₦airaland Forum

Prior to graduation, many undergraduates dream of seamless integration into the world of high paying blue collar jobs. Upon graduation, many are faced with the harsh reality of unemployment. The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics puts the unemployment rate in Nigeria at 10.4 per cent (at last quarter of 2015).

This article outlines 5 things you can do to survive the present economic hardships. Beyond survival, the application of the information provided will see you blossom financially.

1.IDENTIFY YOUR STRENGTHS AND AREA OF INTEREST.
Make out considerable time and commit resources to developing competence in your area of strength and core interest. This may include attending seminars, workshops, conferences and studying useful materials on the internet.

2.VOLUNTEER FOR ACTIVITIES IN THE AREAS OF YOUR INTEREST
Ponder on the following:
1. Do I consider what I stand to benefit in a relationship beyond what I have to offer?
2. Am I genuinely interested in people’s affairs?
3. Can I commit faithfully to a work that has no pay attached?
4. Am I sad at people’s progress?
5. Do I offer helping hand even when am not asked?

To connect with something, first you need to be within the view of that thing. It is unfortunate that most youth do not expose themselves to the right connection. They run away from activities and responsibility, meanwhile this are opportunities for exposure. It is very important for youths to join: voluntary associations, social groups, religious groups, and even make out time for seminars, sporting events, competition and religious events. These are avenues that provide the necessary exposure for the right connection.

Exposure to connection is important but then actual connection is even more important. After meeting you in an event, why should I make reference to you in times of opportunity? The answer is not far-fetched.

First, a show of a sense of responsibility and honesty. People need to embrace responsibility and see it as an opportunity to make a good impression through honest and committed performance. It is often said that: The reward of a good job is more work. When you perform excellently in a voluntary work, I will definitely remember you for a job that has a reward.

Psychologically, there is this sense of indebtedness for someone that does you a favor. If I am in the
position to offer opportunity, I will definitely remember someone that has impacted me over others that I met but never had an impact. We need to harness this psychological concept in gaining the right connection. People need to see the need of others as an opportunity for connection. We need to be genuinely and selflessly concerned about the need of others, there lies the: ‘Untapped benefit of selfless service’.

We really need to tap into the benefits of selfless service. Volunteering gives you a chance of growing your years of experience and sometimes aid employment via recommendation and validation from organizations you have volunteered with.

3.KEEP AN OPEN MIND TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SELF-EMPLOYMENT
Many job seekers wish to secure jobs with multinational firms particularly the oil and gas companies. While it’s good to dream and be ambitious, reality shows that only a few have the opportunity of working with the International Oil Companies (IoCs). More so, the recent crash in the price of crude oil has seen many IOCs lay off their employees.

It is therefore important that you keep an open mind to the possibility of being your own boss. Be inspired by the fact that the world wealthiest men and women are entrepreneurs. Open your mind and pay attention to the opportunities within your immediate environment.

4.LEARN TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Constructive use of social media can be of great benefit to unemployed individuals. There are accounts of individuals who got called up for interviews based on the information recruiters gleaned from their social media profiles and activities.

In developed countries, human resource personnel’s do an audit of potential employees Facebook profile before considering them for employment. This practice may likely find its way into Nigeria in no distant future.

Do you know that Facebook has a service called Instant articles which enables publishers, writers to monetize content on Facebook? Instant articles is particularly good for blog owners and individuals with good writing skills.

Do you also know that you can study, sit for a test to become a certified Facebook user, advertiser?

Do you know you can learn to use Facebook as a branding and advertising medium while driving sales for your products and third parties at a fee?

Sign up an account on Linkedin.com if you do not have one, Linkedin.com is a social platform where professionals network. Do not underestimate the power of an active and well-crafted LinkedIn profile as many individuals have gotten jobs and advanced their careers through connections made on the LinkedIn platform.

5.LEARN HOW TO NETWORK
When last did you make a new friend? Networking is simply reaching out to people with common interest.

How comfortable are you in getting along with individuals you meet for the first time? What are the best ways of initiating conversations with individuals who can add value to you, your business and career? Let the reality that an individual’s success is greatly influenced by his/her network inspire you to reach out to people who can add value to you.

Tuosa lala lala lala… Solo received an unexpected slap orchestrated from behind, the sight and echo that followed saw me change lanes- I quickly crossed to the left side of the road. I later found out that Solos crime was that he unintentionally stepped on a stranger’s toes. To know that he was not aware of his offence until thunder struck, attracted some sympathy from me. But the stranger should have called his attention to his offence before serving him such deafening and peppered slap. Yes he should I thought, until I saw the look in his eyes, a hungry soul. It is so true, “a hungry man is an angry man”. I have since expanded the saying to, “A hungry man is a molten magma waiting to erupt”. May we not be victims of such hungry souls.


As much as I know, food has no enemy. The reoccurrence and persistence of unwelcomed hunger sets men apart, well fed ones with glowing, radiant skins; others with jagged and rough skins punctuated by hollowed and sulky cheeks.  


Just yesterday, I slept off in the course of writing an article, my thoughts were not flowing as planned so I turned to sleep for respite and a reset. I had barely slept for 20 minutes when hunger aborted my sleep in a way I found so mean and disrespectful. On that occasion, I was in a good position to silence it with a bowl of rice and beans garnished with assorted fish.


Food and hunger, there is a thin line that separates them. If you do not put yourself in a position to find food, hunger will undoubtedly locate and molest you. I am yet to meet a man who is at war with food or decides to take two weeks break from food for the purpose of resting his teeth and jaw – have you met one?


