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Brain Teaser for the Week | You think you are intelligent? Then tell me the number of animal (s) you can see in the image and their name...

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 12:00:00 +0000

You think you are intelligent? Then tell me the number of animal (s) you can see in the image and their name...

Brain Teaser for the week; the most intelligent set of response(s) stands a chance of winning a Brian Tracy EBook containing over 20 titles…

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 09:53:00 +0000

Brain Teaser for the week; the most intelligent set of response(s) stands a chance of winning a Brian Tracy EBook containing over 20 titles…

Consider the following decision problem: As the president of an airline company,

you have invested $10 million of the company’s money into a research project.

The purpose was to build a plane that would not be detected by conventional

radar, in other words, a radar-blank plane. When 90 percent of the project is

completed, another firm begins marketing a plane that cannot be detected by

radar and is much faster and far more economical than the plane your company

is building. The question is, should you invest the last 10 percent of the research

funds in finishing your radar-blank plane, yes or no?

Alternatively, consider a second situation: As the president of an airline company,

you have received a suggestion from one of your employees. The suggestion

is to use the last $1 million of your research funds to develop a plane that would

not be detected by conventional radar. However, another firm has just begun

marketing a plane that cannot be detected by radar and is much faster and far

more economical than the plane your company could build. Should you invest

the $1 million to build the radar-blank plane proposed by your employee anyway,

yes or no? Substantiate your answer

Career Advice: The Latest Tricky Interview Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 00:29:00 +0000

Career Advice: The Latest Tricky Interview Questions: Going into a job interview, you can always expect to be the asked the standard questions like: "What is your biggest weakness?" Or, "What ...

Still on Boko Haram | President Bush’s Address to Congress and the American People: A Lesson for My Country.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 21:02:00 +0000

Lately, I have had to rethink my position on the Boko Haram menace i.e. cause(s), effect(s), and government’s response/course of action. On many of those occasions I got confused on what conclusion to draw. I have heard speeches from the David Marks and Goodluck Jonathans of this world; messages like the bikinis of this world which promises much, but reveals little. We have had three years of unbroken stretch of attacks from the deadly group and we still seem to be lost on the way forward. Though I do not want to be given to the buck passing business, I however grow sad every passing with the sheer irresponsibility on display by all stakeholders in the matter. Recently I was refreshing my world affairs knowledge when I stumbled on the excerpt below:

On September 20, President George W. Bush addressed a joint session of Congress to discuss the 9//11 tragedy and the U.S. response to it. He spoke of the country coming

together and the need for patience in the face of a long battle against terrorism.

In the normal course of events, Presidents come to this chamber to report on the state of the Union. Tonight, no such report is needed. It has already been delivered by the American people. We have seen it in the courage of passengers, who rushed terrorists to save others on the ground—passengers like an exceptional man named Todd Beamer. And would you please help me to welcome his wife, Lisa Beamer, here tonight.

We have seen the state of our Union in the endurance of rescuers, working past exhaustion. We have seen the unfurling of flags, the lighting of candles, and the giving of blood, the saying of prayers — in English, Hebrew, and Arabic. We have seen the decency of a loving and giving people who have made the grief of strangers their own. My fellow citizens, for the last nine days, the entire world has seen for itself the state of our Union—and it is strong.

Tonight we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done. Americans have many questions tonight. Americans are asking: Who attacked our country? The evidence we have gathered all points to a collection of loosely affiliated terrorist organizations known as al Qaeda. There are thousands of these terrorists in more than 60 countries. They are recruited from their own nations and neighborhoods and brought to camps in places like Afghanistan, where they are trained in the tactics of terror. They are sent back to their homes or sent to hide in countries around the world to plot evil and destruction.

Americans are asking: How will we fight and win this war? We will direct every resource at our command—every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war—to the disruption and to the defeat of the global terror network.

Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, and drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.

Our nation has been put on notice: We are not immune from attack. We will take defensive measures against terrorism to protect Americans. Today, dozens of federal departments and agencies, as well as state and local governments, have responsibilities affecting homeland security. These efforts must be coordinated at the highest level. So tonight I announce the creation of a Cabinet-level position reporting directly to me—the Office of Homeland Security.

And tonight I also announce a distinguished American to lead this effort, to strengthen American security: a military veteran, an effective governor, a true patriot, a trusted friend—Pennsylvania’s Tom Ridge. He will lead, oversee and coordinate a comprehensive national strategy to safeguard our country against terrorism, and respond to any attacks that may come.

These measures are essential. But the only way to defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of life is to stop it, eliminate it, and destroy it where it grows.

Many will be involved in this effort; from FBI agents to intelligence operatives to the reservists we have called to active duty. All deserve our thanks, and all have our prayers. And tonight, a few miles from the damaged Pentagon, I have a message for our military: Be ready. I’ve called the Armed Forces to alert, and there is a reason. The hour is coming when America will act, and you will make us proud.

This is not, however, just America’s fight. And what is at stake is not just America’s freedom. This is the world’s fight. This is civilization’s fight. This is the fight of all who believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance and freedom. We ask every nation to join us. We will ask, and we will need, the help of police forces, intelligence services, and banking systems around the world. The United States is grateful that many nations and many international organizations have already responded—with sympathy and with support. Americans are asking: What is expected of us? I ask you to live your lives, and hug your children. I know many citizens have fears tonight, and I ask you to be calm and resolute, even in the face of a continuing threat.

I ask you to continue to support the victims of this tragedy with your contributions. Those who want to give can go to a central source of information, libertyunites.org, to find the names of groups providing direct help in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

The thousands of FBI agents who are now at work in this investigation may need your cooperation, and I ask you to give it. I ask for your patience, with the delays and inconveniences that may accompany tighter security; and for your patience in what will be a long struggle.

And, finally, please continue praying for the victims of terror and their families, for those in uniforms, and for our great country. Prayer has comforted us in sorrow, and will help strengthen us for the journey ahead.

After all that has just passed—all the lives taken, and all the possibilities and hopes that died with them—it is natural to wonder if America’s future is one of fear. Some speak of an age of terror. I know there are struggles ahead, and dangers to face. But this country will define our times, not be defined by them. As long as the United States of America is determined and strong, this will not be an age of terror; this will be an age of liberty, here and across the world.

Great harm has been done to us. We have suffered great loss. And in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment. Freedom and fear are at war. It is my hope that in the months and years ahead, life will return almost too normal. We’ll go back to our lives and routines, and that is good. Even grief recedes with time and grace. But our resolve must not pass. Each of us will remember what happened that day, and to whom it happened. We’ll remember the moment the news came—where we were and what we were doing. Some will remember an image of a fire, or a story of rescue. Some will carry memories of a face and a voice gone forever.

In all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, and may He watch over the United States of America.

Thank you. Click to read the full speech - George W. Bush: "Freedom Is Under Attack"

Though I have written a few titles on the subject at hand, I am myself lost on the model of approach to adopt on the Boko Haram puzzle. Stumbling on the above speech however, I realized a template has been lying dormant somewhere all this while. But then, a few issues of concern are inherent in that speech!
You seem not to have noticed, right?

Watch out for the concluding part of this piece.

Yours,

Alamu Samson.

George W. Bush: "Freedom Is Under Attack"

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:51:00 +0000

On September 11, 2001, the United States suffered the most devastating terrorist attack in its history. Hijackers seized four commercial jets and crashed two of them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing the collapse and destruction of both towers. A third jet crashed into a section of the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., and the final jet crashed into a field southeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. More than 3,000 people were reported dead or missing. On September 20, President George W. Bush addressed a joint session of Congress to discuss the tragedy and the U.S. response to it. He spoke of the country coming together and the need for patience in the face of a long battle against terrorism.

President Bush’s Address to Congress and the American People

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President Pro Tempore, members of Congress, and fellow Americans:

In the normal course of events, Presidents come to this chamber to report on the state of the Union. Tonight, no such report is needed. It has already been delivered by the American people.

We have seen it in the courage of passengers, who rushed terrorists to save others on the ground—passengers like an exceptional man named Todd Beamer. And would you please help me to welcome his wife, Lisa Beamer, here tonight.

My fellow citizens, for the last nine days, the entire world has seen for itself the state of our Union—and it is strong. Tonight we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done.

I thank the Congress for its leadership at such an important time. All of America was touched on the evening of the tragedy to see Republicans and Democrats joined together on the steps of this Capitol, singing “God Bless America.” And you did more than sing; you acted, by delivering $40 billion to rebuild our communities and meet the needs of our military.

