I have noticed we do not have such an opportunity (as summer internships) prominent in Nigeria. Trust me, there is a huge different between a straight-As student who never got any experience on the field and a student with As and Bs and a little work experience here and there (it's called having an imagination and learning to think outside the box... also known as SUCCESS).

I'm in the inaugural stage of my project, but I need all the help I can get. I would appreciate a few volunteers to answer some survey questions, as well as people willing to hire the future of Nigeria. Any help I can get will be really appreciated. Help the kids... What would Jesus do? :)

If you even have any contributions at all or recommendations, do leave a comment or just hit me up directly.

I appreciate it, fam. God bless us all.

Agric-Kulture (Series 4)

--- THE AVIAN INFLUENZA SEASON (BIRD FLU) ---

According to news reports from Aljazeera.com, China is on a high alert over new bird flu cases due to fears of deadly H7N9 bird flu virus (which has killed 22 and merely affected 110 humans so far this year). The question I'll like to address is can we have such cases in Nigeria and what can we do to prevent causalities?

This map shows, as at April 2006, the extent to which the bird flu virus has spread to wild and domestic birds (as well as humans)

Brief Intro to the Virus -

Discussion on the Nigerian Cement Industry

My girl, Ms. Oyinda Olanrewaju, was featured on CNBCAfrica on Tuesday, 28th January 2014. Please see the outlook/ analysis on the Cement Industry and do not hesitate to share your input on the discussion (or at least let her know how great she did).

By the way, did you know that the Nigerian cement industry is at the top of log in the Nigerian Export Promotion Council's (NEPC) list of exportable products?! That's right! According to news from the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Nigeria has had a major success in the cement sector- and for the first time ever in this great nation's history, exported cement in 2013.

Find the link to the video here.

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!

Giving-Back never felt soooo GOOD!

I sincerely apologize for my inconsistency with updating my blog and entertaining/ educating you all. BUSY does not seem to effectively describe what I have been.

Anywayz, one good thing about my "incognito-ness" is that I'm spending more time tryna make an impact than just typing it and running my mouth/ thoughts (yes peoples! I talk the talk, and walk the walk B-) lol)

O...M....G...!!!! You have no idea how excited I am :D. Not just 'cause another Soup Kitchen is on it's way (No!) But for 2 main reasons:

1. I'm part of an AMAZING society (called G.V.S. Full name disclosed way later, when the need arises ;) lol); which is focused on impacting our community tremendously.
2. I just found out about this awesome place (fondly known as the Obama Corner...yes! in Lagos, Nigeria) where I can tutor/ mentor kids :D - yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!

There is so much peace and contentment in giving a helping hand. If you are gonna complain about something you can change or make better (and aren't), then you are just as bad as the rest of them evil-doers and enemies-of-progress.

Touch a life today. And if you wanna be involved/ wanna know how you can be involved in aiding a community, leave a note. God does love a cheerful giver.

[Spread the word...Literally]