Can we liken food and hunger to Success and failure? Like food, success is not a one off thing. It is not a destination. Successful people are not foolproof from failure. What differentiates them from individuals adorned by failure is their outlook to life. They live visionary and purposeful lives, characterized by can do attitude.


In the same vein, make pursuing your ideas, adding value a priority, runaway from slothfulness and idleness; they are core ingredients from which men whose existence depletes creation are made, in their loins lies the devils production factory .

Show me a man of great repute and I’ll show a man who has pursued his dreams against all the odds that comes in the way of great dreams and visions. Men who understand that failure is when one fails to try again!


This week, what activities and goals do you have on your to do list? Are there ideas frustration and what others think have made you forsake and abandon? Go ahead and pick them up from the trash can. I bring you good news; dreams come true, and they are made true by work, positive energy and belief.


This week and in the coming days, I wish you favour and Gods speed as you set out to achieve your set goals. May your days be bright and beautiful!


If you are blessed, inspired by this article share it with a friend.


#hookupwithBabT @ olorunfemibabatunde.com #Ilovetoshare #beinspired!

If you’ve been on Facebook recently, you might well have seen a status update warning users that their entire Facebook history will become public unless they copy and paste the message onto their own page.

Here is Facebooks response to it:

FACEBOOK ANNOUNCEMENT

You may have seen a post telling you to copy and paste a notice to retain control over things you share on Facebook. Don't believe it. Our terms say clearly: You own all of the content and information you post on Facebook, and you can control how it's shared through your privacy and application settings. That's how it works, and this hasn't changed.

You can visit Privacy Basics to find out more about who sees what you share on Facebook and other topics.

You can also read the Data Policy to find out what information we collect and how it is used and shared. We want you to be informed and in control of your experience on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/fbfacts/1573108242983244

If you’ve been on Facebook recently, you might well have seen a status update warning users that their entire Facebook history will become public unless they copy and paste the message onto their own page.

Here is Facebooks response to it:

FACEBOOK ANNOUNCEMENT

You may have seen a post telling you to copy and paste a notice to retain control over things you share on Facebook. Don't believe it. Our terms say clearly: You own all of the content and information you post on Facebook, and you can control how it's shared through your privacy and application settings. That's how it works, and this hasn't changed.

You can visit Privacy Basics to find out more about who sees what you share on Facebook and other topics.

You can also read the Data Policy to find out what information we collect and how it is used and shared. We want you to be informed and in control of your experience on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/fbfacts/1573108242983244

If you’ve been on Facebook recently, you might well have seen a status update warning users that their entire Facebook history will become public unless they copy and paste the message onto their own page.

Here is Facebooks response to it:

FACEBOOK ANNOUNCEMENT

You may have seen a post telling you to copy and paste a notice to retain control over things you share on Facebook. Don't believe it. Our terms say clearly: You own all of the content and information you post on Facebook, and you can control how it's shared through your privacy and application settings. That's how it works, and this hasn't changed.

You can visit Privacy Basics to find out more about who sees what you share on Facebook and other topics.

You can also read the Data Policy to find out what information we collect and how it is used and shared. We want you to be informed and in control of your experience on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/fbfacts/1573108242983244

Thank you Emmak. Its great to know we share the same view. lets keep preaching this until all Nigerians come to understand that the citizenry can make the change they crave for happen through unity of purpose.

emmak2k4:
God Blesses you my brother, indeed Until we make the affairs of this country our business, we would ALL remain slaves in our own land.

May the ink of your pen never runs dry. As always, I have maintained that the solution confronting this great nation is never coming from Aso Rock nor any of the thirty six state secretarial's. Nigerian's are the problems of Nigeria, until we all change in our own very little ways the change mantra will die a natural death.

God Bless you once again!

Have you heard the saying, “blessed is the hand that giveth than the one that taketh?”

Since independence, Nigerians have not been able to apply this universal truth. Greedy leaders and citizens continue to work tirelessly, day and night to bleed the nation to death.

What can you give Nigeria? What have you given her? You are tempted to ask what you have benefited from her; isn’t that reaping from where you did not sow?

You are a teacher who make out time to tutor your biological children thoroughly but do not prepare for your lesson periods. Unemployable graduates are beneficiaries of your “Kindness”.

You are a policeman, you extort money at every opportunity but will not do same to members of your immediate and extended family. Are you police for your family members alone or a Nigerian Police? What is good for your family members should apply to every Nigerian.

You are a civil servant, you resume work by 11am and close by 1pm yet you want your salary to be paid on time knowing well that you do not hold nor contribute any value to the nation.

You work in the Federal Road Safety Commission, Immigration office, with a bribe of 5,000 – 10,000 you can produce the driver’s license, International passport within the blink of an eyes; without bribe it will take “forever”.

What can you do for Nigeria? Who will save our dying Nation?

Let the positive change we want to see begin with you and me. It must be visible and audible in our attitude and actions.

If it takes Mr A two days to renew his International passport and driver’s license after paying 5000 Naira bribe to the officials handling the renewal process respectively. How many days will it take Mr B (not willing to give bribe) to renew the same documents?

Your guess is as good as mine. Corruption mixed with incompetence is the obtainable bureaucracy in our institutions. Who then can solve this problem? It is a problem beyond Sai Baba, so don’t even give that option a thought.

I believe the citizenry can stop this dreadful and long standing anomaly by uniting to “occupy” and engage the leadership of the affected institutions.

Until we make the affairs of this country our business, we would remain slaves in our own land.

