Game Toppers

WIZKID and DAVIDO win big at MOBO awards.

2017-12-03T11:52:00.001-08:00

Wizkid

The Nigerian music industry and fans are still excited on the big wins by Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly known as Wizkid and David Adeleke popularly known as Davido at the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) awards which took place at First Direct Arena, Leeds, United Kingdom.

Wizkid emerged as the Best International Act while Davido won the Best African Act category.

Davido

Wizkid edged out accomplished stars like JayZ, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B amongst others to clinch the award.

Davido beat Wikid, Mr.Eazi, Maleek Berry, Sarkodie, Eugy, Juls and others to emerge tops in his category.

Notable personalities including Nigeria's president Muhammadu Buhari, former president Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senator Ben Bruce have sent congratulatory messages to Wizkid for the unprecedented feat. Wikid, id the first African artiste to win the award.

Interestingly, both artistes have had an ongoing feud of supremacy which has variously manifested on social media. In his congratulatory message, Nigerian artiste, Banky W, wrote;

"Wizkid and David are both extremely important to the Naija/African music movement and culture, and I personally HATE it when people try to make it seem like you have to choose one or the other,"

"There's enough room in the sky for all of our stars to fly, so instead of us encouraging a childish, petty narrative that never ends well(remember Pac/Biggie?), we should encourage all of our acts to be all they can be. I don't wanna choose. Why should I have to?," he added.

Accentuating the Positive by Dr. Tony Alessandra

2016-09-02T12:48:00.003-07:00

It's been estimated that we each have upwards of 50,000 thoughts per day. How many of yours are negative? Sometimes you have to do a mental spring cleaning to get rid of those negative ones that have become ingrained attitudes. Stopping self-destructive thoughts is like stopping any other bad habit—it takes time and effort.

Among the most effective ways to do this are visualization and affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements about yourself that you repeat over and over in your head until they're programmed into your subconscious.

Visualization, or "imagineering" as Walt Disney called it, is mentally picturing yourself the way you want to be. You've heard the old saying "I'll believe it when I see it"? Well, the reverse is also true: "I'll see it when I believe it!" Affirmations and visualizations may not feel true at first. They may not even be true! But they can become so.

Consider what happens when you tell yourself over and over, "I'm lousy at remembering names." There will never be any improvement there. So if you catch yourself saying, "I'm terrible at remembering names," stop and immediately say to yourself, "I'm good at remembering names."

Or consider the effect of telling yourself, "I'm feeling pretty good today." Or "I can lose ten pounds." Or "I am good at getting people to see things my way." Anything you say to yourself over and over will actually influence your reality.

Writing down your affirmations in some handy place-above your desk, on your bathroom mirror, on the dashboard of your car-will help keep them in mind as well as in sight. Use affirmations and visualizations to project what success will feel like and look like. Imagine, in as much detail as you possibly can, how you feel as the boss singles you out for exceeding your quota, or how the audience hangs on your every word during your speech, or how your confident presence causes heads to turn everywhere you go.

-- Dr. Tony Alessandra

Picture Credit:5 Ssukhram Colony Blog

Where are you, in life, today?

2016-09-02T06:51:00.002-07:00

Apart from unforeseen events like natural and some man made disasters which contribute in setting people back in life; where we are , in our lives today, is often a consequence of the choices we made and failed to make.

Doing what needs to be done at the right time saves a lot of energy and guilt. Imagine, the rot we allow ourselves to get into, as many months and years go by, when we often know the right thing to do but fail to do it.

Bouncing back to regain these lost opportunities is often a mirage. Most of the things we need to do, in order to become successful are within our reach, but we allow neglect or procrastination to creep in, stealing our life's goodies.

According to, Jim Rohn, one of the greatest life coaches that lived, "not doing the things we know we should do causes us to feel guilty and guilt leads to an erosion of self-confidence. As our self-confidence diminishes, so does the level of our activity. And as our activity diminishes, our results inevitably decline. And as our results suffer, our attitude begins to weaken. And as our attitude begins the slow shift from positive to negative, our self-confidence diminishes even more... and on and on it goes."

Make a decision today. Would you keep neglecting to do what is needful? Or, do you want to be where you ought to be in life, because, you have done the needful? The choice is yours, to make.

Picture credit; Fursysusa

30 Fun Facts Every Cristiano Ronaldo Fan Should Know

2016-08-25T23:25:00.001-07:00

By Jan Dizon Tech Times

( Cristiano Ronaldo/Facebook )

Even if you're not much of a sports fan, you would have been living under a rock not to notice such a fine specimen of a man -- and I'm not just speaking for the ladies, men admire him too for his sportsmanship and skills. And really, it is quite remarkable to watch him on the field.

Whether you are a die-hard fan or just merely curious, this 6-packed abs hunk, who sometimes may come off as arrogant, has more to offer besides being Real Madrid's player and one of the world's most decorated and popular athlete.

(Photo : Cristiano Ronaldo/Facebook)

Here are some facts you need to know about Cristiano Ronaldo.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was named after U.S. President, Ronald Reagan who was his father's favorite actor, and whom he greatly admired.

2. Cristiano is the youngest child of José Dinis Aveiro and his wife, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro. He was born in Madeira, Portugal on February 5, 1985 making him 30 years old. Happy Birthday!

3. As a young boy Ronaldo had some not-so manly nicknames:

"When he got home from school I'd tell him to do homework but he'd say he didn't have any. I'd be making dinner and he would jump out of the window and run off until late. He used to cry when he passed and his friends didn't score. People called him 'cry-baby' and 'little bee' because nobody could catch him," Dolores Aveiro said.

4. At 15 years old Cristiano was diagnosed with a condition called racing heart. He had an operation that used a laser to cauterize the area of his heart that caused the problem. The operation enabled him to continue his training and love affair with football.

5. In his teen years, Ronaldo would train in the gym using weights on either of his feet and then dribble with the ball. He figured that training with the weights would improve his game to make him faster.

6. 130 km per hour is the speed of Ronaldo's free kick.

7. Ronaldo's jump generates five times more power than that of a wild Cheetah as it jumps in full flight. This speed allows him to reach a height of 44cm in the air, which is more than what an average NBA player can do.

8. If you think you're a gym buff - Ronaldo lifts about 23,055 kgs of total weight during his training session, which basically is like lifting a total of 16 Toyota Prius cars.

9. Ronaldo credits his start and success to his close friend Albert Fantrau who passed up a goal during a youth club game so that Ronaldo would be the one to be accepted into the Academy from Sporting (Lisbon). When Ronaldo asked him why he did it, he simply said, "You're better than me."

Even though his childhood friend is now unemployed, Fantrau now lives like a rich man with a house, and car. When asked how he maintains his lifestyle, Fantrau smiles and replies, "It's from Cristiano."

10. Ronaldo signed a profitable contract with Real Madrid that made him the highest paid football player in the world.

11. Ronaldo's is said to have paid for the cancer treatment of a 9-year-old boy showing that this man has a generous and compassionate heart.

12. "We've had some fantastic No. 7s, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, some wouldn't want that jersey but his confidence was high even at 18. When he made his debut as substitute against Bolton he took the place by storm," said Sir Alex Ferguson as he handed Ronaldo the No. 7 Shirt.

13. 2006 saw Ronaldo debut his fashion boutique in Madeira, Portugal. The shop called CR7 is his initials and his shirt number.

14. In 2008 CR7 opened a boutique in Lisbon where he included jeans with leather pockets, patented buckled loafers and diamond-studded belts.

15. Unlike many sports stars today, Ronaldo has no tattoos and has no desire to get one anytime soon as he regularly donates blood.

16. Ronaldo also does not smoke or drink alcohol as his father died at the age of 52 from alcoholism and he also deems it will affect his playing.