Speaker Hastert, Minority Leader Gephardt, Majority Leader Daschle and Senator Lott, I thank you for your friendship, for your leadership and for your service to our country.

And on behalf of the American people, I thank the world for its outpouring of support. America will never forget the sounds of our National Anthem playing at Buckingham Palace, on the streets of Paris, and at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate.

We will not forget South Korean children gathering to pray outside our embassy in Seoul, or the prayers of sympathy offered at a mosque in Cairo. We will not forget moments of silence and days of mourning in Australia and Africa and Latin America.

Nor will we forget the citizens of 80 other nations who died with our own: dozens of Pakistanis; more than 130 Israelis; more than 250 citizens of India; men and women from El Salvador, Iran, Mexico and Japan; and hundreds of British citizens. America has no truer friend than Great Britain. Once again, we are joined together in a great cause—so honored the British Prime Minister has crossed an ocean to show his unity of purpose with America. Thank you for coming, friend.

On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country. Americans have known wars—but for the past 136 years, they have been wars on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941. Americans have known the casualties of war—but not at the center of a great city on a peaceful morning. Americans have known surprise attacks—but never before on thousands of civilians. All of this was brought upon us in a single day—and night fell on a different world, a world where freedom itself is under attack.

Americans have many questions tonight. Americans are asking: Who attacked our country? The evidence we have gathered all points to a collection of loosely affiliated terrorist organizations known as al Qaeda. They are the same murderers indicted for bombing American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, and responsible for bombing the USS Cole.

Al Qaeda is to terror what the mafia is to crime. But its goal is not making money; its goal is remaking the world—and imposing its radical beliefs on people everywhere.

The terrorists practice a fringe form of Islamic extremism that has been rejected by Muslim scholars and the vast majority of Muslim clerics—a fringe movement that perverts the peaceful teachings of Islam. The terrorists’ directive commands them to kill Christians and Jews, to kill all Americans, and make no distinction among military and civilians, including women and children.

This group and its leader—a person named Osama bin Laden—are linked to many other organizations in different countries, including the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. There are thousands of these terrorists in more than 60 countries. They are recruited from their own nations and neighborhoods and brought to camps in places like Afghanistan, where they are trained in the tactics of terror. They are sent back to their homes or sent to hide in countries around the world to plot evil and destruction.

The leadership of al Qaeda has great influence in Afghanistan and supports the Taliban regime in controlling most of that country. In Afghanistan, we see al Qaeda’s vision for the world.

Afghanistan’s people have been brutalized—many are starving and many have fled. Women are not allowed to attend school. You can be jailed for owning a television. Religion can be practiced only as their leaders dictate. A man can be jailed in Afghanistan if his beard is not long enough.

The United States respects the people of Afghanistan—after all, we are currently its largest source of humanitarian aid—but we condemn the Taliban regime. It is not only repressing its own people, it is threatening people everywhere by sponsoring and sheltering and supplying terrorists. By aiding and abetting murder, the Taliban regime is committing murder.

And tonight, the United States of America makes the following demands on the Taliban: Deliver to United States authorities all the leaders of al Qaeda who hide in your land. Release all foreign nationals, including American citizens, you have unjustly imprisoned. Protect foreign journalists, diplomats and aid workers in your country. Close immediately and permanently every terrorist training camp in Afghanistan, and hand over every terrorist, and every person in their support structure, to appropriate authorities. Give the United States full access to terrorist training camps, so we can make sure they are no longer operating.

These demands are not open to negotiation or discussion. The Taliban must act, and act immediately. They will hand over the terrorists, or they will share in their fate.

I also want to speak tonight directly to Muslims throughout the world. We respect your faith. It’s practiced freely by many millions of Americans and by millions more in countries that America counts as friends. Its teachings are good and peaceful, and those who commit evil in the name of Allah blaspheme the name of Allah. The terrorists are traitors to their own faith, trying, in effect, to hijack Islam itself. The enemy of America is not our many Muslim friends; it is not our many Arab friends. Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists, and every government that supports them.

Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated.

Americans are asking, why do they hate us? They hate what we see right here in this chamber—a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms—our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other.

They want to overthrow existing governments in many Muslim countries, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. They want to drive Israel out of the Middle East. They want to drive Christians and Jews out of vast regions of Asia and Africa.

These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a way of life. With every atrocity, they hope that America grows fearful, retreating from the world and forsaking our friends. They stand against us, because we stand in their way. We are not deceived by their pretenses to piety. We have seen their kind before. They are the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions—by abandoning every value except the will to power—they follow in the path of fascism, and Nazism, and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way, to where it ends: in history’s unmarked grave of discarded lies.

This war will not be like the war against Iraq a decade ago, with a decisive liberation of territory and a swift conclusion. It will not look like the air war above Kosovo two years ago, where no ground troops were used and not a single American was lost in combat. Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, and drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.

These measures are essential. But the only way to defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of life is to stop it, eliminate it, and destroy it where it grows.

This is not, however, just America’s fight. And what is at stake is not just America’s freedom. This is the world’s fight. This is civilization’s fight. This is the fight of all who believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance and freedom. We ask every nation to join us. We will ask, and we will need, the help of police forces, intelligence services, and banking systems around the world. The United States is grateful that many nations and many international organizations have already responded—with sympathy and with support. Nations from Latin America, to Asia, to Africa, to Europe, to the Islamic world. Perhaps the NATO Charter reflects best the attitude of the world: An attack on one is an attack on all.

The civilized world is rallying to America’s side. They understand that if this terror goes unpunished, their own cities, their own citizens may be next. Terror, unanswered, can not only bring down buildings, it can threaten the stability of legitimate governments. And you know what—we’re not going to allow it.

Americans are asking: What is expected of us? I ask you to live your lives, and hug your children. I know many citizens have fears tonight, and I ask you to be calm and resolute, even in the face of a continuing threat.

I ask you to uphold the values of America, and remember why so many have come here. We are in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them. No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith. I ask you to continue to support the victims of this tragedy with your contributions. Those who want to give can go to a central source of information, libertyunites.org, to find the names of groups providing direct help in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The thousands of FBI agents who are now at work in this investigation may need your cooperation, and I ask you to give it.

I ask for your patience, with the delays and inconveniences that may accompany tighter security; and for your patience in what will be a long struggle.

I ask your continued participation and confidence in the American economy. Terrorists attacked a symbol of American prosperity. They did not touch its source. America is successful because of the hard work, and creativity, and enterprise of our people. These were the true strengths of our economy before September 11th, and they are our strengths today.

Tonight I thank my fellow Americans for what you have already done and for what you will do. And ladies and gentlemen of the Congress, I thank you, their representatives, for what you have already done and for what we will do together. Tonight, we face new and sudden national challenges. We will come together to improve air safety, to dramatically expand the number of air marshals on domestic flights, and take new measures to prevent hijacking. We will come together to promote stability and keep our airlines flying, with direct assistance during this emergency.

We will come together to give law enforcement the additional tools it needs to track down terror here at home. We will come together to strengthen our intelligence capabilities to know the plans of terrorists before they act, and find them before they strike.

We will come together to take active steps that strengthen America’s economy, and put our people back to work.

Tonight we welcome two leaders who embody the extraordinary spirit of all New Yorkers: Governor George Pataki, and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. As a symbol of America’s resolve, my administration will work with Congress, and these two leaders, to show the world that we will rebuild New York City.

Great harm has been done to us. We have suffered great loss. And in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment. Freedom and fear are at war. The advance of human freedom—the great achievement of our time and the great hope of every time— now depend on us. Our nation—this generation—will lift a dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.

It is my hope that in the months and years ahead, life will return almost too normal. We’ll go back to our lives and routines, and that is good. Even grief recedes with time and grace. But our resolve must not pass. Each of us will remember what happened that day, and to whom it happened. We’ll remember the moment the news came—where we were and what we were doing. Some will remember an image of a fire, or a story of rescue. Some will carry memories of a face and a voice gone forever.

And I will carry this: It is the police shield of a man named George Howard, who died at the World Trade Center trying to save others. It was given to me by his mom, Arlene, as a proud memorial to her son. This is my reminder of lives that ended, and a task that does not end.

I will not forget this wound to our country or those who inflicted it. I will not yield; I will not rest; I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people.

The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them.