Re: Conviction of Temisan Omatseye, former director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. Real Issues

Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Ibrahim Magu, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Paragraph two, page two of The Nation newspaper of Saturday May 28, 2016 wherein he stated that "... former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Temisan Raymond Omatseye who got five years for a N1.5billion contract scam, are some of the 140 convictions the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has secured in six months".

Maritime Advocacy Group, MAG, a coalition of Journalists and critical stakeholders in the Maritime industry, is concerned that the EFCC chairman in the statement failed to state what transpired in the court.

MAG expected the chairman of the Nation's anti-graft Agency to have called for the Judgement file or sort the opinion of his legal team on the judgement before coming out to misinform Nigerians, the media and the general public on a case 'that is more of a persecution than prosecution".
It is pertinent to note that NOWHERE IN THE JUDGEMENT IS TEMISAN OMATSEYE FOUND GUILTY OF ANY FRAUD. NOT TO TALK OF MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS. NO WHERE AGAIN WAS IT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS GUILTY OF ANY CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

As a matter of fact, MAG WHICH HAD FOLLOWED PROCEEDINGS OF THE TRIAL NOTES THAT THE EFCC's IPO IN HIS STATEMENT AND EVIDENCE STATED THAT NO FUND BELONGING TO NIMASA WAS TRACED TO THE EMBATTLED FORMER DG’s BANK ACCOUNTS.
For Record purposes, Justice Rita Ofilli-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos, found him guilty of APPROVING CONTRACTS ABOVE HIS THRESHOLD. A MATTER ALREADY SUBJECT TO APPEAL.

MAG further notes that Temisan Omatseye had always stated in his statements and in court proceedings that THE SAID THRESHOLD WAS NEVER OFFICIALLY TRANSMITTED TO HIM AS AT THE TIME THE SAID CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED.
IT IS ALSO PERTINENT TO NOTE THAT AT NO TIME WAS THERE ANY N1.5BILLION FRAUD. THIS FIGURE, TO MAG, IS A FIGMENT OF THE IMAGINATION OF HIS PERSECUTORS. AS A MATTER OF FACT THE EMBATTLED FORMER DG OF NIGERIA'S MARITIME REGULATORY BODY AS AT THE TIME HE WAS SUSPENDED FROM OFFICE LEFT MORE THAN N52billion IN THE AGENCY’S ACCOUNT. AN AMOUNT HE GREWED FROM THE LESS THAN N20billion HIS PREDECESSOR LEFT IN NIMASA's COFFERS.

According to the evidences in the COURT AND FROM THE 27 COUNT CHARGE AGAINST HIM, THE AMOUNT WHEN COMPUTED CAME TO ABOUT N90million AND NOT THE N1.5bn THE PUBLIC IS BEING MADE TO BELIEVE through unscrupulous press articles.

Therefore, MAG, after having thoroughly followed the case to this point calls on Ibrahim Magu, hardworking chairman of the EFCC and indeed the general public to always get their facts right before issuing statements.
MAG which believes in objective and factual reportage will continue to preach a zero tolerance to corruption in the Maritime industry.

Signed:
Ifeanyi Okolie,
President, MAG.

Kayode Animashun,
Secretary General, MAG.

After twelve years of graduation from Secondary School, it was Nostalgic catching up with an old class mate. The high point of our meetup was the fact that he studied Economics but now a specialist in repairing industrial generators.

I asked him if there was any relationship between his current profession and Economics. Find his response,

“Absolutely! My economics background comes to bare in cost analysis, choosing the best solution which translate to getting optimal value at a reasonable fee”. He went further to say that, “I have relationships with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) which enable me source original spare parts for my clients generator”.

He has serviced generators at MTN base stations and has worked for other notable clients.

It is on this note that I have taken it upon myself to recommend Adelowo to you and other Nigerians who want value for their money and are willing to elongate the live span of their generators. With Lowo, you are assured of timely response, quality spare part, proper diagnose and professional delivery. The gains of education you’d say!

He works on generators with minimum power rating of 10KVA. However you can still reach him for professional advice if your generator rating is less than 10KVA.

You can reach Adelowo via:
Email: Adelowokolawole4165@gmail.com
Tel: 07030321012

Call Adelowo today…. Thank me later.

Are you good at what you do? Send your story to me via info@olorunfemibabatunde.com I would be glad to showcase you to the world.

Dont just read, Share! Promote a Young, Enterprising and Hardworking Nigerian.

#Appswheel #OlorunfemiBabatunde.com #HonestandHardworkingNigerian

If past political office holders received X amount when Crude Oil sold between $100 - $110/barrel, how much should the present political office holders earn? (Hint: Crude Oil now sells below $50/barrel).

A. ½(X)
B. X
C. 2X
D. X + ½(X)
E. X – ¾(X)

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER
1. If the allowances, wages, bonuses, salaries and other miscellaneous payments received by our political office holders remains at the same rate earned when oil sold at over $100/barrel. What justification do governments at state level have to owe workers’ salaries, pay half salaries?
2. How is the current political office holders sharing the pain of ordinary Nigerians?
3. What have your representative at the National Assembly done to justify the monies they are been paid?

MY TAKE
The Nigerian people must Unity to hold their representatives and leaders accountable irrespective of tribe, religion and party affiliation. We must measure the performance, activities of the present government against what is right and not against past administrations, other mediocre standards.

We cannot afford to sit on the fence on the matters that affect our present and future. Those who have been sitting on the fence will admit that the fence is becoming unbearable - that’s what you get when three tiny tomatoes is sold at 100 Naira.