17. There is a university in Canada that offers a sociology course about Cristiano Ronaldo.

18. In July 3, 2010 Ronaldo announced the birth of his son and requested his privacy when he posted a reference on his official Facebook and Twitter pages. Ronaldo has full custody of his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.

19. In June 2010 Ronaldo became the fourth footballer to be represented at Madame Tussauds waxwork in London.

20. We all know Ronaldo is fast. But did you know that he's REALLY fast. He recently went up against and defeated the Spanish sprinter Angel David Rodriquez in a zigzag spring challenge.

21. Ronaldo's talent already shined at 11-years of age.

"When he got the ball he went past two or three players. At the end of the game the players gathered around him, they knew he was a special kid," his first coach at Sporting Lisbon, Paulo Cardoso said.

22. Ronaldo does 3,000 abs per day, talk about a workout!

23. Ronaldo's achievements include, FIFA World Player of the year award, Ballon d'OR, the Golden Boot, and he has been named the UEFA Club Forward of the Year.

24. Cristiano is regarded as one of the two best players in the world within his generation. Ronaldo plays an attacking role. Most often he plays either a striker or as a winger. He is also widely known for his finishing, pace, dribbling, positioning, crossing and free kick ability.

25. Ronaldo's body fat is at 10% making him a perfect sprinting machine.

26. In November 2012, Ronaldo gave money to fund schools for children in Gaza which he got when he sold the golden boot he had won in 2011 for €1.5 million. The next month, he joined FIFA's '11 for Health' program that raised awareness among kids so they can be equipped to stay away from drug addiction HIV, obesity and malaria.

27. The Museu CR7 in Funchal. Portugal is a museum dedicated to Ronaldo and contains his rare photos, medals, trophies and other items related to him.

28. In 2008 Ronaldo set a record of goals scored at 42, this earned him the FIFA World of the Year honor.

29. In 2003 Manchester United signed Ronaldo and paid him £12 million, indeed a record amount for a player his age.

30. In December 2007 Cristiano's autobiography, Moments, was published.

Culled from Tech Times

CRISTIANO RONALDO WINS 2016 UEFA BEST PLAYER

2016-08-25T23:18:00.001-07:00

In not a surprising way to cap up his exploits in the 2016UEFA Champions league and Euro 2016; Cristiano Ronaldo emmerged UEFA's Europe player of the year for 2016.

The Real Madrid forward beat team-mate Gareth Bale and Athletico Madrid striker, Antoine Greizman in the voting to emerge tops.

Ronaldo, 31, in a sensational season,scored the winning penalty for Real in the Champions League final against Atletico and captained Portugal to Euro 2016 glory in July

In his acceptance speech, Ronaldo, the greatest soccer playing cyborg, ever made or animated, mentioned that he beat finalist/Real team mate Gareth Bale in the Euro semifinal and finalist/France and Athletico Madrid forward Antoine Greizmann in the Champions Leage and Euro finals.

This is the second time the hard working winger would emerge UEFA'S BEST PLAYER IN Europe.He towered above his main rival, Lionell Messi last season through his achievements for his club and country.

Photo credit: Claude Paris/AP

How an obscure Nigerian ex-player became one of English soccer’s most powerful men

2016-04-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

This piece was published in Quartz Africa in December 2015 soon after Jose Mourinho was sacked as Coach of Chelsea Football Club. Michael Emenalo, a former Nigerian international who featured for the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the USA'94 world cup remained as a backroom staff of the club after Mourinho's exit. Today, the little known Nigerian ex-player has become one of the most powerful men in Chelsea FC rising from a chief scout to the Technical Director of the club.

The piece below will fire up discerning minds and further buttress the saying that, 'it does not matter, where you come from. What matters is where you are going to.'

Michael Emenalo, is indeed, on top of his game. Enjoy the piece.

Chelsea's Mike Emenalo attends a team training session when he was assistant coach in 2010. (Reuters/Eddie Keogh)

In the last few days, the news of Jose Mourinho’s sacking has been the biggest news in world soccer. The manager, just over two years into his second stint at Chelsea, was fired after a poor run of results which had left the league champions and its expensively assembled squad facing the humiliating prospect of being involved in a scrappy battle to avoid relegation from the English Premier League.

While Mourinho’s name and cult personality has dominated the headlines, Michael Emenalo, a Nigerian ex-international who is now Chelsea’s technical director, has also come into the limelight, so much so that some fans are even calling for his head. For someone with, at best, an average professional football career, his rise to become a close and trusted ally of Russian billionaire and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and one of the most powerful men in football is quite remarkable.

Emenalo’s football career began in 1985 at Enugu Rangers, one of Nigeria’s oldest football clubs and a year later he enrolled at Boston University where his academic ability impressed university officials who advised him to pursue a career in law rather than professional football. Emenalo chose football and his professional career spanned two continents and six clubs. His international career saw him turn out 14 times for the Super Eagles with his best moments being appearances at the 1994 World Cup against Argentina and Greece. Mostly anonymous and away from the spotlight, Emenalo endured a journeyman football career mostly with clubs in lower divisions in Europe.

Retiring from active football in 2000 after turning out for Israeli club, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Emenalo returned to the United States where he eventually joined the Tucson Soccer Academy as director of player development in 2006. But Emenalo did not stay in the role too long as only a year later he was offered a route to the big time by Avram Grant, his former coach at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Grant had been hired by Chelsea in 2007 to replace Jose Mourinho after the Portuguese was sacked in his first stint at the club. Following his appointment, Grant brought in Emenalo as Chelsea’s chief opposition scout, a role he held till 2010 when he replaced Ray Wilkins as Chelsea’s assistant coach. Twelve months later, Emenalo landed his big break as he was appointed as the club’s technical director thrusting him into a key role as he became in charge of overseeing recruitment strategy and shaping the club’s playing personnel. Emenalo’s work as technical director has been crucial to changing Chelsea’s financial model as the club, in light of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rule which prevented clubs from spending beyond their revenue margins, could no longer solely depend on the deep pockets of its Russian billionaire owner.

The highlight of Mike Emenalo’s playing career was at the 1994 World Cup. Here he is, for Nigeria, up against Italian superstar Roberto Baggio.(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inevitably, his role meant constant interaction with Roman Abramovich. Now a prominent member of Chelsea’s board, Emenalo stands out as the only member with tangible football experience. The other members, Bruce Buck, Eugene Tenenbaum and Marina Granovskaia all have long standing personal or business relationships with Abramovich leaving Emenalo as the man with unique football insight and thus earning the trust of Abramovich on football related matters at the club.

It’s an important role at a club where the owner has spent liberally. After an initial outlay of £140 million to purchase Chelsea Football Club in 2003, Abramovich has now spent up to £2 billion on the club. As the club’s financial model evolved, Abramovich’s investment also changed from hand-outs to interest-free loans now valued at more than a billion pounds. The club itself had run up cumulative losses of around $1 billion in in 10 years to 2014/15 season. Most of those losses come from expensive player signings which now comes under Emenalo’s role as technical director.

Operating as a buffer between the board and the manager, Emenalo has become a powerful man at Chelsea thus limiting the powers of the manager. In 2013, when the news of Mourinho’s return was confirmed, Emenalo offered to resign (paywall) knowing that Mourinho might be averse to the club’s new structure which limits his powers but as a testament to his rise in stature, Abramovich turned down his resignation. In the aftermath of Mourinho’s sacking, when the club needed to make a strong statement to clear the air on circumstances surrounding the Portuguese’s departure, it was Emenalo, who was put forward.

“It was a decision taken to protect the interests of the club,” Emenalo said during an interview with Chelsea’s own cable TV channel. “While there is huge sentiment for the individual, who has done so much for the club, the fact remains Chelsea football club is in trouble. The results have not been good. There obviously seemed to be a palpable discord between manager and players and we feel it was time to act. The owner is forced to make what was a very tough decision for the good of the club.”