Fellow citizens, we’ll meet violence with patient justice—assured of the rightness of our cause and confident of the victories to come. In all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, and may He watch over the United States of America.

Thank you.
Back to Still on Boko Haram | President Bush’s Address to Congress and the American People: A Lesson for My Country.

Of The Wanton Killing and Boko Haram: A False Flag Operation or A Genuine National Migraine?

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:58:00 +0000

Save my article ‘Nigeria at 51: My Reflections on security’, in which I dedicated a few lines to the Boko Haram menace, I have maintained a disturbing silence on the issue since the first suicide bombing incident took place in the country. I mean whoever will jump into analysis in a country once regarded as the happiest people on earth; a country where the romance between an average citizen and life is so hot that the mention of death will bring their heart into their mouth. Though the infamous Abdul Mutalab drama should have served as an eye-opener, one cannot readily accept that truly, a Nigerian can commit to blow himself up for whatever cause!

I have tried, over a period of fourteen months, to analyze and understand the
configuration as well as the execution of the numerous Boko Haram “job”, but the closer it seems am getting to the desired spot, the farther the truth draws away from me. It is usually so heartbreaking that I always wish I possess the intelligence of a Mossad, CIA, or KGB agent. Listening to the condolence message from the presidency, which obviously has a template on Abati’s computer, no doubt shoots up the severity of my headache. Finally however, I have decided to break my silence by asking this million dollar question: is the Boko Haram menace a genuine national problem or a false flag operation?

Recently, I was refreshing my knowledge of history when I stumbled on the false flag operation concept and its many examples; after spending hours on it, I stumbled on the most shocking example - 9/11 was allegedly masterminded by the U.S government itself! Click to read more on False Flag Operation. After the refreshers session, I was forced to think the whole Boko Haram menace may be a false flag operation after all! More confusing however, was another thought that came up on my mind: if it is a false flag operation, who then is the mastermind? Is it the foreign economic powers who relish the possibility of leveraging on another messianic role to further enslave our already colonized oil economy? Could it be the home government, who’d definitely need a golden table to sell their rotten fish? Is it the cult of election losers who’d want to unsettle the country to prove they are the best administrator of our national life?

Whoever faults or blame my suspicion, or confusion as you may call it should fix the following puzzling questions: why is the government always swift in reading their condolence message at every bombing, yet they have refused taking a genuinely proactive action against the menace, even when they claim to know them? Why did the government have to use the security issues in the country to blackmail the coalition of NLC/TUC and Civil Society Groups into buying their obnoxious and much maligned fuel subsidy removal policy, even when the same did not stop them from its untimely introduction in the first place? Why did this have to wait till after the inflammatory and war-threatening statements made by the eventual losers of the 2011 general elections? What about the recent revelations from the Boko Haram sect, in which they claim to have been in a running relationship cum agreement with northern States governors who placed them on 5 - 10 million naira monthly salary since 2004? Whoever forgets that Kabir ‘Sokoto’ was arrested within the compound of a particular northern State governor’s house, and then escaped from the hands of the Nigerian Police Force?

If it is a genuine national problem, why hasn’t the entire northern elites rally behind the national efforts to arrest the situation? Why didn’t Mossad, C.I.A, and MI6, who could boast of at least 15 years working experience on terrorism and counter-terrorism offer or share intelligence report and resource with which we could have forestall the emergence of the Boko Haram menace? At least, we are considered important and influential in world politics and policing! Why do they have to wait till about 950 people have been gruesomely murdered before offering a direct help? Whoever forgets the Libya drama?

I have a thousand and one questions to pose, but I will stop at those few that the purpose of this piece may not be lost. Except we will justify the recent allegation that African intellectuals are lazy, it is time for us all to rally behind the national efforts to checkmate this menace. Do we continue to apportion blames, and mouth huge criticism when a former police chief publicly alleged the Nigerian Intelligence Unit is outdated? Can we afford to wait on a president who publicly acknowledged his government has been infiltrated by the sect? Are we willing to rely on a government whose only solution is to dare the sect members to show their face for our security? No, I say. It is time to wrap our heads around the situation and unravel the mystery in order to save our crumbling nation. It is time for the Occupy Nigeria Movement, Save Nigeria Group, Nigerian Hacktivists, and Civil Society Groups to recalibrate their efforts, which is currently weak to hold water.

We must wrestle our nation from the hold of whichever power that is behind the whole menace. The time is now.

Read, have your say, share, and educate.
Alamu Samson.

False Flag Operation.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:51:00 +0000

"False flag terrorism" occurs when elements within a government stage a secret operation whereby government forces pretend to be a targeted enemy while attacking their own forces or people. The attack is then falsely blamed on the enemy in order to justify going to war against that enemy. Or as Wikipedia defines it:

False flag operations are covert operations conducted by governments, corporations, or other organizations, which are designed to deceive the public in such a way
that the operations appear as if they are being carried out by other entities. The name is derived from the military concept of flying false colors; that is, flying the flag of a country other than one's own. False flag operations are not limited to war and counter-insurgency operations, and have been used in peace-time; for example, during Italy's strategy of tension.

The term comes from the old days of wooden ships, when one ship would hang the flag of its enemy before attacking another ship in its own navy. Because the enemy's flag was hung instead of the flag of the real country of the attacking ship, it was called a "false flag" attack.

There are many examples of false flag attacks throughout history. For example, it is widely known that the Nazis, in Operation Himmler, faked attacks on their own people and resources which they blamed on the Poles, to justify the invasion of Poland. And it has now been persuasively argued — as shown, for example, in this History Channel video — that Nazis set fire to their own parliament, the Reichstag, and blamed that fire on others. The Reichstag fire was the watershed event which justified Hitler's seizure of power and suspension of liberties.

And in the early 1950s, agents of an Israeli terrorist cell operating in Egypt planted bombs in several buildings, including U.S. diplomatic facilities, then left behind "evidence" implicating the Arabs as the culprits (one of the bombs detonated prematurely, allowing the Egyptians to identify the bombers). Israel's Defense Minister was brought down by the scandal, along with the entire Israeli government. Click here for verification.

The Russian KGB apparently conducted a wave of bombings in Russia in order to justify war against Chechnya and put Vladimir Putin into power. And the Turkish government has been caught bombing its own and blaming it on a rebel group to justify a crackdown on that group. Muslim governments also play this game. For example, the well-respected former Indonesian president claimed that their government had a role in the Bali bombings.

This sounds nuts, right? You've never heard of this "false flag terrorism," where a government attacks its own people then blames others in order to justify its goals, right? And you are skeptical of the statements discussed above? Please take a look at these historical quotes:

"If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy." - U.S. President James Madison

"Why of course the people don't want war ... But after all it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship ... Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." - Hermann Goering, Nazi leader.

What about the U.S.?

Is it logical to assume that, even if other countries have carried out false flag operations (especially horrible regimes such as, say, the Nazis or Stalin), the U.S. has never done so? Well, as documented by the New York Times, Iranians working for the C.I.A. in the 1950's posed as Communists and staged bombings in Iran in order to turn the country against its democratically-elected president.

And, as confirmed by a former Italian Prime Minister, an Italian judge, and the former head of Italian counterintelligence, NATO carried out terror bombings in Italy with the help of the Pentagon and CIA and blamed communists in order to rally people's support for their governments in Europe in their fight against communism. As one participant in this formerly-secret program stated: "You had to attack civilians, people, women, children, innocent people, unknown people far removed from any political game. The reason was quite simple. They were supposed to force these people, the Italian public, to turn to the state to ask for greater security."

Moreover, declassified U.S. Government documents show that in the 1960s, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff signed off on a plan code-named Operation Northwoods to blow up American airplanes (using an elaborate plan involving the switching of airplanes), and also to commit terrorist acts on American soil, and then to blame it on the Cubans in order to justify an invasion of Cuba. The operation was not carried out only because the Kennedy administration refused to implement these Pentagon plans.

For lots more on the astonishing Operation Northwoods see the ABC news report; the official declassified documents; and watch the interview with James Bamford, the former Washington Investigative Producer for ABC's World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. One quote from the Northwoods documents states: "A 'Remember the Maine' incident could be arranged: We could blow up a US ship in Guantanamo Bay and blame Cuba. Casualty lists in US newspapers would cause a helpful wave of national indignation."

What about Al-Qaeda?