Individuals (Citizens) must look within to see how they can harness and create value for themselves and their immediate environment. How can your talent, hobby add value and generate income? What are you doing with the opportunities provided by the internet and access to information? How have you used to internet to sell more products? Get more clients? Break barriers? Get ahead?

While it is important to hold our leaders and representatives accountable, it is equally important that we are accountable to ourselves.\

‪#‎OneCentAdvice‬ ‪#‎GodBlessNigeria‬ #Olorunfemibabatunde.com ‪#‎Appswheel‬

I find it difficult to believe that one Coaster biscuit sells for N15, this was before the fuel pump price increased to N 315 - N145. The thought that comes to mind is, "how do the Nursery/Primary school boy of little means in a typical Nigerian village afford Biscuit?" Biscuit is now a luxury!

Following the deregulation of the downstream sector, food prices, transportation cost, general prices of goods and services is on the increase; this is happening at a time the Nations economy is experiencing salary cuts, job loss, delayed salaries etc How do one correlate and reconcile rise in prices for goods and services on one side and decrease in cash circulation?

It is true that there will be hard times associated with the realization of the new, prosperous Nigeria we sincerely hope for. To this end we must ensure that the Martyrs of the present times, hardship do not die in vain - Martyrdom attributable to hunger, lack of education, bad roads etc

In the midst of it all, we the Nigerian people must not tread along party lines. We must hold our representatives accountable for their representation.

Beyond public trials, reports of recovered monies. Governments at all levels must come out to demonstrate and communicate the steps taken to tackle corruption head on. We need to know the existing, enforceable processes and structures that are in place to frustrate corruption.

We need to know the ongoing measures that are in place to promote transparency and accountability in governance. We need to know what is being done to attract investors, support SMEs and improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

The ordinary Nigerian cannot continue to live in squalor while the leaders make merry and wine as if all is well. So long as this hard time is for a better Nigeria our leaders must be part of it, it must be reflected in their wages, allowances, policy thrust, inward and outward bearing.

Corruption is killing this country, we must join hands to fight it in every way possible.

My heart sincerely yearns for a prosperous Nigeria, may the labours of our heroes past not be in vain.

The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) an umbrella body for all unity schools member association is a body saddled with the responsibility of sustaining the founding objectives of the Unity schools. How well has she delivered on her objectives? The poor performance recorded by USOSA so far can be attributed to lack of the right leadership and lack of interest from the stakeholders - Unity Schools graduates.

Are you a Unity School Graduate? 2016 is an election year for USOSA which provides an opportunity to choose the right leadership and get on board in creating a vibrant association which will take on the onerous task of reviving the dying unity schools.

Are you in?

I am a graduate of Federal Government College Ugwolawo?

Which Unity School did you attend? Can I meet you?

NOTE: USOSA - UNITY SCHOOLS OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

Lawrence Wilbert was president of the Lagos Chapter of Federal Government College Ugwolawo Old Students Association (FGCUOSA), his outstanding leadership qualities brought unprecedented growth to the association. After his tenure as Lagos Chapter President, he was elected as National President of the association, he served in this capacity for two tenures.

Below are highlights of his achievements as Lagos Chapter president and National President of FGCUOSA.

•President of the FGCUOSA Lagos Chapter (2009 to 2011)
•Masterminded the first ever Global Reunion of FGCUOSA in 2010.
•Provided leadership for three more Global Reunions including the first ever Offshore Reunion held in London in August , 2015.
•Provided Leadership that influenced the approval of N70Million intervention fund for FGCUOSA by the Federal Ministry of Education.
•Provided Leadership for the creation and effective management of an online Alumni community of over 3,600 members.
•Providing Leadership for the implementation of give back projects valued at about N10Million.
•Facilitating transparent financial reporting across FGCUOSA, leading to improved funding for FGCUOSA activities.
•Facilitating a strong welfare and member support culture within FGCUOSA.
•Provided Leadership that saw FGCUOSA growing from two functional Chapters to Ten Functional Chapters in less than four years.
•(2015) Included into the USOSA Exco by USOSA Exco consensus, in recognition of his exemplary performance as President of FGCUOSA and his unflinching passion for USOSA activities.
•Providing coaching and mentorship for effective leadership training across all functional levels of FGCUOSA.
•About Six years progressive and unbroken experience in Alumni development and management.
•Providing Leadership for improved participation of FGCUOSA leading to recognition of FGCUOSA as the association with highest attendance at the last USOSA Congress in Kings College, Lagos.
•Leading FGCUOSA to financial compliance at USOSA.
•Facilitating the recognition of FGCUOSA within USOSA as one of USOSA’s fastest growing member associations.

To read more about him visit http://wilbert4usosa.com

NOTE: USOSA - UNITY SCHOOLS OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

My friend Ajayi Charles is always quick to remind me of being part of voting the present government to power. He is right! I supported and campaigned for the present government. I did it for good reasons, not on sentiments or for selfish reasons.

The hardship that we currently face as a nation calls for a mind search and reflection. Mine came in the thoughts and scenarios shared in the subsequent paragraphs of this piece. Change is never easy for anyone and I will like to reiterate this by sharing the following stories. Please note that the names used in this narrative are fictitious.

Once loved for his generousity, Akunna suddenly lost his reputation as a giver. He was an armed robber who spoilt his family and kinsmen with the best of everything. One day, after an encounter with a man of God he repented of his crime and resolved to feed his family from his sweat. His foreign travels and vacations stopped.

Akunna started Carpentry and was extremely optimistic that it will be able to sustain his dream lifestyle. If you were to advise Akunna, would you advise him against his new resolve?