Chelsea fans, dominated by Mourinho loyalists, were upset Emenalo never even mentioned by the former manager by name, at times referring to Mourinho as “the individual”.

As the dust around Mourinho’s sacking settles, it appears more likely Emenalo had a more of a say in the final decision than was previously imagined. In less than a decade, the little known Nigerian ex-international has gone from simply being a member of the club’s backroom staff to deciding the fate of the most successful manager in the club’s history. Even though Emenalo has come in for severe criticism from Chelsea fans who remain hugely sentimental towards Mourinho, he retains the trust of Roman Abramovich who, going by all indications, possibly considers Emenalo to be the new ‘Special One’.

You’ll Never Grow Unless

2014-08-17T07:31:00.004-07:00

Thanks to Bella Naija. Game Toppers brings to you a new piece by Nigerian model, actor and TV personality that Uti Nwachukwu, wrote exclusively for Bella Naija .

The 32-year-old who recently celebrated his birthday in South Africa, previously penned an article about not carrying vultures into your new life.

In “You’ll Never Grow Unless…”, he talks about moving to a place of success and more.

Read;
Yeah, the headline caught your attention didn’t it?

Sounds like the curse of an angry relative, spouse, friend, abi?

The truth is…you will never grow unless you show that you are ready for the blessings by rising above your current situation.

Sitting at a popular lounge in Lagos, I watch a group of girls all well dressed chatting, laughing, toasting to life and saying “we run this town” even breaking into the Rihanna chorus. Now that’s a LOL moment.

Not far off is also a group of young men in designer apparel throwing it up with 10 buckets of champagne and shouting “where ya rozay..show me ya rozay (rosé)”.
1.) Fiction: Wow! These peeps are living the life and their dreams
2.) Fact: Na only one person dey pay all the bills while others are follow follow, pose pose
3.) Worst Case Scenario: They finish partying, have no money to pay and leave their phones or car keys behind till they settle their bills.

Permit me to laugh out loud at this point : bwaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaah.

Okay that’s done….

It amazes me how people with crowd mentality are constantly waiting for that super natural blessing to come and take them out of their current situation. Comparing themselves with the leader of the group while they wait to covet.

Really, you are praying and fasting? And then you go back to your clique to pretend to pop rosé and run this town? Wake Up!

Especially the young generation today, are you kidding me?

Okay, let’s say you get a blessing, how are you going to handle it? How will you cater for it?

The same you that will say “Ah I won’t go through this or that or suffer ‘cos God will not give me something I cant handle”. Exactly!

If you show God that you are an irresponsible little pretentious spoiled brat, how do you expect him to load you with blessings fit for a king?

Just imagine leaving your only child in the care of a baby sitter that allowed 6 puppies to die under her care. Your answer is as good as mine.

Then there is the clique mentality. Show me one HUGELY SUCCESSFUL man that became successful while being part of a clique?

Show me one that became successful, then joined or started a clique and remained or became more successful? (Even music bands split and only 1 becomes the star).

Names anyone? Talk Nah? Oh your still thinking abi? Ponder some more while I go on.

To succeed, you have to rise above the clique. In my other article, I said to rise you have to die a little on the inside, you have to be broken…alone! Yes no man is an island I know I know, I’m not saying be a recluse o. Not at all.

But I’m saying you cannot move and live in a clique constantly. Have times you set out for friends.Don’t make it a lifestyle.

Do you know only one person can cause you chronic delay? (Remember Abraham and Lot?…. Your eyes are opening now ba?)

If you are in a clique now. Think of how much progress (legit) you have gotten with your so called ”hommies and babes”. Yeah your starting to realize?

Success, failure and stagnancy are highly infectious! How many people will sit and watch you make it out of the clique and leave them behind? You are dreaming, if you think it’s a reality.

I Uti Nwachukwu have been on both sides. And for every time a new chapter was to begin, I often found myself in a place where not a lot of people are around me, a time where the things that excite the juvenile become boring, a time where spending time with God became deeper, and then BOOM! New blessings! New Doors, My new Chapter.

You cannot be irresponsible and expect God to give you the responsibility that comes with being blessed. If you do not know how to manage yourself at NOTHING, then SOMETHING will never come to past in your life.

You will see that you will continue to live the false life of complacency and the false hope of the lazy man.

It’s time to rise up! Rise above the life of cliques! Start doing something no matter how small, sober up.

Take the bull by the horns. Stop being a liability to people and move on to the new friends till they too get tired of you.

Start being a provider and cater for your own self and your family and be a helper to someone.

I’m no pastor or shrink, I’m just a man who learns from everyday experiences and shares with the lives of people whom God has decided to use me to touch.

A word is enough for the wise. Start now before it gets too late. Try it and see how once again you shall rise like the Phoenix from the ashes of your past mistakes with the lessons as the wind with which you shall glide upon with the help of God.

And remember…
It always begins with a choice.

Picture: courtesy, aprokocity.com

Our Thoughts are Powerful

2014-07-29T09:50:00.002-07:00

Determine from the moment you stop reading this to fill your mind only with positive and happy thoughts. Do it in such a way that whenever a negative limiting thought creeps into your mind, you fight it and replace it with positive and reassuring thoughts. Get back to this blog after about three hours and drop your feedback.

Our thoughts affects us in many ways. They affect our emotional state and also determine what we do or say to people. A life of constant gratitude generates positive thoughts. If we constantly worry about our past or a future event that has not even occurred then we have negative thoughts.

Positive thoughts refreshes the body and create healing. It produces joy in our lives. Positive thoughts reduce stress in our lives.

Thoughts affect our heart rate. When you are afraid or embarrassed, it shows on your face. Likewise when you are joyful, your face glows. It shows that our mind and body are interconnected.

Because our thoughts are powerful and determine what happens to us, we must control them. Why get disturbed over a future event that has not even occurred? What if it never happens?

Choosing our thoughts will help us dwell on the kind of thoughts that count. Always evaluate your thoughts and consider what your next thought would be.

When you learn to consciously control your thoughts by replacing negative mindset with positive thoughts, you would find out that you have extra energy to work out every day.

Negativity is captivity. Run away from it. Watch your thoughts, they determine your actions, which determine your behaviour.

Your thoughts rule your world.

Picture: courtesy, www.thisdrenchedsky.org

SUPER EAGLES: THIS IS THE TIME TO SHINE AGAIN!

2014-06-16T12:18:00.001-07:00

Twenty years ago, Nigerians sat glued to their television sets, apprehensive and expectant, wondering what would be the outcome of the nation's first game in FIFA(Federation of International Football Association) world cup, USA 94. The Super Eagles surpassed expectations by pundits as they thrashed highly rated Bulgaria which had the likes of Hristo Stoichkov by three unreplied goals.

Today, Nigerians are expectant again. There is also a level of apprehension because the Super Eagles team have not been spectacular in their pre-world cup friendly games. The 1994 team which paraded the likes of Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Daniel Amuneke, Jay Jay Okocha, Uche Okechukwu and Finidi George were rated the fifth best team in the world this is as compared to the present Eagles who are rated 44th in the world according to FIFA rankings.

However, there are some similar scenarios between the 1994 Super Eagles and the present crop of Super Eagles. Both teams went to the world cup as African Champions having won the preceding African Cup of Nations. Also, the coaches in-charge stayed over two years taking charge of the team before the world cup. Clemens Westerhorf took over as Super Eagles Coach in 1990, four years to USA 94 FIFA world cup while Stephen Keshi has been in charge of the Super Eagles since 2012.

Nigerian Football authorities have a reputation for easily firing and hiring coaches. Bora Mulitinovic , Adegboye Onigbinde and Lars Largerback were hired to coach the Super Eagles to the France 98, Japan/Korea 2002 and South Africa 2010 FIFA world cups respectively a few months if not weeks before the world cup.