You might think Al-Qaeda is different. It is very powerful, organized, and out to get us, right? Consider this Los Angeles Times article, reviewing a BBC documentary entitled The Power of Nightmares, which shows that the threat from Al Qaeda has been vastly overblown. And former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski testified to the Senate that the war on terror is "a mythical historical narrative."

And did you know that the FBI had penetrated the cell which carried out the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, but had – at the last minute – cancelled the plan to have its FBI infiltrator substitute fake powder for real explosives, against the infiltrator's strong wishes?

Have you heard that the CIA is alleged to have met with Bin Laden two months before 9/11? Did you know that years after 9/11 the FBI first stated that it did not have sufficient evidence to prosecute Bin Laden for 9/11? And did you see the statement in Newsweek by the CIA commander in charge of the capture that the U.S. let Bin Laden escape from Afghanistan?

Have you heard that the anthrax attacks – which were sent along with notes purportedly written by Islamic terrorists – used a weaponized anthrax strain from the top U.S. bioweapons facility? Indeed, top bioweapons experts have stated that the anthrax attack may have been a CIA test "gone wrong." It is also interesting that the only Congress members mailed anthrax letters were key Democrats, and that the attacks occurred one week before passage of the freedom-curtailing PATRIOT Act, which seems to have scared them and the rest of Congress into passing that act without even reading it. And though it may be a coincidence, White House staff began taking the anti-anthrax medicine before the Anthrax attacks occurred.

Even General William Odom, former director of the National Security Agency, said "By any measure the US has long used terrorism. In ‘78-79 the Senate was trying to pass a law against international terrorism, yet in every version they produced, the lawyers said the US would be in violation".

Why Does This Matter?

Please read what the following highly respected people are saying:

Former prominent Republican U.S. Congressman and CIA official Bob Barr stated that the U.S. is close to becoming a totalitarian society and that elements in government are using fear to try to bring this about.

Republican U.S. Congressman Ron Paul stated that the government "is determined to have martial law." He also said a contrived "Gulf of Tonkin-type incident may occur to gain popular support for an attack on Iran." Former National Security Adviser Brzezinski told the Senate that a terrorist act might be carried out in the U.S. and falsely blamed on Iran to justify yet another war.

The former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Reagan administration, Paul Craig Roberts, who is called the "Father of Reaganomics" and is a former editor and columnist for the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, and Scripps Howard News Service, has said:

"Ask yourself: Would a government that has lied us into two wars and is working to lie us into an attack on Iran shrink from staging 'terrorist' attacks in order to remove opposition to its agenda?

Retired 27-year CIA analyst Ray McGovern, who prepared and presented Presidential Daily Briefs and served as a high-level analyst for several presidents, stated that if there was another major attack in the U.S., it would lead to martial law. He went on to say:

"We have to be careful, if somebody does this kind of provocation – big violent explosions of some kind – we have to not take the word of the masters there in Washington that this was some terrorist event because it could well be a provocation allowing them, or seemingly to allow them to get what they want."

The former CIA analyst would not put it past the government to "play fast and loose" with terror alerts and warnings and even terrorist events in order to rally people behind the flag.

General Tommy Franks stated that if another terrorist attack occurs in the United States "the Constitution will likely be discarded in favor of a military form of government." Former UN Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter stated before the Iraq war started that there were no weapons of mass destruction. He is now saying that he would not rule out staged government terror by the U.S. government. And British Parliament Member George Galloway stated that "there is a very real danger" that the American government will stage a false flag terror attack in order to justify war against Iran and to gain complete control domestically. Lastly, I (Alamu Samson) ask: why did the eventual killing of Osama Bin Laden happen at a time when the political chances of Barack Obama in the forthcoming presidential election is so slim? Whoever knows why Bin Laden was buried in an unreachable location, and why it is a taboo to reveal his picture?

The abundance of reliable information in this essay suggests that not only has the U.S. in the past conducted false flag operations, but there is a possibility that 9/11 involved some element of this deceit, and a future false flag operation cannot be ruled out. Let us spread this news to all who care so that we might build the critical mass necessary to stop these secret operations and work together for a more caring civil society.
Curled from WantToKnow.Info

Walk Out On The Ovation

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:40:00 +0000

The year 2011 was no doubt a busy one for me; quite eventful and appreciably rewarding as well. I met with new friends who took interest in me for various reasons. While some took interest in me for a reason I still could not decode or decipher, others did simply because of my writings, social work, and most humbly, creative ideas. Now I’m blushing. I always have to deal with the numerous accolades showered on me by my admirers, with genuine humility though.

Silently however, I had always craved an eye-opening critique of my works. After every publication, I usually found myself loitering on the internet, combing my facebook and blog comment box to see whether someone has dropped the very comment I had impatiently waited for.
At times, I take the search to my inbox as some of my apparently shy fans prefer to do it privately. I usually find none, which always forced me to think the accolades is all there is to my endeavors.

Taking positives from this, I started 2012 with a brilliant idea; I decided I was going to yield to the advice of one of my regular commentator to consider writing for a bigger and larger audience at www.xxxx.com. Trying to accustom myself to their system, I decided to republish four of my old works on the website, and in just four days or thereabout I got more than I had bargained for. Typical of me, after publication, I rushed to my gmail box only to discover my initially applauded works had been constructively ripped apart by a set of more advanced writers! First lesson taken!

The essence of this piece is never to bore or entertain you with my lines, but to give you a success nugget for 2012. After seeing the criticism, I felt bad, even though it is what I have always expected! Suddenly however, I remembered the saying of one of my mentor; ‘if you are the superstar of the room you need to check the next door. It simply means you are bigger than the room and there is no space for further development. You either stay to enjoy the accolades and miss the next big thing, or walk out on the ovation and hit the next big thing!’ More often than not in life, we miss the next level because we enjoy being the superstar of the whole lot. I mean the respect, the accolades, ovation et al. We cannot stand walking out of a place where we are so much adored and worshiped, and walk into a place where our hitherto highly applauded skills will be dwarfed.

Trust me; your success and fulfillment in 2012 will, to a larger extent, be determined by your willingness to walk out on the ovation. Do not misquote me. I do not say you should not take the time to enjoy success and relish the accompanying accolades. No. As a matter of fact, I advise you to be proud of your achievements and revel in its attendant ovation. However, you must not get so arrogant and complacent to think it is time for you to colonize the environment in which you have recorded success and enjoy accolades; even though you have obligations towards them. This has a way of shielding our skills and capabilities from gut-wrenching challenges and thereby retarding or even stagnate our growth! Whoever forgets the Y2k-compliant bug of 1999?

Without necessarily developing a sense of low self-esteem or value, always look out for a place where your brilliance will be dwarfed by someone else, and make concerted effort to grow up to their level. Do not mix the task up here; walking out on the ovation does not mean you are to stop relating with the people that showers accolades on you, and seeks your approval cum tutelage. No. It means while you acknowledge and respect them, you also have acknowledged the call to a greater growth and exploit. The rooftop is never an end; there is always another platform above the rooftop. No ovation is the loudest; it is only the loudest you have received. So, to hit the next big thing, walk out on the ovation!

#ToAsUccessfulAndFulfilling2012
Alamu Samson.

To All National Youth Service Corps Members

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:15:00 +0000

Are you a Youth Corps member? Do you currently serve in Oyo, Kwara, and Akwa Ibom State? Do you have a genuine passion for a transforming CDS in your host community, LG, & State, but you don't know how to go about it? Then, you should talk to GetFired.

In pursuance of its vision, GetFired, an educational revival and student redemption project, commits to mentor 10 Youth Corps members in each of the listed States. With a clear understanding of the needs of the listed States, we will help you to come up with brilliant CDS idea, winning proposal, and
also help you out in the area of project planning. Also to be at your disposal is our team of resource person (s) and facilitators.

Embrace this golden opportunity to make your service year a truly fulfilling season.

Contact and Enquiries:
Email: getfiredproject@gmail.com
Samson: 08097448900, 08037499896.
http://twitter.com/alamusamson
http://facebook.com/alamusamson

GetFired ...redefining purpose, winning back the future.

The Beacon.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

More often than not, I have come to discover, some certain two elements are the most needed of all pre-conditions to fulfillment, not minding our yardstick of measurement. These two elements are SIGNAL and SENSITIVITY. Though when placed into context, it appears one is much more important than the other, but that is not the case as they both means a lot to each other.