As a teenager, Sandra was commended for her resourcefulness and smartness. Many individuals thought she had a great future ahead but wrong decisions and company did not allow Sandra fulfil her potentials. She mingled with the club girls in the university, dropped out of college and became a professional prostitute. She so excelled at it that her service was sought and preferred by influential men. A night with her is said to cost between NGN 500, 000 and 750,000.

One day she met a man who took interest in her, he made a marriage proposal to her and helped her turn over a new leaf. Sandra now markets a leading beauty product, she is also an apprentice at a beauty salon. She can no longer afford her luxurious lifestyle but hopes that someday she will own a beauty store and be famous as a leading saleswoman.

Meet Chuka Adamu Sola, a University undergraduate well known for his innovative cheating techniques. His somewhat high CGPA did not command any respect from his peers. He is never nominated to represent his department at any quiz competition because of his dismal failure at his first and only outing for his department when his cheating techniques failed.

After several attempts, Husseina, his girlfriend was able to talk him out of cheating. “If you cheat through University, will you also cheat to get a job? If you do, will you cheat to excel at your job?”
These words hit the right nerves. In subsequent semesters he struggled with his academics, his grades dropped from As to Cs and Ds.

With hard work, his grades gradually turned around, he got back the As and Bs. He is now respected as one of the most brilliant students in his department.

That Nigeria will get better without a hard time is what typical Nigerians refer to as “story for the gods”. All the nations that turned their fortune around from being a third world economy to a developed nation have one thing in common, a leadership that helped brought them through a trying period to prosperity. Examples are Singapore and China.

It is disheartening that many Nigerians who did not support the emergence of Buhari’s presidency have now turned into self-acclaimed prophets of doom, saying their biased predictions about this administration is coming to pass. They are quick to jump at their social media accounts with posts like, “I thank God I did not vote for Buhari”, “Goodluck is the best President Nigeria ever had”, “Bring back the corruption days if prices of goods will get cheaper”, “I said it….”

Dear Prophets of circumstance, what if you do away with the bias and bitterness you have against this administration? What if you analyse the present situation in Nigeria from another point of reason, from an objective and holistic point of view? What if these hardships ‘midwife’ a prosperous Nigeria?

My expectation of every Nigerian is to form a coalition I term, “The People’s Assembly”, whose primary objective is to ensure that the hardships we are currently facing are for the right reasons. A coalition that will keep political position holders and all elected representatives on their toes through constructive criticism and making useful suggestions when needed. This way our present sufferings will someday birth a new Nigeria.

A Nigeria where things work, where electricity supply is stable, where the Police takes no bribes and takes pride in protecting lives and properties. A Nigeria where employment is not by “man know man”, where civil servants are productive and efficient, where students do not cheat to pass examinations, where every Nigerian child has a right to free and basic education, where the right of women are protected and where our lecturers do not victimize their students. A Nigeria that is self-sufficient in agriculture and petrochemicals. A Nigeria where people no longer perish in the Atlantic ocean in the hope of a better life in Europe.

I am Nigerian, I write this piece as a Nigerian, not as a Yoruba, Hausa or Igbo. I write not as a Christian or Muslim. Dear Anti- Nigeria/Buhari/Progressives… Supporters of PDP, Jonathan, past issues…. I beg you to let me have my peace going forward. I have taken my time to explain what change represents in my democratic lexicon, “a people who make their representatives accountable to their promises and go out of their way to press home their demand for a just, equitable, prosperous and united nation”.

If Buhari’s government fails to impress… 2019 is not far. I have not lost my sense of reason, objectivity and I still have my Voter’s Card.

I rest my case.

Mr. Lawrence Anirejuoritse Wilbert, the Chief Executive of Agilent Wireless Ltd, a mobile network value-added services provider, former National President to the Federal Government College, Ugwolawo Old Students’ Association and current Executive Chairman of Ikara community in Ikpobha-Okha LGA, Edo state, shares his views on the role of Unity Schools and quality of education in National integration and development in this interview with Nnamdi Nwokolo.

We are aware of your contributions to educational through alumni development, how did it all start?

My interest in the development of the educational sector using the vehicle of the alumni association is borne out of my passion with a view to galvanize my peers to develop education in Nigeria. I’ll call myself an enthusiast of people development and a unique child of Pro-Unitate, the unity of Nigeria, by virtue of the fact that I attended a unity school; Federal Government College Ugwolawo. I returned back to Nigeria after my educational and career sojourn abroad, and the desire to unite with my circle of friends started. I was invited to meeting that was aimed setting up our alumni association in Lagos, and all of sudden; I was elected to lead the Lagos chapter of our alumni association. That was how it all started.

What were your greatest challenges leading Federal Government College Ugwolawo Old Students Association?

The challenge of leading an organization like this is similar to leading any non-governmental organization – leading people with a common purpose; and it has to do with making sure that people know who you are and where you are taking them to, in terms of your vision, at the same time, create the awareness to get their buy-in, so that they can follow you effortlessly. Once that is achieved, the next, which is really the biggest, is how you can make this happen, in terms getting the finances to execute your projects. You need to generate different events that will excite and interest them to get them to support your vision. Those are the two major challenges I had to deal with, daily, during my tenure as President of my alumni association. There are other challenges that stare you in the face, like trying to find out what is happening in your alma mater, development-wise, and when you discover what is happening, is there anything you can contribute to its development, which stakeholders do you engage and how.

What do you consider Nigeria’s greatest educational challenges at the moment?