The die is cast as Nigeria faces Iran tonight. Will the Super Eagles win this game? The last game the Super Eagles won in the FIFA world cup was against Bulgaria in the 1998 world cup. With Argentina in Nigeria's group in a fourth world cup, this is the time to win Argentina, not because Super Eagles have the best talent but because of pride and the 'Naija spirit'

Brazil 2014:

This is the time to shine again. Go Super Eagles! Go! Fly in Brazil.

Do not Let People Define You by Your Failures

2014-02-05T01:07:00.000-08:00

I sat perplexed as I heard his story. His songs re-echoed in my head. I could imagine him playing the guitar. Every touch on the string brought out melodious music, so inspiring; touching me deep down in my soul. Yes, I could say that even my bone marrows were shaken. He sang those songs that have become favourites in church choirs in Nigeria.

"I ran away from school. It was so unbearable. I had got an extra year in the university and so I returned to school to face it. It was necessary that my extra semester courses had to be up to fifteen credit units... "

He kept quiet again. He was still staring into space. Then he took a deep breath, turned his head and stared right into my eyes.

"But I failed again, seven credit units in all."

What he said, hit me. My heart was racing. I had thought my own story was the worse.

"That was when I ran away."

I thought about his running away. I could imagine his strides as he raced to nowhere in particular. But that was not what he meant. This was a young man born with a silver spoon who was privileged to be an undergraduate of one of the best private universities in the country.

"I was frustrated. I saw myself as a failure. If it were even a third class degree or pass, at least I would have something to show for my years in the higher institution."

I readjusted on my seat. I brought my arms closer to my chest. My heart was racing fast. As I folded my arms, I was able to calm my anxiety.

"Home was hell. Nobody saw anything good in me. I got no single encouragement. My father saw me as cursed . "

He paused. Then he looked at me again.

"I will never forget the day my father took me to a white garment church for prayers. Oh! that day..." he shook his head, "they beat the hell out of me."

I thought about who he was today. He had performed in major concerts. He had links with the best music producers and entertainment bigwigs in the country. I could remember seeing his pictures with Cobhams Asuquo and Wale Adenuga. These are great minds he had worked with.

"Those songs you so much love were written when I was at the deepest pit in life. There were what I used to encourage myself when I felt the world had rejected me."

I was not alone, I could remember how I often felt like an outcast back home because my parents were looking down on me. I had an extra year to contend with in a public university at a time when my younger ones who had attended private universities had both graduated. Now, I had seen someone who had a worse story to tell.

"In all of these things, God has been so kind to me." He said, as he patted his hands on my back.

Yes, he was right. I beamed with smiles, I was lifted.

We were two of a kind. Though we were both undergraduates of Mathematics in our various schools, it was my love for music that got me to know him. While I was going to face my extra year courses, as soon as the lecturers in Nigerian universities call off their strike action, he had given up on his own. Then I thought about my church choir. I was going to lead the worship session on Sunday. I knew his story was going to reverberate all over me when I sing. The world needs to hear his story.

This is not a time to give up on your dreams. Even if the people closest to you have written you off. It is time to tell yourself that you have what it takes to excel. There are people out there that you are better than. Follow your passions and do not let people define you by your failures. That you failed does not mean you are a failure. Brace yourself up and believe. The forces of nature will work in your favour when you persistently determine and work to succeed.

And do not forget, just as my good friend said in his story, 'in all of these things, God will be kind to you.'

Thanks to my friend Mercy, for telling me his story.

Picture, courtesy: strawberriesinheels.blogspot.com

Andy Murray Shines

2013-07-08T23:34:00.004-07:00

Andy Murray played out his heart to winhis first Wimbledon title and ended Britain's 77-year wait for a men's champion with a hard-fought victory over world number one Novak Djokovic.

The 26 year old Scot converted his fourth championship point game to win 6-4 7-5 6-4 and claim his second major title in a dramatic final .

As the game was on, Andy Murray had already captured the hearts of majority of the 15,000 spectators on Centre Court and thousands watching on the big screen nearby and millions more around the country.

This victory has once again brought Murray to spotlight after he won the Olympic gold at the London 2012 Olympics. Andy Murray, is indeed, on top of his game.

Picture: Courtesy, independent.co.uk

A Toast for Neymar

2013-07-08T23:33:00.003-07:00

The 2013 FIFA Confederations cup may have come and gone but the memories of great football artistry displayed by Neymar, the Brazilian wonder boy who eventually emerged as the most valuable player of the tournament is still in our minds.

Barcelona FC is so lucky to have sported and signed on this prodigy because his value would have sky-rocketed after the FIFA Confederations cup.

Neymar helped Brazil to lift the FIFA Confederations cup for the third consecutive time. No doubt Neymar da Silva Santos Júnio, 21 is on top of his game.

Picture: Courtesy, totalbarca.com

Find a Reason to Succeed

2013-05-27T14:04:00.002-07:00

“You can never beat Ukyi,” Akpa told me. Ukyi was the overall best pupil in my form in the last term examinations and it was obvious to everyone of us that she was very bright.

Ukyi joined my class when her parents enrolled her in my school and even though she came just a few weeks to our exams, she outshined me in our examinations.

Akpa’s remark hit me. It was a challenge. My heart started racing and my temperature rose. How could Akpa draw this conclusion? Yes, Ukyi was brilliant but does that mean she would beat me a third time?

I looked at Akpa and made a hand gesture moving forward my open palms to him saying, “Bet me, I will beat her in our third term exams.”

Akpa did not hesitate to tap my palms with his but that was after he laughed out loud. He shrugged, laughed again and said, “I am telling you. You will see.”

“No way,” I said. I meant every word I said.

And when it was the day for the school’s graduation and award ceremony which usually comes up after the last exams for the session, the names of the best three students in each form were called out for prizes. It got to my form and it was time to announce the best pupil. My heart beat was racing, yet I was so sure I was going to be the one.

And a loud ovation greeted the announcement of my name. I was over joyed and moved to the stage to shake the school’s head mistress and the bishop who found my school. I felt a great sense of accomplishment as I clutched my prize.

As I tried to figure out where my father sat, Akpa rushed to me beaming with smiles. “Ol’ boy, you too much!” he said and shook me vigorously. “I didn’t know you could beat Ukyi,” he added. Akpa’s challenge had made me so engrossed in my studies that I forgot what he had told me in the beginning of the term. I smiled and I felt good.

It happened several years ago but it still beats my mind on how a challenge can bring out the best in us. Akpa’s remark that Ukyi was way better than me, academically; peeved me. I felt that way, not because I disliked him or Ukyi but because he felt so sure that I could not. So I had to prove that I can!

Life usually gives us back what we put in it. I was diligent and it paid off with success. A reason triggered off that diligence. It was Akpa’s challenge.

Indeed, our lives would become more fruitful if we find reasons to bring out our best. Imagine the joy and glory that comes with success. Yes, when you build that your dream house, when you pay off your debts, when you find your dream wife, when you write that book, when you start running that fledging business ..name it!

Picture yourself living the kind of life you want and let it be the reason why you have to work smart and hard. Do not brush off that jeer by a colleague who says you cannot when you know you have what it takes, even though it looks difficult. Let that be your reason to ‘fight’ for your success.

Consider the rising number of unemployed people out there; some of them just need the right contacts to find a good job while others need capital to start a business and some others just need the right motivation and mentorship. You could be that influential friend that can make a phone call and link one of them with a job. You could be the philanthropist that can give one of them financial empowerment to start up. You might the person whose story can inspire them to go out and do something that would make them succeed. Imagine the value your success can add to one of them.

Think about it, your life would make more meaning when you find a reason to succeed.