Most of the chances, opportunities and what have you that sets us on the path of destiny fulfillment in life are not that strong a signal, which makes strong sensitivity a sine qua non. I looked into the scripture and two experiences struck me lame:
Moses and the burning bush – Exodus 3 v 1 – 4.
Joash, Elisha and the arrow experience – 2 Kings 13 v 14 – 19. In these two scenarios, I saw how men fulfilled destiny and how men failed.

The most important lesson I learn then is that, man is to take the blame for failure and not God. I equally learn that we failed most often because the signals are not branded the way we had expected. But then, remember that sometimes when God wants to meet your needs, He brings need your way, so you have to be sensitive to His beacon.

This reminds me of a particular pastor who had craved ministerial explosion for long and happens to be the C.E.O of an establishment. He has a jobless worker in his church and all he does is to pray for the young man all the time saying “brother, all is well”. Long into his ministerial journey, God opened the eyes of his spirit back to how He released the explosion to him long years ago. Guess what the release was, the jobless worker in his church. And I asked myself, why pray and say all is well, when you can employ him. Hmn…

Have a wonderful day!

The Interlude.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

I've come this far! But I know I still can go that far. Only one thing stands up to me - the interlude is so unpleasant,tempting & frustrating. Oh Lord my God, give me the grace to weather the storm. Hmn....

Peculiar Routes.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Why should we all be anxious, envious and agitated by the rate at which our contemporaries go their journey. Our journies are all about different things, hence the peculiar routes.
The simple reason why you presently feel so heartbroken is because you haven't understood what your journey is all about, hence your unacceptance of its peculiar route.

Take your peace, stop putting it away!

My Idea of Protest: Reaction As Seen From My Binoculars.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:10:00 +0000

I've read about scores of them, and I've also seen few of them. Protest I mean! While some are effective, many proved to be no more than rabble-rousing. I would have love to mesmerize you with another historical epistle, but time is a big issue. What choice do I even have, I'm feeling the effect of the subsidy already as I cannot afford a new pen, hence the need to be stingy with the almost inkless pen I presently boast of. In view of this, I'd go straight to what moves me to purpose here, MY IDEA OF PROTEST.

Without wasting much of your time, I propose a protest in the shade of the 'Bolsheviks Revolution' of 1917,
with components in the shape of the "Bastille Prison Break' by Paris Mob on July 14, 1789, and the 'Tennis Court Oath' by the Estate Generals (National Assembly). How do I mean? Let us have a total lock down of our international airports indefinitely. In this way, both the elite and the poor masses would have a sharp and direct feel of the heat.

No disrespect intended, I think the proponents of the 'general strike and mass rally theory' are been seen by the government as jesters, or rabble-rousers at best. So it seems going by there response so far to the public outcry. Executing my proposal or something in its shape would mean an open attack on the tyranny of the elite and the cabals that has milked us of our fortunes.

At this point, I plead with the sell-outs to resist the dangled carrots, at least for this historical moment. Let us set the international community on edge concerning our plight. We must rebuke and rebuff this recalcitrant leadership in its full vigor.

If they are thinking of playing the all-conquering and arrogant Napoleon, then we must tell them about the battle of Waterloo. That is one history they seems to have forgotten.

It's time we invoke the Rousseau spirit.

READ, SHARE, AND EDUCATE.

#OccupyNigeria.

OF THE FUEL SUBSIDY AND NAIJA SENSE: A New Way To Buy Recharge Card.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:31:00 +0000

" you are mad!" "you too you are stupid! Abeg no just vex me o 'cos me dey para well well. You sabi speak grammar na im you no go bomb Jonathan with oyinbo for Aso Rock?"
This was the drama that doused my tension a little bit. The Man City v Liverpool match wasn't going my way, and my blood was getting hotter when,
against my wish, I decided to go see the face of the cacophony that suddenly rented the air.

What the f**k, it was 2 adult slugging it out. A #100 recharge card now goes for #110/20! "Naija..." was the only word I could mutter at that point. I quickly walked off the area as the drama started to grow out of proportion.

On my way back home, I started juggling thoughts on the table of my mind; "no, price can't change, it's only tarrif that will go up so you can exhaust the card in no time!" I was still on this when a brilliant idea flashed through my brain.

As a way of circumventing this Naija madness, I propose we, in the interim, buy recharge cards from ATM points/machine! Shikena!

Though this will translate to bad business for the likes of Etisalat and Airtel who doesn't have transaction port on these machines, it will amount to increased market share for Glo and MTN, at least.

For a dude like me who possesses the 4 listed sim cards, that's a good deal! For those who don't, then alliances will have to change! I think Glo and MTN should reward me for this hype given them, or what do you think?

On a lighter mood however, Jonathan may have done the worse he could, he surely hasn't ask us to inflict more hardship on ourselves. Been rational at this point, we should know, would take 45% of the burden off our tired and sapped neck.

Let us stop Naijasensing to the detriment of our well-being.

Share this message if you're a true patriot.

Watch this space for the Naija Sense Series... Laugh off the matter jor.

I See Hope!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:11:00 +0000

I might not want to accept it,
but I see hope, hope for Nigeria.
I see hope in our Tears,
I see hope in our Smiles.
I see hope in our Failures,

I see hope in our Successes.
I see hope in everything - the Corruption, Brutality, Wickedness, Greediness, name it.
But then, to some of us, the hope will draw the last drop of our blood, to some, it will draw the faintest of their sweat.
That hope is you!

Nothing is fictional about the spiritual facts of life...

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:52:00 +0000

Nothing is fictional about the spiritual facts of life...

Expectations for 2012 are high, plans grafted in got to be great, hence, find out the specific laws that governs your purpose and obey them diligently. Do not be moved nor discouraged by the things that can be seen, rather,
focus on the unseen realities and the mystery of God's blueprint for your life.

An Awesome and Blissful 2012 is what I Wish you.
Love you!

I Love U.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:59:00 +0000

I know I bottled it all up even when U were waiting to get drunk of it.
I know I was too cautious even when U worth all the risk.
I Know I held back more than necessary, even when U needed only a finger of it to escape the dungeon.
I know I hoarded it, even though U needed a little to live.

I know I denied U of it even though it is Ur right.
I know I went dumb, even when Ur heart long for the sound of it so badly.
I mean I restrained my LOVE when U only craved just a little.
I couldn't be more sorry than I am right now. I guess I love U so much that I feared saying it to U.
But honestly I love U!
BMO, LEI, DI-GI-NI-TY, SPIRIT, SERAH,Oriyomi, AY and everyone out there that I wasn't there for when they needed my shoulder, I wanna say I love U sooooooooo much! I mean this.

Flashes of Inspiration.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:17:00 +0000

I will not give up,
I will not quit.
I will not cave in,
I have already seen the picture.
Yes,
I will walk on the waters,
Splash the oceans opened by the audacity of my faith.

I will speak to see,
Not see to speak.
I will risk it all!
To dare to sleep is to dare to die,
To dare to succeed is to dare to fail,
Therefore, I will dare it anyways,
For the latter is not always certain.
The night may be so long,
The tunnel so dark,
With the dude at the end of it switching off his torchlight,
Nevertheless, onward will I yet advance,
For even the darkness is wary of me,
I am the light.
No door is locked against me,
For I possess the master key.
With the reward of my purpose will I yet be inspired!

Alamu Samson.

Success: What Defines It For You?

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:09:00 +0000

The concept success is no doubt a subject that will generate reactions and counter-reactions any day, or anytime discussed. The subject has been thoroughly and widely dealt with by notable people from all works of life, that you will think it is an over flogged issue.

However, in an age or era where the human soul is growing increasingly discontented, even in the face of colossal material and wealth acquisition, one cannot but revisit the reason for the discontentment – lack of success feeling. How can a man with a heavy material and wealth acquisition still feel something is missing?

Just recently, I was listening to definitions of success from Kurt Carr, Bishop T.D Jakes, Bishop Matthew Ashimolowo, and Pastor E.A Adeboye, and I observed a common denominator that never stops pricking my reasoning.
In the words of Kurt Carr, “success is not all the gold, beautiful jewelries, and expensive cloths you have in your wardrobe. I mean something Katrina could and destroy in just one hour.” In Pastor Adeboye’s word, “success is doing what God ask you to do, and you do it to the best of your ability. Success is fulfilling His purpose for creating you. All the material acquisitions amounts to nothing, as they could fade away unannounced. It will be pathetic to have all these; yet, within you there is a void. All we ever need is food, clothing, shelter, and something to move you around, which does not necessarily have to be your own car…”

If you observe the two speakers, there is an agreement that material and wealth acquisition does not equate been successful. It goes down to the fulfillment of purpose. This reminds me of an experience I had recently while touring motherless babies’ homes in Ibadan. The children lives in an appalling condition and environment, which made me to ask what are the Forbes-list-pursuing rich men in this country doing with money.