In general, there are now different levels and types of education, the private and the public. The private is where you get some quality education whereas in the public schools you begin to challenge the competence of the teachers in the schools. Do the facilities in the schools prepare them for the greater challenges ahead? For instance, the Unity schools which I am a product of used to have more Government funding and support in the eighties and the early years of their formation. However like everything else in Nigeria that used to be of high quality, lack of quality leadership has led to misplaced priority and decline in the level of premium placed on public schools. These are the challenges facing us as a nation. The national education policy has to be uniform across board to ensure equal standards. With regards to the educational sector there is need for purposeful leadership. We need to understand education is the bedrock of national development, and considering that we have a unique country in terms of population and diversity. One of the flaws we have in Nigeria is that we see ourselves first as our nation tribes not as Nigerians which should not be the case. There’s nothing wrong in loving your nation tribe but we are Nigerians first. You’ll now discover that education is the tool for creating the nation Nigeria. It is important that we imbibe in our children in their formative years to love Nigeria. Nigeria should be placed first before anything and purposeful leadership is the key to developing Nigeria.

As a Unity School graduate, how have the Unity Schools fared in your estimation?

I don’t think the purpose of establishing the unity schools have been achieved because if you look at them, you still find that the challenge we have with the issue of national unity still exists fifty years after the establishment of the unity schools. We are still not considering ourselves as Nigerians first. Nonetheless, the quality of education that was set out and provided for Nigerians from different regions was achieved during the earlier period of the formation of unity schools. The spirit of Pro-Unitate has been achieved because you need to be in our meetings to see the fire and passion and you see that people are comfortable with Nigerians from other tribes. What is left is for us to make the rest of Nigeria the same.

Do you think the Unity Schools Old Students Associate (USOSA) is an ideal platform to drive the development of the Unity Colleges?

With regards to the development of the unity schools, the old students association plays a pivotal role to the development of the school. By default, your passion for your alma mater will make you want to contribute to its development. I’ve worked with people from different unity schools, as much as I say my school is the best, you’ll see their enthusiasm to give back to the school. The other side to it is that we must remember that all the unity schools are owned and managed by the Federal government, so they have the responsibility to develop the schools. That be the case, the old students association plays a role also to the development of the schools influencing policy making, facilitating stakeholder engagement and building school support coalitions through the school-based management committee (SBMC) vehicle set up by theFederal Ministry of Education. The old students association can also contribute to its development and sustainability of Pro-Unitate culture and establish it as part of National ideology.

Having served your secondary school Alumni as President of Lagos Chapter and National President for 2 terms respectively, a period spanning over 7 years, what roles do you see yourself playing in your college Alumni and USOSA?

That’s a tricky and political question. I’ve built the Lagos chapter from inception and gone up to the national level to grow the association. When I became the president, we had three chapters, but we now have ten chapters. I’ve grown to have the experience of rallying the old boys and girls, in engaging the policy makers in the Federal ministry of Education. We have a bigger body, which is the Unity schools Old Students Association (USOSA). It will be an interesting challenge to take up a significant role in USOSA and rallying the various alumni association together to make things happen just as I have done in my alumni association; I will like to lead USOSA as the President-General. You may want to ask why, what we’ve achieved with federal Government College Ugwolawo is now like a beacon to amongst many other schools. There are many that are yet to have a structured alumni association, which is very sad. The good part is that in the spirit of Pro-Unitate, we can mobilise the vast human resources within USOSA and use lessons learnt from thriving Alumni associations to support the less thriving ones, thereby having a stronger Alumni coalition to engage the entire nation of Nigeria. The caliber of people in USOSA and the spirit of Pro-Unitate is what is needed to make positive change happen in Nigeria. We have to exemplify what we are in the Nigerian space.

What factors contributed to the successes achieved during your leadership stint with your college alumni?

What really assisted me was what I was suggesting for the educational sector,which is purposeful, visionary leadership. My old students saw in me as leading from the front with the set vision. I had to rally my folks all over the country to see what we can do to develop our alma mater. We recently took a programme to our folks in the UK to give them a sense of belonging. What aided my success, I repeat, was purposeful, visionary leadership. We have a vision that was clearly communicated to everyone and all. We ensured people were involved in everything that we did, we inspired them with strong objectives and reached out using effective technology and social media which broke physical barriers and built a truly global coalition for our alma mater. We drove interest to a frenzy and our people all over the world wanted to lend a hand of support. I would say that as National President, I provided motivation for our alumni community by leading from the front and making everyone to be aware of what needed to be done.

What drives you?

I am a child of Bendel state, grew up in the Midwest, educated in the middle belt, further educated in the former Soviet Union and had my first work experience in the UK as an Engineer; in all of these I have picked up different facets that have added to my curiosity for life and the equity among men. All these have built me into what I call a development enthusiast. I must confess to you that in my sojourn in different parts of the world, I have never seen a more interesting person than the Nigerian. Nigerians are people, intelligent, bold, and entrepreneurial and with a good zest for life, so our current level of development as a nation bothers me considering our human and natural resources. The drive is that as a Nigerian is to see Nigeria sit in its rightful place among the comity of nations. There is something that God has deposited in this space that makes us stand out. What the government needs to do is to create the environment to make the Nigerian entrepreneurial spirit thrive, through the provision of infrastructure – road network, constant electricity power, access to clean water and a common sense of purpose and unity.
source: http://guardian.ng/features/purposeful-leadership-is-the-key-to-developing-nigeria/

Pauldiamond:
How come Delts State University isn't mentioned? hmmm

Delta state not mentioned in the schools listed on the advert in TheGuardian Newspaper of Wednesday, February 10, 2016.