Picture, courtesy: matthewdavisvisuals.com

Staying on Top of Your Game: Lessons From MTN

2013-04-23T08:57:00.004-07:00

MTN is business savvy and that makes them stand out. They understand Nigerian business terrain better. At a time ECONET(now Airtel) was busy trying to build strong facilities in a few cities, MTN spread their tentacles to many towns. Their network service were not reliable, but Nigerians who were long waiting for GSM services rushed for their sim cards. Few years later, they reinforced their facilities in those towns after making quick money.

When MTN got the sole right to sponsor Who Wants to Be a Millionaire(Nigeria),they made sure you can only apply(text or call) to participate in the show, exclusively from an MTN line. It was not so when Vmobile alongside UBA and Orange Drugs(Delta Soap) were sponsors of the game show. Vmobile failed to realize the potentials of the show.

And a few years ago, when the newest entrant, Etisalat and later, Airtel, were crashing call tariff to win new customers, MTN stayed put. But suddenly, MTN came up with MTN super save and other packages giving even lesser call tariffs. They won back most of their subscribers.

Last night, I saw a brand new commercial from MTN advertising the recently activated number portability scheme. And who was on set? It was none other than Hafiz Oyetoro popularly known as Saka. The actor, well known for his comic roles in English and Yoruba home videos and sitcoms, not too long ago featured in several Etisalat adverts. Saka brought life to these adverts. His expression, "like my wife o" where he opted for an Etisalat package that gave a lot of freebies used by his wife in one of the adverts easily comes to mind.

This is another good business move by MTN who have been receiving a lot of backlash from subscribers, some of whom have advocated switching to other networks. It is likely that MTN offered Saka a better deal after his contract with Etisalat was not renewed. Or maybe his deal with Etisalat was just per advert. No doubt, Saka, is a lot richer, after this commercial.

While I commend the MTN boardroom for understanding Nigerian business terrain better and making smart business moves, I believe the best business move, they can make in the long term is to reinforce their facilities and improve their network.

But for now. I admire their insight, hindsight and foresight. No wonder, they are on top of their game.

Enjoy the advert video clip below. Saka don port! Saka don upgrade to MTN. See the effects they achieved with the lights. Saka's attire changed from green to yellow. An impressive advert and a smart media weapon by MTN. I love the 'kirikata' dance too!

Pictures, courtesy: Brandwork Nigeria, PilotAfrica.com

Get Out of that Comfort Zone!

2012-04-20T17:00:00.004-07:00

He was working in a government hospital as a medical doctor. He did not like the monotonous nature of the job. He detested coming to work every day and waiting for his pay cheque at the end of the month. He came from a family where most of his relatives shunned payed employment jobs because they prefer to start their own outfits.

Working for government most of his life and settling down for gratuity and pension did not appeal to him. He felt 'running his own show' will make him think harder and come up with more initiatives and creativity in the course of his work.

It was two years down the line, after he got his employment letter to work at Charanchi in Katsina State and he was not finding the job exciting.

It was not an easy thing to do but he had made up his mind...

And he threw in the towel. He went on to start a his private clinic at Katsina, the capital city of the state. The reactions he got from most of his colleagues and superiors were "Are you crazy?" "You are playing with your career" "You have just ruined your future." His determination made him turn deaf ears to their cautions.

"The first six months was hell. I only had a few patients patronizing the clinic. I was spending a lot of money running the clinic as compared to the little income."

"Many people failed me. A relative that promised to give me a loan came up with excuses. Another friend that had promised to deliver some equipment to me disappointed me."

He had to sell his car to pay some debts he accrued. He was between the devil and the deep blue sea.

"At a stage, I had to give out my apartment to someone interested to refund me the money I paid and I moved into one the rooms in the place I rented for me clinic." He said, as he recounted his experience.

He needed to achieve the dream. It was the same dream that led him to take the risky decision that made him quit his job. Unfortunately, with the turn of events, the dream looked distant and bleak. But he had been a dogged fighter all his life and he needed to prove his friends that thought he was crazy, wrong.

Where there moments that he thought of quitting? "Yes," he replied, "but I had no escape route because 'I had burnt my bridges and there was no going back."

"My big break came about a year after, during the cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak in the north," he said, "the vaccine was scarce and I was fortunate to have some in stock."

" A trailer load of infected patients from the border towns and Niger republic were brought to my clinic and the government public health officials were ready to buy the vaccines even at more than four times the cost."

"The work was so hectic at this period but it payed off and I still had more patients to administer the vaccines even after I ordered more drugs from Lagos."

Less than two months afterwards, he bought another car and started making arrangements to move into a new and better apartment. His clinic started booming. The disease outbreak had made it more popular and many patients had come to gain confidence in him. Today, he has a hospital and many thriving investments. He has also built a strong reputation as a general practitioner.

When he was asked about his colleagues way back his days as a government employee, he replied: "Oh! they are doing marvelously well. Many of them are getting set for retirement and some are already through and waiting for their gratuity. Many of them now commend me and salute my courage."

He braved the odds and he took a difficult situation that paid off. Everyone cannot be like him, it all depends on your mindset and what you want in life. But you could be succeed like him if you are convinced that you need to 'run your own show.'

Perhaps you are tired of your 9 to 5 job and your monthly pay cheque that is barely enough for you. You may have been nursing a dream about a business venture or project. Calculate the risks; now might just be the right time to take a leap of faith.

It is your life; live it to the fullest and it matters that you reach and stay on top of your game!

Picture, courtesy: networkequipment.net and southern4life.blogspot.com

You Have a Bright Future!

2012-04-19T11:52:00.004-07:00

I watched him limp around the clinic at various times to get a device for one procedure or another. Merie was a master of his art. The fact that he was physically challenged did not diminish his work because he was never found wanting.

"I have a bright future and God will keep taking me to a higher level," he told me, as we discussed when he finished seeing the patients at hand. It was obvious that he never or rarely thought about his disabilities. He told me about work, his young family, the wife that God blessed him with and how her prayers enabled him secure his a job at a time that getting employed was difficult because of the global economic meltdown.

As I watched and listened to Merie, I seemed to forget most of my headaches because they all appeared to be trivialities. I could walk straight, I could speak and hear well, I was physically alright but just the night before, I stayed awake for several hours thinking about the things I needed to get done. My problems turned to a flash in the pan as I looked at this young man who had to endure a remarkable physical challenge caused by poliomyelitis infection, which he contracted when he was just an infant.

"In my second year in the University, I made up my mind to quit. It was just too unbearable. I was the one training myself." His face was expressionless as he spoke, "My faculty head advised me against it. I persevered by combining studies and petty trading. And the rest is now history."

He had stubbornly refused to join a relative to learn a trade, instead he set up a barber shop to raise funds. "I had to use my little savings to buy a hair clipper.It was from the money I made from my shop, situated under a tree shed that I was able to take my senior school certificate and university matriculation exams."

My mind wandered to the various possibilities that could have taken place in the life of my friend had it been he did not set his mind on his ambition and persevered against all odds. He is an eye doctor today. Indeed, like he says and believes, he has a bright future.

Many of us are more advantaged physically. A great majority of us did not have to toil to train ourselves in the course of higher education. Yet we keep dwelling our minds on the things we do not have. Many times we go about as if life has short changed us. We worry, we play the blame game-forgetting our strengths and the opportunities that life has offered us.

A lot of lessons can be learned from Merie's life: Your present challenge does not mean you are finished, it is just a phase and your attitude as you face it, matters a lot. We would better enjoy our lives when we stop looking at limitations. Whether you are well or physically challenged; whether you are black or white; whether you are wealthy or just surviving or whether you are educated or illiterate- it is never too late to get your fire back and live your best life.

You can start it now by eliminating negative confirmations and limiting thoughts! For a start, you can take a cue from our friend Merie; say it and believe it, "I have a bright future and God will keep taking me to higher level !"

As you face your life and daily tasks with diligence and this kind of positive mindset, it would push you to rise above those limitations that have always held you back.

You have a bright future! You will win!