I have not written to whip up sentiments; neither will I attempt to scribble an epistle on what the true definition of success is. All I am asking is what defines it for you? I am sure you want to spend your old age feeling peace unquantifiable.

Be successful.

Alamu Samson.

Why This Thrives: A Rejoinder to The Motivational Speaking Scam by Adeolu Akinyemi.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:28:00 +0000

It was a beautiful way to wrap up an eventful first Sunday in the month of December. At about 10pm, I decided to comb the net for the last time in the day, with the hope that I will find something my subconscious mind could feed on, while I rest my conscious mind. One of such sites I habitually comb is deoluakinyemi.com, and I was not disappointed as I stumbled on a piece I refused rating for the fear of being disrespectful of his previous works. Trust me; the piece surely achieved the intended. I however have an issue with Deolu’s sentiments.

With no apologies, no matter whose ox is gored
, Deolu opined motivational speaking is at best a modern day fraud. Unlike the likes of Brian Tracy, Robert Kiyosaki, Zig Ziglar, Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield, Jim Rohn, and Mary Kay Ash, who preaches not conjectures, but speaks their experiences, he alleges the scores of motivational speakers who throng seminars and workshops are nothing but emotional massagers. In his words, “there are many motivational speakers and motivational speakers wannabe out there that cannot point at anything they have done. Please tell me what are they really teaching people?” While commenting on his piece, Yinka Babalola said, “…I have met people that download what they read and I feel empty after their well polished yet empty yearns…” Matthew Abolurin also said, “Many speakers today, just read up things from books and download in speaking engagement…”
Click

As much as Deolu would want the horde of people who will stumble on this piece to get immune against this fraud, I put it to him and you as well that the “scam” will yet thrive luxuriously in a nation like Nigeria! Moreover, I also believe we will be greatly unfair to run a critique under the fanciful word “motivational speaking” as many of the people Deolu refers to are just infopreneur, whose basic endeavor is information marketing. This may well justify the much-criticized read and download syndrome, which I chose to term marketing of digested and interpreted information. If you opine otherwise, how then do you suggest we reward the studious in a generation of the blithe?

Sometimes in June 2009, I had privilege to deliver a speech titled “You as a Product” to a set of graduating corps members in Akwa Ibom State. Two of the sub themes I dealt with was branding and re-branding during which I employed SWOT analysis concept as one of my speaking aid. I was shocked to the marrows when I discovered none of my audience knows about SWOT analysis! This audience comprising of Business Administration, Economics, and Accounting graduates flashes second-class upper. Needless say, I felt like and became a superstar immediately. I mean, this is a historian using SWOT analysis concept to teach.

Without scribbling an epistle, you would discover my issue with Deolu’s piece is naked enough to see. We are in a country where millions of people lack basic knowledge, information, and motivations to break forth and break lose. Therefore, the perceived-as-scam endeavor of this infopreneur/motivational speakers is sine qua non! I bet even Deolu cannot deny benefiting from these people while a student at Ilorin and O.A.U, even though as at the time of speaking they yet do not have track records littered with failure, and garnished with success.

I did not write to attack Deolu’s line of reasoning, but to reveal why it will, or may thrive continually. As at the time of writing this, the piece has attracted 21 comments and 3166 views since it was published on November 23, 2011. What fraction of the people that should read the piece is that? We obviously should be expecting another motivational speaker to cash in on the piece!

As I leave you to ponder on this and Deolu’s piece, I sign out with A. Ngozi’s comment, “it takes a leader and a role model, among others, to be a motivational speaker.”

The Motivational Speaking Scam!

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:22:00 +0000

“Yes! At last someone is talking about this”, some people are bound to say. I have no doubts as well that this might offend some people – usually the people prospering from this scam and the people who are planning to go into it! I have no apologies for my point of view, if you read with an open conscience and do your due research, you will find out that what I’m communicating here is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Two interesting discoveries struck me today! I decided to spend some time listening to a personal development audio this morning ahead of going to work. Sometimes we don’t know why we do what we do, but we have confidence that there is always a higher power at work, working in us to will and to do according to divine pleasure. This morning was no exception. For the first time,
I decided to pay attention to the biography of Brian Tracy, what I heard created loads of questions in my mind, that today was going to be spent answering… little did I know!
Brian Tracy is a motivational speaker, no doubt, he’s authored books, audios, trained and spoken in over 500 companies and speaks really well. What I did not know till today, was that Brian wasn’t just a speaker, he had grown from rags to riches, not speaking, but doing all sorts of funny menial jobs and businesses. He is not talking about what he knows nothing about, his work experience and profile, from washing dishes, to digging ditches, stacking lumber working on farms, to working menial jobs in manufacturing, construction, factories even in a ship and finally in SALES from which he moved to Business Management! 20yrs after this experience he has built, managed or turned around 22 businesses. When he speaks, he’s not scamming anybody, he knows what he’s talking about.

To my utter surprise, I got into my office this morning and met a motivational speaker in my office. He lamented bitterly about how he felt that what many of them in the industry were doing was a scam. He opined that while he had all the certifications in the world, they were not really producing results. He was following his mentors and he has people following him, and he knows that it’s all just a game of deceit. After all, even Jesus was recorded to have done and taught! The reality is there are many motivational speakers and motivational speakers wannabe out there, that can’t point at anything they have done. Please tell me what are they really teaching people?

To almost crown it all up, I got into my car after 8pm to go home, and had the urge to listen to a DVD a friend shared with me earlier today. To my utter shock and disbelief, the first 5 mins of the audio were used to read the profile of the speaker. The summary of the profile was, he’s authored and sold over 50 million copies of his books, but he’s built and led over 60 businesses into worldwide growth. Again it struck me, this guy is not just speaking, he’s done, and therefore earned the right to speak. Even though I eventually researched the man and could fault his speech, he still had a lot ahead of most motivational speakers I know of. He had good and bad experience. He had a track record of sufficient experience to share with others.

Out of curiosity before I decided to lay down for the night, I decided to do a little research on one of America’s premier and most influential motivational speakers and authors- Jim Rohn( 1930–2009 ), an American motivational speaker and writer whose work helped launch or further the career of many others in the personal development industry, including Anthony Robbins, Mark Victor Hansen, Brian Tracy, and Jack Canfield. Jim Rohn was also mentored by Mr. Shoaff who also had direct influence on the early lives of Zig Ziglar and Mary Kay Ash. At the age of 25, Rohn heard a “laws of success” lecture given by Shoaff and went to work for him. I did a little research on Jim Rohn and what I discovered amazed me. Jim Rohn was broke and struggling through life, until he met with John Earl Shoaff, who decided to mentor him and introduce him to a Network Marketing Company – AbundaVita. At the age of 25, Jim Rohn began to apply the laws of success into his business and made his first million dollars 6yrs later at the age of 31! It was only after Jim had become an authority in selling that he ventured 2yrs later into responding to a request to speak, and began to speak. He shared with people what he believed were the philosophies and principles that made him successful. He didn’t speak his way to wealth.

I went further to check out great authors and highly priced speakers like Robert Kiyosaki and also discovered that the bedrock of their proclamations is the backing of quality sales experience that the first succeeded in before they began to speak. Kiyosaki learnt selling in Xerox, but opines that the best place to get this skill is by getting on board a Network Marketing company with a good development system. When you see someone who speaks for a living and not much he has done with his life before then, I can guarantee you one thing – All you are likely to get from the program is excitement. It will not translate into anything in your life, because you can’t give what you don’t have. You can talk about what you have not experienced, and fake the good successful life, but you cannot transfer what you don’t own! It’s really a case of “teacher, don’t teach me nonsense!”. Or how do you reckon that a man who teaches financial freedom does not really know what it truly means in an experiential way? How do you learn leadership from someone whose only real contact with leadership is questionable at best, minimal at most. How do you learn effectiveness from someone who is in the real sense far from effective? How do you learn life skills from someone who didn’t use any of it? How sustainable is the model of your teacher? Can you be like him? How?