@CrazyMan, 1forall I hope you will get this to the Frontpage for the future of Nigeria Science and Engineering Education

I have just completed the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) Questionnaire for Science and Engineering Graduates. I urge every Science and Engineering Graduate to Complete the Questionnaire and Join in creating awareness for others to do same. It does not matter if you are practising the profession or Not.

The questionnaire is designed to determine the employability of Engineering and Science graduates from Nigerian Universities. By participating in this survey, you stand a chance of winning an iPad 2 Air. For enquiries you can contact the Help Desk on the email graduate_tracer_study@nuc.edu.ng

Please if this is the only sacrifice you'd make for the development of Engineering and Science in Nigeria, it will go along way. Data/information for making informed decision is important for the development of our dear Nation.Find the link for the Survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nuc-tracer

It will take you less than 3 Minutes to complete the questionnaire.

List of Universities Involved
1. All Federal Universities
2. Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo
3. American University of Nigeria Yola
4. Bells University of Technology, Ota
5. Bowen University6. Redeemers University, Mowe
6. Igbinedion University, Okada
7. Adekunle Ajasin University
8. Ambrose Alli Uni
9. Ekiti State Uni. of Sc. & Tech
10. Ladoke Akintola Uni of Tech
11. Lagos State University Ojo
12. Rivers State Uni. of Sc & Tech
13. Covenant University Otta

I hope you can remember your Matriculation Number... Its was rewarding to know I could still remember mine.
We all claim to love Nigeria and want its development, completing this questionnaire is a way to validate the claim. I hope you'd pass this litmus test.

Please Re-share this post whether you are an Engineering/Science Graduate or Not, you may have one as a friend on your wall.

The FGCUOSA National Convention earlier scheduled for February 19 -20, 2016 has been rescheduled for March 11 -12, 2016 due to Kogi State Eastern Senatorial election that held on Feb 20, 2016.

I am using this medium to call on every Alumni/Alumnus of the college to be part of the event and more importantly to associate with the Old Students Association.

The National Convention is aimed at evaluating the impact and contribution of the Association to the development of the College and to better position the Alumni to deliver on her objectives and goals.

As an association, we make collective efforts to contribute meaningfully to the development of our Alma mater not leaving its welfare to the exclusive purview of the Federal Government, while at this, the Alumni takes proactive steps to ensure the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education discharges it responsibilities to the college.

While composing this notice, I recited our School Anthem thrice and have this question for you – did you mean the words of the School Anthem when you sang them?

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COLLEGE UGWOLAWO SCHOOL ANTHEM
God bless thee my alma-mater,
Our only pro-unitate,
Your praises we are singing hither,
Our source of sound inspiration,
You are the pillar of our foundation,
You gave us basic education,
Federal Government College Ugwolawo,
My alma-mater, my alma-mater,

From places we have come around,
To study in harmony,
In you were the shining years,
We saw the light of our future,
You gave me hopes, I had my dreams
To you praise be forever,
Federal Government College Ugwolawo,
My alma-mater, my alma-mater.

I am particularly drawn to these lines, “You are the pillar of our foundation”, “you gave us basic education”, “You gave me hopes, I had my dreams”.

The training you got from the institution formed the Pillar of your educational foundation, what are you doing to ensure that it remains a strong foundation for many years to come, for the unborn generation?

During my time, I remember how the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in conjunction with the school authority arranged for Subject Teachers in Mathematics and other Subjects to mitigate the shortage of Teachers. These Teachers were on the payroll of the PTA. If our Parents could make such sacrifice, how much more is expected from us as Alumni’s, particularly those living their dreams – Just like we sang in the Anthem many years ago.

My thoughts – One of the key purpose of the School Anthem is to instill patriotism in us as Alumni. We should not forget too quickly the impact the college made in who we are today and will become tomorrow. Do not just take Pride in being an Alumni/Alumnus of a Federal Government College, contribute to the welfare of F.G.C Ugwolawo with your time, finance, Connections and Knowledge.

Let’s do this for Posterity.

Lagos Chapter February 2016 Monthly Meeting is scheduled as follows:
Date - Sunday, February 28, 2016.
Time – 2pm
Venue - Meeting Ground @ 6 Kernel Street (By UBA Bank), Off Bode Thomas Street Surulere, Lagos.

Olorunfemi Babatunde
PRO – FGCUOSA LAGOS.

FGC UGWOLAWO OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (FGCUOSA) HOLDS HER NATIONAL CONTENTION MAR 11 - 12, 2016

The FGCUOSA National Convention earlier scheduled for February 19 -20, 2016 has been rescheduled for March 11 -12, 2016 due to Kogi State Eastern Senatorial election that held on Feb 20, 2016.

I am using this medium to call on every Alumni/Alumnus of the college to be part of the event and more importantly to associate with the Old Students Association.

The National Convention is aimed at evaluating the impact and contribution of the Association to the development of the College and to better position the Alumni to deliver on her objectives and goals.

As an association, we make collective efforts to contribute meaningfully to the development of our Alma mater not leaving its welfare to the exclusive purview of the Federal Government, while at this, the Alumni takes proactive steps to ensure the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education discharges it responsibilities to the college.

While composing this notice, I recited our School Anthem thrice and have this question for you – did you mean the words of the School Anthem when you sang them?