Picture, courtesy: dreamstime.com

Goodbye Whitney

2012-02-19T07:00:00.003-08:00

She had one of the most beautiful voices ever. She conveyed the emotions that her songs portrayed, so well, that the listener feels it deep inside. Such was the kind of connection that fans of Whitney Houston felt whenever her songs were played. Besides that, she was so beautiful and had the most charming of smiles.

As she is laid to rest, the world would miss a star-musician, actress, model, producer and one who many turned to the lyrics of her songs for solace and inspiration. Her music enabled many of us to have faith in ourselves. Those who were heartbroken found some comfort in her songs. The messages were uplifting and positive and taught us to believe in our dreams and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Houston was among the greatest singers of the 1980s and 1990s. She grew up surrounded by gospel and soul music legends like Franklin and Warwick. Her landmark hits brought R&B and gospel touches into pop music’s mainstream.After her debut, her popularity grew exponentially with her second album, “Whitney” (1987), with all four singles - “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”, “So Emotional”, “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” - hitting No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Whitney was a trail blazer.In the 1980, at a time when MTV(Music Television) was gaining grounds, it received harsh criticism for not playing enough videos by black artists. With Michael Jackson breaking down the color barrier for black male artists, Houston did the same for black female artists. Whitney Houston became the first black female artist to receive heavy rotation on the network following the success of the "How Will I Know" video. This opened doors for more female black artistes.Her 30-year career that peaked with her 1992 signature hit “I Will Always Love You” paved the way for a generation of singers that followed her.

According to the Guinness Book of records, Houston was the most awarded female artist of all time, with two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career awards as of 2010. She held the all-time record for the most American Music Awards of any female solo artist and shared the record with Michael Jackson for the most AMAs ever won in a single year with eight wins in 1994.Houston won a record 11 Billboard Music Awards at its fourth ceremony in 1993. She also had the record for the most WMAs won in a single year, winning five awards at the 6th World Music Awards in 1994.

Whitney Houston also excelled as an actress, acting in, The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale and Preacher's Wife. Her first acting role was as the star of the feature film The Bodyguard (1992). The film's original soundtrack won the 1994 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Its lead single "I Will Always Love You", became the best-selling single by a female artist in music history. With the album, Houston became the first act (solo or group, male or female) to sell more than a million copies of an album within a single week period.

From America to Asia to Australia to Europe and her roots, Africa, Whitney Houston's music brought joy to many. The musician, who started by singing in her church choir as a little girl and teenager was mentored by her mother, also a singer(gospel), Cissy Houston; and influenced by her cousins, Dionnie and Deedee Warwick and her adopted aunt, singer, Aretha Franklin.

Whitney, like all of us was not perfect, she faced various challenges like alcoholism, drugs and difficult relationships and marriage. She lived through them and was honest and genuine in the face of it. She died at a time many thought she was getting back on track.

Music was her life. Though her life was cut short at 48, while her music career blossomed, she was on top of her game. Her music lives on. She utilized her talent to the fullest and her passion for what she did was legendary, of which the records she set and the numerous awards she won testifies.

Goodbye Whitney!

Picture, courtesy: MTV, time.com, bellanaija, ukmix.org

The Magical Chipolopolo of Zambia

2012-02-15T18:32:00.001-08:00

Right from the onset of the 2012 Confederation of African Football(CAF), African Cup of Nations(AFCON) hosted by Equitorial Guinea and Gabon, followers of African football can attest to zeal and commitment of the 'Chipolopolo,' the Zambian national team. Though they played good football but many lovers of African football never believed that the uncolourful side, lacking big players and stars would make it to the finals of the competition not to talk of lifting the trophy; outwitting the tournament favourites, Ghana and Ivory Coast who are strong forces in African football.

Like their name, 'chipolopolo' which means copper bullets.The Zambian players who are little known, except for their long standing dedicated captain, Chris Katongo(Most Valuable Player of the 2012 AFCON), pelted the Ghanain and Ivorian teams with bullets, even 'shooting out' the biggest African players such as Asamoah Gyan, John Mensah, Didier Drogba and current African footballer of the year, Yaya Toure in the semi-finals and finals of the competition. The Zambian footballers had played together for several years, the likes of Chris Katongo, Kennedy Mweena, Joseph Musonda, Rainford Kalaba, Clifford Mulenga and others having played in the last four CAF African Nation's cup.This enabled them to understand themselves and play as a team instead of appearing as a disjointed side with players of individual brilliance.

Indeed, this underdog players proved book makers and analysts wrong. They do not need to be playing top-flight football in Europe and parade six figure earning players who have won many laurels before they can get to the top of African football.

While their story is a testimony of dedication, determination and a 'never say never spirit,' the pains that entire Zambian nation felt in April, 1993 after they lost a generation of promising footballers of the national team in an air crash soon after the air craft conveying 30 passengers including 18 players exploded after taking off from a stop in the Gabon capital of Libreville en route a world cup qualifying game with Senegal. 19 years after, the memories of the huge loss was still at the back of the mind of Zambians including the chipolopolo players, many of whom were school boys when the sad event occurred.

Zambia played all three group games, plus its quarterfinal and semifinal of the 2012 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea. They needed to get to the finals in order to play in Libreville, Gabon, just miles away from the spot where they lost their 1993 squad.

“There was just something about it,” goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene said. “With the tournament being here in Gabon we wanted to take part to honor those who were lost to our country. That made it extra special.”

“We could only get to Libreville by reaching the final, so we did it,” Coach Herve Renard told the Guardian’s Jonathan Wilson after an upset 1-0 win against Ghana in the semifinal. “There is something written that we have to go to play to honor the memories of the Zambia national team that died in 1993. It was catastrophic for the nation. The 12 million people of Zambia are waiting for us to go back to Libreville; immediately after we arrive, we will go to the place.”

And the Chipolopolo of Zambia, not only played in the finals of the 2012 AFCON in Libreville, Gabon; they took out time to visit the site of the 1993 crash, said prayers, laid flowers and derived some strength. To cap it all they lifted the the trophy of the competition that shows the best of African football. They wiped the tears their nation shed 19 years ago by tenaciously playing out their hearts on the pitch and wining after a penalty shoot out with Ivory Coast.

“This is magical, magical,” yelled striker Emmanuel Mayuka, one of only two Zambian players to ply his trade in Europe. The players knelt down forming a circle, sang praises and offered a prayer of thanksgiving immediately after they emerged victorious in the penalty shootout. Coach Renard carried injured Joseph Musonda in his arms from the sides and placed him beside other players to join in the prayers. Musonda shed tears when substituted in the early minutes of the finals after he sustained an injury. It was the most important game in his long standing career.

The players celebrated and hugged their mentor and 1993 veteran Kalusha Bwalya(the only member of the 1993 squad whose life was spared because he chose to fly from his base to join the squad for the game before the ill-fated air crash), now president of the nation’s soccer federation.

In one of the most touching moments of the final, Zambian coach Hervé Renard gave his winners medal to Zambian FA president Kalusha Bwalya. The Football Association of Zambian(FAZ) president, Kalusha Bwalya had implemented a long term vision, poling players from the under 20 and Under 23 sides to form the core of players of the future. He was undaunted by first round eliminations in the 2006 and 2008 AFCON. Today, his original four year plan for success has paid off.

Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene of Free State Stars in South Africa, strikers Emmanuel Mayuka of Swiss side Young Boys and CAF Player of the tournament Christopher Katongo from Henan FC in China were named into the team. TP Mazemba defender, Stoppila Sunzu was also named in the team. Mayuka also won the 2012 Africa Cup top scorers award on three goals based on assists.

The Zambian national football team moved 23 places up in the current Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) ranking to the 43rd in the world and 4th in Africa behind Ivory Coast, Ghana and Algeria.

Indeed the victory of the Chipolopolo of Zambia would remain one of those magical moments in African football.