I reiterate, that teaching what you have not learnt is a scam! I encourage you to challenge your speakers to share their experiences with you, what rights have they got to lead you? What do they want you to do to become as wealthy or wealthier than them? They can’t ask you to wait all your life for their kind of lucky break, what have they done with their hands? It’s important that we begin to ask these questions, or we may indeed be forced to fake it and not eventually make it. Every time I see a young man or woman that says what he wants to become is a public speaker, I feel for him. If he really wants to be a public speaker, he must first learn to be a private worker! The only thing revealed over time in the public, is the result of secret and hidden toils and travails. Our public speakers should stop deceiving our youth and start a company or become a part of one! Let them have track records littered with failure, and possibly garnished with success, let them make moves and make waves. Let them apply their skills, and prove them before serving them to unsuspecting people. Back to

By Adeolu Akinyemi.

2011: My high points and the people that made it thick.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 09:40:00 +0000

Obviously, in retrospect, 2011 was the best year I have lived in the recent past. I opened a new chapter in my life, opening up a hitherto caged personality in a year. I encountered some phenomenal yet simple souls, and experienced life in a new shade. I humbly dedicate this piece to these phenomenal, yet simple creatures I encountered. Know this; no word or words can comfortably, sufficiently express, or relay how I feel about you all.

Jumoke Sasere
An unassuming giant and gentle mother of two lovely kids, with the third just few days away;
that is Mrs. Jumoke Sasere. Though we started our relationship in 2006, I cannot but agree it snowballed in 2011. I grew up thinking I stood no chance of been loved genuinely by anybody, but she proved me wrong. I cannot explain her confidence in me; she has sold me a hot commodity to practically everybody she knows. I know my silent prayers and cry for you will come to fruition soon.

Enitan Adetayo
No bias, nor sentiments; she is the person that has my heart beating a million times per second. A friend would say she is my number one fan. She has known me for eight good years, but funny I just met her late last year, and our relationship has been rising steadily with every passing second. If there is one mystery I am yet to unravel, it is why she so much believe in my dream. Even when the heat and storm is getting probably unbearably, with my confidence and courage hitting the low, she is always there to mirror the real me to me. Words would fail me to express my feelings, but she has been phenomenal. I strive daily to reciprocate in commensurate measure, the love she shows me.

Lara Akinyoyenu and Lara Ogunsanya
Prior to August 4, 2011, the closest I have got to these two wonderful women was watching them on screen. Without necessarily suffering from inferiority complex, I had thought they are as typical Nigerian women who allow success get the better of them. Alas. I was proved wrong in just 24 hours. Spending 5 days on location with them both was so influencing that I wish the movie is a season film. Very unassuming, they taught me another definition of humility, simplicity, and kindness. I will never forget the special one-hour chat I had with Lara Ogunsanya on purpose, vision, and life. I met them both just at the right time. Lara Akinyoyenu will be walking down the aisle in some couple of days, and all I can say is happy married life in advance. I trust your home to give us a marriage to be proud of in the kingdom family.

Imuetinyan Omere
A great actor, poet, motivational speaker, highly creative, there is no end to the list of what this young man is capable of doing. I met with him at the same location I met with the two Laras, and my experience with him is of no less importance. The mysteries we shared together are investments I will profit from endlessly.

Olufemi Daniel
She is another beautiful woman I met with at another movie location in the same August. We instantly became a puzzle to everyone from the very first minute we met. While the director was busy taking his blocking, we were busy catching up on life. Ever since then, she has been a wonderful friend, with every of our conversation so influencing. Daniel, I hope to see you out of that situation we both detest soon.

Ogunleye Ayodeji
A hilarious dude, words will fail me to aptly capture his influence; a very intelligent dude, full of wisdom, moderately frank and blunt, highly sought after counselor. His friendship has been of inestimable value as well. He has been phenomenal.

Margaret Oladimeji
Another young woman I will never forget in a hurry; crossing path with her has taught me great lessons about love, life, friendship and decision. Even though she will always argue otherwise, I will continually say she has been phenomenal. As she prepares to walk down the aisle come December 10, 2011, this one thing I have to say, thanks for putting me out of that “four years” misery. I will forever cherish and relish the memories of the times we did together. I say happy married life in advance. I trust your home to give us a marriage to be proud of in the kingdom family.

Ezekiel Akinrinade, Ebenezer Akinrinade, Jamiu Akangbe.
Meeting these “three musketeers” is the best thing that happened to my professional life in 2011. I had met with Ebenezer earlier on at Authors and Orators Chamber, a group comprising of seasoned and committed change agents. Little did I know then that I was dealing with the publicity secretary of ARLFoundation (African Resourceful Leaders Foundation), and not too long afterward, I was endorsed as seminar facilitator for the 20-weeks Pre-Exam Seminar for secondary schools in Lagos; initiated by ARLFoundation, endorsed by Lagos State Ministry of Education. It was in the course of discharging the noble duty that I met with Jamiu Akangbe, the Team Leader ARLFoundation, and Ezekiel Akinrinade, executive member ARLFoundation and publisher, YE Magazine, an educational magazine committed towards the revival of education sector. One positive thing that robbed off on me was the mutual respect, love and admiration we shared for each other. It feels so good to know I am not alone in the race to inspire the emergence of a better society. I look forward to maximizing the potentials of our relationship, synchronizing ideas, influence, and efforts; our dream is real. I hold you people in high esteem.

Thank God, the best things in life are free, and that is why I have all these phenomenal individuals for a friend. They all could not have come into my world at a better time than this. Yet, much more phenomenal, than these phenomenal eleven, is God – the Chief Coach of the team. He proved to me in 2011, that though He is God to all of us, He is a father to some of us.
One event that instantly struck my memory here was that life-threatening accident I had on the eve of my birthday, March 20. I had a close shave with death, with just a split-second in-between us. I remember giving up already by saying “God, is this how I died?”, and I equally remembered Him responded “No, son. This is how I renewed your life and destiny.” This was the highpoint of 2011 for me, coupled with the month of May, August, and October, in which I recorded groundbreaking and breath taking breakthroughs.

Trust me; words would fail me to express or capture aptly how I feel about this God. Hmm…
“Is like I’ve always fallen short of been worthy,
‘Cos I aint good enough,
but He still loves me.
I aint no superstar,
the spotlight aint shinning on me,
I aint good enough,
but He still loves me.
Am not perfect,
Yes I do wrong, yes I do wrong…” Join me and sing if you know this song.

I wish you a splendid festive season ahead. 2012, here I come!

LOLU MOGAJI: Another Icon to emulate.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:09:00 +0000

Hello Peeps, today is a great day. Tap into God's already prepared favor for you.
On our personality profiling today, we'll share a brief on a young, talented man with great achievement and a greater prospect. I present to you Lolu Mogaji. Happy readind.

LOLU MOGAJI, AICI is an Image consultant, Personal brand expert, a prolific public speaker and a toastmaster in a class of his own, with a strong belief in the statement; “Image is everything”. He believes that everybody must strive to discover, develop and project a strong and positive image, irrespective of their chosen vocation in life. Furthermore he believes that a person, organization, or Nation’s investment is incomplete until there is an investment in image. Lolu believes that as important as intelligence is in our world today, so also is image. His primary focus is on Personal image/ Branding as they affect corporate growth. He is persuaded that both the successes and failures of organizations have their roots in the quality of the people that make up such organizations.

Lolu is the managing partner of Image Quotient Consulting, and Founder of The Image School (The first School in Africa dedicated to teaching Image Principles to individuals and corporate organizations)both in Lagos, Nigeria, where he expresses his passion for image by partnering with individuals and organizations in developing and consistently projecting a strong and positive image.

By virtue of Lolu’s position as managing partner of Image quotient consulting and founder of The Image school, and because of his unique and witty style of presentation, he has been privileged to act as; TRAINNER/ FACILITATOR, CO-FACILITATOR /MODERATOR AND COMPERE for a wide range of organizations such as : Generis Solutions, MTN Nigeria, Intercontinental homes, Savings and loans, Talkshop Management consulting, Michael Sage Consulting, Socketworks Nigeria Limited, Chrisland Educational Foundation, GTBANK, PZ(Nutricima), 247imc, Proview, The Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship, 180 DEGREES (NGO), AWESOME GENERATION (NGO), Pneuma Publishing Limited, just to mention a few. In addition to the corporate organizations, he has a long list of individual clients from various works of life.