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COLLEGE UGWOLAWO SCHOOL ANTHEM
God bless thee my alma-mater,
Our only pro-unitate,
Your praises we are singing hither,
Our source of sound inspiration,
You are the pillar of our foundation,
You gave us basic education,
Federal Government College Ugwolawo,
My alma-mater, my alma-mater,

From places we have come around,
To study in harmony,
In you were the shining years,
We saw the light of our future,
You gave me hopes, I had my dreams
To you praise be forever,
Federal Government College Ugwolawo,
My alma-mater, my alma-mater.

I am particularly drawn to these lines, “You are the pillar of our foundation”, “you gave us basic education”, “You gave me hopes, I had my dreams”.

The training you got from the institution formed the Pillar of your educational foundation, what are you doing to ensure that it remains a strong foundation for many years to come, for the unborn generation?

During my time, I remember how the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in conjunction with the school authority arranged for Subject Teachers in Mathematics and other Subjects to mitigate the shortage of Teachers. These Teachers were on the payroll of the PTA. If our Parents could make such sacrifice, how much more is expected from us as Alumni’s, particularly those living their dreams – Just like we sang in the Anthem many years ago.

My thoughts – One of the key purpose of the School Anthem is to instill patriotism in us as Alumni. We should not forget too quickly the impact the college made in who we are today and will become tomorrow. Do not just take Pride in being an Alumni/Alumnus of a Federal Government College, contribute to the welfare of F.G.C Ugwolawo with your time, finance, Connections and Knowledge.

Let’s do this for Posterity.

Lagos Chapter February 2016 Monthly Meeting is scheduled as follows:
Date - Sunday, February 28, 2016.
Time – 2pm
Venue - Meeting Ground @ 6 Kernel Street (By UBA Bank), Off Bode Thomas Street Surulere, Lagos.

Olorunfemi Babatunde
PRO – FGCUOSA LAGOS.

Airtel Network is quite OK

Still reading to make my comments shortly

I pray God to heal and rescue their marriage.

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acenazt:
ok i blame the british colonialists. They laid the foundation 4 dis madness.

Ah, "blame british colonialists"? You are such an interesting character. After 56 years of Independence if we put the blame of our present condition on the colonial master, then, we are a lost people, drifting with the wind.

I dont think anyone is to blame but us, "Nigerians". For instance, what are you contributing to the prosperity of Nigeria? Have you ever considered the difference you can make?

IkpuMmadu:
Gyan


But are some of the things John Magufuli has done already in LESS THAN A MONTH. Not in 3 or 6 years, one month. He’s shown a clear commitment to walk the talk but not to talk and talk and talk and talk more like we do here:

1. Soon after his election, Magufuli declared there would be no celebration of Independence Day on 9 December because it would be “shameful” to spend huge sums of money on the celebrations when people were dying of cholera. Instead, the day has been set as a national day of cleanliness, and the money will go toward street¬cleaning services. He has said everybody should pick up their tools and clean their backyards.

2. After his first official visit to the Muhimbili Hospital, and seeing the horrible state it was in, he ordered over 200 million shillings marked for “parliament parties” be used to pay for beds for people lying on the floor and sharing beds.

A few days later 300 beds were delivered. He dismissed the governing board and got a new team in place, and within days the broken MRI was fixed. He also pared down his inauguration party from $100,000 to $7,000 and sent the extra money to the hospital.

3. Three days into his term, Magufuli announced a ban on all foreign travel by government officials. They have been instructed to instead make regular visits to rural areas to learn and help solve problems facing everyday Tanzanians. All tasks that required officials to travel abroad would instead be done by high commissioners and ambassadors who are already in place.

4. He has restricted all first¬ and business class travel to government officials, except the president, vice¬president and prime minister.

5. There will be no more workshops and seminars in expensive hotels when there are so many ministry board rooms available.

6. He suspended the Tanzania Revenue Authority’s chief and other officials pending investigations after a visit by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa to the port of Dar es Salaam found 350 containers listed in its books were missing.

7. When he had to travel 600km to Dodoma, from Dar, to officially open parliament last week, he didn’t order a private jet – instead, he chose to drive.

8. At the National Assembly in Dodoma last week he clearly sent out the message that it will not be business as usual under his leadership.

9. He promised to cut public spending, fight corruption and enhance accountability in public service. He said it is time for Tanzanians to walk the talk.

10. Magufuli reportedly told parliamentary leaders that the people of Tanzania want him to solve their problems and not make speeches.

How I wish we could learn….By Kwame Gyan


But Yoruba messed this economy up with their indeginization decree headed by that rascal called awolowo with collaboration of hausas

Good measure by a proactive government I'd say. However, your comment,

But Yoruba messed this economy up with their indeginization decree headed by that rascal called awolowo with collaboration of hausas

is vague. can you please shed more light on what you mean by it. Thank you

989900:
Sorry, now I get your drift ( the headline and intro though).

Well, following your line of thought, you'll still have to blame all past administrations.

I posted the below on one of the Ben Bruce's 'buy naija' thread.

Your points are well taken and reasonable too. While the government shares a large chunk of the blame as you put it, many Nigerians do not have a "productive" mind. That is my primary concern.

Omololu007:
Ibos

Dear Omololu, I do not understand what you mean by "Ibos". Please expatiate on your point. Meanwhile do not give this write up an ethnic bias, remember I referenced ethnicity as one of the problems we are faced as a people. I am Yoruba by tribe. I know Igbos to be industrious, business minded people, left to me, Igbo land ought to be the commercial nerve of Africa.

989900:
Wrong direction of purpose . . . the economy (country) is dying, and you are still looking for who to blame . . . continue . . .

This is the time to put heads together and fashion a responsive solution.

Hi bro, I hope you read the article? If you did, you should know its not about looking for who to blame...