Picture, courtesy: Associated Press

Let Our Children Dream Again

2011-12-14T02:48:00.000-08:00

Today, I choose to dwell my thoughts on children. The leaders of tomorrow-the future! The reason many parents run helter skelter everyday to make ends meet. They allow us see the good side of life and take each day with a smile. They are gifts from God.

Children are the often forgotten prides of a nation. They are the reason why governments of nations should consider the long time effects of their policies. But, sadly many world leaders especially those in the third world often forget about them in the scheme of things.

No wonder you do not need to look out of you car to see them hovering all around you at major roads whenever your car is forced to slow down because of potholes or traffic congestion. They stick their wares right into your car if your windows are open, urging you to buy their goods. And in the course of trying to exchange your money for their goods, if your driver is impatient and accelerates the car, you see them chasing the car to collect their money or catch it if it is thrown out from a high vehicle.

But I choose not to dwell my thoughts on sour experiences of children. My mind darts back to some merry experiences I had as a child. One that I look back and say, “If any child can dream big dreams and believe it, he or she can ‘work it’ and achieve it irrespective of challenges.” Then, we were still boys and we were proud that either one or both of our parents were staff of Federal School of Arts and Science, Ogoja.

We played football on the roads near the college’s sports centre. Two remnants from broken cement blocks placed ten paces of my foot apart formed the goal posts. They occupied the spots that the upright of a goal post would have been. Giggling, panting, focusing, kicking and aiming we chased around the round rubber which we fondly called flying carpet. We had no choice but to use the roads as our elder ones played their soccer games on the pitch nearby.

Nicknaming ourselves, we took names of local stars in our area or big stars we admired and this made us feel on top of the world. Hence, we screamed as we ran around the portion of the road serving as a soccer pitch calling out our adopted names. Popular names like Pele, Etim Esin, Goalkeeper Chukwuma, Shumaker, Maradona, Ruggeri, Chairman Christian Chukwu, Sam Okwaraji and other identities of reigning football stars and legends rent the air. The two opposing sides in the games were distinguished by those who wore shirts and those who wore none.

We abruptly stopped the soccer game when there was an oncoming car or motorcycle. If someone we liked was in the car, we saluted and cheered him or her, if it were someone we disliked we simply frowned or booed. Those who never allowed their kids to join us in a game, or those we considered stingy or strict never got our salutation. This added to the excitement as we played football with all our hearts on the road.

I could remember the day I sat on the gutter, close to a major road where boys often played soccer in the evening with a school mate in the Unity school I later attended. We talked about soccer stars and the big club sides and he clearly stated his desire for a big break, he said, “Okey, I dream of the day that I will play in the World cup, I love the quality of football there...I tell you, I will play in the World Cup one day”. He shook his head as he made that comment and I could see the burning passion in his eyes. Something in me believed him as I could recollect how he shined in soccer even back in our Primary school days.

I almost shed tears with joy when I saw the same schoolmate of mine, Bartholomew Ogbeche, in the starting line up of the Super Eagles in the Japan-Korea 2002 FIFA World cup game against Argentina. In a flash, I remembered that fateful afternoon. I saw a dream born, I saw a dream lived. Bartho, as we fondly call him may not be in the Super Eagles line up at the moment but he will always be a motivation. With such a zeal that catapulted him to stardom, I do not doubt his ability to bounce back to the highest echelon of soccer in the nearest future.

There are many children out there with dreams. But most of their dreams die and they fail to dream again because they are either talked out of it or fail to go far in its pursuit because of difficulties.

In our African society where mediocre leadership continues to exist, the future of our children is continually jeopardized. And their lives become full of turmoil as global population increases in our fast changing world.

Imagine a world without children. It will be a place where we would lack the innocence and cheerfulness of infants. It would be a world that would be devoid of continuity. It would be a boring place.

The challenge today, is for you and I. Let us become more interested in the plight of disadvantaged children. Let us show them a little kindness. A word of encouragement, taking out time to review their school work with them, teaching them good manners, giving them a gift that would add value to them would not cost us too much.

By doing so, we would be sowing good seeds into their future and it would be a step in tackling the woes of our children.

This post is part of a series inspired by the Prevent Abuse of Children Today (PACT) campaign, hosted by Stepping Stones Nigeria. Please add your name to the PACT petition to prevent abuse of innocent children in the Niger Delta and visit the site to find out more: www.makeapact.org

Let Your Words Bless..

2011-11-07T21:02:00.000-08:00

Dirty words are common these days. Some people say it out of frustration or uncertainty. While others are complacent about the effects of the words they have just spoken out of anger, envy and jealousy to others. In some instances it has become some people's lifestyle. But the benefits unto us and to others when we allow our words to 'bless' are so numerous.

To 'bless' someone means to better the person's lot. Bringing peace to another person's life is a blessing. Inspiring someone, bringing healing, good cheer and positive transformation to others are all ways of blessing others. In fact if your words leave someone better than you met him, you have served as a blessing. Dictionary.com defines to 'bless' as 'to bestow good of any kind upon'.

While the word 'bless' may be better known as offering a prayer for divine favour or to sanctify; what matters is the after effect, which is always good. Perhaps using the word 'uplift,' may grammatically better suit this context because according to Dictionary.com, to 'uplift,'means to improve socially, culturally, morally, or the like.

These days, the word 'bless' is increasing used. It is not unusual to hear someone say in appreciation, 'You have been a blessing to us!' Yes! People could say that to you just because of the way you spoke to them.

Think about how good you feel when someone says something nice to you. Your body system is refreshed, good cheer is brought into your life and you feel a kind of deep admiration or love for the person. Such a good feeling pays in many ways. At that moment you rarely think of your problems. You feel joy and appreciation.

What about when you positively touch someone with your words? You love it when the beneficiary showers you with words of appreciation. Sometimes they pray for you in gratitude. You feel good that you have just been of value to someone. Just like after you give someone a gift, you find inner peace when you do it cheerfully. 'Those who let the light shine in the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.'

It is just the opposite when you condemn and criticize someone in anger.Abusive or curse words are the high points of it. Likewise, when you rant out of frustration or speak to someone disrespectfully out of your selfishness.

When you regain your tranquility after letting out such words and discover you got it wrong somewhere, you start regretting. It could get to the extent of you finding ways to apologize to those that bore the brunt of your verbal attack. It was as if you splashed mud on them and you feel terrible to have done so.

Words are so powerful. An encouraging word can go a long way in improving someone's life. There are people you can never forget in your life; not because you have their phone numbers or pictures, but because they sowed a seed in your life with their words. They inspired you. Their words echo in your subconsciousness from time to time. It is not surprising that the great Mother Teresa said, "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

Encourage someone putting in so much time and resources in a worthy project. Motivate an ambitious child with inspirational words. Let your words soothe a sick fellow. Remind a friend facing a challenge that he or she is not finished because there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Tell your spouse you love him or her... The list is endless. You never know that there are several people out there longing to hear your words of approval.

Better someone's life today. Let your words bless...

Picture: Courtesy, webstockpro.com

See the Light

2011-09-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

There are moments that all does not seem to be well...

Life has dealt you a terrible blow. You put your head down. It did not happen the way you wanted. You are not where you think you are supposed to be. You want to stay all alone and bemoan your fate. You are angry.You are easily irritated by any little thing. You want to 'switch off.'

But just wait a minute; can you change the situation? Why not just take out time and ponder over it, think of a way out. Okay, if you cannot change the situation, why not accept it and put on the best attitude that would enable you live through it.

Does it add to your accomplishments and popularity if everyone around you knows you are facing a mountain? When you become the new 'gist' because your continuous complaints are known by all.

Now, think about your health; it worsens, when you are immersed in constant worry, anxiety and fear.

Seeing only the negative aspects of any situation can cause you to miss opportunities, neglect problems that need to be solved, and fail to take action that would otherwise improve your relationships and quality of life.