Lolu’s career as an image consultant rests solidly against a background of a law degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University with stints in various endeavors such as advertising and Public relations, fashion, radio broadcasting and events management,. He is a member of the prestigious ASSOCIATION OF IMAGE CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL (AICI) TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL (Eagle club Lagos, Nigeria), THE NEW NIGERIA CLUB. His articles have been published in various national dailies, and he has granted numerous interview on both print and electronic media (both Satellite and terrestrial), the most resent was a guest appearance on “Moments with MO” on Mnet Africa, broadcast in over 48 countries.

From the archive.

Deolu Akinyemi: Another Icon to emulate.

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:53:00 +0000

Hello dear,

We are considering some personality profile to help know them, learn from them, get challenged by the life and motivated by their achievements. Today let's check on the profile of Deolu Akinyemi, an outstanding businessman and a life coach. Have a happy reading.

Adeolu Akinyemi is multifaceted and multidimensional; he’s regularly referred to by people who know him as a genius. He regularly combines the roles of Business Leader, Social entrepreneur, Trainer, Writer, Career Coach, Direct and Network Marketer, Human Resources Expert, Business Development Consultant, Financial Empowerment Consultant, Innovator, Visionary and Patriot. Today Adeolu Akinyemi is one of Nigeria’s foremost brands in People and Organizational Development, Financial Empowerment, Network Marketing and Blogging. Adeolu Akinyemi is a light and one of the most influential young people in Nigeria on account of his personal development blog, www.deoluakinyemi.com . Adeolu Akinyemi is currently the chief coordinator and Founder of the New Nigeria Club, Managing Director of Generis Solutions, CEO of Nairahost Ltd – Nigeria’s number 1 webhosting company, Administrator of deoluakinyemi.com and West African Leader and driver of Holidays and Cash Ltd. Adeolu Akinyemi’s most outstanding virtue is Integrity.
From an exceptional background in Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University – Ile-Ife, Adeolu Akinyemi made a deliberate detour to follow his passion for people development and kicked off his career in Procter and Gamble Nigeria as an Associate Human Resources Manager. Adeolu Akinyemi had rapid career growth and grew to become HR Manager Talent Supply and Development, Market Strategy and Planning Manager and Customer Business Development HR Manager. After 4 exciting years of an exceptional Career with Procter and Gamble Nigeria Ltd, Adeolu Akinyemi moved to Virgin Nigeria as part of the pioneer team involved in building the airline from scratch and setting up people systems.

Adeolu Akinyemi’s career has been chequered with series of Awards from different organizations. Adeolu Akinyemi enjoyed one scholarship or the other, from the Federal Government of Nigeria and multinationals for 10yrs of his academic career, he has won series of commendations from his peers ranging from Most Admired Classmate, Most Charismatic, Mr Brainy, e.t.c. While in Procter and Gamble, Adeolu Akinyemi bagged two global awards – A P&G Global Human Resources Peak Performance Award, 2003 and A P&G Global recognition award for exceptional innovation, 2004. In recognition of his professionalism and personal standards, while in the last phase of his career as an employee in Virgin Nigeria, Adeolu Akinyemi was nominated for and won the Future Awards, Corporate Professional of the year award for 2006.

Adeolu Akinyemi is a 100% Nigerian grown talent, with some exposure to training opportunities outside its shores. From a Secondary school Education in Federal Government College Ilorin where he graduated as top graduating student, to Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife where he averaged a 4.48/5.00 in Electronics and Electrical Engineering. Adeolu Akinyemi has since obtained a certification in Networking from Cisco Systems, A Venture in Management Program Certificate from Lagos Business School, Systems Dynamics & Business Modelling by Dr JP Cleron, Procter and Gamble Global Management Training in Presentation Skills, Effective Meetings, Improving Your Personal Leadership, People and Communication Skills, Time Management, Memo Writing, Team Effectiveness, Presentation to Top Management, Maximizing Creative and Logical Thinking, Negotiation, Coaching, Partnering for Growth, Human Resources Management, Compensation and Benefits, Talent Management, Key Account Management. Some of Adeolu Akinyemi’s foreign training exposure include HR Methods Becoming Actions- Poland, Online Recruiting and Candidate Management System- Turkey; Train the Trainer- Geneva, Designing High Performance Organizations -Geneva, Aviation Economics – UK and Aviation Safety Training, Lufthansa – Frankfurt.

Adeolu Akinyemi is the husband of Temitope Akinyemi and proud father of Ireoluwa and Araoluwa Akinyemi. Adeolu Akinyemi is currently 33yrs old.

From the archive.

Cobhamz Emmanuel Asuquo. His story draws tears from the eyes of my soul...

noreply@blogger.com (Alamu Samson) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:20:00 +0000

Hello great people! This week on our personality profile, I have the profile and story of a man and a Kingdom general name Cobhamz Asuquo. His story will challenge you. Have a happy Reading!

Lagos — Multi-talented, visually impaired producer and the CEO of COMP (Cobhams Asuquo Productions), is not your every day person. He has been able to prove to us that his sight is not a disadvantage. Born into a humble family in Cross-River State, music has been part of him right from his early days. He makes sounds with everything around him that vibrates as a result of touch. "I produce sounds earlier in life with spoons, forks, knives, tables, my chest and every other thing around me that can produce sounds until I later found musical instruments. It was self taught but I have those who mentored me. My primary and secondary school music teachers were actually part of them. I will rather say I was taught the art of producing by God". Today, he is one of the biggest producers in Nigeria. He won the Hip Hop World Awards for the best producer in 2008.

His challenges are meeting up with everyday sounds and the ever changing demands of people. Contrary to what might be on the minds of people, he doesn't see his lack of sight as a disadvantage. "My sight has never been a disadvantage because I have a fantastic team am working with. Like I always say, most surgeons don't do all the surgery by themselves but they take the glory for it. That is the case here. They are my eyes and my extra ears".

Due to his amazing talents and the different collaborations he has done with other artistes, many would think by now he should be planning to release his own album, but Cobhams is not thinking towards that direction. He is presently into capacity building and he may not release an album until he is 60 years. "Right now, am in the business of developing musical sounds for people and am enjoying it. The challenge of working with new people is actually very huge but I find it interesting".
Commenting on the state of the music industry in Nigeria, he says it is better than what it used to be. "The business is becoming more lucrative but needs more structure to be called an industry. Our artistes are beginning to compete favorably with other international artiste which is a plus on its own", he said.

As popular as Cobhams is among the Nigerian artistes, he still desires to work with some Nigerian artistes but with reference to a particular legend. "There are still some great Nigerian artistes I will love to work with but first is Onyeka Onwenu. I grew up listening to lots of her stuff. She is amazing." Internationally, he will love to work with Don Moen and other 'Integrity Music' artiste.

One of his aspirations is to help develop the music industry and put it on the world map. Funny enough, he doesn't have any regret in life. "Regrets? I can't remember any. Growing up was fantastic". His greatest wish is far different from what we would have expected. "My greatest wish is to make a heaven and that is not even a wish. I need to work towards it. My greatest wish is to keep my happiness. Am not sure I want to go about wishing. Most things in life happen as a result of work or prayer. God has already designed everything the way He wanted it. I just want to live a fulfilled life".

His production outfit, Cobhams Asuquo Productions (COMP), is currently into capacity building. They discover, nurture and expose talents. Once the artiste is good and there is space for him, they will work with him. The few on the list now are Pheel of Star Quest fame, Omolara Ayodeji, Jone of West Africa Idols and others. He didn't fail to tell us what we should expect from them. "Expect some of the best crop of artistes that has ever come out of Nigeria. The new breed of artistes who will do music the way it ought to be done. A new crop of artistes who has sought expression for a very long time and finally found it in an enabling environment to express music for what it is and not necessary for the commercial value but because it is what their heart is inclined to. They will express it and get paid for it. Just expect something extra-ordinary to hit the Nigerian music industry very soon", he said.

Make no mistake about it. Amidst all these, he found a true wife. The lady he got married to have been a recurring decimal in his life for some time and they are a good pair.
As part of the blessings of God in his life, he recently moved into a new house in Ogudu GRA, Lagos which now serves as his home and office. Trust me; one person, whose life never seizes to challenge me, is Cobhamz. Whenever I see him on the screen, I remember I don’t have an excuse; I must fulfill God’s purpose. I hope his story does that to you as well. Have a splendid day.

http://www.camp.com.ng/