See the light, it is there at the end of the tunnel.This mess is not happening to you, it is happening for you. It is only but a stepping stone to greater heights.

Stop thinking about what is happening to you and start thinking about what you can make happen. If you're not happy with the way your life is now,change it by setting new goals and moving on.

You can do this by being optimistic. Stay confident, hopeful and cheerful. Expect good things. See the good and encourage yourself and others to be their best.

And do not forget that time and tide waits for no one. Any moment you spend brooding over failures and setbacks cannot be regained and so it has been wasted.

Count your blessings! See the light!

Picture, courtesy: Superstock.com

Put Your Free Time to Productive Use

2011-07-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

It is one of those days at work where you have less work to do. You smile and recline on your chair. It is time for office gossip. And the gist begins-from petty talk about your colleague who is not on seat to the wedding you attended last weekend to the new babe in town. You keep talking and the clock keeps ticking. It feels good, there is no pressure. Then you switch over to internet chat…

The next day you come to work; official phone calls, clients need your assistance, your boss keeps urging you to finish the tasks assigned to you long ago. You remember the other things you still had to do that day. Just like most days, it is a hectic day. You hate your work!

We all love some free time, be it at work or at home; when there are no tasks that need urgent attention, when we are at the motor park, train station or airport waiting for our turn to move, when we are done with home keeping. When the lecturer does not show up for the day’s lecture… There are loads of ways that free time comes up.

It would pay us if we use this free time to our advantage. When you are at the airport or station, when you are waiting for something, think about what you can do or what you can take with you so that you can use your time more effectively. For instance, you can be checking through the report that you have to present at tomorrow’s meeting.

It is a good time to do some creative day dreaming which could help you tackle some problems. You can use it to do some deep thinking with a pen and paper in your hand-where you list out and weigh various options. On the other hand you can use it to read a good book, plan for tomorrow or the week ahead.

You could face some lingering task that do not need immediate attention and make some progress on it. It could just be a good time to shut out your mind from the world and do some meditation. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it is to your own advantage and do not loose sight of when the train moves or the next task!

And if you are sure all your jobs have been completed to your satisfaction, then enjoy your well earned time. Avoid spending such time complaining or worrying over an issue because it is a good time to recharge your batteries for the next task. Of course, you need to stay right on op of our game!

Picture, courtesy:Flickr.com

My Boss, You Devil!

2011-07-04T06:37:00.000-07:00

It is very common for us to start looking at our employers as monsters. We see them wanting to squeeze all the juice in us, the same way an orange is savoured. It either makes us wallow in self pity, get bitter and arrogant or become pragmatic-looking out for other better opportunities and taking the job as a learning process. It is better you choose to be pragmatic. The quote below from Henry Ford would give you more insight about how corporations work.
"It is not the employer who pays wages -- he only handles the money. It is the product that pays wages."-- Henry Ford, Industrialist
We would enjoy our stay as employees better if we start seeing our places of work from Henry Ford's point of view. O yes! Some bosses could be out rightly exploitative. But sometimes the problem is just us! Running a corporation could be hectic-salaries, over heard costs, taxes and things that ensure that the business stays afloat.
Take out time and look at your boss today, smile at him but say under your breath, "Hey, you are not happening to me, you are happening for me!" Under your breath, I did say! Love him or her. Learn! learn! learn not just your immediate job demands but as much as you can about the way things work there. You never can tell- you could be on your way to becoming a business owner tomorrow and the place you are, could just be an opportunity that life offers you to learn! Besides, it is best to leave a company with a good name, it is always something good for your resume(CV). And it is indeed a small world, you could meet your former boss or colleague somewhere again!
Ask yourself, if I were in my employers shoes, would I run this 'show' better? This would give you a more objective view about your own entrepreneurial desires. Take out time to give your self an appraisal study to know if the job is actually adding value to your short term and long term goals. Sit down and reflect on what you have learnt as well as what you can still learn from the job. Reinforce your resolve to grow by associating more with colleagues who would add value to you. There could be ways you can add value to your place of work too, even if you may not be rewarded for it, remember that it opens doors for more innovations from you, for you and for others. After all, your job is just a phase of your journey to greater heights.
Clients often notice the attitudes that staff of corporations put up. And believe me, when you are good, many of them will follow you, even if they find you in another firm or in your own firm tomorrow. So stay cheerful and be your best. The next customer could be a ticket to your progress tomorrow.
Your boss may not just be that devil you think he is. You are are on a journey to the top. Give your game the best shot! Be your best self. You should be known to be good in that job you do. And you can look yourself in the mirror and whisper, "I am on top of my game!'
Picture, Courtesy: Yahoo Images

Thumbs Up, Oprah!

2011-05-29T04:36:00.000-07:00

She was raped when she was nine, gave birth to a stillborn child at 14 and was so poor that she once used potato sacks as clothes.

Born into poverty in rural Mississippi to a teenage single mother and later raised in an inner-city Milwaukee neighborhood. Oprah Winfrey, experienced considerable hardship during her childhood, claiming to be raped at age nine and becoming pregnant at 14. She was not deterred. She went on to become a globally acclaimed television host, actress, producer, and philanthropist, best known for her self-titled, multi-award winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011. She has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century, the greatest black philanthropist in American history, and was for a time the world's only black billionaire.She is also, according to some assessments, the most influential woman in the world(courtesy: Wikepedia)

Her story demonstrates, it does not really matter where we are coming from but where we are going to. Do not let your failures, mistakes or hurts of the past affect you. Look ahead, focus on the bright future, be your best and the sun would shine for you.

She gave out cars as a surprise gift to an entire audience of 276 people in one of her shows in September, 2004. Her influence opens doors and financial floodgate for writers, movie stars, musicians ad business owners when she hosts or mentions them in her show or when her book club commends the works of the writers. She turns no names into brand names. This her influence has been dubbed as the "Oprah effect." The endorsement power of the "Oprah effect" has seen 55million books sold after promotion by her two-million-member Oprah Book Club.

Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls located in South Africa aims to give girls from deprived backgrounds a quality education in a country where schools are struggling to overcome the legacy of apartheid.

Oprah has touched many lives by her style of anchoring her show and her giving; she is fondly loved by many. Her contributions to the society cuts across many spheres of human endeavour. As she wrapped up her popular TV show last week, one could feel the impact she made. She is a testimony of determination, focus, persistence and consistency. Oprah, was on top of her game and it would not be a surprise if she records tremendous success as she focuses on her TV channel/media platform, Oprah Winfrey Network(OWN). Thumbs up to the woman of substance.

Picture, Courtesy: Reuters

The Ageless Boxer who Became a Champ!

2011-05-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

Boxing lovers around the world are showering praises on the current WBC and IBO light-heavyweight champion, Bernard Hopkins.

Hopkin’s victory is a very good demonstration of resilience and determination. A 46, he still believed in himself. He did not see his age as a barrier. He trained hard and even after the initial game with Jean Paschal, 28 which had ended in a stalemate he still went ahead to fight in Saturday, May 21^st rematch which he convincingly won. His victory was an unanimous decision by the three judges who gave their verdict. The former undisputed world middleweight champion won the fight claiming 116-112, 115-114 and 115-114 majorities.

After getting into a lot of trouble as a youth which also landed him in prison, Hopkins swore that he would never return to prison. He kept his word and made a lot of fortune from boxing by the time he retired, all before his recent comeback. His lifestyle then could be likened to that of a, ‘warrior monk,’ because he didn't drink, didn't smoke, ate well all the time, and treated going to the gym as if it were a job.

The American boxer is the first fighter to retain all 4 world titles of each major boxing sanctioning body, he is considered one of the best middleweights of all times.

Hopkins is now the oldest champion in boxing history after surpassing George Foreman’s record which he set at 45 . He is indeed, on top of his game!

Picture: Courtesy:Yahoo